Hi there! Happy Sunday Funday!
I hope you're in the middle of a happy happy weekend! I'm going to get right to it because this is a heavy pitcher post. Go get your glass and I'll wait a sec.
Those of you who have seen my garden art wall know that my son and DIL have passed their love of succulents on to me. It took me a while to understand that (at least in this climate) succulents are not the same as cacti and they do not like full sun for hours every day. Once I cottoned on to the idea, I had very good luck with them.
Hence, I bought the Stampin' Up "Oh So Succulent" stamps and dies and DSP when they came out. Of course, then they sat on Mt. NBUS, but no judgment.
I hope you're in the middle of a happy happy weekend! I'm going to get right to it because this is a heavy pitcher post. Go get your glass and I'll wait a sec.
Those of you who have seen my garden art wall know that my son and DIL have passed their love of succulents on to me. It took me a while to understand that (at least in this climate) succulents are not the same as cacti and they do not like full sun for hours every day. Once I cottoned on to the idea, I had very good luck with them.
Hence, I bought the Stampin' Up "Oh So Succulent" stamps and dies and DSP when they came out. Of course, then they sat on Mt. NBUS, but no judgment.
I used a sketch for the layout which gave me the opportunity to send Hammy over to excavate Mt. Ribbon, further down the range. Don't worry, he had a backpack with wodka and sunscreen. The ribbon is from SU from years ago. The fishtail banner is from MFT and the sediment is from PTI, stamped in Raspberry Ripple. (I tried Raspberry Ripple once at a picnic, but thankfully there are no photos from the ensuing May hem.)
There are several different patterns in the DSP package so I decided to die cut a few succulents in different colors while I had everything out. These will keep me busy for a bit.
There are several different patterns in the DSP package so I decided to die cut a few succulents in different colors while I had everything out. These will keep me busy for a bit.
There are smaller succulents in the set, too, so I plan to have another card design using those soon.
Challenges
- Addicted to Stamps and More: Anything goes.
- Shopping Our Stash: Tie one on.
- Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Happy Birthday.
- Watercooler Wednesday: A sketch by Libby.
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I hope you'll indulge me while I share some photos of springtime among my succulents.
Below is a time-elapse of a succulent "flower" that has been growing for just a few weeks:
Below is another one with three flowers going off in different directions. It used to be full and tight with clusters until a naughty squirrel broke some off checking for his nuts. The nut.
We had a wild rainstorm yesterday followed by sunshine, so I quickly got my camera. Enjoy!
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2nd Annual April Fool's Boo Boo Hop and NBUS Challenge #11 Reminder
The challenge ends on Tuesday at 11:55 PM PST so dump out that NBUS basket and lemme see what you make with it!
Wait. What? No, silly, I don't mean the basket, I mean the NBUS!
Thank you, my friends! I'm loving all the entries, both boo-boos or NBUS ~ or both!
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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! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure to return the flavor!
*Life is too short!
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Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos of your succulents!
ReplyDeleteI share your love for this amazing plants.
LOVE your card! That beauty looks just like one in my garden!
Hugs
♥
A beautiful card, and your gorgeous photos show how realistic you've made that succulent look
ReplyDeleteJane
The succulent card is gorgeous! I also have got these dies because my daughter is a SU demonstrator. Her cards and boxes with the succulents have been published in several Dutch craftmagazines. She's very proud about that!
ReplyDeleteLia xx
Hi Darnell
ReplyDeleteWow! My goodness does that plant look real on your super card. A couple of drops of Glossy Accents and it could have snuck in with your superb drippy succulent snaps.
May be taking the plunge and joining in the challenge.
Have a great Sunday ........ when you wake up lol!
Ang x
Gorgeous card Darnell, the succulent looks real! absolutely fabulous and I really enjoyed your photos too :-) Your plants look very healthy and happy :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Birthday Challenge :-)
Luv
Lols x x x
Lovely succulent card Darnell....thank you for sharing your beautiful succulent plants with us..
ReplyDeleteAnne
Oh Darnell - I so needed the smiles your post gave me - you really are hooked on the succulents and yours are beautiful - on and off the card!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad Hammy survived the Mt Ribbon expedition
Blessings
Maxine
Gorgeous card. The cactus looks so real at first I thought it was part of your garden art. I do enjoy seeing photos of your lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Darnell, Loving the card. My dad had a fair few succulents.
ReplyDeleteYour various plants are lovely.
Hope you have a nice day. Sue
Your card is so beautiful, Darnell! Love all the succulents, I wish I had more!
ReplyDeleteOh how beautiful is that die cut succulent!! It looks so realistic and your card is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your real life succulents too, you definitely have green fingers where they are concerned - wow! Hugs, Annie xxx
Gorgeous card and GORGEOUS photos of your succulents!! Thank you for sharing. Have a great day!! :o) xx
ReplyDeleteBootiful succulents . Hugs Mrs .A.
ReplyDeleteWonderful card, these succulents are fabulous and your real plants too!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card Darnell!! Your succulents are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou've captured that succulent perfectly Darnell, lovely card. Brilliant photos too xxx
ReplyDeleteWOW! Your succulent looks so realistic Darnell! LOVE it! Thanks for the photo share, they are just fabulous . . . I love the macro shots especially (I'm a great fan of macro photography). I hope your having a marvellous weekend, and have a great week following! Luv n’ Hugs. Hazel xx
ReplyDeleteMy Card Attic
I love your beautiful die cut and coloured succulent Darnell on its pretty background and with the coordinating ribbons, and the real life succulents are gorgeous too...great photography! x
ReplyDeleteMy gosh the one on the card looks so real! Loved seeing all the photos! l have acquired many succulents myself and love them all ...they grow so easily. Hope you are enjoying this gorgeous weather and burst of green all around us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, Darnell! Love the colors you've used. Thanks for joining us this week at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so beautiful, Darnell! What awesome succulents! I love your pretty card, too!
ReplyDeletelove Mags B x
What a fabulous and unusual card Darnell...and that succulent looks so real on your card, i really thought it was to begin with! xx
ReplyDeleteOh my your card is amazing!! That succulent is so lifelike!! Gorgeous photos Darnell ... Love the raindrops on your pretty plants. Hope you are enjoying your weekend..
ReplyDeleteDarnell, what a beautiful card for the WWC113 Watercooler Wednesday Sketch challenge. Your succulent card is perfect for this challenge and really showcases the succulents in that stamp set. Love it! Also love your real succulents. You're a talented lady.
ReplyDeleteWow, your colouring is stunning. Funny how succulents are so trendy now. The other thing that seems to be making a comeback in the garden centres at least are Air plants, gosh they were so popular in the late 80's and early 90's. Just shows that everything goes in a cycle. Wonder what else we can bring back!? Cara x
ReplyDeleteWow, the succulents are all so gorgeous...the one on your beautiful card and your real ones!! I love, love them!! The shots of the raindrops are fabulous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Awesome, awesome! Your card looks so cool, and more to come it appears. All the succulents you cut are so pretty! AND your garden photos are spectacular! I'm so glad you shared them. I have quite a few succulents, but now I feel like shopping for more!
ReplyDeleteGreat card - how effective and clever! I share your love of succulents, Jo x
ReplyDeleteYour card is beautiful using those succulents, but your photography skills are beyond incredible! I love how you captured the droplets of water in those pics!! Awesome job on both!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing succulents...love the real and the card versious. I know I am running out of time Darnell but not I'm sure I will get to enter before the deadline as everything I have made recently has no NBUS...not sure if that is a good or bad thing..LOL! xx
ReplyDeleteHope the weather wasn't too hard on those pretty succulents of yours. I'm just beginning to warm up to them, thanks to that wall of yours. I do love looking at all the varieties and, as always, your pics are splendid.
ReplyDeleteYour card is pretty, darn splendid, as well. All those dies your building up will keep you really busy for some time.
Another marvellous post Darnell, a fantastic card and the photographs of the plants are gorgeous xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card. I love that stamp set and dies. Your garden is so pretty. I really like the pictures with the rain drops.
ReplyDeleteSuper card Darnell, and I love seeing all your succulents and the post rain photos. Fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a totally gorgeous card, a fabulous flower, great papers and super colours, Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteKath x
Wow! Beautiful photos...you are rocking the succulents Darnell! Love the amazing pictures and your fabulous card.
ReplyDeleteso nice card!
ReplyDeletelove those flowers!
hugs
Seriously, the succulent on your card looks real!!! It's so beautiful! As is your card! Your photos after your rain are so pretty too! Thanks for the LOL you gave me telling us about your Hammy and his backpack with wodka & sunscreen--LOL LOL!!
ReplyDeleteYour succulent card is beautiful, and I really enjoyed the photos of your succulents. I guess my only experience with a succulent is a jade plant (correct me if that's not a succulent.). My mother and I managed to regularly kill jade plants over the years, most likely from overwatering, and I've never really investigated the field further.
ReplyDeleteYour card is great! The succulent looks so real that I thought you just plucked one and put it on your card:) it's really well done and love the background too. I also love your pictures! The closeup of the raindrops on the one picture is so cool
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they still make Ripple? Fred Sanford from Sanford and Son was very fond of it. I seem to remember Mad Dog 20/20 and Boones Farm. I'm pretty sure we were splurging when we purchased those..........dare I call them a wine? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteWOWZA Darnell, the succulent on your card looks like the real deal, it's fabulous!! Love the photos of all your plants. I especially like the ones with the water droplets on them. Thanks for sharing them with us!!
ReplyDeleteStunning! Just gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! That succulent looks so life like, it's amazing! Great card - it must have felt good to use some of the ribbon... Your photos and succulents are beautiful! Have you seen the new international postage stamps (round with a succulent just like that) or maybe they are not out yet???
ReplyDeleteYour succulents are stunning, Darnell--the real ones & your card!
ReplyDeleteLove your succulents and your awesome card! Thanks for playing along with us at ATSM.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute!!! Thank you for joining us at ATSM, good luck!!! Amy DT
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card and what a beautiful collection of photos too. Your succulents look amazing ..... I love the arty pics with the raindrops, very clever xx
ReplyDeleteSucculents are a big favorite of mine. I bought this set and have yet to try it out. Maybe you have motivated me, my friend. You have a gorgeous assortment in your garden, and far more extensive than ours. As for your card, you really got the colors perfect. Love it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card, Darnell.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Em xoxo
I've told you before, but you won't mind my saying it again: I love your writing style! You always put a smile on my face and something about today's post merited an outright guffaw. Thanks for being you, and sharing your writing gift with us!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and card.
OMGosh Auntie, your succulent card is stunning!!! I swear it looks like a real succulent on it! You have gotten those layers and colors perfect. I love it!!! And I am so in love with your real succulents!! I know I have seen the wall before, but how do you have them hanging on said wall??? I think I need me some succulents in the shady areas of my flower beds, which have nothing much because it doesn't get much sun. lol Need some shady loving plants! I entered the NBUS challenge Auntie! Yay! I got here before the door closed! That good for me lately!lol Hope all is well in your neck of the country and that the Mister is doing well with his back! Love and hugs Brenda
ReplyDeleteDarnell, your card is stunning. Just love that Succulent stamp set and you have created a beautiful card with the die cut. Thank you for sharing all your pictures. Thanks for joining us on watercooler Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteDarnell the succulent you've created for your lovely card is no less beautiful than the photos of the live succulents which you nurture. Love the colours and sponging! You've used Libby's sketch for our Watercooler Wednesday #113 Challenge perfectly. Thanks so much for joining our challenge this week.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card and gorgeous pix!! Wow!! I LOVE the raindrops on them. Always love reading your hilarious posts... =)
ReplyDeleteAn amazing card Darnall. It was a second take from me. I thought it was a real plant. Your plants look beautiful. I used to grow succulents back in the 80s but in a greenhouse as we don't have your climate. Barbxx
ReplyDeleteLove the card, Darnell, but even more so, love the photos of your succulents. I was just down in Tucson for several days and was amazed by the desert plants - wonderful for me to see as many of them were flowering, and it's a totally different landscape to here at home in the Pacific Northwest!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Darnell. Love the colours and the stripes. I have another NBUS entry coming.
ReplyDeleteAnd what an amazing array of plants/succulents you have.
Trina xx
Gorgeous Die cut and sponged Succulent image card design, Darnell. TFS your card and your absolutely Stunning Succulents my friend. Can't wait to see more cards with your succulents and DSP. Hugs..
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing so many companies coming out with succulent stamp and die sets. I just love the card you made with the SU one. It is gorgeous and I can see you have a lot more ready to put on cards.
ReplyDeleteOh your photos are SO beautiful! You are doing well with the succulents!! The card succulent is amazing too! If I didn't know better, I would think you had glued a real one on there! I am not good with plants but I actually do have one little real succulent that I have managed to keep alive. My husband waters it for me :) ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteWell bloomin' succulent! Never seed 'em flower before. Love your Japanese iris and is that a hi-drain-ja? Gorgeous! Love your garden and thenthe card too. Hugs
ReplyDeleteDarnell, I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your photos of the succulents! I used to plant and grow lots and lots of them, in containers, in gardens, in rock gardens. I worked as an urban gardening advisor for the Cooperative Extension system and they worked so well in all kinds of soil. They are tricky to get started but then they look so gorgeous! I loved varieties of blue agave, hens and chicks, mixed with portulaca, which makes an excellent groundcover too. I'd love to have that Southern California coastline zone to make a spectacular garden with a "dry riverbed" of river rocks, and loads of succulents and grasses. Love all of your photos!
ReplyDeleteYour succulents are gorgeous, and so is the card!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Those raindrop photos are exquisite, Darnell! You should enter them in a contest or two! And your succulent card is pretty darn nice too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great card. I admit, I got sidetracked with your lovely real life succulents though! Thanks for joining my sketch challenge over at Watercooler Wednesday! Please join us again!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for sharing those gorgeous pics of your succulents. I have a couple of plants that I think are succulents, too, although they could be cacti. They were given to me, so I don't have their proper birth certificates and countries of origin. Your card is gorgeous, too. Your paper succulent looks very nearly like the real thing.
ReplyDeleteSo ... how to tell the difference between the succulent on your card and the real ones, Darnell ... you created a such a realistic beauty! Your photo's are splendid ... as are those lovely plants and blooms ... what a gorgeous garden! Sorry, my friend, no playing with paper and ink recently, so no entry into your delicious challenge ... next time (may have some NBUS then ... hahahaha!). LYAMYMAHAWTWYGU! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteYour card is beautiful but the real ones are simply stunning. They are doing so well for you. I'm not good with flowers and our ground is so hard it's impossible to dig up the dirt. I love seeing all the cards in the challenge and happy so many joined in.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Darnell. The paper is so pretty. The pics from your garden are lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour succulent card is gorgeous. I too have succulents in my yard, actually quite a few. Because we have been in a drought succulents is the way to go. I think it is fun to put several in a pot/container and watch them grow and become something very pretty. Happy Hopping
ReplyDeleteSuper succulent card Darnell - I had to look twice because I thought you'd added a real one from your garden. Love the photos too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being such a super host again with the fabulous NBUS/BooBoo challenge and it's been such fun seeing everyone's wonderful cards teasing me with crafty goodies that I'll have to add to my never ending wish list! xx
OMG Darnell....your succulent is just wonderful, so real looking and your garden variety photos are fabulous, sadly mine are doing as well as yours. Have a wonderful week hugs Robyn
ReplyDeleteYour card is soooooo gorgeous! I absolutely love the colours! I love all your photos too, brilliant! I will email you with a catch up later in the week, sorry it's been so long! Hugs xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful succulents. And your card is fab.
ReplyDeleteI had hoped to attack Mt NBUS myself but I'm afraid I am going to run out of time to link up - doesn't mean I still can't take Mt NBUS sometime soon :)
Okay, I can't believe I missed commenting on this post as I sure looked at all the images as I was thinking how beautiful succulents are and the flowers they produce. Beautiful display and thanks for your sweet comments all the time.xx ♥[aNNie]
ReplyDeleteFabulous card, I almost thought you stuck a real succulent to the front of the card it looks so real.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at Simon says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
Luv
Debby
I love these succulents and your dies are so close to the real flowers-gorgeous card and yet again I seem late to the party! I seem to get your posts a day late but never mind x
ReplyDeleteStunning succulents - quite amazed by the variation in colours. Love your card too - I can see why you are hooked. Anne x
ReplyDeleteTotally gorgeous card, Darnell! Your succulent is so beautiful, and looks just like the photo of the real thing! Great idea to place the DSP in the background, too...it highlights the theme for your card perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI adore your Hammy stories...what a helper he is :) Also, I want to thank you for sharing your stunning photos with us! The water droplets look amazing...such a clever time to capture the beauty of this plant!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog to leave some love...I don't know how you get it all done, honestly! Happy Easter to you and your family!
Oh my,Darnell, your garden of succulents is awesome. Love seeing your beautiful cards mimic your beautiful flowers and plants there in your yard ~isn't Mother Nature all the inspiration we need for our crafty business? :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the succulent party, but I sure am loving them lately. I saw this card in my feed and just loved it. And then to see your real succulent photos...love them!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors on your card. The flower (?) looks so real!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! The succulent photos are INCREDIBLE!!! You seriously need to submit these for publishing! Thanks for sharing :)