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!

October 31, 2016

Happy Holloween and LIM 300!

Good day, my stamplings!

I wish you a bewitching day of good health, good weather, and lots of candy in your bag of tricks! And I wish you that whether you live in a country that celebrates Halloween, or not!

As usual this time of year I hate Costco for being evil and putting out 35-pound trick-or-treat bags of chocolate candy bars the end of September. I tell myself that I'm only buying the bag to be a good neighbor for the kids who come 'round. Even though it's a.month.away. Then I have to taste a few to make sure they aren't poison, as one does. You know, for the sake of the children.

Then suddenly it's Halloween and the Mister has to make an emergency run to Costco to buy another bag so we don't have to hide in the back bedroom with the lights off when the liddle children in their adorable costumes come to the door looking for a tiny candy bar.

Darn you, Costco.

Speaking of purchases, a while back, like a year ago, I bought a package or pre-emboss-resist paper from Stampin' Up and in the package there were two Halloween designs. Anita and I colored the pumpkin one with Brushos at the Lake House, but I forgot to take a photo. Here is the other design "witch" I also Brusho'd.
Pretty fun, I must say. I'm not hugely into Halloween (well, okay, I can hear you thinking, not counting the candy) so it's nice to have this decoration.

Challenges

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A Celebration

I was going to get back to my Christmas cards when Hammy, bless him, saw the new Less Is More post celebrating their 300th challenge! Well, we had to play along!
I used a NBUS "Watercolor Wine Bottle" stamp from Rubbernecker. The sediment is also NBUS from SU and perfectly suited for Chrissie and the ladies of LIM. I added some score lines, a shadow, and a strip of glitter paper to round out the festive design. I drinked winked the wine so it's glittery, too. I used my red WOS so it's quite bloody bright, isn't it? Well, it is Halloween, after all!

Challenges

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Sights of Autumn

I'm sharing some fall color we are enjoying now, in addition to the lovely maple trees on our street:
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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

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81 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell - love the red wine, and so glad that Hammy distracted you!! That scarecrow is hilarious!!
Blessings
Maxine

Rahmat said...

2 fun cards Darnell, love the witch hat with flowers on the first card, beautiful shades of yellow there. The second one is classy in every angle, Love the red glitter at the bottom.

Jane Willis said...

Two lovely cards Darnell - that brusho brim on the witches hat is fabulous. And the LIM card is fabulous and classy - just like me! It also features one of my most favouritest beverages.
Jane

Stamps and Paper said...

Two great cards Darnell particularly love the red wine one....
Love the pumpkins 'mooner'..... Halloween isn't so big here in the UK as in the USA but every year it seems to get a little bigger..

Hugs
Anne

Stella said...

I LMBO reading about the candy bars:) Autumn has arrived and your photos are lovely. And so is your take on our challenge. And it's fun too! Thanks so much for joining us at CCCB. Always good to see you!

Milka Gubo said...

LOL Candy bars... :o) Your cards are beautiful, Darnell, and I love photos of flowers you shared. :o) Have a wonderful day! Big hugs! :o) xx

Lia said...

I am enjoying your todays colourful post! Everything is so nice to see!!
Lia xx

Esther said...

Ooooh, fabulous cards and wonderful fall pictures. I do like visiting your corner of blogland! <3 The brusho witch hat looks amazing, a really stunning effect and very artistic. Your cards for Less is More is brilliant, a perfect example of CAS and a very stylish design! Thanks for playing along with us in our 300th challenge at Less is More :)

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards today Darnell ...... love all the Autumn shades. I know what you mean about the Halloween candy, I've hidden the stash I bought .... now I just need to remember where! Happy Halloween ...... mwahahahaha!!!! xx

Julie B said...

Wow, love the Brusho coloured hat and the red wine looks good enough to drink!
Don't think we will get any trick or treaters here as we are 1/4 mile down a rough track and a mile out of town! They'd have to be very determined to reach us and have a v strong torch as there are no lights!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Your hat card is awesome!!! Love, love it! Great colouring with brushos, and the white resist lines look fabulous! Your second card is very spooky, the red wine seems really blood! Eeeekkkk!!! :D

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, I love the brushos on the Halloween card, the colours are great. A super LIM card too.

Sue xx

Sharon Traynor Designs said...

Wowzers! Never mind eating the candy, you have provided real candy for the eye here Darnell! You made me chuckle with the hiding in the back bedroom - we actually had to do that one year 'cos we forgot the date!Anyway, to your makes. Fabulously artistic witches hat (wish I'd been at the retreat with Chrissie et al to learn your brusho technique). However, being partial to a little tiple of the old vino now and again, your celebration card is right up my street. The colour for the wine looks so 'full bodied' - amazing. Your sweet comment about the sentiment is so kind too and I'm sure we all appreciate it, thank you. Great to see you playing along with the 300th celebration at Less is More. Xx

Redanne said...

I agree with Sharon above, this is real eye candy for us today Darnell, I love how you coloured the witches hat, it has a wonderful ethereal quality to it and the wine card is brilliant, love the red!

We get 3 for 2 mini boxes to give out at Halloween and usually eat two before the day - and then the third because we only get one or two children at the door ... sadly. Hope you don't have too much left over that you just HAVE to eat - lol. Hugs, Annie xx

Marybeth said...

Happy Halloween to you! My gosh I love that witches hat couldn't be more beautiful! Love the bloody drink as well lol! It's an awesome wine card ! Hugs to you friend!

Carole said...

Happy Halloween Darnell...love both your cards especially the witches hat with the painted brushos!!xx

Craftychris said...

Love your witches hat, fab colours and the wine card is fabulous! It's such a cool stamp and I love the blood red shimmery wine! Gorgeous flower photos too. Happy Halloween and enjoy sharing the chocolate with the kiddy's!!!! xxx

Marybeth said...

Me too on the candy. My husband hid from me ( because I asked him ) and I made him tell me yesterday where it was. I only wanted one......
The quilt on eating more than one ☹️

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the card and the witches had is fab.

Hope there is candy left for the kids;) I did my grocery shopping this morning and the store had all the Halloween goodies reduced. I managed to drag myself away without putting any into my basket.

Take care. Sue

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Happy Halloween Darnell and don't eat all those candies at once. I thought I was being good to wait until 3 days ago to buy the candy but we could not resist and opened them up. I need to buy more to top them up today. Both of your cards are gorgeous. I love the brushos on the witch's hat and the stunning LIM card is perfect for a celebration of 300 challenges (wow). Cheers and hugs, Shirleyxx

Neet said...

Love all of your pictures! The red wine card is truly inspirational - great idea and great CAS card - just the kind I like to see.
I wish i had had something similar to the witch hat card you posted as it is my friend's birthday and this would have been ideal for her - as it is she got a row of witchy washing!
I was not into Halloween but now am getting carried away each year as the collection is growing - one of these times I will be in America for it as I have managed to see the Christmas decs in the gardens, now need to see the Halloween ones.
Have a great time eating your way through all that chocolate. I know we won't get any callers (these days we don't) so we have to eat the sweeties up afterwards as they won't keep for next yedar.
Hugs, Neet xx

Jeanne said...

Well, maybe it's a good think I don't have a Costco membership, I'm thinking! Yay for you that you don't have to hide in a back room tonight. :) I think your witch's hat looks amazing! Pretty colors and they meld together in such interesting ways! The pictures in your neck of the woods look pretty awesome, too. Happy Halloween! Have a great week, too. Hugs!

Whisper said...

I agree with you hun, i'm not really into Halloween either and have never taken my son trick or treating and i love your witches hat card and what a fabby CAS card too, Luv Sam x

KandA said...

LOVE that beautifully coloured witches hat and your fabulous bottle of wine with the glitter and winking. Both stunning creations. Enjoy your Halloween and make sure you keep enough of the candy back for Hammy xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell. I've been quite good, pre Halloween, but the same wasn't true with the Easter candy earlier this year. It's ok to admit that now though, right? Grin.
Hugs
Em xxx

Cat Craig said...

Happy Halloween Darnell, your cars are great, I especially love the wine card...and it doesn't read to bloody red on my laptop. Loved seeing the nature too.

Marilyn said...

Beautiful cards!! We don't get many trick or treaters here but I still buy candy for the ones that do come.

Pat said...

I adore your Brushoed witch's hat Darnell and the glass of wine is just great for the LIM celebrations, also love the photos of the pretty flowers in your garden too. x

Sue - said...

Just read your comments re Costco to Roy who said " We're not the only ones then! " as we've just sampled the zombie jelly brains! Two fabulous cards as usual - speshly the bloody wine one! Hugs Sue.

Colleen said...

Oh Darnell, your Halloween witches hat is terrific! And colored with brushos no less, I am so impressed! I can't believe that awesome sentiment you had that worked so perfectly with the wine bottle! That is ONE impressive stamp and I love all you red WOS!! Happy Haunting to you and The Mister!!

Loll said...

We might need to start a support group about the Halloween candy ... it's the same here. Seems like those large boxes from Costco are possessed as they know our names and keep calling to us. :) Gord has gotten smart about it and now buys an "extra" box so he doesn't have to make a second trip.

Your witches had is so cool. Love that brushos background. Looks like you painted the hat and adornments with them too ... looks fabulous!

And love the bottle of wine. A great way to celebrate.

Happy Halloween Dolly! Lolly xx

Sarn said...

Hi Darnell

Loving your 2 cards today.
Happy Halloween.

Hugs, SArn xxx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Wow these are fabulous, that witches hat is superb and you have decorated beautifully . Your second card is also very classy . Loved popping by today. Tracy x

Joyce said...

These are both wonderful. Happy Halloween, and I hope that you have some left over candy to treat yourself at the end of the night. Thanks so much for playing along at ColourQ this week.

Linda said...

Well, I buy all this candy and don't have any trick or treaters, but you have to have it just in case... Actually, that's when I stock up for my grandkids, so they enjoy the left overs when they come over. Anyway, love your two cards. Both are lovely but that Halloween one is just beautiful.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

You know we moved this year so we don't know the trick or treat status of this neighborhood. So I bought candy earlier this month. You know, no skimping, I bought name brand candy. After all, one doesn't want to get the house egged. Of course Joe ate it all and said he'd buy more. He bought the crappy candy no one ever buys unless it is H'ween so I had to go out and get more anyway. That was Friday. I suspect he's eaten about half of it by now.

As for your cards I do love me some wine! Yep, fabby card.

cm said...

Wine and candy...you've chatted about two of my favourite things...oh, wait, that's actually two of my husband's favourite things (with his bikes, f course, taking top billing!). We are on box 2 of Halloween candy aand we know who...er, why. Not me! Apparently, plentiful bike-riding ramps up the sweet tooth...interesting. Fortunately, we had to head to Calgary over the weekend (races) so stocking up was possible; otherwise, we'd be the ones hiding in the basement. Love your witch's hat: very colourful! And the wine...a glass for you and a glass for me. Hopefully, that will happen in real life one of these days...
Hugs~c

Liz said...

Super cards, Darnell. I love the witch's hat and the second one is perfect for the LIM milestone challenge.

It's just after 8pm here, so I think we might be finishing off the leftover trick or treating chocolate soon. 😉 xx

Bobby said...

It looks like you have a lot of control over your Brushos, Darnell. I have to work on that. Love the splashy wine card.

Bonnie said...

Your witches hat colored with Brushos is amazing, my friend! And I love sparkling red wine (hic). Like the white too! I'm really not fussy! Happy Halloween!

shirley-bee said...

Oh, are you supposed to give the chocolate to the children??? Love that witch's hat, but I love the wine card even more! Unfortunately nobody seems to be selling Rubbernecker stamps over here at the moment, so I'll have to wait until the pound picks up against the dollar, which might not be anytime soon....

Jenny said...

Now then.. red wine is definitely my kinda celebration requirement ;) Love how your added the splash of red!! Brilliant card Darnell :)
Jenny x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your cards are so very beautiful! And, I must say that is the prettiest witch hat I have ever seen. Have a most wonderful Halloween and enjoy seeing all the little kiddies in their costumes. Sounds like a fun evening!

Kathleen said...

Hi Darnell, two fabulous cards, love the gorgeous witch's hat with all the trimmings and the fabulous background.
Brilliant LIM card with the blood red wine and the strip of glitter.

Not a great Halloween fan myself and hate the way that the callers have become so greedy and in gangs of 9 and upwards and just grab whatever they can and don't even say "Thank you" got a bit out of hand over here if you ask me. My Hubby was also upset over it all as he was hoping to eat the left overs!

Thanks so much for your comments and sorry if I have missed commenting on some of your posts over the past week but I have been over the border to Scotland for a week.

Kath x

Jean said...

Love the wine card!!

OH Babs said...

Boooo! No trouble here with candy as the old folks don't T or T. But I did get a mini Snickers at Michael's.
Well the cards are great. Glad you had fun playing with Brushos and Anita.
Hugs, BBB

Michele K. Henderson said...

I LOVE this wine bottle card! It is so eye-catching and bright! I have GOT to get that stamp!
Take care!
Michele

Cheryl W. said...

The witch hat is bewitching, but the wine bottle - ooh, la, la! Love all that sparkle and rich red.

Lisa Elton said...

I did well not opening the big bag of candy until it was time for Trick or Treat. The problem this year was we didn't have the usual large number of kids come by. So now we have leftover candy! That could be considered a good thing...or a bad thing!!! Awesome witches hat and a fun wine card. Happy Halloween!!

Sue from Oregon said...

Oh my...I was reading your blog about you not being in to Halloween when I scrolled up to the glass of RED stuff...still being in the Halloween mode, I thought DANG this girl is in to the hardcore Halloween with a glass of blood. OK I am not a wine drinker either so I had to read the description and felt better that you were not "thinking along those lines" ---to put it nicely! I am glad it is red WINE! LOL Thanks for popping in to say Hello today! ♥ Sue Kment

TK said...

WOW! I'm so impressed! I can't believe anyone could actually sprinkle Brushos and get it to go around lines and stay out of places it should be! I cannot believe it! Sweet picture, and your wine card is just as lovely! Love the bright red!!!

Linby said...

The halloween hat looks great with the brushos - not scary at all! Love the LIM card with the pop of red glitter. TYFS the flower photos too.

Ros Crawford said...

Loving your classy Halloween card Darnell! Brilliantly coloured with those Brushos... And I'm all for a glass of red ... Super card! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB!!

Anonymous said...

Loving all of your cards Darnell, especially the brusho witch's hat. Your description of Halloween made me laugh as I have been slowly eating my way through the sweets I had bought for the past 2 weeks and then hoping that I didn't get too many children knocking at my door so I would have lots left for me to scoff!! I had to open the door at one point whilst I was eating a particularly chewy toffee which meant I couldn't say anything so just had to smile inanely! xx

Anita in France said...

So that's where that BIG bowl of treats came from, Darnell ... if only I'd known, I'd have eaten lots more, just to save the children having to, of course! Your flower bedecked witchy poo hat turned out beautifully ... I'm rather relieved you didn't get a photo of the pumpkins, this is soooo much lovelier! That's my sort of bloody wine ... one that gushes into the glass with abandon ... love the energy ... and the schparkle ... delicious! LYAMYEDMA! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Inkyfingers said...

We had some adorable little ones come for treats last night, but I had overstocked on the treats so I will just have to do the heroic thing and finish it all off! Love your witch's hat Darnell but I am in awe of your fabulous wine card - so celebratory and could be used for lots of occasions.

Happy Dance said...

Thirty-five pound bags...You are so funny. I love me some candy and used to raid the boys' bags when they went to bed...until they got old enough to count the good chocolate - brats!! hahaha. I loved the pumpkin you two arteests created at the LH, and I love what you've done with the witch's hat and brushos here. It's pretty darn fantastic. And the card you made for LIM is amazing!!!!! I'm calling winner-winner here and now. It's fabulous, darling. Just fabulous. I miss your face, btw. xoxo Bev

Carole Pollard said...

Great post fabulous cards and just loved the Halloween treats story sounds very familiar love and hugs Carole x

oldpunca said...

Sweet hat for a fashion witch and a super nice and funny card for LIM ladies. I like your decision to taste the candies for children. You can never know... :-))
Hugs, Sonja

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, That may be one of the prettiest witch card I've ever seen! Great job with both cards. And know you're not alone in fighting the candy battle. Stay strong, my friend. :)

Lisa Elton said...

I forgot to thank you for joining us at ColourQ with your fabulous card!!

Gerrina said...

What a stunning card for LIM! Think you have a winner here!
And still smiling (just like DH wich I read your post to...)! Thanks for brighten up the day (next to the sun wich we see for the first in 4 days...) Hugs, Gerrina

Caryn said...

Lol, I know a few people who'd appreciate this! Great card.

Thanks for playing along at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
Hugs,
Caryn xxx

maria f. said...

Hope you're over your chocolate binge by now. Happy belated Halloween. That witchy hat with the chic blooms is so very cool!

Greta said...

Beautiful Fall flowers & I absolutely love the witch's hat--beautiful instead of cute or funky! Didn't buy candy in September, but did buy one I like & we never have many kids! Hopefully hubby doesn't notice how many wrappers are in the wastebasket already! Hugs, Greta PS--congrats on the HM at MM!

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Darnell as always you've come up with the perfect image, sentiment and theme for our 300th celebration and festivals challenge. As it's mainly down to Chrissie I'm sure she'll love this fantastic design! Thanks as always for playing along with us, it's always great to see your cards in the gallery. Hugs Sarah x

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards Darnell ! This halloween witch hat is a wonder ! I love this bright yellow background, it highlights so perfectly the hat. Those red-purple flowers are so beautiful ! Brushos are really cool ! And I love your card for the 300th LIM challenge, red wine, it is so perfect to celebrate ! I think that eating all those candies you were very thirsty ! Thanks for sharing and for inspiring !
Izzy Scrap

BożenA said...

Your sense of humor is huge. This combination of colors no one is horrible and the card is great. I love brusho watercolors. This old tiara was borrowed from Harry Potter?
The second card is a true masterpiece! Beautiful splashes of wine and so realistic coloring glass makes this card is amazing.
Hugs,
BożenA

Mimi said...

I LOVE the witch hat. I am a Halloween person (candy and all), and this card is awesome partly because if anyone sent this to me at any time in the year, I'd love it! (Now, I'm not like a wicca-type-witchy person... I just love the holday...)

Sylvia said...

Boy it is sure hard to get to the bottom of your comment section, Darnell! What a fun hat...candy story was fun, but 35 lbs sounds like a lot, are you sure????it was 35 lbs. I sent my hubby out for more candy as I had only gotten 3 small bags. He went to Sam's and got one large bag...did not have enough treaters this year and we have most of it left...sad really, but I am not eating it!

You picture was fun and colorful and the technique lovely, Darnell. So glad you played with us at the colourQ. Hope you had a good Halloween!

Lisa T said...

You are doing wonders with that brusho! Such a unique and colourful card. And then what's not to love about the red wine card! Lovely on a card and lovely in real life!

Geri said...

Gorgeous fall colors - love the little orange flowers in the plant pot!

Cool colors on the witch hat too! The hat looks 3D-ish...is the image popped up?

Love the wine card! Thinking that I need to drink a full bottle of this yummy beverage before I call our internet folks so that I can get the courage to be a tad bit more forceful as the computer woes continue!

Sheila H said...

I know exactly what you mean about the candy - LOL!! The Brushos rock, and the wine card really pops.

Kathyk said...

Hey Darnell, sorry to be so late to the party this week but glad to have stopped by to admire two such fab cards ... I am LOVING your entry for the 300th LIM challenge

Kathyk

Claire said...

Oh that wine stamp is absolutely perfect for me Darnell (she writes whilst quaffing said wine). What a fab take on the LIM challenge! Your witches hat is inky perfection too!

Neets B said...

Sorry I'm so late to the party, Darnell. Just been one of those week! Grr
I love your Brusho work here, and well done for sneaking those treats. You're as bad as me....to assist with my diet I eat up naughty stuff so it's not there to tempt me! haha duh?!
And what a lovely celebratory card for our challenge, I love the red glitter, just adds to the classy fabulousness!
Thanks for sharing with us.
Anita x
Less is More

Shawna said...

Hello Darnell! Your comment about the candy at Costco was hilarious!! And yes I feel the same way about it being on display in early September. and of course you have to taste test it.. like you said for the sake of the kids!! LOL.. Anyhoo... Your witch's hat is watercolor awesomeness. I love all the blended colors of the brim.. So pretty and very unusual style for Halloween.. I love it and it has put a spell on me!!! Thank you Darnell for sharing your design with us on MMM...
Cyber Hugs,
Shawna DT

Chrissie said...

Two fantabulous cards Darnell, I always will think of you whenever I see or use Brushos, what a star you are and the classy wine card is right up my street!
Wonderful stuff my friend!
Chrissie xxxxxxxxx
LIM

Cazro said...

Wow, firstly congratulaions on your popularity, an amazing number of comments. I too love your use of Broshos on your fabulous witch's hat. Thanks for joining in the fun at MMM. Caz DT.

Birgit said...

Gosh I am behind! I am loving that Halloween card because it's so pretty! You do such great work

Rose said...

Nicely done with the Brushos Darnell! I'm not into Halloween but I love that your card is so pretty & a bit different. Always love your garden photos!