Hello Stamplings!
I hope this finds you doing well and not being too frazzled by the preparation and anticipation of this season of celebration. I'm thankful for a wonderful hobby that provides relaxation when there are high levels of frustration. If I feel there is too much vexation, stimulation, and aggravation, then I'll resort to a libation, but not to the point of defenestration!
Sorry. I'll stop, seeing as how there are hundreds of words that end in 'ation,' which explains my fascination.
Onefer
.jpg)
I was fortunate to spend time with crafty friends in Portland in June. One of our techniques involved making some alcoholic backgrounds and then using the Alcohol Lift-Ink pad to stamp and remove ink from the background in the shape of the stamp. (The star on this card and the ornament below are from Stepping Stone Designs.) The results of my play session have been patiently waiting and it felt good to make them into cards.
Twofer (a) and (b)
.jpg)
After you use a stamp to lift off the alcoholic ink from your background, you can then press the stamp onto a blank card panel and get two cards for one! ๐ Cool!
I didn't take a photo of the ornament alcohol background, but I did get a shot of the stamp-off above.
My Christmas cards were done, so I used the two Christmassy images to make 18th birthday cards for Adam and Henry who have one of those dreaded close-to-Christmas birthdays on the 20th. I like how they turned out, especially with Hammy's winkifying!
We went out to celebrate the milestone at their favorite steak restaurant ...
... where they are very generous with their birthday cake servings! That's Adam on the left, Rachel, Dan, and Henry.
Until the new year ...
With apologies to the little Penny Black mouse who had tail surgery and turned into a hamster, Hammy and I wish you and your families good health over the holidays and in the new year! I send hugs if you need them and I hope wherever you are, you are safe, warm, and content.
.jpg)
๐ Mwah!
sounds like a fun crafty retreat, hopefully we can join in next year.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family. Thanks for my beautiful card ♥
Lots of wonderful cards, Darnell! The twins are 18??!! Holy smokes time sure flies!
ReplyDeleteI do have an alcohol lift ink pad but have hardly used it, and was not very successful when I did, but must persevere, as these cards using the star and a bauble look great, and you have made to wonderful cards for those grandsons of yours..can't believe they are 18, and what a great photo of them together with Mum and Dad. I also love that cute de-tailed mouse to represent Hammy and a super large sentiment, and some awesome gold spattering too. I hope you have a really lovely Christmas and will enjoy seeing what you get up to in the new year Darnell. x
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! I can not believe the boys (men) are 18! Time just flies on by…..whoosh! ๐
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your unique and beautiful cards, as well as the photo of your gorgeous grandsons and their parents. If only I could have had a bite of that luscious-loooking cake. I am always inspired by your cards and your creative, story-making mind! You have a wonderful, if quirky, gift of expression, and I hope you will continue regaling us on your blog. A merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
ReplyDeleteAnother group of gorgeous cards Darnell - I love those alcoholic cards and the print offs... Thank you for your wishes from Hammy - he really is an handsome young fellow!! sounds as though you had a delicious night out with the family :)
ReplyDeleteChristmas blessings to you and yours
Maxine
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Darnell. Great picture but you are missing with your DH. I too can't believe the twins are 18. How come they grew up and I didn't get any older? Teehee! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards, and awesome that you made "the lift" into Birthday cards for the twins. What an intriguing technique, I've never even heard of Lift Ink...
ReplyDeleteAnd as for that final card? Well it just happens to happily reside on my fireplace mantle -- thank you!
You are such a delight Darnell, always entertaining and inspiring us with your beautiful cards, (what a lovely technique).
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy and healthy Christmas and new year xxx
That's a technique I have yet to9 try - you've made some lovely cards so I'm inspired to have a go. Crafting certainly does help relieve the stress and frustrations which seem to pop up more and more these days. Very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
ReplyDeleteoh these are wonderful. I have tried that technique but forgotten about it lol! Your results are fab, especially the stamped off cards. Wow, that is a generous serving of bday cake.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
Wow 18 already where have those years gone talk about time travel ๐งญ just like this year a blink of an eye and we are coming to the end of 2022 your cards Darnell are wonderful beautifully put together, sending Christmas greeting and all the very best for 2023 take care stay safe xx
ReplyDeleteAh... alcohol lift.... is that where when the glass is empty you lift it for another????
ReplyDeleteScrumptious makes Dolly and lovely pic of the fam with cake! No better way to celebrate ANYTHING than with CAKE!.
Hammy who looks very festive with his hat on - has the Mister got one as well?
Wishing you all a brilliant Christmas and an even better New Year. xxx
You clever bean...these are wonderful creations ad I believe somewhere in the the craft room is one of those pads...now I know what to do with it! thank you for that! I have a habit of buying stuff and then by the time I get around to using it I have forgotten what to do. I can't believe the boys are 18!! Kids do have a habit of growing up don't they! Wishing you all you wish yourself this Christmas. Love from a damp and dark UK xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards, Darnell! And what a super
ReplyDeletephoto of the birthday 'boys'!
Merry Christmas!
Wonderful technique and fab that you can make so many cards from it. Such a lovely photo. Have a super Christmas xx
ReplyDeleteYour alcohol ink star card is amazing and just gorgeous with those colors! Congrats to the grandsons on their 18th birthdays! Wasn't it just yesterday you called them "twinks?" Time passes so quickly! Wishing you and yours the best possible Christmas and New Year and I too hope to get back on track at some point next year. Sending all the warm hugs, good health wishes and blessings your way today!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, lovely family and sweet wishes. Thank you Darnell for all that you do and share. You are a delight! Merry Christmas to you and your family. And Hammy! May he rest up well for another year of winking! Crafty hugs!
ReplyDeleteI need to revisit this technique! Your alcoholic background is so bright and vivid! It's perfect for getting a good lift. It's unimaginable that the boys are 18 and ready to go out into the world. Have a very, merry Christmas, my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteLove the look of alcoholic backgrounds I don't think to do it often. I think I will have to spend a day and ake several so they will be ready for card fronts. It is great you can get 2 cards with one technique. Cool festive birthday cards. I'm sure you are "wait, what, how can they be 18 already. Handsome yourn men. I wish you and your family Merry Christmas and a Happy Crafty New Year.
ReplyDeleteI love all those colors together on the first card and the lift sure takes a lot of it away. It has been fun to see the guys grow up on your blog and they are now ready to spread their wings in college. How fast the times goes! Love the Hammy Christmas card.
ReplyDeleteHello Darnell, I'm laughing at the thought of Alcoholic backgrounds, could do with one of those myself lol,
ReplyDeleteAnyway, wonderful backgrounds, alcoholic or not, lovely colours and designs. Love the little mousey, so cute.
Wonderful photo of your family, thanks for sharing, Have a lovely festive time, Kate x
It is great to see a hamster wishing us Merry Christmas :)! The lift cards look so great (never gor more than a few nice cards with it; no loved technique for me...) Congrats on the twins! Wishing you Merry Christmas too! Hugs, Gerrina
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and decorative ink lifting technique, and you got 2 great cards for boys in a tricky age group, at least in my opinion. And the mouse looks so cute on that stylish gold and white card.
ReplyDeleteYour first card is gorgeous - what a great job with the AIs and the lifting! Fab birthday cards for the boys too, and of course, Hammy's Christmas card to us is perfect - please tell him so! Merry Christmas to you and to Hammy!
ReplyDeleteAnother good laugh from your post today, thank you. It is amazing to see those boys all grown up now. Love your alcohol ink cards. I bought some alcohol lift ink sometime ago and it is still in its cellophane wrapping! Have a wonderful Christmas break xx
ReplyDeleteYour alcohol lift off cards are fabulous and like how you made birthday cards for the grands with them. I can not believe they are 18 already, very handsome young men! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your AI cards with the lift. So cool. I've done that technique one, but need to try it again. So many techniques, so little time. :) What a lovely family photo of everyone happy celebrating the birthdays. It's so shocking that they are 18 ... where did the years go??!!
ReplyDeleteI hope that now your cards are all done, you are partaking of some of that libation you mentioned ... hick! :) Merry Christmas my dear, sweet friend. Love, Lolly
Fabulous cards and technique Darnell, and thanks for all your inspiration throughout the year... and a Very Merry Christmas to you and your family, hugs Robyn
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards, Darnell. I’ve heard of The Alcohol Lift technique, but never tried it. Something to add to my list for next year. ๐Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Creative 2023. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's brilliant to have Christmas symbols featured in a birthday card for winter birthday guests. Two amazing cards. I hope the grandchildren are proud to have reached maturity! But time is rushing forward... Happy birthday to both birthday boys.
ReplyDeleteI love the mouse card, it's so cute!!
Merry Christmas Darnell!
xx
Stunning results on ALL your cards Darnell, I also love Hammy's card :) A lovely family photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the fun posts this last year. Happy Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.
Faith x
Your alcoholic lifting is one of the finest examples I've seen! The star is the perfect stamp to use because the whole piece looks like a celestial fantasy. Gorgeous! The stamp offs are beautiful, too. Can you believe the twins are 18 yrs old already? Where did the years go? Those certainly are some very generous cake slices. Your little mouse/hamster is darling with the fabulous large and in charge sentiment. Merry Christmas to you, Darnell!
ReplyDeleteDarnell, I wrote a long comment and then Blogger gave me an error message. I'm sorry if it's not here. Now I have to go to the kitchen. Quiet afternoon is over. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards and what a lovely family photo! Merry Christmas, Darnell & family!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, Darnell!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards Darnell, can't believe how grown up the boys look! Happy 2023, Cathy x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards!
ReplyDelete๐๐๐Happy holidays! ๐๐๐
Beautiful cards.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a fab Christmas and looking at a great start to 2023.
Happy Birthday to the grand twins - my youngest was also 18 at the start of December - boy time whooshes by.
I loved that you shared your stamping off cards, Darnell. It reminds me to get the alcohol ink stuff out again. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing the twins birthday photo. How time flies!
ReplyDeleteHard to believe the twins are 18! So good you got the work at the retreat made into cards! I've still got a pile waiting for me to do that. Hope you've had a lovely holiday. We did get to see 3 family members before the bad weather. Survived the ice storm & wind storm & so far, no flooding. I'm getting close to the big day & can't wait for it to be over! Happy New Year, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards! And great family photo! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHappy New YEAR.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Hi, Darnell! What a pleasant surprise finding your dear comment on my blog. Well, I say if your fascination for libation and helps with aggravation, GO FOR IT! (giggle) What a cute blog post, with fun photos and terrific writing. I want to learn how to use the alcohol lift as well and have all the products - I just need to take time and try it out. Your cards are colorfully stunning! Wishing you all the best in the New Year! hugs, de
ReplyDeleteA little late to the party..but I do love your Lift-off alcohol ink and stamped images cards. Perfect for the boys...oh my gosh...18th birthdays...not possible..amazing! Before you know it they will be off to college..oh my! TFS the sweet photo of their family too. How clever of you to make the mouse into a hamster too:-)
ReplyDeleteBTW...I am sooo excited about the new Group of Seven Cardmakers Blog...so happy you are one of the seven very talented cardmakers...Congratulations..Happy Creative New Year dear friend...Love and Hugs...Nancy
I'm late as per usual my lovely friend. Happy 2023. I adore your inklifting! Marvellous results. Wow, so hard to think that the boys are now 18! How did that happen so fast?!
ReplyDeleteLove, Di xxx