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!

April 17, 2018

Wintry Critters

Hello Stamplings!

I hope this finds you well!

We had a beautiful weekend, but now rain and hail are falling again, which is unusually late in the year for us. Since winter seems to be hanging on and spewing snow in a lot of areas this spring, I went winter all the way with my cards today! And critters all the way, too, although they are not identical.

Onefer
First up is a NBUS chicken that just karacks me up! She reminds me of Jackie Gleason. Now some of you are prolly too young to remember who Jackie Gleason was, but he was a really funny man who had his own TV show back in the middle of the last century. He was a large man, but quite light on his feet. If you want to see a video of him dancing with his pal Art Carney, go here.

But I digest. Jackie Chickie is from Stampingbella. The oval vellum ice is from Sizzix and the NBUS "Oh Joy" is from Mama Elephant. She is watercolored with my Ziggies, winked all over, and her Santa hat fur is glitterized.

Challenges
take banners to

Twofer

I managed to pull Hammy away from all the becitement happening over at the Twofer challenge,  but he wants me to remind you that there is only one more week to play! I got his attention once I explained that he would once again star in his own segment on the blog. I think I have created a (ham)monster.
This adorable heat-embossed stamp is from Whimsy Stamps, colored with my Ziggies. From the look on his face, you might think Hammy was a little nervous up there riding on the ornament but he was only saying how chilly he was. That's why I sewed long sleeves and pants into his jacket. The NBUS Merry Christmas die is from MFT and the border is Washi.

Of course, as always, everything is winked, glittered, and glossified! You can see it better here when I turn the card to capture the sunlight.
Challenges
little red wagon
~~~

In spite of my cards, it IS spring, so I'll leave you with a photo of my rain-drenched irises. They came up strong and proud in spite of all the hard knocks Mother Nature put them through!

~~~

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

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*Life is too short!

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67 comments:

Kath said...

Fabulous cards Darnell and beautiful irises too.
Kath x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Lovely both the cards, that chicken makes me smile, how cute, happy and fun!! He loves winter :)
Hammy on the ornament is a bit worried :D but so lovely, great sparkling and glossing on him! Great works!
Your irises look amazing with the raindrops!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab cards.

Lovely Irises.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

kiwimeskreations said...

So glad Hammy is being useful and earning his bikkies or what ever he eats... As well as enjoying his swing on the glittering ornament!!
That chickie cracks me up too - it's adorable (but don't tell Hammy that)!
Blessings
Maxine

Diane said...

Fabulous cards, so fun and creative..gotta love them critters!! Your Iris are beautiful, too, my daffodils are hanging their little heads in the ice/snow, poor things, I wish for just one year they could actually live!!

Marilyn said...

Cute cards!! Love the chicken on your first card! Your irises are beautiful!!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Jeanne said...

Mother Nature is sure dealing out some rough justice with her weather antics isn't she? So happy your irises are weathering the storms! They are beautiful. Your cards are so fun! I really like your humorous take on cards. They are light and bright and so fun. That Hammy on the ornament cracks me up. Thanks so much for sharing! Hugs!

Maria said...

Very cute winter cards with the sweet critters! The mouse hanging onto the bulb made me smile, so fun! And, your iris photos are so pretty! We woke up to snow on the ground here. But, warmer temps next week, yeah!

Brenda in IN said...

To the moon, Alice, to the moon! Younger stampers won't know where to go with that sentence. I love the look on Hammy's face as he rides the ornament. So fun and both cards are cute. Love the ice skating Jackie Chickie, he is adorable. Your flowers are so pretty and hardy for sure.

oldpunca said...

Both of your cards are wonderfull, funny and inovative. Hammy will not let up anymore. He wants to stay a star! :-)
Thank you for sharing photos from your garden. Amazing blooms. It seams that spring is beautiful all over the world. :-)
Hugs,
Sonja

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, your winter cards are adorable and certainly fit our current weather. We are having 'quite a winter in Spring'...... it's been unseasonably cold for 6 weeks and a lack of sunshine. We are feeling like sponges some of the time. Your flowers are gorgeous, nothing is growing here yet, it's wayyyyyy too ccccooooooold. Take good care, hugs, Shirleyxx

Cat Craig said...

I love that chickie...and I do remember. Your hammy looks like he having a wild ride. Your iris' are beautiful Darnell, thanks so much for sharing.

Lori said...

Your Christmas cards are adorable! Love that dot background and cute chick. And that mouse is adorable set off with gold accents!

conil said...

Of course, I remember Jackie Gleason, Art Carney and Audrey Meadows...but I forgot who played Trudy. This, obviously, was one of my favorite shows of all time. Loved Jackie and Art in dramatic roles, as well.
Back to cards. Super adorable CAS chick on ice. You are so stinkin' clever. And that mouse on the ornament is everything a Christmas card should be, fun, sparkly and cute. Another twofer for Christmas...I'm impressed that you're building your stash already. My stack is nowhere near as high as yours.

Greta said...

I've been seeing some Iris on the walks with Fritz, but none as gorgeous as yours, Darnell! Hopefully we're getting a break from the rain after today--lots of dry days predicted. Your Christmas cards are darling! Love that neat Washi & the sentiment die cuts are beautiful!

Carole Pollard said...

Such gorgeous cards love them both your flowers are stunning such amazing colours love and hugs Carole x

Lisa said...

Both of your cards are so beautiful!! I love the critters!! So cute!! Your irises are so stunning!! Wow!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Loll said...

Two fun Christmas cards Dolly! Love that sweet chick. She does look like Jackie. Enjoyed the video. :) I used to watch the show when I was little. "And away we go ... ". :)

Hammy looks great dressed in his Christmas finery. I don't think he was nervous handing on the ornament. I bet it was the flash of the camera when you took his picture! :) So sweet. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Christmas! Lolly xx

Imke said...

Both cards are great and the second is very matching for our Challenge this week @ Little Red Wagon. Thanks for joining us !!

Imke ~ MY CRAFTY PLACE

Trina P. said...

omg.., these are absolutely adorable, Darnell! The skating chick made me smile. Hammy riding the bauble is delightful. Love all the sparkles, glitz and glam. Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas. xx
ps. your irises look beautiful.

Patti said...

Your cards are darling! and your flowers are stunning!! thank you for the reminder that wintry critters are still adorable and especially! for the beautiful glimpse of spring!! : )

BożenA said...

This card is 100% joy! I love her and how you used all the elements. Huge creativity!

Susan said...

Beautiful irises (one of my favourite flowers!) and two great cards. Especially the second one with the adorable Hammy swinging on an ornament - wouldn't he just love to do that on your Christmas tree! I had to laugh when you said everything was "glossified" - years ago, the young daughters of a friend used to love to help me groom my dog and were intrigued by the different brushes and combs I had to cope with her long coat. I told them that the brush we used last was to make her coat glossy so from then on, they called that brush the "glossening" brush - I've never forgotten that great word!

Susan said...

Forgot to say, thank you so much for joining us at both CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas!

shirley-bee said...

Your Jackie Gleason chick truly does look joyful, Darnell! Thanks for the link to the video, I enjoyed that :) Hammy's looking like he might slide off that glorified bauble at any moment! Your irises look lovely - we've beep promised a warm and sunny day tomorrow, so I think I may be gardening...

Kathleen said...

Two fabulous cards, that little chick looks so proud to be skating on the ice and the hamster looks quite shocked to be hanging from the bauble.
I have heard of Jack Gleeson and Art Carney (maybe I should not admit to it ) but I have just recently discovered Foster Brooks and he cracks me up.
Hope you and the Mister are both well.

Kath x

Redanne said...

I loved Jackie Gleeson and Art Carney (will watch the video later) and I can see why the chick reminded you of JG! Both cards are adorable and those irises are just gorgeous - fresh and beautiful! Hugs, Annie xxx

Bobby said...

I'm glad you picked pets for the Twofer challenge, Darnell, because there are some awfully cute ones out there including the chicken and the hamster that you so beautifully displayed on your cards. Maybe the younger generation would remember Jackie from Smokey and the Bandit but I also know the older version. To the moon, Alice.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Adorable Christmas card designs. I do agree...that chick does look like Jackie Gleason strolling across the room. But both of the cards are fantastic. I love your gorgeous flowers too.

Pat said...

Two great wintry makes Darnell, and adore thst cute chick, and the vellum for the ice works well and hammy looks like he is hanging on tight to the bauble and what wonderful colour and shine. I reme er the name and Jackie Gleeson's name seems familiar, though I don't think I have ever seen any of the shows. The irises are beautiful and hope the weather improves soon too. We are lucky that the weather here is warming up at last and should be getting quite hot by the end of the week. x

Bonnie said...

I do remember Jackie Gleason, Dolly, but I don't think I was old enough to stay up and watch his shows. Your big/little yellow chick is adorable on the skating rink! Looks like fun! And I love Hammy swinging on that Christmas ball! That looks like fun too! Love his little suit! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas! I'll be over with my TwoFer as soon as I get a pic!

Carol H. said...

Such fabulous cards, Darnell! Love both, especially the chicken and your comparison to Jackie Gleason! Seriously, you should write a book! You have a captivating way with words! Beautiful irises! One of my favorite flowers! Hugs!

Christine Alexander said...

Two great cards but the second really made me smile. Is that a wrecking ball and where' Miley Sirrus when you need her. Oh no the song is stuck in my mind :)

Christine Alexander said...

oops got so caught up in the moment I forgot to say thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas

OH Babs said...

I always love and appreciate your flower photos. Not into Christmas yet, maybe in November. :) B

MaryH said...

I just love these Bella chicks (how did I miss this one) and right off I thought of Ralph Kramden (did you know that Amazon prime video has some of the earliest eps of the Honeymooners, back when the spot was just a 15 min segment, with different Alice & Trixie? - not great quality but I enjoyed seeing these as I'd never seen the real early ones). Brilliant to use vellum ice too. And I loved the expression on Hammy's face. Yes, I thought he was thinking how cold it was, too, so I'm glad you gave him some clothes! Your iris are lovely....we have a few purple ones that have blossomed. That white one is just stunning too! TFS & hugs. Prayers too.

Celeste Goff said...

Two fabulous cards! I absolutely adore the kitty card...too cute!

Cheryl W. said...

Your cards are awesome, your irises are gorgeous. Thanks for that peek at Spring. We haven't seen her at all around here - still more than a foot of snow on the ground. Also, thanks for the reminder about the Twofer Challenge. I need to get moving on that!!!

JD/ Jill said...

Great (and really cute) cards! And thanks for sharing the great video!

Barb Ghig said...

Your irises are absolutely gorgeous, Darnell! Beautiful spring colors, too...maybe things will calm down soon so we can enjoy the season :)
LOVE your adorable cards! I agree, your cute little chicken reminds me of Jackie Gleason, and your CAS design is fabulous! I love the expression on Hammy's face in his Santa suit and how you added sparkle and shine to this card! You sure know how to make me smile...Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at Addicted to CAS :)

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
2 excellent cards and such super designs.
The expressions on both are delightful and so cute.
I do hope you had a safty net for Hammy on that Christmas bauble. LOL!!!!!
Love the broder on the second one too.
Love and big crafty hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Ros Crawford said...

Oh what fabulous cards!! That Whimsy image is so cute!! Your iris are spectacular even with rain! Seems we are not the only ones to have had a long winter... It's warmer today but the sun is hiding somewhere... probably ashamed to show his face seeing as how he's been off on a very long holiday somewhere and it wasn't Majorca! Lol! Have a good day!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards and flowers xoxo

Sharron said...

Adorable cards--love your little critters! I can definitely see JG in your fun chick. Took some time to watch the video and it brought back many memories. TV was full of mainly happy entertainment at one time! Tell Hammy I loved his card too!

Lisa T said...

Haha! I have been absent from your blog for way too long Darnell - life is hectic. LOVE LOVE LOVE your two snowy cards despite the fact we have 21 degrees here today (brag, brag). I am so not ready for Christmas or Winter cards but at the same time, I just LOVE to see them, and especially knowing you are getting yourself so well organised this year. I haven't done one yet! You will hear my screaming come October. Hope the rain stops soon and the sun comes out for you, sending love and hugs across the miles. And thank you for spending time leaving me lovely comments over on my blog, I am so sorry I have not been so diligent! Lisa xx

Leslie Miller said...

What happy cards today, and I do love happy! I certainly do remember Jackie Gleason. He was quite the twinkle toes, but Art Carney was the real hoofer. I still watch reruns of The Honeymooners. You're doing a great job getting ahead with your Christmas cards. So cute all winked and glittered and glossified! Your irises are gorgeous! Such a welcome sight, aren't they? We're having some rare sun today so I'd better go out and look at my spring flowers while there is some sparkle on the leftover raindrops. Thanks for the smiles today, Darnell!

Mac Mable said...

Yes the weather seems to be unusual all over the world this year. Glad for the photos of your pretty spring flowers though x What fabulous and fun cards, both of them x

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, two fabulous cards, I love the little critters, and your designs and colours are super.
Well I remember Jackie Gleason and I'm not American, must have seen shows on early TV, I also remember I love Lucy, which I loved, but was a wee girl.....oh my gosh decades ago, Kate x

Donna said...

Such darling and cheery cards!

JoAnn said...

Love your adorable wintry critter cards. They are so cute. Of course the sparkly and glittery just adds that special touch.

TK said...

Two great Christmas cards -- I'm jealous since I usually work under pressure :o)
And your iris are just gorgeous - Spring is here, things are blooming but iris are later here...

Craftychris said...

I love Jackie Chickie and can see the Jackie Gleason likeness after watching the fun video, thank you for the link! How cool are they and I always thought Ant Music was Adam Ant original! We live and learn - I bet Darren knew the truth! Love Hammy on his ornament - his expression is priceless! Thank you for your lovely get well comment. Resting lots! Just managing the odd comment. Hugs xxxxxxc

Kuni said...

Wonderful and cute card.
Thank you for joining us at the Sweet Stampers Challenge and i hope to see you again.
Hugs
Kuni.

Fikreta said...

so cute cards!

Craftychris said...

I just thought I would add I was only joking about Adam Ant by the way! Hugs xxxxxxx

Glittered Paws said...

Oh yes I remember watching Jackie Gleason. Dates us doesn’t it? Love your critters especially the one on the ornament. Lov the shimmer and the fur. No iris flowers here yet. Mine are trying but that is about all. As always love your twofers.

Inkyfingers said...

I love your fun Christmas cards Darnell and you're right - Hammy does look terrified to be swinging up in the air like that! Everything is beautifully coloured as always, and isn't it great to have 2 more cards in the Christmas pile? I hope you and the family are well and enjoying the belated spring.
Hugs
Carol x

Ruth said...

It is remarkably sunny and warm in the UK right now, but of course, it was only a matter of days ago it felt cold enough to snow, so I can sympathise! I do indeed know who Jackie Gleason was, despite being considered an age not to. The little SB chicks are hilarious and I do most love how you've coloured and placed him. Hammy is equally hilarious, but when I see it, all I can see is the video of Pink's song 'Wrecking Ball'.... I reckon he'd do that song proud. Super cute! xx

Anita in France said...

Jackie Chickie is adorable, Darnell ... elegant, even, on his icy pond! Know the name Jackie Gleason, though don't remember ever seeing him (different time, different country perhaps!) ... the video was fun .. had me chuckling and singing along, thank you! Hammy's getting adventurous ... he sure looks pretty nifty in his full blown Santa suit swinging on that shimmery bauble ... a hamster after my own heart!! Lovely iris ... saw my first poppy of the year today! LYAMYHMA ... WYAHHHWE! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Papercraft Boutique said...

Both cards are so fun and cute, Darnell! I especially love the Hammonster! The adorable look on his face just melts my heart with the wonderful shines and sparkles. Thank you for sharing with us at CAS Christmas! Hideko xx

Susanne Vargas said...

Oh my, Darnell, your ice-skating chick is adorable and I love how you created the icy pond! And Hammy swinging on the ornament is so fun! He might not admit it but he does look a little scared...
Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos of your irises, which would make awesome photo cards - just sayin'...
I am happy to report that finally today the sun is shining here and it is around 50ºF as opposed to 35ºF only yesterday! The next two days are supposed to be even warmer so we are starting to hope the Spring is here to stay.

Lisa Elton said...

Jeepers are these ever CUTE Darnell!! That little bird looks like she is having a grand ol' time! Thanks for the beautiful glimpse of spring, just wish ours would get serious about sticking around!

Nance said...

Adorable critter Christmas cards, Darnell! Adorable mouse on the ornament with some festive sparkle. Glad you shared it at CAS Christmas.

anja curvers said...

Wow great cards what a clever way to use the codeword. Thanks for joi ing us over at ATCAS.

Angela said...

Oh wow both cards are really wonderful and the little chicken is really Too Cute.♥ Thanks a lot for joining us at our Too Cute challenge by Sweet Stampers Challenge
Hope to see you again.
Hugs and greetings Angela DT

Mrs Duck said...

Hi Darnell
Skating chickens? What next on the cuteness scale.....skiing hamsters? (just use Hammy's holiday snaps from Aspen)
Fantastic as always.
Ang x

Aileen said...

Love both these cards Darnell but ohh that chicken the first one, just perfect.