Hello Stamplings!
Ready? Have you been to the bathroom and grabbed your favorite beverage? I mean, not that you keep your favorite beverage in the bathroom, but you know what I mean.
For those of you just here for cards, first up a quick coupla cards for a few challenges. And an example of one of the new-to-some-of-us techniques we did at the retreat:
Just before I left for the retreat, I saw this post on my friend Verna's blog and I checked out the video made by David (the owner of Poppy Stamps) where he shows how to die-cut and watercolor plain white napkins. I borrowed the Poppy Stamp maple leaf die from Brenda and demonstrated the technique at the retreat. It was fun and easy to do, although we found that we needed to add bits of liquid glue here and there to keep the compressed layers together, especially if we were heavy-handed with the water part of watercoloring.
On the left below are closeups of the leaves I made and used on two other cards. If you look closely at all these leaves, you can see the great wrinkly texture you get from watercoloring on the napkin die-cuts.
Challenges
- CAS Watercolour Card Challenge: Maple Leaf. Happy 3rd Birthday and best wishes for many, many more!!
- Day of the Month Card Club: Celebrating Word Card Making Day.
- Less Is More: Rainbow.
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Crafty Stampers
October 6-11, 2019
Top row left to right: Linda [Oregon] (Lin's Craft Corner), Greta [Oregon] (GG Creations), Kara [Wisconsin] (Bright Hope Creations), Maria [Ohio] (Maria's Merry Makings), and Colleen [Oregon] (One Smile Lifts a Spirit). Front row left to right: Brenda [Indiana] (Inkspired to Stamp), me [California], and Sharon [Indiana], Brenda's sister-in-law. Brenda got us each an apron with pockets and Sharon embroidered the retreat name "Crafty Stampers" and personalized one for each of us!
The Farm House Brenda rented was set in the idyllic outskirts of Nashville, Indiana.
The house was charming, with plenty of room for all of us and the weather was absolutely gorgeous every day except Friday when we had to make several trips to load up the cars. Then it poured buckets, of course! You had to climb a steep hill to see it, but there was a lovely pond on the property and a shelter house with a swing, which Colleen enjoyed. There was also a well-disguised butterfly and bushes laden with these amazing cup-like clouds of spider webs (bottom center.)
Here are some shots of all of us:
Top left: We covered the picnic table with beach towels and enjoyed cocktail hour every day in the beautiful outdoors. Top right: We turned the living room into a dining room. Bottom: Lunch (after craft shopping) in the town of Nashville, IN. Greta invited two crafty Indiana friends to join us for our outing. On the right foreground are Kathy and Linda.
Small group shots:
Left to right, top: Kara and Colleen (what's a few ants among friends); Maria and Greta. Left to right, bottom: Brenda, Linda, Kara, and Sharon dining at the Bird's Nest; and Linda, Sharon, and Maria lounging after dinner.
Hard at work play:
Col letting me know my shirt was on backwards. (Yeah, so?) In the photo on top left are Kara, Colleen, Maria, and Brenda. You can see the enormous wood dining room table which was perfect for crafting. Top right is Brenda and Greta at the die-cutting station and it appears Colleen is checking to make sure Greta's shirt is not on backwards.
Bottom left we see the beautiful smiles of Linda and Colleen. That's me in the bottom right playing the role of a waitress taking Kara and Linda's orders for ooey-gooey sticky buns. Yes, that's right. Haven't you heard that calories don't count during stamping retreats? Brenda's doctor told her that, so that's the truff!
Bottom left we see the beautiful smiles of Linda and Colleen. That's me in the bottom right playing the role of a waitress taking Kara and Linda's orders for ooey-gooey sticky buns. Yes, that's right. Haven't you heard that calories don't count during stamping retreats? Brenda's doctor told her that, so that's the truff!
Hammy has a new lady friend! I must say he wasn't much help with winking during the week, unless you count his winking at Cassie Kitty, who is Brenda's wee crafting helper!
I'd like to thank Brenda for an enjoyable and productive craft retreat where lots of happy memories were made! She planned everything to a tee and we wanted for nothing! I had a blast and I miss everyone!
Thank you, too, for staying until the end. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you ever get the chance to meet, greet, or retreat with one or more of your crafty friends, don't let the opportunity pass you by. Because we've gotten to know each other over the years by visiting each other's blogs and commenting, we get along as if we've know each other personally for years!
I'd like to thank Brenda for an enjoyable and productive craft retreat where lots of happy memories were made! She planned everything to a tee and we wanted for nothing! I had a blast and I miss everyone!
Thank you, too, for staying until the end. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you ever get the chance to meet, greet, or retreat with one or more of your crafty friends, don't let the opportunity pass you by. Because we've gotten to know each other over the years by visiting each other's blogs and commenting, we get along as if we've know each other personally for years!
~~~
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* While you're at, how about making two designs for the Twofer SWEETS challenge which ends near midnight on the 24th? I know you all have cupcakes and/or cakes!🎂
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!)
77 comments:
Gorgeous cards, Darnell, Love the coouring on your beautiful leaves. x
The technique is very interesting and looks great. And your words on the card are so true. Thank you so much for showing at DotMCC. Gundi
Looks like you all had a ball crfting together..love the colours of your beautiful leaves....the setting looks stunning and Hammy has a girl friend...Hope you've had a word in his ear??
Hugs
Anne x
Love your results using that fabulous technique - and thanks to the link to (re)find the video. I watched it, then forgot where :)
Looks as though you had a ball at the retreat Darnell, and oops, Hammy you had better get back to work now to make up for lost time winking at the Kitty!
Blessings
Maxine
Looks like you had a wonderful time. Lovely to see some crafty friends. Big hi and hello to Greta. That was a cool technique with the napkins and thanks for reminding me about it. Must give it a go. Hugz
Looks like it was a blast! So glad it was a fun time. Love the cards and I'll have to check out the technique.
Die cutting and colouring toilet pa... I mean tissue paper - yay! Thanks for the tip and video. This has to be tried out very soon. Gorgeous leave!!!
PS Thanks for sharing pictures from the retreat. Looks like you had a great time. Keep up the good work/play!
Gorgeous cards! Love the coloring on the leaves!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤
Your leaf cards are stunning, Darnell! What a lovely technique. I really enjoyed the photos. I so enjoy getting to know other crafters a bit through their blogs and you are so good at being open, funny and generous. I thank you for that. I know many blogs are geared toward selling product and I miss learning about the content creator. Thank you so much for all you do and share to build up this community! Big, crafty hugs! Better keep an eye on Hammy, his new luv interest might make him wink all over your playhouse!
Beautiful cas cards with the maple leaf. And the pics are showing a great couple of crafting people on the 'other side of the world' (to me). It's a great idea, that crafting is done everywhere over the globe!!
Lia xx
Wow beautiful!!! And how fun to see the pics and hear about your retreat! It's always so neat to meet and craft with our crafty buddies in person! Thanks for sharing!!!
Those maple leaves are terrific Darnell and love the blend of colours and must give this a try, and two beautiful cards using them. The retreat photos are great and can see that a fantastic time was had by all and obviously all got on like a house on fire, i.e really well...lol, and what a wonderful space to eat, drink, relax, and craft of course, and so pleased Hammy had a lovely new friend in Cassie Kitty. x
So love to see all those beautiful smiling faces! Thanks for sharing the love!
BTW that Hammy is looking quite dapper for his new lady!
That was such a fun technique you shared with the paper napkins. It's something we all have on hand and easy to do. Your leaves are just beautiful. You captured the fun we had and great pictures of the Farm and grounds. I must say Cassie Kitty was very taken with Hammy and wonders where he went after spending so much time with him. I agree, any time you can meet your blogger friends in person be sure to do it. I had a wonderful time and the ladies were terrific to spend time with. I must add also add so very talented and I learned so much from everyone.
"I must add also add so very talented and I learned so much from everyone". To bad they didn't teach me English! I'm sorry about both the "adds".
Those leaves are just fantastic. So glad you all had such a good time, we are all jealous now xx
Your autumn leaves are gorgeous, Dolly. Love the colours and the texture from the watercoloured napkins. Have to say we tried that techniques as well at our least crafty meet and found they all fell apart. Seeing how yours turned out so well, the trick is to use larger dies. Thanks for sharing these beauties with us at CAS Watercolour!
What a fun retreat you all shared. The place was beautiful and look at all that wonderful crafting space. Everyone had a huge smile on their face from the fun time. Thanks for sharing your pics! Love Lolly
Lovely post Darnell ad it looks like the retreat was a blast...as you say wonderful memories. I love the maple leaves...such pretty colours and a clever idea too. hugs xx
Those leaves are wonderful my friend. And how fabulous to see all the photos of the retreat - looks like you had a blast! But did you get pips especially including in your Grey Goose Wodka? Nope? Thought not. I think that's a Southampton 'learner barman' addition to be honest! So lovely to see dear Greta and Brenda having fun as well.
Bet Nellie's glad to have you back - oh, Kevin too I guess! Smile.
Hugs
Di xx
Such gorgeous cards with the beautiful leaves, Darnell!! I had great fun with the technique you taught us at the retreat! I must give it a try again, so pretty! And, how wonderful to look at all the retreat photos again! It was a great time meeting everyone! Take care!!
I'm loving those rainbow maple leaves Darnell - very pretty! It was lovely to read about the Crafty Stampers retreat too. What a beautiful place to stay and it looks as if you all had a wonderful time! Vicky x
Gorgeous, those leaves! Something else to investigate, perhaps when I come back from my vacation...Thank you for playing with us at DotMCC - come back next month, too!
Fabulous cards and great photos of your retreat too.
Kath x
I have been enjoying your Indiana Crafty Stamper's Retreat photos and descriptions, Dolly:-) Also the aprons made special by Brenda and her SIL :-) I so agree, if you have the opportunity to meet in real life your long time stamping friends...Just Do It!! It is just like getting together and playing with forever girlfriends:-)
Your farm house and big wooden table were perfect for your retreat and all, but the last day perfect weather too:-)
BTW...your Fall leaves napkin cards are so beautiful. TFS the link to the fun technique.
We are getting unpacked and reorganized after our 3 week camping/hiking trip. I am looking forward to finishing my backgrounds and watercolored images into Christmas cards. Thank you again Dolly for sharing your Indiana retreat:-) Love and Hugs...Nancy
LOve this technique...Dave's video was very informative so this will go on my "list-of-things-to-do" which gets longer every day. Love how these maple leaves came out. The texture is amazing.
Looks you all had fun at your retreat...love that old house. Have you checked to see if your top is backward, today?
Your cards are lovely-suh gorgeous colours. And sure looks like you had such a fab time at the retreat-cherish x
Ooh loving those leaves, fab technique! I must look at the video and have a go. Beautiful cards and beautiful photos of beautiful ladies!
I am glad Hammy had a good time too and found a new lady friend as well! Such beautiful surroundings - it looks amazing! Hugs my friend xxxxxxx
Your cards are amazing, Darnell, and even more amazing is that fabulous group of crafty stampers. Having recently been with Michele and Marcia I know how much fun you all had.
Your leaves on the cards are so gorgeous. It looks like it was a fantastic and fun time with your crafting friends too.
Looks like a wonderful time and your cards are beautiful, looks like a fun technique!
A fabulous post Darnell. Love the the gorgeous cards you have made with that stunning leaf, brilliant.
Kath x
You surely have had a lovely time!!! Such fabulous house and craftroom table :D And a lot of lovely people to play with! :) And Hammy too! LOL :D
Love that PoppyStamp die and loved reading your tricks on the watercoloured napkin die-cuts. Two fabulous cards with them!!
Hugs
Super post. Love all the happy smiling faces. Very cheerful on a dismal day here.
Thanks for sharing.
Super post. Love all the happy smiling faces. Very cheerful on a dismal day here.
Thanks for sharing.
I love those gorgeous cards, the maple leafs look so beautiful. I am going to check out the video! I learned a new tissue technique when my friend Tracy was on TV, it involves a lot of glue!
It was lovely to see pictures from your retreat and I do agree, spending time with crafty friends is just the best. I take it there were no blueberry incidents this time - lol. Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Hugs, Annie xxx
Wonderful maple leaf cards, Darnell! You were amazingly successful with the napkin technique (unlike me, Loll, and Christine when we tried it - I tossed my results!). Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Watercolour!
The retreat looks amazing - wish I could have been there. Such a beautiful peaceful place and such a great group of people. I heard via Colleen's blog post that you were an excellent bartender!!! And tell that Hammy not to hang out with that new lady friend - cats are prone to killing and eating rodents so she might have an ulterior motive! And we want Hammy safe and sound at our retreat next year!
Sounds like an absolutely fabulous way to spend a week. Love Hammy’s new friend. Thanks for sharing a little snippet with us.
Love 💕 your cards too!
Gorgeous leaves, Darnell, and thanks for sharing photos of your crafty retreat!! Isn't it true - we get to meet so many fabulous crafters online and wouldn't it be wonderful to meet them all in person? Someday......
Your cards are lovely--those leaves look a lot like the ones that are falling from our trees right now. The retreat looks like a really special time together that was a lot of fun. It's wonderful that you were able to enjoy being with so many crafty friends in person.
Those leaves are just as pretty as they can be!1 And those smiles on all of those sweet crafty faces show what a wonderful time everyone was having. Thanks for sharing Darnell, looks like fun!
Such beautiful leaves! Looks like a fun event!
Wow! Those card are gorgeous! Beautiful coloring. I'll have to check out how this technique works. I also enjoyed your fun pictures of the gals at the retreat. Lots of wonderful memories. Enjoy your week!
Thanks for sharing the escapades of your raucous retreat, sounds wonderful.
Your maple leaf napkin technique looks much better than mine, between the glue on my fingers and the napkin separating OMG one big mess :)
Lovely to hear about your retreat Darnell - sounds like a lot of fun! I agree, it's always good to try and meet up with crafty friends when the opportunity arises. I love your two cards too - that napkin technique looks fabulous. In my next life when I have time, I'll have a go! Hugs, Lisa xx
Dear Darnell, I think you've used perfect technique to colour maple leaf. And you've created two fantastic cards.
Thank you for your detailed report about craft retreat. I can only agree with you, to use every oportunity to meet frends from blog in person. :-) Looking the fotos I can feel positive energy of your retreat. :-) Brenda did a perfect job with to rent this house. Is like from fairytail. :-)
Have a nice day! Hugs, Sonja
Love the photos which evoke such wonderful memories of meeting you in person xoxo
So close, and yet, so far! You really do know how to gather with friends who craft, D. All these smiles tell the story, and it does look as if you've been friends for life - well, you are now!
Gorgeous leaves - I've been seeing this technique around, but have yet to give it a go! Yours might be the inspiration I've been waiting for... xx
=]
WONDERFUL post Darnell!! LOVE your napkin leaves and will definitely have to check that technique out! And all your photos of the retreat tell the story of how much FUN you all had...there just isn't much better than getting together with crafty friends! Think you all need to come to Michigan next time! Thanks so much for sharing all your beautiful photos with us at CAS Watercolour...lovely, lovely cards and wonderful memories!! :0)
What a wonderful post Darnell, lovely seeing your crafty friends and having so much fun. A beautiful venue to have your retreat too.
Loving your two cards, gorgeous colours and design, the big leaf image is brilliant, hope you are well, Kate x x
Wow, I love your cards Auntie and those amazing Maple leaves! I don't know how you made them look so great from napkins, but you definitely had the technique down pat. The retreat looked amazing!! I love seeing all your smiling faces. The beautiful farmhouse you guys stayed in is so perfect, love the fabulous aprons as well. Well done Brenda and thanks to her sister-in-law, the embroidery looks amazing too! Il can imagine what a fun time you ladies had, backward shirts and all. lol Love it! Hugs, Brenda
Another fun technique for me to try....your cards are so pretty and love the beautiful colours x. Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos Darnell....You all sure look like you had loads of fun and what great memories you have all made and memories to last a lifetime. So glad Hammy had a little friend too x.
What a great thing to do, meet up once a year and just be with like minded, crafters that is. What a great technique, those leaves look very realistic.
What a lovely post Darnell, looks like you had a wonderful time away. The house looks idyllic for a craty time. Those leaves are fabulous and what a clever technique xx
Oh, what a fun post to read and see! Lucky group to craft together too. The leaves are beautiful and your pink card is stellar!
Your retreat sounds amazing, Darnell. I love the house you guys rented! The leaf cards turned out beautiful as well -I can believe how fun the texture is IRL. Thank you for joining us at Less Is More!
Oh wow what a post how lovely to share your groups and crafting together can be so rewarding bouncing of each other for ideas your cards are fabulous the colouring on the leaves Darnell are stunning and the layouts look great too thank you for sharing your post it’s alway nice to see how other craters together enjoy your day xx
What a fun technique. What another fun outing for you. It it wonderful that you can travel and meet friends, old and new. Stay safe. Barb
very beautiful cards.
Your retreat sounds amazing.
Your cards are beautiful. Such pretty colors. I'm wanting to give this a try, having watched Dave's presentation. You all look like you had such a good time. Thanks so much for sharing the photos!
Your "napkins" look fabulous, and colorful to boot! Glad you had so much fun retreating :o)
Your retreat looked like so much FUN! The friendship and sharing and techniques are what this crafting community are all about!
Oh my goodness! It looks like you all had so much fun on your retreat. Those aprons are fabulous. The farm house looks so pretty, and I'm a big fan of cocktail hour and whatever ooey-gooey sticky buns are :-)
Love your leaf cards. The colours are so beautiful.
xxx
Hi Darnell,
thank you for your recent visit to my blog and your kind comments. Thought I’d come visit you here too.
That looks like you had such a great time, wonderful venue, fabulous folk all connected by a love of creating.
Blessings,
Barb
That looks like an absolutely awesome retreat, Darnell!! How fun!
Darnell, thanks for sharing the pictures from our retreat. It was so much fun crafting and laughing and meeting new friends. I feel like I might be caught up enough to get my crafting routine started again. Loved seeing you again and crafting with you. Hugs, Lin
Your cards are wonderful! And thanks for sharing your wonderful pics of your retreat. It (almost) makes me feel like I am there with you. Every time I see your pics I try to buy a lottery ticket...because I so want to do this someday. (A lottery winning would be the only way...smile!) I shouldn't complain. For many years I was able to have an almost weekly meeting at my house with people crafting with me. It has come to a halt and I so miss it...Everyone seems to be so much busier these days...but It was great while it lasted.
Ooh I’ll have to check out the napkin technique when I get home! Looks like you all had a fabulous time!
Wow! Your cards and leaves are gorgeous! I don't know about the napkin technique, but you master it... beautiful, almost rainbow colors on the leaves!
Yay for a wonderful time with fellow crafters in a calm and creative place!
Hugs,
Cris
Oh my--getting kinda teary seeing the retreat pics & missing you guys. Just wish we could push a button & get together--push a button & get home--haha! I was thinking today that I need to make a card with my leaf & make some more! Your cards are beautiful, my friend!
That technique is a new one on me so I must check it out... Your leaves are amazing!!
Thanks so much for sharing your photos... I loved seeing them! Friends are so important and I bless the day I began to blog... Having just lost my soul sister, I am finding solace in my blog friends and the support you all give me.
Have a good day
Beautiful cards and beautiful faces!! you re so blessed to be able to travel and visit with so many of our crafty friends! I envy you Darnell but I especially envy them!! You are a blessing wherever you go : )
Your cards are spectacular!! I miss fall colors living here in NM but I am enjoying seeing the splendor throughout Blogland!!
I have been seriously MIA from Blogland but I'm back!! : ) and loving all the inspiration I found here on your blog.
Have a great weekend.
Your leaves are absolutely gorgeous! How fun that you had such a fun card making get away! :-)
The cards look amazing with that technique for making leaves from napkins, and the photos of the retreat make it seem like I was there with you :) I'm so glad you got to get together with everyone to have some fun crafting time :) Life's too short to pass that up, so cherish the memories made and hopefully you'll make even more in the future! Love those aprons personally made for each of you - what a thoughtful gift!
Oh man, you guys seem to have had a great time! You're right, Darnell, we can't miss this and we should take the opportunity as long as we can!
And now to your autumn leaves! Wow, they look so amazingly real, as if they had just fallen from the tree! An absolutely great technique, which I must note absolutely! Thank you so very much for playing with us at DotMCC.
Hugs, Rosi
I absolutely adore these gorgeous leaf cards Darnell! It looks like you ladies had a blast at your retreat!
In Poland, it is not customary to meet in a larger group to create cards. There are paid workshops, but it is a several-hour trip, not a few-day trip. And it happens in larger cities, and I live in the provinces :-(
xx
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