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 4, 2024

And Just Like That ... 🗓️🗓️

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you are doing well! We finally turned our backs, er, our clocks back, so I should start waking up in with more engery. I have such a hard time getting going when my brain tells me, "It is the pitch of night, go back to bed." Today I have to get through the first of a series of yucky dental appointments and the election is tomorrow. Anxiety is high, so thank you, Lord, for potatoes, from which wodka flows.

But that's not why you called in. Let's talk about pretty things. Like cards. Christmas cards, to be exact. And it's week one of November's I.D.E.A.S., so I had a play with Ink.

Onefer
The trends of using die-cut images and embossing folders continues in delightful ways with this hobby, but for this QACAS design, I really enjoyed just using stamps.

I have to say this was a treat to photograph. She said, snarkcastically. I finally got an angle to show both the embossed shine of the sediment and the glossification of the berries, compliments of Hammy and Stanley. The sediment and the double-stamped NBUS mistletoe are from, "The Magic of Christmas" by Simon Says. 

Twofer
Back in February, the Group of Seven Cardmakers did a technique called, "Masked Stenciling" and I made this pair using that technique. I especially love the die cut deer and trees with their unexpected stencil lines and lavender color.

~~~
Lunch With Girlfriends
By Kathy O’Malley

Elaine’s vertigo has never been worse.
Kay can’t recall where she left her purse.

Rhonda’s about to replace her knees.
Linda’s breathing is tinged with a wheeze.

Donna's left boob has a troublesome lump.
Diane’s on her third trip to take a dump.

Lorraine’s husband can’t remember a thing.
Nine years a widow, Marge still wears her ring.

Marlene is dealing with another UTI.
Sally’s giving hearing aids another try.

Marie has decided she can’t drive at night.
Sharon still wears clothes two sizes too tight.

They’ve been through divorces and babies and wakes.
They do for each other whatever it takes.

They’ve already buried Marcia and Kate.
And truthfully, Lizzie’s not looking so great.

So whenever they can, they get out to eat.
Open bottles of wine and forget their sore feet.

There’s laughing and crying and letting down guards.
And when the bill comes, there’s ten credit cards.

So here’s to the waiters who keep orders straight,
And the places that let lunches run three hours late.

And here’s to the girlfriends, those near and those far.
Here's to the girlfriends, you know who you are!
🥰🥰🥰

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! 

*Life is too short!
Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More: 2: Die Cuts and Stencils.
Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round: 2: Reindeer, Deer, or Moose.
Color Hues: 1: Red and Black.
Jingle Belles: 2: Christmas animals.
Peace on Earth: 1: Christmas.
We Love Stamping: 1: Christmas.




19 comments:

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
such a very wonderful cards and such brilliant designs also.
Love the mistletoe one and the stamp used.
What a great friendship poem.
Lots of crafty love from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards as always, Darnell xoxo

Kathyk said...

Fab post Darnell, as always. Hope the dental appointment goes well. FABULOUS cards (well done on persevering to get the right shot too).
Happy Monday

Kathyk

Bonnie said...

Your mistletoe is so pretty with the shiny berries and sentiment! I'm also impressed with the photo you got! Lavender is a great color for a Christmas card! It's unexpected. Love the stenciling on the deer and that you didn't waste a thing. Love, love, love the poem. So, so true. I'm so glad we're friends.

Lynette said...

Two super cards, Darnell!! The first one is my favorite. Your posts always make me smile! I love the poem - so true.

I Card Everyone said...

You 'had me' at lavender deer! SO pretty I want to spray-dye every one that I see!
=]

brenda said...

We had the change of clocks last week and it throws everything, also an election in the summer, thankfully that one worked out well.

Your card is so very elegant Darnell and perfect for our Magic of the Season theme at Allsorts, many thanks for joining in. Good luck with the dentist!

B x

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Just love your post! I always have a laugh! The first card is gorgeous and the second is very pretty in that shade! Last but
not least, the verse is awesome! Nearly forgot, have fun at
the dentist!xoxo








Karen said...

Lovely cards, as always! I especially love that CAS card with the mistletoe. The poem is a hoot--too bad it rings a bell.

Jeanne H said...

Wonderful cards, love the color and technique. Best wishes at the dentist. Thank you for sharing the poem.

Lisa Elton said...

Terrific cards, Darnell! Love those cute little patterned deer!

Donna said...

Great cards Darnell, I like the stamped magic one with the berries, very cheerful and your two for one is great and how nice to get a double!

HilaryJane said...

That poem is just great. Thanks for sharing it. Love your cards too especially the shiny red one. Thanks for making the effort to show us the shine. It also shows us some of your lovely Californian sunshine. We have been stuck under grey skies for what seems like weeks now. They call it anticyclonic gloom. I think that's a great term and am determined to remember it. Probably won't succeed though xx

Liz said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell. I especially love the first one, so striking in the colours you've used. Thanks for sharing the poem, so funny! Good luck with your dental treatment. Hope the US get the correct result in the election tomorrow. x

Nancy said...

The poem is a hoot! Sometimes it is nice to just use stamps on a card. Your believe card is just perfect. You managed to catch the shine in your pic just perfectly. The twofer reindeer scene is as darling as can be! I will have to give that a try very soon. Thanks for joining us at Color Hues, I really love having you in our gallery. Take care!

Karen said...

I'm back to add our thanks for sharing your beautiful mistletoe card with us at Color Hues!

Gail L said...

Fabulous cards!!
Hope things went well at the dentist!

Bobby said...

Great job of capturing the shine, Darnell, and what a cute twofer you got with the stenciled background and die cut deer. That poem is fabulous and pretty right on at this stage of life. Good luck at the dentist. Have a shot of wodka before you go. ;)

Cheryl W. said...

Your Christmas cards are fabulous! I love the stenciled reindeer scene, too.