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 21, 2018

We Have Deer, But Where Is Santa?

Hello Stamplings!

And we have RAIN!!! Thank you all for your prayers! The rain will help the weary firefighters put out the remaining fires, but it will make things difficult in many ways for the search teams and the evacuees, so people still need your prayers. On the other hand, the rain will clean the horribly unhealthy air we've had for two weeks, and it will give the poor parched and dusty plants and trees a drink and a bath. Who doesn't love that?

That's what I'll be doing later on today after prepping for Thanksgiving tomorrow, but first I wanted to write this post before the day gets away.
I used a NBUS "Playful Deer Stitched Frame" from Poppystamps for these cards. Behind the deer die are snippets of Yupo paper smooched with alcoholic inks. The whole shebang was popped up on a colored card base embossed with a dotty (read snowy) embossing folder.

Challenges
Banner zum mitnehmen
Here are a few more zamples: (Sorry, I might have had a wodka and orange juice for breakfast, purely for medicinal porpoises, you understand. One must gird one's loins for cleaning and baking!)

Note: Instead of AI Yupo smooched paper, the gold card has a snippet of pp behind the deer.

Challenges
Cardz 4 Guyz Logo 
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I also have a Santa card. It's interactive in that it requires you to use your imagination!
This QACAS card karacks me up. Do you ever wish you had a dollar for every time you've said to your husband or kids, "I feel like I'm invisible!" Well, look, even Santa has days like that!

The Stampendus winked hat, boots, and sediment are all NBUS from a cute little stamp store in Indiana. The belt is Washi tape.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

And, finally, to you my friends and faithful supporters and commenters, Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow to all who are celebrating and Happy Thursday to all who are not! And, as always, if you don't feel like celebrating either one, extra hugs to you.

I'm thankful for all the times we've shared this year and all the inspiration you have given me. I'm also thankful for all the challenges and their design teams for all the work they put into bringing us fun places to share our creativity! Mwah!
The bold sediment from Altenew is another NBUS. I was wishing I had backed and offset it with black, but the more I look at it, the more I like that it is camouflaged without being camouflaged, if you know what I mean. I cut it from a snippet of the same stencil monoprinting you have seen me use on other cards recently. The ribbon is from SU.

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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Now where did I hide the potato chips so the Mister wouldn't eat them all before tomorrow ...

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 scrollingClick 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 wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

73 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, The cards are fab.

Glad you have rain. Hope it helps more than hinders. Going to be a long time before a lot of people get back to even a remotely normal routine.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

debby4000 said...

Another post with a gorgeous selection of cards, especially love the dotty background ones.
Thank you for joining us at Simon says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
luv
Debby

Jane Willis said...

Oh what a wonderful collection of cards, the rain (or the wodka) is obviously good for the crafting mojo. It's hard to be creative when you are worried about friends and family, isn't it?

kiwimeskreations said...

What wonderful cards Darnell - you did well with our snow - of course it falls in neat little rows :-) I do hope you call Hammy in before it starts snowing...
Your unintentionally camouflaged sediment in the final card is fascinating.
Great to hear you have rain, despite that there will be some down sides to it!
Blessings
Maxine

papierelle said...

The cards are so delicate and the design of the backgrounds really great.
I'm glad it rains. We live in a forest and in this hot and dry summer there were several forest fires. A fire was only 15 km away from us. The firefighters are our very special heroes.

Sandra H said...

Your so right about the rain hopefully it will help lots with the fires and like you write water the plants and remaining trees you have an amazing array of cards Darnell l just love your style and l so adore your Santa card take care and enjoy the rest of your week xx

Monika Reeck said...

The Deer card oh sooo cuuteee and you made it in set Clever Darnell love them all in all colors
the Santa card is way so cuuuteee
and the last card is adorable with the ribbon and the color on the font
nice that you have sunshine there
in Munich no more sunshine today
Snow is coming :((
I hate winter hehehe in Indonesia always 32 degree I miss my country
biggg hugs from cold Munich
Monika

Lisa said...

They are all so gorgeous!! I love the beautiful designs!! The Santa card makes me smile!! I'm so glad you are getting rain to help with the fires and the smoke. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Jane Willis said...

And whoooosh! By the magic of t'interwebs I'm back wearing my Cardz 4 Guyz hat to say your cards are still as gorgeous as they were earlier on today, and thank you for playing along with us
Jane

Marilyn said...

Glad to hear you all are finally gettinf much needed rain to help with the conditions out there. Your cards are so adorable. Love the cute deer and the embossed backgrounds! Love the Santa card also
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Bunny said...

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Darnell. Love all the cards. Especially the Santa or un-Santa. [Bunny]````

Pat said...

Three more great makes Darnell and love your sweet deer on the dotty/snowy background and the batch makes are all so pretty, and your invisible Santa is such fun, then your Thanksgiving card and what a fabulous sentiment cut from some stencil monoprinting. I'm so pleased that the rain will help to put the rest of the fires out and also improve the air but also hoping rescue and evacuations can still be done speedily, though sadly there are no quick fixes. Finally wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. x

Jeanne said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell. I like that you share a variety! The invisible Santa is very fun and the camo greeting looks great, too. I hope you get just enough rain to get the benefits from it and not too much to cause another catastrophe. Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I so appreciate you and all that you do and share. Happy hugs!

Gerrina said...

The deeercards all have there own beautiful feel! Your 'santa'-card is hilarious and my favorite... The last looks grungy in a beautiful way...love that! Hugs, Gerrina

Donna Nuce said...

Hi Darnell! Your Santa card cracked me up! Yes there are times I feel invisible too. Thanks for joining us at Cards in Envy and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Love the design of the deers cards, and they are so beautiful with differents colours!
Santa's card makes me giggling :D and the last one is very sweet!
Hugs!

Marcia Hill said...

And a very happy Thanksgiving to you too Darnell...enjoy every minute with your beautiful family!! And yay for rain and clearing air, and prayers will most definitely still be sent for all those impacted by the horrible fires in your state! And yay too for ALL your cards...love that little deer frame with all the wonderful Al Ink backgrounds and of course loved the invisible Santa too...still chuckling over here from that one!! Take care my friend! Hugs. :0)

designbydonna said...

Love little deer frame cards. It works in so many colors. Santa karacks me up too. Cute. So glad you are having a cleansing rain. Prayers are with all of those who have lost family, homes and everything in the fires.

BożenA said...

Oh Darnell, your card set is so beautiful !! I love them, especially the first card and this amazing background that looks like a glow. Wonderful cards. And I love the card from Santa, it looks like Santa Claus went to sleep and put down his Santa's accessories on the shelf. Cool! And the last card is a real masterpiece of mind and spirit! I love this sentiment and the lack of black makes it more subtle. Darnell, I'm also grateful that you're here for us. I adore You and thank God for letting me meet you on my path. Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Hugs,
BozenA xoxo

Brenda in IN said...

This is so cute with those sweet little deer. I love them all but the gold really caught my eye. I love what you did with the Santa card! That is so fun to make it interactive. Normally I'm not thankful for rain but in this case it is wonderful! It will be messy but it is so needed. At the least the air should be washed. I'm sending you wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for your friendship. Have a great day.

Donna said...

Your reindeer cards are fabulous, like the background and Santa os too funny.Glad you are getting rain. Happy Thanksgiving.

Kuni said...

Stunning cards.
Thank you for joining us at the Sweet Stampers and i hope to see you again.
Hugs
Kuni

Carole said...

Fabulous cards as always Darnell. Yes i do understand that invisible feeling only too well!! I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hugs xxx

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
oh how wonderful the rain must be.
My heart goes out to all affeccted by such terrible weather that has plighted the area.
Can't even imagine how they are coping.
Love you wonderful and gorgeous versions of your Winter Animals cards.
They look really super in all those different colours.
Thank you for joining the MAWTT Challenge my friend.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L. DT

Glittered Paws said...

Oh love love love the sweet deer cards - with the yupo paper alcohol inks. I am taking an alcohol ink class next week - anyway - if anything turns out good I will post. Your Santa card cracks me up. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Susan said...

So glad to hear you have rain - fingers crossed it will help end the dreadful fires. And for you, how nice to have cleaner air to breath.

Love all those adorable deer cards - great to see them in all those colour variations. Beautiful AI backgrounds. And such a fun Santa is missing card!

Happy Thanksgiving!

cuilliesocks said...

The deer cards are just beautiful Darnell, love the different colours and designs. Santa interactive card is such fun, love it and a gorgeous Thanksgiving card too.
Have a lovely time celebrating Thanks giving, Kate x

Linda said...

Darnell, the deer cards are so pretty. I love the colors of the first one.
And your invisible Santa is just too cute. Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas. And Happy Thanksgiving.

conil said...

Doing backflips over the coming rain...hasn't reached us yet, but it's on its way. You have been one busy girl...very successfully. Such amazing use of inked backgrounds and patterned paper. Kudos to you. Have a happy day Thursday.

Leslie Miller said...

Wow! A sevenfer today! I've probably said this before, but I wish I had your knack for QACAS. It looks good on you! Those deer are aptly named as they do look very playful (and cute), and love the semi-camouflaged "you are loved" die. Very pretty! The Santa card is hilarious! Oh, my gosh, so clever! Super cute sentiment for Santa and best Washi tape ever! It's raining here today, too. We need it, but not as badly as down your way. It does bring new problems to the burned areas, and really hoping the folks downhill keep the danger of mudslides in mind. It's a mixed blessing. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Wendy L said...

Gorgeous card, thanks for joining us at MAWTT. Xxx

KandA said...

Gorgeous collection of cards Darnell. LOVE that sweet die you used on the christmas batch and your invisble Santa is brilliant xx

Redanne said...

Thank goodness for the rain, my heart goes out to all those families of the 1,000 missing people and I am so thankful that the fire people may get a bit of respite. I am more thankful than you will ever know, for your friendship and wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tomorrow!

I love your cards today, those little deer are adorable and invisible Santa made me laugh out loud - so very funny - I know how he feels because I have been invisible for a few years now - lol. Big hugs, Anne xx

Mac Mable said...

Hope the rain helps in some way in the awful circumstances Darnell? x
What a fabulous selection of cards and what an adorable die cut image with the frame. The alcohol ink backgrounds and the PP on one of them really do look wonderful. The embossing folder adds great texture.
Your fun Santa card brought a huge smile to my face.....Thank you x
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Darnell and to Hammy too.
Stunning card to finish off the post with and loving the camouflaging x Looks terrific x.

Viv said...

Wonderful array of cards Darnell!
Glad the rain has come for you. Thinking of you. x

Bonnie said...

Don't you just love the framed dies! They make it easy to make fabulous CAS cards! Love the deer and all your smooched backgrounds and the PP that looks like smooch! I was just telling Bruce yesterday that I though I was invisible! I guess if Santa is, I'm in good company. I'll look for him in the world of invisibility, but I'm not sure I'll find him unless he unwraps a candy cane or ho ho ho's! And you know you are loved too, my friend. You do know that, don't you! XOXO

Bonnie said...

Oh, and thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up and CAS Christmas!

JD/ Jill said...

So happy to hear that there is rain out your way. So many time these past few months...I wish I could have sent some of the rain we've been getting out your way. Our yard looks sometimes like we have a pool. If it wasn't for all the mud in the yard...I think I would have used it for pool in between the hot and humid days we had...

Your cards are all lovely and very creative (as always) My creativity has gone out the window these last few months...It's a struggle to make a card...

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm already giving thanks because I don't have to cook (My daughter will be the cook tomorrow!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Fun cards with the deer pair & embossed dots, Darnell- especially love the pink pastel ones! The Santa card with washi belt is a hoot & the camouflaged sentiment looks amazing!

So glad you have some cleansing rains out there! Take care & Happy Thanksgiving!!

Christine Alexander said...

wow Darnell youhave been busy with the cards. The deer seem to be multiplying :) all great cards and love that die.
Your Santa card is FAB, if only my middle disappeared that fast at Christmas. thanks for joining us with Santa at CAS Christmas

Cheryl W said...

I think a little vodka and orange juice is the perfect way to start a house-cleaning, Thanksgiving prepping day! Your cards are fab, and such a good way to use some precious snippets of pretty paper. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. I hope you get just the right amount of rain--not so much that it causes more problems than it solves.

nancy littrell said...

Beautiful dry embossed framing for your sweet deer and pretty backgrounds. What a plus to get several cards made up with the same CAS designs, just different colored framing. So pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up, my dear friend.

I love your clever invisible Santa...no problem finding Santa...just had to use my imagination:-)

Fun and colorful semi-camouflaged die cut sentiment on your 2nd card. Thank you Dolly for a year full of inspiration, cheerfulness and figuring out what the heck you are saying:-) But the best of 2018 was having you as a special room mate at our retreat!!! We did have some interesting conversations and lots of Big Hugs and...I got to meet Hammy and Mister too:-) Love, Big Hugs and Thankful for our friendship:-) Wishing you a special Thanksgiving.
We all have so much to be thankful for...Your friend always, Nancy

Loll said...

YAY for the rain!! I hope it's enough to clean the air, but not too much to cause any flooding. Fingers crossed that the fires will get damped and the firefighters will be able to finish those nasty fires off!

Wonderful cards Dolly! I love that sweet playful framed deer. I think I need to go and buy it for myself! :) Love how you've used colour card stock for your base. Just changing up the colours makes them look so totally different. Great design with the softly coloured AI panels (and DSP) in the background.

Your Santa card is adorable! So fun! And your final card using stencil monoprint to die-cut your large sentiment is really beautiful. You've made the best out of your monoprints Dolly!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family. Enjoy your day!

Love, Lolly

Stamps and Paper said...

Hi Darnell what a lovely collection of cards your deer cards are adirabkem your invisible Santa is brilliant and yes I know what you mean about being invisible..lovely thanksgiving card and hope you have a lovely day.
So pleased the rain has arrived to help the fires and my heart goes out to those who have lost their homes

Anne

Sharon Underwood said...

Wonderful post, Darnell! Love the cards. The smooshing technique always brings fascinating results. I hope you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!

Marianne said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Darnell! Good to hear you have rain. Definitely something to be thankful for, given the situation. Hopefully, this will mean that the conditions for the survivors and helpers will improve.
Love your sweet cards. It's amazing how different they look when you switch up the colours and backgrounds.
Thanks for your sweet card. I will e-mail you if I have more news about DH. Possibly tomorrow...
Marianne x

Ruth said...

That is such good news about the rain - definitely something to be thankful for! It has been horrible to see it all unfolding on the TV. Must be a million times worse to be so close to it :( I know that I am thankful for you and all your cards and funny posts. Here's to another year of fun on its way! xxx

oldpunca said...

I'm as happy as you are for the rain in your country. Finally good news. :-) All your cards are amazing. I like how you play with alcohol inks. Great backgrounds for the deers. Invisible Santa makes me smile! What a fabulous idea! Colourfull sediment looks superb on your last card. Another great idea. :-)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your familly!
Hugs,
Sonja

Jo said...

Darnell, I adore this whole collection. Each so harmonious and CAS. There is a true richness to each one. Art is in the eye of the beholder and your Santa fits the theme Ho Ho Ho!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones be it family or friend. Thank you for this generous sharing.
Delighted that you joined us at CAS Mix Up! xx

Cris G. said...

Oh my, you are such a prolific crafter! Love the framed deer with happy background and snowy texture. Fortunately, Santa is coming to town and brings... rain! That is magical and so good, after difficult times!!!
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here on a specific day, but I guess we all have good reasons to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Carol H. said...

Happy Thanksgiving Darnell! So glad your area has some rain! I love all of your cards! The deer frame cards are so pretty especially with the dreamy backgrounds! So very thankful for our crafty little world and all the support and encouragement you give to me and so many others! Hugs to you!

Carol L said...

What a wonderful array of cards today. I love those tiny deer and how they look on those gorgeous backgrounds. I'm thankful that I stopped here today because now I know zactly what an interactive card truly is! LOL Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Craftychris said...

Ooh love the beautiful framed deer cards - so cute - gorgeous backgrounds and fab snow/embossing! Cool invisible Santa card and you are most certainly loved too! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Yay for the rain! Hugs my friend! xxx

Trina P. said...

Incredible collection of cards, Darnell. Your “invisible” Santa Card is delightful and made me smile. Say whaaaaattttt... the belt is washi tape!? So cool. Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas Santa challenge. xx

Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Happy BF shopping if you intend to do any. 😉 hugz Trina 💙

TK said...

What a great gaggle of cards! Sweet deer, hilarious missing Santa and your bold graphicness of your last card! You're awesome, Darnell...

Lisa Elton said...

Oh yes, thanks be to God for the rain, that's good news! You've been a busy bee. Just look at all of these amazing cards. Love those sweet little deer. Hope you and your family enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving!

Julia Aston said...

So glad for the rain out there - what terrible stories we are hearing here on the east coast Sis - I really can't comprehend all the loss and devastation - glad that you are ok - what a lot to look at here today! a wonderful set of embossed cards with those sweet deer and multiple beautiful backgrounds - thanks for joining us in CAS Mix Up! Julia xx

Papercraft Boutique said...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, Darnell.
I'm so glad to hear that you had long-awaited rain and cleaned the horribly unhealthy air.
The whole collection of the deer cards is so pretty! I love the AI smooshed soft background and the white die-cut deer. The Santa card is so imaginative and clever, and the design is fantastic! The stencil monoprint die-cut sentiment is artsy and I love the unintentional camouflage effect!
Thank you so much for sharing the unique "invisible" Santa card with us at CAS Christmas!
Hideko xx

Ros Crawford said...

What a stunning array of cards Darnell... Gotta love that Santa one!! It's so cool! I am so happy that you finally got rain... I sent it ages ago you know... Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours... May your day be blessed!

Linda said...

Hi Darnell .... what a beautiful collection of cards, you have been busy. Those little deer are just adorable and I love all those gorgeous backgrounds.
I hope the rain did some good, and that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sending love and hugs to you and yours xx

Lisa T said...

You are a cardmaking machine Darnell - you never cease to amaze me how many lovely cards you can pull together. I need to up my game! I am glad to hear all is ok your end - we have been watching the scenes from over here and they really are heartbreaking and there are life changing times for so many unfortunate people. Sending you extra special hugs and belatedly wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving, Lisa xx

Greta said...

Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, Darnell & so glad you got some rain to clear the air! The PS die is so sweet--love every version! Fun Santa card & love the big sentiment as the focal point!

Celeste Goff said...

Great collection of cards! I love the way you made the sky look like Northern Lights!

Vikki H said...

Happy rain dance time for so many people! Your card set is delightful as well as the You Are Loved but the invisible Santa is a screamer! Love it!!

Anita in France said...

First off, Darnell ... I hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving, with the cooking and cleaning done in plenty of time for you all to enjoy every moment! Second ... answered prayers for the rain ... hope it brought refreshment (in it's widest sense) to everyone dealing with the fires and with their impact ... prayers continuing, of course. Third ... your glorious collection of cards ... those little deer are absolutely charming, the soft colours in the background add such a lovely magical feel to them! Invisible Santa is a riot ... and what a genius idea ... love all that delicious schparkle! So thankful for your precious friendship, mon amie ... LYAMY! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Cat Craig said...

So glad you're getting rain. I always worry about CA and those horrible fires.

Your cards are lovely...I love that swiss dotted EF and that window die with the deer is so darling.

So much good stuff to look at today. Had to crack up at your santa card.

Susanne Vargas said...

Your series featuring the playful deer is so sweet! And the invisible Santa card cracks me up! Absolutely adore the sentiment on the last one! So uplifting! Thank YOU for all the inspiration you provide and all your work in blogland!

Marlene Bonetti said...

Hello Darnell!
Wow, so many fabulous cards!
Thanks for sharing your work with us at the Sweet Stampers Challenge.
Hugs Marlene

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are all gorgeous, Darnell! Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving (I was on vacation, hence why I'm catching up now) xoxo

nwilliams6 said...

Wow - a bunch of awesome cards, Darnell. Really super use of that deer die - I love them all. Great Christmas card and super you are loved card too. Your created papers and bgs are all wonderful. I love all your posts - they are so fun - but this one was especially fun. Hugz

Fikreta said...

these are so very nice cards!
hugs

Bobby said...

It's WAY past Thanksgiving so I hope yours was fantastic, Darnell. I'm trying to get through my over 700 emails and I make skip commenting on every one of your posts but you can be assured I'm looking at each and everyone.

LisaM said...

I love your invisible Santa! Beautiful cards! Thanks for joining us at Cards In Envy!