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!

October 12, 2013

Happy Giving ~ ATSM#66; CASology #65; FMS#107; NBUS#60; PPA#175; SSWC; Thanksgiving Crusade

Hello My Friends!
 
I'm back!  I am so happy to report that everything went as smoothly as moves can and my two sisters Doris and Donna are safely tucked in together and happy as two sweet peas in a pod.  We even got to meet a few walking, talking angels, but I'll tell you more about that in a separate post.
 
I couldn't wait to get back to the Playhouse and get crafty!  While I don't have a lot of Halloween-related card products, I do have a lot of autumn/fall schtuff with which I could make a few dozen cards if I ran amok.  Actually, amok means a frenzied killing spree, which is just way too violent for the gentle art of card making.

My autumn card today is being linked to several fun challenges, which all lined up the way we love them to do. 
 
In Alpha Betty order, we have:
  • An "Anything Goes" challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More.  (PS Thank you to the DT for the honor of a Top 3 Addict recognition for my bountiful harvest card!)
  • Ardyth tells me that my card would work for this alliterative challenge: CASology's Cue Card Crisp:


 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog

A lot of the world's most talented card artists are on the Design Teams for these challenges, so you should check out the links for inspiration!  If you can join in the challenges, the links will provide you with all the fine print and the prize and sponsor details.

I am also entering my card in Susan's Thanksgiving Crusade over at her blog Simplicity.  Please make a note to link your gratitude and thanksgiving cards on the top tab at Susan's.  There are no prizes or sponsors, but it is a great resource to find lots of beautiful Thanksgiving card inspirations in one place!

Here is my card:

The background paper mat is a beautiful autumn leaf design (NBUS).  The embossing folder is also NBUS, made by Cuttlebug, but it doesn't say the name on the folder.  I'm assuming it's "tree bark" or the like.  To make the sediment tri-colored, I used Stampin' Up! ink cubes in Cajun craze, so saffron, and always artichoke.  I laid the cubes on the stamp one at a time in a row.  One of those hold-your-breath moves that miraculously worked the first time!

The leaf was colored with markers directly to the stamp.  I applied more ink by wrapping a Kleenex over my finger, inking it and pouncing the ink lightly in places.  I then fussy cut the leaf, outlined it in Cajun craze, and adhered it to the card front with pop dots.  It's really sheenilicious on that glossy paper, but you'll have to use your imaginarium to see it since the photo didn't captivate it.
 
~~~

I am thrilled and delighted to find that I have three new friends who arrived while I was away.  Please meet:
My Photo




Jenny Lawrence of CARDSARUS










Tracey Wilson of Scrappin Trackside

My Photos







Gerrina Finie of Gerrina's Creative World





There is a lot of amazing talent and loads of inspiration waiting for you when you visit their blogs.  Thank you, ladies, and welcome to the party!

~~~

We are sitting the granddog Dukester this weekend for the kidlets.  He seems to have grown since the last visit!
What a goofball!
 
~~~
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 leave a comment and/or join as a follower!

 
 
*Life Is Too Short!
 
Paper:  Stampland glossy; Richard's DSP
Stamps:  Krystal Clear Impression (OOB)
  "Autumn Leaf"; Hero Arts sediment
Ink:  SU! Cajun craze, so saffron, always artichoke
Acylic dots:  Lynn
Pop Dots

57 comments:

Ardyth said...

Love the clean layout - it looks good for CASology's Crisp, too! Glad things went well with your sisters - I had forgotten about that and was starting to think that things were a bit quiet in your neck of the woods - happy that all is well!

Laura Sterckx said...

Brilliant card! I love the gorgeous leaf, the multi-color sentiment and the embossed piece! :) GORGEOUS!
Thanks for joining us at the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog!

Lisa Elton said...

GASP!!! Darnell this is one GORGEOUS leaf!!! Love this card and your crisp clean design. So happy to hear all is well with your sisters ~ hugs to you.

Sue said...

Hello Darnell.
I am pleased that everything went smoothly and that your sisters are happy.
Your card is stunning. I love the way you have coloured the leaf, it really looks amazing and the embossed background looks wonderful. The seasonal coloured sentiment is perfect.
I hope you are having a good weekend
hugs Sue xx

Vicki Dutcher said...

Welcome back! Glad you got them settled in~ Love this leaf!!

Carole said...

Beautifully colored leaf... so crisply outlined with a curled little edge. Perfect. Sister's are so helpful and supportive...happy to hear all went well. I look forward to hearing about the walking talking angels.Hugs

Colleen said...

Another gorgeous card, Darnell, glad to see you back in your Playhouse! and so happy that the sisters are settled in together...!

Karen Petitt said...

Happy to hear you are home safe and sound from your travels huni. Gorgeous stamping Darnell. Have a lovely crafty weekend x

Sue said...

Welcome back hun from your travels gorgeous card and have a fab weekend huggles Sue xx

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Hey Darnell ! I just love this pretty leaf with all it's colors and bling! Perfect against that embossed BG!
So glad you have your sisters all tucked in! I am sure it was hard work, but lots of fun, too!!!

Anonymous said...

Ah the traveller returns :)Missed you!
Gorgeous card Darnell-I love that leaf and the little raindrops on it too :)and how jammy were you getting that sediment right first time!!
As for Duke-why?When they have the biggest most ginormous beds do they still hang off the side?Jay always "falls" off her bed LOL!
Hugs,Nessa xxx

Deepti said...

Welcome back :) glad to know about your sisters. The leaf on the card is soooo very perfectly stamped, it looks real :) love it. Thank you for sharing with is at ATSM !!

Unknown said...

So glad that your sister's move went so well Dippy........did your parents get stuck on the D word? lol Fabulous card - just love the colours andtexture you've got on your leaf. Isn't it so annoying when manufacturers "forget" to put the pattern name/number on their goods? I've taken to writing the name of the e/f on the pront (using a Sharpie) as soon as I get it otherwise I forget the name.......senior moments you understand! The Dukester is obviously tgriving under the regimes of both households......eg spoiling him rotten! Hehe

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Sammy said...

Beeyoutiful card once again Darnell!

Glad to hear the move went well and your sisters are settled in nicely together. Looking forward to hearing about the angels... :-) x

Nonni said...

Another stunning fall card from you. I love that leaf! Thanks for joining us again at ATSM!

Ardyth said...

Glad you made it to CASology! As for catching up on commenting after being away, I don't even try! I can barely keep up as it is, and I'm sure you do even more than I do! Bev has a good post, and my post about our trip was in my Festive Friday post this week.

Carol L said...

Welcome back, and I'm glad your sisters are together and happy! I love how you colored that leaf and framed it! Beautiful!

Cathy said...

What a gorgeous leaf Darnell. The ef looks like Distressed Stripes by Cuttlebug. My OCD thing is to keep stuff in its original packaging and just keep buying storage!!I have improved and can sometimes throw away or at least store separately the outside plastic bag!! I hope I get over it one day LOL!

Glad to hear your sisters are settled and happy :) Cathy x

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. So glad your sisters are all moved in together and are there for each other. What a wonderful support you have been to help get this organized!!

Your card is beautiful. There's something special about maple leaves - I love them ... and I don't think it's because we have one on our nation's flag, but that doesn't hurt! :) The colors you've used look fabulous and distressing makes it look so real. Great job on this card that covers off all the challenges. Lolly xx

Brenda in IN said...

What a great card. I love the raindrops on the leaf. I've never used a kleenex to stamp with but sounds like a good idea to keep the fingers clean (hence kleen -ex). Oh well, it's been a long day. Glad that your sisters could be together, much better than living alone. It's nice to have you back.

Laurie Unger said...

Beautifully colored leaf!

alexandra s.m. said...

Hi Darnell,
I'm not sure I understand your whole technique there but what I do know is that your card is breath taking beautiful!!
Thank You and happy to hear your sisters are well ;)

Kelly Griglione said...

Hi Darnell! Great job with the multicolored sentiment ... can't believe it worked on the first time! What a nice sister you are to help with the move. Glad you have more time to craft now : )

Judy1223 said...

Darnell, I could stare at that amazing leaf for hours and marvel at how you did it...it IS amazing! Perfectly crisp and CAS! So glad you played along at CASology this week!

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell...welcome home! You have been missed that is for sure. So happy that all went well on your trip. What a stunning card too, that leaf is so beautiful and with the wood grain behind it is fabulous. See you soon.

Dianne said...

Lovely to see you back, and your Sisters are together, that's nice.You have done a lot on that leaf and it looks fabulous, the background is beautiful too,you'll have to show what that stamping up cube looks like, very kool effect, thanks for sharing and for your new followers, they are wonderful card makers, happy Thanksgiving to you too, hope your enjoying your weekend..

Anonymous said...

Yay!!!!!!! So glad you are back!! Things have been far too quiet while you have been away!!! We don't have any silly or fun anecdotes going on...!!!

Your autumn card is fall splendor !! Really love all of the tones & textures. :))
You are a whiz when it comes to making it all look so easy !! :))

Glad you had a fun trip!!
Even more glad you are back!!!
:)) see ya soon!! Xo

shirley-bee said...

Yay, you're back! Love how you've done the leaf, it looks so realistic, especially with the turn-ups coloured darker.

Jessi Fogan said...

That leaf is stunning! Totally magical. I love it :)
Glad to hear that the move went well - I look forward to hearing more about it :) And Duke. What a goofy pup :)

Sue - said...

Nice to see you back Darnell and glad the move went well. Gorgeous leaf on your card!

Diane Roberts said...

Darnell-those water spots on your leaf look SO real! Such a beautiful Thanksgiving Day Card! Thanks for playing at Pals Paper Arts this week.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home, Darnell, you've been missed! Fabulous leaf against the gorgeous texture of that EF ... and I LOVE the delicate droplets! Anita :)

Cindy Hall said...

Amazing details and creativity! I love how you colored the leaf and the sentiment. And those clear shiny spots... are they Crystal Effects or something like that? Great card! Thanks for sharing with us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Redanne said...

So happy to have you back and that all went well for your Sisters. I missed you!

Your card is jaw droppingly gorgeous, that leaf is stunning and I love the bark background.

Duke is such a sweetheart. Hugs, Annie xx

OH Babs said...

Darnell the leaf is amazing and the card ain't half bad.
So glad you are home safe and sound and that you were fortunate enough to have time with your sisters.

OH Babs said...

Darnell the leaf is amazing and the card ain't half bad.
So glad you are home safe and sound and that you were fortunate enough to have time with your sisters.

OH Babs said...

Darnell the leaf is amazing and the card ain't half bad.
So glad you are home safe and sound and that you were fortunate enough to have time with your sisters.

OH Babs said...

Darnell the leaf is amazing and the card ain't half bad.
So glad you are home safe and sound and that you were fortunate enough to have time with your sisters.

Indy's Designs said...

Stunning card! Perfect for autumn. Your textures are great!

Jean said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jean said...

This leaf is gorgeous ~ a fantastic thanksgiving card! Glad to hear that your sisters are happily moved in together!

Jen W. said...

Darnell, that leaf is amazing! I love the way you swirled all those colours onto it and the dewdrops are the perfect addition! Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!

Glad to hear that all went well with your sisters and that you met a few angels! That picture of Duke is hilarious. Atti hangs his head off his bed sometimes too. Can't imagine it's comfortable but whatever...

scrappymo! said...

What a wonderful Thanksgiving card!

Kim S said...

I'm glad your sisters are happily together! I bet you all had some fun!!

I love your autumn card - especially all of the fabulous colors on the stamp. Kleenex pouncing?! It works!! And the little dew drops are the perfect touch!

wienerhoneymooners said...

You are are on such a ROLL lately!
I just can't believe all of the jewel tones.. WHAT a GEM!
Love everything about this card!

Thanks for joining us in the FUN at CASology this week!

Bonnie said...

A beautiful leaf that fits perfectly on this embossed background! I love the way you inked the sentiment too and that pretty paper peeking out from behind!

Melissa said...

Surprise! I'm here and I'm commenting! shhh...it's also midnight.
I am admiring that multi-colored leaf and loving how you created it! :) The sentiment is rather eye catching too in its tri-colored glory! This is just plain and simply one gorgeous CAS card, Darnell!
Thank you so much for continuing to join us over at CASology! :)

Geri said...

I love the tri-color sentiment...and to nail it on the first try...BONUS! The leaf is stunning! Gorgeous results with the 'light pouncing' technique! Sweet dew drops of water too!

Yep, the Dukester is in serious need of a king size mattress!

Anonymous said...

Ooh, ooh, ooh, Darnell ... congratulations on your HM at CASology withthis simply delicious water dropletted leafy goodness! Anita :)

Ann Schach said...

Clean and beautiful, Darnell...a perfect use of the challenge colors! I'm so glad you played with the Pals at Pals Paper Arts this week!

Sian Ridley said...

Ooh, it's my turn this time!! Congratulations on your honourable mention at CAS-ology this week for this fabulous card, very we'll deserved! ;)

stressfreestamping said...

I love your leaf! Thanks for describing how you added all that yummy color. It looks fabulous! I really like your white textured background and multi-color sentiment as well. It all works together perfectly! Thanks for playing at ATSM. :)

Leni said...

Love the crisp look of your leaf!

shirley-bee said...

... And it's lovely to see you as a fellow honourable mentionable :))

Joyce said...

What a fabulous card, with amazing colors. And, so happy to see that you are a winner at CASology.

Jenny said...

That leaf looks so amazingly real Darnell, your pouncing technique has worked a treat :0)
Jenny x

cm said...

Oh my, but I have catching up to do; amazing how three days away results in returning to my favorite blogs, where 'gorgeous' is happening. Your autumn card here is case in point: stunning! Love the colours, the sequins , the layout - winner winner all around! Great to hear your sisters are now roommates - and your photo of your four-legged grandson: heart-warming! "Goofball" of cuteness!!
c