Hello Stamplings!
My goodness, didn't I just remark about starting a fresh new week? And then what happened was, I looked away to enjoy a hummingbird on the feeder and when I looked back, it was Monday again! Am I a groundhog now, or what's happening?!
Things are still super busy here with the Mister back at square one with his recovery, but I did manage to make a card:
Some of you may have seen this information on the Simon Says Stamp blog. Simon made this die and called it "Floral Burst Collage." What you may not know is that the artist Francine Milaux spent seventeen months on a remote island called Comoros (one of the Glorioso Islands) until she was able to get a photo of this rare flower with heart-shaped petals, from which she drew the image for the die. This rare flower is believed to be an unbanded lateral offshoot of a cape periwinkle flower and a clover, performed by a local Comoroi. Unfortunately, because this flower withers almost immediately after picking, no research has been done to substantiate this claim.
Of course, none of that is true. I made the whole thing up because the petals on this flower are so awesome. Although it is true that Simon made the die and the name is correct. Don't hit me.
I die-cut the NBUS image and then used the negative of the cut as a stencil to blend ink in an ombré pattern across a textured linen panel. I took an unmarked tiny leaf from my large array of unmarked tiny leaves and added a few of them in ombré green. The swirly sediment is NBUS from PTI's "Scene It: Celebration Stamp Set." Hammy added PPP's schparkly clear jewels to the flower centers for just the right touch of glamour and glimmer.
Challenges
- CAS Mix Up Card Challenge: Stencil from die cut, plus stamping, plus ombré.
- Color Throwdown.
- Seize the Birthday: Show me your white space.
- TCP Tuesday February Challenge: Use a stencil.
- The Flower Challenge: Add leaves.
- TIME OUT: Inspired by Words (birthday).
Various Updates
⭐In my post here, I told you about 104-year-old Major Bill White who wanted to receive Valentine's Day cards. His family was hoping he would receive 104 of them. In fact, at last count he has received over 300,000 cards and packages from all over the world! Considering that today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, it restores your faith in humanity! Spread kindness. It's reciprocal.⭐In my post here, I asked if any of you are getting a message that blocked you from visiting other blogs. It quickly became apparent that the problem must be on my end.
Normally, I ask the IT guy I'm sleeping with when I have problems like this, but at that point he was in no mood to discuss computer issues. Yesterday I was able to ask him and he quickly identified the problem as being a "new and enhanced" update to our security by our server Comcast / Xfinity.
Fortunately, after some sleuthing, he was able to figure out a way to disconnect this pain in my patootie and all is well again. (It would have been nice if they had put their own URL on their warning!) I am sorry to have jumped the gun and gotten everyone worried about their own computers.🙊
⭐There is only one week left to play in the current Twofer Card Challenge where the prompt is FRUIT! Design Team member Cat has more inspiration for you on her blog. We'd love to see your fruity concoctions in the gallery! Mwah!
Nellie's Nook
Nellie was sitting right next to me while I was taking my card photo so I snapped her picture, too. ...
Now, honestly, isn't life a funny old thing? Some of you may remember that in 2018 at Loll's Eat Sleep Craft Repeat retreat in Vancouver we did "dirty pours" and this is one of the canvases I made then:
I thought at the time that it looked like a baby seal had emerged out of the pour, but I was wrong. It was a foretelling of a little white fluffy dog that would come into my life!! Her eyes are normally big round buttons of coal like on the canvas, except when she's looking into the sun. But isn't that spooky/cool?!
~~~
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!)
58 comments:
Your story about the die cracked me up Darnell - do you work in marketing? I love how you've graduated the colour of the blooms...so pretty and effective!
Oh Darnell - what a story!! I love it, and I am very so glad Hammy had a paw in the finished result, and to great effect too - that isone delightful card!
Sorry to hear that the Mister is back at square one... tell him patience is a virtue ;) but don't tell him the rest of the ditty for your own safety - it goes
Patience is a virtue, obtain it if you can,
Seldom found in women, never found in man....
Needless to say my DH would change the last two lines to his advantage...
Blessings
Maxine
First off, thanks for that lovely comment on our blog, we really do appreciate you taking the time to leave this. And what a lovely card, a lovely flow and adore the fading colours...and you know I just love the colour! And wow that is spooky about the canvas....when all is clear with me....hubby has finally given in and I am getting a kitten to keep me sane! Thanks for joining Time Out x
A fantastic card Darnell and a great story to go with it too. I love the acrylic pour as well.
Sue xx
Also here by me the time is passing by so fast, that I hardly manage to follow the days in the week.
Your petals in ombre effect are amazing. I like the design. Hammy again did a great job with adding sparkly clear jewels in the middle of petals. :-)
Nellie is so sweet!
Have a nice and not to fast week. :-)
Hugs, Sonja
Well I'm loving the clover flowers and so happy that you joined us at CAS Mix Up... You do make me laugh with those posts and I'm so glad you got your IT problem solved. That is spooky about the canvas pour - It's so clearly your pup!
Here's another spooky one for you... A few months after I lost my GSD Kelly, I was about to frame a photo of her - My late nephew gave me the frame for Christmas and it was still all cellophane wrapped. Well you know how those frames have a piece of paper in them behind the glass? On taking it out I turned it over and low and behold there was a pencil drawing of another GSD on the back!!! It turned out to be the image of the next one I rescued, Holly, the following Christmas. Maybe not so much spooky but a message...
Enjoy your week
Hi Darnell, Fab card. The painting is lovely. Nellie is so cute.
Sorry to hear your hubby is back to square one with his recovery. Sending heaps of positive healing thoughts. Sue
Great story about the flowers! Beautiful card by the way!
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️
Yep, same thing happened to me, only I wasn't watching a hummer as we don't have them yet. But here it is Monday and here I can behind in commenting once again. So trying to catch up. Well, you had me going Auntie, as I was totally believing the store on this flower! lol Yep, you can sell me a bridge too. I am so loving this card and those beautiful flowers. They look so pretty in the purple colors and green leaves, perfect smattering across the card. Loving that waving sentiment too. OMGosh, that is amazing!!! 300,000 cards and packages?!! I'm glad I got one out to him, but never did I think he would get that many, how wonderful is that?! Yes, kindness is contagious. Oh glad the Mister knew what the problem was with your computer and all is well now. It's a pita when things don't work right and your IT guy is laid up! Aww, Nellie is look so cute sunning herself outside. I do see the seal in your dirty pour, but after looking again, I can definitely see Nellie! Yep, that is definitely spooky cool! lol Trying to get some cards together for the twofer challenge, keep your fingers crossed! Sending prayers to the Mister as well. Hugs, Brenda
What a gorgeous card with the stencilled ombre flowers and the added leaves are so pretty, and love those colours too Darnell, and how cute is Nellie sitting and keeping you company and just a little spookie that she appeared in your dirty poor canvas without you even knowing her at the time. Pleased to hear the Mister solved the computer glitch, but sad that his recovery has been put back somewhat, no wonder he is feeling a bit fed up. x
Super story and now it's been printed on the internet it will probably be believed by some folks (they've read it so it has to be true!!)
Beautiful card and gorgeous colours. I do love the flower and what a great idea to make a stencil from the die... I really must try and remember to do that some time xx
So ... Groundhog Day ... yep, I'm there with you, Darnell! What a fun post ... thanks for all the chuckles and updates (300k is awesome for Major White!). Your card is delicious ... looks as though those rare ombré blooms are just happy dancing across the card ... and it seems the sentiment decided to join in with them! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Time Out! Nellie must've been sending you inter-cranial messages back when you made that canvas ... she was clearly meant to share a home with you and the IT guy you sleep with! LYAMYLALMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)
Well you had me going for a bit believing your story. LOL But I really must say that is a gorgeous card you made and I love how the colors fade out as the design goes on. I hope the Mister is soon back into great recovery mode too!
What beautiful flowers, and loved reading the story - until - I read to the end. What a fun way to start Monday morning instead of "re tackling" the taxes AGAIN.
Nellie is a princess to be by your side in your she shed - and then when she appeared on your canvas.
Sorry to hear about mister, tell him to take it easy and don't over do his exercise. Take it slow and easy.
Hmmmmm................I think that dirty pour was actually the foretelling of you and the blueberry incident. Just saying!
I love your made up stories. My first thoughts were I've never heard of those islands.
Major Bill certainly didn't expect the outpouring of love and cards did he? I almost felt guilty for adding to the pile.
Thank goodness the IT guy and the Mister are good friends. [Bunny]
I drunk all your crazy story about the rare flower and the designer on the island... Poor me, how ingenuous! Ah ah ah! :D However, your card is delightful with the purple hombre effect!
Sorry for your hubby, best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Such spooky and stunning coincidence with Nellie and the canvas you made!
So glad your computer issues are solved!
Hugs
You certainly are full of information (and other) this lovely SoCA morning. I did send a card and sent the info to a friend. I saw the seal in your background paper. AND I BELIEVED THE FLOWER STORY until almost the end. Sorry about Kevin but glad your humor is intact.
Hugs, Barb
I am also concerned about how quickly the days are flying by! What is going on?!? Super card. I immediately saw a dog in your painting. Ah - we have comcast as well so maybe that is my issue too. Have a great week which I hope goes slowly.
What a storyteller you are, girl. However did you come across the Glorioso Islands?! Yes, they do exist, I even looked them up! It would be cool if there were flowers like yours on the island, too. LOVE the ombre look you've created with your handmade stencil. You've matched the intensity of the colors in the flowers to the leaves, too - you are good!
Amazing about Major White, too. He must have been just delighted with the outpouring of love. Very cool.
Glad your personal IT guy was able to help you solve the mystery of the stank-stupid message. I just hate that when it happens. And I hope today is even a better day for him. Maybe things are sorted and his body can get to some real healing!
As to your painting... It could be either a baby seal or Miss Nellie, depending how you look at it. Most definitely a foretelling. Pretty sure it would have been too hard to adopt a seal anyway. Think of the stinky fish food and all the "arr-arrs" when you'd leave home...Pretty sure the neighbors would complain, haha! Nellie is much cuter by far! Miss you. xo Bev
Love your stencil card Darnell and like how the colours fade into the background..I can definitely see the the seal in your painting its amazing and Nellie just gets more adorable
Anne
You had me sucked in to thinking "wow, what a wonderful background story for a stamp's origin" - lol! It's a fun border even without a story! Thanks so much for joining us at CTD!
Fab as always xoxo
I find it hard to combine two challenges on a card and you have managed six, Darnell. It could have been seven if the ombre challenge at ATCAS wasn't over. I do love the ombre look of the trail of flowers and leaves. Thanks for sharing your card with us at The Flower Challenge.
It is a bit spooky to have created a picture of Nellie beforee you knew her (any relation to a coven's leader is purely coincidental). But what a cutie she is...she deserves an artist-grade picture. I'm happy to hear your computer issue is resolved. Maybe when the Mister feels better he could resolve mine. Just let him know that I already sleep with someone.
As for the card, I love it when supplies can be stretched with such stellar results. This is truly beautiful. Want to you know, I was totally buying your background story, you little minx.
Hope the Mister's recovery goes smoothly, this time.
You reeled me in with your story. You sure do have a gift for story telling. I am so glad you share it with us. Your card is beautiful, I love the purple and greens together on that bright white.
So glad the mister was able to assist you...I mean if you're sleeping with him there should be a bit of quid pro quo! Lol. Hope he continues to feel better without straining.
And Nellie...yes clearly that pour was a fore shadowing of things to come!
You totally sucked me in to believing your story! LOL I love your card, but I love your sense of humor even more! I look forward to yours posts for my laugh of the day!
I'm still smiling about your flower story! But love the card - gorgeous use of those colours and a wonderful card for all those challenges!
And I love the idea that your dirty pour was a foretelling of Nellie! I think that dirty pour should be framed and hung near her dog bed!
I LOVE your story about the very rare flower, who would have thought someone would wait so long to see a flower bloom, YEP! there are those people. The islanders of Comoros are very lucky aren't they? Your card is a special memory of that one, so special bloom.
I'm so glad I am one of those 300.000 cards. Bless his heart what a wonderful world we are (sometimes), it was with your help he had so many. I'm also happy you have sorted your IT problem and I hope your IT chappie is getting well and will be 100% soon.
Your painting must have been a psychic event, it does look like your Nellie a fluffy ball of white.
Thanks ever so much for entertaining me each visit, I just wait to see what stories you come up with next LOL.
Faith x
Your stenciling à la ombré style looks fantastic. Seriously, I was on my way googling your imaginary flower there....
Love your heart-shaped, ombre flowers and leaves, Dolly! The sparkle is so pretty on top! Great job Hammy!
Good that Mister was able to help with your computer problems. Always good to have an expert nearby as there are always glitches, especially when there are updates. Why don't they perfect their service and then leave it alone??!!
So amazing that Maj. Bill received so many cards and packages. I assume he needs a separate room in his house for just them. :) He must be thrilled and probably has the biggest smile on his face. Wonderful!
I love Nellie's portrait in your dirty pour!! It does look just like her! Very cool that your art is telling your future. :) Love, Lolly
Love the card and the colours and not to mention the fabulous design, Great photo too.
Kath x
You actually had me going with the flower story. I really believed it! And there I was, looking at your card and thinking it does look like a periwinkle, which it does so I guess that part is true. It's certainly pretty, and I love how the flowing sentiment fits. Glad to know your computer issue has been resolved. I love seeing adorable Nellie, and I do believe the two of you were meant to be. I hope you have a long and loving relationship.
It's amazing that Nellie has showed up in your dirty pour! Kind of like a fortune telling thing! Love your purple five petal flowers! Or are they violet? Whatever color, they are very pretty and I love the story! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at CAS Mix Up!
Your ombré stencilling is gorgeous! Glad that your guy was well enough to solve your blogger woes. Thanks for linking up with us at Seize the Birthday!
Great idea to create a stencil from the die to sponge your pretty flowers.
(I must admit that I bought your story on the flowers' origin - lol!) And it is unbelievable how much your canvas ended up looking like Nellie. Cool indeed!! Glad to hear you resolved your computer issue, and was happy to read how successful the Valentine's Day card drive was - over 300,000 - WOW!
Your card is fabulous so full of springtime goodness, I can only hope! You had me with your story and I had to laugh and call you a 'nut' lol!! I always enjoy your posts!! Hope your hubs improves soon, mine has a nasty cough right now and you know how men are when sick..egads!! Your Nellie ( our last dog was Nellie) is absolutely adorable and yes, your 'painting' (as I call it) does look like her, kind of eerie isn't it!!
Hi Darnell, gosh I was hanging on to every word about the flower, then you said it was all made up, what a hoot you are and gave me a great chuckle.
It's a beautiful card, colours are so lovely.
Glad to hear you got the glitch sorted with your PC and Nellie is gorgeous, Kate x
Its a beautiful card!
Ha, ha, ha, I believed the story, not sure what that says about me but it shows what a convincing storyteller you are! The card is beautiful, I love the colour of the gorgeous flowers and your design, as always, is wonderful.
So glad you got the computer glitch sorted but sorry to hear that Mister is back to square one, I really do hope he starts improving soon and heads in the right direction.
Nellie really is adorable in that shot and yes, how spooky (in a good way though). Hugs, Annie xxx
So sorry the Mister has to go back to square one and begin again with his healing and rehab. Hope it goes much, much better this time around. Your card is beautiful, your story was pretty darn believable, and that definitely is kind of a spooky rendering of Nellie. Have you thought about becoming a tarot reader? Could be a new vocation for you...
It's always a delight to stop by your blog Darnell! You are quite the writer and you can't help but smile as you read it! I am sorry my visits are so few and far between! Life has really been getting in the way of all my fun as of late! Sorry to hear about your hubster! I hope he is back up and 100 percent really soon! Your card is beautiful even if your story was a fib! Love your choice of purple and green they really compliment each other. So happy to see you in our gallery at Seize the Birthday and heart hugs till next time!
Lovely card, Darnell! You had me going with that story...
The pour is Nellie for sure--amazing! So sorry The Mister had to start over with his rehab & hope there's starting to be improvement. Ah ha--the problem is Comcast so that's why I have it, too. I'm ignoring it so now I suppose I'll miss a real warning--haha! Beautiful floral card, Darnell!
I read your post with interest and intent Darnell and was totally taken in by your opening message about the pretty periwinkle/clover...You are such fun Darnell x What a pretty card and the ombre effect looks beautiful. The texture from the linen and the sparkle look wonderful too x.
Thank you for the update on the 300,000 valentines cards and WOW x.
I am so glad your computer is all sorted and well done the Mister or well done to the man you are sleeping with....
Adorable Nellie and how spooky about the dirty pour....
Yes another week has flown by and still wild weather my end, windy and heavy downpours but no floods x
Hope your husband gets back on track very soon with his recovery! Your flower card with the heart petals is very pretty! Wonderful canvas with the dog and gorgeous blue/green colors! Nellie is so so cute...great photo! And, thank you for the update on Major Bill receiving so many Valentine cards! How fun it was to send him one! Yes, spread kindness!! Take care and have a great rest of the week, hugs!!
What a fabulous card, I like how the flowers faded out and what a pretty color! Hope Mister is doing better soon.
Sweet card, and I always enjoy your whimsical stories -- even if patooties are involved :o) And for the canvas, I believe your heart knew what it wanted when you didn't -- dogs are such a blessing, why not?!
Brilliant cards as always and Nellie is so cute hope you are well Love and hugs Carole x
You always give me a smile with what you wrote! And next to that again a beautiful card that my eyes enjoy to see! Hugs, Gerrina (finally caught up with my work and now time again for a brouse though all I missed here)
Beautiful blending of your elusive five-petaled heart flower! I knew you were pulling our legs from the start, but I just let you keep talking. I'm glad you got the security message figured out. Oh yes, I see Nellie there in your masterpiece! Who knew?
Oh my goodness Darnell, here I am gobbling up your interesting story and BOOM I got hit on the head. Quite the story teller, you should right a book some day. Hope the Mister is getting better. They are important in our everyday lives. Your Nellie has got such a cute face and he looks terrific in your incredible dirty pour....should I believe? LOL
Back to the card, I love the fading out of colour on this floral burst stencil and the wavy sentiment. A string of blooms is always a winner for me. Take card dear friend, ...and thanks for sharing at CAS Mix UP! xx
Love your story, and yep, I fell in deep. I love your card and the ombre effect of your color. Wonderful birthday card, Darnell. Glad you got the blogger message sorted out. Thank you so much for sharing and playing with us at Time Out! It's always great to have see you in our gallery.
Oh Darnell - you are such an awesome story teller!! You had me with that one for a while:) Your card is fabulous, by the way. And your fore-telling photo is quite amazing!
Loving your pretty card Dee! such gorgeous flowers too.Glad you sorted your computer glitch, sorry your hubbie's health hasn't gone as planned too. Love the Nellie pic and the pour canvas...I can see a seal too ;) hugs Vee xx
It's always a joy to read your post and the sweet comments of your followers, Darnell! I've almost believed the story about the flower on Comoros lol! Anyhow the heart petaled flowers are pretty! Thank you so much for joining us at The Flower Challenge! I found the three blue buttons from your poured piece! what a sweet furry friend you live with!!!
Hello Darnell,
I don't remember seeing this die from SSS, but you got a lovely effect stenciling the flowers and adding a perfect swirl sentiment to go with!
Nellie is so photogenic, she always look like a 🌟!
Hugs,
Cris
Ha ha ha~ you got me, Darnell. I was religiously reading your post until... ;-P
Your heart-shaped petal flowers are so pretty and the ombre effect is beautiful and interesting! The curvy sentiment totally matches the floral line. And Hammy did a great job of adding pretty schparkly jewels to the flowers.
Thanks so much for sharing this lovely card with us at CAS Mix Up!
Hideko xx
p.s. I felt Nellie was destined to come to your place after seeing the canvas dirty pours.
Beautiful design Darnell and I love your colour combination too. Thanks for playing at CAS Mix Up this month.
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