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 25, 2016

Wishing You Joy!

'Twas the night before Christmas, 
And all through the Playhouse,
Not a hamster was stirring,
Not even the mouse.

The cards were all made and delivered with care,
I was so weary, my fingers worn bare.
I laid down my head, my eyelids did flutter.
"You sure love your friends," I heard Hammy mutter.

When out on the driveway,
There arose such a clatter,
The mailman came limping,
His gift bag made fatter.

Now Simon, now Altenew, now Concord & 9,
On SU, on Michael, on Amazon Prime.
To the front door so festive, the mailbox so deep,
Now stash away, stash away,  goodies to keep.

As I drew in my head and looked back on the mess,
to the floor I did sink, getting ink on my dress.
But I cared not a whit, for my eyes were all gleamy,
NBUS awaited, each project so dreamy!

Laying a finger on new dies and glitter,
the new year before me, my heart all atwitter,
I say to you stamplings, "May you craft with delight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

2016
Darnell J. Knauss
(with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)

 Hammy and I and the whole family wish you the happiest of holidays
and the merriest of new years!
~~~
Rachel, Dan
Jack, Adam, Kevin, Darnell, Henry, Duke
~~~
The Hats ~ Year Twelve!
Adam and Henry
Jack and Duke
~~~

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Enjoy your holiday in whatever way you celebrate!
No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* 
If this is a bittersweet holiday for you,
I send you special hugs and
I hope you enjoy remembering the good times!
Love,
*Life is too short!

76 comments:

Glennis F said...

Thanks Darnell, and the happiest of festive seasons to you. I love your poetry - so true!

Karren said...

This is just superb! Very Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for the card eye-candy and the entertainment this year. Hugs!

Di said...

Merry Christmas dear friend!

Hugs

Di xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards and the poem.

That's a lovely photo of you all. I love the photo of the two dogs.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas. Sue

adele holcomb said...

You are so clever -- what a fun take on the traditional poem! Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday.

!neke said...

Great blogpost Darnell !
Wishing you and your family all the best for 2017 !

Ineke x

Pat said...

What a clever and fun adaptation of the poem Darnell, really made me chuckle, and I adore that cute Christmas mouse on the gorgeous sparkly bauble, and a wonderful photo of you and the family too. I think this year for me has been the best since I started blogging with lots of new and interesting things happening in my crafty world and part of that was meeting up with you in the Summer and through you meeting and making new crafty friends. I hope you and the family have a great Christmas and I look forward to more creative fun and beautiful cards from you in 2017. x

KT Fit Kitty said...

Awesome poem, Darnell! I love your adorable card too! Enjoy the festivities with your beautiful family!

Lynn said...

Merry merry Christmas to you and your family Darnell! xx

Mrs A. said...

Merry Christmas my sweet friend. Hugs Mrs A.

designbydonna said...

Merry Magical Christmas to you and your family. I love your and Hammy;s sparkly magical card. Great poetry too. Describes all us stampers and crafters.

Lynette said...

Merry Christmas, Darnell!! Enjoy!! Your poem is superb, and I thank you for sharing the pictures of your family. Beautiful card, too.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Beautiful poem and adorable card! Your family's photos are lovely too!
Merry Christmas to you!! :D

Helen F. said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thank you for your never ending inspiration and fun posts, Darnell.
Love the poem and card :-)

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Only you could come up with that poem. Hilarious!
Your card is marvellous, one of my favourites I think.
Love the photos of your beautiful family. Hope you are having a wonderful day with them.
Best wishes.
Ang x

Craftychris said...

Fabulous poem! Gorgeous card and fab piccies too! Merry Christmas to you both, I hope you are having an awesome day! Big hugs. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sharon Underwood said...

Love it!!! You're so creative with your art AND your words! Merry Christmas to you, Darnell, and your family, too. You're truly a blessing who brings a smile to my life.

HJ said...

Merry Christmas, Darnell. I loved your adaptation of the poem and the totally cute card. The family pictures were precious. The boys are growing up and up!! I am so glad I found your blog. I enjoy your creative designs and your fun commentary. Take care. Have a safe, healthy and blessed 2017!

Sandy said...

Merry Christmas Darnell.

Kathleen said...

You are a poet, and you didn't know it.
Fabulous post and two wonderful cards.
Enjoy your new stash.
Hope you had a great day.
My Hubby's birthday is Christmas Day and he is a twin too.
Big 70 for them next year.

Kath x

Flo said...

Merry Christmas wishes and blessings, Darnell & family. (You have a lovely family, I might add. 👍)
Love the "take" on Clement Moore's poem--you have such a clever way with words! 💕
Your card is adorable--love that playful hamster swinging on that ornament. 😍

Cheryl W. said...

You're a treasure, Darnell. I knew you were a wordsmith, and now I know you're also a poet. Have a wonderful holiday.

BożenA said...

Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your whole family
Hugs,
BożenA

LauraJane:) said...

Such a fun tale of Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas To you and yours.

Diane said...

A very Merry Christmas to you all, love the poem and wonderful pictures.

Hugs diane

Tina Z. said...

ah, I love the the card and your poem :).
happy holidays with your family.
hugs xx

cm said...

Your post has me mega-smiling: your poem speaks of yet more WOW about to unfold, and your family photos are just sooooo marvelously wonderful. A whole lot o'love happening! Merry Christmas wishes once again! Just back from spending the afternoon with my niece and nephew; back at mom's long enough to pick her up and we're heading back. My brother's the 'turkey chef'...looking forward to a scrumptious dinner and more hugs and giggles!
hugs~c

Carol L said...

I just adore that poem and can't stop smiling! TFS your wonderful family photos, and happy birthday to the boys! Love the snoozing doggies - that's just too cute too! I hope your Christmas was filled with magic and wonderful time spent together! Wheeeeeeeeee

Brenda said...

Auntie, you are a clever, poem writing gal! I love it!!! I also love that card, how cute is Hammy swinging on that ornament?!! The family pic is beautiful and I just can't believe how big those twins are! My my but they are big for 12!! Poor Bret was still being asked if he wanted a kids menu when he was driving. lol Not anymore, they think he is older than he is now and he is of average height now. Love the puppies as well, they are so sweet! A BIG Merry Christmas to you and a happy, healthy New Year as well!!!! Love and hugs, Brenda

Susan said...

Brilliant rewrite of The Night Before Christmas - made me laugh. Thanks for the Christmas cheer! Wishing a wonderful day for you and yours too!

Bonnie said...

Love!!!

Sybrina K said...

What a perfect way to express a card-maker's Christmas! Hope you've enjoyed a blessed holiday and wish you a wonderful new year. :)

Jen Mitchell said...

Merry Christmas to you as well! Thanks for a splendid poem!

MaryH said...

LOL! What a perfect Twas the Night Before for a dedicated crafter! You are just amazing at all you can do. Loved the card, loved the pictures of the family (what young men the Twinks have become) and even the poochies - all tuckered out. Hope that all of you had a splendid, splendid day together. Hugs

kiwimeskreations said...

What a multi talented person you are Darnell - loved your adaptation of that poem!! i hope you have had a wonderful day
Blessings
Maxine

Linda said...

That poem is so awesome. You have such a way with words. Well done my friend. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Love your card and pictures.

Anonymous said...

I do hope you had a fabulous Christmas. Thanks for the poem and the gorgeous card :)

Redanne said...

You are so gifted with words my dear friend, I just love your poem, it really did make me smile! Love your card too and the fabulous family photo - goodness, those boys have really shot up since last year - two very handsome young men. Jack and Duke are just adorable.

Hope you are enjoying the festive season! Love and hugs, Annie xxx

Sue said...

Gorgeous card and fabulous photo's Darnell all the best for 2017 hugs Sue xxx

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

AWESOME blog and card! Best wishes for a Happy and CREATIVE New Year!

Brenda in IN said...

Wonderful, fun poem and so perfect for your blog. I love the family picture and cannot believe how tall the twins look. Oh my gosh, we are watching them grow up! The picture of the dogs is the sweetest. Okay when is 2017 NBUS - bring it on. I don't understand why Hammy wasn't in the family picture but seeing him on the cute Christmas card will have to do.

Colleen said...

Darnell, you are such a gem, you bring so much delight and positivity every time I open your blog! I am so happy to call you friend and so enjoy your posts and getting a glimpse into your life! Fabulous card and great family portrait! Hope you have a most fabulous 2017...although how can you beat your fabulous trip tot he UK? What is up next on your bucket list? Happy New Year friend! Heart Hugs, col

Verna Angerhofer said...

Awesome poetry and a great card. No electricity here but thank goodness we have a generator we can run now and then. You have a great day.

Marcia Hill said...

I LOVED your Christmas poem!! Not only does she stamp, but she's a poet too! I am SO impressed Darnell! Beautiful family pictures! Merry, merry Christmas my friend! :0)

Irish Cherokee said...

LOVE this card! "Believe" is Jill's favorite inspiration word. Looks like the hamster got a modelling job. Sweet. Looks great on the card. Hope your Christmas was all you hoped it would be.

Love, Big Hugs and Blessings,
Jim

Pia S said...

What a fun and well written poem. Sweet card too!
I've had a lovely Christmas. My sister's three boys all had chickenpox but everything still went well.
Enjoy the rest of the holidays!

Linda said...

I love your poem .... the perfect Boxing Day pick-me up.
Hope you had a fabulous Christmas Day .... enjoy the rest of the festivities.
Love and best wishes for 2017 xx

OH Babs said...

Lovely Christmas wishes, poem, card and photo from the Knauss family.
Wishing you the healthiest and happiest of New Years.
Hugs, from a fellow stampoholic :) BBB

Pat said...

Loved your poem, your card, your pictures, your joyous wishes, & your compassion for those of us who are grieving. You are always a bright spot in my in-box. Next time, I think Henry should be the lap & you can be the settee.Happy 2017 to you & yours.

Fikreta said...

great poem!
very cute card and photos are very nice!
Merry Christmas!

Bobby said...

I love your remake of the poem, Darnell. Of course Hammy swinging on an ornament is just precious, as are those handsome grandsons of yours.

Carol H. said...

Love your remake! Merry Christmas to you and a very blessed and crafty new year! Hugs!

Lisa Elton said...

I love visiting your blog, I always leave with a smile!! Your card with Hammy is just about as CUTE as it gets!! Beautiful family photos Darnell. I hope you enjoyed a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

LesleyG said...

Wonderful poem :) wonderful pictures wonderful family, hope your Christmas was wonderful too, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful new year xxx

sandie said...

Enjoy those goodies. I need to look at the sales as no crafty goodies for me.....so much NBUS to use! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and my love for the New Year....oh and adorable card with the touches of glitter xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A fantastic take on the traditional poem Darnell, I'm about to trawl through the internet to see what goodies I can find in the sales. Hope you had a great Christmas.

Sue xx

Un Arcobaleno di Colori said...

Hi Darnell!
Thank you for visiting my blog! I'm so happy! And...here I am.... I visited you blog too and I'm a new follower! :-)
Congrats for your AMAZING playouse.... It's absolutely fantastic!!!
Have a lovely day and a very happy new year for you and your beautiful family !
Hugs and Smiles from Italy :-)
Francesca

Viv said...

Love your sweet poem, super cute card and lovely photo Dee! my how those grandtwins are growing also!!!hope you had a lovely Christmas and wishing you & your family a very Happy and Healthy 2017!hugs Viv xx

Anita in France said...

My goodness, your brain was still working brilliantly despite the fingers being worn to the bone, Darnell ... that poem is fantastic! Not sure how you managed to get Hammy to pose so beautifully so you could immortalise him on your delicious bauble card ... maybe the promise of something special from Santa??! Gorgeous photo, my friend ... lovely smiles ... your boys are just shooting up ... they must be 23 ft 7 by now! Hope you had a wonderfully Blessed Christmas! LYAMYHAHMCA! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Sarn said...

Fabulous card Darnell.

Wishing you and your a VERY Happy New Year. xxx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Luvre the poem! But even better than that is the card with Hammy on it. That just takes the cake... er... I mean the Christmas pudding.

Sharron said...

What a joy your poetic version of TTNBC is! And your card is so precious. Hope your Christmas was truly magical for you and all the family. Love the photos!

Carole said...

Merry Christmas Darnell...your poem was just how I imagined the postman delivering your mail. Giggles and chuckles bubbled up as I read with delight the poem you wrote. You deserve the multitude of admirers that follow and enjoy your witty blog. Happy New Year...be safe and well hugs Carole

Greta said...

Oh wow--I love your poem, Darnell! It reminds me of poems my mom wrote. Wonderful family photo, but oh those sleeping puppy dogs stole my heart! What a cute card--glad your fingers held out long enough to get it made! Wishing you a terrific 2017, my friend!

Jenni's Jems said...

Loving that poem !And the card too of course :)I hope 2017 is your best year yet and I thank you for my Christmas card that will join the others on my wall in my crafty room as a source inspiration xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

I hope you and the family had an amazing Christmas. Love the poem and cards.
Hugs and blessings for a very happy new year.
Em xxx

Jules said...

Hi Darnell

Loving your cute hammy Christmas card .. .. it is beautiful. It looks super special with the gold embossing.

I hope you had a really lovely Christmas and wish you all the best for 2017!

Sorry I didn't get to meet you earlier this year when you did your travelling around England. it all sounded super enjoyable.

Love Jules xx

maria f. said...

Hope your family time was/is joyful and those dogs are too cute to be real! You must really tire them out! All the best to you and yours for 2017, Darnell.

Karenladd said...

Happy New Year to you Darnell, and to Hammy too!! Hoping your 2017 is crafty in the best of ways and that you enjoy good health as you dance through your days! Hmmmm, I think a rhyme muscled its way into my post, but we'll just pretend that didn't happen

Sue - said...

Is there no end to your talent Darnell, a poet now! Love your photos and card, and those two pooches are so sweet! Happy New Year to you and all your family.

JD/ Jill said...

I knew you were a great card maker...but I didn't realize what a great poet you are too. Great card, poem and sweet pics! Thanks for sharing.

Sue from Oregon said...

Happy New Year Darnell!

scrappymo! said...

Great card (so adorable) and great family photo.
From my house to yours, Happy New Year!

Cat Craig said...

Love your entire post! So wonderful sharing this last year with you Darnell. Happy New Year

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Aw this is such a lovely post Darnell, beautfully card, and huge chuckle over your poem and all the ones who came inthrough your letterbox... what joy for any crafter!!
Hope and pray 2017 is a healthy one for you your family and Hammy.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration,
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Lisa T said...

What a fantastic verse, almost had me tearing up a little. I wish I had had a chance to read this on Christmas Eve when you sent it, but bedlam reigned supreme down at mum and dads, and I missed reading it... I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Darnell, I look forward to hopefully reading your posts on time this year (although I didn't get off to a good start). Onwards and upwards my friend, look forward to more of your cards and wit in 2017, Lisa xx