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 11, 2024

Seasonal II

Hello Stamplings!

How are you doing? I hope you've had a great week. Thank you for your good wishes regarding my dental work. I'm happy to say it all went well, thanks to nitrous oxide!😁 It was my first time and I love that stuff! 

I have been up and down with emotions this week. Thankfully, I can always withdraw to my happy place with my three cuddlers ~ not counting my main cuddler. For week two of November's I.D.E.A.S., we had a good time getting jiggy with the Gemini!

Onefer ~ Fall, Thanksgiving
This fall blessings card is like a prequel to a layered Thanksgiving turkey sandwich. (Sorry if that started you drooling.) I began with a white bread card base and building upwards, I added a piece of finely textured beige pp. On top of that I spread a layer of NBUS Sugar Peas Leaf Cover Plate. 

For color and flavor, I added a layer of Poppystamps Feather Tree Frame, cut from pretty patterned paper (ppp). I topped it all with a double dollop layer of Blessings from Hero Arts, cut from shiny copper. Very filling, just as a Thanksgiving sanditch should be!

Linking to: Cardz 4 Galz: Showcase Your PP; Poppystamps: Leaves Are Falling ...; Cut It Up: Grateful and/or Thankful; SSS Monday: Thanks/Thanksgiving

Twofer ~ Winter, Christmas
In a quest for QACAS Christmas designs this late in the year, and in an effort to use up more of my ppp, I made this using a hammered card panel and an old-timey ornament die from Spellbinders Nestabilities called 2011 Heirloom Ornaments. To bring out the gold in the ornament paper, I gold heat-embossed the sediment from SSS called, "Holiday Greetings Mix 1."

This ppp comes in different colors and Hammy and Stanley found great matching papers to use for matting. All I had to do was get on with the batch making. It all went well until the idea of batches made me stop and make a few batches of Amish Sugar Cookies. Someone told me they freeze well. Oh, hahahaha, as if there were any around to freeze!!
Linking to Addicted to Stamps and More: Die Cuts and Stencils; Allsorts: Christmas; and Die Cut Divas: Christmas.


~~~

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

Thank you to the families of all the service men and women who have died for our country and to those who are currently serving.🙏

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!

Thoughts

I haven't mentioned politics here because this is a card blog. These are just my thoughts about one thing in particular. Please don't read this if you aren't interested and please don't feel like you need to comment.

I'm an Independent and more of a long-range thinker in terms of the effects politics has on society and our beleaguered earth. We are at a definite crossroads when it comes to the established system of checks and balances we rely on in order to preserve democracy, but as a democratic nation, we accept the results of our elections, wish the new president well, and move on. 

For his part, I hope that President-Elect Trump begins to build a bridge over the deep divide that exists in America ~ a divide stoked by fear and anger. I wish him success with that because, honestly, I'm exhausted by the last four years, sick of the nastiness, and appalled at the media hyping the negativity nonstop. It is a relief to finally see for ourselves that the 2020 election was not stolen or rigged. Common sense tells us that if it had been, then the deep state Democrats would have rigged this election, too, in order to make sure Harris won. Not only that, but if you think about it, they surely would have rigged the 2016 election, too. It's too bad we had to deal with the terrible fall-out from this lie for four very long years, but now we know the truth firsthand. And now the new leadership can concentrate on healing the nation with words that unite us rather than divide us. I pray.

I realize that there are Bible verses for every situation, no matter your viewpoint. I'd like to share this one, which I hope will become a hallmark going forward:

1 Peter 2:1: So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, all hypocrisy, jealousy, and unkind speech.

Amen.🫂🙏 

38 comments:

Aquarius said...

A spectacular Thanksgiving 'sandwich' and the CAS Christmas cards with the gold touches are super too. It's great to have a crafty haven for a daily 'retreat' - I find it keeps the mind from dwelling too much on 'things' and frustrations 😊😊

Jeanne said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. I really like your ornaments. That pp is so pretty. Thank you for sharing!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards, as always, Darnell xoxo

Bonnie said...

Patterned paper makes really pretty feathery leaves and the background is a perfect match! You have me drooling, Dolly, literally! The inkdrop papers make beautiful ornaments too. The embossed sediment brings out the elegance in the paper! Amen and Amen, my friend. XOXO

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Fabulous cards with D for Dies this week, Darnell - just love your layered background with the outline leaves on card one (yes, I drooled) & your quick ornament cards are very stylish!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

Donna said...

Fabulous cards, the fall one is fabulous the way you did your layering and the ornament card are fabulous - elegant and striking!

Brenda in IN said...

I love how you used that gorgeous paper to make ornaments and they are so quick and easy to replicate. Your political comments say so well what we all want - a democratic nation with no more nastiness and hate and no more lying. Well said, my friend.

TK said...

Amen! Well said...Prayers first, then onto uniting!
Your cards are wonderful and I adore that pp -- the gold marbling and variety of colors are fantastic, Darnell. Also your Fall card is lovely with all those gorgeous layers, though minimal too

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Absolutely gorgeous cards Darnell! And a terrific "political comment"! Sharon xxx

brenda said...

What very elegant cards using that bauble die Darnell, CAS at it's very best and each colourway so pretty. Of course the Autumnal card is lovely as well, my favourite cards when it comes to creating. Always find the colours so pleasing on the eye, just a shame it means cook dark days, but you can't have it all.

Lovely to see you at Allsorts, perfect for our theme.

B x

Jeanne H said...

I love your cards, thanks for the idea for me to CASE. I appreciate your election thoughts, just want peace and unity in our country.

Lisa Elton said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell and so happy all went well with your dental work!

Karen said...

Love your description of the first card--clever as always! The card, of course, is lovely. I adore those ornaments, and wish I had come paper that beautiful so I could CASE the design.

oldpunca said...

It is always a pleasure to visit your blog. I like your thanksgiving card with all layers and in autumnal colors. Thank you for the idea of how to make a quick Christmas card. I will for sure need it. I'm in a big delay this year.
I'm glad that everything went well with the dental work.
I can agree with your thoughts. But still I'm wondering where the whole world is running to. At moments like this I'm thankful to have my craft room, where the only problem is which paper to use. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Bobby said...

Those patterned papers are perfect for batching ornaments, Darnell, and your blessings sandwich is something we all need.

Pat said...

You and your Gemini have come up Trumps...pardon the pun, and I love the leafy coverplate with the Feather tree frame cut from a wonderful bright piece of pp, and the copper card for the sentiment goes beautifully. The second seasonal make and the two other below look great using this fabulous pp in different colour mixes and such wonderful complementary background papers too Darnell. So pleased your session at the dentist went well, and I do have a card for Week 2 I.D.E.A.S. Over the last few years democracy and common sense politics have taken a nose dive, and I just hope that what goes around will come around and a more measured and sensible form of it will return. There's not much about life here that I recognise these days but perhaps it's because I'm getting old..lol. Making cards and making music are the things that keep me sane, and this wonderful community we have here. x

Cheryl W. said...

I think I love the way you describe your cards more than I love your actual cards...and I DO love them! It's always fun to visit your blog and read what you and the boys have been up to. I might have some paper with gold streaks lacing through it, but where oh where could it be? I'd love to try your idea of using it for holiday ornaments. Thanks for the thoughtful message at the end of your post. I guess I'm feeling rather resigned to four more years of mean talk. I only hope and pray we return to civility after that.

LesleyG said...

Your cards are lovely, your words both funny and uplifting. Xxx

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Darnell - your sandwich certainly had me drooling.. not that we celebrate Thanksgiving here :)
Your boys did a great job helping you with the Christmas cards = perfect matching - they deserve a treat...
I appreciated your thoughts section - well spoken! And an awesome verse to conclude with
Blessings
Maxine

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Darnell - your sandwich certainly had me drooling.. not that we celebrate Thanksgiving here :)
Your boys did a great job helping you with the Christmas cards = perfect matching - they deserve a treat...
I appreciated your thoughts section - well spoken! And an awesome verse to conclude with
Blessings
Maxine

Lynette said...

Your cards are wonderful, Darnell. I especially love the ornament ones. You're so lucky to have the great helpers in your playhouse. Thank you for your Thoughts. And I hope your prayers (and mine) will be answered and we can make it through the next four years.

Gerrina said...

Love the leaf card; it is stunning!
And the baubles are gorgeous!
Politics; wish that there would be more people with real skills stand up and got elected! That's all what I have to say about politics... (around the world it is too sad for more words or thoughts about it)
Hugs, Gerrina

Trina P. said...

Fantastic collection of die cut inspiration cards. The pp you used for your Christmas ornaments are beautiful. Awesome QACAS design, too.
ps. a post delay allowed me to play along with your IDEAS challenge this week! 😄
Glad your dental work went well. Have a.wonderful day!

Linby said...

Your bauble card is so lovely, a genius idea to put the paper behind the aperture. Thanks for sharing with us at Allsorts. Your leaf design is also a great idea with the layering of leaves.
That's a very suitable bible quote. It's not much better over here, but at least there is always crafting!

Patti J said...

lol…I always need the nitrous! Hope all is well dentally speaking! Love your beautiful cards, thanks for so much inspiration! Also, thank you for your words on the election. The last several years have drained me. I am SO ready to never see or hear him again. Hoping he will change his stripes, and end all of the evil, but not confident he can. Portugal is looking really peaceful! Hugs…

Ellibelle said...

A wonderful assortment of cards, each one is so pretty and glad we don't have to pick a favorite!
Thanks so much for sharing with us this week at Allsorts challenge!
Ellie
Ellibelle's Corner

HilaryJane said...

Yes, I do like all these cards, the lovely layers of the first one and the simplicity and use of the papers on the other two. Hope you got a good pile of them made. Thanks too for your very thoughtful and profound words. I completely agree xx

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful cards Darnell, wonderful use of DP on the Christmas cards.
I so admire you words and hope the best for you and American electorate, you know where we are if you need a break ♥

Leslie Miller said...

I'm head over heels for the leafy cover plate you used on your beautiful Thanksgiving card. Way to layer those die cuts and papers! I have the tree frame and need to get it out and use it again. You came up with a great idea for your quick Christmas cards. Love the paper. I have so much I forget what I have. This is a lovely way to show the paper and still keep it QACAS. As for the election, I'm trying to be done fretting and analyzing and speculating. My opinions are so strong they could knock me down and I'd rather be up enjoying the simple and good things in life. Amen.

Loll said...

LOVELY cards my friend. LOVE your Thanksgiving sandwich card ... it's beautiful and delicious!! :) And such beautiful paper for your batch making of the ornament cards. All so pretty! So happy your dental appt. went well and now you can look forward to going to future appt. as long as they are providing the nitrous. :) Thank you for your well-worded thoughts on politics. Well said, my friend! Love, Lolly

Catie Cuddles said...

Those bauble cards are great!
Thanks for sharing with us at Addicted to stamps and more. Hope to see you again on future challenges.
Happy crafting!

Susan said...

Lovely autumn card and beautiful bauble cards - those papers you used are fabulous with the gold running through it. I was very interested to read your thoughts as I have been thinking about you since the election. I do hope the next four years will be okay in all aspects of American life. At least for the moment, things are okay up here in Canada.

Larelyn said...

Great cards. Thanks for sharing at Cut it Up Challenges.

Sandra H said...

Oh Darnell l just love your cards gorgeous autumn colours my favourite at this time of the year, love the baubles too x

Kate said...

I have that ornament die and I think I have something similar but this would make a wonderful QACAS card in any pretty paper! Thank you for the inspiration as always! Oh and Amen to that Bible verse!

Kathyk said...

Fab cards all and great to see the way you lead by example with your NBUS.
As to politics ... time to move onwards and upwards - best of luck.
Kathyk

Robyn Oliver said...

Oh I love the idea of the cutout ornament with the lovely ppp behind.... they look fabulous Darnell. And that is one yummy looking turkey sandwich card... great use of the layers of die cuts. Have a wonderful week, hugs Robyn

Jean said...

Gorgeous cards!! I realized I do not see your posts anymore and it made me sad! Such gorgeous cards! Thank you for the paragraph about politics! You summed up my thoughts too.