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 13, 2013

Midnight Snow and Ice ~ CFC #123; CHCB; SSSW

Season's Greetings!
 
We have whooshed around, faster than evah, to Friday!
 
I really miss challenges and blogging and am easily detracted as you all know, so I took another break from Christmas cards to whip up a QACAS card for you, which I will get right to or otherwise it will melt.  Today's challenges are: 
  1. The wonderful CAS-ual Fridays Challenge is "Let it Snow!"
  2. Craftyhands Challenge Blog
    A challenge called Crafty Hands Challenge Blog, which is new to me!  The theme of the current month-long challenge is "Season's Greetings or Winter."

  3. The always generous Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge where the theme is "Let It Snow."
Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
Join in the fun with the challenges, why don't you?  You can click on any of the links for the rules and for sponsor and prize details.

~~~
 
As I introspected with the hamster regarding these challenges, we came up with a moonlit nighttime frigid snowy wonderland where giant silvery icicles form and gentle snow falls:
I'm pretty sure moonlit and nighttime are needlessly repetitive, even if you do occasionally see the moon lit in a daytime sky.

The snowy mountains are just part of the pattern of a handmade paper that I have among my mountain of very old schtuff (VOS), including mulberry and handmade papers. 
I was really into all these kinds of beautiful papers a decade ago, and I'm hoping to bring them out to play more often next year.  [Trend alert.] 
 
So my quick and clean and simple card was made by adhering a portion of that paper (cut "just so" to make it look like snowy mountains) to a card base.  I over-stamped the sediment in silver ink and to finish it off, I added a topper of frozen icicles cut from shiny silver paper using a grass die.  I'm pretty sure I saw the grass die used for icicles somewhere before in the Land of Blog, but I'm sorry, I've forgotten where, so I can't give proper credit.  Thank you, whoever you are; I think it is a terrific idea!

~~~

In our New Friends Corner today, I would love to introduce you to:

Wendy of Wee Bee Stampin' 4 Fun.  Wendy has been blogging since 2010, which means there is lots of fun ~ and I do mean fun ~ card art on her site.  She also does lots of other terrific projects for gifts.
 
My Photo
Sylvia of Little Treasures by Sylvia.  Sylvia has been blogging since the end of 2010 and she is a friend I often see on our favorite Wednesday challenge:  WOYWW.
 
My PhotoNext we have Vicki of Cards By Vicki.  Vicki has been blogging since 2012 and also makes the most adorable cards!  I have had the pleasure of meeting Vic on the Playground over at Pixie's.

Welcome, ladies, and thank you so much for joining the party!!

~~~

Our annual photo card Christmas card just came in so I thought I would share it with you:
~~~

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! 
  
Displaying Darnell Signature.png 
*Life Is Too Short!

Project Details
Paper  PTI white; unknown handmade silver/black
Stamps     SU! unknown set
 Ink Color Box silver
AccessoriesDie:  Poppy Stamps, "Grassland Border"




50 comments:

Happy Dance said...

Hey girly! This is an absolute stunner! So glad you went through your vos, and made snow-covered mountains. Simply wonderful, my friend. Now about your Christmas card... for a homeless guy, he's rather clean and quite handsome! See if he's a keeper. LOL. Great cards. Bev

Happy Dance said...

P.S. I WAS FIRST!!!! WOOHOO!!!!
(and second)

Alanna said...

Your card is beautiful along with the paper. And your Christmas card is lovely.

Sanketi said...

Beautiful, I just love handmade paper!
Thanks so much for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays this week!

Lisa Elton said...

Wowzers Darnell that handmade paper couldn't have been anymore perfect for this card! That hamster of yours has s good memory!! VERY cute family photo, SO nice of you to take in the homeless guy he fits right in ;)

Karen P said...

Beautiful card Darnell, love that you for the mountains from the beautiful paper. Love the family card more! Have a good weekend huni, they are whoshing past way too quick these days lol! xx

Pat said...

A lovely card Darnell and as usual a very clever design. Like the photo too. x

Colleen said...

Darnell, I am so glad that you are sharing your wonderful stash of papers with us...that is a beauty and it made a gorgeous card! Well done, my friend! Beautiful family photo, too!

Melissa Bove said...

Such a gorgeous card! Love it!!

Love your Christmas card too!! Beautiful family!! Even the homeless guy! hehe

Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

hugs...
Melissa

Susanne Vargas said...

Awesome card! I was wondering how you made those cool moonlit mountains! Yes, please start a trend and bring back handmade and mulberry paper as I also have quite a collection of them stacked away!
Love your family card! It made me laugh! How nice of you to invite a homeless guy to the photo session!

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. Love your moonlight snowy scene. What a great idea to use the grass die for icicles - will have to give that a try for myself! :)

Great family photo ... you are so blessed. Lolly xx

Unknown said...

Oh wow, what a gorgeous card!! I just love the little icicles on the top and your picture captures them perfectly :)

Miriam Prantner said...

Love that you were able to use your VOS to create this gorgeous card, fantastic sparkle and texture and thanks so much for sharing that great family photo!

Carol L said...

Isn't it funny what different things we all see? In your "mountains" I see whales underwater showing as white fish! LOL Crazy huh? {making an eye Dr appt soon} Neat card either way! Love the Christmas card too - great photo!

Bobby said...

That paper made wonderful mountains. And about that "homeless guy". I'm with Bev. He looks pretty good.

Greta said...

I was into mulberry paper, too--might have to see where mine has been hiding. The snow mountains are just great & the grass turned to icicles is fabulous! LOVE this card, Darnell! Wonderful family photo--truly a treasure!

Cathy said...

Lovely card Darnell, it looks so cool. Great family pic too :) Cathy x

Mary said...

Darnell, love your post. I too have handmade papers that have not seen the sun in some time. Maybe you will have started a trend! Very nice card. I've not seen the Poppystamps grass used as ice, it worked! Thanks for the kind words about my pup. He and I appreciate it. FYI...he is looking much more chipper today! Love the family photo. You have a beautiful family! Blessing to you and yours this holiday season. I hope to see you often in 2014.

Redanne said...

That snowy card is just so darn clever! Love the icicles at the top, brilliant work as ever. Your family card is beautiful, what a great looking family you are and what a lovely idea for a Christmas card. Big hugs, Annie xx

Karen M said...

Gorgeous card Darnell - Love all the snow! Your family photo is lovely and the homeless guy made me laugh:) Hugs xx

Sammy said...

Wow! That's a stunner Darnell!
And what a great family photo too.

With DT hat on: Thank you for joining the latest Crafty Hands challenge. Sammy-x

Kristie Goulet said...

WOW! This card really stuck out to me on the CAS-ual Fridays challenge blog and I had to hop on over and leave you some love! This card is stunning.

Great photo Christmas card. :)

Dana said...

Oh my gosh! This is gorgeous!! The paper works perfectly! And I love the ice sickles!!!

Anonymous said...

What a beatiful card xxx

Thanks for joining us at Craftyhands Challenge Blog.

Moira DT.

Pia S said...

I'm thinking granite and ice, nature and winter. A wonderful little piece of art, Darnell!

Anonymous said...

Very, very cool, Darnell ... the texture on the VOS paper is wonderful, as are those icicles ... I tried running my fingers over the screen just to get a feel of them, but I don't think the 'touch and feel' facility was turned on when you posted it! You're such a genius at QACAS! Beautiful family photo ... I'm with the others ... that homeless guy scrubs up pretty well ... and he looks as though he might be useful about the house even after Christmas!! Anita :)

Wida said...

homeless guy...hahahaha, I would dare say you are about as funny as Miriam Prantner! love the glittery mountains :)

JD/ Jill said...

Fabulous card! Oh how I wish you lived closer to me...(Be glad I don't...You would probably find me on your doorstep begging you to give me some card lessons...
Thanks for the nice comments on my blog.

Nan G said...

Darnell Darnell...oh Darnell! Now ya see what we all pick up on..."homeless guy"! One can see the sense of humor is prevalent in this family! ROFLOL oops I woke The Girls up. Ya karack me up, woman. And btw love the card. Big hugs.

cotnob said...

This is a fabulous card Darnell, brilliant CAS design, such a great idea.
Pauline
x

Shannon J said...

First of all I am loving the icy icicles, second I say bring back the mulberry paper and third of all I'm going to need surgery because I just busted a rib laughing about the "homeless guy" in your family photo!!! Gorgeous family you have!!!

Unknown said...

Wow Dippy, what have you put in the coffee? I looked at your card.....card??? It looks like an MGM backdrop! Not sure if it's the angle you've taken the photo but it looks humungous! And real!! Not sure how you achieved this amazjng result (I know....you told us.....but still not sure)! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

Hugs.

Karendipity xxx

Canonbury creations said...

Love your card Darnell, very atmospheric! Great family photo, very Christmas spirited of you taking in a homeless fellow at this time of year:)
Val x

Hettie said...

OOOOO. Gorgeous card there Miss D.
Liking the family card too. Wonder if I could get one of my Girls, Dobby and Hubby in one place? Err no!
Finished my cards today in marathon style. I went to my friends with just my snippets basket, snippets folder and stamps and dies and just got on with it. I managed 20! The most I have made in one day :oD
Hugs
xx

Janelle said...

WOW! What a great card! You are truly a card master.I love the icicles and the mountains are fabulous.

Nice family photo, too.

Karren said...

That paper is stunning and you've done it justice with your gorgeous card, Darnell! PS: Love your family photo too.

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the clever icicles! I have to ask - does the same random, homeless guy appear in your Christmas card every year?! I had to click on the photo to make sure I was reading that correctly LOL!

Ros Crawford said...

That's one stunning card!!

cm said...

Taking a break from thesis-proofreading for a visit and, as I knew it would be, what a treat! Love the textured papers, the icicles, the snowy mountains (and since I live "in" the snowy mountains, you've captured them perfectly!!). Such a beautiful, handsome family you have; that homeless guy appears to fit in perfectly. You have quite the dashing Mister! Fabulous post, amazing card, lovely photo - perfect recipe to start my day off with a smile!
c

Brenda in IN said...

This is frame worthy. It is a beautiful card. I have VOS too and am using it up on my tags so I don't feel guilty if I buy new stuff (which will become VOS) in time. Great idea to use the paper on your card. I love your brain. Your family card is great. What a nice family you have.

Barb Ghig said...

Such a gorgeous card, Darnell! I love the clever way you created the icicles and your snowy mountain is perfect! Such a lovely Christmas card, too...what a beautiful family you have!!!

Geri said...

Whoa Nellie! Those snow covered mountains are gorgeous! As are the grass icicles and the perfectly embossed sentiment!

And on a grander scale of WHOA NELLIE (would make the font bigger if I could), is your family photo card! What a beautiful crew! You gays totally ooze love and happiness! Thanks for sharing :)

Gerrina said...

Love the photo and the mountainpaper is top! Great idea to make a b&w card like that!Have a good week, Gerrina

Beccalite said...

What a beautiful card and those papers are so very effective. Think you will need to take them out to play more too :-)

Thank you so much for coming over and joining in with our 4th Challenge at CraftyHands Challenge Blog.

Great Big Huge Hugs

Becca xxx (DT Member)

Bonnie said...

I didn't even recognize those icicles as upside down grass until I read it! What a great idea! If I'd seen it before, it didn't register. Love the snowy mountains too. And what a lovely family photo!

Deb said...

Love the snowy icicles and snowy mountains. Thanks for playing along with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Joni Andaya said...

What a fabulous use of that grass die and what a Beautiful night scene with the snow.

dnisme@blogspot.com said...

I love the icy feeling your card creates. So classy and versatile...not just for Christmas. I'm also trying to use what I have and not trying to "need" the latest and greatest stuff. Thanks for the trend alert. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card DJ, absolutely stunning! Poor homeless guy, I laughed til I cried!! How on earth did he get his knees wet??! I can't recall (old age!) if I thanked you for my beautiful Christmas card and sweet little embellishments that arrived on Saturday. If I didn't, then thank you, and if I did, thank you again!!

Hugs
Brenda

Kelly Griglione said...

Ahh, a grass die, love those icicles!!! And I was so curious how you made the snow-covered mountains. So clever for you to see mountains in that beautiful paper. Wonderful card, Darnell! Thanks so much for joining the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!