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!

February 2, 2019

Smooches for CAS Watercolour!

Hello Stamplings!

It's football fever in this country because the Super Bowl is tomorrow! Did you know that more corn chips and avocados are consumed on this one day than in the entire rest of the year?! I just made that up, but I wouldn't be surprised. Based just on our household.

But that's tomorrow and today I'm having a crafty good time coming to you as the Guest Designer for the very fun CAS Watercolour Challenge! The brief this month is the timely color challenge of Red & Pink!

Here is my card to inspire you!
I talk a lot about smooching on this blog because I think the world can always use more smooching! I brought out some old faithfuls for this card: an old Penny Black stamp, an old Paper Smooches (more smooching!) sediment, and some ancient heart pp! The rectangle frame is popped up for some dementia.

Of course, the little critters in the image were drawn by the stamp artist as mice, but I had to quick do some snipping so you-know-who would think they are hamsters. I don't know if you think I succeeded, but I fooled Hammy, so mums the word, 'k? Everything was colored with my Ziggies, winked by Hammy, and for some extra interest, I finished by glossifying the Os in SmOOches.

I hope you'll bring out your romantic reds and passionate pinks, or your rollicking reds and playful pinks, and join in the CAS Watercolour Challenge! The challenge is open until February 24, 2019. The talented DT have lots of amazing inspiration waiting for you on the CASWC blog!

I'm also playing in these challenges:
SPREAD THE CRAFTY LOVE - grab a badge!...or Hedgie

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Twofer
As long as I had my various heart pp on my desk, I decided to make a Twofer using a NBUS set of dog dies from Impression Obsession. Using my Clarity Brushes and spun sugar DI, I first added a heart to the front linen panel using a stencil. The terrier is standing on a heart cut from fun foam (unglossified) and both dogs were also cut from a dark brown card and the two papers were layered to form a shadow. I believe the LOVE sediment is from Paper Smooches. 

Challenges
 
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Turner Syndrome

grab our badge please!Have you ever heard of it? I hadn't until yesterday when I saw that a Turner Syndrome Awareness Blog Hop is being held from February 1-7, 2019, hosted by Lori Kobular. Turner Syndrome is a genetic disorder where females are born with only one X chromosome, instead of two, leaving them with medical issues and life-long learning disabilities. If you have a few minutes, please check out the Hop where you can find more information and, in turn, you can help spread the word on your blog! Prizes are being drawn from among those who leave comments on the Hop designer's blogs.

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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 and return the flavor!

Have a fun weekend and I hope your favorite team wins!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick 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!)

86 comments:

conil said...

Hearts, hearts everywhere. Must be the time of year. Hammy has got to be pleased with this sweet Valentine. So cute and they look just like him. And you've got to know if there's a dog on a card I'm going to love it. The shadow you added really makes these two pups come to life.

HilaryJane said...

Congrats on your guest designer spot. I love your little smooching hamsters under the lovely pink daisy, just adorable xx

Sandra H said...

Two adorable cards Darnell and many congratulations on your guest designer spot your so inspirational x

cuilliesocks said...

Well done on your GDT Darnell, two fabulous card, super designs and images, Kate x

Cat Craig said...

Congratulations on your GD, Darnell. Pink and Red colors of the month for sure. You lil mi no Hamsters are so cute under that canopy of love. Your second card is also fun-those hearts make for fab dalmatian dots.

GO RAMS...but then again Tom Brady is soooo hot. :-)

designbydonna said...

You not only fooled Hammy but you fooled me. When I first saw the little creatures, I thought hamsters. They are adorable all snuggled up under the mushroom. I love the sentiment and frame too. Your doggie card--perfect for dog lovers.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Congrats on your GD, LOVE the cute mice.... Ehm... hamsters and the popped frame! Brilliant use of the same pp for the second card!
Hugs

Kathleen said...

Two fabulous CAS cards with really cute image and lovely colours and colouring. Have I ever told you that you are barking mad but make just purrfect cards. Couldn't resist that after seeing your second card.

Kath x

Lori Kobular said...

Thank you Darnell for passing along information about the "It's A Girl Thing" Turner Syndrome Awareness Blog Hop! I appreciate it very much! It is so important for the information to get to as many people as possible!! Hugs! Lori

My Paper Epiphany said...

Such fun and sweet designs! I love them both! I don't think I've ever seen a hamster irl!! I'm so happy you could be our GD this month:)

Pat said...

Congratulations on being Guest Designer this time and love your two fabulous cards Darnell. I adore your hamster/mice image under the flower umbrella, so cute and the heart paper complements it so prettily, and then your sweet die cut dogs stand out beautifully with the brown under layer, and the heart paper on the top together with the stencilled and die cut hearts fits the theme of the card perfectly. x

Liz said...

Two great cards, Darnell. I love how you've changed the mice into hamsters on your first card - Hammy will never know! Your little heart covered dogs on your second card are so cute and the brown layer underneath is so effective. Congratulations on your Guest Designer spot. xx

Bunny said...

She cut off their tails with a carving knife.............or just took white out and got rid of them. Now that you mention it they do look like Hamsters. Unless that's the power of persuasion. Either way it's a cute card. Smooching is a good thing.

The dog card reminded me of Dalmatians with the hearts. Very cute indeed. [Bunny]

Bonnie said...

Both of these are just loverly, Dolly! Love the pair of hamsters smooching under that pretty flower! Love that stamp! And your hearty pooches are just as adorable! Love the big stenciled heart in the center! Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer at CAS Watercolour this month! PS Tell Hammy he did a fantastic job too!

Leslie Miller said...

Cuteness overload today, Darnell, and that's always okay by me! Did you make the first card for Hammy? Your snipping could fool the most observant among us. I really love how you cut the dogs from heart paper on your Twofer. Got me thinking, inspiration-wise. I made my hubby's Valentine months ago for one of your Twofer challenges, and probably won't have time for more this year, sniff sniff.

Papercraft Boutique said...

Congratulations on the GD spot at CAS Watercolour this month, Darnell!
Those hamsters under the flower umbrella are too cute! Are they Hammy and his girlfriend? Did you know that he was dating with her? ;-P Your Zig watercoloring makes them look much more adorable! The heart pp is perfect to set off this lovely smooching scene.
The second doggy card is fun and playful. Love the brown shadow effect. You ARE the Queen of Towers!
Hideko xx

Cheryl W. said...

CAS? Watercolor? Sounds like they picked the perfect GD for their blog! Your cards are so cute with the furry friends on them. I totally thought those little mice WERE hamsters. Without their tails, they absolutely look the part. No wonder Hammy was fooled. I am also still working on Valentines--just a few left to make. They're fun, though. Maybe I can try some water coloring on one of them.

Loll said...

Two awesome love cards Dolly! LOVE those sweet hamsters cuddling together under the flower umbrella. Such a sweet image that you've coloured to perfections. The little hearts paper is just the perfect addition. Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer this month at CAS Watercolour!!

And how sweet are your two love dogs. :) Great fun cut from the hearts paper. And great work stenciling the large pink heart with your Clarity brushes. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up! Lolly xx

Aileen said...

two very sweet cards Darnell love those sweet little mice.
Also wanted to thank you for your kind words in reference to mum. THey are very appreciated.

ps - you are a 'no reply blogger' at this time.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Both the cards are fab. Would never think to put pink and red together, but it goes well.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Trina P. said...

Congrats on guest designing, Darnell. You’ve created two wonderfully “love”ly cards with great designs. xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Congratulations on your DT spot Darnell..two sweet cards and yes those little mice could easily be hamsters

Anne x

Di said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell. I totally adore those sweet little hamsters, clever bit of surgery there as well. And the pooches are also brilliant, always such clever designs from you, with a helping paw from Hammy of course.

Love and hugs

Di xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Lots of love shared today Darnell, sweet sweet cards and talking of LOVE can I thank you for the introduction to Di and her PSP. I'm so glad that the love in blogland is 24/7 and not just the month of February.
Sunday Hugs to you yourself and Hammy.
Have a super creative day Tracey xx

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Marilyn said...

Both of your cards are adorable! When I saw your first card I thought of hamsters right away.
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Marcia Hill said...

Awwwwww...I love that image you used of the 2 hamsters under the flower umbrella...too cute and beautifully colored too I might add! And is the rumor true that I read through the comments that Hammy is dating??? And here I thought he was such a confirmed bachelor!! You might want to address this subject before the rumor mill gets really out of hand!! :0) (can you tell I've been cooped up ALL week with the Polar Vortex and what seems like a couple hundred feet of snow?!!) But anyway, your card is just delightful Darnell...totally made me smile! Love your twofer card too and had to chuckle that the dies are NBUS...have those exact same dies that are also NBUS!! (HAD to have them though if you know what I mean?!!) Love how you used the heart paper for both of them and also the shadow behind them too! Cute, CUTE cards Darnell and thank you SO much for being our GD this month at CAS Watercolour! :0)

sandie said...

I really like the design of your first card and the little rows of hearts. And super colouring of that sweet image and congrats on being GD.
And so good to see your second card at Ink and Time Out-super take from both challenges. Adore that pink heart and the puffy red one!

Jeanne said...

Oh golly, your mice morphed into hamsters is fantastic, Darnell. I love the soft colors and the winkifying. They look adorable under the flower umbrella. So sweet! Your doggie love card is frolicking good fun too. The main heart is so soft and pretty. Great way to showcase the doggies, too. Wonderful work my friend. I learned a lot about the syndrome from that hop. Great idea to run it!

Sherri Thacker said...

How cute! Thanks for joining us at Cards in Envy. PS We love chips and guacamole here too (not just for Super Bowl). LOL

Bobby said...

It's critter love on your card today, Darnell. The dogs cut from heart paper express 'puppy love' but it's those darling hamsters that I love. Maybe it's the Hammy influence. To know him is to love him.

Donna said...

Congrats on your guest designer spot, your design and watercoloring are fabulous! Your second card with the hearted dogs and stenciled heart is adorable too!

Carol L said...

What a fabulous fun duo of cards! Love those cuddling critters under the flower petals but the dog card is just too clever! Love the little guy perched on the little red heart! Brilliant card! Have fun munching the corn chips during the game. I have a doctor's appointment in the morning, so I'm going to behave and avoid all that sodium :) Bring on the celery and carrots LOL

Gerrina said...

Congrats on being guest designer! And a "snoozy" card! Enjoy your weekend!

Jean said...

Congrats on the guest designer gig! Such cute cards!

Brenda in IN said...

Congratulations on being GD and what a cute card you made. I know you're not a doctor but you play one on the the blog. A snip here, a snip there! Hammy has to be pleased to see this card. The little hearts framing the panel look so sweet. Love those charming dogs, especially the one perched on the red heart. So adorable.

Carol H. said...

Congratulations on the GD spot! You are the queen of CAS for sure and bit cards are so adorable! Love how you snipped them into little hamsters!

OH Babs said...

Congrats on being the GD. The Penny Black stamp is an oldie but a goodie and will not go out of style as one can always tweak it.
Do I dare say Go Rams! Honestly I am not a football fan but the Rams were once a part of LA and one of the players was our neighbor. Whoop-t-do. We were/are a soccer family. But enjoy the chips and guacamole and maybe a margarita. I may watch half time but will spend the day coloring. :) Barb

Celeste Goff said...

I love both of these CAS cards Darnell! So adorably sweet!

Sarah said...

Aww these are lovely Darnell, the dogs really appeal to me. I had to chuckle when I was watching the news report today, they were discussing the Superbowl and apparently the most consumed foods will be chicken wings and pizza!! xx

Mac Mable said...

You cannot have enough smooching in this world....What an adorable and super cute first card. Loving the 'Hamsters' and your secret is safe with me x.
Wonderful CAS second card and how clever is that dog to balance on the heart??? Wonderful composition, love the PP and the masking of that very pretty heart. Thanks for joining in the CAS Mix Up Challenge x.
The super bowl is becoming increasingly popular with us over in the UK and off to buy some corn chips and avocados to join in x
Thank you for raising awareness to the Turner Syndrome, which was new to me x

Lisa said...

These are both so sweet and beautiful!! I love the adorable smooching "hamsters"!! So absolutely adorable!! And those cute frolicking pups on the second are gorgeous!! I love them both!! Enjoy the Super Bowl!! I wish I cared about either team playing!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Christine Alexander said...

Both cards are adorable but the dog is pulling at my heart strings. I think it's Tika who's been rolling hearts :)

Inkyfingers said...

Hi Darnell,

What a fabulous twofer you have given us today and I particularly love the smoochie one. I have that stamp too - carefully removed from the wooden block when I was on a mission to cut down on the space my stamps took up. As a result the rubber stamps are all in one bag and terribly neglected. Thanks for the reminder to give them some attention. I'm just getting over a three-week virus and feeling better now. Hope you are keeping well.
Hugs
Carol xxx

Redanne said...

The image on the first card is just adorable and I do think they could easily be hamsters! I love how you used the pp on the dogs in the second card, the larger dog reminds me of a dalmation, although I have never seen one with red spots/hearts.

I was not aware of the Turner Syndrome either, until I read about it on Lisa's blog. It is a great way to raise awareness of this horrible illness. Here's hoping that your team win the game today! Hugs, Annie xxx

oldpunca said...

I am amazed about both of your cards. On the first one I immediately recognized hamsters in love. :-) (Hello Hammy!) Congratulation to the guest designer at Watercolor Challenge! On the second card you have fantastic added the dimension. Sweet dogs and a lot of hearts. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Julia Aston said...

Two sweet Valentines Sis! love the hamsters under the flower (yes, I can believe they are hamsters!) - and the sweet die cut heart dogs - congrats on being the Guest DT! xx

Susan said...

Two adorable cards! Love the sweet little mice hugging under the flower! Thanks for using it for your GD spot at CAS Watercolour! But even more, being the dog person that I am, I love your second card with those great dog dies cut out of heart-patterned paper - what a brilliant idea for a valentine!

Ina G said...

WOW! what a unique card you have here Darnell. Simply amazing and so very cleverly made. 'LOVE' it. Lovely to see you joining us at Just Us Girls and so glad you did. Thank You.

wendipooh13 said...

ahhhhh this is adorable!!!! thanks for playing with Cards In Envy!!!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Congrats on guest DT, Darnell - just love your pink & red creation with the sweet hamsters!! And what a darling bonus with the heart covered dogs - love!!

Lisa Elton said...

Yay, congrats on being their guest designer! Those little hugging hamsters are extra cute all snuggled under their flower umbrella. Your second card is wonderfully CAS. Both are delightful!

Wei said...

How cute! Love your CAS design, Darnell! Thanks for playing along with us at Cards in Envy. Looking forward to seeing your creative projects in the future galleries again.

Linby said...

Congrats on your GDT and you made a beautiful card for it, love the colouring. Your second card is just ingenious - love those hearts on the animals and the shadow effect.

L x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell xoxo

Susan Joyce said...

Wonderful CAS design Darnell, love the dogs with the hearts DSP. Thanks for sharing at CAS Mix Up this month.

Pia S said...

Since these mice are rather chubby I think they make perfect hamsters without their tails. Cute!
And the doggies, so sweet, They look like Dalmatians with hearts instead of spots.

Linda said...

I love your little mices, or should I say hamsters, they look so cute! Beautifully coloured too xx

papierelle said...

Love your both card, so cute!! The second remember me to miy dog and his doggy friend.

kiwimeskreations said...

I am late commenting again, but life should slow down a bit soon and I will hopefully be able to get back and do mire commenting.
Love your Smoochin' cards Darnell - the top one is swoonlingly adorable, and the dogs, well i think they are rather sweet, and that comes from a cat lover!
Blessings
Maxine

Craftychris said...

Such cute smooching hammys and fabulous heart spotty dogs too. Two gorgeous cards, I love them both my friend! Hugs xxxxxxxxx

Fikreta said...

these are adorable cards!
hugs

cotnob said...

Two super cards Darnell, I certainly think your 'snipping' worked, they look adorable. I love the heart papers, both as background papers and also on your die cut dogs.
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a lovely comment.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Brenda said...

Oh yes, it was football fever in this house as well on Sunday. lol Bret is a football fanatic! I would believe that about the corn chips and avocados. lol And sliders! lol I love your sweet card and they indeed look like hamsters, so glad Hammy thought so too! lol So cute is this card and sweet. Yes, the world needs more smooching for sure, smooches are good, nice and makes one feel good-whether they are real smooches or stamping smooches! Love your twofer as well! That heart looks so pretty on the linen paper, the dogs in that heart paper is amazing, the drop shadow make them stand out so good. Love the red heart too, perfect for the little one to stand on! Hugs, Brenda

maria f. said...

Long time no see! Your red spotted doggies brought me over here. LOVE them and the card design. And yep, I think that fabulous sentiment is Paper Smooches (who is coming back, did ya hear?). And the twofer - you and the Mister under the red and white daisy (whaaaatttt??) is just too cute. Hope all's well in sunny CA... I actually stayed up til the start of the 3rd quarter but then had to go to bed. No chips or avocados consumed here though ;)

Nancy said...

It's always fun to pop in and see what you are up too! Two super cards!!! Love the small heart paper a lot and love the way you incorporated it on your dog card. I would have never thought to use DP on dog images...but it works!!! Love your cozy hamsters too! So happy to see you linked up at JUGS as well...so thanks for that too! HUGS!

frommycraftroom said...

OH I love PB image and I think you were successful! Very clever. Mum's the word with Hammy :)

Macimbalo said...

Such great cards! I love your 'Love" card!!! Its just so adorable! Thanks for sharing at JUGD this week, Darnell!

Sharyn Polesel said...

Darnell your smooching hamsters are precious! I forget about my Penny Black stamps and need to play with them again...such cute images. We have had really cold weather here, but now things are warming up and getting lots of rain. Our beautiful snow has all changed to mud. Think I would rather have the snow. Hope all is well with you. Hugs, Sharyn

My Paper Epiphany said...

Thanks for sharing at the PBSC too! I had to tell you my daughter's staying with friends in Finland & is sharing a room with a hammie!!!

Greta said...

Your GDT card is so sweet! The doggy card has my heart, though--love it!

Sam Squires - A Crafting Niche said...

I think you are right about the smooching. A fab clean and simple card with a lovely image. Thank you for taking part in the February "Love To Craft Challenge". DT Sam x

Karen Dunbrook said...

such an adorable card Darnell!! so happy you are our GD this month.
xx Karen

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Such adorable cards, Darnell. I especially LOVE those doggie dies and using the heart PP for them was a great idea. It is always a joy to see you anywhere, especially at Time Out! Thanks for playing with us.

Anita in France said...

Congratulations on your GD spot with CAS Watercolour, Darnell! What a sweet little card with those snuggly, smoochy little mices ... and those pups in their love splattered pp coats are just adorable against the big, snuggly, soft pink heart! Always happy to have you playing along with us at Time Out, my friend ... thank you! LYAMYHMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

wienerhoneymooners said...

Well deserved congrats on "JUGS" Challenge, I saw this and swooned at how darling it was. Lately for some cheer I have been watching cat and dog cuddling videos on facebook, or other cute little furries! This is just
darling! Perfect to make a bunch for your friends with dogs!

Anila Dikay said...

Thank you for sharing a super cute card in the Inkspirational gallery. The dogs are very adorable 😍
Anila xx

Kim said...

What cute cards. Clean and simple but very cute. Thanks for sharing and joining the challenge at Love to Craft Challenge Blog.

Lorraine said...

Aww, so sweet. a gorgeous card
Thanks for joining this month's Penny Black Saturday Challenge.
Lorraine x