A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

March 6, 2023

Two Lips and a Holly

Hello Stamplings!

How's it going? Did you have a good week? I hope you enjoyed some crafty time!

My crafty time was inspired by the little pink flowers that come to life every year in the garden. It's a welcome sight and to celebrate, I broke out my NBUS Hero Arts "Floral Tulips" stamp and die set.

Onefer
This is a CASE of a card I received (cough) years ago from my friend Lisa Tilson (My Card Trip). I'm sorry I can't direct you to her blog ATM; not sure the reason. I'm proud of myself for finally CASEing her beautiful card. After blending and schplattering, the tulips were stamped and clear heat-embossed before coloring with my Ziggies. The sediment is from a Penny Black set by the same name.

Challenges


***

You might remember that Hammy wanted to try a bit of blending so I asked our local cobbler to make him special shoes. It turns out not to be possible because of his weak ankles (Hammy, not the cobbler), but I think I've come up with a workable solution. 🠊

It turns out my little triangle-shaped foam blenders fit him perfikly! There will be ink and schplatters up and down the Playhouse now, but I don't mind. It's better than having him bored. When he's bored, he waits until I am deeply engrossed in some fine detail work and then he either leaps onto my head or runs up my pant leg. The obituary writes itself ... E
lderly woman found . . . 

Twofer
For today's Christmas card, I returned to my fave faux watercoloring technique of direct-to stamp coloring and spritzing of this favorite Penny Black holly.

Challenges


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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!
*Life is too short!

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53 comments:

Julie B said...

It will be some time before our tulips are out and the Tete a Tete daffs will be shrinking back below ground if this cold snap gets any worse! Two fab cards Darnell. :)

Sandra H said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell lovely stamp & die set like your colours used alway love seeing Christmas cards great holly and berries ,.....l9 Hammy well l like what you have used and yes keep him busy tc xx

Glennis F said...

Lovely cards Darnell, I have a very similar holly stamp, which comes out every year

HilaryJane said...

Your tulips are wonderful and I love that soft blended background, so pretty and so lovely to see it in the we love stamping gallery. Thanks for joining in with the option too. You faux watercolour stamping is very impressive too. It is ages since I used that technique, so time to change that. Thanks for the inspiration xx

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Gorgeous cardsDarnell! I always get a laugh, or two, or three
when I read your posts! Thank you!

jimlynn said...

Both are so pretty. I love the tulips and that very subtle background. Beautiful cards.
Lynn

Jeanne H said...

I so love tulips...will be awhile before they come out here, it snowed today but was in the 30's. Really pretty cards, Darnell. Hugs

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Your CASeing looks awesome, love the delicate blending with those vibrant tulips!
Lovely Christmas card too.
The new shoes for Hammy are delightful :D
Have a lovely week!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

... And thanks so much for joining us at We Love Stamping!

Bonnie said...

I love the pink tulips and they should be blooming soon. Hammy looks like he's waiting patiently with his paintbrush and sponges on the bottom of his feet! You'll be able to see where he scampers. Your holly is beautiful with just the right amount of spritzing! A reminder that I need to get busy on Christmas cards. Hope you're not getting snow not that we're thinking about spring.

stampinwithanita said...

I love a well done CAS card, Darnell, and your tulip card is one of them! The background is just perfect to set off the tulips. Love your work and NBUS, too!!!Thanks so much for joining us at the Beautiful Blossom Challenge.

Lisa Elton said...

No tulips around here yet, so I'll just admire your pretty pink ones! That Hammy, he's got spunk and has no problem looking silly! Love your artsy holly. Beautiful card, Darnell!

TK said...

Love the angle of blending on the card that mimics the lean of the tulip - very pretty, and an honor to Lisa, I'm sure. Two great cards today, Darnell, and it's good that you're seeing flowers blooming instead of being hammered by snow, as are some parts!

Cheryl W. said...

Your cards are brilliant--I love them both. Hammy looks professional sitting there with his paint brush. Wish he could come give me some schplatter lessons. I pretty much suck when it comes to that technique.

brenda said...

Tulips are always such a welcome sight in the Spring and you have displayed these beautifully Darnell, the masked panel give a lovely CAS feel.

Thanks so much for joining in our March theme at We Love Stamping challenge and for using the Spring option.

B x

Christine said...

Tulips and daffs are just so 'Spring!'
Just like hammy's shoes.

Stamps and Paper said...

Two lovely cards Darnell…I love tulips and have a big vase of them on my dresser ..Lovely card and colours…great watercolour technique on your Christmas card…pleased to see your keeling Hammy busy

Anne

Linby said...

Two wonderful cards. Love the tulips so much. Hammy looks so cute in his new shoes too!

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two beautiful caards Darnell. I'm loving hammy's new shoes, he's sure to have great fun with them.

Sue xx

Carole said...

Spring and Christmas all in one go...another year done..lol Two lovely cards Darnell, especially the tulips with the lovely ombre background.I can't think about Christmas...hence my box still sits empty! Hugs xx

Carol L said...

Those tulips are a reminder that they'll soon be popping up from the ground. Lovely CAS design, and I love that forgotten technique you used on the holly images! I need to try that again soon too. Thanks for the inspiration and happy Tuesday!

Donna Walls said...

Oh, how pretty! Tulips just say Easter to me and this CAS card design is just lovely Darnell. Thanks for playing along with us at the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge. We enjoy seeing all the inspirational projects everyone shares.
Donna xx
Paper Funday Challenge
Inspiration Station Challenge

Jeanne said...

Your cards are simply beautiful, Darnell and your solution for Hammy is brilliant!

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both beautiful, Darnell xoxo

Viv said...

Lovely makes Dolly Daydreams.
My tulips just poking their heads out of the ground although some of my tiny daffodils are already showing their lovely yellow heads!
Loving the spritzing of the holly too! x

Ellibelle said...

Your card is so beautiful and love how you did the background! Thank so much for joining us at Four Seasons challenge!

Darlene said...

Oh my friend this tulip card is just GORGEOUS! Would you believe my tulips were already poking their heads up out of the ground (not by far you know ... so early) but already the deer smelled them and came the other night and chewed them to the ground. I haven't been able to get a tulip to bloom along the front of my house since I planted them! {sad face}. Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Triple B challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
Triple B
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

PS ... thanks for also sharing this beauty in our other challenges too!

Larelyn said...

I love your tulips and the promise of spring. Thank you for joining our Cut it Up CAS challenge.
Hugs,
Larelyn (CIU owner)

Pat said...

Such a beautiful pair of tulips so prettily coloured Darnell, and love the wonderful masked two tone background, and then your fabulous holly and berries with the direct to stamp watercolouring technique make a super Christmas card. I love Hammy's pretty little foam blender shoes..I'm sure he will enjoy dancing across every spare bit of paper he can find..lol. x

Sarah said...

We gave up on tulips because our resident bunny rabbits eat them so I will just have to enjoy yours!! Love that Christmas card too and Hammy looks perfectly booted!! xx

Bobby said...

The daffodils are in bloom here in Ohio and they are lovely, Darnell. Almost as lovely as your pink tulips. Thanks for sharing your crd with us at The Flower Challenge.
I knew you could come up with something to keep that cute little hamster busy. I'm looking forward to seeing his handiwork. And yours, of course. ;)

sandie said...

Loving the fresh look of the flower card, so nice to see such bright colours, especially when snowing here! Love the arty look of your Christmas card, I must try this. Hugs my friend, Sandie xx

Marilyn said...

Beautiful cards! Hammy's shoes are so adorable
I think I finally gave up trying to figure out Bloglovin and had to go through all of my go to blogs and sort them out and go from there.
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Diane said...

Both cards are beautiful!! Love tulips and love the softness of the second card, very well done!!
Thank you for joining our challenge at The Four Seasons, Triple B, Beautiful Blossoms and Peace On Earth!
Diane FS POE TB Co-Owner and BB DT
{Nellies Nest}
{Four Seasons}
{Triple B} NEW March 3rd
{Stencil Fun}

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! Darnell, Hammy is dressed up with his handy paintbrush, beautifully. As for your gorgeous cards, WOW. Love them both, especially the tulips. (I had beautiful red ones given me this morning.) Love the shading in the corners. I'm here with both hats on, so will say - Thank you so much for joining us in our challenge at We Love Stamping. Good Luck and looking forward to seeing you again in our next challenge.
Faith A DT

Brenda in IN said...

Your tulips are so beautiful and I wish I could see the ones in your garden in person. The Christmas card is gorgeous with the soft watercolor look. I bet Hammy is so inspired with his new "shoes" and can't wait to get started inking and splattering. He looks like he's all ready to go.

Ink Outside The Box With Diane said...

Most wonderful card! Love the water coloured technique. Thanks for joining us at Krafty Chicks Challenge this past week for our Stamp Act theme :) Hope you join us again soon.
Diane - DT

Cat Craig said...

Love the tulips. So spring inspiring. Your Christmas watercolor image is lovely.

Donna Ellis said...

It's so fun using our NBUS! Loving BOTH your pretty cards, Darnell, and your pretty watercoloring technique! It's always fun seeing how crafters are inspired by the Mood Board at the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge. Thank you for sharing your love of all things flowers with us, and I hope to see more of your designs soon.
Crafting Hugs,
Donna
{Creative Smiles - my little crafting world}

Tina Z. said...

wow, both are stunning, I love these effects.
ohh, this is great for Hammy!

Bonnie Lynn said...

I love both of your cards Darnell. My bulbs are just starting to come up although they haven't bloomed yet and I'm not sure they will this year if we get the 3+ inches of rain forecasted. They're either going to drown in the rain or the rapid snow melt since snow level is going to be really high. Hope you get through this weather with no migraines of your own - mine have already started.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Gorgeous tulips, Darnell, and I love the background you gave them! Oh and that arty Christmas card with the spritz holly - stunning! Hammy looks like a Jedi ready to wield his light saber - LOL.

Susan said...

Two lovely CAS cards. Of course the Christmas one is my favourite as Christmas cards are always my focus. Your spritzed holly stamping turned out beautifully.

Leslie Miller said...

Your tulips are so pretty and your card looks like a rainbow! What a welcome sight those little flowers must be every year in the garden. I'm still waiting for our first blooms. The forsythia is peeking out. Hooray for getting a Christmas card done. I've been lax. This is such a beautiful watercolor technique. I hope you're staying dry enough down there!

Vickie Y said...

Beautiful Holly card! Thank you for sharing with us at Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge.

Aileen said...

Hey sweetie, its been a while. Im still debating on Hammi's shoes not so sure they would be comfortable. Makes me think of those cork monstrosities I wore as a teenager and I thought were so cool. But back to business love the daffodil card, the colouring the blended background, just perfect for our challenge. Thank you so much for joining us at The Flower Challenge and we hope to see you there again soon. Aileen DesignTeam

Brenda said...

Your tulips are beautiful Auntie, I love this spring card! I think so many are ready for spring to come, I know I am and we've had a very mild winter. LOVE your Christmas card, the "watercolored" holly is gorgeous. I've not tried this technique of watercoloring...need to though. Love that you found Hammy some shoes! Now he is ready to go and can use ink and schplatters all over the place! Hugs, Brenda

Karen Letchworth said...

Thanks for sharing your cute card with us at The Four Seasons Challenge.
Karen L, DT

Greta said...

Doing some blog catching up & enjoyed browsing yours! The Christmas card is beautiful using that great technique, but the first card is my favorite today! Just love the background & your beautiful coloring with the Zigs!

Deanne Saunders said...

So sweet!!! Thanks so much for participating in our CHRISTMAS CRAFTS ALL YEAR ROUND challenge!!! I appreciate that you play along and I enjoy visiting your blog!! Have a happy crafty day!!
Deanne at A Little Bit O’ Paper

frommycraftroom said...

Oh I have a vision of hammy with his new shoes.

Two more awesome fabulous cards.

Sathya said...

Such a Sweet card, Darnell. Great CASE-ing as well.Love the choice of colors and the card.

Thank you for joining The Flower Challenge with this beautiful card.

Sathya
DT

Sue - said...

No tulips here yet! The daffs have only just come out. Lovely cards as always Darnell. xx