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!

January 5, 2020

Happy 2020! (A Little Late)

Hello my dear Stamplings!

Aaahhh. Let's be honest, aren't we a little bit glad that the holidays are behind us and the kids are back in school tomorrow and things can get back to a normal schedule?! Or is it just my age peeking out from the hem of my skit? I mean, skirt. 

I'm sorry to be so late wishing you all the best in 2020. We did have a marvelous Christmas, book-ended on one side by the grandtwins' 15th birthday celebration and on the other by the 40th wedding anniversary of The Mister's sister and her husband, whom I introduced!🥰

Since then, well, you know, life. Then what happened was, yesterday I finally got back to browsing challenge blogs and I saw something that lit my fire, so I took a photo of me from New Year's Eve and made a card to share with you.
I might have put on a few pounds over the holidays, but I can still whoop like the younguns! But only just the once. It's nothing short of a miracle that I didn't break a hip. I did, however, get a bloody nose when I hit the floor and my 46 DD XLongs rebounded! You'd think I'd know they were there and cross my arms, but no, I never learn.

This happy lady stamp is NBUS from Art Impressions. I bought her at a garage sale in Indiana in October. The sediment is NBUS from Impression Obsession. The bouquet of balloons is from Mama Elephant. Hammy decided to just wink her shoes and her lips. (I think he's still a little hungover and all that schparkle was hurting his eyes.)

Challenges
  • Krafty Chicks: Stamp Act.
  • Little Red Wagon ~ Use your NBUS!!
    This is the challenge I was talking about above. I mean, I HAD to play since I'm the person who invented the NBUS acronym! I'm chuffed that it is now such an integral part of our community's vernacular that it has become a challenge brief and crafters who don't even know me are using the term! It's my little legacy thanks to all of you and I appreciate that!
  • Simon Says Stamp Wednesday:
    Something new.
~~~ 

Since today is the 5th and not the 1st, I went looking for what holidays or crazy events are being celebrated today. I karacked up when I found these two celebrations, listed one right under the other, thus:
  • National Lose Weight, Feel Great Week ~ January 5-11 (starts first Sunday of January).
  • National Pizza Week ~ January 5-11 (second week of January).
Hysterical oxymoron! 😂 

It reminds me of how ridiculous I sound when talking to Nellie as I'm heading out to the Playhouse and she is across the room watching me. "Do you want to come with me," I ask, "or do you want to stay here?" 

I understand why she cocks her head when I realize that all she heard was, "blah blah COME, blah blah STAY?!" 

~~~

And on a very serious note, my thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Australia suffering from the smoke and fire that is devastating the region.🙏

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.

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* I hope 2020 bring you everything you need!!

*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:

Patti said...

Darnell! I just knew we were kindred spirits! Other than the color of your stylish dress... we could be twins... of course I am totally flat chested! but that is how I look in my heart heeheehee

Happy New Year!

Robyn Oliver said...

Great card, she's a real hoot just like you Darnell, I just love reading your posts they always make my day... and yes here in Australia, we don't have much to celebrate at present with the dreadful fires, I'm not watching the TV news any more it's too heartbreaking, but everyone will rally around and help get everyone back on their feet and we can't praise our firefighters enough - just wish for rain and for everyone to take care - life is more precious... thankfully family and me are safe.

LesleyG said...

Funny on so many levels Darnell, Happy New Year, thanks for your cheer, and may everyone stay safe xxx

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Darnell - I can't believe that is you - even if it was immediately after Christmas and all the other celebrations. Your narrative was funny though :) Happy New Year to you too.
Yes those fires are horrific - we are getting so much smoke over here (2,000 kms away) the sun turned red and was then blocked out this afternoon.
Blessings
Maxine

Stamps and Paper said...

YOur post make me smile Darnell...Love your fun card...and like you pleased the celebrations are over just need to get rid of those extra pounds now


Anne

Pat said...

What a fun image and beautifully coloured and winked Darnell and the stories you weave are just the best! I'm glad you had a great Christmas and that you also celebrated with the grandtwins...15 now, and also your sister-in-law and her husband's 40th anniversary, a busy time. I'm also excited that your NBUS expression has now gone global, I will be looking out for it in the dictionary too as a Darnellism...you just never know..lol. x

Aquarius said...

Such a joyful card - love it. All the best for 2020

Borqna said...

Your post make me smile Darnell.
I agree - What a fun image and beautifully coloured!
Bravo! Good luck!

Sandra H said...

Happy new year Darnell your card made me 😂 it’s just so adorable fabulous image and love the layout with the stitching around the edges so cute too tilting her head as if to answer of course l want to venture out across with you 😆 and my thoughts too go out to all the Australian people who are suffering never wish rain on anyone but would be most welcome in Australia take care xx

Kath said...

A Happy New Year to you too Darnell - I hope 2020 is a good one for you and your family.

A fabulous card - love the fun image.

Kath x

Marilyn said...

Love reading your post. Starts my day! Love your card. Happy New Year!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Lisa Babitz said...

This is such a fun card, and "you" look amazing!! ;)
Happy New Year!!

Chris said...

Brilliant card Darnell, you sure know how to party!!
As always your post is entertaining...I have some images in my head now that are going to be hard to forget :D
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.
xx

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Fantastic post Darnell,
I wish you one healty, lucky, happy and creative year 2020
hugs Tamara

Jeanne said...

Happy New Year! You are awesome, that is all! :)

Donna said...

Fun and adorable card Darnell. Wishing you an amazing 2020!

HilaryJane said...

As ever, you have brought a smile to this grey day. Poor Nellie, no wonder she's confused. Love the card too xx

Carol L said...

What a fun card, and it makes me WISH I could still jump for joy like this young-un is doing! A very belated but sincere Happy New Year wish to you and yours! I'm still learning this new pc and then when my Big Shot croaked on me, it seriously put the brakes on my crafting time and desire, but hopefully things will be looking better in the not-too-distant future! May you have the happiest, healthiest and most prosperous year of them all in 2020!

Bonnie said...

Happy New Year, my dear friend! May you have a healthy, accident free year (once you recover from your celebratory injury! xoxo

Inkyfingers said...

Oh Darnell, this is the happiest, celebratory and sod-it-all card I have seen and I think I may smile for the whole day!!

I'm pleased that you had a good Christmas and I wish you a wonderful 2020.
Hugs
Carol xxx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Happy New Year Darnell!! Happy Birthday to your GrandTwins! And Happy Anniversary to your Hubby's sister! Seems that you have had a lot of parties :D
Your card is very fun!!:D But I don't think you ate so much in the Holiday to becoming so fat LOL :D
Your thought about Nellie's after hearing your talking made me smile!
Such lovely shot you made her and the question mark is just perfect to show her perplexity!
Big hugs

Brenda in IN said...

You looked good on New Years Eve and like you were having a great time! I can understand poor Nellie getting those mixed signals from you. Do I go or do I stay? What does she want? I may have to pop over to My Little Red Wagon as I have added to my NBUS over the holidays but have no time now to stamp right now. My prayers go out to Australia right now too. What a terrible disaster and so hard to contain.

I Card Everyone said...

you look MAHvelous dahling!! Happy New Year, D! xoxo
=]

Marcia Hill said...

Happy 2020 my friend, and I must say you looked FABULOUS on New Years Eve! Your sparkly high heels make me a little jealous as I'm so flat footed and haven't been able to wear heels for ages! Hope you're healing up well from the jump and I'm looking forward to being creative right alongside you this year! Cheers!! :0)

OH Babs said...

Happy New Year! Holidays quiet and I guess less stressful. Anxious to do anything that is not Christmas, right now thinking of practicing watercoloring skies. Wishing you a year of great health and continuing to bring pleasure to many. Hugs, BBB

okienurse said...

Woot! way ahead of me girl! I still need to unbury the desk and put away all the Christmas crafting paraphernalia and unsent Christmas cards...OH WELL! Got a start on next year! I was web surfing the other day and came across NBUS and it made me think of the first contest you had using NBUS! WTG girl you are famous! Happy New Year!
Vickie

cuilliesocks said...

Happy New Year to you Darnell, and yes it's good to get back to normal...whatever that might be.
I love your card, what a fun image and if you can whoop like that your doing better than me Lol.
I speak to Teallach like that so now worries and Nellie is gorgeous.
Kate x

Christine Alexander said...

Darnell I almost wet my undies reading this, lucky you only go a bloody nose you could have had two back eyes to boot. That's the funniest card I've seen in a long while.
Happy New Year and looking forward to seeing lots of fun creative posts.
We are all thinking of Australia and the wild fires, global warming at it's worst.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Happy New Year to you. Glad you enjoyed the festivities. Like you I am glad it's all over with and kids are back to school tomorrow.

Love the card.

Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

Cat Craig said...

Love the balloons attached to the sentiment, very festive. I've had my first smile of the day. Have a great week.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! you must be my twin, I thought it was a photo of me! I absolutely "karacked up" when I saw it, the sentiment is so perfect for this image, Absolutely LOVE the card, thanks for giving me the giggle of the day.
Faith x

bolletjelucky.blogspot.com said...

A funny card and you making fun about it makes me smile. Great image and beautiful colored Darnell.
Greetings Miranda

Sharyn Polesel said...

This stamp set is so funny! What a marvelous card! Happy you had a nice holiday. We did too, but had some sickness. Larry was sick through Christmas and I got sick on New Year's Eve. The coughing is driving me crazy. Hope it is gone soon. Thank you for the beautiful Christmas card. I loved it! Hugs, Sharyn

Carole said...

Happy New Year to you too Darnell and thanks for sharing a bit of humour to start the year. I think that image may be more me than you right now! Glad you enjoyed all your festivities but I am like you ad am glad to get back to 'normal'...whatever that is. Life hasn't been normal since hubby retired 9 months ago!..lol

Maria said...

What a great card full of fun, Darnell! Oh, to dance like that again!:). Happy to hear that you had a wonderful Christmas! A big happy birthday to your grandsons! And, Happy 40th Anniversary to your your husband’s brother and wife! Things are getting back to normal here. I do have one more room to clear of Christmas things. Hubby returns back to work tomorrow after being off two weeks for knee surgery. Things will really return to normal for me then, lol!!:)). Take care and Happy New Year to you and family!!

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a fun card and if you jumped like that you are in much better shape then me. Of course, I could try it perhaps while leaning on my walker. That might work! LOL But just in case it didn't I guess I will keep my feet planted on the ground instead. Not taking any chances as life throws enough glitches my way these days. I wish you a most wonderful new year too. Make it a great one!

nancy littrell said...

Happy New Year to you too, Dolly!!! It is nice to have our lives back to normal, but so fun to have a break from our normal routines. We had a great time camping in our trailer on the beautiful Oregon coast and going on 4 long hikes on muddy trails. No falls thanks to our trekking poles and hiking boots.

I would never try a high jump and clicking heels at the same time...you must be careful deareeee!

Happy, Healthy, Creative New Year to you, Mister and all the family. Love and Hugs..Nancy

Bobby said...

While the commentary is hilariously funny, that is definitely not you, Darnell. You can whoop it up with the best of them and you have forgone the old age blue hair (although my granddaughter dies hers blue now).

conil said...

Don't you think that dog's spend most of their sweet lives being confused by their owners? I do. So happy it really wasn't and broken hip, just hope you didn't black your eye with your mishap. You see, being flat chested, I'd never have that problem.
Do love this image and how you enhanced her...she looks absolutely delighted to be out of the holiday mold. I understand that completely.
Did you say 15th birthday for the twins? Gee, just a few more years and they'll be off to college. How did that happen???

Susan said...

Happy New Year to you too, Darnell! Still chuckling from your card and post! Nellie would definitely be confused by you including "come" and "stay" in the same sentence - I'm always telling my dog obedience students to be very clear when they talk to their dogs!!! I agree that we're all a bit glad the holidays are over - too much of everything in too short a time! But I'm right back to making Christmas cards!

Redanne said...

Well she certainly looks happy in her jump and I am impressed that she could achieve it! Such a fun card Darnell, I love it.

Nellie's face is just adorable, how can one little dog be so adorable, I just want to give her a hug and a little squeeze....

Glad to hear you had such a lovely New Year, sending all good wishes to you for 2020 my lovely friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

Jeanne H said...

Happy New Year to you too! I love your sense of humor but as I take things literally, I do hope you did not get injured. Indeed, where has the time gone...the guys are 15? Gosh! Hugs from MN to you and prayers for Australia and all our friends there.

Celeste Goff said...

Happy new year to you as well Darnell! Love that fun, sassy card you created!

Kathleen said...

Happy New Year to you Darnell, what a great image to start the year with, super card.

My eldest Daughter lives in Sydney and while they are not getting the fires yet, the are getting a lot of smoke, really worried, thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Kath x

Liz said...

Brilliant card, Darnell. LOVE the image and the sentiment is just perfect.
Wishing you and the Mister a great 2020! xx

Christine said...

Hi Darnell,
I saw your card in the link-up at SSS and had to drop by for a closer look. Love your card and appreciate the chuckles your marvelous sense of humor always bring out. So sorry that your dear NBUS acronym has been hijacked! I think of you every time I open crafting goodies and take the NBU away. You are an influencer and an inspiration. Wishing you a blessed 2020!

Lisa Elton said...

Ha HA she's fun!! Happy New Year Darnell and thank you for the darling birthday card!

Fikreta said...

Happy New year!
So great card!

Sharron said...

So glad to see you were able to celebrate and enjoy New Year's. You look marvelous!! Wishing you a blessed 2020 with lots of fun crafty time!!

Linda said...

Such a fun card Darnell. Sounds like you had a fabulous time over the holidays ...... you party girl! Happy New Year! xx

Marjeta said...

Happy new year Darnell. I wish you lots of crafty fun in 2020, that we can enjoy in your gorgeous creations

sandie said...

Happy New Year my friend and sure looks like a fun one and I approve of the purple dress. Sending you a healthy new year hug x

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Great card! Hoilday's and extra pounds just seem to go hand in hand. She is fantastic! Wishing you all the best in 2020.

Carol H. said...

Happy 2020 to you! Love your silly and fun card! Sure makes us smile!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Such a fun card! Losing weight and eating pizza might be oxymoronic, but it's exactly what I will be doing this year... by finally being able to get back to working out during the week, I'll be able to enjoy a treat at the weekend. Grin

Linda said...

Love the portrait of yourself, HaHa. It is so you. Adorable card and Happy New Year to you, my friend....

Loll said...

That has to be the best selfie I've ever seen! :) LOVE the card ... made me laugh, which is always a good start to the day. Yep, noon here and just finished breakfast. :)

As always, you are always entertaining, especially love what Nellie heard ... Come ... Stay! I talk to Jessie all the time and she is constantly cocking her head to the side. Our little sweethearts must think we are CRAZY! :) Love, Lolly

Jean said...

Great holiday weeks to celebrate now! Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday!

oldpunca said...

Happy everything in 2020 to you too! You've started the year with a very funny and amazing card. I like the jumpig lady. Such a great motif! And perfectly colored. Poor Hammy! I hope he feels better. :-)
Have a super nice week!
Hugs, Sonja

Leslie Miller said...

Late is my middle name these days, but happy new year to you, too! I love this lady, like I love all Art Impressions... but the girlfriends are definitely favorites. What a great card! Too funny about talking to Nellie. I guess I didn't think about that, 'cause I do it, too, with Wally and LuLu. I think they choose their favorite word and go with that.

Colleen said...

I have missed you and your wonderful sense of humor! Loved your story and most of all love your card!! BTW, that doesn't look a bit like you!
Happy day my friend...losing weight and pizza,hmm, you are sure right about that oxymoron!! Heart Hugs, Col...I think I am ready to get back into the groove and spend some much needed and wanted time in my studio...until life attacks, that is!!

TK said...

Fun card, Darnell, and I hope she (and you) didn't hurt yourselves too badly! And congrats on your verbadge being up-voted to a higher rank! Next it'll be in the dictionary! Think of all the accolades :0)

Cheryl W. said...

I'd say you're my kind of party girl--once and done! I used to be able to party for hours, sometimes even all night. But, no more. Now I'm that sedate grandma who makes cards, ha ha. Thanks for sharing your fun card. I love it!

Brenda said...

Hi Darnell! You are an inspiration for so many reasons, and your coining of the term NBUS and this wonderful card , fun card are only 2 of them. Sincerely, thanks so much for joining us at Little Red Wagon Challenge this week!

KandA said...

And an even later Happy new year to you too. Judging by your fabulous card you had one heck of a fun new year xx

Sue - said...

A great card as always! I do love the AI Stamps. xx

Pia S said...

Happy new year! What a fantastic hilarious image and cheerful design. A very fitting design to start off 2020 with.

Julia Dunnit said...

Ah Nellie! Lovely card dear Darnell, I adore the Art Imps characters . Especially love that we’re the same age - have been secretly craving routine for at least a week!!

Nance said...

Oh you're a hoot, Darnell! LOL . Your card and your whole post made me smile! Your card is super, I love everything. That's how we should celebrate everything no matter our age. Glad you played with us at Krafty Chicks Challenge this week. Happy New Year!

Anita in France said...

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha ... great card ... fabulous post, Darnell ... still laughing at the thought of those 46 DD XLs doing such damage!! Congratulations on your NBUS acronym going global ... you're a world wide brand! LYAMYMCA ... LFTCT! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Kathyk said...

FAB post (as always), photos and a lovely make too - well deserving winner over at the Little red wagon challenge too - CONGRATULATIONS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and the Mister

Kathyk

Mac Mable said...

I so laughed out loud with your wonderful post Darnell. I love your fun card and so glad you didn't break a hip when you fell over onto your 46 dd's lol.....x

Greta said...

It is funny how we talk to our furbabies! Hubby is always telling me "You're wasting your words" but I talk to Fritz anyway! Funny card!