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 13, 2021

Sending Prayers

Hello Stamplings!

I hope this finds you doing well. I truly do hope that, although I know a lot of you, or your families, are struggling. The important message in continuing to hope you are doing well is all in the word HOPE. Such a tiny little word that holds enormous positive energy. 

Speaking of words, I want to thank you all very much for your words of comfort about my busted back situation. Your words are comforting and very much appreciated! πŸ’‹

I have a very quick post to share this card:
This is a NBUS stamp I've had for ages. I thought I had used it before, but I did a search of my blog and can't find it. It's a design from Dee's Artsy Impressions called, "Blossom Sprays #1," from STAMPlorations. I heat-embossed the image in black, watercolored it with my Ziggies, and Hammy ~ well, as you can see, Hammy got a new winker for Christmas! 

I heat-embossed the sediment in white for the NBUS fishtail banner from MFT. I wrote down the make of the sediment stamp, but I can't find my note. And, yes, I checked my socks to see if it was stuck to one of them!😊The whole shebang was matted to a pp panel from Lawn Fawn.

I was saddened to hear last week that CAS(E) This Sketch is closing. It is one of my favorite challenges. I rushed to make this card because I thought their last challenge ends in a few hours. But when I went over to grab the link, I read the post again and discovered that there will be two more challenges coming up before it closes. I will hopefully be able to play again and I hope you can, too.

I want to thank Chrissy Larson and the entire CTS Team, past and present, for bringing us hundreds of wonderful sketch challenges to inspire and motivate us to make beautiful cards. I applaud Chrissy for putting her family first, but I secretly hope that means she will be back with CTS when time again allows!

Also playing in these challenges:
~~~

Thanks to the damnepic, we are all doing more cooking than ever before. Sometimes this happens!
~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Take care and keep safe!

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:

Kathyk said...

Good to hear you sounding so chipper - hope the back thing is easing for you. FAB make with your own NBUS too, great colours. Also saddened to hear of the closure of CTS challenge, not that I entered every challenge but it's always good to have a sketch to work with

Happy Thursday, stay safe

Kathyk

Kath said...

A lovely card Darnell and I hope you're feeling better too.
Kath x

Jane Willis said...

Beautiful card, how on earth did that gorgeous stamp stay NBUS until now? And gorgeously coloured too, it looks so realistic the flowers could jump off the page.

Stamps and Paper said...

Your card is beautiful Darnell love all the vibrant colours... hope your back is improving

Anne x

Marilyn said...

Pretty card! Love the cute cartoon at the end of your post!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Fikreta said...

so very nice card!
take care

Lisa Babitz said...

This is beautiful! I love your colorful (and sparkly) spray and that plaid paper mat. So pretty!

Darlene said...

Beautiful card with gorgeous coloring! So, so pretty! Hang in there my friend ... thinking of you!!!

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, I hope by now your back pain is easing and you are feeling much better.
Your card is beautiful, it's a lovely image and such beautiful colours and design.
Keep Safe, Kate x

Lynette said...

What a pretty image, and your coloring is awesome. I love the winking by Hammy. Take care of your back, and I hope you heal quicker than expected.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful card, Darnell xoxo

HilaryJane said...

Simply gorgeous, love the colours, love the heat embossing and love the mounting. I also love seeing the sunshine in your photos. It is grey cold and raining here at the moment xx

I Card Everyone said...

Thank you for your kind words, and this beautiful card for CTS, Darnell! I'm beyond sad about it, too! Thanks for playing cards with us many times over the years! xx
=]

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful card! Nicely colored! HOPE (My word for the year) you are healing and withoout pain!

Irish Cherokee said...

Special card with a timely sentiment. The toon at the bottom of your post is how most feel right now I'm sure.

Take care of yourself. You are very special.

Love, Hugs and Blessings,
Jim

Colleen said...

Darnell, so happy to read you are feeling better. Your card is gorgeous as is the beautiful bouquet. I love all the shine and sparkle and your coloring is outstanding! Continue to be well my friend! Heart Hugs, Col

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Such lovely card, Darnell! Hope is the best thought in these times. And your colourful and sparkling flowers are just gorgeous!
Hugs

Viv said...

Oh poor Dee! didn't read about you hurting your back, I do hope it's a bit better now! Thanks for sharing your beautiful card with us over at 'The Flower Challenge' too,those flowers are just fabulous, hugs Vee xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your card and it's pretty colors on those flowers. I hope you are feeling better too. And, I enjoyed the cartoon concerning all the budding chefs that are a result of 2020. So fun!

Pat said...

Beautiful bright flowers Darnell and love the background in that pretty check pattern, and the white embossed yellow banner sentiment across it looks great, also a wonderful take on the CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge...so sorry to see it is finishing at the end of the month. I hope your back is beginning to improve and that the pain is diminishing. x

Birgit said...

I love the bright happy colours used on the flowers and the glitter! What a really pretty card to brighten up anyone's day. I am sad to hear about your back but I hope it is improving even if it take a long time.

conil said...

You always manage to lift my spirits and this post is no exception. First, that all important word "HOPE" then the cartoon (so damn appropriate). So I come your post blue and leave with a more genial attitude. The bonus is the beautifully colored bouquet...thank you.

Leslie Miller said...

I hope it made you happy to pull out this stamp and color it so beautifully. You and Hammy did a splendiferous job on it! The colors are WOW on a winter day. Love that!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I hope you are continuing to recover and watching how you do things - very carefully! I hope. I love your card it is so beautiful uplifting colours and wonderful design, paper and the sentiment banner too. I was sorry to read of the Case the sketch challenge closing too, I had inspiration from it. Luckily I have saved most/ a lot of them in a file I have for them especially.
Keep safe and careful
Faith x

Jean said...

Such a beautiful card! Yes - we need to have hope.

Susan said...

Great cartoon - I appreciate the chuckle. Love the happy summer colours of your card and the beautiful winking job Hammie did on it!

Redanne said...

Your card is a real beauty Darnell, the winking just finishes it off perfectly, well done Hammy!

I love the cartoon, so perfect for these trying times.... Hugs, Annie xxx

Donna said...

Beautiful shimmery uplifting card Darnell and great comic on the wine! Glad to hear you sounding good! Take care, Donna

Lisa Elton said...

This is a lovely take on the sketch, Darnell, so bright and cheerful!

Sandra H said...

Hi Darnell this is a lovely card the floral image is so beautiful love the mixture of colours too! ....hope your feeling much better yes sad that the challenge is to close but one more to go take care stay safe xx

Kathleen said...

A super bright and beautiful creation, great image and love the colours. Funny cartoon too.

Kath x

oldpunca said...

What a wonderful image! It is so colorful and perfectly sparkled by Hammy. :-) HOPE is wonderful word. It keeps us to survive this strange times without damage. It is my favourite too.
Funny cartoon at the end of the post. :-)
Take care of your back! And stay safe.
Hugs, Sonja

Karen said...

Such a gorgeous card! I love that new fishtail banner, and your floral bouquet couldn't be prettier! Hope every day brings you closer to a pain-free back!

Cris G. said...

What a beautiful card, love the bold coloring and all the bling!
Sending prayers and HOPE for better days!

Bonnie said...

I'm all for reducing that wine, hic! Love your gorgeous flowers and tell Hammy he hasn't lost his sparkling touch! We all need to hang on to hope don't we. Here's hoping that things will look better soon while we're reducing that wine! Cheers!

TK said...

Love, love, love your beautiful bouquet, so bright and pretty, perfectly winked with the new winker ;0)

CTS is a great challenge and I had not heard, unfortunately I'm behind on just about everything these days...

lOvE the funny above too!

Cheryl W. said...

Your floral spray is gorgeous! I love the bright colors. I also really like the yellow banner. We don't often consider colors other than white, red or black for sentiment banners. I'm definitely going to try to use more colors in the future.

Trina P. said...

I have this set! Your card is beautiful. Love the bright happy colours and of course the schparkle.

I can empathize with your back problem and am happy you are feeling better. Update: I’m currently getting IV steroid treatment for mine and am happy to report I’m finally feeling better. Keeping my fingers crossed improvements continue.

Aileen said...

Hi Darnell, a wonderful beautiful card, another stamp set I think I also have and have not used. So much temptation so little time. I hope your back is on the improve sweetie. Hugs and best wishes xx Aileen

kiwimeskreations said...

What a beautiful card Darnell, lovw that image and the vibrant colours you have used. How wonderful that Hammy got a new winker for Christmas - he has worked over time on this wonderful creation - you make him wonderful canvas's to showcase his talent on!!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Lisa T said...

What a bunch of pretty to brighten my day Darnell! You make me want to run, ok, lets be real, amble like an old fogey, to my craft room and get my florals stamps out! I am excited for Hammy to be working overtime on his winking - I don't suppose he is though. His part time working days are over it seems! Keep smiling, keep safe and well. Hoping you are feeling a little better day by day. Hugs xx

Ros Crawford said...

What a lovely bouquet and so pretty! Do did a wonderful job with those Zigs not to mention Hammy putting the icing on the cake with that sparkle. Sorry to hear that CAS(e) This sketch is closing, so sad, but you made me chuckle with the wine reduction!

Sarah said...

That's a beautiful card Darnell, those blooms remind me that spring is coming!! Hope that you are recovering well xx

Carol L said...

This card is just gorgeous with great coloring and such a cool sentiment panel! You can really see the winking on this beauty! Glad you're feeling well enough to craft and post, but I hadn't read that CTS was closing. There are more challenge blogs that closed this year than I even want to think about, but life goes on. Continued healing wishes for your spinal issues - I do hope your pain is minimal and will be gone sooner than later! Take care!

Mac Mable said...

What a beautiful card Darnell. The colours are so pretty and an uplifting card....thank you x. Glad you are managing to keep up your spirits x. Thank you for the funny at the end, which I can totally relate too....Lol x. Sending positive and loving thoughts your way...x.

Celeste Goff said...

What a beautiful and encouraging card!

frommycraftroom said...

Beautiful card. Can clearly see Hammy got a new winker! gorgeous.

Thanks for the funny at the end!

Loll said...

Thanks for the laugh, Dolly! I might take a cue from your comic next time I'm making dinner! :)

I have to say that this spray of flowers is STUNNING! The bright, bold colours, the amazing shading that gives the flowers depth and dimension, and the gorgeous shimmer from all of Hammy's hard work ... it's the total package. Great work, my friend!

Gord ask me to thank you for the very thoughtful card you sent. He (and I) appreciate you sending such kind words during this difficult time. Love you, Lolly

Cat Craig said...

Beautiful bright colors, Darnell. A peek to spring. Hope you are progressing and on the way to feeling better.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell,

Such a pretty card.

A shame one of your favourite challenges is finishing soon.

Did smile at the cartoon.

You stay safe.


Hugs
Sue

Ida said...

Beautiful card. Love the vibrant colors, I'm ready for spring now.
Oh my I am sorry that I didn't realize sooner that you have had bad back problems. I hope you are feeling much better now and healing quickly.

Craftychris said...

Absolutely gorgeous card! Beautiful image and the banner is very cool indeed! Take care and stay safe. Hugs xxxxxxxxxx

Craftychris said...

Also I meant to say that I think that is exactly what reducing the wine means! Tee hee! xxxxxxxxx

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Darling card, Darnell - just love that spray of flowers with the banner atop the plaid!! Funny cartoon too - definitely wouldn't waste the wine in the food!! Glad the back is better too!!

Cazro said...

Thanks for your message of HOPE. A beautifuk spray of flowers, awesome colouring. Thanks for joining us at Make My Monday, Caz.DT.

Brenda said...

Hope and thankfulness, both are something we can always find some of! I sure hope you are getting relief from that back and that it is healing Auntie. No fun for sure! Your card is just beautiful and will bring hope to someone I'm sure. I love the coloring, you do so well with those Ziggies. Love that Hammy got a new winker for Christmas, as he loves his winker. lol He did a beautiful job winking this stunning image. Oh goodness, I didn't realize that CAS(E) is closing it's doors! How sad, but family must come first. Hopefully it will be back someday. Always great sketches. Would be nice if one of the designers took it over to keep it going, although I know it is a lot of work. Oh yea, lots of cooking and I'm sure there is a lot of wine reducing going on. lol Thanks for the laugh Auntie! Love and hugs, Brenda

Bobby said...

I am so behind in commenting that I didn't read about your back problems, Darnell. I hope it's better by now. One bad per family is all that should be allowed. I love that banner across Dee's lovely bouquet that you so beautifully colored.

AlisonC said...

This is really pretty and I particularly like the paper round the edge. I must remember this idea and use my paper, it really makes it pop. Hope you are getting on ok and your back is improving. Good to know you are being well looked after. x

Di said...

Hi Darnell - brilliant work - I do love how you keep soldiering on despite what must be very painful with your back. A super spray of flowers stamp and love the banner! I sent your cartoon to Len - it's pretty near the mark!

Much love and a doggie hug to Nellie from Dudley!

Hugs

Di xx

Greta said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Darnell!