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!

March 29, 2021

Out Like a Lamb ~ Happy Easter!

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you are well! 

Don't tell March since she still has a coupla days to wreck havoc on us, but it's looking like (if she's not aggravated) she might tiptoe quietly out like a lamb and allow April to bestow us with her abundant blue skies, budding bulbs, green trees, and the smell of fresh-mown grass. Sssh.

I've got just the hushed design for the occasion:
This design came as a surprise, but not really a surprise, because what happens is, every time I get in the area of my pp drawers (😆) that contain my handmade and mulberry papers, I HAVE to pull them all out and swear an oath that I will make cards from every last slip of them until they are gone.

Of course, because I'm a big fat liar, I don't keep my promises, even to myself, and so back they went into my drawers, but not before I made this fresh spring number. It is QACAS to the max. All I needed was a colored card base for the background, a ribbon to tie it down, a simple sediment from PTI, and a NBUS unmarked pair of die-cut sweet tulips as a focus-pocus. (Although if you're like me, you're eyeing every inch of that beautiful paper!)

Challenges
Twofer

I won't be back with a post on Sunday, so I want to wish those who celebrate a very Happy Easter! 
This black and white CAS design is unusual for an Easter card, but I made it last week when working on other b/w designs and I like the look of it. The beautiful cross stamp has built-in shading. It's a NBUS stamp called Easter Blessings from Fun Stamps Journey. Both the cross and the sediment were stamped with Color Box white ink and then heat-embossed.

Challenges
~~~

We went for a visit with Nellie to see the grandtwins over the weekend. Having both vaccines made it possible and it was great fun being just the four of us for the first time since Christmas of 2019!
Henry is on the left, Adam on the right. Or is it the other way around?! And when I say "just the four of us," I mean just the seven of us ~ Duke and Jack are just out of sight.

And Hammy? Hammy has been away since last week with his friend Fitzwilliam. Cruises are dirt-cheap right now, so they booked a spontaneous trip sailing from Greece to Dubai through the Suez Canal. Oops. There's been a considerable delay, so I'll have to do all my own work for a while. I miss him!😢

~~~

Enjoy your day and have a blessed weekend! 

More mirth from Mamie:
  • Chocolate is God's way of telling us he likes us a little bit chubby.
  • It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult.
  • Marriage counselor to husband: "Your wife says you never buy her flowers. Is that true?" Husband: "To be honest, I never knew she sold flowers."


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53 comments:

Stamps and Paper said...

Two lovely cards Darnell...your mulberry paper one is gorgeous haven’t used mulberry paper for years but it looks very effective on your card...love your CAS Easter card ...you all look so happy in photo and and special meeting for you all after so long...
Wishing you a very Happy Easter....take care

Anne

Aquarius said...

That lovely piece of mulberry paper certainly deserved to be used - lovely card.

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Darnell - love that simple die cut over the fabulous paper! The black and white Easter card is stunning - love it.
As for Hammy skiving off with Fitzwilliam... and then getting 'stuck' on holiday too - I guess that is one way of prolonging the cruise without having to pay more - canny boy! he had better work overtime once he gets back to make up for all the extra work you have had to do!
How fabulous to be able to catch up with family - what a long time you have been separated :(. We are so blessed here that we can travel and mix relatively freely. I have just completed a two week bus tour!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Nice cards. The first one, with that lovelty backing is my favourite.

Nice photo of you and your grandsons.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

So glad to see you have had a good time with your grands.
Both the card are amazing, especially love the first one with that gorgeous mulberry paper!
Hugs

Marilyn said...

Cute cards! Love the paper on your first card! Nice picture of the family. Glad to here you were able to visit them
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️

sandie said...

So fab you got to see your Family x
I do love that gorgeous paper ad think I have some myself somewhere!! Perfect to use the cream flower so we can see the subtle paper and then that ribbon adds an extra touch of colour. I like that Easter card, it is so dramatic and really catches the eye. Thanks for joining Time Out x

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell how marvellous that you got to visit with your family, and it's a lovely photo of your Grandtwins and you and your Hubby. I've been so lucky that my son lives more or less in the next road, so very near, it's just the fact that there has been no hugs that I find difficult, but perhaps it won't be too long now until we can do that.
I love your first card, that handmade paper is glorious, beautifully designed and such lovely soft shades too.
Your Easter card, is lovely for a religious person, super CAS design.
Take care, Kate x

Jeanne said...

Looks and sounds like things are going well for you. Your grandsons are so grown up looking now! Wow. I'm so happy for you to be able to safely see them. Your cards are lovely, especially the Easter one. It's so striking and beautiful. I hope you all have a lovely week and holiday. I heard they got the ship to move along, so Hammy may be home before you know it. LOL Hugs to you!

Lynette said...

Both of your cards are so pretty - awesome paper on that first one, and a stunning Easter card. (I just posted a black and white Christmas card :) ) Isn't it great to be doubly vaccinated? We had the near-by grandsons over night over the weekend! Looks like you had a wonderful time. Oh, poor Hammy! Oh well, at least he's comfortable. I hope you can get by without him for a while longer.

Bunny said...

It's a lovely card. Mulberry papers were on the way out when I first started card making. I think I purchased two pieces and ruined one. I think they are lovely though.
Yay for finally getting a weekend with the family. And actually touching. Our 2nd vaccine is next month. Yay!
Sorry to hear that Hammy went via the Suez Canal. I bet he had fun though looking at all the ships behind him. He probably took a dinghy over to each one to see what kind of different foods they had that he could taste. Happy Easter wishes to you and your family, too. [Bunny]

Bonnie said...

I do the same thing with mulberry paper and handmade paper too. I can only use it in short doses. This piece is so pretty on the green background with the tulip die cut! Love the classy look of the white embossed cross on the black! A stunning card! It's so good to see that you and Kevin could see the boys! I believe they have inherited your smile! A wonderful photo!

Brenda in IN said...

I love mulberry paper so much and this card is gorgeous. What a pretty design on the paper and the die cut is lovely. Whoa, that white cross against black c/s is awesome. That is a stunning card. I have to say I really love your hair color. I swear you look younger than your fifty years. That is a terrific picture of all of you.

Viv said...

Lovely photo Dolly - surrounded by handsome men - what more could a body ask for????!!
Still a while to go until we have been doubly stabbed but we have a lovely day today which kinda makes the restrictions a little easier to bear! And the lawn got it's first cut of the year this morning!
Hammy was last seen with a rope trying to tow the ship - he'll have nice big muscles when he gets home.
Oh and the cards?? Was that what I came for? To talk about the cards instead of syringes and handsome men? {Sighs} - OK then
they're not too bad at all! LOL. xx

designbydonna said...

Beautiful paper indeed! The tulips are perfect for it. So glad you can visit the grands again, We are waiting until ours are done with school to pop out of the phone (facetime) tand travel to Texas o gets some actual hugs.

Nan G said...

Love the cards! Even tho I do not make many cards anymore guess what I still have a box of!? Mulberry had hand-made tissue paper! Yep couldn’t bare to give or throw them away. ;) Oh my goodness, Darnell the Twins have grown into such handsome young men! Wasn’t it just yesterday......
Vaccine has just become available in our area :o
Hugs,

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful cards my friend and I love the mulberry paper. I think I still have some of that somewhere too. You take care and have a wonderful Easter. We are having some of our family together too and it is so exciting for us. We have been cleaning like crazy getting all the bedrooms in order. No time to make cards much these days.

conil said...

Got the jump on me for Easter cards...and did it up right. You, Kevin and those gorgeous boys look terrific. Kind of wish I had younger grand-daughters to tempt them with. They look like wonderful additions to any family in a few years. We, too, have happily been endowed with our innoculations. Hope to be able to have an actual face to face conversation with someone soon. Steve's lovely but...ya know. Hope I remember how to talk civilly

Susan said...

Way to go, Darnell, stirring up guilt in me over my mulberry and homemade paper - I haven't opened that drawer in over a year (or more) - poor neglected things. But I do love the card you made with it. And you used some ribbon on it - another much neglected area of my supplies. I think I'll go to the beach and bury my head in the sand and forget I even own such things.

Here's hoping now that the container ship has been freed, Hammy and Fitzwilliam will be home soon.

Lovely photo of you, the mister, the grandsons, and Nellie!

nancy littrell said...

Two simply beautiful cards, Dolly. Love your mulberry paper...I thought you had made the paper...you could have fibbed a bit and know one, but you and Hammy would have known! It is very close to Easter though, so you should be extra good:-) LOVED the very Happy family photo of you, Mister, the Twins and Nellie. Wishing you and all the family a very Happy, Healthy Easter, sweet friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Em Louise Fairley said...

Wonderful cards, as always, and it's great to see those two young men again! They are growing up way too fast! Happy Easter to you and the Mister xoxo

Colleen said...

And a very blessed Easter to you and the Mister, Darnell! Warms my heart to see you surrounded by those you love...the boys are sure getting big, they have a way of growing up so fast right before our eyes! You 5 make a lovely picture!
Your cards are gorgeous, and you know, I am loving the simplicity of the black and white, and it was a very black day on that Good Friday, but it turned out to be the most glorious day 3 days later! I hope you have a wonderful Easter. Heart Hugs, Col

HilaryJane said...

That paper on your first card is simply gorgeous, I love it and what you have done with it. Well done for using it. Lovely black and white contrast on your second card. How wonderful that you are now able to meet with your grand kids properly, just like old times! xx

Loll said...

That handmade paper is gorgeous. LOVE that it shows off so well in your QCAS design Dolly! And the b/w Easter card is very creative and beautiful! Great picture of the four of you. Such a blessing that you can now visit with family while being protected by the vaccine. Happy for you all! Love, Lolly

Sue said...

That paper is gorgeous Darnell..2 lovely cards...Happy Easter my friend lots of hugs Sue x

Joyce said...

Both of your cards are really wonderful, Darnell, especially that first card...really lovely design and papers. Thanks so much for playing along at Time Out.

Jeanne H said...

So lovely to see you! Beautiful card too...I forget what mulberry paper is and wonder if I have any. Hugs to you, Darnell.

Lisa Elton said...

Two wonderful cards, LeAnne! Happy Easter to you too. I have a question... where did those little boys go??!! WOW, they're so GROWN up!!

Christine Alexander said...

Happy Easter Darnell, I'm so happy to see you spending time with the family♥
Two wonderful cards, love your mulberry paper and so happy to see it attached to a card, someone will be very happy when they receive that in the mail :)

Mac Mable said...

The mulberry paper is beautiful and so is your card Darnell. Such a striking and elegant Easter card and a Happy Easter to you too x. How wonderful for you to meet up with your handsome Grandtwins and the family. So glad you've had the both vaccinations, it gives you more confidence and protection. We have both had our first now and staying close to home until we get the second x. Yes Hammy will be missing you too x.

Jean said...

Pretty cards! So glad you were able to visit.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Beautiful cards, gosh! I haven't seen mulberry paper in an age, and it's so lovely, especially with your flower die, I love the Easter cross card in B&W, the cross is a gorgeous design. How lovely you were able to get together with your family. As for March we are in lovely temperatures yesterday and today up to the high 60's, BUT, will drop over the weekend to about the low 50's? and maybe even snow? That's March for you.
Keep safe (even with the jabs)
Faith x

Pat said...

That mulberry paper is beautiful Darnell and the die cut tulips so pretty over the top, and the white on black cross is so striking too. A great photo of you both with those handsome lads and so lovely for you at last to get together with them. Sorry Hammy has been delayed in the Suez Canal but hopefully will not leave you on your own for too long..do hamsters swim? Perhaps he'll get bored with the delay and swim for home..lol. x

Sandra H said...

Two stunning cards Darnell loving the mulberry paper not used that myself but l do have some in my stash which l had forgotten l had ....the twins are growing into lovely young men you must be so proud of them l managed to see my family at different times how l truly miss them can’t wait for us all to be together again nice couple of days here but is forecast to get colder again at the weekend and a wet Easter 🐣 take care xx

JD/ Jill said...

Happy Easter to you too, Darnell. Really like your cards and that paper. (Yes I still have some too somewhere in my craft room). I'm looking forward to the day that I can get togehter with my family too. It's been way too long.

TK said...

Beautiful, and bold! Oh that mulberry paper is so delicate and gorgeous -- I too love it when I use it!

Greta said...

Hurrah for being with family! My 2 weeks post 2nd shot is today & hubby will be there next week. Truly does lessen the general anxiety we've been living with. Love the picture, but wish Duke & Jake had posed with you! Unusual, but I really love the black & white Easter card. What a neat cross & love the sentiment font! Good for you using some more of your specialty paper which is really gorgeous & so are the soft tulips! Happy Easter, my friend!

Anita in France said...

What a fabulous photo, Darnell ... you adorn that group of hunky chaps so beautifully ... and you both look sooooo well! So pleased you were all able to get together at last! Wonderfully serene and dreamy card with your delicious mulberry paper ... and how striking and bold is your Easter card ... just the right, dramatic image! LYAMYHAHMA ... WYABAHE! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Celeste Goff said...

What a great pic of you guys with the grandsons...I love it!

Leslie Miller said...

I AM eyeing that beautiful paper! Your sentiment and ribbon look so pretty with it, along with the CAS tulips, of course. How wonderful to be with your family just like pre-pandemic times! We'll get our second dose later this month and then wait a while before we get wild and crazy. I'm so happy for you, Darnell. Have a lovely Easter!

Lisa T said...

Oh that is a beautiful paper! I had some mulberry papers and wasn't using them, so I decided to use them as wrapping paper. They are quick thick though but they kind look luxurious. I try not to think about the person at the other end who rips through it and promptly chucks it away! I'll never feel bad about keeping patterned paper again lol. Wishing you a lovely Easter Darnell, sending love and hugs your way xx

Craft-E-Place said...

Two beautiful cards, Darnell. How lovely that you've been able to meet up and spend time with the grandtwins.
Thanks for joining in with the challenge at Less is More.

frommycraftroom said...

That paper is gorgeous. You do know (and I probably don't need to say!) you are not alone with the promises to use every piece of our precious paper collections! You have made an absolutely gorgeous card.

Great pic of you with the boys - since 2019! Wishing you a fab Easter too, maybe the bunny will bring something your way?

Tristan said...

Happy Easter Darnell. Beautiful simple card. Thanks for joining us at WWC this fortnight. Tristan DT.

Cheryl W. said...

Beautiful cards! Love the paper on the first one. I have a few handmade sheets, as well, and can hardly ever bring myself to use them. I guess I'm terrified that when they're gone, I'll never see another sheet (silly me). I also love your b&w Easter card. It's very striking! I hope Hammy is enjoying his cruise. Will he get a few extra days aboard ship, given the delay at the Suez Canal?

Bobby said...

Happy Easter to you, Darnell. Glad you got out to visit those boys.
The black card is stunning and so is the wonderful handmade paper. That card may have been QACAS but it is lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us at Just Us Girls.

Ros Crawford said...

Happy Easter! Lovely cards.. Mulberry paper? I think I still have some somewhere! Beautiful photo and I'm so happy for you that you finally got to visit with your family. Sorry about Hammy being stuck on his cruise hahaha!

Fikreta said...

Beautiful cards!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Great to see you with the grands, Darnell - gotta love that!! Two gorgeous cards too - love the mulberry paper and the beautiful cross. Hope you had a wonderful Easter!!

Glittered Paws said...

Absolutely beautiful cards - loveboth of them but the one on top really shows off your handmade skills. OK I found out where Hammy is - whew I was getting worried. Oh my the twins have grown - I know you were happy to see them.

Craftychris said...

Two lovely cards! But the best thing us seeing you with the twins! How truly wonderful and a fabulous photo! Poor Hammy, stuck on his cruise, you will miss him and his winking! Hugs my friend. xxxxxxx

BożenA said...

It's a very effective card, Darnell. Of course, mulberry paper caught my attention, it is beautiful and very decorative. The card did not need too many additional elements to arouse my admiration.
The second Easter card is quite unusual, I wouldn't think of such a color scheme for an Easter card, but I have to admit that the card is original and memorable
xx

Karenladd said...

Whew, I see I'm not the only one who wondered where Hammy was...and worried just a teeny bit about him. Good thing they got that container ship unstuck from the canal and that Hammy was back on his way home. I'm sure that doing your own winking was a hardship on you!
I have quite a bit of handmade papers in my stash that I've also forgotten about, but now I'm inspired to dig around and find them. Once I've blown off the dust, I should be good to go.
Love that you were able to get together with the grandsons again. We are both fully vaccinated as well, and are planning to see our son for his birthday this month. Still not going to be going hog wild with social activities and crowds, but there's less anxiety now. What a wonderful photo of you all...and Nellie is just adorable.