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!

June 4, 2018

Just Chickens Having Fun!

Hello Stamplings!

It seems like ages since I've seen you and I've missed you! May has been a month of jet-setting fun for me and I hope you've enjoyed yourself, too, whatever you've been doing! Between Mother's Day and graduations, I know a lot of you have been busy with family celebrations.

Before I share some photos, I wanted to share a goofy birthday card I made for my chicken-loving friend from Wales:
The chickens are from Whipper Snapper Designs. I tried to design them so it looks like Goldie is giving Whitey a ride on a swing in the ol' barnyard. I colored the chickens and flowers directly with my Ziggies and then did a watercolor wash for the yard and sky. I touched up some areas with colored pencils. The clouds are from Lolly, the fence is from Susanne, the sediment is from GKW, and the little flowers are from my container full of little teeny stamps. 

Challenges

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Meeting More Crafty Friends

After my exciting adventure with my Eat Sleep Craft Repeated BC friends, I was home for a week and then I flew north again to spend a few days with these sweet ladies:
Left of me is Colleen (One Smile Lifts a Spirit) and 
right of me is Linda (Lin's Craft Corner

We were delighted to be joined part of the time by another special friend Marybeth (Marybeth's Time for Paper)! We all felt as if we'd known each other all our lives!
We stopped at a stamping store on the way from the airport (of course!) and the nice lady working there took a photo of the four of us. In the photo on the right we are standing behind a display of Poppystamp dies for crafting with felt which showcase Marybeth's own creations! 

Later we stopped to eat and the nice waiter took this photo of us:
He didn't believe us when we told him that some of us were strangers and we had just met each other at the airport for the first time. However, he did believe me when I told him that Colleen and Linda were twins and we were celebrating their birthday! We thought he knew I was joking until he showed up minutes later with free dessert pie and ice cream and two lit candles! Too funny! And very yummy!

As it happens, it IS Linda's birthday later in June, so we surprised her with a birthday party the next day:
That afternoon we were joined by Marybeth's sister, Marylou (far left):
Marylou felt right at home with the group, too! And the drinkie-poos were deleeshus!

Here's a collage of our fun time in Lin's Craft Corner!
Such happy memories were made! We have been trying to get together for a few years and one thing or another has always gotten in the way, so we were thrilled that it finally happened! Hammy and I thank you, Linda and Colleen, for making it possible with a special thanks to you, Lin, for opening your beautiful home to us!

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

I still have more photos of earlier in the month, but I'll share those another time. With all my travels I am several hundred emails and comments and blog visits behind; the kind of behind where you just have to clear the slate and start over. I know you understand, but if you wanted me to see something, please email me because I wouldn't want to miss it! Mwah!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

55 comments:

Darnell said...

Thank you for your wonderful comments! Hugs, Darnell

Heidi Weaver said...

Oh my, Darnell, those chickens are absolutely hilarious! (Has the one on the swing had a few nips at the bottle?) Love the looks on their faces. Love the way you've coloured them and created that little scene. How could one not have a lovely day, receiving this chicken card? Thanks so much for joining our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week. Oh, and it sure looks as if you had a wonderful time with your friends.

Aquarius said...

That is one seriously fun card - love it! Thanks for sharing the happy photos - you obviously all had a wonderful time!

kiwimeskreations said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kiwimeskreations said...

What a fun and fabulous card Darnell - who but you have Hammy would think up a scene like that. So glad to see you have had a wonderful crafty and social May. May you be inspired to keep crafting even more
Blessings
Maxine

Pat said...

Well Darnell you have been busy! Two crafting get togethers in a month, so exciting and you obviously had a great time. I adore your cute and fun chickens and a wonderful background scene for them too. x

frommycraftroom said...

Love your fun card.

You are having a blast. Glad you enjoyed the birthday dessert and the drinkies! :)

Marilyn said...

Fun card!, looks like you had a fun time with your friends!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

cuilliesocks said...

Love your fabulous fun chicken card, the images are brilliant and such a brilliant scene.
Super photos of you and your friends, looks like you all had a great meet up, Kate x

Jeanne said...

Your chicken card is fabulous, Darnell. So bright and cheerful. Who wouldn't want to see a chicken on a swing! And it seems it took a village to bring that card together. You have very generous friends. How lovely! Thank you for sharing photos from your trip. It looks like you all were meant to be together hearing how you connected and bonded so quickly in person. That is awesome. I look forward to seeing whatever you have to share. Hugs!

Fikreta said...

its so adorable card!
looks like you had fun!

Lisa said...

What a fun card!! Those chickens are too darn cute!! I love the scene you created!! And what fabulous pictures!! It looks like you all had such a wonderful, fun time!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Bonnie said...

The chickens quack me up, Dolly! They look like they have on their brightest, most fun duds and are having as good a time as you had with Lin, Col, Marybeth & Marylou! How could you not have a wonderful time in this group of ladies!

Vicki Dutcher said...

What a card to make you smile 😊 thanks for joining in at JUGS. How fun for you meeting even more stampers! How many has that been now! You jetsetter you!

Brenda in IN said...

The chicks are so adorable swinging and having fun. This is a cute scene. Thanks for sharing these fun pictures of you and the ladies. I can imagine what fun you all had and the pictures show it. What a great trip for you all to meet up and craft.

oldpunca said...

So sweet! Everything in this post. Your chicken card and your report about for a long time planned meeting. I'm happy for you to meet your friends and to have a great time.
Hugs,
Sonja

Lynette said...

Great card, and great pictures of your get-together! Ours is coming up very, very soon:)

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow!! It seems you have had a fabulous, fun and long time with all those crafter friends! Such great meetings! :D
Your chickens card is really fun and hilarious :D Surely your Wales friends have enjoyed it!
Hugs

Kara Lynne said...

Nothing like a swinging chicken! I mean, really, there is NOTHING like a swinging chicken! Such a fun card! Look at you all having a great time! I am so happy for you!

Macimbalo said...

Oh my goodness, this is so stinkin' cute! I love it- so fun! I'm sure she will love it too! And what fun you have been having! It's so nice to get together with crafty friends-your pictures just show the joy on your faces! Thanks for the inspiration Darnell! And thanks for sharing your creations with JUGS this week!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love the card, and the photos of everyone reminds me of our meeting. Such precious memories xoxo

Colleen said...

Oh Darnell, your pictures bring it all back. I LOVE them all and remember the fun times laughing and sharing our stories...that was a very funny story about our dessert at the restaurant! LOVE your hilarious chickie card too...you are one clever chick yourself!! Heart Hugs!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your chicken card is so fun and I am sure it will be loved by your friend as well. I know I sure liked it a lot and had to smile when seeing it. Thanks for sharing the good times you had with your friends too. It looks like a fabulous time together.

Gerrina said...

Those chicks are hilarious!!
And so super that you have met again some crafty friends!
Look like a fin time again!
And so you expirience that there are so many fine, friendly crafty friends... Hugs, Gerrina

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Super cute chicken card and how nice you were able to get away for a crafting retreat!

nancy littrell said...

Your chickens are the cutest! Almost as cute as your new IRL girlfriends. TFS all your fun photos. You sure had a beautiful craft room for all your creating.

Funny, funny story at the restaurant:-) Only you would think of fooling the waiter and not thinking he would actually believe you! Miss you dear friend, Hugs..

Susan said...

You lucky stamper, Darnell - getting to have a second crafting get-together just weeks after our retreat!! It looks like you all got along so well and had a super time, eating, drinking, shopping, and crafting!!

Your chicken card brought a smile to my face - just the thought of a chicken on a swing is enough to make me smile again!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Your friend will love ithe chicken card.

How nice that you got to meet more blogging friends.

Hope you are having a good start to the week. Sue

Leslie Miller said...

So much fun in this post! Starting right off, your chicken card made me smile and snorfel. Their expressions are so happy, much like you lovely ladies who look like you were having such a good time! Is that actually Lin's craft room? Ohhhh, how wonderful! I used to have a monthly stamp group at my house, but had to haul everything out to the dining room. We'd have a big lunch first, then get down to crafting. It was such a good time! Always mean to start up again, but have a smaller table now. Where there's a will there's a way, though. I'm glad Hammy was able to go along. I know everyone loves to meet him!

Brenda said...

Your chicken card is just to cute and makes me smile Auntie! I know your friend will love it too as what's not to love?!! Love seeing the photo's of your meet ups. That's the way I felt when I met up with Momma Mary, like we knew each other our whole lives. So glad this opportunity came together for you all-all you ladies look fabulous!! Hugs, Brenda

Marybeth said...

What a darling chicken card for your friend!
Loved spending a few days with you again for a bit longer this time.! I think I just might link everyone to your blog you always say it so well!
As I said missed you all as soon as we drove off. Heart hugs

Patti said...

Your post made me "crunchy" my BFF's term for getting choked up!! I love reading about all the fun you had!! You ladies are treasures!!

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

Kathleen said...

A gorgeous bright and beautiful card, super fun images and a fabulous background.
Fantastic photo's too.

Kath x

Linda said...

What an adorable card for your friend. Great post on all of us getting to meet for the first time. I posted some of the same pictures too. I truly enjoyed meeting you and Marybeth and it was something I will cherish always. Can't wait till we meet again. Love & Hugs, my friend. Lin

Tracey McNeely said...

Holy smokes so fun to get together with these lovely ladies! Loved seeing all the pictures and hearing about your fun adventure. Isn't it quite amazing that so many people are getting together and meeting one another these days? So many retreats and so many people making the extra effort to meet up and someone's home! It is so heartwarming. Love your chicken card, and I am sure your friend will too!

Carol L said...

I love the chickadees in the barnyard with that rickety fence! Too cute! Great photos of your stamping friends too - I'm so glad you're able to travel and meet so many wonderful stampers/bloggers! Thanks for sharing your photos with us as you get to meet all these wonderful ladies! Life is good :)

Christine Alexander said...

you are so lucky, two craft retreats in a month :) Great photos you look like you had another awesome time.
Love your little chickens reminds me of Chicken Run the movie :)

Lisa Elton said...

Popping in for a quick hello Darnell! This reno has taken up all of my extra time. I took a stroll back through your blog and love each and every lovely little work of art I've missed. But my favorite are the photos of you with your lovely bloggy friends! Those smiles say it all!

Redanne said...

Oh Darnell, I love the goofy chicken card, it is guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone's face and the design is very clever too!

How lovely to see your pictures of your adventures with your crafty friends! It never ceases to amaze me how total strangers (crafty ones anyway!) have that instant bond and can chat away for hours as if they had known each other for years... I just loved seeing your happy smiling faces! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Craftychris said...

Gorgeously fun card and I love your happy photos. Looks like a lot of fun for you beautiful ladies and Hammy too of course! Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sarah said...

What a fun card Darnell and it looks like you chicks had fun of your own ! xx

Sharyn Polesel said...

Your chickens are SUPER cute! Love them!

Cheryl W. said...

Awesome chicken card! Your friend will love it. Thanks for sharing the photos of your fun time with crafty friends. I am amazed at all the trips you take to meet up with crafty friends.

Anita in France said...

Cute chicks, Darnell ... that can be said for your riot of a card and your fabulous photo's!! Looks as though you had so much fun ... happy, smiling, lovely faces ... and such happy memories! LYAMYMA ... LFTCLITW! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Sharron said...

Fun, fun card--love the chicks! TFS the wonderful photos! So happy to see that you all were able to get together and share some fun and special times. Glad to see Hammy was there to join in!!

Mac Mable said...

What a wonderful post. What amazing memories for you to last a lifetime. You sure did look like you all had fun x Talking of fun what a great card, full of colour and loving the scene making. x

Ruth said...

What a fabulous fabulous blog post and so nice to see you all having a whale of a time finally getting together. How funny about the waiter and the cake! You do make me laugh. I love the chicken card too. It made me think of that song 'There ain't nobody here but us chickens' and I think I'll have that going round my head for some time.... xx

ionabunny said...

You know I looked at this card, then I read the blurb. I loved the names, so I looked at the card again and it struck me that goldie doesn't know her own strength and has just pushed whitey so hard that the swing strings broke and he is now hurtling towards me and will shortly exit the card for a quick rotation around the planet before coming back to earth with a resounding thump! Or is it just me? Love it and can't wait for the next chapter. Hugz

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

I don't know about animal antics, but you seem to be having plenty of fun yourself on your travels Darnell! Love your chicken pair - perfect for me as a chicken-loving Welsh person too (who knew?!) I'm sure this is what my chickens get up to when I'm not looking! Thanks for playing along with my theme challenge over at The Paper Players this week!

Claire Broadwater said...

First Darnell, I have to tell you how much I enjoyed seeing all your photos! What a fun time with all your crafty friends! Thrilled you got to spend that special time together!

Love this chicken pair! Your chicken loving gf will cherish it! Such a fantastic scene! I don't think I have ever seen a chicken smile! (I grew up on a farm in IN). Chickens scare me! LOL! Thank you for joining us at The Paper Players this week! XX

Nancy said...

This warms my heart in so many ways! So happy you finally made this happen! I to have had the pleasure of meeting both Linda and Colleen in person and they are the Absolute sweetest people ever! In fact, I am headed out there a month from today and Colleen being the sweetheart that she is is picking hubby and I up at the airport to spend two days with her and her hubby! I can't wait! Then my son and his wife are joining us later that week! Your card is super cute! There is so much dimension here! Have a fabulous day!

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Well, I have to be biased towards a card showing a fellow feathered friend.
Great advert for KFC.........Knauss's Funny Chicken.
Looks like you had a lovely time with your chums. Cant believe its nearly 2 years since you were sharing a burger with us Brits.
Just shows what a smashing and popular gal you are.
Ang x

Helen F. said...

Your chix card is just too darn cute, Darnell! LOVE the pics of you awesome ladies on your get-together-adventure! You all look FABULOUS and I can just imagine how much fun you had :o)

Susanne Vargas said...

Your chicken card is so fun and cheerful! Puts a big smile on my face!
I always enjoy reading about your crafty get togethers and looking at photos of you all having a blast! Thanks for sharing!

Bobby said...

I've missed you too, Darnell. I'm so far behind in commenting that you'll be inundated with emails, if they go through. I forgot about that darn glitch. I'm pushing on anyway. Your chicken card is such a hoot. It must be nice to be able to meet up with friendly strangers. We all do seem like we've know each other forever don't we/