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!

September 8, 2023

Mum's the Word!

Hello Stamplings!

Good grief and garbonzos. I had these cards done a week ago, edited the photos, started my draft post, and then totally forgot about it and moved on! I wonder, is there an age limit on this blogging gig? 👵

Oh, well, no matter. Here they are!
I often put an item on my wish list after seeing one of your beautiful cards. Sometimes I follow through and make a purchase, sometimes I don't. Mostly I don't these days, simply because of all the excavation I still need to do on Mt. NBUS.🚧 However, recently my friend Bonnie made a drop-dead gorgeous card using The Ton's Jumbo Spider Mum and I went straight to their website and ordered it immediately. 

I don't know where I was when it was first released, but it was new to me and it wasn't NBUS for long. It's splendid fun to watercolor with Ziggies! I used fall colors for this first outing, but I'm hoping to paint more using all my flowery Ziggie colors. Of course, Hammy loves this set, too, because of all the space that needs winking! This might show the schparkle better if you click to enlarge:
Challenges
Twofer
I'm not sure how this will look on your monitor. Blah or Mwah? As I was looking at my finished fall card, I wondered, "Could a white mum be used on a Christmas card?" Hammy nodded yes. Then I remembered that I have quite a few sheets of ancient ivory cardstock that I've been hoarding. For what? The pearlescent shimmer is beautiful. It's the sort of shine that makes you go "oooh" when it catches the light. 

For this card, I embossed the flower with silver e/p. I found a Christmas sediment that fit in the corner, so I stamped and silver-embossed it on the card panel. This is an uber QACAS design which is a bonus for Christmas makes. I'm sure I'm not alone in having dozens of jars of e/p, most of which I rarely, if ever use, so it will be fun to emboss this mum in all the colors!

You can see the shine better in this closeup:
For some reason this makes me think of a Christmas sugar cookie! 

Challenges
Bloglovin'?

Real quick, just curious, can anyone shed light on why Bloglovin' has suddenly reappeared in my inbox? It just disappeared from the interspaces a year ago with no explanation and now it's back. Voododoodo-voododoodo . . .  👻

~~~

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! 

*Life is too short!

53 comments:

Vicki Dutcher said...

That stunning flower with the dark background- FABULOUS 😊

Cheryl W. said...

Oooooooooh, I love them both! I love the richness of the fall-colored mum and I love the shimmer and shine of the holiday mum. I can see why you had to have this one. It will be an absolute star on any card you put it on.

I'm not sure about Bloglovin'. I've just given up on it, but who knows? Maybe it is making a comeback.

Christine Alexander said...

I think we've all been there with a hanging post :)
You Mum on the black background just pops and the silver Christmas version is spectacular. Wonderful non traditional Christmas card ♥

nancy littrell said...

WOW!!!!!!!!! Two Gorgeous Mum cards, Dolly. TFS your descriptions for each card design..same Mum, but very different and beautiful card designs for different occasions...I think you are going to get a lot of use out of the new Spider Mum, my friend. TFS the link to Bonnie's beauty too. I need to check out this beauty too..Love and Hugs...Nancy

nancy littrell said...

WOW!!!!!!!!! Two Gorgeous Mum cards, Dolly. TFS your descriptions for each card design..same Mum, but very different and beautiful card designs for different occasions...I think you are going to get a lot of use out of the new Spider Mum, my friend. TFS the link to Bonnie's beauty too. I need to check out this beauty too..Love and Hugs...Nancy

LesleyG said...

These are beautiful, I can see why you just needed this stamp! I did click and enlarge, and was bedazzled 😃, can’t wait to see it in all different colours and gorgeousness 😍. Age is just a number, and we’re all in the same blogboat 😂xxx

Aquarius said...

Both versions of this card are brilliant and I can quite see why you needed to add this set to your collection. It would work for so many occasions

Sandra H said...

Beautiful cards Darnell and yes the white mums makes a fabulous Christmas card it’s gorgeous xx

Julie B said...

Two fab cards, that chrysanthemum stamp and die set is fab! I see a lot of things I would like but it's such a pain getting them from the US! I might try just once to see if things have improved. I know what you mean about keeping the pearlescent card for special occasions, never know if I can replace it these days. :)

Carol L said...

That mum is gorgeous and I understand why you rushed to get one for yourself. It's so pretty. Two wonderful cards, and here are two wishes for a great weekend!

Karen said...

The sparkle on both is a wonderful addition. That bold yellow floral is simply stunning!

Diane said...

Wow, what a big glorious and beautiful MUM it is, I can see why you grabbed it up!! I'll be planting mums today myself but yours is far more beautiful then mine!
Thank you for joining our challenge at Triple B, simply Clean & Simple and Four Seasons!
Diane TB , SCAS, FS Co-Owner
{Nellies Nest}
{Triple B}
{Simply Clean & Simple} NEW

Jeanne said...

Very pretty cards, Darnell. Thanks so much for sharing. Love the winkin'

designbydonna said...

Just stunning. Love the fall colors one especially.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I saw this at Bonnie's and stopped myself from grabbing this stamp! BUT! After seeing yours? Gorgeous cards Darnell. I have a white chrysanth in a vase after them being bought for me recently. SO beautiful, love it as a Christmas card, who'd have thought to use it for Christmas, Hammy was right. I have had Bloglovin start to appear too, but when I go into it, I can't access all the cards, so still relying on my Reading List.
Faith x

Brenda in IN said...

Two beautiful cards with that stunning mum. The white shows up so well in the close up of the silver embossing. No wonder you needed to have this. Bonnie has enabled me at times too! If there is an age limit, I'm sure I'm out.

I Card Everyone said...

I think your white mum would make a stellar addition to any Christmas bouquet, D! Both of your cards are fantastic!
=]

Nancy Penir said...

Hi Darnell! Missing the smiles I get with a visit to your blog. GORGEOUS coloring on the first mum. Perfectly showcased against the dark background. Just a big WOW! And then to see it in silverly shimmers... lovely! You two-fered well, my friend! And, thanks for playing along at The Flower Challenge!

Darlene said...

WOWZA!!!! Just gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Four Seasons & Triple B Challenges! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back again soon.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Co-Owner … Can You Handle the Pressure, Double D, Four Seasons, Peace On Earth, Stencil Fun, Simply Clean & Simple, Two Old Bats, Triple B

Loll said...

That Bonnie is an enabler! But in a good way! :) I LOVE this mum too and your two versions are gorgeous, Dolly! I love the bright fall colours playing off the black background. Lovely contrast! And what a brilliant idea to use the mum for a Christmas card. It does look like a sugar cookie! Yummy! xx

Glittered Paws said...

When I saw this all I could say was WOW - so beautifully colored - watercolors you say - I can see why you had to have this image in your collection.

TK said...

WOW!! Kudos to Bonnie for the inspiration, but even more to you for completing your beautiful flower -- winking and all! So gorgeous, and right in time for Fall! On the other hand, your shimmery white is just as gorgeous -- well done.

HilaryJane said...

I am not at all surprised that you just had to buy that stamp - wow, it does make a very impressive flower card, and yes, it does work in white and silver for Christmas. What clever thinking. My bloglovin emails have suddenly reappeared to. No idea why xx

Bonnie said...

Ooh! You've given me some more ideas for this beautiful flower! I love the fall color on the black background! And the white embossed in silver is perfect for a Christmas card! If I didn't already have this, I'd be ordering it right now! Thanks for the shout out. I'm glad I could enable you to have so much fun! Mwah!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

This mum stamp is really amazing, well done buying it! Love both the cards and all the sparkling!
Hugs!

Bobby said...

It's your fantastic Zig coloring that really brings that Mum to life, Darnell. So beautiful!! and popping on dark cardstock. I would never have thought of a white one for Christmas but it really works. I have someone else's large Mum so I may be CASEing your cards.

Cat Craig said...

the mum is beautiful in its autumn splendor and its christmas white. Gorgeous cards.

Shirley-Anne said...

you were right ..enlarging the picture made the sparkle easier to see .Lovely image and on dark card base made for a delightful creation .

Linby said...

I can see why you wanted this stamp (I'm resisting for now!) You've made two stunning cards, both so different but equally beautiful.

Gerrina said...

Love them both; both such a different effect! It is very warm here and I notice I tend to forget more when it is warm/hot... so nothing to do with age I think !!! Hugs, Gerrina

R's Rue said...

Your cards are always beautiful. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Anita van Deur said...

The silver embossing is fantastic on the white flower. Thank you for joining The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge. Anita DT

Ellibelle said...

They both look beautiful to me! Such a pretty mum stamp! No wonder you couldn't resist it!
So great to see you this month at Four Seasons challenge, thanks so much for joining in!
Ellie
Ellibelle's Corner

Donna said...

I see why you bought this mum right away Darnell. Lovely coloring on the first card and the silver is stunning!

Melanie Hungerford said...

What a beautiful stamp, I am NOT going to follow your lead and go buy it! Well maybe I won't, we'll have to see! 😉 I really love it without the color, it's so detailed yet still makes for such a pretty CAS card. Thanks for sharing with us at Simply Clean & Simple!

Carol said...

What a pretty CAS card Darnell! The shimmer is fabulous and that sentiment is the perfect little touch in the corner. So glad you shared it with us at Christmas Craft Creations this month! Also loved your "Blah or Mwuah comment! LOL!!

Lisa Elton said...

Both your autumn and winter version is fabulous, Darnell. Two beauties! Yes, I remember using all varieties of white mums in Christmas arrangements during my floral design days!

kiwimeskreations said...

What a stunning stamp Darnell, and two beautiful renditions using it - and Hammy has made a superb job of winking the coloured one. I could also see this being used in the white as a sympathy card...
Blessings
Maxine

Carole said...

Wow what a sunning stamp...your cards are superb, but I love the black background and the orange flower...striking. I have seen the stamp used on Bonnies blog too so I can understand how it found itself on your wish list!...lol I haven't heard of Ton's stamps so assuming it is a company your side of the pond. xx

BożenA said...

WOW! I love the contrast between this beautiful flower and the black background. This card has great power of communication. But the second version is also beautiful. I am very sorry that the glow of this paper is not visible in the photo. I would definitely moan WOW!!!
Hugs,
BożenA

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two beauties with that mum, Darnell - especially love the ivory one with silver, very elegant!!

Barb Finnical said...

Darnell, this mum is stunning! I saw it over at NBUS and had to come check it out. No wonder you went out and bought it right away. They both are beautiful. And yes, the white mum for Christmas is perfect!

Pia S said...

Stunning in golden hues and warm autumn colors, but also so very elegant in white with silver.

Colleen said...

Hi friend! My house guest of 3 weeks has left and now I have time to breathe and get back into my studio! I have missed seeing what everyone is making!
You cards are gorgeous! I think I can just picture them in all the colors of ep that I know I have, they will make quite a show on your cards and I love that it fills up the whole card too!! Heart Hugs, col

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both gorgeous cards, Darnell xoxo

Vicky Hayes said...

Oooh I fell in love with that gorgeous warm-hearted mum against the dark textured background Darnell, but then I saw your elegant silver outlined mum against the shimmery background and that's very cool too! Bonnie is a super-enabler isn't she - I have tons of gorgeous craft stash that she inspired me to purchase! And yes, I can relate to your Draft Post Syndrome as I currently have about 18 cards partially blogged, some of which have photos taken, some not - sigh. Spooky Bloglovin' turning up again. I could never get the hang of it but could someone please come up with some way of getting people's new posts in my inbox again?! Vicky x

Conniecrafter said...

I am totally an Autumn girl so your first card is just gorgeous to me, it pops so pretty off the background too! Your second has an elegant touch to it, that is a good idea to get out those embossing powders and try the flower out in many of them :)
I thought it was funny we were hearing from Bloglovin all of a sudden too, but now I haven't had one in a couple days so maybe they are gone again!

Stamps and Paper said...

Two great cards Darnell its a lovely image and you've showcased it so well

Anne x

Lisa said...

Wowza this image is amazing and I love, love, love the coloring on the first card. Just gorgeous.

Lynette said...

So gorgeously simple and elegant and beautiful, Darnell!! I love them both and look forward to more of them.

Vikki H said...

What a fabulous mum even if it's my least favorite flower IRL! I'm thinking your Christmas card could be a quick and easy solution for adding to my stash if I case it with another large bloom (not owning a mum stamp).

Jeanne H said...

Wow, what wonderful Mum cards. Love them both and the sparkle too. Hammy does a great job!

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

The mums are gorgeous, and I like using shimmer paper too!
It gives just enough shine all over! Re Bloglovin' I am sure everyone has given up on it by now! Their posts so far don't contain much of
interest to me! Sharon xoxoxo