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, 2019

Reminder Twofer Card Challenge #15 - Zoo Animals

Hello Stamplings,

I'm sitting here ramrod straight cuz if I slouch or move too much, everything hurts. I spent the last few days spring cleaning every closet and drawer in the house. Thankfully, it's a small house, but these old bones and mussels aren't used to being that active that long.

Oh, but it's worth it! Everything looks so purdy all clean with room to breath. I've been dying to try Marie Kondo's way of folding clothes and I do like seeing all my tops color-coordinated and tucked up in rows smiling at me. It's very satisfactory, especially since between the folding and the purging, I emptied an entire large dresser drawer in the process. I gave it to the Mister who has suffered for years with his clothes being squished into a small dresser (pursuant to Rule of Marriage #23).

~~~

Today I have a reminder for you about the Twofer Card Challenge where we are having fun playing with our Z🐒🐘 ANIMALS.
As you can see, my shared zoo animal is the cute little baby elephant from W Plus 9's "Bubble Talk" set.

It's EZPZ to make two conventional ~ but different ~ designs using a zoo aminal! Have you got a sloth, flamingo, camel, penguin, kangaroo, otter, koala, hippo, lion, or? I can't wait to see what you choose to play with! You have until the end of day on April 24th!


Onefer
Here the baby is seen in a rare photograph with her mama for the cover of a Mother's Day card. The mama elephant was made by Fiskars. They were stamped and watercolored on mixed media paper. The sediment is from HLS gold heat-embossed to match the gold schplatters ala Hammy.

I was worried after I made the card that I had paired the baby with a daddy elephant for a Mother's Day card. I mean, not that it matters today with everybody rightly filling every role, but I was curious so I went back again to my research window. This time Dr. Google assured me that African mama elephants have tusks. He also told me that the little tusks on Asian mama elephants are called tushes, not tusks. Seriously. I thought all things had tushes, you know, to sit on, but once again we learn a word can have more than one meaning!

Twofer
And who knew that a little baby African elephant could have such enormous lung capacity?! This birthday card is literally screaming party! The bubbles are "Loopy Rings" from Memory Box. The dotty rectangle die is from Avery Elle.

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

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! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor! Rats, I just realized I forgot to thank the clothes that no longer sparked joy and were sent to a charity. What happens now?

*Life is too short!

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56 comments:

Stamps and Paper said...

Just catching up after a week away in the Cotswolds..Love your elephant cards Darnell they are cute

Anne

Tina Z. said...

both elephant cards are super cute, I love the colours and those bubbles are amazing.
crafty hugs xx

Carol L said...

How cute are these foofants?! (my daughter called them that before she could say elephant) Both cards are cute, and I'm really liking all those rings/bubbles too! I vowed last week I was going to go through one drawer each day and purge what I no longer use. That lasted for 2 drawers! LOL Tell me your secret to keep going please! BTW, I quacked up over the little tidbit on the back of your card in reference to chocolate covered raisins at Easter! You are toooooooooo funny :)

Dotty Jo said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell, and great Two-fering again! Jo x

Julie B said...

Nothing better than a neatly organised drawer or wardrobe, its a v satisfying feeling. The only problem is that it never stays that way. The sun is so bright that it showing up the cobwebs that have been lurking in the dark recess, they'll have to stay a little longer unless I can enlist the OH in spidercide.
Your elephants are v cute by the way! :)

Jacquie Southas said...

Adorable use of the Loopy Rings die (will file this one in the CASE folder)and your little elephant is from Wplus9! I'm off to sand & paint a bathroom so anticipating sore muscles tomorrow. How awesome you emptied a whole set of drawers - after lugging around way too many clothes for a couple big moves I went full Marie Kondo on my closet a while ago and wonder why I didn't do it sooner.

Mac Mable said...

What darling cards and super cute. Love the bubbles from the playful party card and the adorable image with the Mother's day card. Perfect little elephant for these two perfect cards x.
I learn so much when I pop in and today is no different...great research on 'tushes'....thank you x
Well done you on doing some Spring cleaning and no wonder you feel so much better.....even if the bones and muscles don't xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Sorry for your "old bones", Darnell :) Spring cleaning are true killers! :D
Love the cute baby elephant, how sweet!! Two lovely cards!

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnell, sorry to hear that your suffering after your Spring Clean, but must be worth it all. Plenty of soaks in a warm bath with some nice smellies.

Two adorable cards, baby ellies are always so cute, lovely designs and colours, take care, Kate x

Patti said...

Great cards! and so perfectly colored!! you're really ... cleaning up! for this challenge!... sorry I couldn't help myself LOL

Liz said...

Two super, cute cards, Darnell. You've done some great research into tucks and tushes. I must admit I didn't know what tushes you sit on, so I googled it and came up with this definition for tushes - "a long pointed tooth, in particular a canine tooth of a male horse". I guess tushes are different in the US..... unless you have teeth growing in unusual places!!

Well done on your spring cleaning, it's something on my to do list but think it will be well past spring before it gets to the top of the list! xx

Sandra H said...

Both cards are super cute Darnell l just love the elephants and well done with your spring cleaning l am of the same become so sore after cleaning out but the rewards are there knowing all is clean enjoy your day you earned it x

Lisa Elton said...

Cute and cute!! The baby ellie is adorable. Sorry about your aches and pains. Feel better soon ;)

Cris G. said...

Sad to hear about your pains, Darnell. They are not funny at all... ask me how I know. Hope that by now you are already feeling like you could go out for a dancing matinee :)!

I just love a scene of baby elephant and mammy. They always look so sweet and tender, despite a few extra pounds :). Then there are the adorable "Loopy Rings" that every kid loves. Two adorable cards!

Hugs,
Cris

Kathleen said...

Brilliant lobe them both.

Kath x

Nancy said...

Loved reading your post about tushes...LOL. These are both darling cards! I sure hope I get to join you this month! I am a huge elephant fan so both these cards I really enjoyed. Thanks for linking up with us at Seize the Birthday!

jimlynn said...

Both of your cards are so cute - and fun! Love them
Hope you got all those ants out of your pants with the cleaning business. That's not fun and yes, it does make the body hurt. But, it'll all look so nice now.
Lynn

Pat said...

Your Twofers are great Darnell, very cleverly done, with Mama elephant and offspring making the perfect Mother's Day card and love that watercoloured background and gold spattering, and then lots of bubbles blown by that sweet little ellie, or that must be one very large champers bottle...lol. The large pierced rectangle certainly makes a statement too. You are just trying to show us all up with your frantic spring cleaning and clearing. Either I have the will and no time, or lots of time but no enthusiasm to get started on it. You wouldn't like to come over and get mine sorted would you? x

Fikreta said...

Fabulous cards !

Donna said...

Both darling cards, I could not pick a favorite! I've done a few drawers Marie Kondo style and I still smile every time I open them.

Lisa said...

They're both so sweet and adorable!! I love the baby elephants!! How cute to pair it with its Momma for Momma's Day!! And the bubbles are fabulous!! I need to so some serious spring cleaning and purging. Especially in the disaster area I call a craft room!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Cheryl W. said...

Oh, man, did your elephants take me on a trip down memory lane--especially that baby one in the twofer card. As I looked at that card I suddenly remembered when I was about 8 years old I won a bubble-blowing elephant! It was battery operated with a little dish that was filled with a liquid soap solution. When turned on, the elephant's head moved down to the dish, where the trunk dipped into the soapy solution, then up to blow bubbles from its trunk. It worked quite well, and I loved it! How did I win it, you ask? For my [ahem] artwork, as only an 8-year-old can produce. Every Saturday morning, I watched a local TV program that taught children how to draw. We were to send our drawings in to the station and a winner was selected. I was delighted when my butterfly won the weekly prize! All this is to say, I LOVE your cards!!!

Chrissie said...

Love your baby elephant, I reckon he's W plus 9! I sent you a pic to compare! There are so many cute critters if I get a moment when I've returned Cleo to her mummy and daddy today I must have a go at this challenge... And I do find it quite a challenge too, is tricky for me to come up with two ideas!
Both cards are super cute!
Well done with the clean out... I removed a bunch of stuff from my wardrobe but it was because it had all mysteriously shrunk!
May your pain soon ease!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards. I knew that both males and females had tusks. I didn't know Indian Elephant female tusks are known as Tushes.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Barb Ghig said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cat Craig said...

Darling cards Darnell. Wish I had something appropriate with me for the challenge...but timing was not on my side this time.

Anita in France said...

Such dreamy colouring on your mummy and baby card, Darnell ... and of course, Hammy's schplattering is perfect with it! That party elephant is adorable ... and so fun ... I'm thinking those are champagne bubbles ... that or he's had too much dish liquid!! No wonder you're pooped after all that cleaning, tidying and purging ... you've been Kondo'd ... how glorious to have it just as you like it! LYAMYHMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Linda said...

How cute are these...... love the baby elephant
Well done on your Spring cleaning too. I love a good clear out xx

Jean said...

THese cards are the best!! Want to come to my house and purge? I should do that more. I did take 4 boxes to good will earlier this week.

Marilyn said...

Cute cards! I really need to do that kind of spring cleaning but I know I will have aches and pains afterwards also.
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Em Louise Fairley said...

These are gorgeous! I am still intending to play... just hope I'll have time to complete the cards!

oldpunca said...

Super cute elephant twofer! I always use a grown up and baby elephant for a baby card. It is great idea to use them on mother's day card as well. As I saw little elephant blowing the bubbles, I try to imagine, how loud might it be in the house, if his wishes were not heard. :-)
I better skip the part where you wrote about cleaning the house. :-))
Happy Easter!
Hugs, Sonja

Brenda in IN said...

I'm with you, Marie and I are becoming very good buddies. I'm not sore yet so I must not be doing something right. These cards are so sweet. I love the baby with his mom and her tushes. The party elephant blowing bubbles makes me happy.

OH Babs said...

Another fun day of creativeness from your neck of the woods. B

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your Twofers are so gorgeous. I hope I can find time to play after Easter if I am not too bushed from all the family activity. Just not a good time and I don't want to pull out a lot of supplies right now. Between the Easter preps and a funeral it has been quite hectic.

conil said...

Tushes? Could that be a misprint? For goodness sake! Anyway, what fun both these cards are. Love elephants, they always make me smile.
Perhaps, now that your closets and drawers are done, you'd like to use your new found skills on mine...just asking?

Susan said...

Darnell, I'm so impressed that you tackled every drawer and closet over a few days! I can only face doing a little bit of that at a time. But you've inspired me to do one particularly bad cupboard today (it's pouring with rain so can't go out and garden, and have told Tessa in no uncertain terms that we will only have a short walk). Love your twofer reminder cards - the Mother's Day card is perfect with the little elephant looking up adoringly at the mama elephant. And having the elephant blowing all those bubbles out of his trunk is brilliant! Thanks for increasing my vocabulary too - I certainly didn't know "tushes" had another meaning or that there were different words for male and female tusks.

Redanne said...

Oh my goodness, well done on the spring clean, you make me feel guilty now that I have not started yet.... will have to catch up when I feel a bit better!

Both elephant cards are wonderful, I just love the adorable baby and mama with her tushes is very beautiful and stately looking. The bubbles, as always, is a very clever idea for the second card! Hugs, Annie xxx

Barb Ghig said...

It's always fun to visit your blog :)

I love all of your watercoloring on the ellies and your background on your Mother's Day card is gorgeous, Darnell! I'm also in love with the loopy rings you chose for the birthday card...so fun! And your border is perfect with your card base! Do I spy alcohol inking on the blue card base? it's so pretty!

I finally finished my Twofer cards and posted them to your challenge blog...so sorry I've been running late the last few months! I hope your old bones are starting to feel better after cleaning all those closets and drawers...I'm sure it feels great to complete those projects! Sending hugs...Barb xx

Bonnie said...

That bubble blowing baby makes me laugh, Dolly! It brings back memories of Jack loving to make bubbles. And it's nice to know that Asian mama elephants can have more than one tush!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, the pain. Oh, the joy! That's real sticktoitiveness, Darnell. I'm an anti-hoarder, so I know the feeling. Also know the pain as I spent two afternoons in the garden. Already had an injured, but healing, foot with which I should be taking it easy, but I just can't stay down for long. First sunshine in weeks(?)! I hope your pain doesn't last long. I learned something new while viewing your cute little cards, so thanks for that! Tushes? Really? I absolutely love how you did the bubbles on the birthday card, and the two ellies make the sweetest Mother's Day card. I've sure been enjoying all the zoo animals in the Twofer gallery. BTW, I received the cutest Easter card today. Some people are so thoughtful, and I appreciate the reminder about the faux raisins.

frommycraftroom said...

Love the baby elephant!

Hope you're feeling better it must be so satisfying to have a whole house tidy. I had spur of "spring" cleaning in late summer but still have more to do! in a house of 6 there is always something to purge!! I am working on using up things ;)

Bobby said...

Kudos to you for doing some cleaning and purging, Darnell. I need to do some myself but it will NOT mean giving my mister another drawer. Fortunately he hangs most of his stuff.
Mama and Baby look mighty fine on the MD card and I love that bubble ring. That darling elephant tempted me to make my card using him but I couldn't think of two ways to do it like you did,

Nora Noll said...

GENIUS!! So fun!! I love the little elephants you used and the one with the bubbles is so adorable!! GREAT take on the challenge. I wanted to do this but have no mojo with the zoo!!

Greta said...

2 darling elephant cards, Darnell! Good for you doing all that purging & organizing! I got my sock drawer done, so at this rate I'll finish when I'm 90!

kiwimeskreations said...

Love those Nellyphants Darnell - and I am so glad Hammy was not afeared by them and could contribute to your fabulous mother's day card. The wee fellow blowing bubbles is really having fun!!
Blessings
Maxine

Celeste Goff said...

Two absolutely beautiful cards!

TK said...

Novel, I say! I never would've gotten Mother's Day out of a baby elephant, but you have that knack! Two fun cards! Love the ellies...

Kuni said...

Such a cute card, love the little elephant.
Thank you for joining us at the Sweet Stampers and i hope to see you again.
Hugs
Kuni

Colleen said...

Darnell, I love your party animals and the two-fer! that darling little elephant celebrating with bubbles is just too cute and clever, my friend!
Thank you for sharing this at Seize the Birthday!

Cathy said...

Sweet elephant cards Darnell, and who knew that tusks could be tushes! Wanted to play along this month but time is going too quickly!! Cathy x

Pia S said...

They’re both so adorable. Look at that baby elephant admiring his mama. As I believe they do in real life. I’m actually reading a novel now where elephants play a major role, and it’s touching how they grieve the loss of a close one, like we humans do. Also love the concept of the bubbles on your second card, definitely party style!

Glenda J said...

Hope you've recovered!
These cards are both fantastic! Especially love the one with the bubbles - such a clever idea.
Thanks for playing along with Seize the Birthday.

Marlena M. said...

Aw I love both of your cards Darnell! I always learn something here too...good to know about the tusks. I didn't even think about it! I'm challenged by your challenge, which makes it a good challenge. ;) Took me awhile to figure out what zoo animals I owned and I'm glad I made the deadline!

Loll said...

Sweet twofer cards using that adorable baby elephant, Dolly! I love the mixed media background on your first card. The baby and mamma elephants stand out agains the beautiful mix of colours. Your second card is adorable with the sweet watercolouring elephant. Those large bubble rings are just perfect and do say "Party"! Love, Lolly

JD/ Jill said...

Your zoo animal cards are just adorable.

I was getting ready to do some house cleaning today...but then

I sat down at the computer instead...and of course, many MINUTES later...I am still sitting here...