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 14, 2017

A Retirement Safari

Hello, my Stamplings!

I hope your week has started off beautifully! If not, remember there's another day rolling towards you so you can start afresh then! 

Wait. What? Who decided to put the letter "a" in front of words that are perfectly fine and mean the same thing without the added "a?" Perhaps someone was misheard when all he said was, "Maude, let's start out, ah, fresh in the morning after we've had our coffee."

My share today is a Happy Retirement card for a couple who are all aquiver about going on an African safari.

I took my own safari back to the last century for the products used on this card. The heat-embossed mama and baby elephant stamp came in a set of black-foam-backed red rubber stamps. Remember those inexpensive sets? 

The DSP is from SU, as is the sediment, which I'm pretty sure is NBUS. To make my circle, I taped down a circle die, masked the image, and using a stipple brush, I brushed on the colors from my old set of SU chalks. Four more cards with this design were made (with different sediments) once we discovered that Hammy could apply the color faster using his elbows.

Challenges
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I wanted to share this amazing photo my DIL Rachel captured!
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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!








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79 comments:

Rahmat said...

I love your card Darnell, the side panel looks so much fun, and adds interest to your lovely stamped focal image, perfect for all the challenges you have linked up with.
Love that picture of the rainbow, and clouds together!

Marina said...

This is beautiful - nice use of the old stuff - I remember those old foam-backed stamps , surprised you got such a good impression with it. Love the patterned paper and good you only used a strip - looks really effective but hopefully , you've still got loads left!

Yes,, you are right about afresh/awake/ arise...! I'm an English teacher in adult ed - many of my students are non-native speakers and these kind of things can be hard to explain!

Anna Uhras said...

AWW!! Darnell !! This is so so gorgeous!! So striking, I love it so much. And I love that you used one of your old beloved stamps again <3 Thank so much for sharing with us at CASology! Anna xo

Stamps and Paper said...

Your elephant card is lovely Darnell and great DSP you've teamed your image up with.its great to use some of our old stamps once in a while.
Amazing photograph

Anne

Creative world said...

Hello!!!I didn't stop at your blog o say HI for a while,so here I am just to Perfect striking Safari card,love it...Hope you doing well...hugs and best regards...Željka

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A fantastic card Darnell, just right for the happy couple off on safari. An amazing photo too.

Sue xx

ike said...

Oooooh - super cool card. Love the image and that edge piece is gorgeous.
What an amazing rainbow photo :-D xxxxxxxx

Liz said...

Super card, what a great safari image! Perfect for the lucky couple going on safari. How stamps have changed ove the years. I'm still plucking up courage to remove all the wood from my wood mounted stamps!

Fabulous photo by your DIL. xx

Redanne said...

I haven't really thought about it before but you may just have a point about the a vs ah... how interesting!

Your card is beautiful with that lovely strip of paper at the side and the gorgeous rich colour behind the elephants - so perfect for your friends going off on safari!

The rainbow photo is stunning, how wonderful to be able to capture it so beautifully! Hugs, Annie xxx

Gerrina said...

Super stamping and sponging on your safaricard!
And wow that is so special to capture one of natures beauties in a photo!
Hope you have a great week planned! Hugs, Gerrina

Carole said...

Lovely card Darnell.....how stamps have changed over the years along with the cost!! I still fondle my wooden backed stamps occasionally!! Lovely rainbow over the sea...looks like a long swim for that pot of gold though! Hugs xx

Lynn said...

Oh how gorgeous. I love the inking around that beautiful elephant! Such a fun retirement card. And your DIL's picture - swooning over here!

Ros Crawford said...

You have such an amazing sense of humour... I love visiting here... Wonderful card and that photo is amazing! Have a fabulous day!

Birgit said...

What a wonderful jungle inspired card! You really did excavate your old goodies but you found the perfect image. I love the strip of tropical leaves peeking from behind. Your friends will love it. The photo your d-i-l took is awesome as well!

Mrs A. said...

That's a neat way of getting that there chicle. I hope you let Hsmmy have a peanut butter sandwich after all his hard work! Hugs Mrs A.

Brenda in IN said...

Your friends will be thrilled with this card made especially for them. That's what I love about card making. You can customize a special card for someone and you did just that. I love the image no matter how old it is and that jungleish paper is perfect. I'm impressed with Hammy's skill at inking too. Rachel's photo is beautiful Reminds me how wonderful nature is.

KandA said...

Wonderful card Darnell, love those elephants and the colours are gorgeous. Love your DIL's photo with the way she captured the rainbow xx

Bunny said...

That Hammy is a great helper. Nice card. Love the colors.

Retirement............one day our ship will be acoming in. [Bunny]

Maura said...

Fabulous card, Darnell! Love that the elephant is black and white, such great detail against the pretty sponged circle! Love the pp strip too.

Pat said...

I love your sweet elephants in that bright yellow and orange circle Darnell, and the paper is so pretty and just perfect for this African Safari theme. The photo which Rachel took is fantastic, and I don't think I have ever seen a rainbow emerging from a cloud like that. x

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

That's how I would like to spend my retirement ... on a safari in the wild! Wonderful take on our cue word this week. So happy you could join in the CASology challenge this week.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fab CAS and fab shot from your daughter in law!! Wow!

Mac Mable said...

Love how you've put all the elements together. The strip down the right is fabulous and the cute elephants adorable. Gorgeous blending and I love it! x

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful card Darnell!! Love those elephants! The strip on the right is so pretty. The pic of the rainbow is so beautiful!

Leslie Miller said...

What a great design for your perfect safari retirement card! Still have my soft chalks, too. You got a lot of color in that circle using chalks. I also still have one of my black foam-backed stamp sets. It's too cute to give up. Fantastic photo! Wow!

Sue said...

Darnell, That's a fab card.

Hope you've had a good start to the week. Sue

Cara said...

Fab card, love the inked circle and well done to Hammy for using some elbow grease on it! Stunning photograph by your DIL too x

conil said...

Don't you just love it when an oldie but goodie turns out to be so useful. Also, when Hammie uses his elbows to enhance your images. This one is gorgeous...I see the orange and yellow background is alive (an intentional "a") and well behind your meticulous masking. That DSP looks awesome especially since you deliberately matted the sentiment with red.

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love it and your safari friends will too. Great design. I hope one of these days I can start "afresh". I do a little and I am just so flagged out. LOL I am not fond of that flu bug.

Susan said...

Would love to go on an African safari! Perfect card for your friends! Love the strip of dps down the side - it adds a lot to the design!

Jean said...

I love this safari themed card, perfect for your retiring friends. The strip of designer paper looks great and is clever design feature.
A beautiful rainbow photo Too.
Jean x

Cat Craig said...

Fantastic safari card Darnell and perfect use of the sketch. The card is challenge perfect for sure. Your DIL pic is amazing, wonderful that she got a good shot.

Trina P. said...

Beautiful card, Darnell. Definitely captured the safari look with those elephants and that pattern paper.
Have a great day! 😉 Trina xx

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous card Darnell, perfect papers and a lovely image.

Kath x

Jen W. said...

Love that gorgeous chalked circle, Darnell, and the paper is the perfect addition! Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!
Also WOW to Rachel's stunning photo!

Ina G said...

Just perfect for a couple going on an African Safari. My daughter has done this and loved it and has plans to go again. Great paper choice Darnell.
PS Love the photo - so calming!

Bonnie said...

Love that stippled circle around the elephants, Dolly! That reminds me that I have some stipple brushes in my NBUS stuff! That rainbow is awesome! A wonderful photo!

Carol L said...

What a fabulous retirement card, and so perfect for the luck couple about to embark on an amazing journey! I cannot put into words what your DIL's photo captured, but I find it breathtaking and incredible! Have a great week ahead!

Nan G said...

Love the card! Fab pic of a rainbow over the ocean taken DIL. Do you think she'd let me use it for inspiration to paint? A wonderfully " afreshed" week. Hugs

Nan G said...

Sorry for the bad typing...didnt have my glasses on. Love DIL's pic.

Marilyn said...

Awesome safari card!! Love the rainbow picturen

jimlynn said...

I'm going to have to CASE this one! LOVE IT!
Lynn

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, What a great card for your newly retired friends. Love all these safari-related elements, including that fun SU dp. :)

Unknown said...

Fabulous card Darnell, love the image and the dp is wonderful, the enamel dots finish it off perfectly.
Great photo too...your DIL is very talented :)
Hugs Kaz xx

Lisa Elton said...

Awesome retirement card Darnell! And wowza to your DIL photo, so beautiful!

Cheryl W. said...

Your card is so creative and perfect for the occasion and the intended receiver. And you made four more? Your putting all of us to shame! I hope you are having a great week, too.

Christine Alexander said...

Oh to be retired and to go on safari. great image of the elephants and love the dreamy sunset around them.

nancy littrell said...

Beautiful sponging behind your safari elephants, Darnell. Love your DSP border and beautiful colors. Your friends will love their special card for a very special trip. TFS my friend. Hugs

Greta said...

That is some photo--wow! What a great retirement card--so personalized! I know they'll love it, Darnell! Gorgeous designer paper!

Loll said...

I still have some of those black backed red rubber stamps. :) I really need to get rid of them as I'm sure there is an 1" or so of dust on top. :) Seriously, love this card Dolly!! The masked and chalked circle with the elephants ... and that perfect patterned paper down the side. Awesome. And so special for your friends.

Great picture by Rachael. That is one beautiful rainbow. Lolly xx

Chrissie said...

This is fab I Darnell, I love how your cards jump out at me from Bloglovin emails, your CAS style is just awesome!
So very up my street!

Linda said...

Gorgeous card Darnell. The inky circle looks fab behind those elephants and i love the fancy paper down the edge .... perfect design.
Stunning rainbow photo too xx

kiwimeskreations said...

What a stunning card Darnell - so appropriate for the couple, so perfectly personalised.
Love your elephant and how you have put a safari sunset behind it.
Blessings
Maxine

Anita in France said...

Sweet mama and baby elephants, Darnell, so beautifully framed with that luscious sunny chalky colour ... thank heavens for Hammy's elbows ... what a discovery for all future cards! Magical rainbow over the ocean from Rachel ... wonder how far down the pot of gold is!! LYAMYHMA ... ISOYTEM!! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Marlena M. said...

This is AWESOME Darnell! I love the colors and crisp design. I'm glad you had Hammy to help make more ;)

Em Louise Fairley said...

Sweet card and stunning photo.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Leigh Penner said...

Great take on the sketch, Darnell!

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

I have to admit that at first I was not getting the elephant connection, but it is amazing what a little bit of reading will do... duh! Fantastic card! Also love that Fab Photo! Wowzer!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, Your card is beautiful, perfect for the retiree going on an African Safari, what an experience that must be. I don't know about red stamps with black backs, I started stamping approx 10 years ago hard to believe but not long enough for the black backs? Have a wonderful Tuesday, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Brenda said...

Love your card Auntie! The elephants are so cool looking and that paper is amazing. Although I confess I thought you stamps that side border so imagine my surprise when said it was designer paper! Wow what a beautiful and Godly photo!!!!! Hugs, Brenda

Julia Aston said...

what a wonderful card for your friends Sis! LOVE those ellies - and the gorgeous round sun! And what a beautiful photo your DIL snapped - a gorgeous rainbow over the water! Julia xx

Lisa T said...

Oooh I love this card Darnell, those rich African colours for the background, fabulous last century stamp and that gorgeous paper! It's a real winner. And I don't blame you for making four in one go, I would too and they can be used for so many occasions. And a perfect pesky masucline card! Hope Hammy's elbow are ok 😃😃😃. Hugs, Lisa xx

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely retirement card Darnell and perfect for the couple going on safari. I love that you used chalks because you have reminded me that I have three palettes of them lying unloved in a drawer, and they need some attention.
Hugs
Carol x

PS That is a beautiful, atmospheric photo!

Pia S said...

I've got a soft spot for African wildlife animals and I think the paper strip just adds the safari feel and spirit. Adding the yellow around the elephants makes your card colorful and puts the spotlight on the animals.

Sharon Underwood said...

I love everything about this card! The colors are so beautiful, I love that you used chalk, and the patterned paper is one of my favorites! Gorgeous card! I also love the photo you included. Absolutely fantastic!

AO Creations said...

Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at ATSM, good luck!!! Amy DT

Unknown said...

Love your retirement card I hope your friends have a wonderful time. What an amazing photo your DIL captured - awesome x

Fikreta said...

wonderful card!

Sheila H said...

Love the card! And the photo is amazing.

Susanne Vargas said...

Yes, I remember those black foam mounted stamps - still have some, of course. What a wonderful personalized card for this couple!

Janelle said...

Gonna be short and sweet as I have to go back to bed and sleep off my cold. Love the card and love the photo. :) Bye! Mwah!

Angela Walters said...

This card looks wonderful, Darnell, no matter how old that stamp was that made it! Yes, I remember and still have some of those stamps, myself. DIL's picture is gorgeous! I hope you are doing well, my sweet friend!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Look! It's A Frickin' Elephant! I mean an African Elephant. And and oldie too. I didn't know they had them on foam blocks but I remember a wood version of this from way back in the day (when I walked to school uphill in the snow with bread wrappers for shoes and had to fight dinosaurs to get there). Great card, love the bright circle highlighting the frickin' elephants. Oh yeah! I'm all abuzz about being afresh but am worried about being afire. Hmmm... I guess abreast doesn't really work that way so I'll just leave that one off. 'Kay?

JD/ Jill said...

Wonderful card! and a perfect retirement card for to celebrate their fabulous trip!

ionabunny said...

A peanut sat on the railway track
His heart was all aquiver
A train came speeding down that track
Toot Toot peanut butter

Karenladd said...

Oh yes, I do remember those foam backed stamp sets, and I still have several of them. None are African animals, but I think I have an elephant stamp around here somewhere. Your masked circle sun is such a clever idea...and kept Hammy busy and out of mischief I'm sure. Looks like you had the absolute perfect patterned paper to accent your image for a beautiful CAS design.

Helen F. said...

Your card is just perfect for the retiring couple going on a Safari! How exciting! Beautiful PP to match the jungle theme too.

OH Babs said...

Well guess I am a day late and a dollar short. I went looking for this card because I think it should be re-issued it is wonderful.
Your DIL photo is spectacular but so are yours of the Oregon coast. Good to know there are still a couple of stamp stores in existence, there is one in San Diego. Have fun at the reunion - I am guessing it might be your 40th.
:) B

harada57 said...
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