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 11, 2018

Schparkly Stars and a Spiffy Schnowman!

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you are doing well with your holiday preps. The kids will be out of school soon, so you don't have long to finish up your secret shopping and wrapping. It's the hiding of the gifts that's the hardest part of all. Children suddenly develop bloodhound noses for locating presents this time of year. Have you ever hidden gifts so well, you still haven't found that Magic Card Game you hid back in 1988?! You should look again in the back of your sock drawer.

Things are calming down in Chez Playhouse. Thank you for all your good wishes following my torquing of the torso business. I'm fine. I mean, generally speaking, in the very broadest of general terms not counting psychic logically.

Today I'm playing in a few challenges as the year is wrapping up with a bow. You can read that bow as in ribbon or bow as in curtsy. You have to love a language that's so versatile. Anyway, it's nice to have a head-start on next year's cards or have a few in Abeyance in case I forgot someone this year.
My friend Barb sent me this awesome NBUS "Shooting star" die from My Favorite Things for my birthday last summer.  I paired it with some pretty pink paper cut with an Avery Elle "Dotted Die" and a silver heat-embossed sediment from PTI. The silver lamé panel is from Christmas Dior. QACAS!

Challenges

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The companion gold lamé panel (both gifts from my friend Lottie) was used as a backdrop for this adorable NBUS wooden stamp from Stampendus that I purchased on my trip to Indiana in October. The sediment is from Stampabilities. Both were gold heat-embossed and the coloring was done by Ziggies. Hammy winked the gold star as he is wont to do.

Challenges
Share Our Badge!

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And here we have a super cute and preppily dressed little NBUS snowman! He was stamped and die-cut and Ziggified. The snowflake stencil, brushed with Salty Ocean Oxie, is from my friend Lolly. The snowman, birds, and sentiment are all NBUS from My Favorite Things's "Cooler With You" set. I thought it would make a sweet holiday thank you card.

Challenges
Take it, it's yours 
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NOTE: There will be no Twofer Card Challenge this month as we take time off for the holidays, but I did do a comprehensive post over on the blog explaining the concept of the challenge and giving examples. I wanted to let you know Justin Case you're interested and would like to check it out: Illuminating Definitions. Thank you!

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o 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!)

60 comments:

Colleen said...

As usual, I was awed with so many wonderful cards...and all with the holiday theme! You are certainly getting a jump start on your cards for next year, or like me, all of a sudden you get a card from a friend, and oops, they weren't on your radar so these then come in handy for right now! I love your shooting star card and so happy you joined us at CAS Christmas. Your MFT snowman with the red cardinals is adorable especially with the stenciled background! I can't believe the days are flying by...went shopping today with my daughters and they helped me with the last of the shopping for the kiddos...now for the wrapping! Heart Hugs to you my friend!

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Darnell - love that pink one, although with all the sparkly paper Hammy didn't have a chance, so I am glad to hear he winked the star in your second card! The wee snowman is a sweetie in your third card
Blessings
Maxine

Sandra H said...

Totally stunning cards Darnell as always your so creative in all that you do so adorable is your image and the glittery star die is perfect with the layout and not forgetting the cute snowman so beautiful they all are take care sending lots of love xx

Marcia Hill said...

Three FABULOUS cards Darnell! Especially loving all the silver and gold lame...bahahaha...you crack me up Darnell! But seriously, beautiful and fun cards and I really LOVE the image in your 2nd card! Maybe AFTER the holidays, you wouldn't mind stamping me a couple to color, pretty please with sugar on top?? And I love your sweet little snowman card with the stenciled snowflake background too...SOOOO CUTE!! Having Christmas early this year on Sunday, so I'm in the last minute rush to get everything done...go, go, go!! Have a wonderful rest of your week and a blessed and very merry Christmas if I don't "talk" to you again before the holidays!! Hugs. :0)

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, All three cards are lovely.

Hope you are in a stress free zone:) Sue

Aileen said...

Well sweetie another three great cards and I just love your descriptions as you go along. It is so sad when we cant remember where we hid it but so momentous when we find it ( over two years to find my jewellery collection and still don't know how it ended up where it ended up but so happy to see it again). But I really hate when I find that chocolate that is way out of date or so heat effected its like eating chalk lol.

Enjoy your Christmas, My eldest grandson is coming to stay on Monday until Christmas morning so I get to take some photos of my eldest and youngest together with Elysha. Cant wait to see them all. You make sure you enjoy yours xx hugs Aileen

oldpunca said...

I'm happy that you are well. :-) Thank you for all three wonderful christmas cards. Silver star on pink background is amazing and the sentiment maches perfectly. The lovely motiv is wonderful coloured. Dressed snowman on fabulous background with snowflakes is my favourite this time. :-)
I wish you a lot of inovative ideas by hiding the gifts. :-)
Have an nice day!
Hugs,
Sonja

Marilyn said...

Beautiful cards!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Carol L said...

I love the faded stenciling on the cute snowman card and the soft coloring on the golden sparkly card, but that pink and silver one is the cat's meow! I absolutely love how you put that one together! Way to add more to your stash for next year already! You're so on top of your game :) Have a great week ahead!

Jeanne said...

Absolutely lovely cards, Darnell! So fun and cheery! That preppy snowman really makes me smile. :)

jimlynn said...

They're all fabulous Darlene. I really like the way you used the stencil in the background on the snowman card! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Lynn

Jean said...

Love the sparkly cards! The snowman is just too cute! I know my mom used to hide presents and never find them. I have older married children so no need to hide anything here. We will be visiting our 20 month old granddaughter so Christmas will be much more fun this year! Have a wonderful week!

Bunny said...

Three beautiful and cute cards. I always laugh at the acronym QACAS. It makes me think that soup needs to come with the cwackers.[Bunny]`````

Brenda in IN said...

I'm happy you are no longer doing the twisted torso dance and you're okay. This pink and silver card is stunning. I love the sweet stamp you got here and the soft coloring on it and the shine behind it. Pretty stenciled background for the cute little snowman and his gorgeous friends. I hid someone for each of the boys many years ago and didn't find them until four months later! It as a nice surprise for me and them.

Sharron said...

Love that you're making my morning sparkle! The star is wonderful and so pretty with the swirly sentiment. And your little angel and deer are precious. Your stenciled background goes perfectly with your little snow guy and his cheery cardinals--such a sweet card! Hopefully I will be get everything to the post office this week. Of course, I'm always late and most of our family is out of town! Have a wonderful week!!

Pat said...

Three fabulous cards Darnell, and what a beautifully sparkly star which looks great with the pink and matching sparkly background, and your sweet angel and deer image is coloured so prettily and more sparkle with the gold backgound, and then your cute snowman looks perfect over the lovely stencilled background. x

JoAnn said...

So glad you are feeling better and getting all these wonderful cards made. Love the sparkly shooting star on the pink, very pretty. Such a sweet and perfect image on the 2nd card with the gold background, and the cute snowman and red birds on the stenciled background is adorable. Thanks for sharing all these goodies. Have a wonderful week.

ElizStewart said...

Darnell...so love your NBUS snowman! Just adorable and the stenciled background is the perfect touch for him. Thank you so much for joining us this week and year(!) at The Paper Players.

Stamps and Paper said...

Three lovely inspiring Christmas cards Darnell, ,love your sparky star, your sweet image and your cute snowman I’ve at last finished my Christmas cards and everything has been posted , now I can start thinking about Christmas properly...

Anne x

cuilliesocks said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, I love the star and all that sparkle, love the simplicity of it, and your other two cards are so cute.
I hope you are keeping calm in the run up to the Big Day, Kate x

designbydonna said...

All three are fabulous. Lots of sparkle and shine. Pretty background on the snowman card. Love the coloring on the sweet angel and fawn card.

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

All wonderful cards, Darnell. I love the sweet little image of the angel and the fawn embossed in gold and colored so beautifully. A joyful signt indeed! It's always a joy to have you playing wtih us at Time Out!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Fabulous sparkly star, Darnell - just love it on the pink too! Loved your other cards too - sweet dear and darling snowman to round out your trio of cards!!

Bonnie said...

Look at you with a threefer, Dolly! Glad you've healed and are on the go again! Love that shooting star die cut! Wow that's pretty! The second card has the sweetest image and it's beautiful with it's soft watercoloring! Love the fun snowman with his snowy stenciled sky! It would make a lovely thank you card! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Christmas. In case I didn't thank you before, thanks for the golden beauty of a Christmas card. It's goldenicious!

conil said...

Apparently, you've sent all your cards out, which I find amazing. Wasn't it just last week that you had several that still needed to be made? Anyway, someone is going to be delighted to get any of these three little masterpieces. All so different but all so lovely.

Donna said...

What a fabulous collection of cards, the star is so sparkly and cheery, the girl and deer is so sweet and such beautiful coloring and precious saying, and the last is so darling with the snowman and the stunning stenciled background!

Redanne said...

I love visiting your blog, you always make me smile, in a good way! I love your cards today, that shooting star is so beautiful, with all that wonderful sparkle and I think the snowman card is super too. I only sent my cards out yesterday and already realised I forgot someone, so it is back to the drawing board for me! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Kathleen said...

Three fab cards, all super images, sentiments and colours.
Also a HUGE thank you for my really lovely Christmas Card, you are certainly on the ball.

Kath x

Trina P. said...

So glad you are doing well, Darnell! Wonderful collection of cards! Love the non-traditional pink and silver shooting star card. Perfectly CAS and perfect for our challenge. I was eyeing that die, but kept removing it before checking out... now I’m kicking myself. 😉 Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas Star challenge. x Hugs Trina

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Three adorable and very different cards, your mojo is always very versatile :D
Love that sparkling Shooting star, such kind gift Barb gave you!
The second card is soooo sweet with that angel and the little deer! Your very delicate colouring on them makes the card so lovely!
The snowman looks so cute with the two cardinals and the beautiful background!
Hugs!

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, I love them all!! The shooting star is stunning!! I absolutely love, love it!! The second card is so sweet!! And the snowman is fabulous!! I love the snowy background!! Beautiful cards, my friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Lisa Elton said...

A trio of marvelous cards Darnell! That shooting star is nifty all jazzed up in silver. But the sweet little angel and her fawn friend are just darling!

Helen F. said...

Three wonderful cards, Darnell! Love that shooting star and all it's razzle dazzle! The little angel and fawn are just precious ~ so is the adorable snowman! :-)

Christine Alexander said...

Great selection of cards Darnell, I did find that pink shooting Christmas star eye catching so non traditional and so much fun. thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas :)

Cheryl W. said...

Those sparkly cards are dazzling! Love them! Of course, I also love your snowflaked thank you card. Great use of your stencil. I've started thinking about getting some thank you cards ready for my own post-holiday responsibilities. Thank you for reminding me to stay on top of that.

Loll said...

Three beautiful cards Dolly! Love the glittery silver shooting star with the pink background. Silver and pink ... awesome together! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Christmas! And your NBUS stamp with the little boy and deer is the sweetest. Great colouring with your zigs! And last, adorable snowman. He's so cute and fun! Made me smile! Hope you're feeling really good Dolly! xx

Nikki Spencer said...

Lovely festive projects Darnell! Your sweet snowman card for our Just Add "l" challenge at Just Add Ink is super cute. Thanks for joining us this week.

Mrs A. said...

Your shooting star is awesome. Love the colour. Me to a T. We had the same problem with Fluff. As a child she was never content just to squish the presents to guess what was inside but actually opened them up and then resealed them. Got round that ploy in the end by giving her presents to the neighbours to look after till Christmas Eve!!! Hmm. Wonder if that will still work if I wrap a few -/:;()&@-/: ducks up and give em to the neighbours. Hugs Mrs A.

Bobby said...

Christian Dior?!! Now that's designer paper. Wait! What? Oh, it's Christmas Dior. My bad. Lovely lame' though on the first two cards.

Cindy C. said...

The glittery silver and pink combo star card looks awesome! And the others are just so delightful!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Three gorgeous cards, Darnell xoxo

Mac Mable said...

What a pretty first card and love the shooting star die cut and the bling if fabulous. Talking about bling, card number two is stunning and so adorable and hammy, as always has done a superb job. Your last card is so cute and the stencilling looks soft and pretty and the snow person is adorable and a great idea to make it into a thank you card X wonderful cards and thank you for sharing X

Sarah said...

These are sensational!! xx

Leslie Miller said...

These are some very fun and beautiful cards, Darnell! The middle one looks familiar, hmmmm... I was going to surprise you and color it, but it's beautiful just the way I received it and, besides, it's hanging on my doorway. After Christmas, perhaps. Love that pretty pink and silver on the first card and the soft snowflakes with the cutie patootie snowman on the last. Bet you sent out a bazillion cards!

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous cards Darnell. I'm still trying to produce this year's stock. Cards will be much later than usual in their arrivals. I love all the sparlklies you've added to the cards. This time of year needs glitter.

Gerrina said...

The star is perfect for a holidaycard and so original with the doft pink! And the 2nd is so sweeeet!! (reminds me of cards froom my youghy. Hugs, Gerrina

Patti said...

Fantabulous cards as usual!! And THANK YOU!! so much for the little mice that flew in to my mailbox this year!!! It is always such an honor to get a Darnell original!! : )

Keep feeling fine my friend and I'll keep praying you feel spectacular!

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

LisaM said...

Beautiful cards! Thanks for joining us at Cards In Envy!

Fikreta said...

these are so very nice cards!

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Darnell it's been too long since I visited - glad to see you are still busy creating fabulous works! Love all your cards, but especially the stencilled snowflakes behind the snowman on your entry to my challenge this week. Thank you for playing along with my colour challenge over at The Paper Players this week!

Susanne Vargas said...

What a sparkly post! Love all your cards but the first one is my favorite! That glittery shooting star with the dotted frame and the pretty sentiment makes me swoon!

Greta said...

Great cards, Darnell! I really love the pink & silver--super design & color combo!

Kathyk said...

All totally spiffing, Darnell and your Paper Players entry was a well deserving DT fave mate

Kathyk

Anita in France said...

Isn't that pink gorgeous with the shimmery silver and the shooting star, Darnell ... what a delicious, magical colour combo! The little angel with the fawn has a lovely nostagic feel to it ... puts me in mind of my younger days Christmasses ... the soft colouring (and Hammy's winking on the star) is perfect with the style! Sweet snowman, all handsomely dressed for a day out with his cardinal chums ... adorable! Delighted to have you playing along with us once again at Time Out! LYAMYHMA ... CS! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Jaydee said...

Darnell, I love your little snowman with his two red birds. Such a fun card and I love your stenciled snowflake background. So glad you joined us for our final challenge of the year at the Paper Players
Jaydee

Sharon said...

Pink and silver is such a classy colour combo. Your card is beautiful. Thanks for joining us over at the ABC Christmas Challenge.

frommycraftroom said...

More great cards. Love the first one and the last one is so cute.
Glad to hear you are OK after your slip.

Barb Ghig said...

Forgive me for my belated visit...I love how you played with your shooting star die! I knew you would find a way to make it sparkle and shine...way to go, Darnell! I also love how you colored the darling angel and doe, and your sparkly gold background is perfection! Your stenciled background on your last card is so pretty, and really makes your adorable snowman pop on this card! Looks like you are on a roll with your cards, my friend!

mazhar said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
wannabcre8tive said...

Your Christmas cards are just beautiful. I am especially drawn to the one with the pretty gold lame'.