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 27, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Rudolph Days, Too

Hello Stamplings!

Greetings on this day before Thanksgiving! I'm wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! I'm so very thankful for YOU and to show you how much I prechiate you, I broke out in NBUS and made you two gratitude cards!

Onefer
Last year I received a card from my dear friend Harriet using this beautiful Gentle Leaf Collage die from Poppystamps. I loved it so much I immediately bought it. Then I put it away. Once again, I wish I had a second story on the Playhouse. That way I could leave all my NBUS out in the open until it's used. Santa, are you listening?! 

But, no matter, as long as it gets used eventually. The sediment is also NBUS from the Choose Joy set by PTI. I heat-embossed it in copper as befits autumn. The stitched border is from MFT and the background is a piece of pp. The schplatters are by Hamself, back from his travels just in time to play with the Thanksgiving turkey wishbone!

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Twofer
This second card of thankfulness features one of my favorite therapeutic activities: inlaid die piecing. The NBUS Feather Tree Frame is from Poppystamps. It was cut from and backed with two shades of light-weight glossy paper. It's almost like wrapping paper and I have no idea where it came from. I have several sheets of it in different colors which have been around for donkey's ears. The NBUS "Perky Thank You" die is from Memory Box. It was cut from a red and gold-embossed snippet in my stash.

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Threefer

I have to toss in a Christmas card ...
... because this is the marvelous Maureen's last Rudolph Days challenge of the year. Thank you, Mo, for reminding us each month throughout the year to work on our Christmas cards stash! This lovely NBUS wreath called "Homespun" is from Penny Black. I purchased it on my recent fun retreat in Nashville, Indiana. The sentiment is from GKW and the little berries were made with Nuvo crystal drops. It's hard to see, but the pine cones are dotted with snow and glossified.

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~~~

We had a great time with the grandtwins over the weekend! They did a fantastic job decorating the tree! Even Nellie got into the Christmas spirit!
Nellie's Santa outfit was a hand-me-down and it was a tad too tight for her, so it didn't stay on long. I hope someday she'll forgive us for laughing so hard when the hat slipped down over one eye making her look like a Christmas pirate!!

~~~

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

I'll see you next month! 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:

Becca Sadler said...

All your cards are AMAZING!!! You've got so much cool stuff in your playhouse!! Keep sharing! Terrific projects!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab cards.

The boys did a great job of decorating the tree.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Kath said...

Beautiful cards Darnell - I love the inlaid die cutting (one of my favourite techniques too).

The grandtwins did a great job with your tree - it looks fabulous.

Kath x

brenda said...

A super display of cards Darnell, I can see why you bought that die as it's a delight and creates a lovely elegant CAS card. Moving on to your stamped creation that is a rather lovely PB wreath which seems to have evaded my stash (so far) beautifully stamped and finished with the little berries.

It's lovely to see you at penny Black and More this month, thanks so much for joining in with our Christmas theme.

B x

Gerrina said...

Love that first card! So bright and beautifully CAS! And the trees look stunning in those colours; a serene card. Here it is strange, but the christmasdecorations go up after Sint Nicolaas, so adter 5 december! Feels so strange to me if someone does them up now...Hugs, Gerrina

Linda said...

Love the cards .... great dies! Love the tree too, your boys did a fantastic job. Nellie looks so cute in her little Santa suit.
Happy Thanksgiving my friend xx

Jane Willis said...

What stunning cards, I love the sort of reverse silhouette effect of the first one.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

Cath Wilson said...

Aren't your grandsons gorgeous? They did a wonderful job of the tree. Love all your cards, but especially the Thanksgiving one, with its beautiful background and fabulous sentiment. That's so true.
Cath x

Sandra H said...

So beautiful are all your cards Darnell as always and the silhouette effect is stunning...the photos are lovely too looks like they really did do a great job decorating the tree 🌲 it looks lovely enjoy your day and Christmas wishes to you and your families xx

oldpunca said...

I'm wondering whether the Christmas tree is every year smaller or boys are every year bigger. :-) Very nice decorated tree. Great job done by twins!
And a great job done by you with all three fantastic cards. I like the wreath. It is an unusual image. Wonderful! Great therapie work done by gluing all this small pieces. Great gold - red combination. I like the leaf motif on the first card. Fabolous colors. And I also like the sentiment.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sonja

Anita in France said...

What a beautiful sentiment (that I have!) with those lovely wheat sheaf style leaves, Darnell ... a delicious CAS card! The time it took to inlay all those tiny pieces into the tall trees was so worth it ... they're so striking! Rich and festive twiggy, pine-y wreath ... the tiny, dimensional berries are fabulous and the matching central sentiment really pops! Great photo's ... the boys did such a brilliant job with the Christmas tree ... d'you think your ceilings are going to be high enough for them in a few years?! Have a Blessed and Wonderful Thanksgiving, my dear friend! LYAMYLALMA ... YAABTM! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Stamps and Paper said...

Love all your cards Darnell especialoly the first one,.the colours are stunning. your handsome grandsons have done a great job of decorating the tree....Nellie's outfit looks so cute on her

Anne

Marilyn said...

Beautiful cards and I love, love, love your Christmas card! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family also.
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Chris said...

Gorgeous cards today Darnell, the die cut leaves on the thank you cards are beautiful and your Christmas card is a stunner...love that wreath stamp!
Lovely photos of your handsome grandtwins and Nellie...bet she was glad to get out of the costume!
Happy Thanksgiving.
xx

Marjeta said...

Beautiful cards. Especially the first one - my favorite. Die is gorgeous and sentiment also.

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
Happy Rudolf Days.
What very gorgeous card and as always they all are so lovely and beautifully created too.
I love your excellent wreath on the Christmas one it looks very stunning and beautiful.
I must say the dog was so good to let you dress him up so.
It looks like you had so much fun.
Thank you for joining the Rudolf Challenge.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L. DT

Glittered Paws said...

The cards are amazing - and a three-fer at that. Love the feathers.
Then there is the Christmas tree and pup, just too cute. The boys did a great job with the tree. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Jeanne said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Darnell. I am grateful for you and the wonderful inspiration you share all year long, not only with your lovely cards, but your fantastic take on life in general. Thank you for sharing your grandtwins and your sweet, pirate-y puppy! She's a cutie patootie. I hope you have a fabulous holiday season. Hugs!

Bunny said...

I love the gentle leaf collage die and the sentiment. It is so pretty.

Great pictures! Poor Nellie. Some of us girls are constantly trying to suck it in to make something fit. In the end, Thanksgiving is for stretchy pants.

Glad to know that the Hamster is back and going to be on Thanksgiving duty to help out. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. [Bunny]

I Card Everyone said...

Happy Thanksgiving, D! I'm so thankful for your cards, humor, and the Darnell Dictionary of Fun Words to live by - and for starting many of my days with a chuckle!! love and hugs...
M =]

Bobby said...

So happy to have one of your lovely cards in my hands to enjoy over and over, Darnell. I love the shimmery red and kraft inlaid trees and the twiggy wreath is beautiful and something I'd love to hang on my door. The pictures of the boys and Santa Nellie sharing great memories are priceless.

HilaryJane said...

I just love those 2 leaf dies and how you have used them. I completely agree about inlaid diecuts. It is my favourite technique, fiddly but oh so satisfying. great cards. Enjoy your holidays xx

Darlene said...

FABULOUS cards my friend ... love that Christmas card too! OH WOW look how big the twins are getting ... how fun to have them there to help with the decorating! Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours and HAPPY HOLIDAY ahead! HUGS from OHIO!

Nan G said...

Great cards Darnell. My fave is the first one. Wow look at the Twins! How they have grown. Has it really been that long since you were showing off babies to us?! Handsome young men too. They’ll be turning heads soon if not already! Happy Thanksgiving to you and the family and pirate Nellie. Hugs, Nan and the Girls.

Brenda in IN said...

The leaf card looks inlaid too and is beautiful. I love the colors on the second card and oh, that wreath is gorgeous. The twins did a great job decorating the tree and I'm sure Hammy told them where to put some of the ornaments. Nellie looks adorable. How long did she keep those boots on?

Bonnie said...

Wow! The boys are almost as tall as the tree and they make Nellie look tiny! She's adorable in her Santa suit, the boys are so handsome and the Christmas tree is beautiful!

Love the leaf die and I think I need to borrow Hammy to do my splattering! Perfectly spaced little splats that add even more to this beautiful card! Love the shine on the second card and the wreath is beautiful! I'd love one just like it on my front door. Well not paper you understand. xoxo

Di said...

What wonderful cards Darnell! I adore the dies you used for both the die cut cards - lovely work! And of course I NEED that Penny Black stamp - but am being very good and resisting ...... for now. Like you, I have too much NBUS - I now keep it in a couple of deep Really Useful boxes which does slightly encourage me to use it! Only slightly I should add.

Nellie looks adorable as always, and your grand sons are so grown up now. I have a dear little Santa hat for Dudley with a white beard build in, sort of like a chin strap.

Happy Thanksgiving my friend. You'll be tackling a turkey and we'll be biting our nails over Dudley!

Hugs

Di xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

Three fabulous card designs. I love the first die you used. That is a great leaf design and the colors are fabulous. The second inlaid one is beautiful too with those wonderful colors. And, I really love the Christmas design you have done. How nice to have help decorating the tree. Maybe I should ask my grandkids to do ours. LOL We have a small artificial one and I put only homemade ornaments on it. It is about four feet tall but with a star at the top looks so pretty with the lights and ornaments. You have a wonderful Thanksgiving too.

Happy Dance said...

That Poppystamps die is amazing. I've seen that recently, and am in love with it. Soooo gorgeous. Perfect sentiment, too. Nice job on the splatters, Hammie -- he's such a big help! I so hear you about inlaying the diecut bits. So calming, so relaxing. Love the colors you've chosen for this one. It's bright, festive, and beautiful. Very cool die. And that wreath...I've had to hold myself back from adding to cart any more wreaths this season, and this one makes my credit card itch, lol! Beautiful Christmas card. Love the berries, and the sentiment, and the...well, I guess I love it all! Now. As to those cuties in the photos...absolute darlings and the boys aren't bad either! Pirate Klaus! Pretty tree. Not even thinking about that until after Thanksgiving... Speaking of which, may yours be full of blessings. Miss you. xoxoxo Bev

Carole said...

What wonderful cards Darnell...love that poppy stamps die..I can see why you bought that one! Can I borrow your grandsons to decorate our trees please? They have done a super job. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving...I feel so blessed to have you as a friend. THANK YOU xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fun photos of your Christmas play, Darnell! :D
All your cards are so elegant and pretty, and I just LOVE the first one, such amazing die, sentiment and background!!
Hugs

KandA said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Three wonderful cards Darnell. I love the die and coloured background on the first and I that PB wreath will have to go on my (neverending) wishlist. Love the photos too, especially Nellie modelling the Santa outfit xx

Donna said...

Cutest Christmas pirate ever!! Arrrrghhhhh-hohoho!
Fab collection of cards!
We are SO THANKFUL you played along with the crew from SHOPPING OUR STASH!

Redanne said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you for tomorrow, I hope you have a lovely day. I am so thankful for your friendship!

Both NBUS cards are gorgeous, I know that inlaying is time consuming but it really is worth it for the beautiful results you achieved. The wreath on your Christmas card looks amazing and so dimensional, I thought they were real twigs - love it.

The boys did a wonderful job on the tree and what can I say about Nellie in her outfit, she looks so, so adorable!!

Hugs, Annie xx

Trina P. said...

Three beautiful cards, Darnell. Your first card drew me in and then you blew me away with that stunning Christmas card.
Sweet pics of the Nellie, the boys, decorated tree and YOU!
Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you and yours. xx

Jean said...

LOVE the cards - those leaves and wonderful and the wreath is just gorgeous!!

Your grandsons are quite handsome and how fun to get the tree decorated!!

Lisa Babitz said...

Great cards - as usual! The patterned paper behind the negative leaf die cut is gorgeous and perfect for autumn leaves. The splatters and copper greeting complement the leaves beautifully. I love the shiny papers you used on the card with the inlaid trees, and your wreath card came out great as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Darnell, what a trio of gorgeous cards, beautifully coloured and designed.
Lovely photos too and Nellie is just so sweet.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Kate x x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS cards, love each of them. Such happy photos of your Grandtwins I'm sure it must be so much joy for you.
Faith x

Vicky Hayes said...

I've popped over to wish you a happy Thanksgiving Darnell. Looks like it's already started with your Grandtwins and Nellie getting decorating already. I can't believe that your Grandtwins are men already and don't worry, dogs are VERY forgiving but I'm sure she was as happy to get out of the tight santa suit as you or I would be!!!
Your cards are wonderful as always. The ears of colourful wheat are wonderful with those splatters and that beautiful sentiment; The inlaid die cut feathers are gorgeous too in that vibrant colourway and I love the perfectly positioned jewels; and what a stunning wreath to finish off with - loving those glowing berries and pine cones. Mwah! Vicky x

Sarah said...

Beautiful cards Darnell, love the seasonal shades on the thank you cards and the wreath is magnificent. I just love Nellie in her outfit, she is so adorable xx

Cat Craig said...

Your Christmas card is festive and I love that the wreath is only partially filled makes the eye travel. Those inlaid leaves look spectacular, but so much work with small pieces. YOur first card is a stunner. Absolutely gorgeous and my favorite of the three. And it is even more gorgeous inperson. Thank you so much for sending this beauty to me. It will adorn my wall display year round.

The twins have grown so much. It looks like you all had a blast. Have a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving. Love and hugs!

Pat said...

Terrific threefers Darnell and both the Poppystamps dies are really pretty and I love the colours in the background of the first, and then your stylised trees with some super inlaid pieces, and the shiny paper in the background complements it beautifully, and lastly a gorgeous PB wreath which is stunning and adore the colours and added red gems for berries. I hope you have a most enjoyable Thanksgiving tomorrow and those boys have grown and grown and are as handsome as ever, and Nelly looks a treat in her Santa suit too. x

Kathleen said...

Three super creations, the first card is totally stunning and I really don't know why but the second card really makes me smile. Lovely RD card, a really lovely wreath card and I should also say 'Thank you for joining our Christmas challenge at Penny Black and More.

Kath x

conil said...

...and a Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well. Where do you find the time to make cards, lovely ones, too. My hands are dish-panny because of all the feast prep. Just now got a chance to sit down...hope I don't fall asleep. Hope your holiday is fun and delicious. Those twins are just gorgeous. Their Mom is going to have to barricade the front door from all the teen girls.

Fikreta said...

Wonderful cards!
happy thanksgiving!

Loll said...

Two fabulous Thanksgiving cards to celebrate your special holiday. Both are so beautiful and creative. Your Christmas wreath is gorgeous. Love the image and you have watercoloured it to perfection, my friend.

Such a lovely decorated tree and Nellie is the cutest Santa pirate I've ever seen. :)

Wishing you and your family a special time with your family to celebrate everything in your life to be thankful for ... and there's a LOT! Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Lolly

Donna said...

Wow, a fabulous threefer! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Cheryl W. said...

You've been busy, and those three cards are gorgeous! I love them all, and when I thought about trying to mention a favorite in my comment, I found I couldn't decide. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

TK said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell, and the PTI sentiment is amazing! Your brilliant leaf matches your pp perfectly. No problem with the laughing at Nellie, I'm sure, pups seem to love us no matter what we do to them! God bless you all, Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy your family

Carol H. said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you kind friend! Your cards are all so beautiful! I sure hope you took that off of Nellie quick, cause she doesn’t look so happy. LOL! :). Hugs!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Great cards and pix, Darnell xoxo

Susan said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Darnell! And thanks for my beautiful birthday card! Love your two Thanksgiving cards, but even more I love the Christmas card - such a gorgeous wreath and a fabulous CAS design!

Ros Crawford said...

Terrific cards!! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and my, they did a great job with the tree those handsome boys!

Mervi said...

Fabulous Christmas wreath card!
Thank you for sharing at Penny Black and more;-))m

Colleen said...

I love reading your stories and seeing your card creations and also the wonderful pictures you post! It is always a joy to come visit here, I must come and stay longer...but where do the minutes and hours in the day go? Even now I must shop for our Thanksgiving dinner (which is tomorrow) and I am procrastinating by visiting, which is a good thing, bad thing) So much to do so little time to do it! Love you, and miss you, and I hope you have a wonderful week! Can you believe it is going to be 25 days until Christmas? YIKES, now I really better go...Heart Hugs, Col

Celeste Goff said...

Such gorgeous cards Darnell and the tree looks fabulous!

Leslie Miller said...

Wow! Whole lotta pretty here today, Darnell! Er, well, I guess I'm a few days late, but no matter... your cards are still gorgeous! The first just knocks me over. The colors! The negative cut of leaves! I have the die you used on the second card and been wanting to do the piecing, but you know how that goes -- one of these days. I love the look of it, and the semi-glossy paper. #3 is a most gorgeous wreath! So beautiful! I'm happy to see all the fun going on in your playhouse!

frommycraftroom said...

Such lovely cards.
Thanks for sharing pics of the grandtwins and your tree. They have done a great job.
We put ours up today - still more general decorating to do another day.

BożenA said...

Three stunning cards, Darnell. The first wonderful card, sometimes only small colored background fragments come out on top of the card. I love the second card for the colors, very eco. But the third card took my breath away. Amazing, I love her.
Is this Christmas soon ?? Now I panicked: - ((
hugs,
BozenA

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Just love all three cards, Darnell, and Happy Thanksgiving belatedly to you too!! Great photos of the decorations and sweet Nellie with you and the twins!

ElizStewart said...

Just lovin' your onefer!!!

Ruth said...

Fab cards as always - and I especially love the sentiment on the first. It is so true! Great Christmas tree decorating. Ours is hopefully going up this weekend. xxx

Lisa Elton said...

Oh goodness are these ever pretty Darnell! I'm loving the first one to bits! The boys did a great job on the tree!

Linby said...

Love those die cards. I don't find piecing the waste therapeutic because I usually lose some of it and can't find it lol!
Gorgeous Christmas card, thanks so much for linking up at Penny Black & More.
Fab photos and your dog looks adorable.

lauren bergold said...

oh how i looooooove your gorgeous, amazing cards! thanks for SHOPPING YOUR STASH with us this fortnight!

Inkyfingers said...

What a gorgeous collection of cards, Darnell and I would be hard-pressed to pick a favourite! The thanksgiving cards are sooo elegant and the homespun wreath is simply beautiful with the realistic berries and the twiggy fronds.
Speaking of beautiful - those boys are so handsome and loke as if they grow a foot between photographs!
Take care
Hugs
Carol x
PS Thanks for sharing with us at ABC Christmas Challenges.

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Darnell what gorgeous cards - all three of them. Glad to hear that Hammy is back and helping - he's a real little treasure :)
Blessings
Maxine

Sybrina K said...

Hi Darnell! What a pretty trio of cards, each with a lovely design! Love all three and appreciate you sharing one of them with us at Words 2 Craft By. And, thanks for sharing the great tree-decorating pics. Looks like everyone had a fun time. Happy holidays, my friend!

My Paper Epiphany said...

Wonderful collection of cards! I love the sentiment on the 1st card. Great family pics:)

Greta said...

Sorry I'm so late getting here--can't keep up. Anyway, I love seeing your pictures with the boys & Nellie--cute, cute, cute! Your cards are all gorgeous, Darnell! I have the Gentle Leaf & need to use it again. Thanks for the inspiration! Great patience to inlay all those pieces & the wreath is such a beauty! Happy Holiday Season!

JD/ Jill said...

Again, great cards. I could never pick a favorite...
And...I always love your pics. How could you NOT love all the cuteness there!

Karen Brown said...

Three stunning cards! Love all three but I think the first is my favorite. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.