Hello Stamplings!
Welcome to December! I hope you are doing well!
We are on the caboose end of 2022 and that's fine with me! A new year always reawakens my optimism that I'll accomplish all those things I didn't do in the year that just ended. (Thankfully, locomotives have more gusto than cabooses, so I'm looking forward to that, too!🤞)
It's always an honor to be asked by The Flower Challenge to be their Guest Designer, so I'm especially delighted to share this card with you:
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No surprise that this month the challenge brief is Christmas!
I'm not sure if hollies are flowers, but I made a second similar design:
Please note that the challenge will only run until December 15 in order for the Design Team to have a bit of a rest and enjoy the holidays. Also, there will be no challenge in January. In spite of the short time-frame, I believe we can fill the gallery with our beautiful Christmas floral cards until there is standing room only!! That would be an awesome way to show the DT how much we appreciate their hard work all year long!
Thank you, Flower Challenge, for this opportunity to be your Guest Designer!
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My sister Diana is an excellent photographer. She took the photo below which I think perfectly illustrates me in December! (We all agree that the card-making is a delight, but the administrative duties to get them out the door are not!)
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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse, being a follower, and leaving me some love!
*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!)
Both of your cards are so gorgeous and Christmasy too Dee! Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer this month over at TheFlowerChalleng. Vee DT xx
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are absolutely gorgeous in spite
ReplyDeleteof the difficulty in photographing them!
xxx Sharon
Hi Darnell, these are a delight. I didn’t k know you could get black water coloured card but it sure looks fab. I really love all that shimmer, just what we need at Christmas-thanks for sending me the link xx And huge hugs my dear friend xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us for Christmas, Darnell! A gorgeous Poinsettia, and I love the mystery guest!
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So beautiful, Darnell! Love the shimmer of the paints and the gold heat embossing on the black! Congratulations on being GD at the Flower Challenge!
ReplyDeleteStunning cards I have never used black watercolour paper looks fantastic. What a stunning photograph what creature do the tiny feet belong too ���������� xx
ReplyDeleteFab card Darnell looks amazing painted on black and all that gold splatter added by Hammy truly finished it off to perfection. Thank you so much for being guest designer and for seeing out this year in such style. Xx hugs Aileen
ReplyDeleteTwo stunning cards Darnell, I love the embossed florals, and congratulations on your GDT spot, take care, Kate x
ReplyDeleteBig Congrats for your GD Darnell, well deserved! How striking are your shimmery black cards! The gold embossing makes the pearlescent colours just pop!! Love the splatters too!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are so beautiful! Love the background
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Marilyn ❤️
Congrats on the Guest Design gig! Certainly well-deserved--and proven by these absolutely gorgeous cards! How did I ever miss purchasing these stamps? I think I owned a major portion the PTI releases in days past. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your Guest Designer post, and two lovely cards! Both of these images work so well with the metallic watercolor on black! Gorgeous schplatter too! Give Hammy a pat on the back!
ReplyDeleteTwo winners, Darnell, and congrats on the GD spot! I love the Botanical Blocks, so pretty, and the gold and shimmer just take these cards right over the top
ReplyDeleteLovely cards darnell..and different too. I bet they rally shine and sparkle. I have sprays etc but always forget to use them...maybe Hammy would like a holiday in the UK? Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteYour cards are so elegant and classy. Love the gold and metallic paints against the black. Tell Hammy his schplattering technique is perfecto! The photo taken by your sis is amazing. Those little hands (paws?) hanging on for dear life. I think that's how most of us feel as we scramble to get everything done before the holidays. Have a merry month, Darnell.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Christmas cards using Pearl-Ex powders on black, Dolly. LOVE the shimmer and shine. So elegant. Congrats on being GD at The Flower Challenge. LOVE your sister's photo. Agree ... admin work for posting cards is a bear! xx
ReplyDeleteWowie zowie I love the watercolors on black! I didn't know you could watercolor with Pearl Ex. Learn something new every day. Gorgeous stuff, Darnell. Congratulations on your guest spot. That's the cutest photograph by your sister, too. Yes, it's a big job getting the cards in the mail. I've been doing it a little at a time and the last of them are going in the mail tomorrow -- yay!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful, Darnell. I love this look and the splatters look wonderful. Hammy did a fantastic job. I think you need to trim your nails.
ReplyDeleteTwo gorgeous cards Darnell, and I love the look of the Pearl Ex on the black watercolour card, just so striking, and congratulations on being the Guest Designer over at the Flower Challenge. x
ReplyDeleteCongrats on guesting, Darnell! Both of your cards are beautiful and what a fun photo by your sister!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, love the metallics on black, Darnell! Both cards are stunning one layers with Hammy's expert splattering giving them that little something extra. So glad to have you as guest designer this month!
ReplyDeleteStunning cards, I didn’t know black watercolour card was a thing, but you’ve really made it sparkle! So agree about the card sending admin., such a relief when they’re done xxx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your get spot Darnell your so talented, Beautiful and elegant cards Darnell the watercolour on the black card works so well it’s truly beautiful and the holly looks gorgeous too enjoy your day xx
ReplyDeleteTwo fab Christmas makes Darnell and congrats to Hammy too for his perfect splatter! Congrats on your GD and have a great Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteTwo stunning cards Darnell, I love the gold splattering on the cards it must look lovely on hammy as well.
ReplyDeleteSue xx
Gorgeous cards, Darnell. Wow! And I surely feel the same way in December and I'd rather not! LOL I hope you have a beautiful holiday season.
ReplyDeleteBoth are very lovely and beautiful cards Darnell, as for the photo, how awesome, she's clever to be able to get a shot like that.
ReplyDeleteFaith x
Your twofers are absolutely BEAUTIFUL Darnell! I love the look of the gold embossing against the black...so elegant! Beautiful images too...think I have that set somewhere!! Loved your ending photo too...I addressed 4 cards last night and now I only have 4,379, 263 more to go! (It feels like that many when you're just getting started!! I know, I know...I need to quit complaining and just do it!!) Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards Darnell, like your lovely gold embossing and all the splatters! Congrats on guest designing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your GDT spot, Darnell. Both your cards are gorgeous! xoxo
ReplyDeleteDarnell, these cards are wonderful. I love metallic paint on a black background, they give a very spectacular effect. Your cards are exactly like that!
ReplyDeletexx
These are both beautiful and such amazing splatters too. I am with you on the admin duties. Writing and addressing cards is just the worst job. I am determined to get mine all done in the next 2 days now the making is complete (I hope) xx
ReplyDeleteBoth of your cards are beautiful. Gold embossing at black paper is very elegant. Hammy did a great job with splashing gold drops over the card. Never mind of his felt. He will wash it until all cards will be out the door. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day! Hugs, Sonja
Two beautiful cards. I admire your, err Hammy's splatters. Very nice, wish I could splatter without a mess. Hugs. Hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Two beautiful ones! Love the holy-dard! And yes I am late again with sending of my cards... (will get to you I hope!) Hugs, Gerrina
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards, Darnell.
ReplyDeleteGold and shimmer on black looks just gorgeous, Darnell ! Thank you so much for being our guest for the Christmas challenge!
ReplyDeleteMouthdrop! Absolutely gorgeous with the Pearl Ex painting and the dark card fronts! Thanks for the inspiration, Darnell! Yes, my stash of cards is waiting. The envelopes are chosen but await addresses and stamps and of course the little note inside to personalize each. Bah hum bug
ReplyDeleteBoth your cards are so elegant and beautiful and congrats for GD-ing for the Flower challenge too. I love that photograph your sister took and feel that way most of the time these days LOL Got your beautiful card - thanks so much! Have a great week ahead and take care of yourself. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely stunning, Darnell - I love them so much!!
ReplyDeleteBoth the cards are Gorgeous and SO Christmassy💚❤️Always delighted to see your projects at TFC.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking at this very same card hanging by my desk, Darnell. It's so gorgeous with all the gold and shiny poinsettias. Hammy did a great job with the splatter and the in house poetess added a wonderful little ditty that tugged at my heart.
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful cards Darnell. The images are so pretty and look great on the black background. Congrats on being a guest designer at The Flower Challenge.
ReplyDeleteTwo gorgeous cards on the black watercolor paper, Darnell - love them both!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards Auntie! I love the poinsettias. They are so pretty and just pop on that black. The holy leaves and berries do as well. Just love these two designs and love looking at these using this technique! Ha, love the photo your sister took! And yep, illustrates me perfectly as well. lol Thank you for the beautiful Christmas card Auntie!!! Love and hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteTwo beauties, Darnell! I love the images on black and the Pearl Ex makes it all the more elegant!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards Darnell and I love them on black and the gorgeous shimmer. So beautiful! Thank you for being the Guest Designer this month and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Dolly for being the Guest Designer on The Flower Challenge, my friend. Your Stamped and colored with Pearl Ex for a Gorgeous Shine on Black cardstock Christmas cards are Stunning. Love how Hammy added all the gold splatters too. He must look very festive now too:-) Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with the family and Happy, Healthy Creative New Year too. Love and Hugs..Nancy
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the guest DT position. Two gorgeous cards!
ReplyDeleteOh Diana's pic is awesome! I'm sure many can relate to this!
How clever they look amazing.
ReplyDeleteJust browsed some posts & came upon this one with these gorgeous cards using a stamp set I have! I keep saying I'm going to use my black watercolor paper & now I really do have to! Absolutely love these, Darnell!
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