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 31, 2017

A Christmassy Happy Halloween!!

Hello, Stamplings!

Happy Halloween to all of you who celebrate! (But, surely, you do, right? What other time of the year can you justify having a 12-pound bag of small chocolate bars open right in plain sight? You know, as opposed to hidden in the drawer.) I hope the weather cooperates for the little trick-or-treaters so they don't have to wear winter coats to cover up their fabulous costumes!

I do have a Halloweenie card for you, but first off today I'm honored to be the Guest Designer for this week's CASology Challenge #273, thanks to my fruit loop card of a few weeks ago! This week the cue card word is LIST and here's my inspiration for you:
That very strong kitty is from Penny Black's set, "Joy to the World." I operated on the stamp to remove the gift he was holding, stamped him, masked him, and then stamped the giant pencil in his hands. 

The pencil and the note paper are both from the Paper Smooches set, "Smarty Pants." To make the LIST two pages, I stamped and masked the first page and then off-set the second page behind it. 

The fabulous Christmas light necklace was made with a hand-drawn string and repeat stamping of a tiny light from Stamps By Judith. It's hard to see, but lots of Winking was used in the creation of this card!

Here is your cue card badge for this week:
We would love to see how this word trips your creative clean and simple trigger! For more inspiration, please click over to the CASology blog to see what the incredible Design Team has made for you!!

Challenges
~~~

As promised, here is the Happy Halloween card that Hammy and I made for you!
Three Oxies were blended and Hammy rather enthusiastically splattered the area with water. The glossified candy corns were made using an ancient candy corn stamp from Hero Arts, which I repeatedly stamped every whichaway to make a border. The sediment is an even older wooden stamp from an OOB company called California Rubber Stamp.

Challenges
 
Use Your Stuff
~~~

Enjoy your day, those cute costumeers, and all that candy!  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 to return the flavor! I hope to see you over at CASology!








*Life is too short!

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83 comments:

jimlynn said...

CUTE cards! That candy corn looks good enough to eat - and I DO love the stuff!
Lynn

Pat said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell and congratulations on being a GD over at the Casology Challenge, and I love the surgery to remove the parcel and the addition of a pencil instead and also your lovely double page list, needed I'm sure as lists get very long at Christmastime. A beautiful Halloween card too and Hammy did a good job on the splatters, the sweets look very tempting too. x

cm said...

This is one strong kitty - and one gi-normous pencil! The combination of both = smile-making of the mega-watt variety! I could use a few lists myself (and a kitty to keep me on track *grin*). Love his Christmas lights necklace! Hammy did a fine job in splattering the oxides and I'm sure he played a role in helping with the yummy candy corn border, too! Happy Halloween happening all over this card! The folks across the street from us have Halloween-decorated their house like you wouldn't believe; all make-and-matter of 'creepy' stuff, including a 'spooky' house in front of their garage. Super cool - and a little intimidating! We are not even going to try to keep up with them! May have to do a wander over for a closer view later. Weather forecast is for rain/snow and cold, so I think we'll see a number of bundled up trick-or-treaters this evening...
Hugs and love~c

Sandy said...

What a cute card Darnell. Love the changes you made; wow, just sinking in that Christmas is "that" close.

Bunny said...

Allright! I glad to know that other people do surgery without a license. Love the cards. Especially the one that Hammy helped with. It has candy on it.

It's a stinker when the kids have to cover their costumes because of the weather. I remember as a kid having to do that. Your one time of the year to dress up and wham.......bad weather. Next year, can you dress up as Hammy? [Bunny]

Jane Willis said...

Well done for being picked as guest designer at CASology, your style is perfect for their challenges. And these cards are gorgeous examples of your style!
Jane

Migdalia said...

Both of the cards are SO SUPER cute!!The Christmas card is adorable!
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia
Crafting with Creative M

Barb Ghig said...

Happy Halloween, Darnell! CONGRATS again on your well-deserved win and now as GD at CASology! You've done an amazing job stamping, masking and performing quite the professional surgery in the creation of this fabulous card! I love how you carried the theme by selecting stamps from different companies and how your coloring really makes everything pop! The candy corn card you created with Hammy is also really cool! Hammy's splatters are perfect and the shine on the candy make them look good enough to eat :)
Thanks as always, for making me smile...have a fun day with your Trick-or-Treaters!!! Hugs, Barb xo

Mac Mable said...

Great masking and great use of the different stamps for your ever so cute Christmas card. Love the winking lights too. Many congratulations on being the guest designer...so well deserved x Gorgeous Halloween card, vibrant and the splats are genius!...Well done Hammy x Happy Halloween x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two fantastic cards Darnell, I love the necklace of lights that the cat is wearing.

Sue xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, You have chocolate bars open in front of you, what kind of freak are you that you haven't eaten them all yet?:) LOL

I have only ever had Trick or Treaters round once in the 24 years I have lived here.

Love the cards.

Congrats on being Guest Designer.

Hope you are having a nice day. Sue

conil said...

Wow! you've jammed to holidays into one post. (Is Halloween even considered a holiday? It is to me and that's all that matters, right?)
Lots of congratulations for your CASology win and GD assignment. You've pulled off "List" to a tee. Love Penny Black's critters and this rendition is a charming Christmas card, impressive masking and coloring.
Your Halloween card is terrific, too. Think I own the candy corn stamp myself. But you've made it really special with that gorgeous ink blending and their glossiness. Looks like thing. Yum.

Jacquie Southas said...

Congratulations on Guest Designing at CASology this week, Darnell! Love the masking you did to create this little scene! The Halloween card is a beautiful bonus!

This is my true Halloween story. I know give out full size chocolate bars from Costco because I am never tempted to eat a full size bar. I can't control myself around a bag of minis where I take 1 or 2 every few minutes until I'm in a sugar coma and the bag is empty.

Happy Dance said...

Well, after a fun-filled weekend crafting with the grands, and after catching up on things around here, I might be back. I had to, at the very least, stop by your blog today! What a darling kitty Christmas (list) card! The red and green paper behind your main panel not only denotes the Christmas season, but gives it an "airmail" feel. Way to go!! You're pretty darn good at surgery; are you sure you weren't a dr. in a previous incarnation?! Sweet card, and a great take as GD at CASology. Congrats on that, btw!!!! Now I'm not a huge fan of candy corn, but this card is darling. LOVE the CASness of it, and your blending is sensational. Too bad that this sentiment's company went out of business...happens too often, and this is a great font! LOVE the GA on the candies. "Sweet!!" hahahaha. Sorry. Gotta run. xo Bev

Jeanne H said...

What a darling card! Love that strong kitty. Have fun giving out candy (if there's any left). Sending hugs to you!

Leslie Miller said...

Okay... that Christmas card is so darn cute! Reading how you made it makes it even more amazing -- the two page list, the necklace, the masking and pencil. Wow!! I love it so much! I also love the Halloween card you and Hammy made. The design is beautifully simple. Great composition, colors, gloss, inky strip. One might call it CAS, but I can see it took some time. Greatness always takes time. Happy Halloween! We're having pretty weather, thank goodness.

Lisa said...

Both cards are so awesome!! The kitty is too cute!! I love, love the yummy candy corn...my favorite!! Happy Halloween, my friend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

cuilliesocks said...

Love them both Darnell, the kitty is gorgeous and brilliant design, both cards are beautifully coloured, Kate x

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Adorable list ... great to have you as the GD this week at CASolgoy!

Liz said...

Congratulations on your GD spot and what a great card you've created for the challenge. Brilliant design. Great Halloween card too, those candy corns look good enough to eat!

We've just had two little witches knock on the door, so we added to their candy bucket. 😊 xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Ah ah ah!! :D I don't celebrate Halloween, it isn't an italian tradition, but the idea you say, about all that chocolate in a bag, tempts me so much LOL :D
Fabulous both your CAS cards, love especially the first one!! That fun cat with the giant pencil in his hands is just brilliant! Great idea masking the gift to change the image! Congrats for your GD, well deserved!

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, both cards are such fun and are fabulously designed. The pb kitty with his big pencil is darling for sure. The oranges/yellows you blended are gorgeous in your candy corn card.

Melanie Ann MacKenzie said...

Both are really cute cards. Love that kitty hefting up that big pencil for the To Do list. Penny Black cats are just the best. And your Halloween card is great...clean and simple...really nice. Happy Halloween to you and yours. And yes...I agree about the giant bag of candy. Hehehe. Cheers.

Trina P. said...

Congratulations on GD at CASology. Your kitty is adorable checking off his list. And beautiful ink blending in your Halloween candy card. Sweet cards. 😉 Have a happy Halloween! Trina xx

Berina RGA said...

Congratulations on being the Guest Designer for CASology! Beautiful cards.

Ina G said...

Funeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Holiday To Do List card Darrnelle. Love him to bits. Glad to see hammy helping yout with your halloween card. what would you do without him. Both cards have turned out fabulously.

Janis said...

Adorable cards, as always!! Love PB kitties. <3

So I need someone to make this meme...
Here's the scene: overweight lady in grocery store checkout line with two bags of Halloween candy. Caption: "Hasn't had a single trick-or-treater in years. Buys 2 bags of candy, just in case."
That was me last night at the store!!! Hahaha... Halloween? I love it!!!

I totally have my eyes on that yummy candy corn card. Great old stamps! I, too, have some wonderful old BOOB FALT stamps...been out of business for a long time!...but I still use many of them!! I would sooner get rid of some of my newer acquisitions than those old faves.

Happy Halloween!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

scrappymo! said...

Bath cars are FABULOUS! Love the way you amended the first to hold the pencil for the list. I must say that card gives off a feeling of being overwhelmed by Christmas fast approaching. We all know that feeling at times!

Thanks for taking part in the October Rudolph Days Challenge.

Anonymous said...

Two great cards Darnell.
Love how you created the list card - very clever.
We don't do Halloween so much here but it is getting bigger - noticed loads of little people out last night. If mine were younger I am sure they would want to go.

Susan said...

Two great cards, especially the Christmas one - what a lot of creative adapting you did to add the pencil and the lights! That strong kitty made me smile!

HJ said...

How cute is your Christmas card with the very strong kitty holding that huge pencil. So darn cute!! I love the font of the Halloween card's sentiment. Beautiful weather here in Delaware for the little ones tonight. I love to greet them at the door...some are polite, some are greedy wanting more than one, some are shy and some are talkative and want to tell me about their costume or that I don't have their favorite candy. All are adorable.

Redanne said...

I officially love Halloween, even though we did not get a single trick or treater at the door tonight :( . Hammy's enthusiastic splashing looks wonderful on your Halloween card. Happy Halloween to you and Hammy!

The Christmas card is brilliant, you did an excellent job with the masking! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Kathleen said...

Your first card is brilliant, very cleverly put together and wonderful images, tip top card.
Love the Halloween card too, the colours are gorgeous.

Kath x

Ruth said...

What fabulous cards. I le the CASology and feel like I should have a play. I'm always making lists, but never seem to get any of it done 😂 As for candy corn, well, the jury is out on that one. I've had a try of it, but I'm not convinced.... I've been munching on sweets now that the trick and treaters have gone..... tee hee hee xx

Barb said...

Congratulations on your Guest Designer spot Darnall. Two super cards. What a good idea to add the pencil. Great stamping. A really cute and fun card. Barbxx

Carol L said...

Both cards are super cute, and I'm loving that big pencil Mr Kitty is holding! Loving the CAS Halloween card too and how cute that candy corn looks on the border! Happy Screamie Weemie Halloweenie!

Birgit said...

Your first card is so cute with Ms. Kitty holding up the pencils. Your Halloween card is simple and fun...nothing scary

Bobby said...

I love your ingenuity and masking capabilities on your wonderful "to do list" card, Darnell. Hammy's candy corn looks good enough to eat.

Valerija said...

Such delightful cards, beautifully done!
Valerija xx

Anonymous said...

congrats on your guest designer spot! oh my goodness, this christmas card is too cute!! so creative, so CAS but with so much detail. i've never performed surgery on a hedgie image before but your results are fabulous. thank you so much for sharing your lovely creation with us at the Rudolph Days challenge!
linda
Rudolph Days Challenge DT

Bonnie said...

What creativity you and Hammy have used on this Christmas kitty! He needs to get started early with that long list! And your candy corn makes a wonderful Halloween card! Love all that bright yellow and orange! No calories either! Happy Halloween!

JoAnn said...

Such cute cards. Love the to do list one.

SmilynStef said...

Love that fun little stamp ... beautiful coloring ... so glad you joined our *creature feature* at jingle belles.

Cris G. said...

What would you do without Hammy? A real pro, in what concerns to splattering :)! Nevertheless, I'm impressed with all the details that you mastered in the first card. So many fun "upgrades" of the original stamps... I just love the big cat using a necklace of Christmas lights and getting all ready for the Holiday Season :)!
Love the bold candy corns in the second card, looks pretty yummy!
Congratulations on being a GD for this week's CASology Challenge!

Cris G. said...

P.S. - Almost forgot... Happy Halloween!

Cheryl W. said...

That's some very creative stamping there, Darnell. It would have taken me days just to search through my stamps and figure out what I could use where and how. You must have a better recollection of what is in your collection of stamps than I do! Great cards today. The colors on your Halloween card look incredible! I haven't tried the oxide inks yet, but the more I see of them, the more I'm tempted.

Jenni's Jems said...

Congrats on your GD spot Darnell and such a fun and cute card!!!and those sweets on your Halloween card look good enough to eat !x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Congrats on GT, fantastic cards
hugs Tamara

ike said...

Eee ! Super cute kitty Chrimbo card and I love the Halloween one. Great colour and excellent shiny bits :-D xxxxxxxxxxxx

Mandy said...

Fabulous cards Darnell! The Penny Black image is adorable and I love the warm Autumn colours on your second card.
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Mandy xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards. I love your blending and I might be in the minority because I love candy corn too!
Hugs,
Em xoxo

Craftychris said...

Your Christmas list card is adorable! the way you have altered the image is so clever! Gorgeous inking on the Halloween card - fab shiny candy corn - I have not heard of candy corn before. Hugs xxxxxxxxxxx

lauren bergold said...

such amazing CAS cards, as always i'm in awe! of course i'm bound to say the kitteh with the GIANT PENCIL (you are too clever!) is my fave! :) so pleased you could join our "creature feature" fun at JINGLE BELLES!

Donna said...

Two fabulous cards, your Christmas card is so cute and the candy corn is stunning, that stripe with the splatters is stunning!

Brenda in IN said...

Love the cards, especially the candy corn one. That is my favorite Halloween treat. I did not realize you were a surgeon and don't even play one on tv. That was a very successful operation and the patient looks so well with his pencil. Even strong enough to hold it up! Hammy came through as always and did a great splatter job. Congratulations on being the GD and making such a fun card.

Sarah said...

These are very cute Darnell, especially the cat and his oversized pencil xx

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards as always ..... love the Halloween one and I think I need a giant pencil like the kitty cat, I'm going to need a list of all my lists soon!! xx

shirley-bee said...

Congratulations on your DT spot at CASology, Darnell! Love your doctored kitty with his garland of lights. The splatters on the blended panel of your halloween card look like sparklers or fireworks.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Your holiday to-do list only has TWO PAGES in it? You lucky dog! I like you card and I could use a very strong cat around the house since Heavy Lifting Man moans too much. Great job on the stripe on the H'ween card. We actually got some TnT-ers this year. We had way more candy than they required because you can't be too prepared when it comes to 12 lb bags of candy.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Such a cute first card and love how you changed the image to hold a big pencil. That is so darling and love the sentiment. And, the Halloween card is wonderful too and the candy corn looks good enough to eat. Yum!

Sheila H said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell! And congrats on your guest design position.

Fikreta said...

Those are so very nice cards!
love them!
hugs

Karen Dunbrook said...

love your sweet cards mf...so well done. So happy for you.
xx Karen

Ros Crawford said...

Congrats on your design spot! And what suer cards for today... You rocked all those challenges! You cat is so cute and beautifully coloured and I love your glossy sweets... we don't have them here, I had a lot of different sweets for the children who come calling and you know they can be so rude ... One asked if he could take as many as he wanted and one told me he didn't like anything I had ... Neither of them were more than 5 years old! Sheesh! All we had when we were kids was was duck apple night! No free candy at all!

Sharon Underwood said...

What great cards! Love your work, as usual, Darnell. Glad Hammy's there to keep you smiling!

Inkyfingers said...

What an adorable Christmas card Darnell and I love the light string necklace - so clever! The Halloween card is a lovely CAS design too. I stood by on Halloween with an enormous stock of sweet treats but was only visited by one little skeleton chappie! He took handfuls of sweets but I'm left with a pile that I just know will end up in my tummy:-( xxx

Kara Lynne said...

I LOVE the combination of that PB cat with the PS pencil and Christmas light necklace! Way to play with design, Darnell! Your candy corn looks even better than the real thing - such vibrant colors and oh so Halloweenie!

Jane said...

Super CAS and vey beautifully blended! A real eye candy card with those yummy orange colours. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards.

Jerrie said...

That holiday to do list should be full! Do you have as much holiday to do's as most do? I love that cat and he has at least two pages to fill. Lucky he has his pencil too!! Your candy corn card is beautiful! Love the design and that gorgeous strip!

Tracy said...

Both cards are so cute!!!
Wonderfully coloured as well :)

Greta said...

Wow--great cards, Darnell! So clever how you created the first one & I absolutely love the beautiful blending & design of your Halloween card! We had good weather, but never get many kids. Good thing I didn't buy much candy as we already finished off what was left--haha!

Andrea said...

What a fabulous and fun Christmas card.The cat looks quite a character. Love the colouring on your Halloween card crafty hugs Andrea xx

Ksenija @Sweet Kobylkin said...

Darnell, love your Halloween card! This sentiment really stands out on a well blended stripe. Thank you so much for sharing your card with us at AAA Cards Challenge. - Sweet Kobylkin

Sybrina K said...

Hi Darnell! Love both these cards! There's something about that air-mail-background paper in the first card, and that inky stripe on the second that really spoke to my crafty heart. :)

Cara said...

Two fabulous cards. I certainly haven't been indulging in any left over chocolate bars *hides empty wrappers...*

missgailly said...

LOVIN' both your cards! What a cool way to add some dimension to your candy corn. Thanks for playing along at USE YOUR STUFF - Gail

Anita in France said...

Yay ... many congratulations on guest designing with CASology, Darnell ... what an adorable (and very strong) cat ... he's my kind of critter with that huge pencil and a stack of paper ready to make lists! Great colouring and such a cute little festive necklace!! Love that blended stripe ... the colours are so rich and scrumptious ... and the shiny candy corn is so cute with it! LYAMYMAAHYHAWW ... WEMS! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Macarena said...

Cute and sweet, love the image and the scene. Thank you for joining SSS Monday Challenge.

Ã…saJ said...

Such a beautiful Halloween card Darnell! Love your blending and the glossy accent! Thanks for joining AAA Cards! Hugs Ã…sa

Melissa L. said...

Congrats on your win at CASology! :) Super cute cards!!

Mrs A. said...

super kittie card and do hope your eye is ok now with all that winking of. Hugs Mrs A.

maria f. said...

12 lbs would have gone a long way for my 18-20 trick-or-treaters! But hey, more than last year so it's all good.
Congrats on your GD. You're GD-in all over the place right now, aren't you? Yay for you. And Hammy.
Speaking of which... LOVE the candy corn border. Doesn't get any better than candy corn. Well, maybe candy corn paired with DI blending...

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Fabulous cards. I have no idea what a candy corn is but love the colours.
Mr D could demolish that amount of chocolate without it touching the sides lol!
Ang x