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 14, 2016

A Trio of EZPZ QACAS CCs. What?

Greetings, Stamplings!

If you're still beavering away on holiday preportations, I've got a card that will make you smile, no matter what:
I made this one-layer card with two different Purple Onion snowpeeps. I drew the landscape, sponged on a little color in the sky, and added dimensional snow with irRESISTible.

Twofer

From the silly to the serene, I made this one-layer card while at the Lake House:
I had a lot of fun working out the design with the help of several of the BABES. The tree is from Stampingbella. I borrowed the sediment from one of the BABES. In person, the beautiful silver ink is, well, beautiful:
Threefer

And finally, a simple dove of peace, matted in black:
Both the dove and the Peace are from Skipping Stones Design. I was going to do a second gold embossing because the coverage wasn't great the first time, but then Hammy said he rather liked the effect. Like Peace has seen better days, but it's still flying and trying.
Challenges

Onefer: 1) Less Is More: OLC Outlines; 2) Make My Monday: Show Me a Snowman; 3) Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge: Winter fun; and 4) Simon Says Stamp Monday: Let it snow.

Twofer: 1) Addicted to Stamps and More: Clean and simple; 2) Stamps Ink Paper: Winter holiday; and 3) The Merry Christmas Challenge: Christmas trees.

Threefer: 1) The Male Room: Christmas/Winter wishes & December celebrations; and 2) Uniko Challenge: Christmas.

~~~

You know how sometimes bad luck seems to go in cycles? Hopefully three at a time. Well, first it was the plumbing, then the computer, and now this week, it's been the furnace. We were without heat for 48 hours before we could get someone out to fix it. Fortunately, it wasn't too nasty cold like the 20, 30, and even 40 below freezing temps some of my family and friends are experiencing right now! It only got down to 54 inside the house overnight, but that's still chilly, Milly. Fortunately, further, we still like each other so we snuggled up and were able to stay warm.

I hope you are toasty warm wherever you are and that you enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

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93 comments:

Hannelie said...

Three fabulous makes Darnell!
Those 2 snow people made me smile indeed, love the luxurious shimmer on the other 2 cards!
Hugs
xxx

Brenda said...

Love all three, but the snow people made me smile! Stay warm!

Jane Willis said...

Another vote for the snowpersons as favourite here!
Hope nothing else goes wrong for you - or was the furnace incident just an excuse for some serious snuggling?
And I keep chuckling at the thought of that particular manatee being your spirit animal
Jane

Craft-E-Place said...

Three simply stunning designs! The snow people sure are fun and bring a smile to everyone. The middle card is fabulous and an inspired design.
Elaine

Anonymous said...

Fabulous cards. Love the snowmen.
Hopefully that is the end of your run for now - they do say it comes in 3's! Glad to hear you and the mister still are fond of each other :)
Excuse my tardiness in responses of late - life has been awfully busy!

Rema DeLeeuw said...

All three cards are fabulous Darnell! Thanks for playing along at ATSM.

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh what gorgeous cards Darnell - love the snowpeeps - it certainly made me smile :-). Your silver tree is fabulous, and the peace dove, well hammy had it right, it was perfect as is. Good old Hammy!
So glad your plumbing, computer and heating is all now fixed!! Just as well you and the Mister do still cuddle up by the sounds of it.
Blessings
Maxine

Linda said...

Three stunning cards Darnell ...... love the CAS tree design and those little snow people made me smile. Stay cosy and warm my friend xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Three gorgeous cards Darnell, I love the snow people and trees but the top of these cards for me is the peace dove which is stunning.

Sue xx

Ros Crawford said...

That snowman card did make me smile! And your other two are so elegant and gorgeous ... Love the silvery one! Hope your troubles are over now and you are cosy and warm again ... Thank you so much for your beautiful card too!

Aileen said...

Trio of wonderful cards, my favourite being the snowmen. I dont own a snowman stamp, which I didnt realise till a challnege came up for a snowman and none to be had, its too hot here to think snow you see. I hope your bad luck has finished and things now go in a happy flow through christmas. Love to you and yours xxx Aileen

Esther said...

Oh no, I hope that's the end of the bad luck and that you're warmer now! Love your cards! The last two are very tranquil and elegant. Your first one for our outline challenge at Less is More is super fun and really made me smile! Love those funny snowmen! Thanks so much for sharing with us :)

Marilyn said...

Cute cards! I especially love the snow people one!! They say say things happen in threes. Hope you don't have anymore bad luck.

Pat said...

Three beauties Darnell and your snowy folk are such fun, and love the gold embossed tree resting on the end of your sentiment, and a pretty dove to finish. Sorry for your problems with the heating as it's not nice to be cold. I always dread anything happening to the heating in the wintertime as the house gets very cold if the heating has to be off for several days. Hope it's all fixed now. x

Jeanne said...

Three fantastic cards, Darnell. I hope this is the end of the issues you've been having. Although, the snuggling was probably pretty fun! :)

Em Louise Fairley said...

I love all three cards, Darnell. I hope it's smooth running for you for the rest of the year.
Hugs,
Em xxx

Brenda in IN said...

The snowmen are so cute and I really love the silver embossing on both cards. The dove is beautiful and the tree just sparkles. What an unlucky run you have had but fortunately it's over just in time for the holidays. I would take 54 in a minute as it is a minus 12 below wind chill here!

designbydonna said...

Who can resist those adorable snowmen? Love them. Your metallics are pretty too. How insightful of Hammy about peace still trying. Hope you and your family have lots of joy and peace for this Christmas season.

Marcia Hill said...

Beautiful cards Darnell, and yes, the first one really did make me smile! I was just thinking about our furnace this morning as it was running non stop because of the 7 degree temperature outside (and who knows what the wind chill was?!!) and hoping it will hold out for a few more years so I can buy stamps (isn't it funny how the mind of a stamper works?!)!! I'm glad yours is working again and hope that troubles are over for awhile now! And thank you for the beautiful Christmas card...I loved it!! :0)

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Oh Darnell you do make me smile just reading your posts and that's before I get to the fun and silly card at the top here! Love your take on our outline challenge at Less is More but then I also love the serene card too which is full of sophistication. Plus can't decide whether I like the dove one best! Too many beauties to choose from! Great to see you play along at both LIM and Uniko and thanks for sharing with us. Hugs Sarah x

Linby said...

Great makes - I think my fav is the one with the tree very CAS.

Deepti Aggarwal said...

Love your CAS style..all the cards are simply wow..

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards.

Hope your run of bad luck is over with now.

Take care.

Hugs
Sue

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Such very beautiful cards, the last one you entered into our challenge is perfect, I agree with "Hammy" :) My humorous side leads me to the first I LOVE it. Thank you for linking with us at The Male Room Christmas challenge. Faith. DT

Julie B said...

Fab cards Darnell. Sory to hear about the boiler, hopefully that is an end to your run of bad luck. I miss seeing your blog pop up on my reading list since Blogger altered the settings, why do they do these things? I'm sure they think that it is an improvement but for who?
Have a fab Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. x

Lisa said...

Oh wow, they are all fabulous!! The first one totally makes me smile!! The next two are so elegant and beautiful!! I love them all!! I'm glad you were able to get the furnace fixed. It was a whopping six degrees here this morning...windchills in the negative teens!! I'm so ready for spring :) Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Mostly white cards, but not boring at all! They are all beautifully elegant!

So glad you have heat again, that is rough!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

I'm smiling :) This card is my favourite, these snowmen are sooooo cute and fun! So pretty light inked background and LOVE this snowfall!
The second one has really a relaxing feel, beautiful sparkling as well the gorgous golden peace dove! Amazing CAS!

cuilliesocks said...

Now I love these cards Darnell, lovely simple designs and the snowfolk are wonderful, Kate x

Jean said...

Super cute!!

Jeanne H said...

Thanks for the laugh! Needed that ~ yup it's cold here and my heat was out. Frozen pipe and I live in an apartment! They got it fixed with a super heat gun. My dog and I snuggled up. Wishing happy days to come for you and no more problems. :-)

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wonderful cards you created and I hope your break down woes are over now. Have a good rest of the week.

I Card Everyone said...

I can personally vouch for Twofer as it is truly superb irl!!! Thank you, Darnell! All three say Merry Christmas just beautifully! xo
=] Michele

BożenA said...

I love the snowmen from the Purple Onion, they are so sweet. I also like the slightly frayed pigeon. Great effect, quite casually. And the second card - my favoryt !! How beautiful you composed these stamps! Smashing effect!
Hugs,
BożenA

Geri said...

A tremendous trio of totally terrific treats, tethered together through a theme of the theason!

Okay...so I had to employ a bit of Darnellism to the above where season became 'theason' so that I could keep up the 't' trend! I actually pulled out my 12,000 year old Webster's dictionary and searched for "t" words...to no avail...so 'theason' was born.

Awesome cards! Your snowy sky is fabulous!

Birgit said...

What a sweet trio of cards! Yes, the snowmen are so adorable and make me smile. I hope your Christmas is very Merry Darnell!

Carol L said...

You always make the prettiest CAS cards and this collection is wonderful! Those two snowmen are pure fun and I love the subtle color in the snow-filled skies! Great job on them all!

Julia Dunnit said...

These are Ezpz because you make them look like it...I love them all, and you're so right, the snowmen did make me smile. I love your style missus, as you know.

Kathleen said...

Three brilliant CAS cards, really love the fun snowmen and the placement of the tree on the sentiment is brilliant. Gorgeous dove card too.
Kath x

Christine said...

Love all three cards but the silver and pink... just gorgeous!

Christine said...

Love all three cards but the silver and pink... just gorgeous!

Craftychris said...

All three of these are fabulous! The snowmen are my favourite though, they are gorgeous! 48 hours with no heat! Poor you! Thank goodness you like each other enough to cuddle! Tee hee! xxx

Mrs A. said...

That Hammy really is a deep thinker!. Love the first card very mucho.
Hugs Mrs A.

Brenda said...

I am feeling the pressure of Christmas closing in on me now. lol Taking a friend to PT 3 x's a week and have a bug for 2 days has gotten me a little behind. But what gets done, gets done and what doesn't...well it doesn't! Should be wrapping, but instead decided to comment some. lol Love all your beautiful card Auntie! The first one definitely puts a smile on my face. Your other two card are just so elegant and I love the beautiful shine on them!!! Hugs, Brenda

Nora Noll said...

Oh I LOVE what you did with the snowmen!! This is so cute!!!

The two gold cards are simply elegant. You totally ROCKED it!!

And I know how things come in threes. You need some good luck to come your way now!! You deserve it!!

Fikreta said...

very nice cards!

Bonnie said...

Thanks for the smile with those adorable and fun snow peeps! And I can vouch for the beauty of the second card as we are enjoying it among our Christmas festiveness! And the dove is beautiful. Our peace is a bit tarnished but there's still lots of hope! Keep warm and I hope that's the last of your calamities!

Cat Craig said...

Darnell, this post and your lovely up cards definitely put a smile on my face tonight. Hope you have your furnace all fixed up. This rain storm is bringing in some cold air...I'm feeling it all the way south in the desert!

Bobby said...

Those snowmen are definitely smile worthy, Darnell. I love the tree sitting on the arm of the 'merry' and that dove is glorious. Thank you for my beautiful card. The linen cardstock has such great texture and that glittery star is gorgeous.

laurie said...

Love your awesome threefers! That first card did make me smile! Have a great Christmas!!!

Kara Lynne said...

Not the furnace!! That idea just sent shivers down my spine! Anyhoo, what great cards! Those Purple Onion snowmen are some of my favorite all time images and your other two cards are so elegant!

Susan said...

Took me a minute to figure out the title of your post - but when I looked at the cards, I figured it out. Great batch of quick cards - I need to make some of those!! I'm still working away - make a couple of cards, write them, walk to the mailbox, and repeat! Add in some tea and shortbread, and the day is perfect!

Susanne Vargas said...

Your snowman card did make me smile (Purple Onion makes the cutest), the tree card is very clever and I absolutely love it and I agree with the symbolism of the Peace card! Wonderful trio!
My cards are all done but I am still busy writing and mailing them... Almost done though!

Angela Walters said...

I love how you grounded your tree with the letter "m" in "merry," Darnell! I'm a huge Purple Onion fan, so I love your card with their snowmen, too! Peace is a wonderful blessing at any time of year, especially at Christmas. Beautiful job on all three cards! How are you feeling? My back continues to give me a lot of trouble, but I am so blessed! I'm hoping and praying for a lot more ability to stamp, as far as being able to sit up longer and things like that in 2017, though! If I don't talk to you again, Merry Christmas to you and the mister!

Lisa Elton said...

Another wonderful display of pretty cards Darnell!! I sure hope Santa brings you some good luck this year! 54 is a bit chilly for the indoors!!

Loll said...

Three fabulous QCAS cards Dolly! And perfect for last minute cards to send out. :)

Sorry to hear about the plumbing, computer and furnace. Good thing is ... it's all out of the way and now you can relax. :) Take care. Lolly xx

Jill Norwood said...

Darnell as always after reading one of your lovely posts I have chuckled and smiled! Sorry about your woes especially the furnace...but so blessed to be able to cuddle up to stay warm! Love the sweet cards! Merry Christmas my dear to you and yours!!! Hugs!!

Di said...

Fabulous cards Darnell! The snow peeps one has to be my favourite though, just too cute. Hope you're all warm and cosy yourselves, oh, and that the furnace is also working 😉

Hugs

Di xx

Sandra H said...

Absolutely fabulous are your cards Darnell and what a time for your furness to play up and good job it wasn't as cold as your friends l had to laugh when you wrote you still like each other so you could snuggle up nice way of keeping warm take care sending lots of love xx

Notes by Nina said...

Fabulous trio of card Darnell, I love your CAS snow friends. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.

Janis Lewis said...

Fabulous cards! Thanks for joining us at The Merry Christmas Challenge.

Anonymous said...

Cute and elegant cards Darnell!!! TY for the beautiful card!!! I haven't sent mine out yet, how's that for a slacker! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!

Redanne said...

It really did make me smile, I love those happy, jolly snowmen - and you are right the second one is very elegant indeed! So sorry to hear about your furnace though... we are at my Son's house and they have real fires so we are a bit too toasty warm, although I shouldn't complain. Hope you get your issue resolved soon!! Big warm hugs, Annie xxx

Kath Stewart said...

beautiful cards Darnell and those holly jolly snowmen sure made me smile...thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge...hugs kath xxx

Viv said...

Amazing cards once again Dee, that first one made me smile though....such cute snow people!have a lovely Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year to you and your family also ;) hugs Vee xxxx

Macarena said...

The first card is very cute. I like the idea of not coloring the snowmen and leave them in black and white. The backgroung is so soft with the pastels! Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge! Hugs, Macarena

Neets B said...

Three super examples of CAS cards, Darnell. And oh my, how adorable are those snow peeps.....squeeeeeeee! They can't fail to make you smile. I love the hint of colour too.
Thanks for sharing with us at Less is More, Anita x

Julia Aston said...

Three lovely cards Darnell - and you are right - you just cannot look at those fun snowmen without smiling - or even laughing right out loud! Julia xx

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

And I am so delighted to be the recipient of that wonderfully elegant second card! The first one is simply hilarious and the third one with that luscious gold dove is gorgeous as well! Thanks for including me in your Christmas mailing - always delighted to get one of your beauties!

Linda said...

Darnell, so sorry for all of the bad luck you have had. Hopefully, that is the end of it. But you certainly had lots of luck with the 3 beautiful cards. That snowmen one is just too adorable and the other two just plain gorgeous. Thanks for joining us this week at Merry Monday.

Lisa T said...

I love all three cards! Purple Onion are high on my list to buy as I don't own any of their stamps yet. I love the simplicity of the dove and tree cards. And I agree with hammy the effect of the embossing on the dove is gorgeous. And I am now off to read your post about computers... as mine died this week. I feel your pain! Keep warm, Lisa xx

AO Creations said...

Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at TMCC, good luck!!! Amy DT

AO Creations said...

Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at ATSM, good luck!!! Amy DT

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Three fantastic cards, the first is fun, the subtle colouring is great and the bottom two are wonderful elegant CAS style. Seasons Greetings xx

OH Babs said...

Love the simplicity of your snow buddies card. :) Barb

Sue said...

A fantastic selection of cards Darnell.
Thank you so much for your recent kind comments on my blog and also for my gorgeous Christmas card too.
Sending you all the best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year!
hugs, Sue xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

54 inside???!!! I would have found a cat friendly hotel by then, left the electric blanket over the fishtank and fled.

Lovely simple cards. That first on takes the cake! Not my cake though because I already ate mine.

Cheryl W. said...

Gorgeous card. Love the simple layouts and special effects (like lovely silvery ink and dimensional snow). Our furnace quit working on Thursday - it was down to 58 degrees by the time I got home and realized it. That wouldn't be so bad, but it was below zero outside, and I was concerned about our pipes freezing. Luckily my hubs came home, flipped the breaker off and then on again, and it started working!

Colleen said...

Where do the days go? They just fly by...spent the entire day from 7 AM until 7 PM in the gym watching granddaughter play volleyball...we were the last to leave because they were playing for the championship match...they lost in three but boy was it a good game! Now I am trying to knit up some boot cuffs for Christmas gifts, not sure how much time I will have for making cards. I had to comment on your so very cute snowmen card for Merry Monday. those two are quite a pair and looking quite pleased that it is snowing! We actually still have snow on the ground here in West Linn. the kiddos missed two more days of school and had an early extended Christmas break. it should start to warm up and have quite a bit of rain on Monday. I sure do love that white stuff, it makes everything look so clean and pure and a lot like Christmas! Thank you for sharing your card at Merry Monday and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Heart Hugs, Col

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi there dear sweet friend, Darnell,
..thank you so much for popping over and your very lovely comment on my big post,
I love these QACAS cards, they are superbly CAS and very smiley too the first one and classically beautiful, the last two. Less is definitely more.
May you have a God blessed Christmas and a healthier happy 2017 ahead.
Thanks for sharing,
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Deborah Frings said...

I think they are all just super cards. I love the fun snow guys, the lovely shimmery tree and that serene dove - all perfect for Christmas. Thanks so much for playing along with The Male Room this month! Deborah, DT.

It's always a pleasure to read your posts. I do hope that the furnace has now been repaired. Take care xxx

Sian said...

I love your snowman card. Thank you for joining us at Make My Monday. Sian (DT)

Unknown said...

Love your cards. Those snowmen are so cute!! My fave, though, is the tree perched on that sentiment. Beautifully done. Thank you for joining us at Stamp, Ink, Paper this week.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Love the funny snowfolk and the golden dove but the silver ink has really captured my eye. I've never seen such a shiny ink so will have to find out what brand that is.
Hope you've got all your breakdowns sorted. I think you blew the fuse on the furnace so you could get up close and personal with the Mr lol!
Ang x

Sybrina K said...

Hi Darnell,

A three-fer! You have been one busy elf. I have to say I love your hand-drawn landscape on your first card. Really well done! :)

Merry Christmas... and happy crafting in the new year!

Carolyn Lindenmayer said...

Your CAS cards are so elegant Darnell. Thanks so much for joining us this week at Stamp, Ink, Paper. Carolyn xx

Gerrina said...

I love the sereen and dove-card, but the snowmen made me smile; great so perfectly CAS! Have a good week! Hugs, Gerrina

Beverley said...

An awesome trio of festive CAS delight. All three are simply perfect and I am so glad you linked up and shared your creativity with me and everyone at Uniko. Warm Hugs Bev x

Greta said...

I'm really getting to like simpler designs & these are wonderful, Darnell! The snowmen did indeed make me smile!

Zelda said...

Oh the snowmen made me smile but then your blog always makes me smile! I really like the other two designs - perfectly CAS. I hope all is going smoothly now and all is well with you and the Mister and Hammy (of course). Hugs xx

TK said...

Three wonderful cards! Love the whimsy one the one-fer; elegance abounds on the two-fer; and the three-fer is beautiful! I believe Hammy called it, leave that peace dove as is -- wonderful!
Sorry to hear about your heat! Glad it didn't dip down too much, and that you still kinda like each other...

Anita in France said...

Those snow peeps did have me smiling all over my face, Darnell ... merci! Your dove is elegant and beautiful (as well as being clever) ... and the shimmery shiny silver ... you know how glorious I think that one is already ... and I'm so delighted to have one of my very own to admire in the flesh (that's the card in the flesh, not me, gosh that would be scary!). Hope you're both warm and toasty by now ... either by snuggling or as a result of the furnace being repaired! LYAMYMMA! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Donna said...

Glad you and hubby still like each other!
Such a happy card, Darnell. X