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!

January 6, 2018

Wintery Birthdays

Hello, Stamplings!

Well, that first week whooshed by already, dinnit?! For Christmas the Mister got me a seat belt for my desk chair because of how fast last year flew by! Vertigo is real, dude.

Even though Christmas cards have all been sent, I decided to make similar cards for those wintery birthdays of friends and family! Like this:
I did make three of these birthdays cards, so I'm proud of that, but I wish I could say I also made several more cards with this design with Christmas sediments for 2018. Sigh.

I have to admit I did have a lot of fun going all layer-y with this card and, as usual, I liked using ingredients from several different companies: A NBUS "Snowfall Panel Die" from Your Next Stamp; stitched hills from Lawn Fawn; NBUS "Polar Bear Fun" stamp and die set from Poppystamps; North pole stamp from "Cool Day" by MFT; hello, shadow, and cardinals from GKW; and sediment from PTI.

I think you're spose to knock all the snow out of the holes on the panel die, but I liked the look of some in and some out. Besides it's so cold in some places right now that the snow IRL would be frozen in the holes!

Challenges
  • Little Red Wagon: Winter Wonderland.
  • Poppystamps: Snow Day.
  • Tic Tac Toe: I managed three matches with this game: Row one across, diagonal row from bottom left to upper right, and column two.
~~~

My card was also made to inspire you to play along in the current challenge at Inspired By All the Little Things which I am hosting! Here is the fun photo inspiration for this challenge:

Eep! So cute!
As host, I also get to pick a talented card artist to introduce to you and she, in turn, will make you an inspiring work of art! For this challenge, I have chosen my talented friend Linda Snodgrass of Lin's Craft Corner. To see what Linda and the amazing Design Team have created to inspire you, please click over to the Inspired By All the Little Things challenge!
Inspired by All the Little Things
Noteworthy: When you pop over to the challenge, you will see that we have made some changes effective as of now. The challenges will now run two weeks, rather than one week, and our guest designer will be with us for both challenges in the month. (If there is a fifth week in a month, there will not be a challenge that week.)

In addition, as the challenge name implies, we would love to know what "little thing" in the photo inspired you to make your card design! It was that cute little bear that inspired my design and I can't wait to see what inspires you!!

~~~

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

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and a 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 favor!









*Life is too short!

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87 comments:

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Super cute little critters and awesome design. I often like to mix and match products from different stamp companies. Way back when, no single company (except maybe Stampin up, which I partially discount only because I never attended a party or anything) would have carried all the ink, paper, dies, stamps and everything. So all cards were a mix then. Have a great Saturday!

Jeanne said...

Great card, Darnell. Perfect for warm winter birthday wishes! Your coloring looks great. That bear is so cute. Great job on this sweet card! Thanks ever so much for stopping by my blog. Maybe this weekend I'll post again. I've been making a point to do some creating this Winter Break and it's been lovely. That Kristie Marcotte struck again. :) Have a lovely weekend! Hugs

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Fantastic winter birthday card. love it
Have a great year 2018
big hug Tamara

Donna said...

What a fabulous winter scene, the bear is adorable and I like the Happy Winter Birthday!

Sue said...

Such an adorable card Darnell and I love the bear! huggles Sue xx

Birgit said...

Your card is as cute as can be and what a darling inspiration to draw from. Love all those sweet little critters! Happy New Year to you Darnell!

Dotty Jo said...

This is lovely, Darnell! Jo x

Marcia Hill said...

Cute, CUTE card Darnell, and yay to you for making 3 of them! And ALL the stamp sets you used...I'm impressed!! I'm thrilled too that you're making the challenge a 2 week challenge for us older slowpokes (well at least me anyways!!), since I love this challenge but don't always have time in one week to fit it in...thank you, thank you!! Hope you're having a great weekend...it's sunny here in Michigan and a whole whopping 4 degrees! Think I'll stay inside and stamp some critters!! :0)

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the card.

With my birthday on Christmas Eve, I often get a Happy Birthday wish written inside a Christmas card (cheapskates). Worse is when someone says, Oh, I didn't get you a birthday card, as I forgot with it being Christmas' (lier). Even worse, 'I was so busy with it being Christmas, I just didn't get the time to get you a card' (hurtful).

Hope you are having a nice weekend. Sue

Ruth said...

That bear is just adorable! And I don't see why we should stop with the wintry cards just as Christmas is over. The weather makes us want to do otherwise! I'm hoping everyone stateside is safe, if not warm. It's to hit -15 tonight in parts of the UK. That's pretty cold for us! xxx

conil said...

Oh my, those cardinals...love their expression. Also think you made the right decision on the backgrounds snowy holes. For some reason the ones you didn't punch out look more like snow. Weird, huh? Anyways...the card is adorable and the fact that you made 3 is terrific planning.

Mrs A. said...

I rather like the look of the some in some out. Like that darn cute bear too.
Not to sure I like the sound of the above comment from Ruth. Hope its not the part of the UK me and Miss Di are in. Best go stoke up the fire in the playground tree house and warm a few nuts up. Hugs Mrs A.

Kath said...

A fabulous winter birthday card Darnell. Thankfully it's not too cold here - after a frosty start we've had a glorious sunny day.
Kath x

cuilliesocks said...

What a brilliant fun card Darnell, I love the images and your super design, super colouring too, Kate x

Cara said...

Your card is just adorable, love how you mixed up all the companies to create one wonderful scene. Hope you're keeping warm and well x

Vicki Dutcher said...

Happy new year to you! Your winter card is very fun! FYI your link to All....is the team blog not the challenge blog. 😊

Claire said...

Aww what a wonderful winter birthday card, its such a fun design and so very different from most birthday cards making it a truly unique card - love it x

Marcie Sharp said...

Love this card and love the little holes- some popped in and some not. Fun!

Liz said...

Super cute card, Darnell. Popping some of the holes out and leaving some in is really effective. xx

Lynette said...

This is so darling, Darnell! I love it!

Verna Angerhofer said...

That is so cute and makes a wonderful winter birthday design. I have a few winter ones coming up too. I might have to borrow you idea and do some winter ones.

Sharon Underwood said...

Yes, I can attest to the fact Vertigo is VERY real! Kinda weird when the room turns sideways...you're right, too, that first week went by fast! Love your card and all the snow, even with the hole dots still in it. That bear is so cute! Hope you have a very Happy New Year!

I Card Everyone said...

OH my goodness, Darnell, I LOve every little critter you have invited to play today ... and thanks for the reminder about sharing what has Inspired - I never think to mention any specific thing!
Darling birthday card - LOve those little Cardinals!
=]

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Stunning! How much impressive is this card! My mouth stays still open for that snowfall background! Fabulous!! The "holes" are just perfect with the snow inside!!! Adorable bear, and amazing scene with the snowbanks, the signal and the cute cardinals! LOVE this card!!

Carole said...

Oh how I love your winter birthday card Darnell.....so different, so cute and I like your frozen snow! You do make me smile every time i read your blog...seat belt for desk chair!!....maybe it's one step up from a ball and chain...is hubby trying to tell you something? Watch out for the parcel of helmet and goggles!!...lol Hugs xxx

Greta said...

Love all the elements, Darnell--great hilly hills & beautifully colored images!

Helen F. said...

What a sweet winter b-day card!Lovwe the snowy cover plate and those fun layers with the cutie pie critters! And how clever of you to make more than one!! Geez, I keep slapping my forehead, saying "Why can't I do THAT?"

Pat said...

Wow, beautiful card Darnell and love all the layers, and that brown polar bear looks great, just goes to show he doesn't have to be white, and the snow looks perfect with some filling the holes and others empty, and those cardinals don't look happy with all that snow..lol. x

OH Babs said...

Exceptionally cute card host Darnell. I too like to mix up companies when being creative.

Jean said...

Such a cute card!

Bonnie said...

Love this sweet winter scene, Dolly! I agree that the snow is frozen in the holes. All your little critters are adorable and look like they don't mind the cold at all!

Carol L said...

ohhh, I like this fun little card and it's a great example of your two-fer challenge coming up! I like that you kept some of the snowflakes in the diecut which gives it an extra cute snowy feel and look! Fun :)

Happy Dance said...

Perfection. Uh-huh. I love absolutely everything about this card. From the awesome coloring (especially on the pole and bear) to the snowy background, to the sentiment and those birds. It's a great card. Someone is going to be thrilled to get this!! Still cold here tonight, but there's a warm up all the way into the 30s starting tomorrow...but I'll believe it when I see/feel it. Missing you. And I hope to play along with IBAtLTs, if I can get my act together... Still missing you! Bev

Kara Lynne said...

Eep is right! So cute! Your card exudes that same cuteness and is perfect for a winter birthday! Those bits of snow are my reality right now. Brrr!

Susan said...

Darnell, I had to laugh when you said you left some of the snow in the die cut because it's so cold in some places that the snow would be frozen in the holes!! My sister in Toronto told me it is -37 C (-34 F) - and here in balmy Vancouver it is +5 C (40 F). No frozen snow here, in holes or anywhere else! Love the adorable bear and his rosy red cheeks, and his sweet bird friends - great sense of deep snow with those curvy snowbanks!

Sharron said...

Adorable card, Darnell! Love the sweet cardinals and rosy-cheeked bear! Great job combining supplies from several companies.

Loll said...

Sweet card Dolly! I noticed right away that you had left some of the snow in place ... so creative and fun!! LOVE your adorable design. Super cute images and the colours just pop off all that white space --- awesome!! So excited to see Lin guesting too!! Lolly xx

sandie said...

Happy New Year Darnell. I love this Winter scene and your layering is perfect. Fab for a Winter Birthday x

Janice said...

I love your wintry birthday card Darnell, and how easily it could become a Christmas one too. The snow background looks really good half popped! Wishing you all the best for the new year.
Janice x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

These cards are perfect for that winter birthday Darnell, I love all of the layers in this card, they look great.

Sue xx

Craftychris said...

Perfect winter birthday card - love all the layers and that cute bear! I mix up my companies too. Sometimes I use all one company and other times mix it up. It depends what suits me at the time. I love the choice we have! Hugs xxxxx

Anita in France said...

Well, isn't he an adorable little chap, Darnell, all rosy cheeked and furry after playing in the snow with his sweet cardinal chums! A cute, fun and fabulous design! JB...OTDTG! LYAMYMA! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

A cute little bear indeed Darnell - and as always, I am chuckling having read your post! I really need to pop by more often - it always brightens my day! Love your inspiration picture this week and I'm delighted you are moving to a two week challenge - I'm hoping I can now play along more often! Hugs, Joanne

Kristie Goulet said...

Super adorable card, Darnell! I love it and hoping I have time to play along. Not sure if it will happen this week though. :) Loving all the layers you used!

Jerrie said...

Your winter birthday card is adorable! I love all the little snowflakes and it is so appropriate for this time of year!! Who ever gets this card will love it!!

Mac Mable said...

So cute and such a fresh looking card. Love the idea of a winter birthday card and the little holes some filled in and some not is great! x

Leigh Penner said...

Fabulous take on the inspiration photo, Darnell!

Sue - said...

Such a cute card Darnell, perfect for wintry birthdays! xx

Leslie Miller said...

Wow, this is fun, and you made three of them with all those wonderful layers! So cute! I love it for a winter birthday and it would make darling Christmas cards. Three of a kind is pushing the envelope for me. Short attention span? Your card today is an extreme treat, Darnell!

Heather said...

This is just adorable and I really like how you combined so many die cuts for the snow. Thanks for playing along at Little Red Wagon this week.

Kay Miller said...

Well that is just cute as can be! Winter scenes with little animals are my FAVORITE! And I do like that you didn't poke out all of the snow holes! It kind of adds something! Love it!! Happy week!!!

Kathleen said...

Really super card Darnell, love the snow inland out idea and the really sweet, fun images.
Hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Kath x

MagsB said...

Oh so cute, Darnell! The snowy die cut background looks so much more interesting with some of the holes filled in!

love Mags B x

KandA said...

This is so cute Darnell. I love the little scene you made with the snowy background xx

Bobby said...

I think this would be one place where the snow would stick in the holes, Darnell. It's been frigid here. Your little scene is cute and perfect for winter birthdays.
I'm glad you have changed IBATLT to a two week format. That will make it easier to participate.

MaryH said...

This is such a fun and cheery card for a winter birthday, when sometimes the days can be quite dreary. The sparks of red just make it happy (and yes, my fav embellie would be the red birds, of course!) I like the combination of different manufacturer's 'schtuff' as you've combined here, and I do think leaving some of the bits in the holes made it look more like a fer real snowfall. Darling bear too. TFS & Big MWAH! Tell Mr. he needs to market & copyright that chair seat belt.

TK said...

Wonderfully cute card! And I spy a fourth "match" -- Row 3! Nice job, so cute...

Sybrina K said...

Hi Darnell! Hope the new year is off to a good start! Love these wintry birthday cards... and your birthday buddies will too. :)

Lisa Elton said...

As a winter birthday girl, this card is the perfect birthday wish! Well...almost as perfect as the card I received in my mailbox from you!! Thanks sweets!

Cheryl W. said...

Your card is super sweet, and I think making three cards of one design is a big success!! I struggle to make multiples, absolutely forcing myself to do it with my Christmas cards. If I didn't, I'd never get them done. I'm in Valentine-making mode at the moment. Hope I can make some multiples with those.

Stamps and Paper said...

Darnell this is a lovely Winter birthday card....

Anne

Silke Ledlow said...

Such a sweet and beautiful designed card Darnell :) !!!

Loose Stitches said...

Adorable card Darnell, love the winter scene!
Hugs, Sherry x
Loose Stitches and Unraveled Threads

Redanne said...

Apologies for my lateness! I love the idea of using a wintry scene for a birthday card, why didn't I think of that!!! Lol. I love your card, the layering looks wonderful and I adore that sentiment! Hugs, Annie xxx

Glittered Paws said...

Oh my this is just too cute - what a perfect winter card - I just got (because I didn't have a single stamp that would work) a couple of winter stamps - so what inspiration you have been. Love the red cardinal.

shirley-bee said...

Do you have any spare seat belts for my desk chair too? Love your sweet winter birthday card, and it's a great way of getting more out of Christmas stamps. Off to check out Inspired By All The Little Things :)

Teresa-WCS said...

Hi Darnell,

I adore this card and how awesome it is that it goes with three different lines/diagonals for the Tic Tac Toe challenge! I hope you play with us more often. Since I was here I had to go off and check out your playhouse - that looks so awesome and the perfect "happy place"

Teresa

Linda said...

Darnell, this is so darn cute. Love that little bear and that background is so awesome. Adorable card....Thanks for asking me to be your GD this month. It is such an honor.

Sheila H said...

I love how you combined so many different sets to make this onederful card (I made a pun!). This is so cute. I wish I had your eye for design. That snow fall die is very cool.

oldpunca said...

O, what an amazing, super cute and super nice card! Wonderful winter scene with little creatures. I like your decision of not putting out all snow from the holes.
I hope this year will not be so fast as the last one and you will not need the seat belt. :-)
Have a great day,
Sonja

Brenda in IN said...

This may be the wrong day but I'm not good at this yet from phone. Still in hospital, starting to see small improvement. Was in ER for over 24 hrs. They are covered up w/flu and pneumonia. Being well taken care of and missing my blogs. Hope lots of my friends see this and are updated. Hope I am able to get home and play in this challenge. What great fun it's going to be. Hugs to all, Brenda.

JD/ Jill said...

Adorable, creative, card!

AO Creations said...

Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at Tic Tac Toe, good luck!!! Amy DT

Patti said...

How cute! I love the way you left the snow in some of the holes! : ) Layered sweetness my friend!!

You remind me I need to go schedule my post! I'm so excited about your first Twofer challenge!! See you tomorrow!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Susanne Vargas said...

Oh, that inspiration photo is so sweet and your card, too! I just want to hug that bear on it! Even though it has quite a few layers it doesn't look too busy since they are all white! All the different companies play well on it!

My Paper Epiphany said...

I love everything about this card! So many gorgeous layers and elements and still CAS! I am adding this stamp set to my wishlist now:)

My Paper Epiphany said...

Uh oh... Looks like more than one stamp set (wink). I forgot to say, the colours are divine!

Ros Crawford said...

Who wouldn't love this! It's so beautiful Darnell!

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous winter birthday card Darnell. Love those layers and textural touches.

Michele K. Henderson said...

Darnell, this card is so cute! I absolutely LOVE how you were able to combine all of these dies from these different companies to look so amazing together! The Poppystamps polar bear fits right in! Thanks so much for playing along with our Snow Day challenge over at Poppystamps this month!
Take Care!
Michele

Lisa T said...

This is an adorable card Darnell, love that snowfall background and you were definitely right to leave some in and some out. Looks fabulous! And three cards - woo hoo, you are on a roll. I need to do this more often... sigh. Hugs, Lisa

Stampingcountry said...

Adorable card! Love the way that you made the snow.

Sheri Gilson said...

Super cute, Darnell! Love the little winter scene you created!

Robin said...

Love your background snowfall; great card, Darnell!! BTW love your playhouse!!! Thanks for participating in Poppystamps Snow Day Challenge!

Fikreta said...

its so adorable card!

pam said...

Adorable card Darnell, you created a beautiful scene.
Thank you for joining us over on Poppystamps Challenge blog.
Pam x

Jeanne J. said...

Hi Darnell! Your winter scene is so cute! I love the birdies on the sign and sentiment and the pop of color! So Sweet!