Hello Stamplings,
Happy Monday morning! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We had the twinsters and the time went by too quickly. Adam is still in good spirits as he deals with that cumbersome chest and neck brace. It won't be long before it is removed and we hopefully get the good news that he won't need surgery.
So what's happening here today is that I was delighted when my friend Rubeena asked me to be a part of the 4-year anniversary celebration of her delightful blog, A Rare Ruby!
So what's happening here today is that I was delighted when my friend Rubeena asked me to be a part of the 4-year anniversary celebration of her delightful blog, A Rare Ruby!
Ruby asked us to share why we craft and how much joy this hobby brings us. What a beautiful premise for a hop! Briefly, I started making cards back in 2002 because I was a person who loved sending greeting cards and I was spending a lot of money on cards. I thought making my own cards would be way cheaper. Oh, bwahahahahahahahahahahaha! My goodness, that makes me laugh so hard the tears run down my leg!
When I started making cards, my resources were Stampin' Up workshops and magazines. It wasn't until years later in 2011 that I discovered an entire Blogland community of like-minded card artists on the Interwebs. What a treasure trove of ideas! I stalked around a bit, as one does, and then I decided to launch my own blog. I never dreamed pushing that button to publish would be the start of endless inspiration, a wealth of knowledge, and a never-ending pool of friendships!
In truth, the order of those benefits of blogging should be in reverse for me because I find the friendships I have made to be the most precious and priceless. I made this QACAS card for the hop to reflect that:
When I started making cards, my resources were Stampin' Up workshops and magazines. It wasn't until years later in 2011 that I discovered an entire Blogland community of like-minded card artists on the Interwebs. What a treasure trove of ideas! I stalked around a bit, as one does, and then I decided to launch my own blog. I never dreamed pushing that button to publish would be the start of endless inspiration, a wealth of knowledge, and a never-ending pool of friendships!
In truth, the order of those benefits of blogging should be in reverse for me because I find the friendships I have made to be the most precious and priceless. I made this QACAS card for the hop to reflect that:
Using a linen card base, I brushed a Broken China background panel using a Tim Holtz stencil. You would think the little bits of china would have made it difficult, but it went on very easily. Then I embossed the front with a Cuttlebug e/f. Next, I die cut the NBUS word die, Zigged the little NBUS flower from MFT, and added them both. Of course, you-know-who added winking!
*ETA: A lot of you wrote to ask the name of the e/f I used, which I didn't know because I didn't have the packaging or I would have mentioned it. Some of you asked me to email to let you know, but you are "no reply" bloggers so I have no way of contacting you. Just for the heck of it, I did a Google search and tried "Cuttlebug branches" because it looks like branches and it popped right up! Whoot! The name is "Forest Branches" by Cuttlebug.
*ETA: A lot of you wrote to ask the name of the e/f I used, which I didn't know because I didn't have the packaging or I would have mentioned it. Some of you asked me to email to let you know, but you are "no reply" bloggers so I have no way of contacting you. Just for the heck of it, I did a Google search and tried "Cuttlebug branches" because it looks like branches and it popped right up! Whoot! The name is "Forest Branches" by Cuttlebug.
I've been blessed with many followers, and over 220 of them have become card pen pals. I've also been fortunate to meet many in real life from all over the United States, Canada, and Great Britain! It all happened one comment at a time and I highly recommend it! One comment to let another card artist know how much their art has inspired you leads to a response, which leads to another comment and before you know it, you've made life-long friends who are the kindest, most supportive friends you'll ever have! Mwah! Thank you to all my bloggie friends!
Challenges
- AAA Cards: Use a stencil.
- CAS(E) This Sketch!
- Color Throwdown
~~~
I'm turning this over to Ruby, who I've been friends with since her first comment on my blog on January 16, 2015! Her talent and her blog are never-ending sources of inspiration! If you haven't met her, you are in for a treat! The same goes for the other ladies in the HOP! I hope you bookmark Ruby's post to return to it in the days ahead so you can meet all these new friends! You'll be blown away by their artistry!! Congratulations, Ruby!
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Welcome to my Crafting Anniversary 2-Day Blog Hop! This hop is epic with more than 70 guests and over $1,000 in sponsored prizes! Not only are we celebrating four years since I first discovered cardmaking but also crafting in general. This industry is made up of wonderful individuals who are creative, inspirational, kind, and incredibly supportive! Hop along so you can learn about why we create and how much joy it brings us!
GIVEAWAYS
In celebration of this anniversary, we have several amazing sponsors. Let’s thank them for their generosity! Winners will be randomly selected from comments left on all the blogs. The winners will be announced by Wednesday, September 5 on this page. Winners will have up to 2 weeks to contact Rubeena at ararerubycrafts@gmail.com to claim their prize before another winner is selected.
Studio Katia - $50 gift card
Hello Bluebird - $50 gift card
Altenew - $50 Gift card
Pinkfresh Studio - $30 gift card
Gina K. Designs - $50 gift card
Clearly Besotted - $35 gift card
Simon Says Stamp - $25 gift card
Spellbinders - Card Kit
Jennifer McGuire - $50 Simon Says Stamp gift card
winnie & walter - $40 gift card
Mama Elephant - $25 gift card
Hero Arts - $25 gift card
Nichol Spohr - Custom-sewn rainbow pencil case filled with brand new Spellbinders' dies
Danielle Flynn - $25 Simon Says Stamp gift card
Picket Fence Studios - four $25 gift cards
BLOG HOP
Darnell Knauss - you are here!
Maria Peters (Instagram)
~~~
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 and return the flavor!
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 and 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 a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)
267 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 267 of 267So beautiful CAS design.
Beautiful post as always topped with a wonderful card Love and hugs Carole x
I love hearing others crafting stories. I had to laugh when I read you were going to save money making your own cards. My husband actually built a room onto our house for me to have space for all my crafting stuff. But I’m in that room almost every day, and it brings me so much joy, and he tells me he’s so glad he built it.
thanks for sharing your fun idea! I did pop over to look at your playhouse - so fun! have a great day!
I didn't read ALL the comments on your card and story, but I agree with everyone! beautiful, simple card with great colors and texture. If anyone has been stamping and making cards for very long, she or he knows how easy it is to "need" that new stamp set or stamping tool:) I love reading your blog, and thank you for all the inspiration you and Hammy put out there for us to enjoy.
Love the card and love your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Super cute card!!! Soooo Jealous of your playhouse!!!
It is rare to find someone who has been making cards for as long as I have. I started when my kids were small & we made our own Christmas cards with computer graphics. When we were planning our present home I designated a craft area for myself in the bonus room. Since I retired I have more time for cardmaking and supply hoarding. My hubby has built me a giant work cabinet with drawers and cubbies plus a rolling cabinet with lots more drawers. I love your playhouse, but you are mush more organized than me. The point is we enjoy our passion for card making and the friends we make on line.
What a unique and beautiful card.
Ruby is a kind heart! I like you're clean and simple card the branches embossing folder really sets it off.
Love your story, and how you got back to those wanting to know the e/f you used. That's kindness. Your creation is so lovely, I think I'll have to CASE.
Lovely card and wonderful story! That embossing folder makes a beautiful background! Thanks for the inspiration!
What a lovely testimonial to the joys of card making, Darnell!! I never would have dreamed that it would add to my life in so many ways, as you so aptly described - Life is good, my friend, don't you agree??
I love these blog hops. I am always blown away by the talent and generosity of so many creative people. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love the dimension from that embossing folder( thanks for tracking down the name).
I love all the texture on your card and your fun humor. Thanks for sharing.
Super cute card....
Kim B
What a lovely post and card ! When I started to dig in cardmaking, I’d never thought I’d find such a wonderful community !
[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
You are a gem, Darnell. I need to visit your blog more often. Your cards makes me question why I donated all of my embossing folders several years ago. =)
What you say about making friends is so true Darnell - I had no idea when I started this hobby what it would lead to. I thought it actually rather solitary at first - me in a room with my supplies... and then came along (for me) Online Card Classes and Instagram... met so many wonderful people who introduced me to other wonderful people. Ruth was the reason I came to your blog and so it begins.... isn't it just fabulous how it all works out! Love your beautiful card, super pretty and you are indeed a fabulous friend! Lisa xx
Wow! Gorgeous card!!! Love so much this simple design!!!
What a sweet story of how your friendship with Rubeena started! She will love your sweet card!
I started out as a Stampin Up demonstrator as well before Instagram and blogging was huge! There’s so many amazing people with incredible talent! So much inspiration out there!
Terrific card and a great way to celebrate friendship!
I just loved reading your blog post. You sound like a friend I've yet to meet! I also love this card...simple...elegant...beautiful! Thanks for sharing. And you have a new fan in me :-)
A wonderful card Darnell! Thank you so much for your visit to my blog . . . I haven't been getting notifications, and have kept forgetting to look! Have a great upcoming weekend my friend! Hazel xx
Your card is beautiful ! I love the light touch of blue. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
Yes I laughed about the making cards instead of buying them but the card supplies are worth the money it serves as therapy for the brain
Love this card. I really like the wash of turquoise! Congrats Ruby and thanks to all of the contributors!
Funny how many of us started carmaking under the hilarious illusion that we would save money! Love this embossed card you made.
Darnell, I love your post & your sense of humor. Thank you for posting at the bottom of your blog what all the acronyms you may have used mean. Very helpful for new cardmakers or older ones new to this wording for cards. Love your card simple with an oh so powerful sentiment. Thank you for sharing (love the "You would think the little bits of china would have made it difficult, but it went on very easily" reference to broken china colored ink)
Fabulous post and wonderful card!! Perfect for such a hop!!
Beautiful card! Thanks for sharing
What an incredible crafting journey you've had! Such a beautiful card and that embossed background is lovely. Thanks for sharing and being a part of this awesome hop.
Great card! I really love the textured background to your card with the Broken China colored strips across a portion of the card! Very pretty! I also love the added flowers to it too!
It's no wonder that Ruby invited you to be a part of her blog hop, Darnell ... what a lovely post! How blessed we all are to have found this delightful, wonderful, full-of-friends world we virtually inhabit ... and what a joy to have met IRL even just a few of those sweet people ... sigh! Love your card ... it's crisp and CAS with just the perfect amount of texture, dimension and pops of colour! Prayers continue for you and Adam! LYAMYMA! Great big hugs & bisous, Anita :)
Fabulous card, Darnell, as always! Love how you added texture using white on white. The blue and purple add a pop of freshness, just like you! :)
What a gorgeous card.
I totally agree with your comments today. I too thought it would be a great way to save money on all the kiddos cards - we all know how that really is - we'll keep that a secret. I think crafty people in general are lovely my knitting group is so much fun and so is my Days for Girls group.
Hope Adam doesn't need surgery. Catching up on blog land so will pop by Ruby's I haven't meet her yet.
Love it! I think that my huge swack of embossing folders are being underused lately. This is such a great inspiration piece to whip them out and get creating! TFS and being a part of Ruby's anniversary!
I enjoy crafting for many of the same reasons but since being retired because of MS I get much more time to explore . Thank you for sharing !
Very pretty card!! I love the simple layout...they are my faves!!
So lovely card!
hugs
I do love bright colors on a simple white one white background. I'm considering to start a blog, but I find it so daunting. Thanks for sharing.
Like you I thought this would be a cost-effective hobby. My husband now jokes about me making cards more expensive than any in the stores. I love what you've shown us today. You've really highlighted the versatility of that embossing folder.
Your card is quite lovely!! Clean and simple is my preferred style. I have noticed as I hop along that quite a few of us believed it would be less expensive to make our own cards. Hahaha!!
Darnell, your kindness and generosity has inspired me in so many ways! I love your bright and beautiful designs, and your photos are equally inspiring too! So glad that you are such an important part of the stamping community!
What a lovely CAS card! The textured background and the blue to highlight your focus area add the perfect touch!
Huge congrats to Rubeena!
OMGosh! I can't get past giggling at your narrative!!!! but I luv his fun card!
It really has been a joy to see all these posts in the hop saying why we all got into crafting (you really made me giggle!!! it is true that I thought it would save some money and in the past 4 years I reckon I've saved about £50 on buying cards and spent about £2,000 on materials!!!!! HAHAHAH!) and what it means to us. I love your QACAS card with that embossed background which highlights those two wonderful words - fabulous friend. Here's to more years of crafty goodness! xx
Love reading about your history with card making. I can definitely relate and I hope that one day I can also start my own blog and build some of the friendships that you speak of so fondly!
Your card is beautiful, Darnell, and I love reading about your journey in blogging! Thanks so much for sharing at AAA Cards challenges.
Great card! Ruby is lucky to have awesome crafty friends like you!
Fabulous! The awesome people I've met and wonderful friendships I've developed since I began card making was one of the most unexpected and truly special blessings I could ever have asked for. The people in this industry are amazing!
Wonderful card! I love that embossing folder - and so perfect with your card design!!
What a pretty CAS card!
I love the white on white with
the pop of color
SQUEAL!! Just BEAUTIFUL!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Love this sweet card and so nice of you to find the name of that folder...lol! Simple but full of lovely!
Love this card, simple yet elegant. Enjoy your writing style, just discovered your blog through this hop, will be following from now on.
what a beautiful card!
You are so right, the friendships we form are the best part of blogging! Your card is fabulous and perfect for this occasion! Love the stenciling and dry embossing - what a cool effect!
Super excited to be on this blog hop for Rubeena's celebration! I am your newest follower and am so loving all the inspiration and creativity and bond between all of you and us!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful card.
I've been making cards for less than a year and I've so enjoyed reading the stories along this hop. Thank you for sharing this lovely design.
Great card. I love seeing CAS to give me ideas and inspiration. I learned doing cards with a lot of work to them, and need to learn to do more CAS. I love their clean, crisp appeal. One thing all of us card makers have in common is that we all make cards to send to others, some strangers, some friends or family, service men and women etc. We don't do this to have something for ourselves. The gift of creating and crafting is our gift to ourselves, but the end product is always for others, to hopefully make their day a little brighter or bring them a surprise.
Your card is very pretty. I love the embossed background. :)
~ Priyanka Kantak
Congrats on being part of the hop. Sorry I'm so late getting to your blog--can't seem to stay on top of things. How in the world did I craft while I was still working?! Anyway, glad you could enjoy the twins & that Adam is doing well. Fingers crossed no surgery required! Great friendship card & I'm so glad blogging brought us together!
Gorgeous card and everything you say about blogland is true! I never thought when I joined the blog world I would make such wonderful friends who mean so much to me! The inspiration and learning is wonderful too. My life is richer now. xxxxxx
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