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 30, 2016

Trees and More Trees and a Blog Hop Winner!

Greetings!

I was away a bit longer than planned as we enjoyed having the boys stay on after Thanksgiving to help with decorating for Christmas. It's so much fun and so appreciated!

I don't know where the last two days went, just one thing led to another. And then yesterday there was the small matter of the kitchen sink pipe overflowing inside the wall and seeping through the baseboards into the family room, around the corner into the living room, and under the piano. Then you wish your own kid, your neighbor's kid, your nephew or niece, or anyone you know had become a plumber . . . !

So how's everyone else humpin' on this Wednesday, eh? This very last day of November. Now it is full-on the time of year when we're not-even-kidding busy! I mean, seriously, this is all-hands-on-deck for card artists who make holiday cards. And when you only have two hands and two paws, there aren't enough hours in the day!

Which means I'll stop chatting and away we go.

Onefer. (a, b, c)
I'm going to skip the ingradients, but if you are dying to know the man who factured something, just shoot me an email.

Challenges
Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog
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Twofer.
Silvery and simples.
Challenges
Snippets Playground Badgesip-any-challenge-76-800Grab Our Badge!
~~~

Threefer.
It's very hard impossible to see that I heat-embossed the acetate with snowflakes, so I've tried to help you see them by adding red circles:
Challenges
Make My Monday Challenge Blog
~~~

Blog Hop Winner!

A coupla weeks ago, I participated in STAMPlorations Giving Thanks Blog Hop. I offered those who commented on that post a chance at my own prize of a $25 STAMPlorations gift certificate. Using the Random Number Generator, I'm pleased that the winner is Trina P. of My Crafting Closet. Congratulations, Trina! I will send you an email. Thank you to everyone who commented!
~~~

Enjoy your day playing with your crafty holiday goodies! 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 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 a pop-up box opens.
Click "Jump to Comment Form" and walla, no more car pool tunnel!
Mwah!
If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me
your email address so I can respond. Thank you!

85 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving all the cards.

Hope you got the plumbing problem sorted.

Bet the boys enjoyed helping with the decorations.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Stamps and Paper said...

3 cards Darnell you put me to shame...they are all lovely and I just love that stitched edged die you've used it frames your images perfectly

Anne

Cat Craig said...

Love those trees with the patterns, especially the plaid...great masculine take. YOur twofer tree looks alot like the altenew tree, love the silver treatment you have given it. And your last card with the acetate panel...very pretty. lol on the red circles.

I am down to needing 7 more cards before I start the business of addressing them, and mailing which I hope to have done by Friday. Wish me luck and stamina!

Marilyn said...

Cute cards!! Sorry to hear about your plumbing problems!! Hope everything goes well

Jeanne said...

Congrats to the winner of your giveaway! Enjoy your new goodies. Oh so sorry to hear about the plumbing issues. That is So NOT fun! Hope everything got fixed and you are right as rain, now. Hey, have you been getting any rain? My dad said earlier this week he got a good soaking rain. I know it's desperately needed. Your cards are beautiful. You've got some lovely tree stamps in your stash. I really like the snowflake/acetate one, too. Great card idea! Have a good rest of your week and may your plumbing problems go away! Hugs!!

Birgit said...

What a sweet bunch of cards today Darnell! I'm glad you circled the snowflakes. They do look marvelous though my weary eyes didn't see them at first. I'm so sorry to hear about your little kitchen mishap. Perhaps you could teach Hammy to turn a wrench. ;0)

adele holcomb said...

How fun to have your Grands to help you decorate!

I absolutely love the simplicity of today's cards. I've had my eye on that wonky border for some time -- it doesn't know it, but it's to be mine when it's back in stock at SSS. So I was about to tell you how much I like the first 3 cards, when I saw the next one. White on white with a splash of silver and sparkle -- how perfect! They're all getting pinned to Pinterest for future reference.

Redanne said...

Oh no, your plumbing issue does not sound good - hope you managed to get it all sorted....

Love your cards, so CAS but so very effective, they are all beautiful. Thanks for pointing out the snowflakes, I bet they look beautiful in real life! I do love white on white for Christmas...

Congratulations to Trina P on her win! Hugs, Annie xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow lots of inspiration here today! I love the trees at the top and the fantasic random (somewhat) sewing around the edges. Beautiful cards Darnell! The water issue doesn't sound like fun, hopefully it was fixed quickly and not much damage in your home. Take good care, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Di said...

Wonderful selection of cards Darnell! Each one is fabulous - and your snippets card is so elegant. My guess is that you used linen finish card for it, the texture looks lovely - I keep forgetting that I've got a whole bunch of card in white linen finish. Email on the way ASAP btw!

Hugs

Di xx

Ros Crawford said...

Fabulous cards Darnell! The time is definitely going at double speed I think ... Here we are on the last day of November already! So sorry about your leaking sink ... What a mess and at this time of year too! As it happens I am lucky enough to have a brother who is a plumber and electrician and can fix just about anything else ... oh I love that guy! I do hope you get things sorted ... it could be worse ... You could be freezing here in Liverpool! Big hugs!

Pat said...

Fabulous trees Darnell and I adore the snowflake embossed acetate strip with the pretty swiss dots in the background, a great selection of cards. Sorry to hear of your plumbing issues and hope it is all fixed now. I think any problem connected to water flowing where you'd rather it didn't is horrendous, but at least in California it dries out quicker than in the frosty cold damp English winter...lol, as it was well below zero last night but even with the sun today still lots of frost hanging about. Joking apart I hope it's all fixed now. Finally congratulations to Trina for winning your very generous prize. x

Brenda in IN said...

How fun that the boys stayed over and got Christmas started with you. I do love those cards, especially the sparkly tree. I hope the sink episode is all taken care of now. What a pain things like that are. Congratulations to Trina!

I Card Everyone said...

You couldn't be more right-on with that busy-ness! I'm here to stroll through all I've missed - and to re-up on the email subscription that must have been forgotten like lots of other things - sheesh! Wonderful Christmas cards, Darnell!
[lots of gorgeousness to be seen, but the no politics sign just made me laugh out loud!!!]
xx
=] M

karen h said...

So many wonderful cards in one spot! Thanks for playing along with us at CC&S! Your acetate card is awesome - love how you used the sketch! I love that you added snowflakes to the acetate!

TK said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell, and you're far "on top of it" than I am!!! A little vacay and a "procedure" wrongfully scheduled for this time of year makes seeing in circles, I do believe... Anywho, loving those fabulous trees, especially the last embossed one -- oh but I did see one embossed snowflake on the middle challenge without your assist!

Sue - said...

Oh dear Darnell, hope you got your plumbing sorted, that's the last thing you need at this time of year. Still you managed to find time to make three gorgeous cards, but have to admit that the second one is my fave! Hugs xx

*Vicki* said...

OOh la la!! I so love all of the BLING you've got on your Christmas designs here Darnell!! Wow!! You are probably ahead of me right now!! LOL! I'm still trying to "recover" from Thanksgiving right now!! LOL!! HUGS

Lisa said...

Oh wow, all of your cards are so elegant and gorgeous!! I love the designs!! The three-fer is stunning!! I love the design and the embossed acetate (the red circles did help)!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Mrs A. said...

Goodness me. I've been hit over the head with a base ball bat but not seeing stars just bloomin trees!! Seriously though they are lovely. What am I up to?
Shoring up every crevice into this house. The cat is on lock down, the side gate is bolted and padlocked, the cat flat is impenetrable, the cage is on the chimney. Yes serie. That ELF is not coming in this house this year no way!!
Bar humbug!!
Hugs Mrs A.
gotta dash just seen a minute crack in the skirting boards. Thank goodness for ds tape,cellotape, builders tape, you name it anything tape.
Ha just thought of another one .
Fly tape!!


sandie said...

I love how you added that silver detail on your entry into Time Out...a sparkly wonder and once more we love you leave us a comment on our blog and thanks for joining us x

OH Babs said...

Oh no so sorry about the plumbing. Our almost new dishwasher came unhinged - guess a poor design. They will come in a week and fix it. Thanks. Right now you very carefully have to manuever the shelves.
Well your cards are lovely and I am writing as I saw your entry for MM (me too). Hope the rest of the week is better. Please keep us informed as to any damage or if you get new flooring, etc. Smile :) B

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Oh crumbs Darnell sorry to hear about the water escapade - hope you've got it all dry and sorted now. I certainly think I'm in that busy boat with you ... frantically cutting and stamping Christmas cards in the hope I can get them written and posted before the postie finishes for the holidays! Love your super elegant gallery of Christmas makes here, so glistening and festive. Thanks for sharing over at the Uniko challenge too. Sarah x

nancy littrell said...

Congratulations Trina and Thank you Darnell for sharing your CAS batch of Christmas Tree cards. Great designs for quick, easy, Christmasy and easy mailing cards. Hugs, Nancy

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Lovely cards Darnell! Thanks for playing along at Christmas Card Challenges.

Linda said...

Oh wow, so many fabulous cards. Love your CAS masculine card. Thanks for joining us this week at Merry Monday. Oh, sorry about your kitchen plumbing problem.

Susan said...

You and me both on a tree-theme jag for our Christmas cards! Love yours, especially the "Twofer". So sorry to hear about the plumbing problems - I had a blocked kitchen sink recently (at least it didn't cause damage like yours did) and I had exactly the same thought - why did no-one I know become a plumber? I hope yours is all fixed now!

Jean said...

Very cool cards!

Kathleen said...

Another fabulous post, you certainly don't do thing by half. All the cards are superb CAS cards, lovely stamps and design.
At the moment I am taking two steps forward and one step back, so frustrating.

Kath x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

You have been very busy! Adorable set of cards with the lovely trees! Fabulous also that embossed with the acetate, really a gorgous make
Congrats to the winner!

stampwithsandy said...

A fabulous gallery of cards Darnell, and you have been quite productive! I especially love the tree with the silver embossing, that and the foil make for a very elegant card. So glad you played along with us this week at Stamp Ink Paper, and I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wow! one fantastic tree after another. You are really churning out some beauties with these tree cards. I love them.

Kay Miller said...

All of your cards are just beautiful! I love the stitched borders and the gingham trees on the first three! So cute! So sorry about the plumbing issues. Hope everything is dry now. You have a wonderful holiday season my friend! Big ((Hugs))

Jeanne H said...

Just wonderful cards, Darnell. Especially love the blue ones! Plumbing problems are so yucky. Best wishes getting things fixed. Here's a hug for you and your DH!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Plumbing problems? I think the solution is to move! Right? Seems the easiest route...

Awesome cards. I think we've all resorted to batch making these days. My mom hit me up for some cards so I made her some via a One Sheet Wonder. It was fun but I wouldn't want to do a ton of cards like that. Kind of seems chore like.

I'm glad you circled the embossed snowflakes or no way would I have seen them. But now that I've seen them I can say they are waaaay too cool! So cool they're hot!

oldpunca said...

I have to start commenting by the last card. :-) Fabulous heat embossing on acetate. Wau! All your cards with the trees are so nice and so festive with the snow. I like them all.
Hugs, Sonja

LeAnne said...

Well, you must have been stamping around the water and the plumber, because these are all beautiful! I love the BLUES, but your SIP card is just delightful! Silvery gorgeousness! Thanks for playing with the embossing challenge....and the acetate card is amazing too!

JD/ Jill said...

Sorry to hear about your plumbing issues!
Your cards are all fantastic...Boy you are really going to town with making your Christmas cards! Just wish that I was...hopefully, you have inspired me to get started again...(I'm only about half done with my cards!)

Bonnie said...

What a lovely forest of CAS trees, Darnell! It's good the boys could stay and help you decorate! I'll be they enjoyed it as much as you did! Great layout with the acetate!

Jen W. said...

Loving that these are all so simple yet utterly fabulous! Lots of fun sparkle and shine and the acetate panel in the last card is SO DARN COOL!

Nightmare about the leaking pipe!! :( I hope it's getting sorted and hasn't damaged too much of the walls.

Carol L said...

What a great collection of cards with that cute little tree! I especially like the minty green one with silver and that purty textured cardstock, but they're all wonderful! Sorry about your plumbing probs.........I hate when that happens, but hopefully you've got it all sorted out by now!

Lisa Elton said...

Oh wow, that sounds like a watery mess Darnell. Hope you get it all taken care of with out breaking the bank!! Lovin' all of your pretty tree cards!!

kiwimeskreations said...

Hmmm - now I know why I married a plumber.... sorry you could not borrow him :-)!
Love your cards Darnell, especially the top ones with the tree. They are all pretty though, and it looks as though Hammy was a very good assistant if you have paws to help!!
Blessings
Maxine

Christine Alexander said...

Darnell, love the tree cards, perfect masculine cards.

Chrissie said...

What an amazing bunch of cards my friend, I love them all, they really rock. I can sympathise about the water damage... we are just getting one bedroom, the hall stairs and landing redecorated following a leak we had through the ceiling whilst we were away in the US!

Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely trio of cards Darnell - and all so different. I particularly like the acetate one which looks extremely classy IMHO! I hope your plumbing disaster is sorted out - what a bummer for it to happen just after you had made everything pretty:-(

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell ..... beautifully CAS.
Hope you got the plumbing issue sorted! xx

Gerrina said...

Fun and beautifully CaS those little tree cards! And your acetatecard is a real beauty! (it's not that easy to get all the details on a photo...) I'm just making a quick round in blogland; have to do the last cards... Hugs, Gerrina

Sandra H said...

Awww wow all of your cards are stunning your so talented l love them all! hopefully your plumbing has been sorted sending lots of love x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Stunning cards, as always. I hope the plumbing issue hasn't created too much mess.
Hugs,
Em xxx

Maura said...

Beautiful set of cards, Darnell! My fave is the small green tree with the silver and the silver mat - scrumptious, my friend!!

Jane said...

What an amazing idea, love that transparent panel. Thanks for playing at CC&S.

Geri said...

Oh Christmas tree...Oh Christmas...how lovely are your branches! Will be humming this song all day long now :)

Fabulous onefer of a,b,c trees - one of my favorite stamps! In fact, I'm using it (again) this year for my co-worker gift tags!

Your twofer is exactly as you say...silver and soooooo elegantly stunning!

The 3-fer took my breath away! Soooo cool with the clear panel, pretty swirl and the embossed flakes on the acetate...that I would have missed had it not been for the red circles (and the mention of it in your post).







Sue said...

Beautiful collection of CAS-ness!

Sharron said...

Loving your gorgeous cards! The plaid and the shimmery one are favorites! Hope your plumbing issue is all fixed and that it didn't cause any permanent damage. Sounds like you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with it even more special with the grandsons helping with Christmas decorations. Have a good one!!!

MaryH said...

Wow, did you ever add to your C/Card stash with these! Love the trees on the first set (and yes I'll ask if that was a die, or did you stamp on DP?) Got a lot of snippets in place too, so prettily used. Love each one of these, but the acetate design - awesome! Good luck with the plumbing. Know perzackly what you mean about having a nice plumber. That's how our bathroom reno started earlier this year! Hope you don't have too much damage to repair and that your workers show up as scheduled!!! Best to Hammy & K...and so glad you had a good holiday with the family. TFS & Hugs

Tee said...

Beautiful collection of cards! You have been creatively busy!

Nonni said...

HI Darnell! Thanks for popping by my blog today! Kind of funny that you were admiring the framing die I had been using -and here am I admiring the wonky stitches frame you've used, I've kept myself away from that one! :) Wonderful set of cards. I especially like the two first cards because of their CAS layouts. xxx

Aileen said...

Hi Darnell, sorry to hear about your sink problems but nice to hear the boys have been visiting. Your cards are as always a pleasure to see and I sure had to look hard to see those snowflakes on the acetate. At first I thought you were joking and you were circling the plants behind......Im down at mum and dads again this week doing finial hand over of their unit. Not a good week for mum again so not a good week for me but hey life goes on. Im looking forward to seeing the grandkids on Tuesday and grabbing some cuddles. take care hugs Aileen

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
A fabulous festage e tois.
As I mentioned, on the run up to the big day, my cards get more CAS by the minute lol!
Did wonder how the last one was done until you mentioned the acetate.
Ang x

alexandra s.m. said...

It's a beautiful series Darnell!
Thank You

laurie said...

Wow..you are on a roll! Awesome set of CAS cards.Hope you get your plumbing fixed soon!Thanks for joining us at The Christmas Card Challenges!

Susan Powell said...

Wow! Your creative mojo is flowing! Your cards are all beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us this week at Christmas Card Challenges.

Joyce said...

What an exciting post, Darnell. So many wonderful cards and creative inspiration.

Cheryl W. said...

Congrats to your winner, Darnell. You are such a generous soul. Your cards are CAS elegance to a tee! I love them all and may have to steal your ideas. Guess I'm kind of a Grinch, stealing Christmas like that.

Greta said...

What fun tree cards, Darnell! Love the one with acetate, too--I never make ones like that!

Jenny Colacicco said...

Gorgeous bunch of cards and the sparkle of snow on the stamped trees using embossing powder is fab. Thanks for sharing at Time Out! Jenny x

Craftychris said...

Wow! All these are gorgeous! Fab clean and simple designs and the acetate one is inspiring! Mind you, all your cards are! Always! Congratulations to Trina! I hope you find a plumber Darnell, leaks are not good! Tee hee, I made myself smile then - my mind is naughty! xxxxxx

Deborah Frings said...

You have been really busy here Darnell. They are all absolutely super. Love the trio of trees. And the perfectly CAS Christmas tree with the silver embossing is stunning. Thanks so much for playing along with Uniko this month. Deborah, DT.

Crystal Komara said...

Wow, what a classy simple and elegant Christmas card you have created Darnell using our embossing theme. Just beautiful. Thanks for joining us at Stamp, Ink, Paper this week! Crystal

Joan said...

Great cards - love how you kept the same design using different colors!! Thanks for joining us at Make My Monday.

La Papera Gialla said...

Thanks for entering our Christmas Cards Challenge and good luck!
Monica - CCC DT

Karenladd said...

Love your batch of tree cards, or would that be a grove of them?? Either way, what a quick but fabulous design to make in multiple patterns and colors. Your second card design is just gorgeous!! The traditional tree image and the elegant silver mat and embossing make for a truly elegant. That last card really threw me for a loop until I read your description of it because I thought it was two separate pieces that busily defied gravity by being held up with a die cut flourish! I didn't even see the acetate at all! Thanks for taking the time, in between mopping up and hoping for a plumber to appear on our doorstep, to share with us.

Marcia Hill said...

ALL of your tree cards are FABULOUS and definitely fit for a masculine theme Darnell! Thanks so much for sharing these with us at Merry Monday! And I hope all the water damage has been resolved...been there, done that (several times!!!!) and I know it's no fun! Take care my friend! :0)

Notes by Nina said...

Wonderful set of cards Darnell, I am so glad you joined us for Merry Monday.

Catherine said...

Love the clean and simple design of your Christmas card. Thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

Cathie ♥

Carol H. said...

My goodness all of your cards are awesome! But hey, the one with the clear acetate? WOW!! BE-U-Tiful!!!

Jill V said...

Love love love all the cards Darnell! My fave is definitely the shiny tree card that you linked up at Time Out - the CAS design combined with shine is the prefect holiday card recipe! Fabulous! Jill

Anita in France said...

Wow, you have been extraordinarily productive, Darnell ... or was that the pawed person?? Either way, all those Christmas trees are delicious ... the first trio gorgeously graphic, the next solo one splendidly shimmery! Delighted to have you playing along with us at Time out with this latter shiny beauty! Oh my, that fabulously flourishy white on white ... swooning (and admiring the snowflakes!)... it's beautiful! So sorry about the water ... do hope there's not heaps of remedial work to do as a result ... I can always beam over and help if there is!! LYAMYEDMA! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Cara said...

Wonderful cards. Sorry about the plumbing failure though! Thanks for joining us at Sweet Stampin'. Cara DT x Will be back to see you soon xxx

Bobby said...

Once you got started you well full force, Darnell. Four varieties of Christmas trees and one amazing white flourishy heat embossed acetate wonder. I'm sorry the water problems interrupted your productiveness. I hope it was a quick fix.

Mandy LaCroix said...

Love the design you used for the Christmas Card Challenge! (The Christmas tree) Brilliant design! :)
Thanks for sharing over at the Christmas Card Challenge!

Helen F. said...

You have created the loveliest Threefer today, Darnell. I love the CAS design on the second card~so pretty!

Beverley said...

WOW Darnell! A stunning CAS display of wonderful festive delight. Lovely to see you joining in on the Uniko Challenge. Hugs Bev x

Lindsey said...

Very busy bee! Loving your onefer and twofer Xmas cards x