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!

December 4, 2015

These are the Moments. STAMPlorations GD

Hi there! What's happening with Blogger and spacing and justification lately? So fussterating! But anyway, here you are! You've whooshed through another week like a blur on a thistle!

I'm pleased to be here today all dressed in green and white as a Guest Designer for the December STAMPlorations Challenge which is "Stamps & A Holiday!" Given that it is a month of holidays, we should see boodles of inspiration in the gallery!

I'm starting you off  with this:
Because I have so many holiday cards to make, they tend to be QACAS (quick and clean and simple). Okay, even when I don't have a lot of holiday cards to make, my cards tend to be QACAS! For this card, I went back in time.

Years ago, I purchased these full-size note cards that are (were) made of glossy paper with a beautiful forest green marbling pattern on the front and back. Fast-forward to the modern time of dies and I thought that the card paper would make terrific die-cut evergreen trees.

Just to be diff'ernt, I made my snowbank a scalloped one, using a Spellbinder's die. The "Evergreen Trees" die is from Memory Box. The sediment is from Shery's own STAMPlorations set called "Noteworthy."

And here is the inside, decorated with more tree cuts and a sediment from MFT's "Seasonal Sentiments":
 
I used forest green ink on that sediment, but the photo processing software gremlin preferred it in teal. (In case you thought Hammy had gone color blind living in Never-Ending Chaos in the newly-dubbed Madhouse!)

Thank you, Shery, for picking my card as the winner last September so I could enjoy the prize of Guest Designing for this challenge! I hope all of you will join in and link up your holiday cards in the STAMPlorations December Challenge!
~~~

Speaking of trees, I have a few more:
This die is called "Christmas Tree Words" from Die-Versions.
This sediment is also from the same MFT stamp set, heat-embossed in white. That white swirl was spose to be a snow hill, but when I was playing around with it, I loved the look of having it schwoop down from the corner. I always wanted hair that schwupt like that.

Once again, same beautiful stamp, this time heat-embossed in black. The corner die is part of a four-die NBUS set from Memory Box called "Distressed Holiday Collage." I first saw them used on a fall card made by my friend Sheri and I had to go and immediately order the set. She has a remarkable jewel-colored background behind her die, which I hope to CASE in the future.

Challenges
  • Memory Box Challenge: Season's Greetings. (Cards 1 and 4.)
  • Pixie's Snippets Playground: Use your snippets. Any of my cards would work today! Be careful where you step in the Playground right now as there are scattered nails about and scaffolding overhead because the stage is being built for the Nativity play!
  • Shopping Our Stash: No Stamping. (Card 2.)
  • Stamp Ink Paper: Card-Maker's Choice. (Card 1.)
  • The Paper Players: Bingo. (Card 1. Middle vertical row: patterned glossy paper used.)
Challenge iconsPixies Crafty WorkshopGrab Our Badge!
SIP Any Challenge 25 800
~~~

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!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling:
Click CTL + Home. 
Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post.
Click Page Down to reach the end of the post.
Click Comments and the pop-up box opens.
Click Jump to Comment Form; no more car pool tunnel! Mwah!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave
me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!

79 comments:

Kathyk said...

FABbylicious set of makes today. I have the Stamplorations sediment set too!!!

Happy friday, Darnell and followers

Kathyk

I Card Everyone said...

LOve the forest-y green and white, D ... gorgeous one, and all! [the only time I had this trouble with blogger, all I had to do was clean out the clutter in the tools section - all good]
=]

Julie B said...

Great use of your stash Darnell, love the marbled green card for the trees.
I too have had weird formatting on some Blogger sites but yours loaded up fine!
So pleased to have you as our GD this month over at STAMPlorations. :)

Becca Cruger said...

I was looking at my pathetically small stack of Christmas cards and wishing I had a brain that could create gorgeous QACAS cards like you. Sigh* You sure know how to rock those emerald tones and I love the scalloped "hill" in the first card! We're so honored when you come to guest with us at STAMPlorations!

Linda said...

Wow Darnell, all of these cards are fantastic. Love the QCAS cards you create. Just Beautiful.

alexandra s.m. said...

Love your green and white Holiday cards dear Darnell!
Thank You~

Krisha said...

Well done!! They are all gorgeous.....love that marbled cs with the white. I finally used up most of my marbled, glossy cs......it had been around here for years....now you make me wish I still had a piece of it...LOL
Have a great weekend......we are getting some showers here this morning.

Viv said...

Oooh Dee such beautiful greeness on yours cards here. I also love QACAS cards if I have a lot to make. Makes life a lot easier doesn't it! Hope you Xmas preparations are coming along nicely.We are having 12 at our house at the last count...yikes!! ;) hugs Vee xx

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

These are just fabulous Darnell and congratulations on your GD spot! I'm also having to make some QACAS Christmas cards this year too . . . I don't know where this year has gone? I'm so CASEing the 3rd one down!! Have a great evening my friend! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Sue said...

Love the cards. The last one is my favourite.

Hope you have a lovely weekend. Sue

oldpunca said...

Great green and white combination on your cards today, dear Darnell. :-) Like them all, but especially the first one with great use of "old" paper for background.
Hugs, Sonja

jimlynn said...

They're all beautiful and so Christmas-y! Love the marble looking paper you used on the trees on that first card too.
Lovely.
Lynn

conil said...

You've been going for the green, so to speak. Getting use out of those notecards...with great success. Adore this deep green and white vibe. Very festive and each card is stunning. Love the contrast and the sentiments.

Di said...

Wow, what fabulous cards Darnell! LOVE the green and white and the designs are gorgeous - each one is a stunner. I kept scrolling further and further down saying to myself 'This is my favourite, oh, this is my favourite' - turns out I love them all equally!

I have no idea what's going on in the Playground, it came back again and am now stuck in bed - can't even hop as far as the window. But, there's a lot of squealing and hammering going on so my guess is that you're spot on with the stage being erected :) Little scallywags!

Hugs

Di xx

Jean said...

Fabulous green and white card collection Darnell, I love them all. The lovely MFT sentiment tree looks great with your beautifully sharp and clean white embossing.
Jean x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Four fabulous cards! Love expecially the third one, with the gorgous curved white layer. So harmonius! Also I want hairs that go down so sweet... but I have a head full of very rebel curls :D

Mac Mable said...

What a beautiful and very creative set of cards. Congratulations on your win being guest designer at Stamplorations. Love the green on your card and the cut out tree die and clever use of the scallop die for the snow hills x

Sarah said...

Loving these festive green and white QACAS cards Darnell, love the snowflake using the curvy SB die xx

Leslie Hanna said...

That green is so pretty! Classic, even. I love all of these cards!

Redanne said...

Oh what a treat to find a bumper bundle of green deliciousness today Darnell. Each and every one of the cards is beautiful. Love, love, love them.... Hugs, Annie xxx

Pat said...

Four fabulous cards Darnell and there is definitely a bias towards green here but love this colour green and I'm sure your sentiment in the first card is green and not teal blue. It's funny how colours morph sometimes. They are all beautiful and cleverly designed but if pressed I think I would probably go for the first one because I love that scallop die as a snow slope with two of the trees tucked behind, such a wonderful idea. x

Stamps and Paper said...

Lovely Christmas cards Darnell

Anne

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful set of pine green card designs Darnell - each so pretty and different! have a wonderful weekend! Julia xx

BożenA said...

Hello Darnell,
Your card is so beautiful. I love the mottled tree and the same frame. Beautifully composed card.
hugs,
BozenA

Kathleen said...

Wonderful set of cards and that is a fabulous green for Christmas.

Have a great weekend.

Kath x

laurie said...

I love tree cards! Your set is awesome, and I especially like the one for The Paper Players! Thanks for playing along this week Darnell, always fun to see your cards in the gallery!

Canonbury creations said...

Fab green and white cards Darnell, I love trees on Xmas cards!
Val x

Verna Angerhofer said...

All are so very beautiful and I love that color of green and the white together. Very festive looking too!

Dana M said...

Fabulous marble paper Darnell - perfect for the trees! Terrific batch of holiday cards, thanks for the inspiration!

Carol L said...

Green and white never looked so good together as in this fabulous collection of cards! I especially like the scalloped hillside - very innovative and creative my friend!

Jaydee said...

Darnell, what a fabulous collection of cards. I love the green and white color scheme and the inside sentiments are fabulous, too. So glad you shared them with us at the Paper Players this week
jaydee

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Well, they are all an absolute Joy to behold.
As a duck, I can appreciate all things QUACAS......could certainly do with making a few of these myself.
Best wishes.
Ang x

stampwithsandy said...

Goodness you have been a busy little stamper, Darnell! I love all your QACAS creations. The rich green color is gorgeous. Thanks so much for playing along with my Tic Tac Toe challenge at The Paper Players, and Happy Holidays to you, my friend!

Maura said...

Well, aren't you the queen of challenges, today!! Lovely set of cards (my fave is the first one and the last one) and congrats on the GD gig!!

Maura said...

Well, aren't you the queen of challenges, today!! Lovely set of cards (my fave is the first one and the last one) and congrats on the GD gig!!

Sharon Underwood said...

Your cards look beautiful, Darnell! I love that deep color of green.

Carol said...

Another fabulous fourfer Darnell...loving the glossy green card you used for the trees. Carol x

Anonymous said...

Fabulous fourfer. Great use of the green cardstock.

OH Babs said...

Wow that is a lot of cards - way to go. The marbled paper is lovely. Congrats on being Guest Designer.

Mrs A. said...

I hope you and Hammy have planted some new conifers in the back yard to replace all the ones used on these ere cards. Very nice they all are too. Hugs Mrs A.

TK said...

Love the cards! Wonderful and fun! Love that schwoop....

Geri said...

Tree-mendous projects pal (I'm likely not the first one to say that!). The paper on your first card is divine! I love your 'scalloped edge' snowbank - so clever and so cute! Nice touch with more trees on the inside of the card!

You KNOW that I will love the polkie dot word tree - so sweet! The snow hill turned swoosh is awesome - great idea! PERFECTLY embossed sentiment!

The diagonal graphic beauty is just that...beautifully graphic, clean & simple...love it!

Cheryl W. said...

I love all your tree cards, Darnell. You certainly know how to take a theme and run, nay gallop, with it!

Susanne Vargas said...

Congrats on your GD spot! That marbled paper makes beautiful pine trees! What a wonderful series of green and white cards!
Yes, it is quiet on my blog! I am so behind with everything this year and the panic is starting to set in! Haven't even finished my Christmas cards (which are all the same so I can't share them) and totally missed my own deadline which was Thanksgiving... I'll be back blogging eventually, hopefully soon!

Lisa Elton said...

A fabulous collection of Christmas cards Darnell!! Love the polka dot tree. Congrats on guesting, your rocked it!!

Cat Craig said...

Such a fabulous forest collection Darnell. Love that marbling on the first trees and each card got more fun.

Ruth said...

Love them all - but I most especially love that glossy marbled paper for the trees using those note cards you bought. Am loving the greens all the way through. Love to you and hammy for keeping me going on this dark day - always inspirational! Xx

Linda said...

Beautiful cards Darnell .... you've created a forest of festive gorgeousness. Have a lovely weekend my friend! xx

Lizzy Hill said...

These look great.....fab take on trees, real and otherwise.....love the heat embossed idea!!!

Unknown said...

What a stunning array of cards Dippy. Love the notecards that you've used for the diecuts, so effective. I'm not sure what blogger is up to either......is anyone else tired and frustrated with having to click on "GOT IT" every time you visit a blog??? Surely once is enough? Grrrr......

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Sarah G said...

Great GD inspiration - thanks, Darnell! That paper is so effective for your die cut trees....I was trying to work out how you got that marbled ink effect! Love the green and white colour combo and I am definitely fast approaching QACAS territory - especially as my Mum came round and walked off with half the Christmas cards that I had made already :)

Marilyn said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell, fabulous and creative designs, love them. Enjoy the season, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Wow wow wow!! These are all gorgeous! LOVING that GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jean said...

Such gorgeous cards!

Chana Malkah said...

Beautiful work, as always, Darnell! Love the diversity of your designs! Thanks for sharing with us at Shopping Our Stash!
Hugz,
Chana, DT

stampwithsandy said...

Oops thanks for playing along with Stamp Ink Paper, too!

Brenda said...

Wow, you've got the workshop humming! You have definitely inspired my mind, now if my hands will get into the act. I need more beautiful FLAT cards like these!

kiwimeskreations said...

Wonderful cards Darnell - puts me in mind of the hills around here - all covered in trees - but thankfully no snow. It is summer here and snow would be most unwelcome!
Blessings
Maxine

Bonnie said...

What a forest of beautiful Christmas trees, my friend! I really, really love that last one!

Shona Chambers said...

Well, haven't you been busy!! So many gorgeous cards in the same beautiful shade of green and white, there will be many happy recipients of these beauties!!! And congrats on your GD spot too!

Claire Broadwater said...

WOW, Darnell, all of your cards are beautiful! I love all the green and white cards! So happy you joined us at The Paper Players this week! Congrats on your GD spot! Merry Christmas! XX

Birgit said...

All the Christmas tree cards are so great! I always think I will do something fast and it never works out that way. These look so professional! I love the marble trees and I love the embossed sentiment in the deep green

Kim Heggins said...

Just adorable....love all your festive trees and so many wonderful Christmas cards.

Gerrina said...

Great to see so many inspiration all in green-white! Love your makes, the first is my favo! Congrats on being a GDT again and with the great STAMPlorations! Hope you enjoy the weekend! We had "Sinterklaas-eve" yesterday and today we are putting up the tree and the christmasdecorations; a fun family day!
I'll write my cards today and make the last ones this week, so I'll have a good distraction from my studying for my exames... Hugs, Gerrina

Ros Crawford said...

I almost missed these!! What an array of beautiful cards!!

Celeste Goff said...

What absolutely beautiful cards! Love those clean and simple designs!

cm said...

Congratulations on your GD spot and you've certainly delivered beauty and inspiration! Your trees theme has me reaching for my jacket, scarf, mittens and boots, to go for a wander through the woods. Gorgeous cards, all! Card #4..I'm taking an extra shine to that one...
Hugs~c

Unknown said...

Love the simple color combo.... your trees really POP!! Thanks for submitting a card to our Stamp, Ink, Paper challenge!!!

Tina's Crop Shop said...


What gorgeous cards Darnell! Those pine trees are just awesome and I love how you used them on the inside as well! Thanks so much for joining us at Stamp Ink Paper for our cardmaker's choice challenge this week!

Bobby said...

Those green marbled cards came in mighty handy, Darnell. Both cards you made with them look wonderful. And that tree sentiment stamp, or sentiment tree stamp, is terrific with the dark green paper, and your schwupt.

Gingin said...

Darnell that paper was perfect for die cut trees! Love your card! Thanks so much for joining us this week at Stamp Ink Paper :)

Helen F. said...

Ohhhh, Love your pretty green marble glossy trees, Darnell! The note cards are a perfect match for that die! The Christmas Tree Words is beautiful~really like all three of those cards too.

Greta said...

Congrats on GD for Stamplorations, Darnell! Great idea to use the notecards for those gorgeous trees! I have the MFT set, but have hardly ever used that tree. You've inspired me!

Olga Fink said...

Congratulations on GD for Stamplorations dear Darnell! what can I say about your cards... I love your style so much! you are so inspiring! I can't pick a favourite!

Anita in France said...

Congratulations on your GD spot, Darnell ... you've done STAMPlorations proud! Gorgeous greens, so striking and bold ... I have a penchant for the white against green word tree ... yum, yum, yum! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Penny Ward said...

You have been super busy, yet these cards certainly don't look quick. Love, love, love the marbling of the trees on card #1. Card #4..gorgeous with that corner die cut. Thanks so much for playing with us at Outside the Box. hugs, :)

LauraJane:) said...

Your cards have me singin'
In the Pines,
In the Pines,
where the sun never shines:)

Laura said...

Beautiful holiday cards. Thank you so much for participating in the Memory Box season's greetings challenge.