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 11, 2014

Friends and Blog Housekeeping

Howdy!!

I thought today I would share a series of cards that I made up as thank you notes to the BABES for all they did to make our FISA such an awesome adventure! I'm so glad not to be in Minnesota at the moment and I hope all of you being impacted by the Polar Express throughout the country are safe and warm inside!

I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with a group of very talented card artists who came together as a group and called themselves The 12 Kits of Occasions. Each month one of the ladies puts together a kit of card-making goodies and sends it off to the other members and they each use the kit to make cards and projects. Then they all post their creations on the same day. It's always a delight to see how different - and in some case, how alike - the results are!

So borrowing the kit idea from my friend, 12-Kit member, and fellow BABE Kim, I made up kits as gifts for the BABES. Some of the BABES have already posted pretty cards or papers from their kits.

Of course, I made myself a kit, too, just for fun, and these are the cards I made:
 
(SCT)
 
(ATSM)
 
(CASOS)

~~~

for these BABES:
Anita, Bev, Ardyth, Geri, and Kim
  
Let me know if you would like any of the ingredient information. I have to tell you, it's more challenging than I thought it would be to come up with kit ingredients and make kit cards! If you have not checked out the whizards at The 12 Kits of Occasions, you are missing out on tremendous inspiration!

Challenges

(ATCAS) Addicted to CAS ~ Tag
(SCT) Simply Create Too ~ Thanksgiving or Thankful
(ATSM) Addicted to Stamps and More ~ Anything Goes
(PSP) Pixie's Snippets Playground ~ Use Snippets
(CASOS) CAS on Sunday ~ Ribbon or Twine

Click the image for our current challengeGrab Our Badge!GRAB OUR BADGE!
Pixies Crafty WorkshopFor your blog

Click on any of the links to get join in and get the details on rules, sponsors, and prizes!

BLOG HOUSEKEEPING

No-Reply Blogger

Several times recently, I have gotten emails from readers asking me specific questions and I have been unable to respond because they are "no-reply" bloggers. I've written about this before, but I feel so badly when it happens, that I wanted to bring it up again.

Sometimes the situation is that you have established a blog profile, but no actual blog, so there is no way to leave a comment on your blog. If you leave me a comment and I want to respond to you via gmail, a nomal email popup box appears when I click "reply." However, I have learned the hard way that the first thing I do at that point is look at the "to" line in order to confirm that my reply is going to an email address. If you have not entered your email address into your blog settings, your email address is "noreply-comment@blogger.com." My email to you goes into a huge black hole in space.

Now I know some of you do not want to put your email addresses anywhere in the vicinity of your blogs and that's a fine choice. Knock wood I have never had a problem with it. But I often find that bloggers don't even know there is a choice and they would rather not be "no reply." Rather than write a long post with instructions for how to remedy this situation here is a YouTube video on the subject: YouTube video by Heather Hudson. The video is a little slow, but it's effective because the text instructions I have found make the process look harder than it is.

So if you've ever wondered why a blogger has not responded to you, check and see if you are a "no reply" blogger. And if you are a reader who has asked me a specific question and you have not had a reply from me, please kindly email me directly at darnell dot knauss at gmail dot com. (Gentle readers like Tracy from Prior Lake, and Stacey, and Francis.)  I would be happy to respond if I had your email address.

Behind The Scenes

Writing the above reminds me to thank again those of you who are faithful readers of this blog without having a blog of your own. I know you are out there and I sincerely appreciate your support! You have my personal email address if you ever want to drop me a note.

The Creative Blog Hop / Getting to Know You Hop

I was thrilled to be a part of The Creative Blog Hop a couple of months ago and I followed the tags of a lot of you via TCBH and via a parallel hop called Getting to Know You or similar. Since I was away for a few weeks and then had minor surgery, I have sadly lost the scent on these fun hop posts as tag branches have sprouted. If you are a friend of this blog and I haven't commented on your hop post, that means I haven't seen it, so please email me (darnell dot knauss at gmail dot com) and provide me with the link to your post so I can enjoy getting to know you better!

~~~

Thank you for bearing with me through that!

I will leave you with this cartoon I saw on Facebook.
This confirms to me yet again that we are all basically alike. The majority of the time, except for our religion or our politics, women are all alike, men are all alike, kids are all alike, marriages are all alike ...

This particular cartoon appeared very timely in our house. As you know, the Mister has been taking good care of me following my eyelid reduction. (Some people call it an "eye lift," but I can't use that term without giggling hysterically because I envision elevators being installed on each side of my nose!)

Anyway, every hour Dr. K. was tending to my needs by applying cold compresses to my eyes, followed by a knitted tube containing a small baggie of frozen peas that was tied around my eyes like a scarf. More than once he came at me and tied it around my mouth - on accident, of course! Imagine that! He is positively saving it to use whenever we are in the car together!!

~~~

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!

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!

79 comments:

Jasleen Kaur said...

Fantastic cards there, Darnell . Great to see all these talented ladies together.
Oh, and I hope your surgery went alright and you are feeling better now. Take care.

Becca Cruger said...

I'm glad you're mending well and that you have such a wonderful caretaker. Even if he does miss your eyes from time-to-time.

What an awesome gift idea for your fellow BABES!

Ardyth said...

Lovely cards - you certainly made fantastic choices when you put these kits together - I'm so thankful for mine! Glad your eyes are feeling better. And what fun to see that photo! Already, it's been too long since we were together!

Rahmat said...

Lovely cards, Darnell, I really really like the thank you one. White and purple are meant to be used together! and I totally agree that we all same in some ways! Nice cartoon ;)

Rahmat said...

OOps forgot to mention, thank you so much for joining us at ATSM!

Tenia Nelson said...

Awesome creations, dearie!

Sue said...

Love all your cards! I hadn't heard of 12 kits of occasions. What a great concept. I just ran into not being able to respond to someone on my blog because I didn't have an email for them. I felt bad about it, too. Enjoy your week!

Stamping With Bibiana said...

what a set of lovely cards. ..thank you as well for your kind words of support and concern...time will do its job I am sure...and I did not know taht you had surgery!!.I hope all is going well and you are healing as expected! love the cartoon I have to share it with my hubby too! thanks again for the lovely comments
hugs from California
bibiana

Susanne Vargas said...

Ha, you are too funny! I am talking about the cartoon and your story - your cards are very pretty! Fun to see all the different cards everybody makes with your kit!
Hope your healing process continues to go smoothly and Mister keeps on taking good care of you!

Lisa Elton said...

How wonderfully thoughtful of you to make kits for the BABES, you are such a sweetheart!! And what a pretty collection of thank you cards to boot!!

jimlynn said...

All are fabulous! I can't even pick a favorite among these. Great idea to do the kits and am sure everyone had fun working with them.
Lynn

Helen F. said...

Fabulous set of cards, Darnell!
I like all the schtuff you included in the Kit.
Hope you are feeling much better!

Shirley-Anne said...

Hello Darnell
Super collection of 5 beautiful cards .
I know what you mean about making up kits .I have been caught out at times when I have made my card then found out that I did not have enough of the same paper or embellishment to create the same card for the number of kits I wanted .
Thank you for joining my blog and I hope that I get to see you in my room again soon .
hugs Shirley-Anne

sandie said...

Wonderful cards Darnell and so pleased ATSM and atcas are included in the roll call! This cartoon is so funny, I also think they should have another one with the woman speaking and the man with ear muffs on as we can talk and they seem to never listen (or is that just me!)

Sue said...

Such a gorgeous selection of cards Darnell. I love the colours and fabulous designs.
Thanks for making me smile!
hugs Sue xx

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Top 5, really gorgeous cards
hugs Tamara

Petra Swart said...

What a great idea to do the kits for the BABES, Darnell!!! And what a lovely selection of cards you have made with the kit!!!!

Couldn't help but LOL at the cartoon!!!!

Have a lovely day!!

Veerle said...

Beautiful cards Darnell. The recipients will be very happy with them. Oh and I love your little cartoon too, very funny.
Hugs, Veerle xxx

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely collection of cards and such a good idea to make up a kit for everyone . I'm glad the eyes continue to improve, but I can't help smiling at the thought of Kevin 'accidentally' letting the pea belt slip around your mouth! I think John would let it slip round my neck on occasion!
Hugs
Carol x

Sammy said...

What a gorgeous set of cards you made for your friends Darnell, and what a fantastic and sweet idea to make them all kits too!
Hope your recovery is speeding along nicely! x

Redanne said...

You are such a kind and thoughtful lady, all of your cards are beautiful and I am sure they were gratefully received!

I love the frozen pea story and I love that cartoon!! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Sarn said...

Beautiful kit cards Darnell.

Hoping you feel better soon. xxx

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

The cards from you're kit are superb! I can imagine how hard it would be to put those kits together. It is such a clever idea. I am pretty sure that you can reply to me, as you have in the past. I also am very glad not to be in Minn.!

~amy~ said...

awesome cards...LOVE the fresh & fun colors!

THANK YOU for posting regarding the no-reply blogger!!!!!!!!!

Canonbury creations said...

Fabulous array of cards Darnell and I love the cartoon!
Val x

Shelly said...

What sweet cards!!! Thanks for joining us at CAS on Sunday! ;) And I love the pic!

Pat said...

What a lovely mix of papers you put together Darnell, and I love all the cards you made with yours. It was such a sweet idea to send to your friends so they could make cards too. Glad the Mister has looked after you so well and the cartoon is hilarious. My DH often 'shushes' me when he wants to hear the traffic news, luckily he hasn't tried gagging me yet, though I'm sure he would love to sometimes ..lol. x

Donna said...

Beautiful cards, and great idea, I will check this group out. I enjoy your blog, reading it feels like we are having a conversation and even though I am am a long time stamped I learn a lot from you. Have a good day!

Happy Dance said...

I'm still in awe of this kit. You were just the most sweet, wonderful friend to do this! Hope each day your eyes feel better and better. Men are just so "helpful" aren't they?! Great cartoon...if DH still drove, I'm pretty sure that would be us featured, lol! Missing you. Bev

dottielottie said...

These are great cards for your BABES Darnell. Love the colour scheme, those are gorgeous papers and love the die you used on the CASOS card too. I won't be showing your cartoon pic to my other half as I think he would be straight on to Ebay trying to source one of these belts!!!
Hugs Lottie x

very_inky_fingers said...

Glad you are on the mend. Love these kits... such a great idea! I guess I will have to check to see if I have my e-mail at my blog.

Gerrina said...

A fun kit you made I think; the cards look all fresh and crisp!
So strange to read about the cold; here Autumn is slowley creeping up, but still we have days with 14 degrees C... The colours of the trees are so beautiful at the moment...
Hope you keep the spirit going and enjoy everu day! Hugs, Gerrina

Anonymous said...

Hi Darnell hope your surgery went well and I would love to see some photos of the " new improved " if that were possible you . I was hoping to have this done myself as mine are a bit droopy but have been spending so much time in hospital lately I have put it on hold until next year. I do hope you are healing well and not in too much discomfort. What a great idea about the kits and such wonderful gifts for the Babes. Thank you so much for taking time out to share your tag card with us at ATCAS I simply adore the colours and gorgeous design on this and all of the other cards.

Take care

Marie

Loll said...

Beautiful cards Dolly ... all so unique and creative. The BABES are going to love getting these along with your kits. What a fun idea! Lolly xx

Sharon Underwood said...

Love your cards, and those kits sound amazing! You've done an outstanding job with these.

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, loved reading about your kits, and seeing your cards. I especially loved your cartoon, as I sat here giggling hysterically (I am a horrid passenger, jumpy as all get out) and hubs came by to see what had me going. He saw the cartoon and I saw envy in his eyes!

Brenda said...

I love the pictures of the gals at the Mall of American Auntie! I was just thinking as I watched the news, that I was glad you ladies weren't in Minnesota now too!! You picked a great time to go. So this Polar Express that is covering most of the country isn't effecting you?! You lucky person you! lol It is coming for us, should be here by tonight. Lucky us! NOT!! lol But we are faring better than others and our temps will only be in the low 30's and not below 0! Thank God for small favors!! I love your "kit" made cards, they are fun and fabulous!! And thanks for the link to You Tube for the "noreplyblogger". I have been trying to figure that one out for a while now, and even asking a few how to put my email in there. Now lets hope I can do it with directions. lol You cracked me up with that cartoon!! Yes, women are alike, men are alike and kids are alike. I'm not showing this cartoon to my hubby because he will have this seat belt installed in both the car and truck!!! lol Hugs, Brenda

1CardCreator said...

Great cards Darnell, loved the joke too. Hope you enjoy getting pampered while you recuperate! ~Diane

OH Babs said...

Great cards. Great husband. I agree particularly with the males, and I say "put a bag over their head" and you would not know the difference. Did not know you were having the eyelid surgery but glad you are recovering.

Sue said...

Loving the cards.

Glad you're eyes are much better now. I had to have my right eyelid reduced a few years ago, so sympathise with the discomfort.

Hope you are having a nice week. Sue

conil said...

Clearly, you have Making Kits down to a fie art because all these cards are AMAZING! As for you new eye/mouth accessory I'm sure Dr. K will only use it when he's under duress.

oldpunca said...

Dear Darnell, I know that my comments are always the same, but I enjoy reading your post again and again. :-) Those five cards you made are beautiful. Your friends are lucky to get them. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Mrs.B said...

HI Darnell, just on a catch up. Great friendship cards.
Love the cartoon, but won't show it to DH.
Hope the eye surgery went well.
Avril xx

Vicki Dutcher said...

Such fun cards that I am sure the BABES will appreciate! Thanks for joining in at ATCAS!

Karen M said...

Beautiful cards Darnell and I am sure the ladies will love them:) I hope that you are recovering well from your surgery and that everything went well - big hugs xx

Kathleen said...

Fabulous set of cards here Darnell and the papers look gorgeous.
I have had people follow me that I have not been able to trace and I feel guilty but I have tried all ways and still come up with a blank.

Kath
xx

Jean said...

Great friendship cards Darnell, and what a lovely idea to make up kits for them too.
Jean x

Kylie said...

Amazing set of cards, Darnell. How fun you send kits to each other! I hope you are recovering well and it sounds like Mr Nurse is looking after you fairly well ;) Thanks so much for playing along at ATSM xx

Marie Bingaman said...

Hiya Darnell! I'm glad that your "elevator surgery" went well...lol! Seriously though, I am glad it went well...nice cards! :)

Brenda in IN said...

I love your cards for the BABES and I'm sure they will too. That's a great idea to make up a kit for each of them. It's so much fun to see how different the cards are made with the same materials. Loved that cartoon and your hubby story. He has a good sense of humor too. Keep on healing.

Dianne said...

Hey Sweet thing is was like a warm hug when I saw you visiting my nest, I know you are a busy woman, so I appreciate any time you fly by. OH what fun that challenge is, and you made some beautiful cards, I used to do a lot of swaps with kits in them with my group and it is a challenge to make them but worth all the fun, your so sweet to do this for the Ladies. How wonderful of you to share the housekeeping, I could always use some. It so nice the Mister is looking after you, even if Dr. K is a cheeky monkey, take good care of yourself, hope you have a wonderful week, ((( BIG HUGS )))..

Bonnie said...

Great cards! I'm sure everyone enjoyed their kits and the fact that you took the time and love to prepare them. Take care and don't let Dr. K shush you too much!

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell...I love your cards and the kit you made for each one of us is simply amazing, so many wonderful goodies packed inside. In fact every time I pull it out to peek, I find something new that I missed the last time I looked. Your cards are fabulous, I love them all and can not wait to play with all my wonderful goodies. Thank you so much for the kit, you are so so sweet. I too love that photo and think that it has been way too long since we were all together. So looking forward to next time! Also thank you for the info you shared, I always love learning new things.

Mrs A. said...

Now that sounds perfecl;y painful to me. Both the op and the bag of peas. Hope your back up and fighting fit asap. I have a bad back at the moment and The doc yanked me up out of bed with such force I hit my head on his chest and literally saw stars!! Twas giddy for the rest of the day. Hugs Mrs a.

Anonymous said...

Lovely cards.

That is a funny story about missing your eyes with the peas - no doubt it wasn't amusing being the recipient of frozen peas in the mouth!

Kim Heggins said...

Hello...just me again, I forgot to thank you for playing along with us at Simply Create Too!

Deborah Frings said...

A seriously super set of cards! I think they are all lovely. Thanks so much for playing along with ASM this week!

So pleased to read that you're being looked after so well! Take care.

New Creations said...

Super cute collection of cards, simply gorgeous and fresh look!!
Thanks for visiting my blog and left a lovely comment. Keep try to join me:)
Hugs!

New Creations said...

Super cute collection of cards, simply gorgeous and fresh look!!
Thanks for visiting my blog and left a lovely comment. Keep try to join me:)
Hugs!

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Darnell, it's always refreshing to pop over to read your blog...great idea the kits and so inspiring to see what others do with the same stuff...I love the colours...and your cards. Thought the cartoon and remarks a real hoot...yep we're all alike. Enjoy your week Robyn

Kelly Latevola said...

These are all such fun beautiful cards! I sure hope you are feeling better every single day!!

Ros Crawford said...

Wonderful cards Darnell! So glad to hear you are doing well ... Have a good day!

Bobby said...

I, too, think it would be difficult to make up kits, more so than make things with them. You did a great job with both and I'm sure the BABES appreciated your thoughtfulness with the kits and the thank you cards.

Glad your eyes continue to improve, Darnell. Take care.

Di said...

Brilliant cards Darnell! Super use of snippets of course :)

Hope those eyes are healing well - sorry but I did giggle about the bag of peas :)

Hugs

Di xx

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Hehe, men are alike, glad to hear that he took good care of you and that you're on the mend.

Very pretty cards, thank you for sharing with the Simply Create Challenge.

Warm hugs
Maarit

Anonymous said...

Great cards and a great idea Darnell! Your right, we for the most part are all alike and Hope your lid reductions heals fast!

Sue said...

Fab cards Darnell sorry I'm slow in commenting been busy with my family!! I've had such fun...lots of huggles Sue xxxxxxxxx

Claire Grantham said...

Superb cards Darnell - I am going to investigate the 12 Kits ladies...The cartoon made me laugh. My Hubby loves it when I lose my voice (rare)..how rude! Cx

Leigh Penner said...

What a fabulous set of friend cards!

cm said...

Echoing the others before me: your BABE cards are fabulous, and I'm still in awe all the behind-the-scenes planning that went on to bring all of you together. Memories to treasure forever, indeed! Your cartoon...my husband will NOT see this, because he'll just get ideas...
Hugs~c

Karen Petitt said...

Five fabulous cards Missy Darnell! Really lovely as is the photo's with all your lovely friends too! No way could I kit 12 cards lol! Hope you are resting well huni and not in too much pain Karen x

Anita in France said...

I made it, Darnell ... at last!! You're such a sweetie to have put together such an amazing kit, Darnell ... and even sweeter to have made all these fabulous cards! That MOA photo brings back all the fun we had ... can it be only three weeks since we were all laughing by the lake?? Delighted you're getting all the TLC you deserve ... and so happy it's working a treat (as Kevin is!) Bisous, Bisous, Anita :)

Marybeth said...

These really are , as Anita said fabulous cards! You outdid yourself ! Sweet picture !

Greta said...

Oh too funny! Hope you're noticing improvement from the surgery now. I know your friends love the cards you made for them--all creative & none the same--love it!

Geri said...

Wow - these are fabulous cards! Thanks for the ideas & the inspiration! My package of goodies is still sitting right smack in the middle of my craft desk...waiting!

You know, I always wondered why Danny had a roll of duct tape in his truck...

Milka Gubo said...

Just WOW :-D

maria f. said...

No kidding you got out of Minnesota in the knick of time! Glad you're healing well. And nice set you've managed to knit. I mean kit.

Joyce said...

Love the cards you made from your kit, and how nice of you to make kits for all your babes. I am glad that you wrote about no reply bloggers, because I have the same problem--I cannot reply to a question in the comments, and it is so frustrating. Hats off to you for helping make blogland more friendly and useful.

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