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 12, 2017

Tis The Season

Hello, Stamplings!

I hope this finds you well!

I've been making a lot of cards, but I've only gotten one photographed so far. I decided to do a quick post so I didn't miss the challenges.
The pretty holly garland and bold sediment are both NBUS from the "Fa La La" set by Avery Elle. The red is Washi tape. The textured card is linen from Handy Hippo.

And here is the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch! that inspired me:
Other Challenges

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I thought I would show you some yard art by Mother Nature. It's lovely to see a bit of color this time of year. This is an annual that has burst to life this fall:
I think it's a type of Phlox? Aren't the teeny-tiny buds within the sphere of flowers so fascinating? They are like little pillows.

Maybe not so cute, but equally fascinating, is this leaf bug:
Can you see it? I'm pretty sure I've shown you one of these before, but it's been ages since we've seen one. That's a good thing because I think they are pests and bad for the trees if you get an infectation of them. The leaf pattern on the body really mesmerizes me, though. Its official name is Katydid (Leaf Bug).

Oops, a certain little hamster is squeaking at me. I forgot I left him holding down a section of ribbon so I could finish tying a bow!

~~~

Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy!  LITS!* 

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 to return the flavor!








*Life is too short!

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77 comments:

Valerija said...

Very nice card. And I love your photos, especially leaf bug.
Valerija xx

Karren said...

Beautiful card, Darnell, and such a great take on the sketch! Your nature photos are wonderful - I've never seen a bug like that before!

Redanne said...

Oh my, what a beautiful card Darnell, the washi stripes really do make a wonderful statement and I just love the holly - an absolute stunner!!

The flower is so, so pretty, I wish I could help with the name but I can't, although I would love to have one in our garden. The leaf insect is pretty spectacular, his camouflage is superb - just a pity he is such a pest!!

Hugs, Annie xxx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab card.

That insect is amazing.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Sue

Aileen said...

Beautiful card Darnell, love the way that holly curves round, looks stunning. Have been looking but not commenting sorry my love, so much going on with mum and dad and Elysha sometimes I feel like theres just never enough time to breath. Always love coming to visit and love when you visit me hugs Aileen

None None said...

So pretty, Darnell!! Love the curve of the holly leaves around the sentiment. This looks like a great postal friendly card - thanks for the inspiration this morning! I've been working on my cards and needed postal friendly inspiration so your post was timely! I hope all is well with you and the Mister. Don't work Mr. Hammie too hard. :)

That flower is just gorgeous!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Great makes Darnell! I love the traditional, green red and white of your card, which is wonderfully CAS! And that is such a pretty flower in your second picture, but that 'leaf bug', well, that is truly fascinating, I have never seen the like! Have a lovely Sunday my friend! Love & Hugs. Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Kathyk said...

Lovely card and pix from you Darnell, as always, hope you are enjoying a triffik weekend

Kathyk

Marilyn said...

Pretty card! Awesome nature photos. The flower looks like maybe a Lantana.

Cara said...

Fabulous card and thanks for sharing those wonderful photos with us x

Fikreta said...

Gogeous card!
oh those photos are great!
that bug look so likea a leaf!
have a nice day
hugs

Pat said...

I love your gorgeous festive make and such a great take on the sketch with the pretty swag of holly and berries, and your two photos are wonderful. The flower definitely looks like some kind of Phlox, this is the English spelling I think, and that leaf bug is fascinating, the way it mimics the leaf gives it the perfect camouflage. TFS. x

Leigh Penner said...

Wonderful take on the sketch, Darnell!

Lynette said...

What a great card, Darnell, and a fabulous use of the sketch! I love the holly. I hope Hammy didn't get a cramp while you left him for so long holding down the ribbon:) Awesome picture of the leaf bug, too. Very cool! I don't think I've ever seen a leaf bug before. A walking stick - yes. Leag bug - no.

Brenda in IN said...

Oh, I do love that card. The holly vine is so pretty and the red washi is so bright and happy. The plant is so different from anything I've ever seen and a leaf bug is also new to me. How unique he is. I wish I had someone to hold ribbon for me to tie a bow. You are so lucky Hammy likes to craft. Molly only likes to sleep and eat.

Anita in France said...

So pretty and festive, Darnell ... such scrumptious Christmassy colours ... and great impact! Pics are fabulous ... especially that bug, not seen one of those ... IRL that is! LYAMYAHYCCACAW! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Marlena M. said...

Fantastic card Darnell~I love those stripes!!! Wonderful photos too!I am creeped out, yet fascinated by the leaf bug ;). I can't stop looking at it...

Bunny said...

Love your CAS card. I like the linen texture. The holly leaves are very pretty. I wonder if that leaf bug would gather a bunch of his friends and they could pretend to be holly and make the shape of a wreath for Christmas............HA HA HA HA.........okay, I'm sure Hammy thought it quite funny. [Bunny]

Greta said...

That bug is absolutely incredible--had to enlarge the picture to see it! Gorgeous bloom in your garden--pretty much everything is gone here as the rain has ruined the roses. I truly adore your card, Darnell--totally nailed the sketch with those wonderful AE products! The swag is gorgeous--need to see if I can do something like that with what I have & I always admire use of Washi which I can never seem to use! Happy Sunday, my friend!

Rita said...

Gorgeous card Darnell. So clean and simple, but so effective. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xxxx

conil said...

You nailed the CAS(E) This Sketch perfectly. As I'm acquisitive, I'm experiencing shopper's envy over that die. Surprisingly, never seen it before. Such a clean, lovely Christmas card and a winner in my book.

Linda said...

Your card is so lovely, Darnell. Always love red, white & green so festive.

Donna said...

Fabulous card Darnell, like the curved greenery partially framing your sentiment.

Leslie Miller said...

What a cute and clean holly card with the Avery Elle stamps! Love the linen paper, too, and the Washi tape helps speed up the process. Gosh, you could make a bunch of those fairly quickly, but you probably have way too many fun Christmas stamps to stay on one set too long (like me). How lovely it is to see your pretty yellow flower and the sunshine in your card photo. The leaf bug is completely fascinating! Nature is really something!

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous take on the challenge. I love the red washi and the sweet garland. You rocked that sketch for sure.

Shelly said...

Gorgeous card, Darnell!
Love your nature photos, too! :) Leaf bugs are always so interesting to me...the same with stick bugs. ;)

Sharon Underwood said...

Love the card, Darnell! That bug in your photograph is amazing. Took me a minute to see it! Those flowers are so pretty. Thanks for your comment on my blog post! Sure means a lot.

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Beautiful CAS card! I am in the same boat where I made a lot of cards lately, but need to photograph them! (Or just forego some of the blogging of the cards). I like the leaf bug! I didnt know they were pests!

Sandra H said...

Wow you have to look close to see the leaf bug how amazing!! your card is gorgeous too ..........it's pretty artic weather here so cold not even venturing outdoors today take care sending lots of love x

Lisa T said...

Love the card Darnell! Sometimes I think you just can't beat red and green - so festive. And what a fab design too. Will you hate me forever if I say I have finished my Christmas cards and even written some?! 😂😂 Hugs, Lisa xx

Unknown said...

I think it's a Katydid.

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your gorgeous card with the holly and lovely sentiment. The colors are wonderful too. And, love the pretty flowers you shared as well. And, as to the bug, I have seen that kind around here too in summer but not sure what it is. It sure blends in well with the leaves.

Trina P. said...

Lovely festive card, Darnell. I think your card also satisfies the left column too (sentiment - diecut - CAS).
Enjoy your Sunday. xx

Mac Mable said...

Such a clean, crisp and stunning card. Great take on the sketch too x Wow on the leaf bug!!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

This is very elegant and classy! Great make for that challenge! Love the flower, and I'm really stunned by the leaf bug! I have never seen one of these before...

cuilliesocks said...

Love your design Darnell, beautifully made and gorgeous colours, Kate x

JoAnn said...

Beautiful card and great take on the sketch. Love the pretty holly garland.

Kathleen said...

Another stunning card, definitely a case of LIM on this one, now if I could have put a line through the e on case it would CAS too.
When I was little there was a series of girls books called What Katy did, What Katy did at school, and so on, never realised that there was a tree bug called Katydid.

Have a great week.

Kath x

Ruth said...

Blimey, took me a while to see that beastie. Your card is so beautifully clean and simple and in its colours, ready for Christmas unlike me, despite all the Christmas cards. So nice to see some colour at this time of year, Everything is becoming a bit greyer and browner over in the U.K. xx

Angela Walters said...

I love this Christmas card you created, Darnell. It is pretty and fun at the same time. Does that make it pretty fun? LOL!

Thank you for sharing the nature pictures with us, also. I love seeing the little yellow flowers. They are so delicate! I don't ever remember seeing a leaf bug before! That is some camouflage! God's handiwork is always amazing to see!

Nan G said...

Perfect holiday card! Bright and cheerful as the season. Love the pic of the leaf bug. I haven't commented or painted much with these non-working hands of mine. Have a wonderful week. Hugs

Liz said...

Super Christmas card, Darnell, great take on the sketch. TFS the photos, the leaf bug is just amazing! Isn't nature wonderful! xx

Cheryl W. said...

Very nice interpretation of the sketch. I like the bright red stripes that really catch the eye. Speaking of eye-catching, your flora and fauna photos are fantastic! And how's that for a little alliteration? Have a great week.

Happy Dance said...

Winner, winner, chicken dinner. PERFECT take on this week's CTS sketch. I tried, but came up lame time after time. I love this pretty card! Bright, bold and a wonderful Christmas card! You're such an inspiration. And while the leaf bug is 'interesting,' I'll admit that it makes my toes curl. Bugs are alright outside and away from me... Sorry. Have a beautiful week dear friend!! Bev

Helen F. said...

Very pretty Christmas card, Darnell~it's a perfect design for the sketch! As for that camouflage-leaf-bug thingy---it would totally freak me out if I saw it on a plant and it moved! :-o

sandie said...

This is such a fab take on the sketch, love the added dimension and such a fresh look. Thanks for joining HLS Cas

Julie B said...

Great card and take on the sketch.
You were missed this weekend but you still brought a smile to our faces when we recounted the Miss America 'pageant'!
We were very busy and made 62 cards between us. Next time perhaps? :)

oldpunca said...

Magical christmas card you've created. I like your interpretation of the sketch. Fotos from your garden are nice. A little bit different is the situation in my garden at the moment. :-)
Have a nice day,
Sonja

Inkyfingers said...

I love this gorgeous festive design Darnell and its such a fabulous take on the sketch! The holly swag is beautiful and I love the textured card. When I saw your yard art, I had to call John in to see your amazing leaf bug and he says hi!
We missed you at the retreat this weekend!
Carol x

Oops I forgot to say
Thanks for sharing with us at ATSM and I hope you will join us again soon.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous card... and I've still not started mine! Eeek! I am planning on doing some die cutting prep tonight though!
Hugs,
Em xoxo

Bonnie said...

I love how you've interpreted the sketch, Dolly! So bright and pretty! And Mother Nature can't be beat!

Lisa T said...

Love the card Darnell! Sometimes I think you just can't beat red and green - so festive. And what a fab design too. Will you hate me forever if I say I have finished my Christmas cards and even written some?! 😂😂 Hugs, Lisa xx

Sarah said...

This is a gorgeous card Darnell, so crisp and bright. It's lovely to see your nature shots too, I have never seen anything quite like the bug though!! xx

Geri said...

...hope you didn't hit the floor too hard after fainting when you saw my comment pop up in your mailbox! I'm off today and decided that things like laundry, dusting, supper, etc are taking a backseat to very overdue blog visits!

ADORE the holly berry ivy die! What an easy-peasy way to create a quick and super cute Christmas card! Looks like you shimmered up the berries and leaves - looks great!

I'm actually going to start my Christmas tags once I finish my blog visits! Kind of excited to get inky again! Might even post a pic....if I like them enough!

Teresa-WCS said...

This is a great CAS card! thank you for playing along at the Tic Tac Toe challenge!

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, So glad you took the time to photograph this pretty card! It's a great interpretation of that sketch... and you always find the best uses for washi tape. :)

laurie said...

Beautiful card Darnell! I love the washi...great idea. I'm always looking for ways to use washi...love the stuff!

TK said...

Wonderful card, great interpretation of the challenge! Love the deep green and bright reds smothered in white!
And a little bit of nature? A warm welcome here...

Marjeta said...

Super card. Love how you interpreted the scene. And fotos are gorgeous.

OH Babs said...

Morning! I love your take on the sketch - perfecto. More amazing photos.

scrappymo! said...

That leaf bug is so very camouflaged! it isso interesting...have not seen anything like it.

The phloxis so pretty and your card is of course, wonderful!

Julia Aston said...

what a great design with your bold red stripes and lovely curved Ivy Sis! A beautiful and festive Holiday card! and that leaf bug is so awesome! thanks for sharing him with us! Julia xx

Carol H. said...

Lovely card Darnell! You are so good at CAS! That leaf bug is so cool! I've only seen one of those a couple times--love how they are so disguised!

Bobby said...

That garland is lovely surrounded by two perfect red stripes, Darnell. 'Tis the season for sure.

Nandini said...

Very elegant and beautiful. And I love your nature pics. Great to have you join in the ATSM challenge. Hoping to see you again soon! Nandini DT

Craftychris said...

Gorgeous card - love the pretty holly garland! Fab yellow flower and the leaf insect is awesome! Hugs xxx

Sheila H said...

Those stripes and the garland are beautiful together.

Brian King said...

Such a great project, Darnell! I love how the holly wraps under the sentiment. Such a sweet project!

Chrissy Larson said...

This is simply perfect! I love how crisp and clean it is!

Sharron said...

Gorgeous card and wonderful take on the sketch! Love the simple design with the lovely holly. Your nature photos are always a joy, especially when we no longer have blooms here. Fun little katydid too!

stampwithsandy said...

Congrats on your CTS win, Darnell! Your card is well deserving. Love the textured card stock, and the spray of holly leaves was a brilliant take on the sketch!

Karen said...

It's a winner! As it should be: CAS perfection!

Greta said...

Hurrah! Big congrats on the win at CTS, Darnell! I never enter there as I know there's no point. Love seeing my friends noticed!

conil said...

You, my dear, are on a spectacular roll...CTS win is difficult to get and you did it with ease. Gorgeous card and a well-deserved win. Congratulations.

JD/ Jill said...

Very nicely done Christmas card!

Anonymous said...

The card is what I came to see, but what a great post on top of that. I think the flower might be lantana. I loved seeing the leaf bug. He's so great at blending in! Thank you for all you shared.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Super festive creation. The linen card does add a lovely texture.
The flower does look phlox-like and the leaf bug is certainly good on the camouflage front.
Best wishes.
Ang x