Hello! I hope this fresh clean Monday morning finds you well!
I finished up my fall birthday and thanks/Thanksgiving cards so I am posting those today before I move hysterically happily on to making only Christmas cards.
Rather than post them individedly, I am featuring one and skooching the rest of them into a collage instead of a twofer cuz I know you are getting jiggy with holiday cards, too. In the spotlight today is:
In a nutshell: A cajun craze card base with creamy mats, shockingly unstitched. A birthday sediment from "Birthday Style" by Papertrey Ink. Some score lines. And some accent leaves which I die cut using an Impression Obsession die. They were cut from left-over snippets of glossy card stock which had been colored by alcohol ink droplets. Simples. And I loves it.
Here are a few more ideas and renditions:
I also want to share with you a patch of beautiful fall mums that are gracing one corner of the back yard, happily visible from the Playhouse window. I thought they had died over the summer months, so you can imagine how delighted I am to have this brilliant display of color!
And, lastly, (look away, Annie) I want to share this beautiful praying mantis that came to visit yesterday.
I spent a half hour mesmerized and talking to her. I even video-taped her for the twins as she walked across the deck and up under the bench. She soon swept away the strands of a spider web and helped herself to a morsel that some poor spider had been saving for dessert. Heck, that's nothing, both sexes of praying mantisi are known to kill and devour the other after mating.
That's the way things work in the critter kingdom. But, we, as evolved human creatures with large brains able to stand on our own two feet, we aren't supposed to be savages with each other. I don't understand when we are and it breaks my heart.
That's the way things work in the critter kingdom. But, we, as evolved human creatures with large brains able to stand on our own two feet, we aren't supposed to be savages with each other. I don't understand when we are and it breaks my heart.
~~~
Please enjoy your day! Life is too short.
75 comments:
The thank you/Autumncards look great! The card you showcase alone is a stunning one! Love the pics (except the bidding mantis) And as always it is so great to read your post! Wish you good luck with the holidaycards; have to do more here aswell... Have a fun week,Gerrina
Gorgeous card and what stunning pictures! Even the mantis! :-)
Christmas cards. errrr... yes. I'm getting on with those. Honest. *braces self for mad panic on the first of Dec when the pile shows only 3 so far*
Fab cards.
Loving the mums.
The Praying Mantis is nice, although I wouldn't want it on me:)
Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue
A beautiful and CAS make from you again today mate, and what a fab photo of the praying mantis too - well done on being in the right place at the right time, and with your camera!
Kathyk
GOrgeous cards....so 'with' you re: the 'differences' between the animals & us lot..... & some wit informed me there were just 6 Fridays til Christmas or some such. Enough to give me a shock!!!! LOVE your Mums.....of course, we're all jacarandas & ripening strawberries, blueberries etc here;)!!!!
WOW...you've been on a roll Darnell, and a very creative one at that! Your feature card is stunning...I absolutely love the simplicity of this beauty! And your collage cards are also gorgeous...would be hard pressed to pick a winner between all of them! So glad to know things are going well enough now that you can spend time in the playhouse...you do great work there!! :0)
Gorgeous cards! LOVING the colors!!! And loving those mums!!! Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your cards are awesome!! Love the flowers
Wow, this spotlight card is so beautiful! But when I saw your collage i thought, that those cards all deserve special attention, every one of them! Woho!!! Such a great crowd of creativity.
Creative regards from stempelfrida
http://stempelfrida.blogspot.de
WOW!! You have been busy Darnell my friend! LOVE the showcased card and all the others too! The flowers are gorgeous and the Praying Mantis sweet . . . although I have been told that they have a nasty nip if you pick them up? Have a great week! Hazel xx
A gorgeous array of autumness Darnell...do love that birthday sediment you've used. Never seen a praying mantis before...not sure I'd want to up close! Carol x
Breaks my heart too ...
Lovely cards and that's a critter we never see here!
Your assortment of fall b/d and Thanksgiving cards just capture the time of year perfectly. Fall colors are my favorite and your pattern papers are just gorgeous. I can tell Mister is doing better if you are able to spend time in the playhouse.
Indeed, recent human behaviors in our world are unfathomable and heartbreaking. Your photos are beautiful, and I always seem to learn some interesting fact when I visit your blog! I am happy you posted so many beautiful fall cards, and I am not tired of them yet...unlike most, I'm in no rush to make Christmas cards. I adore your CAS card, the score lines are so perfect, and the colors are divine! Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!
Great Thanksgiving cards and beautiful mums! The praying mantis? Beautiful in its own way. Love how angular they are. Looking forward to your Christmas cards.
What a gorgeous bunch of cards Darnell and I love the alcohol inked glossy card which you have die cut the leaves from looks wonderful. A lovely large sentiment too. Great photo of the praying mantis, so fascinating, and the mums are glorious and such beautiful colours. It has been very mild here and we still have the remnants of the summer flowers but sadly I think it is getting colder at the end of the week so the first frosts will soon stop them in their tracks! I agree with you too that it is incomprehensible that their are some who are so intolerant of others that they must take it to these extremes! So sad!! On a brighter note so pleased that things are obviously improving for the Mister as can be shown by your massive burst of creativity. x
All of your cards are so gorgeous!! I love the shiny leaves on the birthday wishes!! The mums are so beautiful!! And what an awesome shot of the praying mantis!! I'd have been running in the other direction ;) Have a great day :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Well, being a nurse seems to have heightened your creative juices, my friend! What a gorgeous group of Fall cards! I especially love the first one in the collage & your featured card--amazing leaves! I've really got to figure out how to use my alcohol inks!
Beautiful cards Darnell! And how lovely to have some beautiful flowers and a little friend to keep you company.
Darnell, what gorgeous Fall cards! Thank you for sharing ALL of them with us.
Gorgeous cards, beautiful mums, and awesome mantis!
wonderful cards Darnell band your chrysanths are glorious. We celebrated our Wedding Anniversary yesterday and being autumnal my bouquet was a mass of mums xx
Wow, a veritable feast for the eyes. Amazing cards...you have been busy. All that clever designing and glorious color. Just posted my CASology entry and, believe me when I say, I'm so totally envious of your's. Isn't nature wonderful to provide us with so much loveliness and entertainment. I'm extra fond of our mantisi, myself. To me, they are a joy to behold. Glad you girl got a snack to go with your conversation.
Last week's events have devastated me and my mojo...but they will NOT win. Just terribly sad now.
Wow, Darnell. What a beautiful array of cards. You have been so very busy. I am glad that you were able to include CASology in your crafting frenzy this week!
Fabulous collection of autumn cards!! And very beautiful photos of nature!
What lovely fall cards all - Darnell - and what a wonderful visitor to your yard - I think I've only seen a praying mantis once in real life - isn't he gorgeous. and he's looking right at us - thinking boy - these creatures are pretty cool (or maybe lunch??!) Our flowers are pretty much dead and gone now here in MA. But my holly bush is bright with red berries to cheer me!
Your cards and photos of the flowers are all so beautiful! And, a great photo of the praying mantis too!
Oh my goodness... So many wonderful cards, Darnell. I love something about each and every one of them.
As for your visitor... I am not sure how I would react to seeing one of those. We live sheltered lives here in the UK!!!
That said, I loathe spiders...
Hope your week's off to a good start :)
Love your Birthday Fall card with the leaves, very nice. Like the 3 dry embossed lines across the base of the card also. Especially enjoyed the picture of the praying mantis, can't say that I have seen one in years. My husband watched the CBS Sunday Morning show Sunday and particularly enjoyed the National Geographic photographer, Joel Sartore's "Photo Ark". Beautiful pictures of animals that are endangered or could be. Worth the time to see wonderful pictures.
Best regards,
Virginia
OMGoodness Darnell!!!! That took me right back to when I was 4 years old and got scared nearly to death by a giant (at the time) Praying Mantis.... but have to admit, she/he looks quite beautiful in your photo - perhaps I have gotten over my phobia (wishful thinking....)...
Love, love all your gorgeous fall cards, they are so beautiful - gorgeous colours and designs... Our fall seems to have finished and has been replaced with cold, wind and rain... The Mums in your garden are fantastic, how lovely to be able to look out and see them. Hugs, Annie xxx
absolutely amazing cards Darnell and wow - that praying mantis is so beautiful - amazing picture xx
I make just a few fall cards myself, mostly because I don't need many (we don't celebrate thanksgiving in Norway), but I always make a lot of Christmas cards because those are the ones I need the most of for personal use.
But if I ever need Autumn inspiration I know where to go, you're GREAT at making them!
I don't think you're alone in the heartbreak department and the current affairs ravaging our world! Really scares me.
... on to happier thoughts. Thanks for the visual feast of delightful fall colored card creations! Each one is awesome! The top right pic in the photo collage looks like the rain drop feature on your blog...so cool! No surprise that the showcased card has be smiling from ear to ear - fabulously CAS!
Pretty posies and really, really cool praying mantis. She honestly looks like she is totally into the conversation you are having with her. I say "her" based on the fact that there is NO WAY a male would sit and listen for even 10 minutes, let alone a half hour!
Gorgeous cards, you have been very busy and come on admit it, you have been to a florist haven't you?!!!lol
Very subtle and meaningful message there Darnell, I agree totally.
Kath x
What gorgeous collection of autumnal/ thank you cards Darnell. Each one looks beautiful with the lovely leafy autumn colours.
Jean x
Amazing bouquet of superb cards, dear Darnell. I like fall colours. They are my favourite colours. :-)
Hugs, Sonja
Amazing array of cards Darnell! Love the one you've showcased, fab design that I may have to case!!
Val x
What a lovely collection of lovely fall cards, Darnell. You (&Hammy) have been very busy.
incredible collection of fall cards - I love these colors!
Beautiful assortment of fall cards. You've been a busy gal creating away.
Love your collection of fall cards, some more CAS than others, they are all fabulous!
That is an awesome shot of the Praying Mantis! It looks right at you!
So many nice things to look at on your blog today, Darnell. I love those leaves on your birthday card and the rest of the cards are so beautiful, each in it's own way. And speaking of beauty, those mums are gorgeous. How lucky you are to have them to look at every day. Aren't praying mantises interesting. For some reason I'm fascinated by different bugs like that and can watch them for hours, too.
All of your cards today are gorgeous - love the rich, sumptuous fall colours! My favourite is the CASology entry though. Cajun Craze is such a great colour and your leaves are fabulous! Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!
I am also completely tickled by your praying mantis photo - it's fantastic and she's a real beauty!! We don't have any here so this is really cool to see. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets mesmerized by critters of all sizes. I spent ages one afternoon watching a couple of lizards catching and devouring some newly hatched moths. They were having a ball! I have also come to terms with seeing the feral cats catch and eat the feral chicks. Yes, the chicks are cute but if left to grow up the island would be overrun. Thank goodness the cats earn their keep. I also have great respect for the speed with which they devour them - less than 60 seconds to gobble up every last bit - beak, feet and all. Impressive. I still can't handily the giant centipedes though. I almost stepped on one while out walking Tex tonight and turned into a total screaming girl. So embarrassing...
Darnell, you amaze me, plain & simple. Your CAS birthday card is perfectly done...I'm just loving all the evidence of the number 3 I see! ;) Those leaves are so pretty in their fall clothing and the font of that sentiment is so HAPPY!!! :) ...and you went on to make EIGHT more cards?! Are you sure you're not some kind of Superwoman?!
Those mums are a welcome sight to my eyes! I'm trying so hard not think too much about the fact that there are a good long 5 months to go before I'll be seeing anything bright and colorful in the landscape around here again!
As for the praying mantis, those things used to terrify me as a little girl!!! I don't mind them now, but the childhood fear must be genetic because my sons think they are scary! :)
Hugs, my friend!
Oh yeah...after all that I forgot to say thank you for playing along with us again over at CASology!!! ;)
Love the pretty cards, pretty flowers and great photo of the mantis - even though they're kind of creepy to me with those weird legs and diamond-shaped head! LOL
FABULOUS cards Darnell and your mums are so pretty!! Great photo of the big ol bug too, even if it is creepy LOL!! Thanks for your sweet comments and compliments. You bring light to my day when I see you've been by for a visit! Guess who turned one today!!!
This is such a cool CASilicious tag:) love it!
I meant card ;)
Sweet autumn cards and and that mantis is amazing what a great picture
Just thought to pop in and check out what your doing hugs Nikki
Beautiful collection of fall cards Darnell! Lovely mums too, we just winterized here in Minnesota and sadly said good bye to our fading mums. We get the cold, but thankfully no mantis. Lovely to look at a photo, not so sure about real life :)
I adore this CAS beauty. Love the scored lines and these gorgeous fall colours, they just pop against the White, a true beauty xx
Hi Darnel, absolutely gorgeous selection of cards, I just love your designs and colours.
Now I thought a praying mantis was a plant, I'm just an ignorant Highlander though and we most likely don't have them over here.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Kate x
Having so many fall birthdays, this is the perfect card for me to create! Most of mine are male, also. Perfect indeed. The mums are so pretty. Mine have faded a month ago, but I love them so. This Mantis reminds me that I have not seen one in quite some time. I worry when thing in nature seem to take a hiatus. Have a kind and beautiful day.
I like all your fall CAS cards...some of my cards may start as CAS but it's difficult for me to stop embellishing. I'm getting a little better with my Christmas cards.
Such pretty set of cards Darnell. Love the lovely leaves on the first one and the scoring.
What a nice post Irma. Amazing what a little rain can do for flowers and the soul. Funny I saw a grasshopper the other day and told the mister I had not seen one for years. In my crafting spots I see lizards and birds and hear a frog often. I too used leftover decorated paper and die cuts to make fall cards - oh what fun. Hope Kevin is back to work and feeling GREAT. Hugs, Babs
What an amazing array of cards Dippy - they are all so beautiful and the colours are splendid - Autumn all the way....... Your mums are beautiful, especially as you thought they had died over the summer; what a show. Mind you we still have clematis, roses etc etc in bloom over here in mid-November - this weather is so strange the plants must be totally confused! I'm not surprised you were mesmerized by the praying mantis - what a beautiful creature; and she's looking right at the camera almost saying "now get my right side please". The twins will love that you've video'd her.
Hugs.
Karendipity xxx
Gravy! You've been busy, busy with those fall cards! This one is so clean, pristine, and all things splended! Love the rusty ink of the sentiment stamp. As for your praying mantis... well I'm sure she enjoyed the little chat whilst she was having dinner.
Beautiful Fall cards! Gotta love those mums!
WOW! You have been busy! What a wonderful selection of cards.
Lovely photos of your splash of colour in the garden.... and as for the praying mantis, what a treat to get up close and have a chat for so long. :-) xx
Yes, Darnell, the affairs of the world are heart-breaking and fear-making; my prayers for peace are frequent and deep. On a brighter note: I'll add my cheers and applause to the others. Scrumptious and stunning, each one - and I'm especially impressed with how different they are from one another. Plenty of folks will be smiling brightly when these appear in their mailboxes. Your flowers: gorgeous! My mother-in-law's roses were blooming up in stunning splendour this weekend; apparently, they like the chilly air. Your praying mantis: how sweet you spent time with her! Happy sigh in visiting here (and we won't talk about the snowfall happening...)
Hugs~c
What a treat, Darnell ... so many gorgeous autumn cards ... a whole heap of loveliness and a joy to behold! Beautiful blooming mums ... and what an elegant mantis, all decked out in her best lime green finery ... fab photo's! Amen to your final thoughts, mon amie. Hugs & bisous bisous, Anita :)
Brilliant fall cards the designs are all stunning love your photos and fascinating praying mantis thanks for sharing I don't think I've seen one before Look forward to the Christmas cards now. Love and hugs Carole x
That birthday card is a stunner. Love everything about it. So smartly designed. Your collage of cards for fall are so colorful and lovely. As usual a splendid visit with eye-candy, learning and a giggle too.
What more could you ask for - a beautiful card for fall, gorgeous flowers, and the praying mantis is a whopper! Love the way he/she is looking at you. Bet he/she could even do a selfie!
Lynn
Those are all fabulous cards!
As you can see by my comments. Hubby has my computer fixed!!!! Yea...(We won't talk about how long it took him.) but I'm a happy camper to be able to log on again, and comment on blogs (But boy do I have some catching up to do!)
Bravo on the fall cards. Thanks for not leaving out your other cards... they would have been sad! I'm gong to use score-lines in my card-making future and I'll give you all the creative credit, you crafting genius!
Oh, so pretty! And a gorgeous picture of that praying mantis! Just thinking somebody should design a praying mantis stamp......
Wonderful cards, Darnell! I would have been freaked out by that praying mantis -- I've never seen one in real life!
Oh my....love all your fabulous fall cards. Just so beautiful and just as beautiful in person too!
LOVE that Fall card you showed, along with the others, of course! The bright leaves look awesome against that scoring. You've done a great job with all this. Can't wait to see your Christmas cards!
That wonderful white birthday wishes card is mesmerizig. Or maybe I'm still in shock over the little hammies. Get outta town!
Lovely cards, I particularly like the first CAS one.
Janice x
Oh my, Darnell,this is a beautiful collage of cards. I am happy to be catching up with your amazing work. I
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