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 4, 2025

Bees & Berries

Hello Stamplings!

And Happy First Monday of August! You know, this whooshing by of time is a bit concerning when you are of a certain age. As I tell the Mister, "At this rate, we'll be dead before we know it!"

Too honest? What can I say? I have a wicked sense of humor. But then we both laugh and carry on because we can't slow it down or speed it up, it is what it is! And what this week is, is I = Ink/Color Mediums on the I.D.E.A.S. Calendar, so here we go ~ 

Onefer
For this design, I decided to use Lindy's Magical powders through a stencil. I used a NBUS stencil from Designs by Jaime called, "Mini Chickenwire." After sprinkling on yellows, orange, and golds, I liberally spritzed the panel and lifted the stencil. After the ink dried, I ran the panel through my Gemini using a Darice honeycomb e/f. 

In the photo of the finished card with the frame, it's a bit hard to see the inky honeycomb pattern that resulted from the technique, so to the right is a photo I took when I was playing around with different ways to lay my dies. Sorry for the shadow, but I think you can better see the outline that was left when I lifted the stencil off the ink. It's a fun and super-easy technique.

The bees are NBUS from Pretty Pink Posh, "Bee Friends," and they glisten from all the winking the lads added! The sediment die was in my stash. The scalloped frame is from Pink & Main.

Challenges
Allsorts: Animals or Anything Goes.
Just Us Girls: CASE a Designer. I CASED Elizabeth's pretty honeycomb card.
 
Twofer
For my Twofer, I pulled a NBUS die from the mountain. It's from Memory Box, called, "Silverdale Branch." I colored it with my Ziggies and waterbrush and because it's a little too early to be picking holly, I painted it with a light hand before passing it to Stanley and Hammy for winking. The Joy die is from SSS called, "Elegantly Modern Christmas." 

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I.D.E.A.S. CalendarI = Ink/Color Mediums

You will find a linky tool below for you to share your colorful/inky art! Your creation may help motivate someone out of their mojo schlump! 

I love seeing what you create, visiting you, and 
pinning your designs! Thank you so much to everyone who shared their designs last week! Mwah!

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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!

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Click here to enter

14 comments:

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. Love your humor xoxo

Jeanne said...

Super cute bee card. I like how you added your magicals. The Christmas card is so pretty and elegant. Well done! And thanks for the giggle at your joke. Nice way to start the week!

Karen said...

Thanks (again!!!) for the good laugh this morning! I was thinking about how true the first four statements were and should have know there'd be a kicker at the end. Love the cards. Your bees glisten across the miles, and that CAS holiday card is right up my alley! Have a great week!

Bonnie said...

You have nailed this technique, my friend! The background and frame are perfect for these delightful bees! Your holly is colored beautifully! I love how it looks against all that textured white space!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Both cards are so awesome! I am partial to the CASE of Elizabeth’s. Thanks for joining in at JUGS

TK said...

Amazing! I love the honeycomb detail (two ways) on your first card and choice of colors -- this is really fun. Your second card is very elegant and classy, with the hammered c/s adding so much to already beautiful elements.

Loll said...

LOVE your honeycomb background. I haven't played with my powdered inks for a long time, but now I need to pull them out! :) Thanks for the amazing inspiration! And LOVE your holly and berries. Perfectly watercoloured and a fabulous design. I have to say, I read your "words to live by" and laughed out loud. :) Thanks for that too! Love, Lolly

brenda said...

Whooshing by is spot on Darnell, my Gran aways used to sat as you get older time went quicker, I used to poo hoo the idea, but my was she right.

Your card is a delight, so bright and happy and just perfect for our new Allsorts theme, thanks so much for joining in.

B x

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Love your inky cards!

Julia Aston said...

A wonderful bright and sunny bee card sis - and I love that sweet berry branch - lovely designs and techniques on both! Julia xx

Lynette said...

Love the bees and I'm glad that you shared the "before" photo. I especially love the Christmas card! So simple and beautiful. So true about time whizzing by. I kept waiting for the punch line on what to look for in a man, and there it was - great one! Thanks for sharing your humor as well as your cards.

Leslie Miller said...

Well, first I have to say I laughed out loud at the funny, tee hee! Back to your cards... I like your idea of Magicals through a stencil. With or without the embossed overlay it looks amazing! Your bee card is so cheery! Your second card shows a lovely die, beautifully colored, simple, and with an elegantly scripted sentiment. Lovely!

Cat Craig said...

Two lovely cards, Darnell. The details in texture added to the honey comb card are a feast for the eyes. the coloring of the die branch on your second card is fabulous.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Both cards are full of inky goodness, Darnell - love the splattered honeycomb on card one with the sweet bees! And the berry branch is gorgeous!! Thanks for the inspiration!!