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!

September 5, 2021

Colors of Fall

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? It's been another very rough week for a lot of people and my heart goes out to all those who have been impacted by disasters. 

Sorry I've been gone so long. I've been busy doing a little sort and making panels using bits. And then making cards from panels I've just made as well as panels that have been in isolation for quite a while. You know how easily those build up if you play with a technique or get on a roll. (Every time I use that expression, I picture myself strapped to a bowling ball being hurtled down the lane. Sometimes it's smooth and sometimes it's pretty bumpy when I hit the gutter. I'll just wait a second while you enjoy that imagery.)

Okay then. There are several challenges celebrating anniversaries and/or where my friends are guesting, so I hit pause on hurtling and made a coupla cards.

Onefer
I can't remember who makes this stamp. I know I've used it before, but I cannot find it on my blog or online. If you know, please lemmeno so I can make a note of it. (It's from Rubbernecker. Thanks, Viv!) I used markers direct to stamp, then I spritzed and stamped the image which was winked by Hammy. The sediment is ancient from SU. I die-cut a rounded corner frame from Hero Arts in gold shimmer paper and then chomped the corners of the card base to match.

Challenges
Twofer
The centerpiece here is another ancient stamp from an OOB company, but it remains one of my favorite images. I love how that helpful mouse is about to teeter over from the weight of that huge pumpkin. I blended the background using CP inks and I watercolored the pumpkins with my Karin Brushmarkers. The sediment is from PTI. Hammy correctly advised that the googly-eyes be added!

Challenges
  • Why would I blend my ground orange and my sky yellow? So I could play in the one-year anniversary of Nancy's Color Hues challenge! Congratulations and best wishes for many more!
  • Double D: Anything with a tail.
  • Just Us Girls: And, wow, congratulations to JUGS for their 600th challenge! That's dedication and a lot of hard work and it's very much appreciated. Best wishes for many more! My six are the masked and watercolored pumpkins. 

~~~


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

I know it's not fall yet, but I can't wait for the wonderful colors and especially for the cooler temps!

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!)

67 comments:

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Lovely cards Darnell and your autumnal tree is simply beautiful x

Sandra H said...

Morning Darnell l hope you are well and lovely to see your cards popping up love Autumn and both your cards are calling Autumn beautiful as alway and creative enjoy your day xx

Aquarius said...

Loving the autumnal (fall) colours and that mouse is brilliant, goodly eyes popping with the effort he's making.

Gerrina said...

They both look so beautiful; I just love fall colours! And I totally recognize that being 'on a roll' and have still way to many backgrounds to play with... I find myself using a lot of them to diecut from just because the colours are often the ones fitting to my idea... Always a joy to come here. Hugs, Gerrina

kiwimeskreations said...

What a fabulous pair of cards Darnell - that mouse one is amazing, and Hammy was right about the googly eyes :) - love them. Tell him they made me smile, and I am impressed with his winking of the tree!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two beautiful cards celebrating Fall Darnell. Gorgeous colours.

Sue xx

Viv said...

Hello Dolly! (Not a cue for you to burst into song....)
This is such a pretty colour combo on the tree and I have this stamp! I THINK (note THINK) it is a Rubbernecker one.
Am still stuck in the rental house so visits will be sporadic am afraid - house purchase looks set to be delayed for another 3-4 months.............. am doing a dance for joy - NOT. xx

Jeanne said...

Two great cards, Darnell. Sounds like you've been busy in the background and came up just in time to have some more fun. (Nope I'm not gonna visualize what you described, although it is funny sounding). The first card is so pretty with the lovely schparkly tree. Perfect for fall. :) I had a bit of a different impression of the mouse on the second card. My sense was he was a leeetle bit tipsy...maybe nipping a little too often the pumpkin spice wine? I dunno. Sure is a fun card though and has such pretty yellows and oranges. Thanks so much for sharing, Darnell. Your posts are always a treat. (Thunk, hic, thunk, hic...guess I started to visualize after all...thunk, hic) LOL

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards, escpecially the first one.

Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

Diane said...

Fabulous cards and I can see why you love the little mouser stamp as it makes the cutest card, love his expression and goggle eyes! Thank you for joining our challenge at Double D (it fits our theme at Four Seasons too)!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}

Linda said...

Two beautiful Autumn cards. Love the tree, the colours look amazing. And the little mouse is just too cute! I agree with Hammy, the googly eyes are perfect.
I love Autumn and it's coming on fast over here. We definitely noticed it on our trip away. Next stop is Christmas!! xx

Bunny said...

These are both fabulous orange and yellow creations. I especially love that beautiful tree. [Bunny]

Lynette said...

I love both of your cards, Darnell - both so nicely done! I'm happy for you that you've had so much time in your playhouse to work on whatever tickles your fancy. Making pieces is great, and using them is even better! LOL!

Hilda Burton said...

Love your beautiful, fun cards and commentary. Have a lovely day!

Bonnie said...

I love these gorgeous, vibrant Fall colors, Dolly! What a beautiful tree! Love the fun little mouse with his huge pumpkin! Great coloring on all the pumpkins and a lovely glow in the sky! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Vicki Dutcher said...

How fun are your six pumpkins with the cute mouse! Thanks for joining in at JUGS!

Darlene said...

Oh Darnell you are always so creative! Love both cards but of course this little guy trying to carry this very BIG & HEAVY pumpkin made me smile! GREAT Job my friend! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Anything with a Tail’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!

Mac Mable said...

Yes I know what you mean when you have fun doing techniques and having them build up x. I really must use some of them Darnell x. What a beautiful water colour effect technique with your pretty fall card and such a fun Birthday card, with one overindulged little mouse x..

Bobby said...

That tree is gorgeous, Darnell. Just the way I like to seem them come October. The mouse? I didn't notice the googly eyes at first but they really give him a great expression. I'm glad you added the extra pumpkins for our challenge. Thanks for sharing your card with us at Just Us Girls.

Glenda said...

Both are great Fall cards! Thanks for joining us at The Four Seasons Challenge!
Glenda
FS DT

Sue said...

Hi Darnell! well two gorgeous cards and my favourite time of year is Autumn love all the different colours we get ..hugs Sue x

Leslie Miller said...

Your fall colors look so pretty popping up on my screen, Darnell! It's a favorite time of the year and a favorite time for cards. What a gorgeous tree and an expert use of your markers and spritzing! I'm glad you took time out to join us at CAS Mix Up in our watercolor challenge. Now, wearing one of my other hats, I'm also happy to have you playing along in the new Four Seasons Challenge! Your second card -- ohhh, that mouse! He would remain one of my favorites, too! Those googly eyes fit him perfectly!

conil said...

Personally, I can wait for rain...not a torrent...just a long, sustained rain for 2-3 days would make me happy. Autumn certainly looks like it's come to your house. Loving the yellows (of course) and it's sister, orange. Pretty fall tree and that mouse is a keeper.

Susan said...

Lovely autumn colours, Darnell! Sweet little mouse trying to carry a pumpkin as big as himself! And a beautiful tree on the first card. But I'm not ready for autumn - all those leaves to rake up, no more sunny afternoons reading in the garden, no more fresh tomatoes and beans from my garden - sob!

Linby said...

Fabulous cards. I love the tree but I have no idea who makes it.
I love Autumn but today we began a heatwave in the UK - what to wear dilemma begins!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two fab fall cards, Darnell - just love the spritzed tree and the sweet mouse with pumpkins (great googly eyes too!)!!

Donna said...

Gorgeous cheery orange cards, that tree is a beauty-great water coloring with it, and your second card is so adorable and fun for a fall birthday! Take care!

Andrea said...

As always beautiful cards autumn is my favourite season I too love thr colours. Take care and stay well my friend hugs Andrea ❤️❤️

Verna Angerhofer said...

Darnell these are both so well designed and colorful for Fall. I have a mobility problem at the moment so when I get done with my meals and etc. I head back to my recliner. I hope that doesn't last too long. I want to get back to making more Autumn cards too!

Pia S said...

Oh, what a wonderful autumn tree. Vibrant colors and peaceful looking scene, so beautiful. Your second card has a totally different feeling, sweet and fun, just look at that mouse’s face...

cuilliesocks said...

Well Autumn is my favourite season Darnell so I just love your two cards with their wonderful golden colours, the wee mouse is so cute, and the tree image is so pretty, keep yourself safe, Kate x

Barbara said...

Ha ha I just have to laugh, as when I saw your mouse about to tetter over, I though of your image. Being strapped to a bowling ball and going down that lane to the gutter. Too funny. But your card is too cute. I am glad to see you linking up with us at Double D Challenge.

Nancy said...

Hi Darnell, I tend to do the same as you and make background panels when the mojo is lacking! Then when it comes time to create it speeds up the process. That was not the case today, but we all have days like that. Both of your cards would work nicely for our challenge. That is such a nice tree from Rubbernecker. As for your card for Color Hues, That mouse reminds me of your story of a bowling ball... a great segway! LOL, The googly eyes were a great addition. Nice water-coloring too! As for the state of the world! I really have no words! Just got to pray for all affected and keep spreading love one card at a time. Thanks for playing at Color Hues and Just Us Girls! Hugs are headed your way!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

I'm in love with your tree card, such fabulous stamp, colours and design!! Really classy and eye-catching!! The second card is so fun!!
Hugs

Karen Letchworth said...

Thanks for sharing your Autumn cards with us at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. Please stop by to play along with us again soon.
Karen L
The Four Seasons Challenge Blog

Redanne said...

Oh I am in love with that tree, it is such a beautiful stamp and you have coloured it perfectly in those fall colours - so beautiful.

The mouse just made me laugh out loud, the hangdog expression on his face is a real hoot and I love all the pumpkins!

Thinking of you, will write soon my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

Karen said...

Your autumn-hued tree is gorgeous! And so is your wonderful ink blended background for that adorable mouse and his "too heavy" load! I need to take a cue from you and start creating a stash of backgrounds. Thanks for joining us for the Color Hues' first birthday celebration!

Lisa Elton said...

What a pretty autumn tree, Darnell and that mouse is too cute! Terrific cards!

Celeste Goff said...

Such beautiful cards Darnell!

Cheryl W. said...

Those flamin' oranges and yellows warmed me right up. Nights have turned cool here in Minnesota, so the warmth was welcome. Both your cards are just super. I love that little mouse with his googly eyes. I felt the way he looks when I was unloading my Costco purchases from the car. Since you have to buy in bulk there, the bags of groceries are uber heavy!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell your image is just adorable, I can see why this is such a favourite. He or she is having quite a time with that big pumpkin! Thank you so much for joining us at the Color Hues Challenge and for my first as a Color Hues designer.

Loll said...

Two fabulous cards using autumn colours, Dolly! LOVE that gorgeous tree. The market direct to stamp always gives such a beautiful watercoloured look. Love it! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up! Your mouse is adorable as it struggles with the large pumpkin. :) Made me smile. :) Love, Lolly

Witchcrafted Life said...

Such warm, elegant, immensely lovely fall time greetings. The palette of upbeat orange has tons of pep in its step and feels like an especially apt transition from the vibrancy of summer into the earth and jewel tones of fall.

Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful Autumn colours Darnell, your mouse really made me smile lifting that massive pumpkin :)

TK said...

Such sweet, simple (you notice I said simple because I didn't do all that masking) cards -- and I think you used the colors magnificently

Diane said...

You know I love both cards and thank you so much for entering your beautiful Fall tree into our challenge at Four Seasons!
Diane FS DT {Nellies Nest}

Jean said...

Gorgeous cards! Love the colors of fall!

Darlene said...

Oh my friend I just LOVE that FALL tree ... simply beautiful!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Four Seasons Challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back again soon.

Darlene
THE FOUR SEASONS CHALLENGE
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!

Brenda said...

Yes, to many have been impacted by disasters and it is so heartbreaking. My heart goes out to everyone as well. It's easy to fall down a rabbit hole with things, but I sure enjoyed that visual as you always crack me up Auntie! No one can write the way you do!! Love your autumn colors on your tree card Auntie, it is so beautiful! Your twofer is adorable, I am so loving the image of this cute mouse carrying or trying to carry that big ole pumpkin. The background is fabulous-how can one not love orange and yellow, they are such happy colors! Unless you are wearing an orange jumpsuit....owie! lol Fabulous cards! Hugs, Brenda

R's Rue said...

Beautiful 😍 happy day to you my dear friend

Carol L said...

Oh gosh, what fun fall cards! I love that colorful tree, but the card with the mouse, pumpkins and googlie eyes just won me over with it's cuteness! Way to combine all those challenges together with these cards too! Right now, I'm mesmerized with the puddles and droplets of rain in that fun graphic at the end of your post! :) Thanks for the moment of sanity with that :)

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both beautiful, Darnell xoxo

Pat said...

That tree is magnificent Darnell, so bright and beautiful, and then the cute mouse with his huge pumpkin..the expression on his face says it all..lol. x

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful Autumn cards!

nancy littrell said...

So pleased, Dolly that you joined us at CAS Mix Up watercolored Autumn Colours Challenge with your beautiful Fall watercolored tree. It is definitely becoming Fall in our neck of the woods...LOVE this time of year and the Fall Colors:-)
Sweet little mouse struggling with the big pumpkin for your 2nd card. How fun to add 5 more smaller pumpkins for their 600th JUG Challenge...Wow! You sure had fun playing with your bits and pieces. TFS my friend....Love and Hugs...Nancy

Ink Outside The Box With Diane said...

What pretty cards! Perfect for fall! Ink to stamp is a great technique to add more than one colour without muddying it up. I also use the baby wipe technique. So happy you played along with Krafty Chicks Challenge this week.
Diane - DT

Monica C. said...

Lovely cards, Darnell. I love the orange and yellow combo on both of them.
Hugs Monica

Ros Crawford said...

Beautiful cards Darnell... I love those colours! Must email you soon

Sue - said...

My favourite time of the year! Love your autumnal coloured cards. xx

Cindy Beach said...

Making the ground orange so you can join in at Color Hues? YES! Love your card, Darnell. The happy fall and tree are always beautiful together. Love the mouse - he fits right in with the bowling ball analogy! Keep smiling!

BożenA said...

I love your fall tree. The colors create beautiful stains of color, as in an impressionist painting. And the second card is so cute and fun. When I look at this mouse, I am worried that it will get a hernia :-)
Great cards, Darnell.
hugs,
BożenA

Colleen said...

Your tree reminds me of the one I made for this challenge too...but yours is much artsier (is that a word?)than mine. I love it! And your mouse with the googly eyes is having trouble with carrying the biggest pumpkin in the patch...so cute! Love it too! Have a great weekend coming up...school is back in session, let's hope our numbers don't spike among young people or old for that matter! Heart Hugs, Col

sandie said...

oh how I love Autumn too! Love the arty feel to the first card and such a fun second card-looks like he has googly eyes! Hugs my friend x

frommycraftroom said...

Beautiful cards.

Thanks for pausing while I take in the image of you hurtling down the lane :)

Brenda in IN said...

It's great you now have time to do the things in the playhouse that you want to do. Finishing things gives you such a good feeling. The tree just sums up fall perfectly with those stunning colors. That mouse is adorable and the coloring is great.

Jeanne H said...

What a wonderful twofer! Love the colors & coloring you've done. The mouse card is particularly fun. Thanks for sharing with us. Hugs!!

Chrissie said...

Love both of these Darnell and the expression on that mouse's face is just cracking! Your autumn tree is spectacular!
Chrissie xxxxx