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!

June 15, 2017

You're My Person and Spring Vacay

Hello, my Stamplings!

How's it going? You doing okay?

I am sorry to be away so long. We spent five amazing days with the grandtwins (photos below) and I planned to be back right after that except that a Migraine Train came roaring through here and knocked me for a loop for the last two days. I'm praying it's gone now for a long time, but if not, I appreciate the reprieve! So does Hammy. He's tired of trying to keep a cool cloth on my forehead while I'm rolling around moaning like a pig in a cactus patch.

I was delighted to notice that my dear friend Bev (Happy Dance) is a guest designer at The Heart Desires and I simply had to play with her! So I used the colors from the photo inspiration at The Heart Desires, the sketch over at CAS Colours & Sketches, and a Brusho (or the like) theme from Just Us Girls Trend Week to make this little number:
I followed Bev's lead and used the floral inspiration. The NBUS blossoms came from the MFT stamp and die set, "Large Desert Bouquet." I cut them from a Brusho background I made. The stamps are solid and I didn't want to cover up all the background so I very lightly stamped them and then ran around the edge of each petal with my mint green Ziggie. It was a bit fussy to do, but I like the definition it gave the petals. 

The NBUS sediment is from Concord & 9th's set, "You're My Person." A Washi tape border and some triple red blingaling completed the ensemble.

~~~

Spring Vacation

Papa and I took these two handsome and interesting 12-year-old characters away for five days to a lake near Mt. Lassen in northern California while their mom and dad had a nice long weekend in New Orleans.
Henry on the left, Adam on the right.
Short sleeves in the snow? Why not? Shoes untied? Well, of course!
The first photo in the above collage is the view of the lake from the deck of the house we rented. There was a small private dock for the boys to fish and swim from. It was a boys' paradise and we loved it, too.
A day trip to Mt. Lassen was foiled by a road closure due to the heavy snowfall this year, but it was open far enough up to play for a while.
Papa rented a fishing boat, but try as they might both on the dock and on the boat, their faces in the upper right photo tell the story: NO FISH anywhere! Hecka fun driving the boat though!
Tired of drowning worms? No problem, how about a trainyard and museum? 

We camped on this same lake and took their father to this same railroad museum 30 years ago, so it was really special to bring his sons to the same places!

Thanks for letting me share our great times with you!

~~~

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83 comments:

Rahmat said...

Beautiful pictures Darnell, and I hope your migraine is all gone by the window soon. It's hard to focus with a headache.
You have made a gorgeous green card for the challenge, love it!

Jane Willis said...

What a fun trip you had, sorry it all ended in a migraine. Hope you are fully better now. Your card is stunning with that vibrant green, really eye catching.
Jane

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the card. I like the zingy (is that a word?) Green.

Looks like you and the boys had a lovely time and what a beautiful place.

Take care.

Hugs
Sue

Kathyk said...

Loving your card, Darnell, fabulous choice of colour and what great vacation pix - looks like a fabulous time will have been had by all - hope that migraine if off for good!

Take care matey

Kathyk

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

beautiful photographs and I love your pretty card :) green is one of my favorite colors!
hugs
preeti

Julie B said...

You looked to have had a great time with the twins, sorry you returned with a stinker of a migraine though. Hope it is indeed out the door. Love that zingy green, so fresh and vibrant. :)

Stamps and Paper said...

Looks like the boys had a great time and thank you Darnell for sharing your lovely photo's with us...
Love your card too...hope the migraine has now passed

Anne x

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh how I loath migraines too!! Glad you had Hammy there to give your comfort
Love your stunning card Darnell - the vibrant green is wonderful.
What a great holiday you must have had with the grandsons.
Blessings
Maxine

Fikreta said...

what a nice card!
great photos !
Im sure you all had wonderful time togheter!
hugs

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Great card Darnell and wonderful, happy family photos! Looks like the boys had a blast! I haven't been around myself for a few weeks - due to my being away without internet, and our disaster on our return home! Hope to catch up soon! Have a wonderful day my friend! Love & Hugs. Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Ros Crawford said...

I do hope you are feeling better Darnell... Wonderful CAS card! Love the bright greens with those red dots... I sure enjoyed seeing your photos... What handsome young boys and what super places you got to see! Have a good day!

Brenda in IN said...

I'm sorry your trip ended with a migraine that laid you low. The card is in beautiful shades of green and a fun design on the left. What great pictures of the twins. That is such a beautiful place where you stayed with a stunning view. That was a true boy vacation of fishing and getting to drive the train. The snow got me - so much of it and it is so terribly hot here!

JoAnn said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time on your vacay with the twins. Love the photos you shared. Sorry you had a migraine but hope it is all gone by the wayside now.
Love your pretty card with the green flowers.

Lisa said...

What beautiful pictures of your vacation with the adorable twins and their adorable smiles!! It looks like so much fun!! Gah - snow in June??!! Your card is gorgeous!! I love the pretty green flowers and the washi border!! I hope your migraine is gone for good and you are feeling much better. Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Beverley said...

So sorry to hear you have been unwell with migraines, I hope they are gone and you are feeling well again. LOVELY to see you in the CC&S gallery and with such a beautiful eye catching card, loving the greens :) What handsome young men and how lovely for you to take them to where you took your son. Thank you for sharing the photos, such a delight to see :) Hugs Bev x

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

I am trying to picture a pig wallowing in a cactus patch now!
Hope you are better for a long while. Your trip looked like tons of fun and your card is super bright and fun, too!

Mac Mable said...

Vibrant and gorgeous card and so clever how you incorporated the challenges. Amazing photos and memories you've shared with us, thank you x Sorry about the migraine x

Pat said...

Fabulous photos Darnell and what a great place to go for a few days, and the boys obviously enjoyed their time with you. I love your pretty card and love what you did to the flowers, and the washi tape and red bling look great. I'm sorry this migraine floored you but hope it has been banished by now. x

Marilyn said...

Gorgeous card!! Hope you are feeling better! Looks like the grandkids had a great time. Hope their parents had a good time in New Orleans and hope they had some nice days without all of the rain we have been having here in New Orleans.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi there Darnell,
Was doing prayer time so popped over to let you know am praying for 20th. Love your card wouldn't have thought of tine on tone with Brusho like that, brilliant..l love the boys shots too, what fun you all had!! So glad!!
But sorry indeed for migraine train, my sister's get them too... mercifully it's one thing I don't get, I get bad heads and have to go to bed but not real migraines.
Sending bloggy hugs dear friend, Shaz.x

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what a very super card and such a super design.
As usual it's perfectly created.

Super photos of your Grandsons and your days away.

So sorry to hear about your migraines my hubby suffers with them and they make him feel very tired the day after he has had one, and quite confused also.
He used to get lots of them at one time but after his op for a blocked artery in his neck he doesn't suffer so much now.

Love and big crafty hugs from my house to yours.Jenny L.

Karen said...

Hope the migraine is long gone. I was delighted to see the Mt. Lassen photos. We were there in August nearly 20 years ago when our kids were teenagers. It was 114° in Reading, and 90° at the top of Mt. Lassen, but I have a photo of the kids in tank tops and shorts standing on a bank of snow. Love the pretty card!

conil said...

"A pig in a cactus patch"??? That's a new one on me but it's very descriptive. Yikes. Glad Hammy was there to bring you comfort.
How fresh you card looks...love the sentiment and that awesome washi...you even got to use up some of your Brusho'd paper. Win-win.
Looks like the boys had a blast despite the road closure and the lack of fish. It's amazing how they can always come up with something to do if they try. And how nostalgic and touching to share something with them that you did with their Father at the same age. Brought a tear to my eye.
Well, I'll wipe my nose and end this comment. Hope you're feeling well and no more migraines. Hugs.

designbydonna said...

Gorgeous flowers on your card. Thanks for sharing the pics of your outing with the grands. Looks like a fun time making precious memories.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Amazing CAS, love the design and the bright colours! That green is fabulous!
It seems you have had a fab trip with your young grandsons!! They have enjoyed surely all these fun things!!! :D

Cara said...

Your card is stunning. So sorry to hear that you've been plagued my migraines. My Mum used to suffer terribly with them, though she's not had one for a few years now, but I remember her having to stay quiet in a darkened room for a few days and taking in Farley's baby rusks in hot milk as that was the only thing she could keep down, so you have my complete sympathy. So glad that you were able to have a lovely vacation though, they will treasure those memories for years, as of course will you!

Sarah said...

Loving your bright fresh card Darnell. Hope the migraine train doesn't make a return journey. Lovely pictures of your Grandsons, they really are a handsome pair and it's good to see boys doing just what boys should!! xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful card with those spring green blooms on it and it looks like everyone was having fun with the vacation too!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Awesome card love how u used the colors, and the ink powders for your flowers. Looks like good times for you and the kids thanks for joining in JUGS!

okienurse said...

beautiful card and I really enjoyed the pictures of the handsome young men and spring break. We passed by Mount Lassen last November when we went to CA! Beautiful country after a lot of dryness down south! Vickie

cuilliesocks said...

Oh poor you Darnell, migraines are so delibitating, awful things. Hope you are well and truly over it now.
Your card is beautiful, lovely simple designs and colours.
What a pair of handsome young men, and the places you've been look fantastic, thanks for sharing them, Kate x

Birgit said...

Migraines suck, I have a good friend who suffers from them and it is horrible. I'm glad you had a great time with the young boys and saw them swim and play in the snow!! That is quite the snowfall and glad it was there and not here:) I love your card-the bright green really sets off the white of the card plus the red adds everything to it

Trina P. said...

Great card Darnell. It captures the inspiration photo perfectly.
Your trip looks fabulous. Swimming and playing in the snow all on the same trip. Gotta love global warming! 😂 Sorry to hear you suffer from migraines. Hope they are gone now.
Have a great day.

Trina xx

Ruth said...

What handsome lads. It looks like you had a fabulous time, although as a mother I was concerned about lack of coats and untied shoes, so it's probably lucky I have girls 😂 Fabulous card - I do so love that colour of green. Maybe my half Irish heritage. Have a fabulous rest of the week and I hope your migraine does not come back anytime soon. They are evil! Xx

oldpunca said...

I'm sorry to read about your migraine. I know from experience how you have felt. :-( I hope it is away for ever!
Thank you for sharing super nice fotos from your spring vacation.
Oh, I almost forgot to write how much I like your card. It is so "fresh" in green. Amazing work and a great idea!
Hugs, Sonja

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Sorry you've had to put up with a migraine after your wonderful trip.
Love your fresh and zingy looking card. It has a delightfully summery feel.
Hope you manage to shake off the migraine and have some chill time over the next few days.
Ang x

Carol L said...

Your card is wonderful and I LOVE that sentiment "You're my person!" Gorgeous green color on those flowers! Great photos and what a wonderful time you had with the DGS's by the look of that picture! It's funny to see Henry in a t-shirt playing in the snow! LOL

Jean said...

Looks like a lot of fun!

Redanne said...

First, I am so sorry you have been suffering with migraine, I hope that it stays away now for a very long time!!!

Your card is beautiful, I love the green flowers, we used to have similar ones in our garden. The leaves up the side are just perfect and I love that sentiment too!

What a lovely place to take Henry and Adam, it looks so beautiful there, how lovely that they got to go to the same place you took their dad - that must have been so special! Keep well my friend, I will write soon... Hugs, Annie xxx

Kathleen said...

A lovely card with the fabulous Spring greens, super CAS card,
Your 'break' photo's are fabulous and the boys look like typical boys of that age and most importantly they look to to be having a great time, well who wouldn't with such fun Grandparents,
I also hope that your migraine doesn't return for a very long time too.

Kath x

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful card Darnell! Glad you all had a great time.

Cat Craig said...

Fun post Darnell, love the pictures. Your card is so fresh, and pretty.

Bonnie said...

A bright and happy card and a bright and happy vacation with those handsome grandsons!

Happy Dance said...

Your card is so CASly pretty. Those blooms are delightful, and I like how you used them with a brusho panel and then inky dinked around the petals. Those greens are wonderful, and the red really makes them pop. And that washi tape.... I like that very much, and hope you use it often on upcoming cards. "You're My Person." True story. I'll bet you and the Mister made memories with those boys that they'll treasure their whole lives long, and I'll also bet that someday they'll take their families there too. Beautiful place. Looks like in spite of getting skunked fishing, they had a fabulous time. Awesome grandparenting. Sorry about those stinking, stanking migraines. If anyone knows how that feels, it's me. And I wish I could take them away from you forever. Hope, for the time being at least, they leave you alone. LOVE your card. Mmmmmm....pretty! xoxo Bev

OH Babs said...

Fun green card and washi tape (yeah). I always love your photos. There is snow and there is a lake and there are two boys. How close was the lake to the snow? OMG! You are in my thoughts. Barb

Flo said...

Your bright and colorful card 😍 is just the opposite of how you were feeling, so it should cheer up whoever receives it. 😊
I really enjoyed reading about your trip with the grandkids; I'll bet it's something they'll retell to their own kids decades from now, and something they now have in common with their Dad.

I Card Everyone said...

LOvely card for our buddy Bev - I know she's thrilled you're playing along ... and I adore the photos of the boys ! Good thing one had a haircut - I couldn't tell you who from who! They're growing up, D. and will remember this trip fondly, when they bring their own kids there... xx
=]

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely card.
Thank you for sharing your pics of your time away. Such great grandparents to take the boys on a trip I'm sure they will remember the time.

LesleyG said...

A vividly vibrant vivacious card, I love it, and love the photos too, looks like a very memorable trip, they are growing up fast. Hope the migraines stay away, take care xxx

Lisa Elton said...

Sure hope that migraine is gone for good. You've done Bev proud, your card is delightful!!, The Washi vine down the side is pretty. Terrific pictures of those handsome boys. Looks like they had a great time!!

Cheryl W. said...

Your card is so pretty! Love that green flower. I need to remember that the next time I go to make a flower (I don't usually give green the time of day when it comes to flowers). The big smiles on your grandsons' faces show how much they enjoyed their time with you. What a gorgeous place to make some special memories!

Gerrina said...

Looks like you had an active vacation with two active boys!! Great collages/pics!
And your card is beautiful; love the colours of the flower; those brusho-colours look so good!
Hope no migraine for you in a long time; would be nice :)! Hugs, Gerrina

nancy littrell said...

Love your bright CAS flower design, Darnell. Really enjoyed all your mini vacation photos of the twins. Fun seeing them growing up. My twin sis and I still have lots of fun together. Yep, at 71 we are still twins and very close...Margie still wears her hair longer and I keep mine short. Helps our friends tell us apart...lol! Hugs...

Linda said...

WOW! Looks like you all had an amazing time ..... it looks like a beautiful place.
Gorgeous card too .... I love the bright colour.
Hope the migraine has finally gone. Enjoy the weekend xx

Anonymous said...

A lovely bright and fresh card Darnell and congratulations on being showcased over at Less is More. Enjoyed looking at your holiday photos.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful card and pix, Darnell.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Dana M said...

I hope that migraine train stays away from your station! Fabulous card and it looks like you had a wonderful time with the grandtwins!

Lisa T said...

What a lovely vacation you had Darnell. Looks like the boys enjoyed their time and drowning worms!!! Sleeves in snow eeeeek! I just can't! I do hope your migraine has gone, they are nasty annoying beggers that knock us for six sometimes - I know, I get them too. Onto your card, well those colours together are just beautiful. The zingy green and red with that black sentiment are a match made in heaven. It's fresh and delicious! Hugs Lisa xx

Jane said...

Hi dear Darnell..thanks so much for the heads up re HLS! I almost missed your gorgeous post too...what a great trip you have enjoyed. I've been a bit preoccupied..some health issues with our darling baby Jack...but we'll get through it. Your grandsons are gorgeous and how wonderful to revisit the train museum where you took your son...magical memories. Enjoy the weekend, it's scorching here! Hubs xxx

Jane said...

Your bright greens really caught my eye and I love this card! Thanks for playing at CC&S. Fab pics of your grandboys too, they look like enormous fun!

Linda said...

Lovely card Darnell and TFS pictures with the boys. Looks like you had a great time.

karen h said...

Cool card. Love the leafy border. Thanks for playing along with us at CC&S!

Carole Pollard said...

I do love your card the colour is so vibrant and it all works so well Fabulous photos of two amazing boys Looks like a fun packed time Love and hugs Carole x

Craftychris said...

Ooh I hope your migraine stayed away! So not nice, bless you! Gorgeous photos! It looks like a wonderful time was had by all! Even the escaping fish. The boys certainly are a handsome pair! They are lucky to have such wonderful grandparents to take them on such a fab trip. I hope their parents enjoyed New Orleans, so cool! I nearly forgot, beautiful card too! xxx

samantha's cards said...

Wonderful card, thanks for joining us at CC&S.

Marybeth said...

First of all I am so so sorry about the 2 day migraine not sure if I could live through more than one day! Glad you are feeling better!
Oh my goodness looks like you and the twins had a wonderful time! Loved seeing all the photos and how big the boys are getting! We are Yosemite bound soon!
Love your beautiful bright card, Darnell! Happy to have two of your cards on display in my craft room right now. Just need some time to get in that room.
Hugs and miss you, sorry I am so bad at checking in.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Hope you have recovered from your migraines by now....a delightful post, as usual. Those boys were in fro a real treat! So nice of you to let us in on the fun! Pretty card, too!

Geri said...

Fabulous card...love the gorgeous gesso flowers! The outline really defines the petals beautifully!

Pics steal the show though! Thanks for sharing your trip with us! So cool taking the kidlets to the same museum that their daddy visited 30 years ago! This is EXACTLY how new memories are made and old memories cherished!

PS...you gotta bring the boys to Manitoba for some AWESOME, action packed walleye fishing!!!

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, Great card... and fabulous pics! So glad you had such a nice trip with the grandkids. Hope that you stay migraine-free for quite a while. Card blog land is a much happier place when you visit. :)

Izzy Scrap said...

Love your card, Darnell ! So fresh with this bright green and a wonderful take on the 3 challenges in one card ! Hope you're feeling better now ! Your grandsons are awesome young boys and we can see the joy of living on their faces (normal with such a joyful grandma !) ! BTW, you three have the same smile ! Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures ! Take care ! Hugs x

maria f. said...

You're the best! Playing over at THD with Bev. And taking the twins to the same place their Dad vacationed. Such Fun!!! Love how they each sport a different look, BTW.

shirley-bee said...

How fabulous that you took the grandsons to the same place you took your son - they look like they had fun (apart from the no-fish fishing trip!). Love your springy zingy card :)

Loll said...

Beautiful card with your brushos flowers, Dolly. And I love that washi strip ... looks like hand watercoloured. :)

Looks like everyone had a fantastic vacation. The boys are sure getting big. Time goes so fast, doesn't it??!! So nice that the boys get to go to the same place as you took there Dad. A special memory vacation for sure.

Hope the migraines are getting better. Take care.

Lolly xx

Karenladd said...

What a wonderful trip with the boys, and looks like it included just about everything a 12 year grandson would want! Even better that you have memories of taking your son there years back...and that it's still standing! Your card is so fresh and pretty...and I love that bright green. With this hot weather we're having, a pop of bright color against white couldn't be more perfect. Hoping that your migraine is completely gone before your surgery..ugh.

Helen F. said...

Very pretty card~that vibrant green color is a show stopper!
The photos of your vacation with the twins look awesome. The boys are lucky to have such hip (showing my age here) Grandparents...but, I suspect they already know that :-)

Toni said...

always a delight to read your fun posts and see your fab creations, Darnell! thanks for joining in again at THD--always welcome!

Toni

Greta said...

I'm so jealous--looks like a wonderful place & a really special vacation with the twins! So sorry you ended up with migraines--hope they stay gone! Your card is just brilliant--love the design & color!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Of course short sleeves in the snow! My mom insisted I accompany her to return a VHS rental movie once. I had no shoes on since I was suffering a foot fungus. On the way home she detoured up the mountain to see the snow. And by see, I mean go frolic in it. So I joined her. It was brutally cold on my feet but it killed the foot fungus dead. So there!

Anywho your vacation looks like it was a fun time. I like that you went from fun in the sun on the side of the lake (and on it) to snowfall over your heads. That's an all season vaykay if I ever heard of one.

Your card is lovely too, btw.

SugarGem said...

So cute! Love you your card. Thanks for playing along with us at the Heart Desires Challenge

Katie Ann Brooks said...

great card!

~amy~ said...

I bet those boys had so much fun with you guys! What great photos!

You're card is beautiful...love the blooms! The washi trim is perfect! Thanks for joining us at The Heart Desires!

tonyamaries said...

I'm so glad the headaches stayed away from your vacation with the boys, it sure looked like fun! As someone that struggles with migraines I totally relate to your description of what I'm sure I sound like. Your card is beautiful! Please join us again at THD!

Bobby said...

It looks like time with the boys was fantastic. I know I cherished the time I spent with my grandkids. I love your green flowers but I can't help notice you keep saying NBUS. I thought you were going to curb that a little. ;)