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!

November 21, 2021

Oh, What Fun It Is . . .

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? I hope you are doing well! I started this post five days ago and then life. Nothing catastrophic, just, you know, unexpected events, joys and sorrows, aches, pains, and migraines, and broken appliances. Especially fun when that last bit happens at the holidays! 

I used to be able to juggle life and a blog; now it seems to be one or tother. But it's all good. Life is napping at the moment, so I'll quick get this published before more interruptions!
Over at CAS Mix Up, the brief is stencil monoprinting. There are great how-to video links on the challenge blog. I used my Tim inks on a Tim holly stencil and I was pleased to get several lovely non-traditionally-colored holly prints. In fact, it was such a pretty print it was hard to cut into it, but I wanted to make this design uber clean and simple like they like it. The holly e/f is from Park Lane (JoAnn's) and the joy, which Hammy brilliantly glossified, is from Winnie & Walter.

Challenges
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Same stencil, same e/f, but I left this print pretty much intact except for giving it a fishtail for a little added interest. The peace sediment is from PTI's "Wonderful Words Christmas." This time Hammy glossified the berries, rather than the sediment, thus:
~~~
I broke out my NBUS "Winter Hamsters" set by Waffle Flower for this critter Christmas card. The beautiful background was a gift made by my talented friend Sonja. The NBUS sediment is from Sunny Studio's "Holiday Style." The snow e/f is from Taylored Expressions.

In case you are wondering, the chubby hamsters in the photo are Helmut and his sister, two of Hammy's great-great-great-great grandchildren. I forget her name. I know, that's bad, but you would forget, too, if you had to try and keep up with all Hammy's multitudinous offspring! These two live in the foothills up by Lake Tahoe and, obvi, they inherited Hammy's perfect color sense.

Challenges

~~~ 

If I don't post again before Thanksgiving Day, I want to wish all who celebrate the blessings of the holiday and I send you big hugs if you are unable to be with your loved ones.

In spite of lingering loathsome Covid all over the world, I have many blessings to count this year and I count you among them. I send you my thanks for your friendship and your consistent support and encouragement.

Thank you for following me and leaving your love. And thank you to all of you faithful readers behind the scenes who don't have blogs, but who support me through comments or emails ~ or even silently. You ALL keep me going! MWAH!

Enjoy your days until next time! 
No, seriously, enjoy, and keep safe! 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!)

65 comments:

nancy littrell said...

Love your Beautiful Stencil Monoprint cards ( all 3 ), Dolly:-) So pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up Stencil Monoprint Challenge, my friend. Love your hamster critters Christmas card too. You have been very busy and creative even with the no fun distractions. Denny and I will be have a yummy quiet Thanksgiving dinner at home with LOTS of yummy leftovers..the best part. More time to start Christmas baking..hopefully! No matter what life brings us we still have much to be Thankful for and for me our creative friendship...dear Dolly! Take care and enjoy your special Thanksgiving Day! Love and Hugs..Nancy

Greta said...

Really love the first 2 beautiful cards & such a cute 3rd one!

Kathyk said...

GLORIOUS makes from you today, as we've come to expect matey, loving the use of less traditional colours too.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you, your family and all your blog visitors celebrating this week too

To the rest of us ... Happy Monday, have a good week

Kathyk

Christine said...

Beautiful colours on the monoprint, must put monoprinting on my to do list for next year!!!
Happy Thanksgiving
X

Sue - said...

I love the non Christmassy colours on your mono prints! Maybe Helmut’s sister is called Helga! Such a cute card. I know just what you mean about life getting in the way of crafting - it’s happening too much here! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving on Thursday. xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Lovely cards.

Hope you have a very happt Thanksgiving. Sue

Chris said...

A trio of beautiful cards today, love the technique you used on the first two -and the colours are gorgeous, the third card is so cute and sweet.
xx

Marilyn said...

Adorable cards! Love the cute little hamsters on your last card! Hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving also!
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️

Jeanne said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Darnell. I hope you are able to get together with your family and enjoy each other's company. These cards are beautiful and so cute (in the case of the last one). I know how life can happen as it's hitting my life, too, these days. But we'll muddle through, right? Please take care and know I'm grateful for the joy and humor you bring to me and others. Crafty hugs!

Mac Mable said...

I love the colours and how the fun technique has worked out on both of your creative cards Darnell x. Thank you for the smiles on the Hammy card.....I am well onto looking like the chubby hamsters face and no doubt will be after the Christmas festivities....lol x. I cherish our blog friendship and sending hugs right back to you Darnell x.

Pat said...

Two fabulous bright stencil monoprint cards and love them both Darnell. The first looks great with the pink strip across the beautiful embossed background and the monoprint with that brilliantly glossed (well done Hammy!) sentiment, and the fishtail banner and lovely large die cut 'peace' and more berry glossines looks great on the second, and such cute critters on the last with wonderful snowy backdrop and sentiment. Life does get a bit busy sometimes and takes us away for a bit but have a Happy Thanksgiving and more time to breathe a little. x

Gerrina said...

Thanks for counting me in! The same here! And life...that is a covid thing here...comes with harder to solve problems, but at the end they all are solved... Only some thins about my work take more time now, so my crafting time is sadly somewhat limited sometimes...but so glad with this hobby!
I think you know I like the colours on your cards a lot! (You can see a lot of them every time on my projects) Always such a fine moment to see and read your blogposts! Keep save, healthy and enjoing all things in life and crafting! Hugs, Gerrina

I Card Everyone said...

Isn't that Hildegarde??? Oh I love all of Hammy's offspring no matter what their names! [a favorite of mine from WF, D.]
Two beautiful monoprints - yes, it is very hard to cut into those that turn out so beautifully!
Happy Thanksgiving, dear!
=]

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, gorgeous cards, the stencilling and colours of your first two are fabulous and with such gorgeous colours too. I love your little critters having fun in the snow, just so cute, keep safe, Kate x

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous monoprints, Darnell. Love the non traditional colors with the super special hammy winking. The Hamster card is darling.
Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving, take time to rest. Hugs.

Marcia Hill said...

WOW...your monoprint came out SO pretty Darnell, and I'm loving both cards you made with it!! The non traditional colors are so festive and totally make me smile! And of course your winter-time hamster card makes me smile too! Hope you and the Mister and family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Darnell! We'll have a small one this year as the grands go to the "other side" this year, and our middle daughter and her "friend" are both dealing with covid...thank goodness they've both been vaccinated and aren't suffering too terribly! Take care and stay safe! Hugs. :0)

Brenda in IN said...

The colors on your monoprints are beautiful and they came out great. It's so nice to "meet" some of Hammy's relatives and they are adorable, just like him. That is also a lovely Thanksgiving card for us. Sending your love right back to you and enjoy your Thanksgiving.

HilaryJane said...

Three really great cards, but those monoprints are something else. I love them. You are making me want to get my Christmas stencils out and have another go at monoprinting as I still have quite a large number of cards to make. I know exactly what you mean about life getting in the way. It is always one big catch up. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday xx

Nan G said...

Happy Thanksgiving Darnell and family! Absolutely unequivocally Love the cards. Yea, “life’s potholes” seem more abundant at this age and I’m not handling them as well as I used to, either, So I totally understand Darnell. Take care. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family. Warm hugs, Nan and the Girls

Jean said...

Simply gorgeous cards! I will have to check out this technique!

Wishing you a safe and healthy Thanksgiving as well. Life does sometimes get in the way and that is ok. Love hearing from you when you do catch up.

R's Rue said...

So beautiful. Have a lovely Thanksgiving week.

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Super cards! Happy Thanksgiving, Darnell!

Leslie Miller said...

Your stencil monoprints turned out especially pretty in the colors you chose, Darnell. A beautiful stencil and embossed backgrounds. Love how Hammy added his glossy touches, particularly those berries on the second card. Your third card has the adorable hamsters in a snowy scene and I swear they must have created the hamster stamp just for you! So cute! I know what you mean about juggling Life and a blog. When I think about everything I did when I was working full time and raising a kid... I know I don't have to tell you, but it was a LOT -- including the blog. We're having quite a lot of Life things going on right now, too, so I'm not sure how things will pan out. Darnell, thank you so much for playing along in Loll's stencil monoprint challenge at CAS Mix Up!

Imke said...

Lovely card trio and they would all fit to our Challenge this week. Love the critters.

Thanks for joining our "No patterned Paper" Challenge @ Little Red Wagon this week. I hope to see you back again soon.

Imke ~ MY CRAFTY PLACE

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Amazing monoprints, LOVE the colours! Great designs with them, both the cards looks so interesting!
Love the last card too, how cute little hamsters sledging in that beautiful landscape! Fabulous texture for the snowbanks!!
Hugs

oldpunca said...

I think I met Helmut and his sister by Tahoe Lake three years ago. :-) Super cute card, Darnell. And I'm honoured that you have used my background for the card. I love your stencil monoprint cards made in non traditional Christmas colors. Both are just great.
Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and your family!
Hugs, Sonja

Bonnie Lynn said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! I think I'm going to have to try that technique you used sometime. Thank you for the love and get well wishes you left on my blog. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Loll said...

Two beautiful monprint cards Dolly! Especially love the first one with the soft colours and CAS design (you know me ... CAS is best!). :) Your hamsters are the cutest sledding down that very big hill. LOVE it! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up and CAS Christmas! Love, Lolly

Verna Angerhofer said...

Three wonderful cards and awesome colors. Thanks for sharing!

Bonnie said...

Ooh, I love the colors in your monoprint, Dolly! The holly print is a perfect match for the awesome embossed background! I'm glad you left a piece large so we can see all that gorgeous color! Another awesome card! Helmut and what's her name are so chubby cheeked and fun sledding down that snowy hill! Sending love and Thanksgiving wishes! Mwah!

Brenda said...

I have been struggling with life and blogging for some time now Auntie, not sure what my issue is, but I just can't see to do it all anymore. I hear you about life's unexpected events. Especially fun with broken appliances for sure, as I just had to replace an appliances myself and had a huge sticker shock.

I love your monogprint cards! You got such a beautiful print with your stencil, loving the colors you used as well as the embossing folder. Just beautiful! Your little hamsters card is adorable. I love the sky background that Sonja sent you, so pretty and cold looking! A great embossing folder too. Happy Thanksgiving Auntie and thank you for the card. Sorry I didn't get one out to you, but I appreciate your friendship so much! Love and hugs, Brenda

Lisa Elton said...

Wowza those first two cards are incredible, Darnell! Love the non-traditional colors! Perhaps her name is Heidi, being that she might live on one of those mountains near Lake Tahoe? She's a cutie and so is her brother! Wishing you and your family a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving XO

Bunny said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, too. Love your cards and the colors. [Bunny]

Cheryl W. said...

I love your cards today, Darnell. The colors are so delicious and cheerful. And the fact that they are not traditional Christmas colors makes them all the better. I know how life can interfere with crafting. I'm having my own issues at the moment, trying to get the Christmas cards and other crafts done, but having trouble as life gets in the way. But I keep plugging along. And when Christmas comes, I guess I'll stop for a couple of days, before I begin again for 2022. Hugs to you when times get hard and even when times are full of delight. You cheer us all with your posts and we appreciate you!

Melanie Hungerford said...

Wonderful display of the technique, your CAS card is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing with us at Krafty Chicks!

TK said...

Your monoprints are lovely, and make such great cards! I'm so sorry that life is juggling your life and emotions, but know that we are here when you can make it, and love your heart and for you being you!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan said...

A great batch of Christmas cards! Especially happy to see two of Hammy's young relatives! But I really do think you should keep an up to date family tree so that you don't forget any of the names!! Lovely stencil monoprints on the other cards!

kiwimeskreations said...

another trio of fabulous cards, and it was good to see that Hammy has contributed to all three - especially with the stars of the final card :)
I know what you mean about life taking over blogging - I tried doing too much too soon and got the blah's, and have not done much blogging, or visiting of late. Feeling better now :)
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Ruth said...

The monoprints are lovely - I do love a non traditional colour on a Christmas card just as much as traditional. The hamsters made me chuckle! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. It's been a super hard year all round and all I know is that while I'll be glad to see the end of it, I'm also very grateful for getting through it with all my crafty friends! Sending hugs across the Pond xxx

Mischelle Smith said...

Oh Darnell, I know how horrible a migraine can be. Don't feel bad about anything. Happy Thanksgiving back at you.

Vicky Hayes said...

Oh dear, sometimes the rich tapestry of life is a little TOO rich isn't it! Hope all has settled down in time for you to enjoy thanksgiving :)
I Just love your monoprint cards, especially the second with those lovely bright colours. I have been meaning to join in but phhhft! - there goes life again! The sky is beautiful on your critter card and the sledging hamsters are adorable. Remembering Hamster family names would make a great brain game wouldn't it... when you makes your millions, remember it was my idea won't you lol!! Thanks for pointing out my wordy gaffe - think I probably blogged that with my eyelids propped open with match sticks :/ Sending hugs, Vicky x

Donna said...

Beautiful cards, I like the stenciling technique and the cards you made with it and your beautiful scenery card! Thanks for being you Darnell and your uplifting posts!

designbydonna said...

The stenciling pieces are so pretty and you made gorgeous cards with them. Hammy's little relative are so cut having fun sliding down the hill. We are able to celbrate with all our family this year, So thankful for the vaccine. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Linda said...

Your stencil monoprints are beautiful Darnell, I love the non traditional colours. Perfect EF too. Thank you for playing along at CAS Mix Up.
Those little hammies are having so much fun playing in the snow ..... so cute and beautifully coloured.
Enjoy the holidays, and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours xx

conil said...

And you keep us going, as well with your wonderful humor and postings. Your monoprints are truly beautiful...love the color combo and the detail you've achieved. Also, Helmut and his love sister are a delight to behold...looks like so much fun...hope they get more snow to play in. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Keep up the good work.

Fikreta said...

So wonderful cards!

Bobby said...

I love the colors you used for your monoprints, Darnell. May be non-traditional but soon becoming a tradition for many. It's so much fun to see Hammy's relatives on your blog. That card is adorable. Speaking of, I get to see my new great grandson this weekend - my Thanksgiving blessing. Sending blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving, Darnell. I'm forever thankful for our friendship.

Barb Ghig said...

Hi Darnell ~ Your stencil monoprint cards are absolutely beautiful and I love, love, love your ADORABLE critters! Love your background and all that fabulous embossed snow...such a fun card! Thank you so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family!

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful monoprint cards Darnell, the colours are gorgeous. Love the hamsters sledging too....

Anne

Lynette said...

Quick comment - I love these beautiful (and cute!) cards! And your posts always make me smile. How true that we used to have time for cardmaking, blogging AND life - but that's just too much these days. :( Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, my friend!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Gorgeous set of cards, with beautiful colour mixes Darnell. I know what you mean about LIFE! what is happening that is making it so difficult to deal with? I hope things settle for you soon and it means that you have a rest to get over these things.
Faith x

Andrea said...

As always fabulous cards Darnell it’s great we get to see some of Hammys relatives too 😉I hope you have a wonderful time over thanksgiving with family and don’t wIt to long for your surgery frequently in my thoughts Andrea xx

JD/ Jill said...

I'm not sure if I had posted on this post before or not...I didn't feel like going through the list because I had some things I wanted to add. First of all your cards are really cute, and, as always, very nicely done.
Thank you for answering my question I asked about on my blog. So now I know that It is not just happening to me.
Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes, and I also want to wish you a very Happye Thanksgiving. and Lucky, me, Hubby is cooking!

Vikki H said...

Your cards make me feel like I'm visiting Hawaii. I wish. Instead we go between cool rainy days to cool partly cloudy. Happy Thanksgiving,Darnell!

Christine Alexander said...

wonderful cards Darnell, the monoprints are so pretty and well the Hammy lookalikes are adorable. What does he think of the :) Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas ♥

AlisonC said...

Beautiful prints in bright fresh colours. I too had a go at stencil printing. Loved it but found it very hard to cut into the prints. Your cards are refreshingly different and I love the inky prints. Perfect on the embossed backgrounds too. Happy Thanksgiving x

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Three beautiful cards, Darnell - love each one! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours - so thankful for you & all your inspiration!!

Sandra H said...

Your post sound familiar so pleased you managed to post it l love your cards so bright and happy they appear to be, loved the colours of the backgrounds really brightened my day, have a wonderful thanks giving take care xx

Trina P. said...

Happy thanksgiving to you, Dolly! Hope things are looking up and life takes a backseat. Have a wonderful day of celebrating with family and friends.

Your monoprint came out beautifully resulting in two gorgeous cards!… love the colours.
And your hamster Christmas card is absolutely adorable… the embossed background gives lovely texture. Thanks for join8ng us at CAS Christmas.

BożenA said...

Wow! Le beautiful collection of cards. Your stencil monoprint looks perfect, I love the colors you put together and the last card is so cute with these cute pets.
xx

Ros Crawford said...

Happy Thanksgiving my friend! 3 fabulous cards today... Wonderful print with the stencil and those chubby guys are so cute!

Sarah said...

A terrific trio Darnell, love the pretty colours of the first two and the embossed detail on all three really add a special something. Hope you are feeling better, nothing worse than migraine xx

Redanne said...

Beautiful cards once again my friend, the colours are so uplifting. Love the pic of Hammy's gggg-grandkids, they are just adorable.

Sorry to be so late but life here is pretty much the same as yours, broken appliance and all - lol. Glad you got through things ok, take care my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are all so pretty, Darnell xoxo

frommycraftroom said...

The hampsters are adorable!

Yep totally understand the balancing life and blogging! can't seem to juggle both either these days