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!

March 14, 2017

Smooching Pears

Hello, Stamplings!

Back again already. Hammy and I are experiencing an after-purge surge and having lots of fun, but our hearts go out to those of you being buried in a spring blizzard. Please stay cozy and warm and I hope the power doesn't go out so you can hunker down and get crafty until it blows over.

We come to you today bearing fruit! 
I've come across a treasure trove of die cuts that bloggie friends have kindly sent to me over the years. I'm sorry I misremember who gave me what, but I'm pretty sure they came from either Andrea, Greta, Susan, Barb, Cat, or maybe you. Thank you, again, whoever you are! 

In the trove were two sets of three pears, die cut in white. So I did what anyone with white pears would do ~ I smooched them. Onto my craft mat went schmears of Distress Inks in pretty pear colors, which I doused with water via my mister (no capital). The pears were then put face down in the pool where I smooched them around until they looked less like bleached eggplants and more like pears. As one does. After a gentle splatter of dots, I dried them with a paper towel and sent them across the room where Hammy lathered them with Stella until all six of them schparkled in the sunshine.

For the first card above, I started with a cream colored card base splattered with some diluted old olives. I got down my grandma's antique mixing bowl, made by Judith. I stamped and polished it with a bit of canyon clay, fussy-cut it, and arranged the pears in and around it on a place mat of SU ribbon. You can just see the scored edge of the kitchen counter. The sediment is a NBUS stamp from SU's "Tin of Cards," also stamped in canyon clay. Thazit, done.

Challenges
Take it, it's yours
Snippets Playground Badge
~~~

And here is the card I made with the second set of pears:

I kept the second card very QACAS. I took a piece of pp, outlined it with my black marker, and scored three lines along the bottom to make little stairsteps for the pears. I then took Hammy's bedazzled fruit and scattered them placed them artistically on the stairs. I see that I have a pair of pears on the stairs. Stop that. The stamped NBUS sediment is from Hero Arts. I attached the panel to a rustic cream card base and went to the grocery store. 

For some reason, I had such a craving.

~~~

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!  Please let me know you came by so I can be sure to return the flavor!









*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling:

Click 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 the pop-up box opens.
Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel!
Mwah!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me
your email address so I can respond.  Thank you!

82 comments:

Loll said...

Love your pair of pear cards, Dolly ... stop that! :) You always make me laugh. I bet you and Hammy had fun making these. So happy you played along with us at CAS Mix Up to help celebrate our first birthday! Lolly xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fabulous both the pears cards, and love expecially the first one with that vase and the dotted ribbon, how pretty scene!!

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

beautiful work :)

Tina Z. said...

great pear cards, I love that ribbon and perfect smooshing!
hugs xx

Glennis F said...

a super pair of pear cards - what fun!

Jane Willis said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. All that smooching has made those pears so realistic. The cards are both gorgeous
Jane

Stella said...

Darnell it's so good to see you! And you created two stunning cards; I love them both! Thanks so much joining us at CCCB! So happy you could join us!

Inkyfingers said...

Wow - what amazing smooshing! Your pears look good enough to eat and would grace any flat fruit bowl in the land! I like both cards but the first one is just stunning and reminds me of a still life painting.
Hope you are well my friend.
Hugs
Carol x

Linda said...

What a nice pair! Love how you've coloured the fruit ...... they do look good enough to eat xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, The cards are great.

Hope none of the white stuff dumps on you. Sue

Di said...

Fabulous cards Darnell. Those pears do look good enough to eat too.

Hugs

Di xx

Ros Crawford said...

Oh my... The colouring on those pears is amazing!! Fabulous cards Darnell! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB!!

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two fantastic cards Darnell, I love the smooching on the pears they look so realistic. Good enough to eat.

Sue xx

Diane said...

Beautiful pears with all your smooching and shine...both are fabulous cards, and I think that might be one die I don't have is pears, but I imagine my Cricut does...hmmm!!

Marilyn said...

Beautiful pear cards ! Your smooching is fabulous!!

Lisa said...

Your cards are so gorgeous!! I love the beautiful pears!! They look amazing!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Fikreta said...

wonderful cards!
hugs

Gerrina said...

Both cards and all the pears look ready to bite...! Beautiful results and cards again Darnell! Hugs, Gerrina

jimlynn said...

Love your pair of pears! The coloring after smooching is just WOW! Great cards Darnell - and yes, I'd head for the grocery store too. Yummy looking.
Lynn

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous card, the fruit is quite artsy :) I'm still struggling but I'm fine. It's snowing here, but looks like the worst of the storm will miss us. We were in Spring mode and then winter came back with cold winds and now snow. Take good care, Shirleyxx

Viv said...

Good enough to eat - the pears not Hammy! x

designbydonna said...

Beautiful pair of pear cards. The pears look real enough to reach in the laptop and grab one for a midmorning snack.

Happy Dance said...

No Nor'easter here, just a boatload of Lake Effect snow.... We only got 7" yesterday, but we've at least doubled that overnight. The light, fluffy, blowing around kind. Yuk. I've got the essentials here; cokes, dinners, and craft supplies, so I'm all set for the day. No worries, though; it'll be in the 50s by the weekend...go figure.... Anyhoo, your pair of pear cards are fabulous. The smooches, schmears, and smooshes are perfection - they have a wonderful realistic look. Hammy did a great job with his winking, too! They are just gorgeous. Love the purply-pinky panel on your second card and the neutral one on your first. That bowl looks incredible, too. Very cool cards. I like them rather much! Have a great day sweetie pie. xoxoxo Bev

Pat said...

These pears on both cards certainly do look good enough to eat Darnell and love the way you smooshed them with just the right mix of colours. I love the enamel bowl and the pretty dotty ribbon and then the simpler treatment with that lovely complementary pink card, and the scored lines finish both beautifully. x

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, lovely pair of cards, pardon the pun, great designs and colouring, Kate x

Sandy said...

Wonderful use of those found pears. I especially like the lovely colors you got on the pears for the first card.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
You deliberately used 3 so no one could say nice pear didn't you lol?
Thank goodness you clarified the Mister/mister as it did conjure up an image of how the dousing took place.
Gorgeous cards that look good enough to eat.
Best wishes.
Ang x

Bonnie said...

A perfect pair of pear cards, Darnell! Love how the smooshing gives them such a realistic look! Now you have me craving pears too! Thanks for sharing them with us at CAS Mix Up!

Barb said...

The perfect pear Darnell! Two absolutely super cards. Barbxx

Krisha said...

Super cards Darnell. Smooching is such fun....(both kinds :))
Have a great week.

Nora Noll said...

Oh your pears are divine!! I LOVE how you layered them together!! The smooshing is fabulous!!

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Too funny, but I sure do love these smoochied pears! I will never look at my Distress Inks the same way, without looking for pear colors!

Leslie Miller said...

Your pears look so real and, holy cow, look at the sparkle! They're like magical pears. Love that Canyon Clay ink. I'm feeling a pear craving now, too!

Linda said...

Fantastic smooched pears. Such lovely cards, Darnell.

cm said...

Sensationally smooched and stella-ed pairs of pears on the stairs and in the pottery wares (stopping right now!)! You've captured pear colours perfectly, so much so that I'm craving one of those juicy gems right now! Then again, they are sooooo lovely as decor...Thrilled to see your gems in the Ink gallery! As much as my smooching proved a struggle, something about the technique is appealing; perhaps we'll see some smooshes from me soon..maybe...thinking about it! We're in the midst of a chinook, which is bringing warmer temperatures with a mix of snow/rain that, inevitably, freezes over night and creates a ruckus with driving. Me: staying hunkered down and crafting as much as possible for the next few days. A move's afoot!!
Hugs and love~c

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Downright yummy! And Hammy did a fabulous job winking them!

Verna Angerhofer said...

The pears on both of your beautiful cards are so well colored. I love them!

Kathy Krug said...

Beautiful smooshed pears. They turned into lovely cards. Your blog is fun to read.

JoAnn said...

Love your snooshed pears. The look very life-like. Great cards.

Susan said...

Love your smooshed (smooching) pears! Especially the first one in the lovely old bowl. I had no idea Hammy could be so helpful. I wonder if I could train the spaniels to apply the Wink of Stella - or better yet, any glitter I use so that they end up sparkly instead of me. Then I could avoid the bemused comments I get from friends when I show up with glitter on one cheek. Thanks for joining us at CAS Mix Up.

Jean said...

Loving your smooched pears!

Sarah said...

Nothing better than smooched pears Darnell and these are a perfect example!! xx

conil said...

Dare I say it? What a perfect pear...(that was so bad. Insert huge groan, here.) I do love the smooshing you did...surprisingly, without producing any juice.
Seriously, clever use of those gifted diecuts and that terrific bowl. Love both these delicious cards.

Redanne said...

Wow Darnell, you are an expert pear smoocher, they look amazing and Hammy did a fabulous job on winking them. Both cards are gorgeous!! Hugs, Annie xxx

Nan G said...

Hey Darnell, your cards are pear-fect-lee gorgeous! Who doesn't love a smooshed pear?! No snow here but a cold blast is on its way. Yes, cold! Down to 36 the next two nights...brrr. Have a great rest of the week my friend. Hugs

Daria Z. said...

Your smooched/smooshed pears are delightful. Both cards are wonderful but I really love the first with the bowl.

Kathleen said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, great image and colours, these creations certainly haven't gone "pear shaped"
A saying we have in England that means 'gone wrong'

Kath x

Canonbury creations said...

A perfect "pearing" Darnell, your colouring is beautiful!
Val x

Lisa Elton said...

Oh gosh these are pretty Darnell!! You've colored the fruit perfectly and your clay bowl looks so real!!

JD/ Jill said...

As always, very creative, beautiful cards!

Susanne Vargas said...

Those pears are so perfectly smooshed, they look real! And tell Hammy, he did a great job winking them! Adore the cards you made of those pears!

Sheila H said...

Great job! Your smooshing is pearfection -LOL!!

Birgit said...

I thought they were smooching:) I love the look of the pears in both cards and that effect looks pearfect:) Both cards are fun and spring like....much needed as we have been hammered by snow. We had nothing all winter until today.

aussie aNNie said...

I can just taste these pears, my dad always had a pear tree with the most juicy and sweetest fruit...like your images.xx ♥[aNNie]

Anonymous said...

Awesome pears! love the smooching and stella.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous pear of cards!

Unknown said...

Two yummy cards with appetizing pears ! Your smooching is absolutely stunning because it really looks like the skin of pears ! And your bowl is also amazing, my grandma and my mother also had this kind of bowl ! Love your second card too with this beautiful sentiment (it is my blog's quote !) !! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring !
Hugs
Izzy Scrap

Brenda in IN said...

Two beautiful cards and perfectly smooshed. They do look real. So does the bowl on the first card. The pair of pears look better on the stairs than they would have looked sitting on chairs. As far as your surge to purge - I have the urge and I'm almost on the verge. Okay, I'm done. How nice of the ladies to send you die cuts and to see how well you've used them. Hammy has become quite the crafter!

lilian said...

great looking cards Darnell. The pears look good enough to eat,

Lilian

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
oh my word I think we are all going shopping after seeing these as they do make your mouth water so.
They look so realisticand lovely.
Super designs too, and that bowl is gorgeous.
Right I off to buy some pears now your have started a craze, and my mouth is watering. lol.
Love and big hugs from my house to yours.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Sue - said...

A perfect pear of cards Darnell! The smooching makes them look very realistic. The first one made me think of a retro 1950's style picture!

Karenladd said...

Wow, love your gorgeous pears, although the bleached eggplant look does have its charm in certain lights too. I only recently tried the smooshed ink technique myself and it might become my favorite go-to because it's easy, fun, gives nice shading and texture, and sometimes you end up with something like this! This is making me want to die cut a bunch of shapes and make an inky mess in my craft room.

Cat Craig said...

what a pair...of sweet cards Darnell. Love your smooching it gives just the right color to your pears...I might have a craving now too.

Bobby said...

Those are some of the best smooshed pears I have ever seen, Darnell.

TK said...

Fun cards! Love the pears!!!

nancy littrell said...

LOVE both your smooshed pear cards Darnell and your description of your cards...what would you ever do without Hammie! TFS and joining us at CAS Mix Up my friend. Hugs...

Cheryl W. said...

I LOVE pears - to eat and to look at! Yours are beautiful. One of my favorite sweet dishes to make is Pear and Sour Cherry Clafouti. It's so easy to prepare and downright delicious. In fact, there is half a tart pan of Clafouti in my frig as we speak.

Sarn said...

Two really gorgeous cards. Phew, that's GOT to be all of my 5 fruits and veggies a day!!! (I rarely make it!) Yippee.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

Ah indeed dear Darnell, everything is better when shared with a friend. Love that saying on your second card.
Wonderful card pair of pear cards, dear Darnell 'tis wonderful indeed you've utilised so very well the gifts of a friend.
Thanks for popping over and for sharing your inspiration!
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

KandA said...

Wonderful pair of pears Darnell. Especially love the first - it looks so real that I want to reach in the dish to pick one up for my lunch xx

sandie said...

gosh they really look like real pears and love the added shine. Thanks for joining Ink

Sue said...

Such cute cards. Love those pears...I don't like pears to eat though. I hated when mom would pack them in my lunch when I was in grade school. You smooshed them beautifully.

Andrea said...

Hi Darnell
what a great pear of cards,they do look good enough to eat. I do like pears as long as soft and juicy. these look fab and happy cards
crafty hugs Andrea x

oldpunca said...

Your pears looks like real ones, dear Darnell. You did a great work. I have to read two times to understand all phases how you made them so realistic.

Hugs, Sonja

Lindsey said...

Wow! You've colored these pears SO beautifully! Such a pretty card and how fun that you were able to use those die cuts.

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Fabulous cards Darnell! Thanks for playing along with us at HLS Water Color Challenge.

Greta said...

Love your beautiful, sparkling pears, Darnell! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has die cuts from friends not labeled! I didn't send you the pears, but sure is a good thing someone did! You've inspired me to actually use some of the beautiful ones I've been given--think some are even for Easter, so better dig them out quick!

Petra Swart said...

Love your beautiful shiny pairs of pears and your very entertaining stories on how you went about to make the cards, Darnell!!!!! You are such a treat!!!!
Hugz

Craftychris said...

Both these are wonderful! Pears on stairs is a saying now fixed firmly in my head! xxx

Anita in France said...

What a great team you and Hammy make, Darnell ... you've both done such a spectacular job on this pair of pear cards. How you got those smooshed colours to behave themselves so realistically on each pear, I'll never know ... but you did and they're just luscious ... and Hammy's winking is the sparkle on the fruit! Hope you found some juicy ones at the grocery store! LYAMYMAGTSYBIBMO! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Kelly Szafron said...

Darnell your smooshed pears are fantastic! Thank you for joining the HLS Watercolour Challenge.

Barb Ghig said...

Two really gorgeous cards, Darnell! Both are so artistic, especially with your splatters! As always, you and Hammy have done an amazing job! How nice that everyone sends you goodies...you are so deserving!