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!

June 3, 2024

June! Aswoon With Inky Play

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you are doing great as we cross over to the second half of 2024! Already. Whether in your peejays or a ball gown, and whether heading into summer or fall, I hope you are enjoying yourself! 

A new month means I started my crafty schedule rotation anew. This first Monday means inks and I had more fun with smooching.

Onefer
Before smooching, I used my old text die from SU, heat-embossing the stamp with white e/p. Then I scribbled my favorite colors of Ziggies onto a piece of acetate and liberally spritzed the ink with water. Then I laid my watercolor paper in the wet scribbles, giving it a swishy to pick up the ink. I lifted the panel and then reinked/spritzed the acetate and this time I turned the acetate over and dabbed it onto the panel in places where I wanted to add ink.

Did that make sense? First time paper onto inky acetate. Second time inky acetate onto paper.

Once I was happy with the coverage, I used my Memory Box Double-Stitch Cut Out to separate the panel into two. I attached the larger panel to a lavender card base and then popped up the smaller inner panel using foam. The die-cut sediment was in my BOB from a previous smooching session. 

Hammy added bling to finish the design with a "rule of three" lesson for Stanley. It became confusing when Hammy added six bits of bling, but I left them to discuss it further while I went inside for a nap. No fool I.

Twofer
That smooching was fun, so I did it again. The text stamp is a big ol' wooden stamp and you know you can't see Versamark until after you've done your embossing powder. In this case, I want to reassure you that you are not developing double-vision. I clearly rocked the stamp when pressing it.👀I decided it was too pretty to waste, so I covered a chunk of it with a "Layered Poinsettia" from Spellbinders. I love the non-traditional colors on this one.

Threefer
Last fall I played with dropping alcohol ink onto aluminium foil and this butterfly (Vivienne Butterfly by Memory Box) was one of the die-cut results. It has been cocooning in my BOB and finally found a home on this CAS birthday card using my NBUS Filigree Border from SSS. 


If you like playing along, here is the calendar for June. Thank you for joining me and for letting me know when you do, so I can ðŸ“Œ your card!
~~~

I know this is photo heavy, but I just have to show you this crazy tree we see on our morning walk. It's a regular Italian Cypress, but it has some kind of flowering vine growing all the way up and around! It's the craziest thing. I zoomed in, but I don't know what type of flower it is.
~~~

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!
Challenges
Onefer: Addicted to Stamps and More (any occasion); Cut It Up (a/g)
Twofer: Allsorts (lots of layers); Peace on Earth (a/g Christmas)
Threefer: Seize the Birthday! (use metallics); SSS Wednesday (a/g)

39 comments:

Carol L said...

Your trio of smooched cards are all fabulous! I really like that blue poinsettia for a fantastic Christmas card and the butterfly looks amazing with that die-cut panel! What a great way to kick off the month with some good challenges!

Cat Craig said...

I am so loving those smooshed cards, Darnell. I especially love the poinsettia. How pretty in aqua tones.

Jeanne said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. The smooshing looks wonderful. You've got some delightful cards as a result. And what a delight for the eyes in the tree that has the vine running through it. Thanks for sharing.

designbydonna said...

Love the smooshing technique. They are all so pretty. I haven't tried this for awhile. Thanks for the inspiration.

Brenda in IN said...

I like the colors you used on both cards and smooshing is a favorite of mine. Great designs and stunning butterfly. You are wise to nap while Hammy has his teaching tutorial with Stanley. It sounds like Hammy is so patient with Stanley while he learns the stamping ropes. He gets that from you.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two smooshed beauties in those colors, Darnell - love the layered frame on card one and the gorgeous poinsettia on card two!! Oooo - metallic butterfly looks amazing on card three!! Thanks for the inky inspiration!!

Pat said...

G’Mornin’ Darnell…
Lovely cards! I think that vine climbing up the tree is called Cypress Vine….

!neke said...

Great technique !!!!
Love the cards !!!!
groeten Ineke

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Your smooching (single and double/reversed) looks great and love the cards you made. The Christmas one particularly catches my eyes. Lovely butterfly card too, love that elegant filigree border!
The plant that climbs on the Cypress is a Bignonia, we have a lot of them here, also on the lampposts. I have one just out of my window, climbing on the telephone pole. In winter the Bignonia loses the leaves and it looks dry, but in this season it has the leaves and soon it will be in full bloom. A great place for birds that nest there. :)

Loll said...

This is the BEST way to play with inks (IMO). :) I love getting inky when I press and move the paper around in all that liquid gold. :) Not really gold, but you know what I mean. :) Three fabulous cards Dolly! I LOVE the pretty colours of your first two ... really bright and cheefful. Your third card is gorgeous with the dramatic colour of your butterfly. Great work, my friend. I've played along today ... kinda missed last week. :)

What an amazing tree you see on your walks. The flowers are stunning against that dark green backdrop. Love,Lolly

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Such clever and beautiful cards, love the colour mixes. Your butterfly is beautiful, who knew alcohol inks could stain foil? Love the effect. As for the conifer with the vine, what clever planting. Love the display. x

I Card Everyone said...

D, I adore that white emboss/resist background to your inky-licious shmooshing! That dabbing move with the acetate is my favorite way to add the ink!
Now, I'm no pro - but those flowers might just be Clematis gone wild! What a statement that makes!
=]

Leslie Miller said...

I love a little bit of smooshing now and then... or a lot, and I aim to do some in the near future. You've got some pretty inspiring samples here! You did a good job of covering up the rocked text with your poinsettia 'cause I don't see it at all. I wonder if the vine growing up the Cypress is intentional. I see a lot of wild roses growing into trees and shrubs here. It always looks so pretty!

Gail said...

Your smooched cards are fabulous! I still want to try the inking over embossing technique!
Butterfly is pretty too with inks on foil!
Put my DT hat on; your poinsettia card is perfect for the theme Lot's of Layers over at Allsorts! Thanks for joining us this week!

Karen said...

I just plain forget about ink smooshing, and clearly I'm missing out. Your cards are beautiful! The nontraditional Christmas card is especially gorgeous! Those red flowers on the tree are amazing! If you get a definitive answer about what they are, I'd love to know. Did try to zoom in on it, but couldn't see them well enough to hazard a guess. Have a great week!

Cheryl W. said...

Your cards are all wonderful, but the blue poinsettia card is my clear favorite. Love the non-traditional colors. It has an icy, christmassy look to it, even though it's not the usual red and green.

brenda said...

A lovely trio of cards Darell. Really like the muted pastels over such subtle resist stamping, all very effective. Many thanks for sharing at Allsorts challenge this week.

All stable here and some indication may be improvement.

B x

kiwimeskreations said...

Loving your embossed text behind the smooching, Darnell.
How confusing for Stanley with Hammy showing off and apparently contradicting himself with the threes and twos... naughty boy.
The die cut alcohol inked foil butterfly is fabulous - and beautifully paired with the fancy border.
Blessings
Maxine

kiwimeskreations said...

Love your subtle embossing behind the smooched panels Darnell - two gorgeous cards there
Hammy is a bit naughty, confusing Stanley with the threes and twos, and apparently contradicting himself... he's showing off!
Loving the die cut butterfly made with the alcohol inked foil, and it is perfectly paired with the delicate die cut border
Blessings
Maxine

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell xoxo

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell xoxo

Bonnie said...

You smooshing worked great, Dolly! I LOVE that you used the acetate both ways. It gives great coverage! You AI butterfly is gorgeous, especially with the lacey side piece! Love how that cypress is decorated with the flowers! It's so perfect that the angels must have done it!

Donna said...

Great collection of cards, your ink smooshing is great-I like the word script , adds some elegance and dimension. And you know I like the butterfly card, the aluminum foil is so striking. Have a good week.

Ellibelle said...

Such beautiful cards and I love each one of them! The tree looks like something out of a story book with that blossoming vine growing around it.
Thank you so much for sharing this week at Allsorts challenge!

Susan said...

The gardener in me has to comment first on the incredible beauty of the tree with the vine running up it - what a treat! But the cards are equally a treat for the eyes, especially the Christmas one - just love that non-traditional poinsettia! Love the smooshing over the heat embossed text on the first two - great effect! And your AI butterfly is beautiful - so glad he found a home.

Barbara said...

You have some pretty inspiring examples of smooching and it is very motivating. I have so many pieces in BOB that I recently considered tossing them out and starting all over again. But I think I will reconsider and at lease go over them. I may find a gem or two. Thanks for joining in the fun at Seize the Birthday Challenge.

Craftychris said...

Hello! Sorry I have been away so long - how naughty of me - I am back now. Love your smooshing and all three cards are wonderful! I really love the colours on the first two - just gorgeous. Fab tree photos and the flowers make it look amazing! Take care, hugs xxx💖💖💖

TK said...

Very pretty cards, Darnell! Love the inky-ness of them all, and the AIs on tin foil are pretty amazing.

The vine growing on the tree is really pretty and interesting -- I can't tell enough, but could it be a trumpet vine? Quite a few of those around here...

Sandra H said...

Totally stunning cards Darnell the backgrounds are amazing and the borders too love the butterfly too on your 3rd card just love to see all of your creations xx

Bobby said...

Smooshing is one of my favorite things and the results you got from paper to acetate and acetate to paper are exquisite, Darnell. I think I need to have a smooshing day soon when all the restoration settles down.

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely trio of cards, Darnell, demonstrating your accomplished smooshing skills. Its impressive that the same technique can give such different looks and the alcohol ink smooshed butterfly is so beautiful.
Hope you are well.
Thanks for sharing with us at ATSM.
Hugs
Carol x

HilaryJane said...

Lovely bit of smooching. It is such a long time since I have done that or had my alcohol inks out. There is just never enough time. Hey ho... That tree is amazing, thanks for sharing xx

Robyn Oliver said...

Hello Darnell from beautiful Autumn in Queensland, Australia.... Loving all your 3 cards.. been busy and funny thing it was smooching for me too... but a little differently.. pop over and check... just so happy for your IDEAS inspiration to get me back making cards.. hugs Robyn

Diane said...

A beautiful variety of creative cards, lots of work but lots of fun too!
Thank you for joining our challenge at Peace On Earth!
Diane POE Co-Owner
{Nellies Nest}
{Peace On Earth}

CA Scrapper said...

Your card is beautiful. I love the background technique you used.

Thanks for joining our Anything Goes challenge at Cut It Up.

Leslie

Pat said...

Such gorgeous smooshing on the first two Darnell and love the white embossed script which looks great in the background..the stitched fram is so dimensional, and then that bright blue poinsettia is so bright and pretty, and the pretty foil butterfly on the last using alcohol inks is really beautiful and love the die cut panel down the side too. I have joined in with your Inky Challenge this week too. What a beautiful Cypress tree and with all those flowers clambering through it looks a real picture. x

Izzy Scrap said...

Wonderful trio of smooshed cards, Darnell. I particularly love the one you entered at ATSM. This combo of colours is just gorgeous. The embossed text behind add this little "je ne sais quoi" of elegance. Thanks so much for sharing these beauties in the ATSM gallery. Hugs x

Lynette said...

Such pretty, soft, subtle colors! I tried the alcohol inks on aluminum foil, but had no luck with it. Yours turned out great!

Helen said...

A fabulous selection of cards - love them all!

Thanks for joining us at the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge.

Helen x
DT