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!

April 1, 2020

An April Fool's Day Surprise!

Hello Stamplings!

Happy April Fool's Day! Normally, a cause for prankish behavior from me, but today I've something else up my sleeve. 

First, though, thank you for coming by! With this pandemic, our days are odd, off-kilter, and abnormal, which means routine things like having your last cup of morning coffee (or last sip of evening cocktail) while reading friends' blogs might not be happening. So thank you for taking the time/finding the time to visit me!
I still had the little fawn on my desk from the March Twofer challenge and I really wanted to use that snippet of tulip pp. Those two things were my jumping off point for this card. The wee fawn looks a little wan (is that a song?), but that's only the result of overexposure when sunlight meets copper embossing powder. He is quite dark and coppery in real life.

The tulips in the foreground are NBUS. I've removed the packaging, alas, but they have the sketchy look of being from Penny Black? I did the direct-to-stamp technique to color them, Hammy added winking, and then I added the bee punctuation!

Challenges
  • Just Us Girls: Photo week, specifically tulips.
  • Paper Players: A tic-tac-toe challenge from Joanne. (Top right to bottom left.)
  • SSS Monday: Spring mood board, specifically tulips.
~~~

As you know, I recently ended my relationship with the unfinished cards in my Box O' Bits (BOB). I planned to turn next to the mountains and mountains of NBUS I still own.

[In case you're visiting here for the first time, NBUS stands for "Never-Before-Used-Schtuff." You know, all those virginal new stamps, stencils, and dies you just HAD to have! And in these turbulent times, people tend to de-stress by online shopping so you may have, erm, slightly more NBUS than you did a month ago!]

From reading your blogs, I know a lot of us are in the same boat in terms of feeling unsettled, antsy, directionless. Our Mojo is under the desk and if you look at him, he puts his head inside his armpit. Generally, we are all discompooperated. Considering this is a hobby that should be bringing us solace right now, that's not a good thing.

That got me thinking, why not do something proactive to hopefully give all of us some direction? Why not resurrect my NBUS challenge?! So with the help of my friend Lolly, that's what I've done! 

There is now a dedicated website where you can share your NBUS creations!!!

So now, if you need a spark to ignite your creativity, turn to those things you've never gotten around to using, no matter how old or how new ~ and simply make using them your goal! You can challenge yourself to use just one NBUS item on a creation, or challenge yourself to make a creation with nothing but NBUS.

Whatever you decide, you have a place to share any creation you make for any purpose which contains at least one NBUS item! And you can share as many times as you like. Have fun with it and imagine the satisfaction you'll feel from being creative AND using your Never-Before-Used-Schtuff!

So what d'ya say? Wanna play? You can find all the details on the NBUS site! See you there!💜
~~~

Please take care, be safe, and enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

*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!)

59 comments:

Kathyk said...

Woo Hoo! A place dedicated to the use of NBUS! Thanks Darnell

As you say, with all this illness and uncertainty I hope you are keep well and busy, loving today's make from you

Stay well and Happy April

Kathyk

Kath said...

A lovely card Darnell and such a cute fawn.

I love the idea of your NBUS challenge and have just become your latest follower.

Kath x

Loll said...

So excited to see NBUS Challenge back in action. And having a dedicated challenge blog is a great idea. I have a ton of NBUS just waiting to be set loose. I'll be back with a card soon! Thanks so much Dolly!! Love, Lolly

kiwimeskreations said...

Yay NBUS is back - I have been breaking into mine these last few days so you will see me there :)
Loving your lovely springy card - so glad Hammy did not get over enthusiastic and spring all over the tulips with shparkly feet :)
I am gradually getting used to being at home all week instead of approximately half the week or less! I don't think the cat has come to terms with it yet though!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Sue - said...

Lovely card Darnell and what a great idea to have a NBUS site! Hope you’re all keeping well and social distancing. I have to say that so far I’ve not found it too hard but then my crafting is helping. Just wish hubby could find something to do other than dragging me out for a walk!

Liz said...

Beautiful card, Darnell, the fawn is so cute.

Great to have a dedicated NBUS challenge blog! Having lost my mojo for a while recently, it seems to be returning over the last few days. I'm lucky enough to have my own craft room, but I've also set up a craft table in the lounge too. (Glad we're not expecting visitors any time soon as there is craft stuff everywhere!) So if I'm just vegging out in front of the television, everything is in front of me to give my mojo a burst..... and it seems to be working.

Take care and stay safe, Darnell. xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Such a beautiful spring feel to this gorgeous card Darnell.

How great to have a blog to post our NBUS creations on. My goal while being in isolation is to use more of my NBUS (and there is a lot of it too) so to have somewhere to show it off will be fantastic.

Take care and stay safe
Sue xx

Carole said...

You never fail to bring happiness, love and smiles to people Darnell....and this post does that with your little lonely fawn in his happy surroundings...giving you the satisfaction of using up those bits and NBUS. Hopefully I shall join you at some point...food for thought...the cogs are whirring. Hugs xx

Chris said...

Your card is beautiful Darnell, sweet little fawn, beautiful flowers, lovely design.
What a brilliant idea to revive your NBUS Challenge! Just what we need right now- thank you!
xx

Carol L said...

Your fawn card is lovely, and I for one am beyond happy to see the NBUS challenge back again!! As you perfectly described it, I'm feeling completely discompooperated too, so this will hopefully get my crafting back on track again! BTW, have you ever thought of creating your own dictionary of craft-styled words and phrases? It would be a best seller without a doubt! LOL Thanks for always making me smile or chuckle when I visit here - you rock!!

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, I love your sweet card,a lovely little fawn image and the tulips are beautiful.
What a great idea to help get folks creative juices back on track, just whats needed at the difficult time. Keep well, keep laughing and keep safe, hugs Kate x

Kathyk said...

Your new NBUS challenge has been added to the BY DATE 1st list over at Challenges For Days Darnell

Kathyk

Lisa Babitz said...

Cute spring card! And great idea for the NBUS site!!

KandA said...

I love your card Darnell, it's so cheerfull and the little Bambi is sooo cute. Looks like the NBUS blog is going to be a great success with everyone, so a big thank you for resurrecting it xx

oldpunca said...

Oh, I'm so glad you've activated NBUS again! It's a great opportunity to challenge ourselves.
Your pretty card is so ful of spring spirit. Nowadays I miss spring spirit in everydays life.
Stay safe. Hugs, Sonja

Diane said...

Your card is beautiful, the cute little fawn right on to those gorgeous tulips....so Springy PRETTY! Oh how fun to have a new and fun challenge, I have enough NBUS to fill a truck..haha..really! I am sure going to join in!!

Macimbalo said...

Darnell, LOVE your card! Perfect for the JUGS challenge this week! AND thanks so much for starting up NBUS again - I so enjoy a good NBUS challenge - YAY!!!

Bunny said...

This is why many of us never deleted our NBUS badge. We knew it would make it's way around again. Hooray, too because I've purchased a few new NBUS items since the virus in hopes that that would be mailed before or in case the mail shuts down.
[Bunny]

Donna said...

Oh Darnell, you put in to words just how I think all of us are feeling, thanks. Not creating a lot but doing coloring and a few projects around the house. Thanks for the NBUS link up. And your card was adorable!! Take care.

Trina P. said...

Oh YEAH! Way to resurrect the NBUS challenge. Your card is adorable.
Keep well.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, What a fab card.

Going to have a look at your NBUS challenge. Mojo still missing, but who knows.

Take care. Sue

Maura said...

Yea!!! NBUS is back!! Thanks Darnell and Loll!!!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Your card is adorable, as always. And I'll pop over to have a look at the new site now xoxo

conil said...

Oh goody...another NBUS challenge...always enjoyed these. Also enjoyed your tiny coppery dear amongst the tulips.

Bobby said...

Yay! While I don't have a mountain, I do have some images on sets that I have never used. I'm going to make that my goal.

Sandra H said...

Hi Darnell super cute is your card and adorable image...your so right where mojo is concerned l feel like that have done for some time also moved property Not the best time to move with the present situation that’s with us all take care and stay safe x

Susan said...

What a great idea, Darnell! I happen to have a new order of stuff sitting on my kitchen table that just arrived yesterday. Will have to get busy.

Love the sweet fawn amongst the tulips (hope he's tip-toeing and not crushing the flowers!). Great use of pp too!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Well so glad you used that little deer and other snippets you had left as that is such a cute card. And, as to NBUS I have lots and lots so that is not a problem but what might be a problem is finding time. I seem to be busier then ever. Trying to keep hubby happy with creative cooking and baking instead using things we have on hand. LOL Now with a shortage of eggs and such a high price if you find them I am going to see if I can find "no egg" recipes from an old cook book from the 30's my Mom had. Should be fun!

Brenda in IN said...

I'm so happy to see this revived. I don't know what comes over to me buy things I don't even use and stick in the NBUS pile. So this is a blessing and coming at a time when you are right, we don't have mojo. Thank you, Darnell for bringing this back and to Loll for helping it come home to roost. See you there soon.

nancy littrell said...

Thank you, Thank you, my dear sweet silly friend!!! I am already feeling more alert, awake...could it be my mojo is finally waking up!!!! Hurray...I think you did it!!! I MUST play in your NBUS challenge... It might be a day or so, but I AM GOING TO PLAY...LOVE and BIG HUGS, sweet Dolly:-)

Kathleen said...

Fab card, great post as always and a very popular challenge is returning, great news.

Kath x

Lisa Kind said...

That fawn is just so adorable, as is your card! I have to tell you that most of my cards are made with NBUS! I think that box is bigger than all the stamps that HAVE been used! LOL! Thanks for playing with Just Us Girls!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Darling fawn card, Darnell, and I'm glad to see the NBUS challenge! I've already created a card for it - yay!! Thanks and happy crafting!!

Redanne said...

Aww, that little fawn is just the sweetest and I love the flowers!

Well done for starting up NBUS again, I am sure it will give lots of people a great new focus! Mojo-less me has been on several mini spending sprees, I even bought one stencil twice (tut tut) and still cannot figure out how I am going to use it.....or them... I will keep my eye on the NBUS challenge, I am sure I will find lots of inspiration there.

Please take care and keep safe my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

Helen F. said...

Oh how fabulous, Darnell! I just opened my email and your message was the first one I just had to open. I was seriously just thinking of clearing a spot on my craft room desk to create a few(hundred) cards with my Mt. NBUS! Love your sweet Hello Spring card and all those glorious Tulips.
Thank you for organizing the new NBUS Challenge ~ you are the BEST crafty friend evahhh!! {{{HUGS}}}

Cheryl W. said...

Your little fawn is so cute. He adds to the warmth of your spring card. So happy to hear that NBUS is back. We all NEED that kind of focus right now, and, besides that, it's so much fun. Thank you to you and Loll!

TK said...

Cute, cute, cute! Love the fawn and the pretty pp!

OMG!! NBUS again?! Yes ma'am! Can't wait

Gerrina said...

Such a happy-looking card! Just what we need on a day like this one! Hugs, Gerrina

Linda said...

Whoo Hoo! NBUS is back! Just what I need to kickstart my mojo .... thanks hun.
Love your little spring design, tulips are one of my favourite flowers xx

Ros Crawford said...

Oh that fawn looks so cute amongst the tulips! Happy to see the NBUS challenge is back too but most of all I'm happy to hear you are all okay...

Anita in France said...

That delicate little fawn is adorable, Darnell ... as he tip-toes through the tulips with his sweet friend Bee! Did that give you an earworm for the rest of the day?? Congratulations on bringing NBUS back ... I don't have a mountain ... but there's a decent molehill that could do with flattening ... looking forward to playing along! LYAMYHAHMA ... CF! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

ionabunny said...

Wonderful. I have just acquired some NBUS today. Gonna check it out. Hugz

Cat Craig said...

Such a sweet card Darnell. And so fun to hear you brought something new to us all in the blogosphere. Stay safe.

Leslie Miller said...

Well, it certainly takes me longer to get around to all my visiting these days. It's partly because every time I turn on my Feedly there's a WHOLE LOT of posts in there -- more than usual -- and I can't move fast enough. But that's not the only reason. I'm simply discompooperated! Your little fawn with the great big eye is endearingly adorable, Darnell. All prettied up for spring in a bed of tulips with the tulip background paper -- love that! I also love the idea of sharing our NBUS, which I'm always plugging away at. Some of it is getting pretty old by now. I did buy some new Cottage Cutz dies, but otherwise I've been conservative on the craft supplies since I started the stay-at-home stint. Got lots of NBUS to work on! Thanks... going to head over and check it out now. Hugs!

frommycraftroom said...

Such a gorgeous card.

Will have to pop over to the NBUS site. I have some NBUS (it never seems to go or get smaller!) not sure how much time I have just yet to play as I am one that is still leaving the house to go to work. Funny how leaving the house to go to work makes you feel guilty! but I should be grateful I can still work (& get some $ for more NBUS!).

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Beautiful Spring card Darnell - I'm loving all the pink! Congrats on the NBUS site - I'll have to check it out, I have far too much of that!!! Thanks for playing Tic-Tac-Toe with us over at The Paper Players this week!

Natalie said...

Cute little spring card Darnell!

I'm definitely going to participate in the NBUS Challenge. I seem to be more of a collector than than a user! This should give me the extra nudge I need.

Bobby said...

I'm back to thank you for sharing your little deer tiptoeing through the tulips with us at Just Us Girls, Darnell.

My Paper Epiphany said...

Thanks for the lovely surprise! I definitely needed that push to make me get creative with all those poor neglected items, that I had to have, but forgot to use! Your Spring card is such a delight! It put a huge smile on my face😍

Ruth said...

You're our saviour in times of need and trial! I will definitely be trying some more NBUS. Even some that I have had for about 5 years and never used..... #shameful xxxx

Di said...

Delighted to see the return of NBUS!! Happy dance here Darnell. I have issues in general making more than one design of card, hence the reason I'm, AWOL most of the time in the Twofers Challenge - but NBUS I can certainly do. Thank you to Loll for the blog site and also to you of course Darnell!

Mwah!

Love

Di xx

Glittered Paws said...

Love this little fawn and you have surely put him to good use. I am so happy you have Hammy to help - you - I bet he is a lot of company when you are stamping. Going to go check the NBUS I have a basket full of "stuff". When I buy something new I throw it in the NBUS basket. I'm either gong to have to stop buying or use some of the stuff in the basket because I am about out of room. Have a good weekend.

OH Babs said...

OH HAPPY DAY! I miss NBUS and I hope to participate. BUT I don't know is I know how to post on my long-not-used blog, but hey I have all the time in the world. I like how you refered to old and new NBUS, because I do have new. So thanks again for being the bestest social director in card making.
Looks like rain is coming so stay indoors. Oh yeah we have to do that.
Blessings to every one, Barb (aka bbb -- barb, babs, barbara)

Fikreta said...

Beautiful card!

Celeste Goff said...

Love that sweet little fawn and all of that gorgeous patterned paper! And yay for NBUS challenge! I work two jobs, both in healthcare, so I don't get much time to craft these days but I love the idea of using new stuff to get my mojo going!

Linby said...

What a lovely bright cheerful card so sweet.
Thanks so much for restarting NBUS and for getting a blog for it too.

Maria said...

Your deer card is sweet as can be! Love the pretty colors and lovely flowers! Great idea restarting NBUS! Heavens knows I have lots of NBUS! So, now I just have to create! Take care and stay safe!!

Nora Noll said...

Oh Darnell!! I am SO EXCITED about the NBUS challenge blog!! I so need this. I have SO MANY supplies that need to be inked and this will totally inspire me!!

I LOVE your pretty card. The tulips are fabulous. I love that direct ink method. Makes things so easy. Your little fawn is darling!!! GORGEOUS card!!! Thank you for all your inspiration!!

BożenA said...

:-) It's a very interesting combination, tulips and deer :-) Big surprise, but so intriguing. And thank you for reactivating your NBUS challenge. We need a step away from reality now, and each of us has a lot of NBUS to use. I will definitely enter the game :-)
hugs,
BożenA