Hello Stamplings!
How are you? Unnerved? Nonchalant? Terrified? I do hope you are all well and your older family members are well, too.
Thankfully, we have our wonderful Blogland community where we can escape the madness, immerse ourselves in our art, and then gift that art to others to spread comfort and cheer! Bravo to us! And to wodka and chocolate. Oh. Was that out loud?
I immersed myself in green after seeing so many of our beloved challenges calling for it!
You can chalk this one up in the QACAS column inspired by CTS! I love the beautiful Washi Tape filled with shamrock flowers. It's a big roll and sadly, no, I don't remember where I got it from. You've seen it before and you'll see it again unless I decide to wallpaper one wall of my Playhouse with it!
You saw the shamrock stencil a few posts ago, too, for a different design. I made it using an SSS/Memory Box die called "Floral Burst Collage." I used a green pp to cut the positive flower and then I traced and Ziggified two negative cuts for the other two flowers, which Hammy promptly winked. The shamrocks aren't quite as washed out as they appear, but the schparkle from the winking makes it hard to photograph. The NBUS sediment was dissected to fit; it is from Lawn Fawn's, "Happy Happy Happy Add On" set.
Challenges
- CAS March Watercolour Card Challenge: Luck of the Irish!
- CAS(E) This Sketch!
- Double D: It's all about the green!
- Little Red Wagon: Etc., etc., etc. (three of something). I have three shamrocks and three words in my sediment.
Twofer
Another QACAS self-exploratory design that's pretty cool to look at. The kind of thing I would stare at in a gallery, cocking my head this way and that. The 3D circle stencil is from Dylusions. The Hello die is from WPlus9. (BOB had it, so I used it on the front even though this card is a birthday card with the birthday sediment inside. I liked the way the word hello seems to be squishing down the netting.) The NBUS net die is from Gummiapan.com.
Challenges
- Seize the Birthday: Touch of green.
- STAMPlorations March Stencil Challenge: Always anything goes.
- Watercooler Wednesday: Marsha's "All About Occasions."
To Warm Your Heart
I'd like to share a story about this last card. A true story. Honest.
October 2018:
I received an email out of the blue from a young lady named Kerstin. She asked me about whether I would be willing to sell her a die that was no longer available. Rather than sell it to her, I ran off several die cuts for myself and mailed the die off to her for free. She lives in Sweden. She said to let her know if she could ever return the favor.
June 2019:
I saw the net die I used above on a brilliant soccer card made by my friend Sue over in England. I asked her who made the die. She replied that it was a Gummiapan die sold by Hochanda. Unfortunately, the postage to mail the die to America cost much more than the die. Like one does, I spent hours trying to find the die on other sites without any luck.
Well, that was too bad.
But, wait! Gummiapan is a Swedish company! Sweden! I connected the dots!
So nine months after first "meeting" Kerstin, she got an email out of the blue from me asking if she would be able to purchase this die for me here in Sweden. She graciously did just that and tossed in a couple of other dies as well! Thank you again, Kerstin!
March 2020I finally used the die that I just HAD to have nearly a year ago, lol!!
So when it comes to things like viruses, it's not good to live in a very small world, but when it comes to things like friendship and kindness and this wonderful hobby, it's amazing to live in a small world!!
~~~
Which reminds me to remind you that there is a fabulous Hop (with prizes) happening to celebrate International Women's Day ~ and women encouraging other women ~ over at Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful. You can hop and link up until March 22nd!
~~~
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!)
68 comments:
Hi Darnell, Both fab cards.
What a lovely story.
You take care. Sue
Lovely cards, Darnell.
Thanks so much for the shout out about our IWD bog hop.
Hope you are doing well.
Loving these Darnell - especially since my wee friend Hammy winked the shamrocks so well!
Yes, we do live in a small world, and this cardmaking/bloggy community is one of the best!
Blessings
Maxine
I love the sharing story. Sigh..............blogland is so sweet sometimes.
Two beautimous cards, Darnell.
The world in our neck of the woods is crazy. The fighting, scratching. biting, clawing, kicking. All over toilet paper. I hope I didn't hurt anyone. Lol! Seriously it is a little crazy right now at the store. They didn't even have a chicken left yesterday.
[Bunny]
Two great cards Darnell and what a lovely story
Anne
Two fab cards.
A great story. Glad you got your die.
Hello Darnell!
Your cards are beautiful. These days, the proverbial luck that a clover brings with us would come in handy because of the virus. Hope you and all yours are in good shape.
Great cards and a brilliant post all round - keep safe and keep crafting
The story about help and friendship is really nice. As well as both of your cards. I like washi tape on the green one. There is so much luck on the card. :-) The luck that world needs at the moment. There is a lot of dimension on the second card with effective stencil and dinamic shape of the net.
Stay healty and take care!
Hugs, Sonja
Beautiful cards Darnell! It has been crazy in the stores around here also.
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤
I really like your 3D stencil card. I think everyone will see something different but I see a tennis ball and net or a golf ball. Really fund card!
Of course your cards are FABULOUS Darnell but your story warmed my heart this morning. Isn't it amazingly wonderful how many friends we have made through our art ALL AROUND THE WORLD!! Just blows my mind when I think of it! Thanks for sharing wonderful inspiration and thanks for being YOU ... I LOVE reading what you have to share on your blog ... always makes me smile!!
OH and almost forgot ... Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Green’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!
BIG LONG DISTANCE HUGS!!
Shiver me shamrox, I love the St Patrick's day card with that great washi tape! Love the birthday card with the great story of blogland sharing too - my heart melts when I think of the kindness shown through this hobby of ours! If only the rest of the world behaved accordingly! Take care and have a great weekend too!
Fabulous cards Darnell and a heart warming story which reminds us all why we craft and blog. I hope you are managing to stay safe. I don't get this toilet roll frenzy? do you? Is it to mummify us all?..lol
Two equally brilliant cards Darnell, the shamrocks are such a vibrant green and the 3d stencilled orb looks fabulous. What a lovely story. I think that the crafting community here in blogland is beyond compare, so generous in every way and most definitely a place to escape the horrors that real life can throw our way sometimes xx
The shamrock card is gorgeous, so fresh and beautiful - the washi tape was a great find!
Such a wonderful story about Kerstin and how very kind of her to post you the die. Crafters really are the best of the best. I love how you used the net, I can see it being used for underwater scenes too.
All is well here at the moment, the sun is shining so at least we can get out for a bit of fresh air, far away from the madding crowds... Keep safe and well my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx
Two great cards Darnell. Love the story how you got the net die. Always fun to read your posts. Thanks for sharing with us at Seize the Birthday. Have a great weekend. Hugs, JoAnn
Gorgeous cards! crazy crazy world right now. Such fun to read your story.
Love your shamrock card, the border is just gorgeous. Yep! I love how the word is squashing the "net" too, Great work on both cards.
Your lovely story just goes to show in this great world of ours, there are ALWAYS people ready to help each other.
Faith x
Those greens are great on your CTS card and I love your take on the sketch. Your second card has me intrigued. Reminds me of those patterns they have people look at for eye problems. Ya were is my head. I too loved you story and am glad you got your nbus piece out. Stay safe.
The news is not good our end too about the virus but as you say it is great we can escape to our friendly creative blog world.
I so love how you've combined the washi tape, die and stencil to achieve your first vibrant and fabulous 'Green' card x.
The birthday/hello card looks amazing with the fun stencil and the die cut hello melting into the net die cut x.
I have lots of gummiapan products at home and if ever I can help out Darnell please just drop me a line......It sure is a generous and friendly 'craft' world we 'play' in x.
Two brilliant cards Darnell and I love your positive and negative shamrocks and the washi tape looks great, and then your wonderfully dimensional 'golf ball' type stencil, and the squished netting with the hello on top is such a clever design idea Darnell. Your story about the generosity of crafters shows that entente cordiale is not dead, oh, that's french...whatever the swedish equivalent is, and you were very generous in the first place, but then we know what a lovely warm hearted lady you are and Kerstin also to reciprocate. x
Hi Darnell, what beautiful cards from you, loving your shamrock card, so crisp and fresh looking, both cards are designed so well, and a lovely story, Kate x
Yes, thank God for blog land and our crafting world .
Love all the cards you made ! Love the way the Hello card turned out and the sweet story behind it. The shamrock greens are beautiful!
Hugs and good health to you and yours sweet friend!
Clever.
I love Washi tape.
Sweet story.
Oh what a crazy world we live in. So glad we can make and send cards.
Hugs
Beautiful cards and I especially like the one with the shamrock washi tape. I don't have any big rolls of washi so maybe some day I might have to check into getting some. That works great for a St. Pat's card.
Both these cards are great but then I love anything that's green! What a surprise to find out that border is washi tape, love it. Love the story, the lengths we go to to get hold of something and then the time it takes before we use it - it always amazes me xx
I'm glad I wandered over today just so I could read your post! I love that washi tape - and what a fab way to get a head start on a St. Patrick's Day card of any design! The stencil, die and Hello sentiment are perfect together - love how the hello nestles perfectly into the top of the mesh. And thanks for linking up with us at Seize the Birthday!
Very beautifuls crd!
I love the story and how the 'hello' die snuggles right into the net die that Kerstin so eagerly sent to you. I have yet to pay forward what you did for me with all those border embossed panels. I'm waiting. ;)
Well as they say "one good turn deserves another". Two lovely creations especially love the St Pats. day card.
Hope you and the Mister keep safe and well.
Kath x
It's funny how small this world can be, and how huge a person's heart. When you want something you really go after it! I'm fascinated as I sit here and look at your cards, how you went about creating the first card, and the journey you went on for the second. I really love both cards! I remember BOB today. Nice of him to help you out!
Two fabulous cards, Darnell - hope you and your family continue to do well. Hope everything clears up in time for JunkieFest2020!!
I loved your remembrance of an unexpected crafty connection. Thank you for sharing! Your cards are wonderful. The shamrock card is so fresh and hopeful. St. Patrick's Day reminds us all of a hopeful future filled with good luck and contented days. I also like the way your sentiment seems to be weighing down the net on your second card. It reminds me of the weight of this recent pandemic weighing down the populations of the world with worry, illness and even death. We will get through this, and, as crafters, we will do it with joy and creativity.
Great cards...
and thanks for sharing that great story...
It is a small world sometimes...
Thank you so much Dolly for sharing your sweet story about...friends! Isn't it amazing how in our stamping world we all seem to become instant, sharing and loving virtual friends:-) I LOVED both your cards and thank you for sharing and brightening our day:-) It has been a downer the last couple days reading all the virus do's and don'ts. But...it is important to be informed and practice social distancing and making good choices. It is affecting everyone world wide in some way...some much more than others. Stay safe and healthy my dear sweet friend. Sending much love and Big Virtual Hugs! Nancy
Two great cards! Love the washi, love the circle stencil, and LOVE the story :o) Thanks for sharing it, and I too have received much kindness, generosity and love from people I've never truly "met"!
Two fabulous cards Dolly! I LOVE your shamrock washi tape. It's so sweet! And perfect with those floral die-cuts (I have that die and never thought of turning them into shamrocks!) You are so clever! Thanks for sharing your St. Paddy's Day card with us at CAS Watercolour!
And love your hello birthday card with your BOB parts. :) It's very artsy and fun! And love the story about Kerstin. It is a small world when it comes to card making ... with the most generous people doing this craft! Love, Lolly
Great story and so true about the 'small world'! I love both your cards and the shamrocks are just perfect for our challenge at CAS Watercolour:)
Oh, Darnell, isn't that fresh shamrock green deliciously ... erm ... well ... fresh and green ... and sooo delicatea and pretty! I'm thinking twinkling brooks winding through a lush green meadow! Cool piece of art in your twofer ... graphic and funky ... you've nestled the sentiment beautifully into the net! We do have a wonderful community don't we! LYAMYLALMA ... SGTCLN! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)
Both cards are fabulous, the first one for St Patty's Day is created so beautifully and the second card is so very unique with a wonderful story...thanks so much for joining us at Double D!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}
Two fabulous cards Darnell. Your St. Pats card is stunning, that Washi tape was a great find! The dimension of the stencil on you second card is amazing, great card! Take care.
Fun cards, Darnell! I especially love the shamrock one! That washi tape is fabulous!!! Glad you are well! Almost time for happy hour :) Cheers!
Oooh .... both of these are gorgeous. Love the lucky shammrocks. Great story about the die too ...... crafter's are the best!
We haven't had any reported cases of the coronavirus on the island as yet .... I'm sure it won't stay that way though. Supermarkets are still running out of things. It's bad enough when the weathers bad over here and the ferries don't sail so I'm used to keeping my cupboards stocked up. No panic buying here.
I'm just glad that hubby and I managed to get across to the UK and safely back home again (I hope!) If we hadn't had the motorhome to collect I'm afraid we wouldn't have been going anywhere. Stay safe and well my friend xx
It's a Washi-Tape-Stripe? That's beautiful and you upgraded it perfectly.
Gundi
Hello friend : ) Thanks a bunch for sharing your creativity and always uplifting thoughts : ) Blogland appreciates YOU! : )
BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti
A lovely story about crafters sharing sis! Ok, hold on a minute - I got so involved in your story I forget what your cards look like - I have to scroll up and look again............................. ok - I'm back! What a great St. Pats card - I thought that tape was a stamp! It looks so pretty along the edge there with the stenciled and die cut heart shamrocks! thanks for playing along with my CAS Watercolor challenge! and all of the shapes on your globe card are messing with my eyes - what fun dimension, dips and curves! xx
Great CAS design. Thanks for sharing with us at Double D Challenge Blog. We hope you join us for future challenges.
Kathy
DD DT
This is gorgeous. Love your colour choices and great CAS layout. Thanks for sharing with us at Double "D" Challenge.
Amelia (Double "D" Challenge Design Team)
This community is totally wonderful isn't it? It's the good side of the internet that doesn't get enough air time. Loving your creativity as always and the greens of your glorious Irish card. Wishing you much health and happiness as we traverse this weird time...
This community is totally wonderful isn't it? It's the good side of the internet that doesn't get enough air time. Loving your creativity as always and the greens of your glorious Irish card. Wishing you much health and happiness as we traverse this weird time...
I love how your kindness came back to you Darnell... I'm so happy to have this community to 'talk' to and to share with, especially now. Your cards are spectacular as always... Washi tape? I thought you'd painted those shamrocks..
What a mind bender the 2nd card is, kind of a golf ball soccer net,Ian would love... Bless he can't even watch either on TV anymore and will shortly be quarantined per the government orders for over 70's.
Keep safe my lovely
Hi Darnell,
as usual fantastic cards and such superb designs.
I really love both and you do have some wonderful design washi tape.
Fantatstic story about how wonderful blogland is and how helpful everyone is.
It's so lovely to keep intouch this way too.
Lots of crafty love and germ free hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.
PS I like the sound of Vodka and chocolates.
Gorgeous cards, Darnell, and a sweet story too! xoxo
Great cards AND a beautiful story!! Thanks for sharing!
I love the St. Pat's card! Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges! Kath DT
Two fabulous cards, and I love the story about the die on the second one!
Your St. Patrick's Day card is wonderful - love the vertical border and the three individual shamrocks! Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Christmas!
Sorry - my brain is clearly not working today. That should have said "Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Watercolour"!
Darnell, I love visiting your blog. I love your card, but your post is what stole my heart. Your 3s are perfect for our challenge. Thanks so much for playing along with us at Little Red Wagon Challenge!
I rarely think to use washi tape (I have a box full); it looks great on your St. Patrick's Day card! Love the CAS design. And I, too, love the way the hello looks like it's squishing the net down on your second card. It's a really cool die cut, and I see why you fell in love with it. It always amazes me how some card elements just grab one's attention and then we jump through hoops to find it; been there MANY times - lol! Great story on generosity and kindness!!
Loving all the green! And I love your world wide connection story!
WOW! The clovers on the first card look stunning. Such a joyful card. In the second card, perfect work with stencil. This ball looks wonderful and so eloquent a torn mesh inside the ball. Brilliant design.
You are right, Darnell, we are creating such an amazing community of good, kind people. This makes the light visible in the tunnel of today's world events. Thank you too, Darnell, for being :-))
xx
It is a joy reading your blog Darnell and seeing your latest creations! Love your shamrock card! That Washi tape is so fun and happy! Your second card is how I see the world right now! You have made the earth and the Net is either trying to protect us all or capturing this deadly virus! We are in uncertain times right now and some of my most favorite people are in state wide shelter in place as I type this message. My heart goes out to you this morning. Rest assure we are doing our part down here too. HEART HUGS!!!! Thanks for playing along with us at STB!
Love all those clovers you so cleverly put on your card! But the second card is a bit of a mind-bender. Can totally see why you needed that die! Thanks for sharing the story on how you acquired it. Crafters are surely the best!
Love your small world story, Darnell! Thank you for a reminder of the good in the world! Beautiful St Pat's card & the circle stencil is just amazing!
What an awesome and what a kind generous person you are to share. Love your St.Pats card - the washi tape is perfect. And oh the die on the second card is so much fun. Take care and thanks for sharing your story with us.
Whoa - that 3D dot stencil is amazing Darnell! I think I'm going to have to use that one the next time we get together! Thank you for joining us at STAMPlorations Stencil Challenge! Hugs, Harriet
Congrats on the well-deserved shout out at CAS Watercolor, Darnell!
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