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!

February 15, 2022

These Were a Hoot To Make

Hello Stamplings!

What a weekend in the U.S.A. with the Super Bowl on Sunday and Valentine's Day on Monday. And as for where the rest of the past week went, I have no idea. I looked under every nook and granny to no avail. 

Before another week flies by, I want to get these posted ~
As any wise white owl knows, it's best to be camel fladged. All the better for keeping those sharp big eyes on the mouse below! I used Stone Effects embossing paste through a NBUS woodgrain stencil to make a tree for the owl. The branch is made from an MFT die and the Paper Smooches owl has been winked and schparkled by Hammy.

Challenges
Twofer
This was one of those cards that just fell together and left Hammy and I tickled as heck. CAS Christmas wanted a scene and I don't make scenes. Well, I mean, I've been known to make a few scenes, but not, you know, on my cards. Ahem. Nor do I have Christmas landscape-y types of stamps.

So I pulled out every stamp I could think of that could be possibly maybe somehow developed into a scene. Already on my desk was my basket of NBUS dies, so I flipped through that. Then shazambam, when I saw the ancient NBUS MFT lamppost and looked over at the Penny Black stamp of the mouse covering her eyes ~ a scene was born! Using my black pen, I added a few snowflakes, extended the hill, and added a lined (and scored) curb. The NBUS sediment is from Trinity Stamps, "Have an Ice Day."

Poor little mouse reminds me of me on ice skates!

Challenges

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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy and keep safe! Life is too short and that's the troof.

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57 comments:

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
another fab blog post and wonderful way with words too.
Your cards are brilliantly created and such very fabulous designs also.
Love the first one as I collect Owls and have them in some form or the other around the house and I mean the ornament type not the real live ones as my house would be in some disarray if they were real.
Your second card has such a fun factor about it and you have created that scene brilliantly.
I do so hope that poor mouse doesn't collide with that lampost other wise he won't be sending holiday cheer.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Loll said...

First, that owl is so fun. I love the large, googly eyes ... he makes me smile. And LOVE that textured stone embossing paste. Perfect for the tree stencil. But it's the second card with your Christmas scene you've created Dolly!! This just makes me happy! Great work, my friend! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Christmas. Love you, Lolly

Pat said...

I'm laughing already at your funny expressions Darnell, and I do love your cute owl and the texture of the woodgrain using paste for the tree he is sitting on..love those googly eyes too, and then the clever way you have built your seasonal scene with another cute critter, i.e. the sweet little mouse, and I love the die cut lamppost which hopefully he will escape colliding into..lol. You extended the scene beautifully with the flurry of snow and the extended slope he is sliding down. Two fabulous cards. x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Both your CAS cards are so fun, Darnell!! Love the way you made the tree and the owl's googling eyes in the first one, but the second one is just genial!! Great mix of stamps, your scene is hilarious!

Jeanne H said...

What an adorable CAS Christmas mouse card. Just darling and it was fun how you came up with the idea. Hugs and smiles to you!

Cheryl W. said...

Truth be told, I think YOU're a hoot! I love your cards today. The googly eyes of your shparkly owl grabbed my attention immediately. And that poor mouse!!! I keep seeing him slamming into that lamppost. Call the EMTs!! Quick!

Gerrina said...

Both beautiful cards, but the scene is my favorite; it is a fun and great scene! Hugs, Gerrina

Colleen said...

Darnell, your Christmas card is just so clever! I am glad you put that poor mouse together with the lamp post (I think!). And your owl is a hoot, yes pun intended!! Have a great week! Heart Hugs, Col
Ps, thanks for playing with us at CAS Christmas!

Lisa Elton said...

What a great tree for your little hoot! Those eyes are too much fun. And that winter scene of yours... that wee mouse is so sweet!

Melanie Hungerford said...

Love your creative and clever holiday card, so cute! Thank you you for joining us at Krafty Chicks.

TK said...

Two sweet cards, Darnell! I especially love your shazambam SWEET card -- terrifically fun card

Susan said...

I do hope that sweet little mouse isn't going to crash into the lamp post!! It's a perfect winter scene for CAS Christmas - thank you so much for joining us!

nancy littrell said...

OMG..Two cute and fun cards, Dolly:-) LOVE your textured tree that is helping camel-flauging the sweet owl:-) Your CAS Mix Up Winter Scene is...adorable and made me laugh outloud!!! Since we do not do TV we missed out on the Super Bowl (got enough online), had a wonderful yummy Valentine dinner by me and blooming orchid picked out by Denny plus he picked out from our DVD stash..."Shakespeare in Love" and "When Harry met Sally":-) Staying safe is a high priority in our home:-) TFS your Twofer, my dear friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Great cards.

Hope you have a good week. Sue

Nan G said...

Oh my gosh, rubbing my eyes trying to see your camo-fladged owl. Or maybe it’s just lack of sleep. ;/ Any who’s it…fab job with the bark too. Loook out! Oh he can’t. Notice it’s a he not she, as a she wouldn’t do something so crazy.(dumb). ;) Love both cards. Had me a smile and a chuckle maybe now I can get some sleep with pleasant thoughts on my mind. Thank U my friend. Hugs from just me (the Girls are sleeping)

Lia said...

These are two great fun cards and to be honoust: I like the one wth the mouse the best. So cute!!
Lia DT PoE

Aquarius said...

Both of these cards made me smile - really cute owl with the great textured effect tree bark and the little scene you created with the mouse - much more fun than a simple snow scene 😀

sandie said...

loving the owl card, love the neutral colours and fab texture with the paste. I don't make scenes either but you did a fun one here and love the pop of yellow xx

frommycraftroom said...

haha the mouse reminds me of me on a skateboard. First time (and only time) I skated the board went down the storm drains.
Such great cards.

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell and I love the scene that you've created for the little mouse.

Sue xx

Sandra H said...

Hi Darnell, Wow another fabulous post with gorgeous cards l adore them both although the winter scene card is amazing love that image and the owl is super cute enjoy your day x

Stamps and Paper said...

Two brilliant cards Darnell…your little owl made me smile and the little mouse skiing is adorable

Anne

Jeanne said...

It's been an intersting week full of different events that is for sure. Wonderful cards, Darnell. I like how you added the texture to the tree on the first card. It looks amazing. And the second card just made me giggle. For a non scene maker, you nailed this one perfectly! All the way down to adding "snow." That's a great artist! Excellent work on both cards. Also, a happy thank you for the info on the post-its, I asked about. Have a wonderful day!

Marilyn said...

Darnell, always love reading your post! Love both of your cards and love the cute little critters you used for them
Have a great day!
Marilyn💖

HJ said...

Your cards brought a big smile this morning. I love both of these creative cards, especially the mouse. Great job! Have a great week!

HJ said...

Both of these cards are fun. I especially got a kick from the mouse card. Love the scene you made. Enjoy your week!

Linda said...

Another fabulous blog post Darnell. Love the owl with his googly eyes, I like the look of that paste too!
Your little Christmas scene just made me smile, such a clever use of the PB stamp. I do hope the little mouse was OK! xx

Bonnie said...

This all seeing owl looks so wise and I love the rough tree he is perched on! Your little mouse is so cute with the snow falling all around him. Two fun cards, my friend!

Darlene said...

OMG you are too funny my friend! This is the best scene I've seen in awhile! That's what I would look like if I were sliding down a hill ... wouldn't want to see what I was in for! LOL
Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Peace On Earth Christmas challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often. We appreciate your support!!

Darlene
PEACE ON EARTH CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

P.S. If I hadn’t already mentioned it, just wanted to let you know that we have another new challenge blog. This time it’s all about using your EMBOSSING FOLDERS. I hope you’ll come check us out and play along at CAN YOU HANDLE THE PRESSURE. Hope to see you there!

conil said...

LOVE that googly-eyed owl. He looks right at home in his tree. And the clever Christmas card is simply a delight. I'm still smiling. Just love it when things come together like that.

Cardsbymaaike said...

oh oh I feel an ouchie coming in 3,2,1. cute card though. Thank you for playing AAA cards

cuilliesocks said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell, love the images and your designs, Kate x

HilaryJane said...

Two really fun cards. Great ingenuity on creating that scene too. I am the same with scenes, not generally my thing and so not many suitable stamps. You did good though xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Both such wonderful and imaginative cards Darnell, I love your white owl, with the embossing paste in wood! Your little downhill skiing mouse is just a delight and a great scene.
Faith x

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both adorable xoxo

Sarah said...

Camel fladged...LOL!! Brilliant cards Darnell, love the texture on the owl card and your scene is real chuckleworthy!! xx

Barb Ghig said...

Two super cute cards, Darnell! I love how you added texture on your first card...it's the perfect touch! Your little mouse on the 2nd card is absolutely hilarious! Covering his eyes as he heads toward the lamp post is probably something I would do, and why I don't ski :) Great job creating a winter scene, my friend...you nailed it ~ Thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas...we always enjoy seeing your cards in the gallery! xx

Bobby said...

Those googlie eyes really bring your owl to life, Darnell, and I love the embossing paste tree. I love how your mind works. You came up with a fun scene with that little mouse heading for disaster.

Karen said...

Love both cards, but I'm so impressed with your scene! Such a creative solution to the challenge!

Christine Alexander said...

Your skiing mouse with his eyes covered made me laugh, that's how I used to ski -too frightened to look sometimes :) Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas ♥
I love that stone effect paste, I might have to dash out and pick some up, it made the perfect texture on the tree for your sweet little owl.

Trina P. said...

These are so cute! The googlie eyes in the owl is a hoot (pun intended) and so fun. Your winter scene on the second is perfect and cleverly put together. Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas v

kiwimeskreations said...

Looove your schparkly owl and the fabulous textured tree trunk Darnell - as for that poor wee mouse - reminds me of my attempts to ski.... good to hear you and Hammy are having fun in the playhouse.
Yes the weeks do just 'disappear' these days - like you I am not quite sure how, or where they go to...
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Diane said...

Fabulously FUN cards! Thank mouse just cracks me up! Thank you for joining our fun at Peace on earth!
Diane POE DT {Nellies Nest}
{Peace On Earth}

Brenda said...

Yeah, I don't know where the week went or the weeks before this one! I've looked everywhere for them but can't find them or Father Time. I love this post, love these two cards Auntie! The owl card is darling, loving the stone effects embossing paste you used on the tree. The owl is just too cute, love how Hammy winked him. But it is the second card that had me chuckling! This scene is just to stinking cute! I love the black with the touch of yellow. Adorable! I'm not a scene maker to well, but you did a fabulous job with this scene Auntie! Hugs, Brenda

Leslie Miller said...

Oooh, watch out for that lamp post little mouse! I can see the owl in the card above has his eye on him. I'm not sure whether he looks worried or excited. I love the pasty woodgrain and the monotone on your owl card. Both cards are super cute and fun!

oldpunca said...

You made my day with the Christmas scene! I have to laugh about the poor mouse running straight into the street lamp. Great idea. Thank you! The owl card is amazing too. You've done great pattern with the embossing paste. I like the eyes of the owl.
Have a nice day! Hugs, Sonja

Julia Aston said...

Oh, you are so very clever designing your own little scene Sis! what a cute stamp of the cute mousy sledding down the slope on his leaf - love it! and your owl is well hidden in plain sight to catch those little critters that might scamper by! thanks for joining at CAS Christmas!! xx

Jane said...

Awww, that's adorable! Great way to include pattern too. Thanks for playing at AAA Birthday, hope to see you join in with future challenges too. Stay safe and keep crafting!

Mac Mable said...

Both cards brought a huge smile to my face Darnell. You are always so creative and such fun x. Fun take on the winter scene too Darnell x.

JD/ Jill said...

Both of your cards are so nicely done. Your first card is reminding me that I should look at my embossing pastes to see if they are still usualbe. It's been a while since I have used them. Hopefully they are not dried out.
smile.
I like the scene that you created...so very clever!
Hope you have a great weekend...!!!!!!

BożenA said...

The second card shows that you have a huge imagination. Besides, as you can see, nothing is impossible for you. I am still laughing at the mention of your winter scene. She's just brilliant.
The first card is perfect for birthday wishes, a wise owl will surely please everyone :-)
hugs,
BożenA

Fikreta said...

these are so nice cards!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Couple of fun cards. Your d,icing mouse is adorable 😊

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two adorable cards, Darnell - just love the googly-eyed owl on his branch with the embossed tree trunk! And the mouse sledding to a crash gave a smile!

Di said...

Darnell - you really are a star! Your mouse card almost had me on the floor yet again - if you ask nicely I will tell you about my very latest escapade. 'Going down, going down'. Sigh.

How very clever to think of creating that scene - with that sweet little mouse heading for 'Going down!'. Clever sausage that you are. Watch out for a leetle something from the UK. Only small but hopefully to your taste - NO, it's not a bottle of Grey Goose, a bag of lemons and a crate of tonic water!

Take care - I'm coming to play yet again in NBUS - I NEED to use everything in the NBUS basket at least once before I go down for good!

Hugs

Di xx

Jules said...

If I ever attempted skiing, that's exactly how I'd go down the slope. ROFL!!! Cuteness.

I am in love with your embossed tree! I have a similar paste and will have to have a go at this.

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Darnell, two fantastic cards... you always seem to create the best imaginative cards and I love to read the storys behind them... always fabulous and makes me smile, hugs Robyn