Hello Stamplings!
How are you? I hope all is well where you are. If not, I hope it gets better soon. xoxo
I had a fun and very busy week! Before my friend arrived, I managed to make a couple of QACAS Christmas cards for today's post.
At times like this, my I.D.E.A.S. schedule helps tremendously because I don't have to think about where to start. This week is D=Dies and because I'm way behind on my holiday cards, Christmas was the obvious theme. And because I'm also trying to use up my bits and pieces and my pp, that's where I started.
Onefer
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I found the gold heat-embossed evergreen sprig and the mug in BOB. I wish now I had taken a couple of minutes and heat-embossed the mug in gold instead of just rubbing the edges with a gold ink pad, but never mind.
The joy die is from Memory Box. Going through my pp for a background, my little helpers didn't have to search long once they saw this beautiful blue paper shot-through with gold. I brought the corner chomper out of retirement to give my card design that extra "oh yeah" feeling.
Twofer
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This is so simple for the big impact it makes. Even though it doesn't show clearly, the front panel is hammered card. The tree aperture die is from poppystamps, called, "Sloping Hillside." I chose this pretty pp because it also has a hammered look. It comes in many colors and has patches of gold- or silver-embossing. The sediment from GKW nestles in there perfectly and depending on the pp I used, I heat-embossed it in either gold or silver.
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Some of you may remember the very lovely Bev from her blog Happy Dance.
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Bev and I met online in December 2012 and it was such a pleasure having her visit for a few days! We have been on many craft retreats over the years and I have been to her beautiful home in Wisconsin a few times, but this was her first trip to California!
The Mister gladly went off on a motorcycle ride to allow us some "girlie" time and needless to say, we had a blast! (He did, too!)
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I hope you enjoy the coming days! 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'm going to be with another friend this week and the week after, so I prolly won't post next Monday.
Loving your sparkly DP Darnell and how great to meet up with crafty friends too. The OH is very understanding, defo a keeper! ;)
ReplyDeleteHaving an opportunity to meet up with blogging friends is such a joy! Both Christmas cards are lovely, but I'm a huge fan of the "hammered" card. You captured the beautiful shine of the background--such lovely colors!
ReplyDeleteBoth your cards are beautiful, as always, Darnell xoxo
ReplyDeleteTwo lovely cards Darnell.My favourite has to be the second one..its fabulous. Sometimes less is more as they say. Enjoy your galavanting.lol xx
ReplyDeleteTwo super sparkly Christmas cards.
ReplyDeleteYou have found the perfect die cuts to use with your patterned paper, Dolly! I love the gold outlined mug with the gold sprigs and joy! The Winter scene is so pretty with that paper "sky" and hammered metallic sentiment. How fun to get together with Bev and others too. It's like an extended party!
ReplyDeleteAwww - Great photo of you and Bev, Darnell - glad you had time together!! Just love both of your "JOY" cards - the mug atop the marbled paper is fabulous on card one & what a gorgeous background for your tree silhouette on card two! Thanks for the inspiration with dies this week - I hope to play along!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful that second one! Looks like you girls had a lot of fun! Hugs, Gerrina
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards and beautiful papers and great designs. Looks like you two had a good time visiting.
ReplyDeleteD, I love your gorgeous metallics - both die-cut and embossed! But it's that gorgeousness peeking from behind the Christmas trees on card 2 that really impressed!
ReplyDeleteWas the photo of you and Bev taken before or after the 'hammered' part? Gosh it is so wonderful to see the two of you together again!
=]
Two great Christmas cards, especially the second one with the gorgeous blue /silver dp - it's a perfect CAS card. Lucky you having a visit from a crafty friend!! Christine and I want to come and visit you one of these days!
ReplyDeleteTwo stunning Christmas cards, Darnell. Sounds like you had a wonderful time with Bev.
ReplyDeleteLiz xx
Your cards are FABULOUS my friend! WOW! How much fun is it to be able to get together with crafty friends! Awesome photo! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Love Those Pretty Papers challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
ReplyDeleteDarlene
Love Those Pretty Papers Co-Owner
Absolutely gorgeous cards Darnell - and well done to the 'boys' for finding that beautiful blue paper..
ReplyDeleteLooks as though you had a ball with Bev, especially with 'the Mister' conveniently taking a long ride to give you time together.
Blessings
Maxine
Love the silver card!
ReplyDeleteHow much fun you must have had with Bev.
Both cards are so pretty but I love the frosty look of the 2nd one as it's just a gorgeous scene. How wonderful it must be to meet and craft with those we meet online. That's a great photo of you both! Have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteTwo pretty cards, and the embossing/marbling is beautiful. I wish I could see the hammered cs but will be on a hunt for some... What a blessing to have friends coming by, enjoy! I do remember Bev!
ReplyDeleteLove the shine and simplicity of these cards. I am so glad you got to spend some special time with Bev xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards with the gold on the first and the lovely sparkles on the second. Glad you had some girl time!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are truly stunning! I love the glitz and glimmer on each one. You just can't go wrong with silver and gold. I'm glad you had such a grand time with your friend. Crafty girly time is just the best!
ReplyDeleteTwo fabulous cards Darnell, and the blue with gold marbled one on the seasonal make looks great with the white mug and white with gold embossed sprig with the gold joy look perfect over the top..and the interest round corners too. The second has another gorgeous paper as a background to your pretty pine tree aperture, and the silver sentiment looks great with it. A lovely photo of you and Bev together and you obviously had an enjoyable few days together and her first trip to California too! I have just put up a card which is for this weeks I.D.E.A.S. with just a bit of die cutting but hope that still fits the bill...lol., at least it has been put up a bit sooner this week. x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, Darnell!! I especially love the second one - awesome! How fun to get together "in real life" with crafty friends. I sure hope to meet you in person some day!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're having the time of your life, Darnell! Your cards are beautiful and so are you and your friend. A lovely pic of the two of you. Enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful cards Darnell. I love the paper and hints of gold on the first card and the glittery background is gorgeous on your second card. Thanks for sharing with us at Krafty Chicks challenge this week. Hugs, Denise x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful QCAS Christmas cards and lucky you to be able to get together with Bev. Great pic ♥
ReplyDeleteLovely cards Dolly and how lovely to meet up with a blogging buddy!
ReplyDeleteHugs. x
I'm loving your Q&E Christmas cards Darnell... might have to CASE these to get my stash growing - I'm way behind this year and it'll soon be time to write up and send off my overseas cards. Enjoy your time with your friends over the next weeks, it's always lovely to catch up and relax... hugs Robyn
ReplyDeleteTwo lovely cards to add to your Christmas collection. Love the gold & silver on the pp and sentiment. Time with crafty friends is always good, looks like you and Bev had a wonderful visit.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I love both cards, and the second one stole my heart :-)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
BożenA
Glad you've been having fun Darnell! I'm admiring your two lovely schparkly cards. The first is indeed very 'Oh yeah' (a phrase which has moved into my vocab and instantly made itself at home!) The mug looks rather classy in white with just a hint of gold especially against that gorgeous background. I adore the second card with its fabulous sky and subtle landscape aperture. I can never be bothered to get the heat embossing gear out but you are inspiring me to pull my socks up and make more of an effort! Have a lovely weekend! Vicky x
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