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!

May 21, 2013

New Challenges Week Continues (MM), plus LIM

I hope you have a t'riffic Tuesday!
 
I don't know what's happening.  Maybe it's a sort of Stamping Spring Awakening, but this is my third day in a row playing in a brand new challenge!
 
Today's new challenge is Merry Monday, hosted by the untiring and supremely talented Lesley Croghan.  I made a promise to myself on January first to play in this challenge every single week in 2013.  Now that June is barreling down on me, I thought maybe I've been a liar long enough so I'm finally playing along with the sketch, which is:

 
What a great sketch for any card occasion!  Truthfully, it's hard to spend too much time with "nojo" if you are a blogger and/or visit other card-making blogs because there is no end of fantastic sketches drawn by card artists for all of us, for free.  The same goes with the color, theme, and photo inspiration challenges.  Maybe we should declare a world day of thanks for all that generosity.  Mwah!
 
Anyhizzle, that's the sketch Lesley made for this week.  For my theme . . .  well, obviously, my theme is Christmas.  Um, okay then, for my complementary theme, I am playing with the fun challenge hosted by the lovelies, Chrissie and Jen, over at Less Is More.  The ladies would like us to make cards with dogs and/or cats:
 
If you're like me, you're gonna sit there staring at that picture on your monitor for a few minutes with an expression on your face an awful lot like that dog's.  Your head is cocked a little and you're thinking, "Aaaawwww!"  How you do that thing with your ears though is amazing.  I can't do that part.
 
Whenever you're ready.  Okay. 
 
Here's what I made:
 
 
The critters are two different stamps, but I stamped them next to each other.  I did that because, I'm not kidding, I thought the critter in the Santa hat was a cat until I started coloring that very long ear.  Ern?  I personally think it's a cat in a bunny costume and I'm sticking with that story.
 
~~~
 
The Nest, Day One:
 
In other exciting news, there has been a development in The Nest!  I got curious when I saw Mama and another bird (Papa?) perched on the chains, looking down, and chirping up a storm, so I inspectigated.
 

You'll have to just ignore the poor shape the plant is in.  I decided I would give it up for the cause rather than disturb The Nest.  Keep your fingers crossed, pahleze, and I will keep you pahosted!

~~~

As you know, there's tons of room in the Playhouse and I love meeting new friends and introducing them to you!  Today I'm so delighted to announce that Susan Joyce of Cat's Ink Corporated has joined us!  You will find years' worth of amazing inspiration when you visit her website, so please take some time for that.  Thank you, Susan, and welcome! 

~~~

Enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*!   My heart and prayers go out to the families whose lives have been completely devastated by the tornado in Oklahoma.  Life and nature remind us again that each and every day is precious and those days can be unbearably few.
 
Thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse. Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower! 
 

*Life Is Too Short!
 
Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shore and white;
  SU! Real Red
Stamps:  SU! critters and Paper Smooches
  "Santa Paws" sediment
Ink:  Versafine onyx black; Prismacolor pencils;
  Sakura Gelly Roll clear star pen
Dies:  Spellbinders Circle and Scallop Circle;
  My Favorite Things Fishtail Banners
My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots
 

43 comments:

Sindhu said...

Hello Darnell!! The card is soooo cute! I'm gonna play along in the sketch challenge... It looks like a fun sketch...

Gillian R said...

So so cute Darnell. Love the colour combo u have used too

Di said...

Oh Darnell - this is so funny - the sentiment cracks me up! Your first two published commenters don't seem to have noticed :))

Great card - and I'll go for the cat in a bunny suit theory if it makes you happy.

Hugs, Di xx

Sue said...

Definitely a lot of Aaawwwww's going on here today!
Your card is gorgeous, I love the cute images and I'll go with your cat in a bunny costume idea too. Fabulous sentiment and wonderful colours.

How exciting to see the eggs have hatched, I hope they will survive.
Sue xx

Carol L said...

OMG, this is just hilarious! The sentiment cracked me up with these fun images, and I really didn't notice if one was a cat, bunny, or other critter - I saw those stockings hanging from the dog's ears and just lost it! FUN card!!

Kim M said...

Fleas Navidad? Fleas Navidad! LMAO! Where did you get that stamp?! That's too funny! Love the card Darnell. (giggle.....fleas Navidad....lol)

Marybeth said...

Love the card and sweet play on words! Perfect for the new challenge . Awww the dog and the baby birds! sorry I have been so bad on comments lately. This is the first year the humming bird did not make a nest in the same tree. I miss keeping an eye on it. We have many nest just not in the same low tree.

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Cute & sweet card,
love all photos too
hugs Tamara

Michelle said...

Darnell, you gave me more than one AWWWW in this post. First I paused over the dog and cat, and yes, his ears are wonderfully talented! Then your cute-as-can-be card. And then those cute little birdies! Thanks for the big smiles. :-)

Susan Joyce said...

Awwwwwwwwww...your card is adorable Darnell, love the cat in the bunny outfit idea. Thanks for joining us this week at Merry Monday. Thanks for the welcome.

cm said...

You're my first *stop* today, and I'm on the floor laughing (well, after the "awwwww" paws...er, pause). Your card is fantastic! Bunny, cat - whatever - it's a darling critter, and the sock on the dog's ear - perfect. Yes, Fleas Navidad indeed! Love! And the little family: they're lucky you keep an eye on them! Have a terrific Tuesday!
c

Hettie said...

Lovely card there and great sketch too!
Exhited about your birdies too! What variety are they?
Hugs
xx

Anonymous said...

OMG Darnell-That sentiment has cracked me up !! Fleas Navidad LOL.
What a great card-i must admit i was wondering for a brief moment there how on earth you were going to combine those challenges-you did a brilliant job :)
Nessa xx

Mrs Harry said...

Of course it's a cat in a rabbit suit, don't all cats wear fancy dress at Christmas? Please keep an eye on those tiny birds and don't let the bunny-cat get to them.
Great card by the way.

Lesley said...

I laughed my head off about the "cat"! Hahaha! Your card is adorable for sure, my head is still cocked to one side, looking at those sweet critters! So happy you could play with us this week Darnell! Thanks for the giggle and the great start to my day!
Hugs,
Lesley

Tracey McNeely said...

That card is so much fun Darnell and cracked me up! Cute photo of the nest. What type of bird? Yesterday mama robin was teaching her four little babies to fly away while I was trying to BBQ dinner. Why on earth would she do that at 6:00 pm and not am. She was plenty mad at me, but they all made they way out and they are gone now!

Happy Dance said...

For sure the kitty is channeling Ralphie in his bunny suit. I can totally see it! I've got a nest in my gutter over the kitchen sink...under my gutter guards...the strong rains washed it out last night. Lots of other nests around though. Love your card--the critters are darling, and I had a good chuckle at the Fleas Navidad! You should make a ton of these. Keep that mojo goin'! Bev

Kathyk said...

Your card is fabulous and the sentiment just the funnest!

Hope the baby birds make it (sorry the plant may not though!)

Kathyk

Lisa Elton said...

Oooh your sentiment gives me a giggle Darnell! What a fun card. And speaking of fun...look at that sweet little nest full of fuzziness! Hope all goes well ;)

Bonnie said...

Gosh, it's hard to type when I'm giggling! What a fun Christmas card, Darnell! I thought that was a cat at first too. I spect it is a cat in a rabbit costume! Whoo hoo! You finally played along with us at Merry Monday! So glad you joined this party!

Unknown said...

Love your card and the great play on words with the greeting. Lovely to see the eggs have hatched - fingers crossed you will hear lots of chirping from the chicks.

Kara Lynne said...

Hi Darnell, thanks for coming over! It's great to be back, I've missed you mucho. What a fun Christmas card. That cat can't fool us in his bunny suit, those whiskers give him away.

jimlynn said...

Perfect sentiment to go with a precious card! Love the colors you used for this too!
Lynn

Notes by Nina said...

What a super cute card, the image is so cute. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday this week.

Unknown said...

You've really shook dem tail feathers sister! Praps it's the new life growing in the nest eh? Super duper ard and I love the sentiment. Def a cat in bunny clothing!

Hugs.

Karendipity x

Redanne said...

Wow Darnell, the nest is just amazing, how exciting!

Love the cat in the bunny costume... this is just the sweetest card and the sentiment just cracks me up! Thank you again for the giggle. Hugs, Annie xx

Ellen Taylor said...

Great sketch! Fabulous card! I should get off my duff and start getting my christmas cards done too! Good for you! Thanks for sharing the pix of the babies! Too sweet!

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell, such a sweet and fun holiday card! But that nest with those little baby birdies is just about the sweetest thing I have ever seen! So happy to see that the eggs hatched and you now have some new neighbors, such fun!

Chrissie said...

This sentiment is so 'you' Darnell, I really sniggered!
Super job!
Thanks so much.
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Anonymous said...

Clever sentiment, Darnell ... and such a CUTE couple, 'specially the cat in the rabbit suit! Wonder what's under that dog costume??

The nest is amazing ... looking forward to hearing about/seeing the wee ones grow up and make their way in the world!

Anita :)

Geri said...

Congrats - your grand birdies! Sweet wee ones (well, kind of). Looks like there is one more yet to pop!

I was howling with delight at both your "rabicat" and the sentiment...and the fact that you thought the bunny was a cat! In your defense, his nose does not look like a rabbit's nose! Awesome colors - love the brads!

Linda said...

What an adorable card. Perfect for the challenge.

Jessi Fogan said...

Awwww! I can't do that with my ears either. Drat!
I LOVE that sentiment - and honestly, I took a minute to see the rabbit. I was expecting cat as well. Go figure.
AND, the nest? Aww! We have a whole bunch of different birds nesting in our yard this year, but no one built their nest low enough to see into it. There are definitely babies, though, from the sounds of peeps :)

Karen M said...

What a cutie of a card - I adore animals in chrissy hats! I really thought it was a cat too:) hugs xx

Linda said...

Hi Darnell,
Sorry it's been so long. I haven't done a blog challenge in ages. Hope you're well.
Love these cute little guys and the the sentiment didn't half make me giggle.
Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog. When I get back from holiday hopefully things will have calmed down a little and you'll see a bit more of me.
Take care. Hugs Linda xx

Unknown said...

Darnell I love this card! The bunny costume...is adorbs. Love your coloring too and that fab turquoise, red & white combo.

I've been meaning to ask...how do you get a photo of your card to show in the signature? :D

Aileen said...

Too cute Darnell. That silly cat in a rabbit suit, what was he thinking!! x

Sherry Eckblad said...

That image and sentiment are too cute. Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday.

Sue - said...

I was sure I'd left a comment here earlier but obviously not! Great fun card and I do love visiting your blog 'cos you always make me smile!!

Allisa said...

So glad you were able to join us at Merry Monday! Love the colors on your card!

LeAnne said...

LOL! When I saw your name pop up on the galley, I couldn't wait to see what you created! This is so cute!!! Wonderful pun; images are adorable! Obviously, everyone else loved it too! Thanks for playing with the Merry Monday challenge!

Tenia Nelson said...

Super cuteness!! Thanks for playing along with us at Merry Monday!!

Wendy said...

What an adorable card! Love the color combo and that cute image! Fabulous card!
Thanks for playing along with us this week over at Merry Mondays! :)