Monday, August 31, 2015

CASEing Genius: Darnell Knauss


Hello Crafters!


It's Monday and it's time for a new Genius. I know she's going to be a familiar face to many because she is just that awesome . . .





Can you love someone you only know on the internet. I'm going to say yes because I absolutely love this woman. She is kind and encouraging and basically the funniest person I know though text. If you've never been to her blog , Djkardkreations, you're missing out on one of the gems of the internet. She's also super talented in her card making which is like the cherry on top of the cake that is this fabulous woman.

let's get to know her better so you can fall head over heels for her too . .

The Interview:

1. Who are you and where do you live?
I'm Darnell. I'm a stamp addict and a blogger. I live in the Bay Area of Northern California.
2. How would you describe your style?
Clean and simple, sometimes ridiculously simple, and sometimes punny, funny, or whimsical.
3. Name one product you're completely crushing on right now?
Anything having to do with watercoloring. 
4. What was your first crafty purchase?  Would you still buy it now?
Who can remember that far back? Oh, sorry, I shouldn't answer a question with a question. Okay, prolly a black ink pad, a stamp set, and the scrubby cleaning pad all from Stampin' Up, since they hooked me at a party.  Would you still buy it now?  Yes, with relish. All except the cleaning pad because now, thank God, some frazzled baby mama somewhere accidentally discovered one day that she could clean her stamps with a baby wipe. (She found it was much more difficult, on the other hand, to clean her baby with the stamp scrubbing pad.)
Fun Stuff:
5. What is your current favorite song?
Was and always will be Anne Murray's Christmas Wishes.
6. Who would play you in a movie?
Kathy Bates.
7. One random thing about you that people would never guess?
I'm a man. No, stop it. Hmmm, before I became addicted to stamping, I used to roam antique and second-hand stores for three collectible passions: Heisy glass, blue/white china, and first edition books, especially poetry. I still have my favorites.

Do you see why I love her?! She's my tribe that one. Kathy Bates. Fantastic.

Speaking of fantastic let's look at some cards!


Hello Beautiful! I just think this watercolor piece is stunning.


Have you ever seen more perfect embossing?! Seriously black on white is hard to pull off with such clean lines. Those little pops of red are the perfect way to draw the eye.


This is just so soft and pretty. I love all the texture she achieved with the popped up feather and white on white embossing. Plus I'm always a sucker for a script sentiment :)


Before we get to the CASE I have a favor to ask of you all. Pretty Please :)

I did an edited video for my actual CASE and then an unedited video for a take on it with copics. The unedited is so long. Seriously, get the coffee before you settle in for this one.  I'm looking for feedback. I'd love to know which video you chose to watch and why. Or if you just poured an enormous cup of coffee and decide to watch both let me know which you prefer. Since you all rock my socks off and are willing to take your time to do me a solid I'll pull a winner from the comments to win a $25.00 gift certificate to MarkerPOP so you can get some goodies. I'll leave the giveaway open until next Sunday September 6, 2015 at 11:59 pm to give you plenty of time. Thanks in advance. Your feedback really does mean a ton to me :)

The CASE:


I really loved the watercolor flower Darnell used in her first card. I decided to use a cluster of flowers because her second card included a stem with several flowers on it. I included some white on white embossing like Darnell did in her third card. I loved the way she split her sentiment on the second card and used a large script sentiment to split my panel to mimic it.


If you'd like to enjoy the edited video click the link above! 




If you'd like to enjoy the unedited video for the card below click the link above.



Thanks you so much for visiting me!
I can't wait to read your feedback :)

Go visit Darnell too and leave her some love!!

XoXo

54 comments:

  1. I like the edited version. I don't care for coffee,! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. love your feature on Darnell - and love seeing you do the same card in different mediums - my fave is the watercolor - so soft and pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the watercolored version of the card very pretty. For some reason my iPhone won't let me watch the videos. : (

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loved both versions, but preferred the edited, only because I have limited internet. Darnell was the perfect choice! Love that lady...she is so talented, and witty! Thank goodness she has Hammy to keep her in line, or she really might say a cuss word now and then! I'm your newest follower-great blog!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kelly, I love both videos! Either way is good with me. Your cards are BOTH gorgeous! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO!!!!! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much, Kelly! It truly is a honor to be included in your brilliant series! (I think it is so cool that we both used the same love language in our posts! So the same tribe!) Your cards are breathtaking and I can't wait to watch the videos to see how you do that. I'm just getting up so I'll come back with my coffee! Mwah! Darnell

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wait. What? Is today your birthday? Well, shoot shoot! I would have made my kase a birthday card if I'd known! I hope you have a Happy Birthday! Celebrate in style and enjoy your special day!! Hugs, Darnell

    ReplyDelete
  8. YAY for Darnell!! Love her and her cards! And your two CASE's are gorgeous, Kelly!
    Watched both videos. I do lean a little towards the edited video vs the unedited...but both are great! ;) And boy, if I had a quarter for every time someone said "oh, like hallmark cards"...lol Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. We all know Darnell and we all love her and her cards! Great choice to CASE! Your cards are stunningly gorgeous, as always! And Happy Birthday, Kelly - hope you have a great day! Coming back to watch the videos - there are a lot of 'how did she do that's in my head right now!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yay for Darnell! Love her work! Fabulous caseing too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So nice to see Darnell featured here! Your case'd cards are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fantastic Cason of Darnell! I chose to watch the edited video because I have limited free time. Thanks for sharing your card making process.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Darnell is funny and love these cards! and p.s. Happy Birthday, Kelly! The a2z DT wrote you some wishes on the fb page and Linda suggested we pop over here instead, so HAVE A GREAT DAY!

    ReplyDelete
  14. <3 i don't care if your videos or an hour long or 5 minutes long, i'm watching 'em

    ReplyDelete
  15. ok, here's the review. 1. I love your videos and cards. 2. I like the unedited for the repetition of coloring. As in, I can see how you made flower after flower and that's helpful. 3. I also enjoyed your humor and chatting...but I think it comes through in the edited version too. 4. I didn't watch the whole unedited piece but I watched a lot of it. 5. I think if you do unedited you'll have a specific audience who just wants to hang out with you :) b/c that's what it's like. 6. Last thing, do what you prefer and people will find you. If you're tired of chatting so much, don't. If you hate the editing afterward, don't. If you're enjoying yourself, we will too! and oh, p.s. you got mad coloring skills, my friend!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fabulous case's no surprise there. Love Darnell's blog and sense of humor...you two have that in common. I love both cards equally...normally I would have picked the watercolor...just because I love watercolor looks...but you have helped me to rediscover the copic's. Your coloring and vibrant beauties are just breathtaking. Seems its your birthday, so have a fabulous one. Off to watch some youtube!

    ReplyDelete
  17. These two cards are just so beautiful Kelly and both videos were great to watch and so nice to see the two different techniques with the water colour and the alcohol markers to compare how they work and look. I did enjoy both videos and personally I think a video length somewhere in between the two is great but don't stop the chatting to the camera as it is lovely to put your own personality into it too to make the video your own. Darnell is so well known and loved and her work deserves to be cased and loved the little interview too. I hope you do not think me too presumptuous as I have not commented before and seem to have missed this blog along the way but I promise I will be back as your work is fantastic and a Happy Birthday to you and hope you are having a lovely day. x

    ReplyDelete
  18. you two are the funniest bloggers I know and seriously the sweetest! so wonderful to see Darnell featured and her answers have me cracking up in public. :) loved her cards and your CASE. I can't wait to watch the videos when I get home! I'll probably love the unedited one since I adore your personality. hope you have an amazing birthday!! hugs

    ReplyDelete
  19. Between you and Darnell, I'd be rolling on the freaking floor laughing ALL DAY! Yes, I popped in from her blog and was tickled to death that you had CASEd her, too. Plus a twofer video. I've heard of twofer card (i.e., Darnell) but to videos. Fun, fun, fun. Seriously, can't decide which I like better because, along with cardmaking , I love to laugh. Anyway, if time were an issue, I'd watch the first one. If I wanted to make the card along with you or even eat lunch, I'd watch the second. Both have value and offer many tips and tricks. In addition, apparently, your favorite card artistes are similar to mine. Sooooo, I'll be back to check you out on a regular basis. Bye for now, Coni

    ReplyDelete
  20. What an amazing crafter, both of you! And your CASE is stunning! I loved both videos, you are so fun :)
    And a very Happy Birthday to you :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I enjoyed both videos. I can see that each have their place. I am retired so I have time and being greedy...I really loved the unedited version. I laughed, rewound, rewatched and learned from you. I enjoy your irreverence and that you are completely comfortable in your own skin. That really draws me to people. So, my vote goes to the unedited, its fresh and different from the polished 10 minute videos out there. Love those too, and would adore the choice to hang out with a fabulous crafter via video. I craft often in the hours after midnight, and its nice to have a you tube crafter there too. enough rambling...

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm such a fan of Darnell's...so talented and Sweet!!!!! Awesome cards and whoa Kelly love your cards!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Darnell has so many adoring fans, and I am certainly one too. :) I liked the unedited version, Kelly. I want to catch every nugget of info that can be sucked out of your wildly creative mind!. :) Beautiful cards. Yep. Yep. TFS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love both videos! is there any way you can do them both? I watched the short one when i was getting through my subscription videos on techniques... but i put the long video on for when i worked on my own coloring and i loved it! It was like you were there coloring along with me :) Thanks for the great videos!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy Birthday friend!! Hope you're having a wonderful day! Love your case and Darnell's gorgeous cards! I'll take a look at the videos and let you know. Typically I like shorter videos since I don't have lots of extra time.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am so happy that you showcased Darnell!! She is a HOOT!! I have to say that I love your videos and it is not the length that really matters. I love to hear you talk, make little side comments, see that you too make mistakes AND learn how to save your card after all the work that you put into it. It makes me feel like I am "normal" an makes the video a piece of you-your personality and I LOVE that!! Thank you for showcasing both techniques. It is cool to see the same stamp with two different mediums.

    ReplyDelete
  27. So very delighted to see Darnell featured! Your case of her card is awesome! I loved the videos and the chat too!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Well, Great CASEs of Darnell!
    about the videos..Darn it if I get mid way on both of them and I get called away...so far I have LEARNED MUCH, MUCH from the water colored, edited one. I'm partial to the watercolring, Markers and me done't seem to get along:)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love seeing the sweet and fabulous Darnell here today!! Your CASE of her marvelous work is stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sorry, I had to take the Mister to the doctor so I just now had a chance to check out the videos. I preferred the shorter version, Kell, just because of time constraints and I don't use Copics. (You're adorable in both, of course!) I really loved the video on using the Zigs because I've just gotten mine. I'm so appreciative of all I learned watching how you used them so beautifully on this card! Mwah! Now I can't wait to give them a proper try!! Hugs, Darnell

    ReplyDelete
  31. OH shoot, I'd hoped to comment before Darnell did... she is THE Bomb-diggity. Enough said. She is D to my M and makes me smile, giggle, and sometimes guffaw... yes she's that good.
    You bring color to life with every one of your flowers, Kelly - I'm saving the videos for morning coffee, and that's a fact... see you then... =]

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow - Seeing you create IRL is pretty amazing. While I did watch the longer version, I jumped it - I just don't have the time for the longer videos [from anyone, not just you]. So, there you have it. I still would love to see how you set up for your photography though - that one - I might in its entirety :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Long.....short......matters not! I've always got coffee going and you can be quite entertaining. I love the watercolor card with the Zig pens and embossing. Happy belated birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wonder case of Darnell. Love how you have cased three into one, and I love the watercolour one!! I have not watched the videos yet :-)
    Blessings
    Maxine

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love love love you and you outstanding work. I enjoyed watching both, but shorter is better for me. I love watching you color both with copics and watercolor. I have resisted getting the zig markers. My tombows do the same thing, just no brush tip. Thanks for all you do, you make me:)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Well, you couldn't have picked a more wonderful person to CASE this week!! Like you, I absolutely love Darnell. We will probably never meet (unfortunately) but would love to one day. Her cards are gorgeous and clever and her blog so delightful. Everyone who makes cards and reads blogs should follow her blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Brilliant CASe I love Darnell of course as she was the one to give me the nudge in the right direction, Flickr then a blog. Always there with helpful hints and lots of praise, making ohh so much difference to ohh so many people. Thanks for that Kelly. Love Her cards and had forgotten the love one with the soft pinks and the feather, must give that idea a go. My goodness your CASe both cards blow me away but I also have just received my Zigs so any help much appreciated. Happy with either long or short but probably easiest with short time wise. Long is great cause we can really see the steps especially if new to a technique but I reckon most people are more likely to take the time to watch a shorter one than a long one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohhh my god I can waffle sometimes. I nearly wrote a book then lol

      Delete
  38. Love the cards! I prefer the edited version. I did watch some of the unedited by sliding the button to see it quickly, then stopping at certain spots along the way.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I LOVE the watercolored look the best. I also like the shorter video best just because of time.

    ReplyDelete
  40. This is as bright and lovely as our Darnell! Awesome CASE, Kelly!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I watched both videos! You are a delight and I learned sooo much. I loved being able to see exactly how you colored. I can't wait to try it. I don't really watch videos to begin with... I think videos are helpful but just personally, I have a hard time staying focused on one thing...and I'm often just multitasking so I can't watch long videos haha... but even if it's a shorter unedited video, it's fine! Your ramblings are perfectly fine :) I'm a rambler myself.....can't you tell.....isn't it obvious.....dot dot dot ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  42. I loved both of your cards. Very cool to see both techniques. What digi stamp is that - I really like it.
    April

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'm Baaaaaack!! Just had a very fun time watching the shorter video because that is the card I loved the most-est =] You are a brave girl, Kelly ... to emboss over top of that gorgeous creation? I'd make a total hot mess of it, I'm sure of it! LOve the white on white partial embossing... and your water-coloring is just so pretty! Thanks, Kelly! So fun...
    =] Michele

    ReplyDelete
  44. Darnell is one of my favorite crafter's in the whole world, so I'm thrilled that you featured her, Kelly! Your cards are absolutely Beautiful, too! I'm partial to the 2nd card, so I watched the longer version, and love it!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to create them for us :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. SQUEAL!! LOVED the Feature and the AMAZING Projects!! =) I LOVED the Videos!! I just LOVE to WATCH as people Color and I think both styles are AWESOME!! I have yet to do any editing!! I think I'm just AFFRAID!!?? So unedited are my thing, but I ENVY those who are able to Edit and I'll WATCH your Videos NO MATTER the style!! =) THANKS SO MUCH for sharing and for asking us for our impute!! THANKS for the chance to WIN too and I hope you have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =) HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY and CONGRAT o joining the Marker Pop DT!! =)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Ok, well - that was so fun to get to hear you and watch you do your thing!!! The edited video was more my speed because that is about how much time I have to watch a video and like some other people have said - in that one you used Zigs, and I have those - I don't have Copics!! So therefore I liked watching you use those!! I learned so much about shadow and color and everything from watching both!! But my favorite video was the edited one where you used the Zigs!! I was so right about your amazing talent!! YOU FLOOR ME - I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW AWESOME YOU ARE!!!!! And it was so fun to learn more about Darnell!! Happy thing that you so - the whole CASEing Genius thing!! Love ya and think you make masterpieces!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Kelly, I prefer the edited version because it is more suited to my schedule. But I prefer the Copic version of the card. What I enjoy most about your videos is that you do show us things in real time. Too many tutorials speed up the videos so much that I don't learn anything. I enjoy your rambling commentary because that's the way my mind works and it seems very natural to me. Thank you for a unique and entertaining approach to card making. I quickly became a fan!

    ReplyDelete
  48. awesome kelly:) i am a fan of your videos and i will be hounding that corner of youtube..:) so heres a lil boost coming along with some love 4 U. i hate flattery so i dont do it.. its genuine from me...love your humility in starting to make videos and i know it was a tough start just cuz i know there is fear in what the meanies might duff.u..4 ME 2. i dont have blog either!. just so you know reach for the sky and fly high above.Kelly, you are very talented in cardmaking but also i notice generosity in taking time to case your friends cards on your blog... sweet.. i want to learn from you:)
    !

    ReplyDelete
  49. I watched the edited video and enjoyed it; it was long enough for me. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Enjoyed your comments and tips, too.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Just the perfect and loveliest genius to CASE, Kelly ... your words on Darnell are wonderful ... and so true ... love her too ... she is such a delight! I watched your watercolour video ... so enjoyed seeing how you created that amazing masterpiece, thank you! Anita :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks for featuring Miss Congeniality (everyone's Favorite). So far I have watched the watercolors version which was informative. I liked how you used a bit of liner pen. Next I will watch the copic version as I am a Copic Girl.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I thought the 18 minute one was the LONG version, but when I looked for the edited version, I found the 52 minute version! For me, the 18 minute one is more in line with my available video-watching time. I'd never make it through the other one. I did learn shading and more from the edited one, so thanks. And thanks for the chance to win the MarkerPop certificate.
    Laura Holt
    [Google will list me as "unknown."]

    ReplyDelete
  53. Ok so I love coffee and coloring. So yes I chose the unedited version, and loved it!!

    ReplyDelete