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 10, 2016

Baubles of Joy

Hello, my friends!

If there was ever a time when the world needs Baubles of Joy, it's now! So let's all rally and choose to keep having baubles of joy in our hearts and kindness in our actions and everything will be all right. Right?

I mean, right?!

Yes, I'm one of those perky obnoxious people. (Perky, not pesky, but I can see how you could misread that.) Until the world actually comes to an end, let's do the the thing that bring us joy.
Here is a closeup of that beautiful purple-embossed bauble:
The bauble and Joy are NBUS stamps from Skipping Stones Design. I used my gold Stella to jeuss it up. The panel is a lavender shimmer paper from PTI.

Did you notice a little hitchhiker on my card above? Here is another view:
Sometimes it's not only lizards who visit me when I'm taking my photos.
With Thanks

Soooo, have you been seeing a lot of purple and gold in Blogland this week? There has been a flurry of cards being made for the current Less Is More challenge as a tribute to LIM's fearless leader, Chrissie Stokes. Chrissie is taking a break from LIM due to all the fun she is having playing with her grandchildren and traveling with her husband.

ChrissieI've mentioned before that Less Is More was one of the first challenges I entered when I first started my blog. I really had no idea what I was doing nor what all the crazy aaaackronyms meant and this hobby uses a TON (just meaning ton, the amount) of them. I was a bit lost to say the least.

I would enter LIM and then get very direct comments from Chrissie about my entries because I either wasn't playing by the LIM rules or I was unclear about what "CAS" and "white space" meant. I took the comments as the constructive criticism they were meant to be and I would email Chrissie with questions. She very kindly answered my many, many questions over several months and mentored me about the ways of Blogland, the ins and outs of challenges, and what all those aaaackronyms meant.

I am forever grateful for Chrissie's help and I have since tried to pay it forward by helping other new bloggers. Chrissie and I have become close friends, have visited each other's homes, and I have discovered how kind and fun and funny Chrissie is IRL. I will miss her at LIM, but I look forward to seeing her return there now and then and on her own excellent blog, Simply One of a Kind.

Thank you, Chrissie! I'm sure Sarah and the talented Design Team will keep everything running like clockwork while you enjoy your break!

~~~

I liked my first card so much I made another one using my vo blue moire e/p.
The metallic in the blue moire powder appears either coppery or gold depending on the light. For this card, I chose to enhance the coppery tones by adding shimmery blue and copper matting. I don't have a copper Stella so I left off any further enhansation.
Challenges

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~~~

I'll leave with a chuckle, possibly even a snort!

cid: D168073C346E45BCBB430F9BED61F7AE @ yourd0f670b45a
~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! Maybe even smile at someone unexpectedly. 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 and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

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73 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving your cards. The embossed bauble is fab. How lucky to have the Ladybird land on your card.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Chrissie said...

I am blushing at all your kind words my lovely friend... I hold you in a very dear place in my heart, where you will always remain. It's one thing I really thank blogging for... meeting (both literally and metaphorically) wonderful people like you.
Your cards are ace by the way...the ladybug thought so too!
I'm sure our paths will cross again and I look forward to that day!
Bless you!
Chrissie xxxxxx
LIM is in the safest of hands...I couldn't have left it otherwise!
Mwah!

Viv said...

Well Madame D - another lovely card - and fab embossing. I have a few free days (very rare I know!!) and have just spent much of it trawling in blogland.
(Should be houseworking - but hey.....)
x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two wonderful Bauble cards Darnell. Sounds like you have a wonderful friend in Chrissie, so nice that she took the time to help you too. Blogland can seem very daunting to a newbie.

Sue xx

Carole said...

What a fabulous CAS card Darnell...and so blingy and full of Joy! .....and we could all do with a bit of that i think! Hugs xx

Renee said...

Doesn't the word "bauble" just make you smile?
It does me so I always grin when I see it because it makes me happy. :)
Love your bright festive bauble's!

Ruth said...

Fabulous and seriously baubly! I love the colours and the cute little hitch hiker that popped by. We currently have one who is refusing to leave no matter how much we make him - find him everywhere from bathroom to kitchen, enjoying a wander round the house. xx

Bobby said...

I envy your photography skills, Darnell. My purple bauble ended up looking black. I'm sure being able to photograph outdoors makes a big difference. The shimmer and shine on these beauties is fabulous as is the panel and border paper you used.

Deepti Aggarwal said...

Beautiful CAS Cards Darnell...Love that embossing effect..I love reading your blog..it is so much of fun..:)

Jeanne said...

Wonderfully postive and beautiful post. So enjoy your shimmery, sparkly and oh so pretty ornaments! Love that you had a teeny tiny friend join you for the photoshoot. And what a lovely story about your start in blogland. Thanks so much! The sun will most definitely come out tomorrow. Hugs! :)

Pat said...

Two beautiful bauble cards Darnell and I love the colours and the gorgeous glimmer and shine on them both, and those shimmer papers are fabulous. I love that ladybird that came to visit, it obviously knows a good thing when it sees it. x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous cards, I love your embossed baubles. You have made a lot of wonderful friends in blog land, you take blogging to the 'next level'. Chrissie sounds like a kind lady. I've tried the LIM challenge a few times (& where I 'met' you :)) but it's a style that is a 'challenge' for me.... but I admire it very much! Take good care, hugs, Shirleyxx

Sheila H said...

Your baubles sparkle gloriously - so perfectly CAS!! Your eye for composition and design is flawless.

Kathyk said...

FAB design (LOVING the purple, as you would know I would) with your bauble card and I also wholeheartedly agree with your comments about Chrissie and the great challenge blog that she and Mandi started 301 weeks ago!

Happy Thursday

Kathyk

Lisa said...

Both of your cards are so gorgeous, Darnell!! The baubles look absolutely amazing!! And what a sweet visitor you had!! Isn't it good luck for a lady bug to land on you??!! Love both of these!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Darnell, thanks for your visit always nice to see you there.
Love your bauble cards, marvellous colours and a brilliant CAS design,
No what you mean about needing baubles just now, but for many people around the world it's more than baubles that's needed, but it's a lovely thought, take care, Kate x

Sazzle Dazzle said...

WOW! Gleaming with beauty here Darnell. 2 fantastic CAS-tastic and X-mastic cards using our colour combo to perfection. Loving all the shimmer and texture too. Oh and what lovely words about Chrissie and LIM ... so true! She'll be missed and I've some HUGE shoes to fill now! thanks as always for playing along at Less is More and I hope your visits will continue even if Chrissie is missing. Hugs Sarah xx

stampwithsandy said...

Two gorgeous cards, Darnell! Love your shiny baubles, especially the purple one!

Jen Nelson said...

Darnell, firstly what stunning cards and then what kind words. I remember your first entries, and it's a little weird being back after a break. I also remember the 2nd LIM challenge where i used DSP all over the front of a card and chrissie words encourages me to find out what really was CAS.

thanks for joining us this week

Jen xxxxx

Esther said...

What a lovely post Darnell <3 and oh my gosh, such beautiful cards! The gold on the baubles is stunning, really luxurious, and I LOVE the general layers and texture too. Thanks so much for playing at Less is More :)

Brenda in IN said...

Your cards are lovely and the addition of the lady bug makes that purple one special. It's wonderful to get to meet blog friends in person and how nice of Chrissie to help you get started. I want to thank her so you could pay it forward. You helped me so much when I started out learning this blog thing and I appreciate you like you appreciate her. I hope I have helped someone else answer questions too.

Krisha said...

What a wonderful sign, to have a Lady Bug land on it.
I think the world NEEDS more art and less anger.....who can be angry looking at beautiful art?
Your card made me very happy!

alexandra s.m. said...

Love these beautiful cards Darnell!
Thank you for your positive message!
Hugs~

Kath said...

Fabulous cards, I love the embossed baubles. We've got loads of ladybirds at the moment, they came in at the weekend and I missed a few when I shooed them out! I think we're going to have a couple of pets for the winter!
Kath x

Gerrina said...

So funny to read that LIM was your first challenge too!
And boy have I learned a lot in the beginning of blogging! Still come across things I don't know, but that has more to do with translation-misses... mostley a few hours later it becomes clear somehow :)
Love both cards; the baubles are beautiful and I love blues and purples... Hugs, Gerrina

Cat Craig said...

Love those texture filled baubles, Darnell.

Sandra H said...

Hi Darnell.....Oooh your cards are gorgeous x

conil said...

Hi Darnell...this is really a lovely tribute to Chrissy. Loving these baubles, especially the purple one. Purple's unifying spirit is what I'm looking forward to. I intend to be focused on the necessities of living and creating ...period!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fab CAs and your embossed baubles look amazing! So shining!
The little ladybug made me smile :D this card surely will win in a challenge LOL:D

Pink Unicorn said...

This is always the place to visit for a happy and uplifting thought, thank you for keeping our spirits high and also for sharing your beautiful joyous card. That sparkly bauble is so pretty and love your little red and black visitor! Thank you for playing along with the STAMPlorations CAS Challenge. We hope to see you back again soon! Karola, DT, InvisiblePinkCards

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

OoooOOO! I like the shiny shininess of the ornament and I really like both colors! Very fun, tfs!

Redanne said...

Both cards are a joy to behold - well I had to say it didn't eye, but I do mean it - the embossed baubles are quite simply gorgeous and I really love the touches of gold..... Your sparkling personality always cheer me up when I visit, not that I need cheering up but you are a very cheery soul!! Hugs, Annie xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

Gorgeous CAS cards with lots of elegance too! I really like your design. And, what a nice thing to have friends that help newbies figure things out. I know I have been so blessed with help along the way too!

Donna said...

Stunning cards Darnell, that embossing powder is amazing and great designs!

oldpunca said...

Amazing CAS dear Darnell. You was a very good student and have had a master teacher. :-) Very nice words for Chrissie. I like a visitor on your card. It seems also ladybug loves your card. :-)))
Hugs, Sonja

Kathleen said...

Fantastic LIM/CAS card and love the colour, all the sparkle and great the tribute you paid to Chrissie, I should have done the same but a bit hectic here this week as I have been getting ready for a holiday, 2 weeks in the Caribbean, starting Saturday, don't post it on my blog and posts are scheduled so please don't think I am ignoring your posts and you are the only one I have told.
If you are kind enough to comment on my posts while I am away then please don't mention that I am away.
Household insurance is not valid.
Have a great weekend.

Kath x

Happy Dance said...

Beautimous. Love this pretty purple and gold card, and the little friend who does too! And it's pretty in the blue moire too. Will this be part of your stash this year? Did they take long to make? You'll have to call me tomorrow and let me know... I just love what you've done with these stamps. Really gorgeous cards. xo Miss you. Bev

Marybeth said...

Love your card and pretty purple! CAS beauty! I had to laugh when I read this post about LIM constructive criticism ! You handled it well! I thought she just didn’t like me :) I know very dumb and I would reread the directions and see that I was clearly wrong on following them.

Lindsey said...

These are quite awesome! The ladybug makes the first card, though. ;)

Bobby said...

I'm back to thank you for sharing your lovely, shimmery bauble at Addicted to Stamps and More this week, Darnell.

Marilyn said...

Darnell, your blog is so fun to read. Gorgeous CAS cards. I love that you shared about your first blogging experiences with the acronyms, definitions, etc. They are some of the very same thoughts I had, and I still find myself stumbling around in blogland!! Hugs, Marilyn

Lisa Elton said...

Love your fancy shimmery baubles Darnell!!

Susan said...

Darnell, this is definitely babbles of joy! Love your card!

Brenda said...

Wow, love your bauble cards Auntie! How cool that a little ladybug landed on your card, looks like she loves it too. I've been around blogland for a while now and I still don't know what I'm doing. lol Nor do I have all the acronyms mean. lol So you have come farther than me. Chrissie sounds like a lovely, sweet lady and I'm glad you both have become wonderful friends. That is what is so amazing about this crafty community, everyone really is "family"! Hugs, Brenda

Carol L said...

Those are great cards, but I'm particularly fond of the purple version - especially with the lucky ladybug! Yep, the world has not ended yet, so we might as well dance and enjoy life while we're here!!

Cheryl W. said...

Ooooooh, I do love those shiny baubles! They'd look perfect on my Christmas tree, for sure. Thank you for the reminder to continue to enjoy baubles of joy - all us 'mericans kind of need that right now. Have a great weekend!

Craft-E-Place said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell! I love the shiny baubles.
Elaine

sandie said...

Well purple and glitter, an absolute joy to me! Wonderful card Darnell x

Linda said...

Beautifully CAS Darnell ..... those embossed baubles are stunning, love the blue one xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous CAS cards, Darnell.
Hugs,
Em xxx

Craftychris said...

Love your gorgeous shimmery baubles! Fab CAS cards! Cute visiting ladybird too! It was obviously impressed by your artwork! xxx

Ros Crawford said...

`Purple is such a regal colour and your cards are fit for a queen! Fabulous!!

OH Babs said...

Bold and beautiful baubles. What a nice tribute to Chrissie.

KandA said...

Super cards Darnell. Perfect CAS design and I love all the glitz. Have a great weekend xx

Geri said...

You are so blogland's 'chicken soup for the soul' dear friend! Guaranteed that EVERYONE who visits, leaves with a smile! And...a whole lot of inspiration from your stunning creations!

...like these two delightfully blingy baubles! The metallic shimmer is GORGEOUS! I love how all the white space lets the gorgeous decorations be the star of the show!

Alanna said...

I've been a bad bad commenter Darnell and I apologize for that. Your cards are just perfect. I love the colors and the CAS design. Well done! And yes, the world definitely needs more joy in it.

Sarah G said...

What a rich and luxurious design you have created with this week's colour combo, Darnell! I loved your comments about Chrissie who has been an inspiration to so many of us. Thank you for continuing to support us over at Less is More :)

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Well. Well. Well...... I thought that was BUBBLES of joy and brought my champagne glass along, but I guess not. I gots to laugh, my coworker said I was annoyingly perky the other day and I'm quite sure she meant the other P word (pesky). I wasn't really (perky or pesky); I just happen to work in customer service and take that shit seriously.

Lovely cards. I think I might maybe possibly like the purple one bestest but I do have enough love in my heart for both.

Neets B said...

What beautiful cards, Darnell. The bauble looks delicious and I love it on the textured base too. And what kind and fitting words for Chrissie, we will miss her and look forward to her dropping by to join us now and then. LIM was the first challenge I entered too and it has taught me so much about the CAS genre which is now my go to style.
Thanks so much for playing along with us at Less is More this week, lovely. Anita xx

Kath Stewart said...

such beautiful elegant cards...love the details of the embossing on the baubles...thank you so much for sharing with us over at Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge...hugs kath xxx

Viv said...

Amazing cards as always Dee! love the cute ladybug too...they call them Bishy-barnabees where we live he he.Ah yes we will miss dear sweet Chrissie, I am sure Sarah and the team will do her proud though.My cold is going at last btw. thanks for the good wishes ;) hugs Vee xx

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous Darnell ! I love your baubles and I love the texture that the background paper gives to them ! Yes I can easily understand your problem with acronyms....I sometimes have the same problem but I must admit I have more problem to understand all the funny puns that you do and in that case, google is not my friend anymore ! But at least I learn a lot of new vocabulary with you ! Thanks for all those funny posts and this incredible joy of life you share with us !

Anita in France said...

Baubles of joy, indeed, Darnell! Such delicious, rich colours ... and of course, my favourite word ... what could be better! Lovely tribute to Chrissie ... my first challenge too ... knuckles wrapped more than once here ... in a very constructive way, naturally! LYAMYHAHMA! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

TK said...

Beautiful, sparkly and oh so awesome! Love all that sparkle, and the differences in colors are amazing. I have no idea what moire powder is (and a google search didn't help), but I love it!

Macarena said...

Lovely simplicity of your card. Pretty shimmery ornaments. Thank you for glitter with us at SSS Monday Challenge. Hugs, Macarena

MaryH said...

Splendid idea to keep on doing those things which give us joy. We can't control what happens in the world, only how we personally handle it and keep our spirits high. Loving all your beautiful baubles, they each look gorgeous in the different colors. Never thought to scribble over the glitter paper, but it's very effective to add some extra design & dimension. You've succeeded very well in playing forward those things you learned from Chrissie & I say that as the recipient of some of your generous helps. TFS

Rose said...

Such pretty sparkly baubles! Love your choice of embossing powders & how you matched them with the gorgeous shimmer paper! Two CAS beauties!

Whisper said...

Aaaah what a pair of stunners, but i have a real soft spot for the purple and gold one, luv Sam x

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Well, I must say , you have an exceptional pair of baubles. In fact, its a while since I saw a finer pair.
Love the festive unfussiness.
I look forward to seeing your congratulations card that will be winging its way to your new President elect.
Ang x

Debbie said...

loving the baubles -fab cards

Helen F. said...

Oh these baubles are sure to bring JOY to the recipients, Darnell! Beautiful rich bold colors and the gold is the perfect touch :-)

Greta said...

Love these classic, elegant cards, Darnell--so beautiful! Big congrats on the HM at ATSM!

cm said...

Beautiful sparkly baubles...and I especially appreciate the ladybug "bling" that adorned the first one! Apparently she knows a safe haven when she sees it, and complete with a photo op, too! The blue/copper...scrumptious!
Hugs~c