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 1, 2013

Santa G. Claus ~ MUSE#41; Merry Monday; NBUS#67; Pixie's#96

Whoosh!

You know it's a Friday again when you see that!  Woot!

The Mister and I enjoyed seeing the little neighborhood darlings who came to the door last night.  I hope you had a wonderful Halloween walking with your trickertreaters or dropping huge fistfuls of candy into their collection vessels while their eyes widen with delight!
 
Our DIL sent us this photo showing how the grandtwins were costumed:
Knauss warriors off to face the Halloween day Battle of Candy.  Be brave, my sons.
Adorable!  It's fun to see how siblings imaginations are so individual!
 
~~~
 
For this week's Merry Monday, we are to employ a Santa on our cards.
As the days shorten and speed by, Christmas is barreling down on us.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  This site is a great go-to site for inspiration, and no wonder, since the Design Team and gallery cards are always outstanding!

I'm finally using snippets this week, so I can go play with my friends at Pixie's Crafty Workshop!  It's so nice to have our beloved Head Mistress back from vacation.  She still has no idea about the cabbages. 
 
And if you haven't seen this week's MUSE Card Club inspiration card, check this OUT!
Is that not the coolest card?!  Janet Ribet of Swanlady Impressions is the wonderful MUSE this week and I couldn't wait to play along!

Here is my card:
This is Santa G. Claus.  The G. stands for Gnome.  I love that he is dressed in nontraditional Christmas colors.  [In the comments below, Sammy tells me that one of her blogging buddies Mina (Pinkpuds) told her that traditionally Santa's suit was blue or green, depending on what country you lived in. It was changed to red by a certain soft drinks company for their seasonal ads! So technically, I did make a traditionally-colored Santa!  Thanks, Sammy!]

My gnome is NBUS and it's from Paper Smooches.  I can't take credit for the genius idea of turning a gnome into Santa.  I saw it recently on this post by Elena on her Just Me website.  Thank you again, Elena!
 
I placed a hill of snow onto my card and overlaid it with piece of snowy vellum.  I didn't even have a whole sheet of the vellum in my stash and, boy, do I wish I knew where it came from so I could get some more of it.  The snowy vellum was placed over the card and the word "peace" (also NBUS) from a PTI set was stamped onto the vellum.  Then my fussy-cut Santa ganome, colored with SU! markers, Wink of Stella, and Glossy Accents, was popped on top.
 
It is hard to capture the sparklyness of the Wink of Stella in Santa's beard and mustache.  I see now that I forgot to color his little cheeks, nose, and ears in a rosy pink.  Oh well, let's just say it's SOOO freezing cold where he is that all the color has drained away! 
 
Next I popped on Santa's hat ball made from a circle punched from more VOS in my stash, a sort of brushed velvet that I've had since forever and only use for Santa's hat ball and Easter bunny tails.  Normally Santa's shoes would be shiny black, but I had to make them lushilicious blue orbs to mimic Janet's droplets of yummy color.
 
As long as we're talking about MUSE, I'd like to thank all of you who either participated by CASEing my card last week or left me sweet comments about the card and post.  Mwah!
 
~~~
 
Which brings me to a request for prayers for a dear friend of mine, and possibly yours, as well.  Her name is Anne and her blog is Redanne.  Another sweet friend, Jenny, from Pushing the Right Buttons has written so well about what's happened, I will let her tell you:
"Hi everyone. I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating; you can make some wonderful friends through crafting/ blogging, and I'm lucky enough to have some of the best on the planet. One of those beautiful people is Anne (Redanne) who I'm sad to report is poorly at the moment. It is a measure of her incredible selflessness and thoughtfulness that, lying in hospital after a fall at the weekend, one of her first concerns was to let her blogging friends know that she wasn't ignoring them deliberately or falling behind on commenting on their work.
"Knowing Anne, she'd be mortified that I'm letting you know and asking you to send your thoughts and prayers her way as she never seems to think she is worthy of attention. Knowing you guys, you'd be equally mortified that you'd been left unaware of Anne's plight and the opportunity to send those thoughts and prayers her way. On the horns of that dilemma I thought it right to keep you all 'in the loop'.   
I'm sure there'll be lots of you out there who will be putting those crafting skills to good use creating a little something for Anne. For those [in the UK] who would like to contribute to a collection for some flowers on Anne's return home, please contact Brenda Brown (another of my 'rocks') who has incredibly kindly offered to coordinate this; brenda_brown25@hotmail.com."

Thank you for sharing so beautifully, Jenny. 

If you could take a moment to send Anne your positive vibes or prayers for a smooth and speed recovery, I would appreciate it very much, as I know she would.  If you would like to send Anne a card, please email me for her address.  (My email link is located on my profile page.)  Thank you!
 
~~~
 
I'd also like to thank our newest friend Viv of Viv's Visuals for joining us!  Viv has been blogging since 2008 which means you could lose yourself for days and days enjoying her wonderful works of art!  Welcome Viv, we're so happy to have you join the party!

~~~

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:  SU! Bermuda bay; PTI white;
  unknown velvet and vellum
Stamps:  Paper Smooches "Forest Whimsy";
  PTI Think Big Favorites #9
Ink:  SU! Bermuda bay
Wink of Stella white; Glossy Accents


68 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love it so much, gnomie!! ;))
Santa gnome is coming to town!! Hee hee ! Fab & fun colors !! :))

Saying a prayer for Anne right now!!
Hope you hear good things soon!!
:))
Enjoy the weekend!!
Looks like the boys had a rip roaring time !!! :))

scrappymo! said...

The twinks look great! Bet they enjoyed Halloween!

Your card is a cutiepie. That shade of blue looks wonderful and yes, you do need to colour his skin!!! lol

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

Love the colours and snowy vellum. A fun, sparkly take on the Muse Challenge. Thanks for playing.

None None said...

Darnell, this is utterly charming!!! I love your gnome Santa and how you combined the challenges. Love the green blue shoes and hat and the vellum overlay is GAWJUS!

stampwithsandy said...

The twinks are just too cute!!! Great photo. And your Santa gnome is adorable, perfect for Merry Monday!

Renee said...

Adorable kiddos!
And a fun and precious take on the challenges...
love that Santa in blue!

Viv said...

A great card Darnell - the muse card was wonderful and your own interpretation is terrific! Thanks for the mention too - appreciate it!!

Hannelie said...

Hi Darnell... enjoyed reading your post... love your card... as always!
Hugs
Hannelie

Sammy said...

Brilliant costumes! And I can just imagine you handing out huge fistfuls of treats to everyone! :-)

And I love your gnome santa! One of my blogging buddies (Mina (Pinkpuds) mentioned recently that actually traditionally, santa's costume was blue or green, depending on what country you lived in. It was changed to red by a certain soft drinks company for their seasonal ads! So technically, you *did* make a traditionally coloured card! lol.

And I have not had the pleasure of bumping in to Anne in Blogland yet, but good thoughts will on on their way to her just the same! x

Lisa Elton said...

Wowzers the twinks look GREAT, bet they brought home a big candy haul!! What a fun card Darnell, Mr. Santa G. Claus is s hoot!! Prayers for Anne, she sounds like a lovely lady.

Greta said...

So creative & cute & perfect for the challenges, Darnell! Darling picture of the twins!

jimlynn said...

This is the coolest Santa ever!!! Love it in the non-traditional colors! That vellum snow is the "cats meow" too!!! CUTE card
The twins are adorable all decked out for Halloween - hope they had fun.
Prayers being sent for Anne too.
Lynn

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the costumes! Santa Claus came to our house last night - said he was collecting candy for the elves who were too busy in the workshop to trick or treat this year. Santa G Claus is delightful - I know I have some of that same vellum stashed away somewhere and can't believe I never "saw" it as snowfall - well done!

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the costumes! Santa Claus came to our house last night - said he was collecting candy for the elves who were too busy in the workshop to trick or treat this year. Santa G Claus is delightful - I know I have some of that same vellum stashed away somewhere and can't believe I never "saw" it as snowfall - well done!

Jean said...

LOVE this Santa / gnome ~ the coloring is fantastic and the snow vellum is just fab! The twins look cute as ever.

Anonymous said...

Snort, that made me laugh! A Christmas Gnome, only in Darnell's world, lol! Lovely card you cased too. Only one set of trick or treaters for us last night. I rained absolutely all day, and I really do mean ALL DAY! Poor wee mites didn't look happy!

Hugs
Brenda

Ardyth said...

This is a really fun take on this week's Muse! I love the 'traditional' colours! Thanks for joining us this week!

Canonbury creations said...

Love your Santa Gnome, Darnell, such a benevolent expression on his face! Love the twinks costumes, hope they did well on their trick or treating:)
Val x

Di said...

Great card and photos Darnell. Those little fellas look so flipping cute - I'd have given them two dips into the treat bucket here!

Just off to see what I can do about Redanne - she has been a very sweet commenter for ages now. Wishing her love :)

Di
xxx

Viv said...

Oooh Dr Arnell what fabulousness here again! you never fail to put a smile on my face:),loving the Twins costumes and your Santa gnome card.....looks like he ate all the mince pies too he he. I will keep Anne in my thoughts and prayers too :) Viv xx

Deepti said...

oooo your Santa is the cutest :) love ur take on the MUSE :)

Mrs A. said...

Well we had a bowl of sweets and chocklit bars ready by the door and not one trick or treater in sight all night!! My grandson on the other hand had 3 sets bang on his door and when it got to the 3 set of children who dived into the fast diminishing sweetie pot he was most put out and said 'Hey not too many!!!' Thankfully my daughter had a separate bowl for him hidden indoors so all was well especially as his bowl had plastic mice in it too. Love your Gnomie BTW and sending healing thoughts for Red Anne. Hugs Mrs A.

Notes by Nina said...

Love it Darnell, your card is adorable. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.

Benzi said...

Too, too cute. Love the blues and the snowy vellum. You've really made those shoes shine, too. I love your card!!!!!

Carole said...

Yes Redanne will have my prayers and visualizing her well and vibrant. Gnome Santa is precious...so dang cute it's silly. And the boys look spectacular in their chosen identities. Thanks for sharing.

Kim M said...

Oh my. Darnell that is too cute! I love your take on the Muse card. :-(

Bonnie said...

What a fun "Santa"! Love those shiny shoes and fuzzy hat ball! Hee, hee, never heard it called that before. Makes me think of hair ball, but that's a whole other fuzzy. Thanks for bringing him over to Merry Monday to join the Santa fun!

JoAnn said...

So cute and creative. Love it, especially the snowy vellum. Thanks for leaving me some love on my blog.
I love reading your posts, very inspiring. My best to Ann.

Sue - said...

Love your blue gnome Santa!! The boys look very smart. Not one trick or treater here so I have lots of sweets going spare! Always have some on hand just in case, but rarely get any callers.

Unknown said...

Just love the boys costumes Dippy.....and their individuality; amazing. As for your Santa G Claus he's absolutely great. Love the colouring - looks so good in these colours (it is correct about a certain drinks company changing his outfit to red!). Thoughts and prayers being sent to Anne.....can you let me have her address so I can send a card please.

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Sari said...

Your Santa is the sweetest ever. Love the colour combo too.

Nan G said...

Santa Gnome! Yep only at Darnell's! (grin) The twins are adorable. Love the fur ball on Santa...bet it would make a great beard too. I'd say very cold, so cold he was kissing Mrs. Santa Gnome and got her lipstick on his lips. giggle giggle Oh is this a PG rated blog? :)) And...well wishes and prayers going out to Redanne!!

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

Hi Dolly. I love the way you've colored your Santa G. Claus with the SU! markers. So ingenious ... and I love the effect. The vellum with the falling snow overlay on your card is brilliant. Lolly xx

Geri said...

Two handsome military men...both thrilled to be defending their country!

Santa G Claus has got to be the funkiest Santa ever!!! Elena is one resourceful crafter! You turned her idea into your own by coloring him with these totally non-traditional colors. Love the gloss and the gorgeous velum snow!

And you're right...frost bite does turn skin white...don't as me how I know....

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Tottaly gorgeous cards
love the blue circle christmas tree
hugs Tamara

Shannon J said...

Darnell, I love Gnomey Claus so much! I am a HUGE fan of the non-traditional...the fabulously coloured green and blue Santa is right up my alley! So sweet! Thanks for sharing the story too about Anne - we are so lucky to be part of such a caring, thoughtful community! Thank you so much too, for leaving a little note on my blog about my little sabbatical - my heart was smiling to know that you had missed me xoxo!!!

Carol L said...

Santa G looks adorable! I wonder if he;s related to Kenny G? :)
Love the pic of the grands in costume too! So different and both so cute!!

Happy Dance said...

You are definitely one of my 'gnome girls'. Very clever and cute card. That vellum and your coloring...awesome!! Will add Anne to prayer list. Have a great weekend sweetie pie. Bev

Joyce said...

What a cute pic of your grandtwins, and a super card, too.

Bobby said...

I think your gnome makes a perfect Santa and I don't mind him being blue. In fact I have a handmade Santa dressed in blue. And the snow is on the vellum? I thought it was an embossing folder.

I'm sorry to hear about Redanne. She's in my prayers for sure.

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell I know you don't want to hear this, but the twinks are growing up and looking quite dashing for Halloween. Gorgeous cards as always and I love Santa Knome!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Santa G Claus looks very dapper in his blue and green!!! I love the vellum snow! So pretty!
The twins look so handsome!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Cute Grandtwins costumes!! Love your adorable Santa more! :)

Karen M said...

Gorgeous card Darnell - love this gnome as a santa - he is adorable! I loved seeing the boys in the costumes & so glad they had fun - hugs xx

Sarn said...

The inspiration card is sensational . . . but then so is you gnome Santa . . . how cute is he?

I don't know Redanne, but will send positive thoughts her way nonetheless!

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Dianne said...

Your card is beautiful, I loooooove your blue Santa Gnome, and the vellum looks so kool. Now a BIG thank you and Buttons for letting us know about our dear sweet Anne, I went and gave her some love and healing wishes. I haven't been to Mina's blog in a long time, she is still making gorgeous cards, Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful weekend..BIG HUGS...

Laurie Unger said...

I have this stamp and you have now given me a few more ideas on how to use him! Thanks for the inspiration!

Susan Joyce said...

Darnell, thanks for the smile. I love to read your conversation. Your card is so cute, and the colours are fabulous. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.

cm said...

Your Santa G. Claus, sporting his 'technically traditional' attire is delightful! Your links to those who sparked your inspiration: wonderful! More amazing people to *meet* + more amazing creativity to admire. Your "officer and a gladiator' (isn't there a movie by that name :-)) are splendid in their costumes! Unique young men, indeed! Thank you for sharing news about Ann - prayers and virtual hugs heading her way (I'm sending them angel-wing express!). Awesome post - and day-brightening, which is much needed on this stormy, snowy day!! Hugs ~ c

Marie Bingaman said...

Santa G. Claus is so dang cute!! And he looks really good in blue! :)

Kim S said...

Santa G. Claus does look icy cold. I'm hoping you warmed him up and added some color to his cheeks after you posted him!!!

Vickie Z said...

The twinks look fabulous....ahhh, yes different personalities!! The MUSE card is fab...what a funky tree... And your Santa gnome...just as funky!! Fantastic card!!

wienerhoneymooners said...

Amazingly fabulous!

wienerhoneymooners said...

Amazingly fabulous!

Kim Heggins said...

Sweet kids...just too cute! thank you for sharing their photo. As for your card, just too darn cute...I love that little guy and did something so fun with him! Thanks for sharing about Ann too, will be sure to keep her in my prayers.

Brandi said...

This is just so fun!!!

Mrs.D said...

Darnell, I love your Santa Gnome, he is so different and I love that you haven't get the CC colours. He is much nicer looking in those bluey green colours. He looks peaceful to echo that lovely sentiment.
And of course I will pray for your friend Anne, for healing, for peace and for the joy of the Lord.
Blessings Chris

OH Babs said...

Oh boy that is a darn cute gnome santa and those grandsons are just as cute. How much time do you spend reading all these lovely comments and then find time to make amazing cards?

Deepti Stephens said...

That's really a very sweet card,Darnell.. :)

Christine said...

Darnell, this card is GENIUS! So clever, I love it! :)

Lesley said...

This is so much fun, Darnell! Love the blue and white card with Santa! Great idea. The twins look fabulous for Halloween! Bet they had a great time! Thank you for joining us at Merry Monday!

Margaret Moody said...

Wonderful card, Darnell! Love your cute Santa and the bright and cheery color scheme!

Laurie said...

First off the twins....adorbs! I love their costumes! Your card is adorable too! I love your coloring and he is just too cute!

OH Babs said...

I read your comment and was unsure what you meant about the email address and now I know and will click the box. I use a different email address for mail and this is just for the blog and a third account is for junk. Can I keep them straight? No I have to look on my I-phone - a fourth account.

Unknown said...

Cute! Love the vellum overlay. Must remember to try that out!

PiecesbyEmily said...

Your grand-kids are adorable. Love their costumes. Awesome!

maria f. said...

Lovin' your Jerome atop the snow. And you have such a big heart... you know that. Positive vibes going Anne's way.