My card today had the usual curious eVolution. Sometimes I like to type words that start with the letter e like that. It looks so hip and just for a second it makes you wonder, "Is it a new software company, or maybe new social media, or maybe a new hardware company, or maybe a new underwear company? Wait. What? It's a whole new eLocution.
The squirrels have taken over the asylumnasium.
~~~
So, here's what happened.
We did a lot of much-needed gardening today. Now I walk by this particular crepe myrtle tree dozens of times a day going between the Bighouse and the Playhouse. Today I noticed this:
I think all trees get these little volunteer saplings or suckers every spring and you're spose to dispatch with them because they just take up water and nutrients the tree needs. I had dispatched previous suckers from this tree. I swear this little guy popped up over night! A bonsai crepe myrtle tree! Isn't it adorable?!
You've seen the main tree itself in a recent post, but just for scale, here it is:
Hopefully if you click on the photo, you can see the wee Mini-Me tree at the base. Naturally, I had to share with you.
~~~
Hours later I was checking out challenges and I came across this sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch, designed by the superbly talented N@ Ali:
And I considered my stamps. I really didn't want to be too literal and use a flower image, but I checked out my flower stamps anyway. I changed my mind when I came across an old NBUS stamp that reminded me of the crepe myrtle flower! Doncha love it when you make a full-whoop-circle!
This is a picture of the stamp I used:
I think it's prolly a cherry blossom or some such. I colored it with SU! markers, spritzed it, and stamped it onto watercolor paper. I added some detail with Prismacolor pencils.
The sediment is also NBUS. The reason I stamped it directly onto my card and not onto a banner, as per the sketch, is because I thought I read somewhere that this week's One Layer Wednesday (OLW) challenge was "summer" and my intention was to enter that challenge, too. After I finished my card and starting writing this, I discovered that's not the case. Ah, man, working has left me addle-paddled.
BTW, the actual theme of the current OLW challenge is speechless and it's being hosted by Ardyth. You should check out her genius and fun cards here and play along if you can!
~~~
I want to thank you guys for joining me in the NBUS (never-before-used schtuff) movement! It's so fun to see the acronym popping up around Blogland. It's forcing me to look through my NBUS items and not reach automatically for those items that my brain is already familiar with. I know it feels really good, so I love that you are experiencing that feeling, too!
It's also making me feel like the Playhouse needs a good clean. It'll be three years this October since I moved in and I think it's time to see what the heckarino is in the back of those cabinets that I apparently don't need!
~~~
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower!
*Life Is Too Short!
Paper: Biggie Junior Watercolor
Stamps: "Inkadinkado" 96075 - O by Kathy Davis;
Stem is I-143 "Stamps by Judith"
Ink: Versafine onyx black; SU! markers
Enamel Dots: "My Mind's Eye"
53 comments:
Beautiful
hugs Tamara
Hello dear Darnell, I LOVE the little bonsai crepe myrtle tree!! It is so beautiful tucked in between those larger trees...such pretty flowers.
And your card is just fabulous, clever you making it look like a myrtle flower - genius that you are... Hope work is over now and your brain gets less addled...... Big hugs, Annie xx
Loved reading about your creative journey for this card and how your tree inspired you. You've created such a beautiful card too. Hugs Bev x
LOVE the BEAUTIFUL "tree" you created with that stamp on the watercolor paper! Just BEAUTIFUL and so is your actual tree!
As I scrolled down my new blog posts I came across your post title and was horribly afraid you'd started putting up Christmas trees!!! Pheww, what a relief it was to find you hadn't beaten me after all!!!
LOVELY projects - I do love to follow you on your quirky and creative journey
Kathyk
I love the Mini-me...how cute! And I think your card is stunning, spritzing before stamping creates a great effect. I have some watercolour paper somewhere so I think I may have to give this a try :) x
Hi Darnell, bags I come and do a spring clean for you!! I'm sure I will be able to streamline your stash in no time. Might have a problem with the weight in my baggage allowance coming home though!! Your card is perfect for depicting your little miracle bush. Yep I could just see it when I enlarged (sounds so much better than blowing up) your piccy. Hugs mrs A.
This is such a lovely OLW card based on inspiration from that pretty little growth from the base of your Crepe Myrtle! I had one blossom spring forth from the base my Rose of Sharon tree last year too, long after the rest of the tree had stopped blooming! It almost seemed like some sort of a mysterious message :) Nature is amazing isn't it?
Gorgeous! Love that stamp and the simple, beautiful treatment you have given it!
OMG, seeing this from inspiration to eXecution just makes it so much more iNteresting. Nope, doesn't work with the i, but I thought I'd try anyhow ;)
I'm terrible at getting rid of volunteer plants - by the time I realize they mean to stay, they're usually too big to get rid of!
Beautiful watercolour card today Darnell-love your Mini Myrtle inspiration :)
You might just wake up tomorrow morning to find a possey of mad crafters outside your gates ready to help you rummage through those playhouse drawers-count me in,i'm on my way LOL!
Have a great Sunday :)
Nessa xxxx
Gorgeous one layer card! Love the watercolour on the textured cardstock - it's such a neat effect! And I had no idea that Myrtle is so pretty! I always think of it as a very old-lady name! Thanks for the education!
What a beautiful tree Darnell, so pleased the baby survived! Love your card the watercoloured flower is gorgeous.
Val x
Oh My Darnell, this is absolutely soooo beautiful, I'm pinning it!
Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS(E) this Sketch this week!
It is so much fun to read to your posts :) your inspiration from myrtle looks beautiful :) NBUS movement indeed is on the hit. For me it will take some time to use NBUS as I don't have many stamps yet ;)
Thank you so much for visiting my blog ang leaving lovely comments :)
Beautiful, Darnell! Love your technique, the effect is so soft and water-colory. Plus the greeting is perfect for this challenge.
Stunning card, Darnell, and having 'ventured' into watercolouring a wee bit, I'm adding your technique to my 'must try' list (after much more practice, however. MUCH!). The mini volunteer tree is soooo pretty, just like its 'mentor' tree! Awesome post, delightful card, gorgeous photos: what a fantastic start to my Sunday morning!
c
Lovely card, beautiful effect, the markers with a little spritzing and then stamped on watercolour paper!
Karin x
Now that's a real beauty! Gorgeous stamping, really looks more like you've painted it. I must try to do some one layers - it will be a challenge for this messy inker.
Ooo I do love a good look through old stash, especially when it's someone else's - I don't have to feel guilty that I still have much to use up then lol! Have a lovely weekend Karen x
Gorgeous card Darnell. I really love the image and the you you have coloured it and stamped onto watercolour looks so effective.
I love the photo of your tree too with it's little baby.
Sue xx
Your little baby tree is so cute - and so is the big one!
Your card reminds me of the tree too. VERY pretty!
Lynn
This is so pretty Darnell and I love the two coloured stem on the flower. Did you draw that or is it another stamp? I always love the pictures you post from your garden and that myrtle tree is just gorgeous. Congratulations on your 3 yearversary in the playhouse!
Your card is beautiful and so is that pretty tree!
Gorgeous card, Darnell! I love the beautiful colors with your watercolor effect!
Love your bonsai crepe myrtle tree, too...Thanks so much for sharing it with us! Your garden looks just beautiful!!!
Wow!!! Darnell, this might be one of my fave cards of yours ... (Although I do say that a lot!!) -- but, seriously, almost all of my cards come from my own life & I really like the way you took your personal experiences & translated that into a GORGEOUS one layer card (which are my nemesis!!!) -- It's simplicity is divine!!
Your tree & garden must be a source of much inspiration as you have such a beautiful setting for crafting & getting inky!! :)) :)) I wish I had a view that pretty!! :)) :))
Until next time... Xo
:) Cathy x Darnell, love this pretty water colour effect, gorgeous colour, just like your tree.
What a gorgeous "speechless" card Dippy. Love the stamp you've used - so pretty on the watercolour paper. Couldn't bear to rob the crepe myrtle of it's little offspring, "E"specially as it's flowering it's little heart off for you. I've been happily spreading the NBUS message and glad to hear it's catching on.
Hugs.
Karendipity xxx
Gorgeous card! And what a beautiful tree too. I have to say that your card looks as fabulous as your stamp block. Very creative and so lovely!
I have to say that I too love NBUS, and how it makes me always want to pull out and use what is new...the down side to that is what do I do once I use all that is new???? I would guess I would need to buy more new goodies so I can continue to play along, right???
Aww this twee is gorgeous.
Love your card too.
If you find an ink blender that has gone missing please let me have it back. It jumped off my desk about 2 years ago and I still haven't found it. The Craftlings have it me finks!!
Hugs
xx
This REALLY works for this challenge- Great eye to see the resemblance to your garden - the stamp - and the challenge!
Beautiful!
Wow, this is stunning! I love the depth you added with the colors. And, it was indeed serendipitous that you found a stamp that was similar to your crepe myrtle!
Oh Dolly ... your card is GOR-JUS!! Love that stamp and it is PERFECT done with your misting technique. Love the colors and it definitely looks like your crepe myrtle flower.
Love the miniature version of the crepe flower - so sweet. Lolly xx
Golly you had THE perfect inspiration for this beautiful card Darnell!! Love the real thing too and it's mini companion. Thanks for all of the sweet comments you leave. They mean a lot to me and I appreciate your visits ;)
Great card and wonderful inspiration! I hope you'll share your "finds" that you uncover in your playhouse. I need to clean house as well! It's always fun to see what you didn't know you had!
You were truly inspired, Darnell, & it shows! I love how you used that stamp--glad you used a flower after all! I still need to get my card made with that sketch & you've inspired me!
Beautiful card...and I LOVE how your mind thinks "wonkers" like mine!! A perfect use of that stamp, and yep, you have me using NBUS myself!!! Oh, gorgeous tree, too!!
Beautiful!! You have perfectly captured the look of that tree. Although after making the mini version famous in your photos and stories - I'm not sure how you are going to have the heart to dispatch it!!
Another killer card! I love the colors you've used on this one. Gorgeous. Sweet bitty tree. Trying so hard to make you love it, and not cut it!! I have to know though,did you trim it off? And thx for the kind words on my blog. So far, headache free!!! Three whole days! Bev
Mini and Maxi trees are both dEliciously gorgeous, as is your card inspired by them. Good luck with the clean up! I'm sure you'll be surprised what lovelies you'll find there in the cabinet of hidden curiousities. Now here's a challenge for you: create a card (or project) ONLY with the things you find in there :) Hugs, Wendy
A fun happy card and I enjoyed reading through your post too. x
Perfect, artistic and clever. Good work I don't know how you keep up, though we all love hearing from you as well as reading what your up to.
I love the soft watercolor pinks and greens! I would have been shaking in my boots stamping the sediment directly on that beautiful flower!
Beautiful card, I love the watercolour look of the flower. Your mini me tree is so pretty ! Take care, Shirleyx
Heckarino... I like that! Nice to visit the playhouse again. What a loverly card you've made today. Of course, seeing the inspiration it's not a surprise. What a beautiful tree. Hope all is well in your neck of Blogland.
Cracking up over your e words Darnell! what a beautiful little sapling you have there - and your card is lovely with that beautiful bloom!
You do realize if you go through your cabinets to clear out the "un-needed" stuff, once you see it again you will need it Just sayin.... :)
Love the pretty flower card inspired by your tree! WTG~
Darnell, I love your commentary and descriptions! Beautiful cards, too! Love that tree in your yard--gorgeous!
Just soooo beautiful!!
If you didn't tell it was stamped, people would think you painted the flower yourself. I love the look.
Oh, this is lovely, Darnell!
Gorgeous as always, Darnell! I loved the whole post. What a fun read and a great card to top it all off.
This is so very pretty. I do love pulling out old stamps every so often. I think there should be a name for --old stuff I haven't pulled out in a long time, just like the NBUS. I'll stay tuned for your brilliant mind to come up with something.
Hey, Darnell! I love that you found THEE perfect stamp (an an oldie at that!) and managed to play along with the sketch, too! Such a pretty card and I can totally see how you were inspired! Have a wonderful weekend!
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