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!

November 16, 2013

Happy Christmas Anniversary! ATCAS; Curtain Call; CFC #120; MM #83; PSP #99

How's it going?  Are you getting a chance to get your craft on this weekend?  In whatever crafty way that is, I hope so!

I have to say I had a jolly good time making my card to show you today. 

One of my favorite challenges, Addicted to CAS, is celebrating their first anniversary!  Which just proves that time really does fly when you're having fun!  In honor of that special occasion, the code word is anniversary.
The new sponsor for this challenge is Deedee's Digis and there are other sensational prizes on offer as well!
 
~~~
 
I'm also excited to see a fun marriage of another two go-to challenges I enjoy!  This week the fantastic Curtain Call is teaming up with the equally fantastic CAS-ual Fridays in a two-for-one inspiration challenge, using this photo:
You get to make one project and link in both places and CAS-ual Fridays Stamps is offering an uber cool prize!
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And, last, but not least, another favorite challenge, Merry Monday, threw me for a curve this week when the clever Lesley gave us a brief of stripes, and red, and white, and stars, or hearts. 
Oh, and chocolate.  Oh, goodie, an edible card!  Well, call me late me to class, but I couldn't figure out how to do that, so I ate some chocolate while I pondered what to make.  I'm pretty sure that counts.

See, what I really wanted to make was a happy holiday anniversary card with a Mr. and Mrs. Snowman on it, because lots of people get married around the Christmas holiday, including my SIL and BIL!  The thing is, I don't have a Mr. and Mrs. Snowman image, so . . . round and round the hamster ran, forming ideas.  "Hey," it said, "how about using your circle stamps?"  Shazambam, I love my hamster brain when it clicks in coz, after all, aren't snow people made of circles?

So I took all these wonderful supplies and set to work.
Snow peeps are made by rolling up huge snowballs and when I was a girl growing up in Iowa, we always rolled up three of them to make our snow people.  We gave them bottoms, and middles, and tops.  So, at first I tried making my stamped snow people that way, like this:  (It became scratch paper, so excuse the smudges.)
Yeah, no, I wasn't feelin' it.  This happy snow couple look like they are from the Land of Long and Lean and that's just wrong.  Snow people should be from the Land of Round and Rounder.  (I'm an honorary member there.)
 
So I tried again, using only two circles, and I made this lovable card:
 
Awww, much better, right?  I think they are as cute as freckles with their sweet glances and their carrot noses affectionately engaged in Eskimo kisses!  Which reminds me.  There are snippets used on this card, so a trip to Pixie's Snippet's Playground is in order!  I think my playmates will get a kick out of this!

Oh, and those scarves?  In a happy coininkydink, I found them on free printed Christmas cards sent to me by a charity I donate to, so I fussy-cut them and repurposed them on my card.  BTW, I really did use chocolate.  I altercated my striped ground using SU! "cranberry crisp" red and PTI "dark chocolate" brown.  The circles and hearts were stamped with the dark chocolate ink, too, which looks black in the photos.
 
I hope you had as much fun looking at my card as I did making it!  Now I have an urge to go and make some dark chocolate and cranberry bark.  Yummo!

~~~

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!  Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor! 

  
 
*Life Is Too Short! 

Paper:  PTI white
Stamps:  SU! circle, sediment; unmarked
  stripe; PS "Sunny Side Up" circle; hearts
  by Technique Tuesday "Dig You"
Inks:  PTI dark chocolate, SU! cranberry crisp
Black sparkly Washi tape for eyes, buttons
Corner Chomper

103 comments:

Lindsey said...

This is darling, Darnell! I truly love everything about it. And I agree...the rounder the better. :)

Greta said...

Oh my goodness, Darnell! You've really done it this time--fabulous card!

Cathy said...

Gorgeous card Darnell, perfect for all of those challenges :) Cathy x

Amanda said...

Wow, this card is amazing. I would never of thought of it, my first thought is who makes a stamp of two snow people lol, now I think I may borrow your idea instead. Hugs, Amanda x

Kylie said...

Thank you for your wonderul words on the challenge blog. I CANNOT believe it's been a whole year - wowzers! You have outdone yourself with creating your snow couple. Just adorable! Thanks so much for playing along at ATCAS xx

Gillian R said...

Aw just adorable Darnell. I just love this

Sue said...

Awwww you have created the most romantic looking snow couple ever! I love the sentiment and the gorgeous hearts are the perfect finishing touch.
hugs Sue xx

Karen M said...

Oh how I lOVE this adorable snowman couple and the way that you made them is brilliant:)It's such a fabulous card!! hugs xx

Nan G said...

Darling couple! A fantastic card.

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Oh wow! Darnell it's a fabulous fun card, love the cute image, great sentiment and I'm sure all the playmates will love it too. Well done. X

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for joining in the anniversary celebrations with us at ATCAS a party just wouldn't be a party without you, I even have your favourite Vodka on ice to go with those fantabulous snow persons . Clever you using the circles and love the sentiment .

Marie

Jules said...

Hi Darnell

This is brilliant .. .. loved hearing your thought processes too.

A really special card. Great sentiment too!

Enjoy your Sunday.

Love Jules xx

Sammy said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! LOVE it! I don't know how you CAS-makers do it, but this is such a simple thing, yet I'd never in a million years think of it. And it works so very, very well.

Oh, and in my opinion, eating chocolate while making a card should automatically qualify it for all challenges. :-) x

Karen Davis said...

Your snow people are SOOO sweet! Adorable sentiment. A fun card Darnell. Thank you so much for joining us at Merry Monday.

Canonbury creations said...

Brilliant card Darnell, love your snow couple with their jaunty scarves:)
Val x

Kim M said...

Fantastic card, Darnell! Love how you made the snowman/woman. Very creative! I'd be surprised if it didn't win something from one of those challenges! Hugs! :-)

Mrs A. said...

I love their cute scarves and Eskimo noses. Hugs Mrs A.

Pat said...

Just love your snow people Darnell, so cute, and such a clever idea for a Christmas time Anniversary.

stampwithsandy said...

Oh Darnell what a sweet holiday card to give to a spouse, I love it! Reading your list of ingredients... black parkly washi tape? Must find some! And however did you create those adorable little scarves?

Redanne said...

I just love how your mind works Darnell, this is just the most clever idea ever and I love the fabulous result. Your snow people are just darling and the hearts are so perfect. I just love this card! Hugs, Anne x

Alanna said...

What an absolutely darling card. I love the snow people you created and never would have thought to use those on an anniversary card. Brilliant.

cm said...

Thank you for the early morning giggle and wonderful tutorial on how your card came to be! Long and lean snowman; yeah, wrong! LOVE your darling little stocky fella and full-figured gal; perfect couple and a perfect Happy Anniversary Christmas card. My parents married on Dec. 30th - 55 years ago this coming December!! Thanks for starting my day off with a smile, inspiration and a desire for chocolate which I plan not to resist!! Hugs,
c

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what a great card.
Love the snow people and that sentiment. Fab design too.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Lots of love. Jenny L.

Claire Grantham said...

Hey Darnell, love the final snowman card - it's great and very simple. Glad you cards turned up safely and yes it is a new blog design - glad you like it, I was just experimenting. Clairex

shirley-bee said...

Fabulous card, Darnell! They've got to be the cutest snow couple ever!

Notes by Nina said...

So cute, this sentiment is perfect. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.

Karen Petitt said...

Ypu are so very clever Darnell! A fab way to make a Mr & Mrs snow card. I don't think I have seen circle stamps in the UK - but will keep an eye out for some in the future! A gorgeous card whichever way you made it xx

Marie said...

Utterly delightful, Darnell. If chocolate would help me make cards as amazing as yours are....I would weigh about a TON cuz I would need lots of it!

Jacquie Southas said...

Too cute - definitely right to go with the 2 circle snowman (and yes, IRL we always made them 3 layered). I LOVE the striped stamp you used!

Beverley said...

Fabulous! Hugs Bev x

OH Babs said...

I think with each card you make you become more creative and the cards are all great. You mentioned you grew up in Iowa, so did my husband (Carroll County), and Iowa people are great.

Kathleen said...

This is a fabulous card and well done to the Hamster for the idea lol. Great layout and colours.

Kath x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous card Darnell
love your inlove snow couple
hugs and blessings Tamara

Shannon J said...

You had me at chocolate...!!!
Oh, this snow couple is just adorable!! And that you created them yourself - ah-mazing!!! Might have to sneak a case of this...my parents are celebrating their 42nd anniversary on Dec 18! Now I just have to see if I can create the look of two bickering snowpeople, because they seem to do a lot of that!!! ha ha!! (don't worry, they still put up with each other..I mean..love each other a ton!!)

Brenda in IN said...

Your snowpeople are darling. Love that they are kissing just like anniversary people should be doing! Great card.

Lesley said...

Hey Darnell! That is what I missed! Should have said "Red, White, Stripes, Stars or Hearts and eat a bar of Chocolate"! I will remember for next time! Love your adorable take on the challenge. Those snowpeople are clearly about to melt! I can see their love warming them up from here! Thank you for joining us at Merry Monday!
Hugs,
Lesley

Geri said...

Winner, winner, chicken dinner....without a doubt!!!

Creative, cute, and oh-so-clever! Love the smoochy carrot noses and the black and white snow lines! But what I love the most is their scarves with the flecks of snow and frayed edges...how'd you do that?

Sue said...

Absolutely gorgeous Darnell! huggles Sue xxx

Anonymous said...

These little snow smoochers are adorable, Darnell, from the tips of their little carrot noses to their ... um, uh ... round bottoms! I was wondering just what Geri was ... how did you do those scarves, they're brilliant, so texture-y! Feeling the need for chocolate ... can't think why! Anita :)

Stacey Schafer said...

that is DARLING, Darnell! so glad you could play along at the Curtain Call!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Cute cute cute! Thanks for joining in at ATCAS!

Carole said...

So sweet and curvy...love the scarves...they look like fabric,

Bobby said...

I love seeing what goes on in people's heads as they get creative. It makes me feel like I'm still in my right mind. Your card is just super duper. Love that they are Eskimo kissing.

Loll said...

Sweet snow couple Dolly! :) They are ADORABLE! LOVE the plaid scarves ... and the way you've added the alternating colors of strips at the bottom. Perfect sentiment. Great job covering off all those challenges with this fun card! :) Lolly xx

jimlynn said...

Adorable! Love the little carrot kissing noses - and they look like real snow people! Cute image and a great card.
Lynn

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Darnell,

Yep, the snowcouple with the three circles are too tall and skinny! Love the one you came up with.

Speaking of snow, there's snow on the hills here, enough that you can see the snow runs!

Peace,
kay

Bonnie said...

Awh! What cute snowmen! I don't think I've seen a snowman stamp that cute! And it's a wonderful idea for a winter anniversary!

Greta said...

Thank you so much for letting me know about my runner-up--hadn't checked the DD blog yet & you started my day off with joy! PS--you & Kim are welcome to head north anytime & I'll meet you--would be fun!

Linda Callahan said...

Oh you,do have a way with circles! That is one adorable couple! Sweet sweet card!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Absolutely adorable! Just love the way your mind works!!!

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

What a brilliant anniversary card Darnell! Love your cute snowman design and the fab. tartan scarves!

Thank you for joining in the fun again at ATCAS - Sylvia x

Susanne Vargas said...

Now I really need some chocolate!
Your snow couple is so adorable! What a cute idea for a winter anniversary!

Susanne Vargas said...

And thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog! It made my day!

JD/ Jill said...

How Adorable!

Carol L said...

Well dang, those frozen noses look too flippin' cute! Adorable card!!

Vickie Z said...

Tooo....tooo perfect!! Mr. and Mrs. at their finest!!

Jeanne H said...

Gosh, Darnell, I just love your card! Wonderfully creative. tfs

Kristie Goulet said...

WOW! Look at all your comments!!! No wonder, this card is absolutely adorable!! LOVE!!!

Dianne said...

Oh I love your hamster brain too it's brilliant,eeekkksss the snow couple are perfect, and your right we always used 3 balls but they don't look right, just out of snow I guess, I loooove their scarves, see never throw anything out,and the chocolate look fabulous on the card, it's been a pleasure, lots of chuckles too, thanks for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful creative week, ((( BIG HUGS )))..

Kim Heggins said...

Ok Darnell, you crack me up! I have seen you in person several times and not on one of those times would I ever even begin to think you come from the land of the round and rounder! NEVER! Now on to your card, it is just too darn cute, such a sweet husband and wife with their carrot noses touching, so sweet.

Lisa Elton said...

Perfectly CUTE Darnell!!

Unknown said...

Love how you created your adorable snow couple! The land of long and lean is for the birds!

roffeycreations said...

Really cute clean card - chocolate and cranberry - yum!! Have a great week - Mxx

Anonymous said...

SUPER adorable, Darnell !! I totally AGREE, snow peeps need to be round a cute ~~ tall, not so much... they lean and melt... LOL!! :) :)
Hope all is well and you have enjoyed the weekend!!
Are you ready for another Whoosh of a week?!? xo

Gerrina said...

A fun card and a totally funny told story about the make of it! Warm greetings, Gerrina

Inkyfingers said...

You are a very resourceful woman Darnell, and I love what you did here. Such a great idea - who would have thought of snowpeople having an anniversary!!!
Hugs
Carol x

Lee-Anne said...

OMGoodness, Darnell...you are one resourceful stamper! And your snow couple are just too cute for words!

G Peplow said...

Woohoo Well done Darnell, such a cute snow couple and the list of your challenges is really impressive!! Smiling as ever here on your blog, TFS Hugs Gay x

Di said...

BRILLIANT Darnell! What a fabulous stamp that would make - gonna go into business?

Such a jolly couple and also nicely rounded - as any loving relationship should be :)

Hugs, Di xx

Diane said...

Gorgeous card Darnell the snow people sure turned out cute.

Hugs Diane

Robin said...

Hi Darnell! Your card is so cute!!! Great job! Want to send some dark chocolate and cranberry over this way? Have a wonderful day. Hugs!

walchowDesign said...

You are so funny, Darnell! I enjoyed where you got your inspiration from to make Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, such a wonderful idea!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

Holy cow- 73 comments!!! It's really no surprise!!! This card is amazing! I love those little snow people!!!!! I love the way they are looking at each other- love the glittered hearts (I think I have glittered hearts hanging over me when I look at my husband! Lol)- love the bottom stripes and esp the repurposed scarves!!!!! Fab card x100000000!

scrappymo! said...

This is so darned cute!
Love how you did this.

Barb Ghig said...

Absolutely adorable card, Darnell! I love that you finally chose 2 circles and how you have them kissing...so cute! Love those sweet little glittery hearts, too!

I also enjoy reading about your process...please don't ever stop sharing that with us, it's so FUN!

Mrs Harry said...

Oh Darnell, this is just so cute. And what a lovely simple yet true sentiment. You've done it again, wow!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, very sweet Darnell, talk about melting your heart, or your chocolate if you don't eat it fast enough,lol! Ooh, cranberry and chocolate bark! I'll take min with white or milk choccy please, can't abide dark!

Hugs
Brenda

Hettie said...

Big AWWWWWWW! This is fantabulous!
Hugs
xx

Jenny said...

Wow!! Look at all those comments!!! No surprise really coz your card is just brilliant...... Thank goodness that hamster of yours is keen on its exercise wheel *wink*
Jenny x

Colleen Dietrich said...

How very clever of you, Darnell! And I agree, Try #2 was just the ticket. :)

(I'm comment #80 on this post...wow, you rock girl!)

Unknown said...

This is such a cute card!!! I just love the little snowmen :)

Sylvia said...

So, So cute, Darnell! Snowmen are the best and this card is fabulous and so creative! thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving sweet comments. Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Miriam Prantner said...

This is so cute! I love how it ended up, with their little noses touching and the sparkly hearts. The matching scarves are so sweet too!

Patti J said...

This is so sweet! Can't believe those scarves came free and fit so perfectly! Thanks for sharing :) Glad that I found you! (or that you found me?) lol!

Craftychris said...

oh this is adorable! Those snow people have little personalities all of their own! How cute! And a bit of recycling too! Just to let you know Darren is still very poorly, we have more hospital visit due - still don't know what is wrong. Freya is doing wonderfully! Take care xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Love these little people, so round and wholesome a fabulous way of making them. I am a round person too LOL



Thanks ever so much for your lovely comment on my lampshade.

Karen Petitt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen Petitt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen Petitt said...

your lovely and very generous comments made me smile big all day sweet friend xx

Tracey McNeely said...

I have told you before how brilliant you are, haven't I? Darnell this is so stinkin' cute and brilliant! Wow this is also comment number 99, I have NEVER had that many comments on one post. hee hee hee I think you are loved, I know I do!

Unknown said...

Love, love, love your snowball people Dippy and that sentiment is perfect. Thanks so much for your lovely comments and for joining us in our 1st anniversary challenge at A2CAS.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

maria f. said...

Makin' me hungry, you are. This dude and dudette are just perfect. Love the smiles (in my day those were stones - it's what happens when you live on a lake).
BTW, congrats on your win for your great black and color beauty over at LIM. Loved that card!

Mary Pat Siehl said...

Your snow people are soooo cute! Thanks for your kind comments on my blog today!

Jen W. said...

This is, quite possibly, the cutest card EVER! Your snowpeople are perfect and they really do seem to be gazing adoringly at each other! Serious sweetness. :)

Amanda said...

Hi Darnell, thank you for your lovely comments n my blog. I couldn't believe it when mft announced another sidewalk sale just as my video for the last sale went up, I thnk they call that perfect timing lol. Of course I had to have a little spend too but I won't get to play with my new goodies until next year. Hugs, Amanda x

Alice said...

so adorable and sweet! love this! thanks for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Sarn said...

Well your hamster brain certainly came up trumps this time Darnell.

Very cute indeed.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Jessica Kephart | A Homespun Affair said...

LOVE the Fussy Cut Scarves!! How adorable!!
Thanks so much for playing along with us at the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Blog!

Jessica Kephart
www.homespunelegance.blogspot.com

Chrissy Larson said...

I love their sweet little noses touching. SO CUTE! Love the scarves too!

Cindy Brumbaugh said...

Too, too cute. Love, Love snowmen! My entire Christmas tree is full of them!

Elizabeth said...

Hi Darnell, just taking a few moments out from organising my new craft room to admire your terrific card ... I just love the snowcouple and the sentiment is fab too. Elizabeth xx

Gayatri said...

Clever girl! Love your card, Darnell. Thanks for playing along Curtain Call Challenge.

MaryH said...

Just over to the Playground for a look round, and saw your cutie card as a highlighted item. Good for YOU! It's really a nifty card, and clever you to think to use the circles as you did. I like this MUCH better than if you'd stamped a snow couple. It just made me smile, and loved reading the how-to-s. Always get a chuckle from your posts (and I'm not an honorary round member any more...I think I am a full fledged entry! Today won't help any either!). TFS & Happy T-Day. Hugs