A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

January 26, 2022

Krafty Chicks ~ All Occasions

Hello Stamplings!

I hope this finds you well. 2022 seems to have hitched itself to the back of 2021 on a bullet train to Who Knows Where because I looked down, looked back up, and there is February right around the corner! Nevermind. All we can do is sit back, buckle up, and try to enjoy the ride. And if your skies are gray, I'm bringing the sunshine, so please put on your sunglasses!

Thank you to everyone who played in the Krafty Chicks "CAS" challenge last week! I'm enjoying being the Guest Designer for this month. For this fourth and final Thursday of January, our theme is "All Occasions" and here is my card to inspire you:
I send a lot of general thinking of you cards and I like the variety of using "hello" or "just because" for the greetings. In a pinch, I've been known to send a Hello card for a birthday or get well, so hello is a very Versa Tile! I have dies that also say hi, hello there, and hey there. I have several of each, as one does. This one, however, was a gift from a friend. The 3D NBUS embossing folder is from Sizzix and the leaves are from PTI. 

I look forward to seeing your creations! You can find all the details and the linky tool on the Krafty Chicks blog. I'd like to thank the gals in the Hen House for the honor of being their guest designer this month!
I'm also playing in these challenges:
***
The embossed panel used above was made during a crafty Zoom I had with friends a few months ago. Once you start embossing metallic paper with 3D e/fs, you can't stop. That's a side effect of all these cool background techniques you all come up with. I love to learn and play, but it does add a lot more panels to my Backgrounds container drawer cabinet storage unit. 

I'm trying to get better at using my backgrounds in a more timely manner, so I also made these metallic cards:
Let me know if you have any questions about any of these. The blue one in the middle of the bottom row was a fun discovery. The flowers weren't showing up very well, so I took a chance and followed the ridges with my white gel pen and it worked!

Twofer
Isn't that a great quote? It's NBUS from an ancient set of four large sediments that are, unfortunately unmarked. I heat-embossed it twice in platinum on a one-layer glossy paper tent card. Hammy picked out three random hearts for me to add (also double-heat-embossed in platinum) so I can use it as a Valentine. 

I don't know why I've never used the set before except to chalk it up to embarrassing largess
. That's similar to a large cee, but further along in the alphabet.

Challenges



~~~

Enjoy your day! 
No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!
*Life is too short!
If you think you're a person of some interest, try ordering somebody else's dog around.

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

59 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Lovely cards. Especially like middle bottom.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

kiwimeskreations said...

What gorgeous cards Darnell - I must try embossing metallic paper... another must do!!
Loving that sediment too - and trust Hammy to come up with the perfect finishing touch with the hearts
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Gerrina said...

I love how you used the metalic coloured paper! Brings a lot of sunshine in a here rainy gray day... And a great quote! But no twoofer but an eighter...you where on a good roll! Hugs, Gerrina

Carole said...

Hi Darnell...you certainly have made my day shine! These sparkly shiny cards are lovely...why does what everyone else makes look fab but when you try it yourself it ends up posted in the bin! I really like the last card too with the big sentiment. Really stunning and again not something I would ever think to do...so thanks for your inspiration and I will see you at the next train stop(if it stops)...that's February! Hugs xx

Aquarius said...

Metallic embossing both heat activated or dry pressed are great and your results are impressive.

Jeanne said...

I like the glitz of the metallic backgrounds, Darnell. But I totally lurve that sediment on the one layer card. :) Thanks so much for sharing!

Pat said...

What a fabulous selection of 3D EF's you have Darnell and I love all the different and beautiful colours of metallic card you've used and what a lovely way of saying 'hello, and how are you'. The double embossed words also work brilliantly with the little hearts too. x

designbydonna said...

Love the embossing on metallic. The fern card reminds me of a walk in the forest--when it gets warm enough to do that. Big sediments make for quick cards--you don't need mucg ekse. I am off to search my e/fs and metallic paper.

Brenda in IN said...

That Silky Sky mirror c/s is simply beautiful embossed with that folder. All of the embossed cards are simply stunning, especially the flowers outlined. It really pops. The embossed verse on the last card is so sweet and so true. It looks like Hammy jumped in the container you used for your floating alcohol inks.

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous collection of metallic fronted cards, Darnell. I am loving the teal/blue with the tulips specially. Your platinum sentiment card is awesome. What a lovely quote. Quite what I needed to read this morning.

Sue said...

Such gorgeous cards Darnell hugs Sue x

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
these are such very beautiful card and such wonderful embossing folders used.
I think I have only once embossed mirri card and don't know why I have not since.
Love all the wonderful different effects they have all taken.
That sentiment on the second if fantastic and such a good one too.
Love the gold heat embossed design and the fab different fonts on that stamp.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

conil said...

Have to say, I love me some embossed foil-look cardstock so you post is right up my alley. Love that gorgeous color on your GD card...it's amazing. Also think using up backgrounds is a good thing. Wish I could do it.
Your big sentiment card is, not only, beautiful but the sentiment is simply outstanding. Bet you could kick yourself for not using it before now. The card is shouting, winner, winner, chicken dinner.

BożenA said...

WOW! A wonderful collection of metallic embossed cards, Darnell. Just today I received one of these cards in a different color version and I am delighted. Thank you very much, because it is a wonderful gift for me, but at the same time such an amazing inspiration !!
The Twofer looks so amazing with the Double EP Double Turning. I love this look as if the sentiment is poured over the gold card and the thickness of the gold is really just right. Beautiful card, Darnell.
hugs,
BożenA xx

cuilliesocks said...

WOW!! Darnell, what a selection of wonderful cards, I love all the bright mirror card you've used and the embossing designs, and that sentiment is lovely, Kate x

Sandra H said...

Wow Darnell your metallic card is beautiful l love the colour and the leaf embossed folder looking at the others they are equally adorable must try this myself totally stunning and creative cards and hammy definitely has his uses lol xx

Mrs A. said...

All of those shinny embossed cards are specatular. I have been buying (well they keep falling in my basket for some reason) quite a few 3d folders so must start using them. Don't know where January went too neither except to say we have been doing a lot of squirrel watching. I bought a squirrel feeder for them which is a little house with stools out the front and they sit on em and lift the roof up and help themselves to the nuts that they can see are inside cos of the perspect window. The Doc said they would never learn how to get the nuts!! It took em a week to sus out and now we have two come to the cafe regularly (several x a day which is why January has swept past). Hugs Mrs A.

Jean said...

Loving the metallic backgrounds. Going to have to try that. The last card is simply gorgeous!

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Terrific cards, Darnell! And I see you have
mastered the art of photographing the metallic card!

Pia S said...

I'm a big admirer of your metallic cards, each one fantastic and so different from the others.
And double embossing the sentiment is a great trick to make the sentiment extra impressive - never tried it before- but I now sure will.

Karenladd said...

WOW!! That metallic background is spectacular and looks wonderful with the large die cut word. I'm still in the hoarding stage for my metallic card stock, but now that I've seen what you've done, I may just jump in and get reckless. Love the CAS look, as it lets the embossed background stand out so well.

I Card Everyone said...

Loving all the embossed shininess of your zoom cards, Darnell! But it's the words that always grab my attention - a wonderful sentiment - beautifully heat embossed!
=]

Susan said...

What a wonderful batch of cards, Darnell - love all that shiny foil! Needless to say, given my love of blue, my absolute favourite is the blue one in the middle of the bottom row. What a great idea to try going around the flowers with a white gel! I also love your one layer card with that great sentiment and the beautiful platinum heat embossing.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I LOVE how you have embossed them, the blue flowers with the white pen is gorgeous, what a lucky and beautiful discovery. LOVE your embossing folders, such a gorgeous set of cards. Something I must TRY and do.
Faith x

Jeanne H said...

Gosh, all of your cards are wonderful! Love the green, the metallic and embossing folder uses. Thanks! Hugs to you.

Donna said...

Amazing cards Darnell. I love the bottom left, it looks like a flame below it, wow!!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow!! LOVE your green metallic card with 3D EF and white embellishments! Love so much also the other embossed metallic cards and the blue one is amazing! Thanks for sharing how you made it!
Fabulous sentiment on the last CAS!! So true!
Hugs

HJ said...

Darnell, I love all of these bright, shiny cards. I love the wonderful quote and think it would be great in or on a Valentine card. Congrats on being the guest designer. Great job! Enjoy your day!

Lisa Elton said...

Good for you on using up those panels and in such pretty ways! All terrific cards, Darnell but your final with that fabulous sentiment is my favorite!

Brenda said...

January has flown by Auntie! I can't believe February is next week. You have definitely brought the sunshine! I love your card, it is so tropical looking to me and in the tropics you have warm sunshine! Could use some warm sunshine around here as it was 8 degrees this morning. Ramping up for cold, brutal winds come Sunday. Guess who will be staying in?! lol Love that you are using hello, hi and such for your sentiment instead of thinking of you. Hello is very versatile on cards. Your other 6 cards are gorgeous as well! I got some gold metallic paper to try this technique but didn't get the chance to do it yet. Soon though! Your twofer card is amazing, I am so loving that sentiment cause it is so true! Plus I love the simplicity of this card so you can focus on that sentiment. I hope you use it more. Hugs, Brenda

Cheryl W. said...

What a splendid array of cards! The metallic backgrounds are just awesome. Love that big heat-embossed sentiment, and yes, it's a great quote. We should all hear it at least once a day.

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Oh Wow Darnell what a stunning collection of cards. I had forgotten how good mirror card looks when it's embossed, your collection is wonderful and all so different too.

Sue xx

Carol L said...

The first card is simply fabulous with all that rich color and incredible embossing! The other embossed cards look equally amazing and especially the blue one with white gel pen drawing! Steady now! I could never do that for sure! Love that sentiment on the last one too. Beautiful cards, and happy weekend!

Mac Mable said...

Yes.... it's a funny thing with January being a long month, short days, wintery weather and yet it skips by x.
Wow to your stunning first card Darnell. What a striking effect and always great to have those Hello type cards to hand x.
The embossed panels sure are eye catching and an extra stunning effect with the blue card in the middle, on the second row x.
Loving the large sentiment on your twofer and I can never manage to double emboss, on a stamped sentiment (only die cut ones), without it looking blurred. Thank you for the inspiration Darnell x.

Lynette said...

That is a very gorgeous card, Darnell - as are all the cards you shared! How fun. I love the sentiment on that last card, too. Thanks for sharing all these beauties.

Bobby said...

I would say you have a wonderful array of embossing folders, Darnell, and using them with foil elevates your cards to the spectacular level. I love the image on the blue one and outlining it in white was a genius idea. The large sentiment on your no-layer is fabulous and so true.

Maria said...

Oh, such gorgeous embossed cards, Darnell! They are all beauties with the metallic paper that make them shine! I do love the tip on how you used the white gel pen to outline the flowers, super lovely! And, the last card with the wonderful sentiment in gold is perfect, love it! Have a great weekend, hugs!!

HilaryJane said...

Your metallic embossing is fabulous, I love it. I often play about making backgrounds and then I can't ever work out how to convert them into a card, so in the bulging folder they go to wait inspiration, which only arrives now and again. Your lovely glossy sentiment card is great too and you got a good picture of it so kudos to you xx

oldpunca said...

I have to stop on your twofer card for the first. This sentiment is really wonderful. And the card is a fantastic CAS. Hearts matches perfectly. Your playng with embossed metalic background and big sentiments are just great. To make flowers more vissible with the white pen is the idea to remember. Well done, my friend!
Hugs, Sonja

KT Fit Kitty said...

Oh my word, Darnell, just look at all of these amazingly gorgeous cards you made! Those metallic cards are particularly eye-catching! I have some metallic cardstock so I guess I need to start using my embossing folders! Congrats on your GD feature at Krafty Chicks - well deserved! Have a wonderful weekend!

Bonnie said...

It's been fun seeing your cards at Krafty Chicks this month, Dolly! You collected a fantastic group of embossing folders and they are all so pretty done with foil! Love the flower garden with the white highlights! And a wonderful sentiment all embossed in platinum! So rich and elegant! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

frommycraftroom said...

Love the metallic backgrounds! What a collection. You certainly have been super busy.
The heat embossed sentiment is gorgeous! What a fab sentiment.

Leanne said...

It is such a pretty card, I like the background so awesome the embossing folder you used, is so great. Have a great evening and weekend! Hugs, L:)

Bonnie Lynn said...

Darnell, all of these cards are fabulous! Wish I would use up my backgrounds a bit better. Thanks for all of your inspiration.

sandie said...

Those metallic backgrounds do look fab and wow to using the white liner-worked perfectly. I must use up some of my metallic card like this! And such a lovely sentiment and perfectly embossed-the star of the show! Have a fun day x

TK said...

Hello! Long time no Bloglovin' posts - so here I am to inundate you with comments :oP I love the cards, and kudos on pulling off the flowers with gel pen - ingenius! I also love the large sentiment, it's amazing what we don't use and them BAM, there it is and we wonder why...

missgailly said...

All your cards are fantastic. But I think my fave is the first one, because teal is my favourite colour! Thanks for playing along at USE YOUR STUFF - DT Gail

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

You've really outdone yourself with that metallic set, Darnell - love them all but my fave is the blue one with the added white pen. Well done! Gorgeous statement sentiment too - perfect with the gold embossing!!

Tristan said...

Stunning gold embossed card Darnell. Thanks for being joining us at AAA Cards. Tristan DT.

Linda said...

WOW! Those embossed metallic cards look amazing .... the designs are so pretty and the shine on them is stunning. Love the look of the highlighting with the white pen .... very clever.
The twofer is fab, what a great sentiment. Fabulous inspiration as always xx

Helen said...

Love the impact of embossed metallic card Darnell! Simply wonderful and the simple die cuts are the perfect finish!! I agree. I also make lots of cards that can be used for lots of occasions!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge. Stay safe! :)

Marilyn said...

Your card is beautiful! I love the embossed background and color
Have a great day!
Marilyn💖

Haven_mom4 said...

Wow, the embossing jumps out on the metallic background. Thanks for joining us at Use Your Stuff

Ink Outside The Box With Diane said...

Love, love, love all your metallic backgrounds. Think I need a shopping trip to find me some. We are so honoured to have you join us this month at Krafty Chicks Challenge. You are an amazing, talented card maker, the pleasure was all ours.
Diane - DT

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love all your sparkly cards xoxo

Nandini said...

Gorgeous card. Love all the shine and texture. Great to see you in the HLS Challenge gallery. Hope to see you again soon! Nandini, DT

Leslie Miller said...

Wowie zowie, you've got some amazing 3D embossing folders. I did a belly laugh about your background storage unit, hahahaha! All your metallic cards are amazing! I, too, find "hello" the most useful sentiment and many times will start with "hello" and leave the inside blank. A lot of them go out for birthdays and thinking of you. Keep on sharing your largess. I love seeing it!

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful cards...great embossing!

acupofcards said...


What a cute CAS Card!
Thank you very much for joining us at the bastel-traum Challenge.

Hugs and good luck
Patrizia
DT bastel-traum challenge