Hello Stamplings!
How do you feel today? A nice lady standing next to me in line at the store asked me that question, smiling and looking me straight in the eye. A stranger, but somehow her words, a change from the usual, "How are you?," made me feel like we knew each other and she actually cared about the answer.
It reminded me of how it is with bloggie friends. It's pretty phenomenal really how we all come to care about each other even though we are technically strangers. It's a joy if we are lucky enough to meet in person, but even if we don't, that fondness remains. Thank you for that!
Onefer
.jpg)
When I saw the challenge post at Seize the Birthday, I wanted to play along. While you can always enter any current birthday card you make, the optional brief this time is double-stenciling. You place two stencils on top of each other and ... well, it's best if you click over and read the post at STB for directions and to check out the beautiful designer examples!
The flower stencil is from Ink on 3 and the chicken wire stencil is from The Crafters Workshop. I have a few friends who love purple, so that's the color I chose, using DI milled lavender and dusty concord. The sediment is from Happy Little Stampers, stamped with CP royal treatment. It doesn't show up much in the photo, but I bordered the card base with royal treatment by walking the rim of the card around on top of the ink pad.
I decided against using bling or schplatters because:
a) I didn't want to detract from the cool double-stenciled effect, and
b) my two little helpers are busy schplashing each other in their jar-lid swimming pool because it's not easy wearing a fur coat in the summer!
Twofer
.jpg)
This one is a QACAS design I put together with a piece of printed vellum from the last century and a vellum store-bought butterfly from the ol' stasharoo. A vellum-backed sediment from Memory Box and wallah, I Used Old Schtuff!
~~~
I will leave you with someone's genius idea!
.jpg)
~~~
Enjoy your week! 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! I'll be back on Friday with the Group of Seven Cardmarkers.
*Life is too short!
Challenges:
Beautiful Blossoms (A/G)
Seize the Birthday (Double-Stenciling)
Stencil Fun (Birthdays)
Two lovely cards as always and yes, it is great how strangers can become friends through blogging - long may that continue. Just loved the sign for 'door knockers' brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteAs ever, beautiful cards Darnell - do hope the wee boys don't leave too much of a mess after splashing themselves cool!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the double stenciling - that was an inspired choice of stencils, and colour!
The vellum card is so pretty and delicate - well done on 'shopping your stash' so beautifully
Blessings
Maxine
Those purple flowers look nothing short of sensational!! My mind cannot visualize how you created it with 2 stencils, but I absolutely LOVE it! The 2nd card is so soft, delicate and pretty too, but the first one just stole my heart! I love the Door Knockers meme too - that's a good one! Have a great week ahead and take good care.
ReplyDeleteYour double stenciled beauty is one of the best examples of that technique I've ever seen! Gorgeous--wise to skip the splatters! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThe one with the flower is beautiful, but the way you combined the vellum is stunning! Stay healthy and in a good mood... Hugs, Gerrina
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. I’m working on a project. I’m wondering if you’d be willing to help. My email is reginekarpel@gmail.com if you’d like to know more. Have a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteFun technique with the double stencil blending. The result looks really neat. Ohhhh your vellum butterfly card is gorgeous. Great sign for the door. And finally, I couldn't agree with you more about online friendships. I have several. And I kind of lost an in person friend because she didn't want to keep in touch online. I hope you have a beautiful week, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThe double stenciling adds wonderful texture and I love this flower in the purple hues! And all that vellum makes for a stunning card! I love how the vellum plays so well with the gray textured background! I hope those two have their life jackets on and don't schplash your cards! Love you too and so glad we met through our blogs!
ReplyDeleteDouble stenciling is new to me and this is really unique. The vellum card is stunning and a wonderful way to use "old Stuff". I'm happy Hammy and Stanley have their own pool in this heat and you gave them time off to enjoy it. That sign is awesome and should be posted on every house!
ReplyDeleteThe double stencilling looks fabulous on your pretty purple stencilled flower Darnell, and the bits and pieces work brilliantly together on the Twofer..the butterfly covered vellum and the layered vellum butterfly embellishment were meant to be together, and the grey card for the background card and sentiment with another piece of vellum for the shadow finish it so beautifully. I will hopefully be joining in with the I.D.E.A.S. Anything Goes later in the week..I love this challenge. x
ReplyDeleteThe chicken wire stencil on top of the purple flower is stunning. But, I really like the Old Schtuff butterfly card. It is very elegant.
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are beautiful, Darnell xoxo
ReplyDeleteA fabulous post Darnell, so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI agree at all with your thought, crafter's blogland is really amazing, just Wonderland for me, not only for crafting inspirations and sharing techniques, but above all for the kind and caring people!! It's not usual IRL (very sad fact!)
The double stencilling technique is very interesting and your purple blooms look very beautiful with the honeycomb pattern and I'm in love with your elegant, delicate and sweet vellum card, wow!! Pure delight!
That door advice is SO clever!!! Really genial!! :D I would want doing something as this for telephone calling!! I have to find a way to get paid by those who call me ever day to sell something or make me change manager of electricity, gas, phone etc! I’d be a millionaire! :D LOL
Hugs, have a lovely week
Two GORGEOUS cards, Darnell! The technique worked perfectly for your first card, and yes it stands perfectly alone and should be left that way. Your second card is amazing, and I wonder why I never find these vellum wonders that you and others seems find.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the use of the initial sentiment by shopper lady!
WOW! Stunning cards Darnell, Love the stencilling on the purple flowers, the vellum butterfly is gorgeous. Isn't it lovely to think strangers care? A new neighbour knew I was struggling with an arthritic hip and brought trifle and cake over yesterday, so I didn't have to do dessert, after Sunday lunch, she is a treasure. Love the door poster, wish we could have something like it for telephone scammers. x
ReplyDeleteStill laughing from the door sign! And still loving your two cards. Beautiful double stencilling in such pretty shades of purple. And the vellum butterfly card is gloriously soft and muted.
ReplyDeletep.s. glad to hear your little helpers have a swimming pool!
I too think these two cards are fabulous. I am one who loves purples, so thanks for that! Love to have met you and care we are cyber friends too. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your double-stenciled card, Dolly. So cool. I missed the challenge, but I hope to give it a try. Your vellum card is lovely. So beautiful and peaceful. Agree with you about blogging friends. I have made so many lovely connections and have been fortunate to meet several in-person.
ReplyDeleteHappy to be playing along again this week with IDEAS. Love Lolly
Two terrific cards, Darnell! And the sign is just super!
ReplyDeleteI am delighted to be considered one of your friends!
I am glad you didn't add any embellishments to the first one as I think it is perfect just as it is. Adding the extra stencilling really lifts the image. A really cool technique. Haven't tried it yet. Your vellum card is beautiful too. what an excellent idea for the door knockers too xx
ReplyDeleteDarnell, I love your purple double stenciled flowers. So pretty. Thanks for joining us at Seize the Birthday.
ReplyDeleteD, your double dipped [stenciled] design is SO delectable and divine! GAWgeous in fact - as is your butterfly delight in vellum! It's butterfly blooming season on the Ferguson's front porch! You're welcome anytime from now until September!
ReplyDelete=]
ps I might borrow that signage - but add political knob-hangers [or political knobs!]
=]
Darnell, Your choice of stencil on your card is just perfect. I think mine was just too busy and I love yours so much more. As for card number two, it is a show-stopper. Just WOW! I loved your story at the beginning of this post, I could not agree more. Thanks for joining us at Seize the Birthday and for using the Topping. Take care!
ReplyDeleteOh, my. You created two stunners for today's post. Love them both. I would have liked to enter the double-stencil challenge, but me thinks I've missed my chance. So many challenges, so little time! Love the door-knockers message. We could have used it about a dozen years ago when we had regular visits from Mormon missionaries.
ReplyDeleteYou've nicely showcased that technique, Darnell. Stay cool if at all possible.
ReplyDeletetwo great cards Darnell, wow look at that double stenciling ♥
ReplyDeleteLove you note to anyone knocking the door :)
So agree with your opening comment. I often just smile at people, it nearly always makes them smile…..apart from the odd grumpy pants, or the one who thinks you’re a weirdo 😃
ReplyDeleteLove the double stencilled flower, and the vellum creation is just stunning. I laughed at your last century stash, then realised I’ve got some too. Well, it’s not THAT long ago 😂😂.
Thanks for making me smile again, and have a great day! Xxx
Two wonderful cards Darnell love the technique and the double stenciling and l just love the notice on your door it's that time of the year when we get lots of call callers so l might just copy this and print it and stick it on my door enjoy your day x
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards, your double stenciling is so striking and the vellum elegant and beautiful! I need that sign!!
ReplyDeleteYour flower stencil was perfect for the double stencil technique, Darnell. It looks fantastic. All the vellum makes for such an elegant card.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about bloggie friends and I have been thrilled to be able to meet some in person, including you. I'm still sad that Covid prevented another Lake House get together.
Beautiful stencilled card but the vellum one stole my heart - it's so elegant. LOVE the door sign.
ReplyDeleteWow sis - love your double stenciling bloom - SO pretty! and your vellum butterfly card looks like the butterfly just decided to lite on your card to visit the flat ones! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteHey hey friend, fabulous double stenciling, isn't that so much fun? Just think of all the possibilities from all the stencils in our stash! Really makes for interesting dimension in the final product! Your Vellum card is a show stopper, just gorgeous!! And I have so enjoyed meeting magnificent ladies through blogging and WOW, meeting in person has been a dream really! We have incredible people who love to make cards just like us!! So glad we have met in person and shared time to talk and really get to know each other!!
ReplyDeleteFinally pulled myself away from my crochet and finished some cards and now to leave some blog friends some comments... Thank you Darnell for your monthly IDEAS inspiration that has encouraged me to enjoy time to make some cards. Marvelous what we can find and create from our stashes and your simple butterfly card is lovely; the double stenciling is so effective too, two wonderful cards. Have a super day and I do agree... our blogger friends far and wide are special friends, hugs Robyn
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful note at the beginning is a real heart warmer - thank you for being one of those warm-hearted people!!
ReplyDeleteI love the two cards you've shown here. The purple flowers look so gorgeous, and I love the softness of the vellum. And I love that you've kept them free of embellishments - they look better for it! Thank you so much for joining us at the Seize the Birthday challenge!
Wowzers, the double stenciled card is beautiful, I wanted to try that but never got around to it, yours inspires me to do it!! The second card is so dreamy and beautiful too, like a whisper of fresh air!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining our challenge at Stencil Fun!
Diane SF Co-Owner
{Nellies Nest}
{Stencil Fun}
I loved reading your post and then seeing your creations, both of them. So glad that you tried our topping for this challenge. Your second card is over the top amazing and a great picture of your grandchildren. Using the topping gets you into a drawing for guest designer! Best Wishes.
ReplyDeleteWonderful twofers. LOVE your QACAS card… so elegant and gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this sign… so fun!
Your doubled up stenciling made a perfecly lovely CAS card, Darnell! The twofer is just as fabulous with that sweet little vellum butterfly!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet to be asked that from a stranger, this rarely happens anymore. I always try to pass long a kindness each day, I think it's important we get back to that. On to your card, which is so pretty, Thanks for sharing your lovely card with us at The Beautiful Blossoms Challenge.
ReplyDeleteDonna xx
Beautiful Blossoms Challenge
Paper Funday Challenges
Inspiration Station Challenges
Gorgeous double stenciled flowers on card one, Darnell - love the color and texture!! Ooo - love the vellum with added butterfly on card two; perfect with the layered sentiment!! Ha, ha to the door sign - gave me a chuckle!
ReplyDeleteTwo really beautiful cards Darnell, lovely design and pretty colours.
ReplyDeleteJust love the door knocking sign, love to try it out, Kate x
Two absolutely beautiful cards, Darnell! The layered stencils work beautifully together, and what a gorgeous flower stencil that is! Your vellum card is so soft and dreamy, from the printed vellum to the vellum butterfly, with the vellum backed sentiment in-between, sigh... I agree about our friends in this stamping/blogging community, whether or not we ever meet in person.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun technique! I'm so glad you shared it at the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge Blog. I look forward to trying it on a scrapbook page.
ReplyDelete