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!

August 1, 2022

Flowers and Friends

Hello Stamplings!

Welcome and Happy August! Of all the names of months which people give to their children, August is one of my favorites. Doesn't it sound distinguished? A boy would hate it, but you just know he is going to grow up professor smart, smoking a pipe, and wearing a sportcoat with leather elbows. Of course, rightly so, nobody is smoking a pipe anymore (nor blazers like that), but I always liked the look. Okay, Boomer.

(The Mister was trying to be hip and used that expression yesterday, but it came out, "Okay, Beemer." I mean, honestly, how perfect that a Boomer messed that up? We're both still giggling about it.)

Onefer Trois

For today's presentation, I am back in my NBUS flower box. Are you ashamed that you have stamps from years ago that have never been inked? Don't be! NBUS is the support group for all of us. We don't judge here.

Thank goodness, because the set I used for my cards today is from 2016, small cough. It's from the Butterfly Kisses set by Mama Elephant:
I stamped and die-cut three images which I watercolored with my Ziggies in different color families and then Hammy winked them to high heaven. I went uber clean and simple for the peachy tones and then rummaged in my backgrounds box for the other two designs: inky schplatters and borders of Washi for the blue, and a blended debossed e/f for the orange.

Twofer
The flowers on this card are from "Oh Happy Day" by Taylored Expressions. The sediment set was borrowed from a friend in Oregon and because I don't have it, I think I either gave that cute frame die away or it was a long-ago gift from another friend.

With this card I am joining fellow bloggers in a tribute to Lindsey Martin-Penny who passed away recently after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Her blog was Bashful Blogging and we became friends in 2014. Lindsey served on the design teams of several of my favorite challenges and she left the best comments and emails! She was a hoot with a wonderful sense of humor and she will be terribly missed. 

Color Hues and Seize the Birthday are joining together for this tribute. They would like you to share your Lindsey-inspired designs using her favorite blue and purple colors. Thank you to both teams.

~~~

I have to share this gorgeous young Cooper's Hawk who landed in the garden last week. I was so happy that he stayed there for a few minutes while I grabbed my phone!
~~~

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

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse, being a follower, and leaving me some love! Remember that Thursday is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! 🍪🍪🍪

*Life is too short!

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!)

39 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Loving your gorgeous cards Darnell - and great to see Hammy is still handy with the WoS pen - he's such a help to you ;) Your tribute to Lindsey is beautiful.
That is one impressive Cooper's Hawk you had pay a visit!
Blessings
Maxine

Julie B said...

My you have been a busy girl in the playhouse Darnell, but pleased that you made the time to honour Lindsey with your pretty 4th card. She will be missed by her many friends and teammates.Your NEBUS trio are the same but so different with those fab backgrounds. :)

Aquarius said...

Great floral offerings and a super pic of the bird. Had to smile at your Mister mixing up a certain foreign make of car with Boomers. To prove that I read to the end I'm looking forward to Thursday, love choc chip cookies 🤣. Is there anything left which doesn't have a special day??

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

such a wonderful collection of cards Darnell, I love them all.

Sue xx

Gerrina said...

Love the flower in all the different colour schemes! (Sometimes I wonder why I never inked up a stamp that I bought a long time ago...even if I still like it...). And I love the graphic design of your twofercard flowers! So different, but so perfect for those colours! Hugs, Gerrina

Marilyn said...

Beautiful cards!
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! Such beautiful floral cards, with lovely colours that make them stand out. Love your second card too, so very pretty framed with the great sentiment. As for the name August, our Princess Eugenie's son is named that!
The Hawk is an amazing specimen, how kind of him to stay while you go for your phone. Love he sat in a lovely background too.
Faith x

Karen said...

Well, you always make me feel better about my stash of NBUS! Those floral cards are lovely. Your tribute card for Lindsey is wonderful; a fab design and I love that frame! Lindsey and I had a few email and text exchanges as Color Hues DT members, but I wish I had known her better. Thanks for sharing it with us at Color Hues!

Natalie said...

Such a lovely bunch of cards Darnell. The one for Lindsey is beautiful. She will be missed by the cardmaking community.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Lovely cards! Thanks for joining in at STB for the tribute. My nephew named his son August (after his grandpa) and your description is what I thought too! Lol I’m curious to see in 10 years if he uses his name or opps for his middle name Joe. 😀

Jeanne said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. Got a chuckle over a boomer messing a boomer with beemer. I'm on the cusp of being a boomer and a whatever the next generation is called, Gen X? Depends on the list you look at of the years. Your cards are so pretty and I always appreciate your encouragement and non judgement! I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. May her family and friends find comfort on the memories af a warm and loving woman. What an awesome sight with the Cooper's Hawk. That's amazing! Take care, Darnell and have a great week. :)

Brenda in IN said...

Better late than never to use that stamp. I'm glad you did because you got three lovely cards from it. Maybe we have to grow into our stamps sometimes. I love those whimsical flowers on the friend card. I'm so sorry to hear of your friends passing, that leaves such a void in your heart to lose someone. That's a lovely tribute from both challenges to honor her. The hawk has the most beautiful, muted colors.

Nancy said...

Your card to pay tribute to my dear friend is just perfect, Darnell! I so appreciate you joining us. And your trio of cards are just so fabulous as well. I don't think I have anything unused back that far but you are making me question it. You have done the set proud indeed. Thanks for always giving my spirits a lift when I come by and for being with us at Color Hues. Both are very appreciated! Hugs!

Cat Craig said...

Those blooms look great Darnell, the cards are all so happy feeling. LOve that about the cards…they should bring smiles and yours are sure to do that.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Beautiful trio using the Butterfly Kisses, Darnell, and what a lovely floral with the TE set in tribute to Lindsey. I didn't know her but may she rest in peace!

Loll said...

LOVE your trio of flower cards using the same image, but three distinct designs. The bright summery colours are so pretty, especially when you see the sunshine in your lovely backyard. Lovely tribute to Lindsey, Dolly. You will miss her. The hawk is so incredible ... great photo!! xx

Pat said...

I love your NBUS flower trio, and looking so different with the very CAS, then with the super blue washi and the third with some debossing using a very pretty EF. What a wonderful card a a tribute to Lindsey too and although I didn't really get to know her I can see that she was an avid cardmaker and involved with several DTs and a very popular lady who will be greatly missed. What a great photo of the Cooper's Hawk and it would not be a hardship to celebrate on Thursday with a pack of chocolate chip cookies..lol. x

Sue said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell especially the one paying tribute to your friend. Smashing photo of that hawk! hugs Sue x

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, your tribute to your friend is so beautiful, such a lovely design and colours.
The hawk is amazing, how obliging he stood there to get his photograph taken, Kate x

Tracey McNeely said...

All of your cards are beautiful and I especially love the card you made in Lindsey's honour. You nailed it with her personality, her so funny and dry sense of humour I will will forever, just like I will miss her forever. I was so honoured to meet all of her people last week at her visitation. She has left a hole in many hearts. That hawk is so handsome, I warm my chippies every day to watch for the hawks and the fox pups!! Thank you so much for sharing with us for Lindsey's challenge at the Color Hues!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Beautiful cards with your NBUS flowers, love especially the blue design with the washi tape and splatters! Beautiful tribute to Lindsey too, I didn't know her, but I'm so sorry... could she rest in peace.
The hawk is awesome, you has been so lucky to take a photo in your own garden! I suppose that Hammy was very worried about him! LOL :D
Hugs

Lisa Elton said...

Good for you to ink up that NBUS set! All of your floral cards are lovely, Darnell. My hubby would be beside himself if a hawk landed in our yard and stuck around for a photo! Great shot!

My Paper Epiphany said...

A gorgeous trio of floral cards using your NBUS stamp. The Twofer is so bright and pretty and a wonderful tribute for Lesley.
I hope Hammy stays out of the way when the Mighty Hawk visits😳!

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful floral cards Darnell...love the colours on your 'friend' card....the picture of the Cooper's Hawk is beautiful...we've had a Sparrow Hawk in our garden a few times over the last couple of week....also found some 'feathers' so which looks like he 'got' something...
Chocolate chip cookie day sounds amazing....you're making me hungry..

Anne

Carole said...

Well you are on a roll Darnell. How different the same stamp used can look on your three lovely cards. Also a lovely tribute card. I don't know this person but it is always so sad to hear of these things. xx

Sandra H said...

Oh Darnell so beautiful are your cards l do like a little floral lovely card and tribute to Lindsey sending lots of hugs x

Sarah said...

No shame here, it's like Christmas every time I am looking for something and find a long forgotten treasure!! Love those three pretties and your tribute to Lindsey is gorgeous. What a handsome visitor and how kind of him to stop for a while to pose!! xx

Bonnie said...

I'm so glad this is a judgement free zone for NBUS. I'm afraid I'd be committed otherwise. Love that set of three elegant flower cards and each way you've presented them. Your card to honor Lindsey is so pretty with the blue and purple tones all framed up so nice!

Cindy Beach said...

Oooh, I am sure I didn't miss it when you said that we don't judge here. It's a good thing as my NBUS has been taking over my craft room! Thanks for inspiring us at Color Hues, Darnell! Your cards and tribute to Lindsey are wonderful. I love those whimsical flowers!

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful cards. I have stamps that have not been inked that are much older than from 2014. (I know I should join your nimbus Challenge...smile.
So sorry to hear of the loss of a friend. Your tribute to her was beautifully done.

Leslie Miller said...

It's fun to see you back in your NBUS flower box again, Darnell. These first three are perfect for watercoloring and you did that beautifully. My eyes are really drawn to the middle card and the soft floaty background from your stash. Cute and happy TE flowers on your next card with the borrowed sentiment and the frame-gone-missing. It makes a very cheerful "hello"! You know how I am with the NBUS -- piles on piles and always chipping away. Some do go back a shocking number of years. The Cooper's Hawk is amazing right there in the neighborhood! He must be looking for lizards. From one Boomer to another... have a happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

Donna said...

Stunning cards, as always Darnell. I think we are not only stampers but collectors of beautiful stamps. Nice photo of the hawk.

Cheryl W. said...

Your cards today made me so happy! I had a tough day cleaning everything out of my kitchen in preparation for a remodel. It was a lot of work, but my sweaty body brightened right up at the site of your happy floral designs. I especially love the "schplattered" one.

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of one of your crafty friends. We all feel a deep sadness when a crafty sister is no longer with us. My sympathies to you, Darnell, and all who knew and loved her.

Kara Lynne said...

You are a woman on a mission! Your NBUS flowers must be overjoyed. Beautiful trio of cards using that wonderful large Mama Elephant stamp. You found the perfect backgrounds for them too. Your twofer is so cheerful and fun - a wonderful tribute to Lindsey.

JulieP said...

Your florals are lovely! I have NBUS from the turn of the century (hahahahaha!). Your CH card is just fab. Lindsey would have loved it. Hugs. --- JulieP

HilaryJane said...

Well I am pleased to say that my NBUS pile isn't that old, but that is only because I haven't been an active collector as long as you! I am glad you have finally used that stamp and 3 times as well, you can put it away with a clear conscience now. I love all your examples, what a great showcase. I am reading lot's of lovely tributes to Lindsey and all the cards are so special. It is a reminder of just how special and fragile life can be xx

TK said...

Fun flower cards, and pretty too! And that hawk is pretty dapper himself

BożenA said...

Old, never used stamps ??? Do you have such ?? Thank you for not judging anyone for something like this :-) I have piles of them. I am glad that you used yours, because thanks to this, such beautiful cards were created. I love the way you color the flowers and the backgrounds.
xx

Greta said...

Doing some blog reading catch up before I get my hair washed & so glad I got here! Your Zig coloring & all 3 cards are beautiful, Darnell! And oh how I love your card honoring Lindsey! Let me know if you need more of the sentiment diecuts. Amazing shot of the hawk!