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 27, 2019

Summer Breezes and Winter Wishes

Hello Stamplings!

We are traveling through the seasons today, much like Mother Nature did to us this past winter. We never knew from one minute to the next what would be transpiring in the weather department. You might say these major changes in climate have turned us all into ballerinas because Mother Nature keeps us on our toes!

You thought I was segueing into a card with a ballerina, dinnit you? Nope, just to say that here in Blogland, everything is always clement, no matter what's happening outside.

Onefer
And what's happier than a cluster of puffy dancing dandelions? This playful image is by Purple Onion. I added some grasses with an old wooden My Sentiments Exactly grass stamp and colored the scene with my Ziggies. Then Hammy hopped onto his pogo stick and tapped out some little tiny black dots to give the impression of blowing dandelion fuzz. And, finally, I added glossy accents which turned the little puffballs a little creamy in the sunshine. The wonky stitching is from MFT and the sediment is an old favorite from PTI.

Challenges
Help yourself to our buddy buttonUnser Logo zum Mitnehmen! / Our logo to take away!
Twofer
Whooshing over to winter, I present a QACAS ETM card. I used my NBUS MFT Striped Sentiment Strip Cover Up die over a Lawn Fawn plaid background. Then I added some die-cut match-y snowflakes and a fun foam NBUS Cutplorations sediment from STAMPlorations.

Challenges
Spring in the Garden

Bringing us right back to Mother Nature, I am leaving you with this sweet photo of a little hummingbird just outside my Playhouse window. (The lines in the foreground are the pulls from my window blinds.)
The succulents in the window box below the window are blooming and this sweet little gal is ignoring the sugar water I put in the feeder in favor of the delishus nectar of the flowers. Sometimes she settles on one of the stems to drink and I find myself staring at her for long minutes several times a day. Between this and the live eagle cams, now you understand why I haven't made it around to visit you this week! 😍

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* I hope you have clement weather over the weekend!

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!

*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!)

78 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Love both cards.

Our weather has been weird as well. We are now in aa cold and wet spell, after a spell of dry and warm/hot weather.

You are so lucky to have Hummingbirds. Such beautiful little birds.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Pat said...

I love the sweet PO puffy and glossy dandelions and a lovely sentiment, and the spotlight idea with the circular frame continuing the scene across the edges looks great, and then the pretty plaid with tbe cover plate dìe works well for Christmas and the sentiment with the backing shadow finishes it perfectly. I must say red plaid is one of my favourite looks for seasonal cards. What a fabulous photo of the hummer Darnell. If I had them come visit right outside my window I'd never get anything done. x

Bunny said...

I remember my mother wouldn't let us pick and blow the dandelions if they were in our yard. Weeds she'd say. But we could pick them from other people's yards. Love both of your cards. The hummingbird is pretty and a joy to always look at. I, too, love watching the bird cams. The bear cams in Alaska are fun to watch, too. [Bunny]`

ionabunny said...

Hi Darnell, your first card is really cute and fun. Wow for the bright xmas plaid and thanks for the Rudolf days reminder. I have been so busy trying to keep some orphan baby rabbits fed I had totally forgotten. Fabulous hummingbird picture. So cute. Hugz

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

We had some storms over night, but awoke to sunny skies! Albeit cooler! I love your sweet purple onion flower card. The circle around it is just right and what a great script on that sentiment. The Christmas plaid is perfect too. Love your hummingbird! I am still waiting for ours to get back from their trip, I mean migration.

Lisa said...

Both cards are so beautiful!! I love the pretty puffy dandelions!! So creative the way you surrounded them!! The winter wishes card is gorgeous!! I love the pretty hummingbird picture!! Our first one of the season stopped by earlier this week and I'm so happy they're back!! I could spend hours (and sometimes do) watching them, too :) Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Marilyn said...

Cute cards Darnell! Love he hummingbird photo
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

I Card Everyone said...

Plaid, and puffballs in one post? Be still my heart! I do love Purple Onion images. Both darling, D!
I'm always so happy to see your flitting friends, too... adorable little buggers - can't wait for ours to come home!
=]

stampwithamyk said...

Sweet cards! Love both of your designs, awesome die cut sentiment on your winter project. Thanks for joining us at Fab Friday, hope to see you again soon!

PS - Your humming bird photo is fabulous! :)

Brenda in IN said...

These little puffballs are so cute. Then one must spray the yard! It's a shame they are so cute and fluffy before they become pests. Pretty lime circle frame to showcase them. The plaid card is a surprise Christmas card. I love the unconventional colors and unique design. Aren't hummingbirds the greatest! They are so very tiny and their wings are so fast. What a fantastic view you have. I'd never get anything done. Well, I hardly do anyway and I don't have hummingbirds.

Donna said...

Stunning cards, great designs Darnell and fantastic picture of your hummingbird! Happy weekend!

jimlynn said...

Great hummingbird picture. They're cute little guys aren't they!
Both of your cards are fantastic as always. Love the puffy flowers!
Lynn

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wonderful card designs. They are so well made. And I love the photo of your garden with the hummingbird. That is so cool. We seldom see them anymore as I don't plant flowers.

Fikreta said...

Very nice cards!
have a great weekend!

Lisa Elton said...

Love them both Darnell! Your dandelions are much cuter than those sprouting up in our neighborhood!

Nora Noll said...

oh WOW!! I absolutely LOVE that dandelion card. Who knew weeds could look so GORGEOUS!! Your winter card is so lovely with the bright colors and the fun foam sentiment. I LOVE it!! GREAT cards!

designbydonna said...

Love your dandelions--as long as they stay on a card and don't blow into my yard. The DH would have a fit. In honor of spring, I made a dandelion card this week too. Love the bright plaid and thumbs up for getting a Christmas card done early.

Sandra H said...

Wow how lucky are you to have this adorable Hummingbird outside your window what a lovely sight as are your wonderful cards all of them are amazing and l like the little dots on and surrounding the dandelions beautifully done as always enjoy 😉 your weekend x

Christine Alexander said...

OK Darnell, I now have a song (Summer Breeze) on continuous replay in my mind :)
I love your card with the little purple onion stamp, such an adorable image in those wonderful soft colours. Your Christmas card is the perfect masculine card.
Only a couple of weeks now XXX

Sarah said...

Perfect that you should share those pretty dandelions today Darnell, they have just bloomed over here and added bright sunny yellow spots to our paddocks and hedgerows!! Love the design of your Christmas card, one of my favourite colour combos actually. Lovely shot of that busy little bird, how lucky you are to have such a privileged view xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Oh, such a dream could seeing a hummingbird drinking by your own flowers out of the window!! You are so lucky!! :D Here there aren't hummingbirds!!
Beautiful both your cards, especially love those puffy dancing dandelions! :)
Hugs

JD/ Jill said...

Two great cards! The first one reminds me of our yard with the dandelions! It also reminds me of my Grandmother she used to like to make Dandelion tea.
Everytime I see one of your hummingbird pictures it makes me wish the hummingbirds would come back to our yard again. Last year I saw ONE hummingbird in our yard after many years of not seeing them. It was only in are yard for a very short time, and by the time, I ran to get Jim so he could see it too...It was gone. Hope you have a great weekend! Blessings, Jill

P.S. I sent you an email.

Cat Craig said...

Love the frame around your dandelion card, such a nice way to add more impact tothe focal point. I never would have thought to lay that coverplate over the plaid...but I love it.

Thanks too for sharing that sweet lil hummer. So cool that you got her with her beak fully immersed in that nectar bloom. Awesome.

Jean said...

Such fun cards. Love your photo of the hummer. Supposed to snow here tonight in Michigan.

Redanne said...

The puffy dancing dandelions are beautiful, I love how the image continues over the central frame. Hammy did a brilliant job with his pogo stick too!

The Christmas card is beautiful too, I love the colours.

Oh how I envy you seeing those delightful hummingbirds, this little lady is just gorgeous and you have taken the most wonderful photo of her. Hugs, Annie xxx

Carol L said...

I have a whole yard filled with dandelions, so I can relate to the first card! LOL Love the plaid with the winter make but that photo of the hummer is priceless! You have a knack for taking amazing photos! Beautiful!

Kathleen said...

Super posts, super cards, especially the lovely CAS dandelion card.

Kath x

Sharon Underwood said...

Love your cards, Darnell! The colors are fantastic. Also enjoyed the hummingbird! I just got a few flowers out in my container garden.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

What inspiration to see right outside your window, it's a moment captured that i'd love to pause and just look then look a little bit more.
Living in England the weather always keeps us on our toes no matter the season but the rain is harder and the sun stronger when it shines.
Beautiful cards, I love the stitched surround of your first and that fab sentiment. Your Winter card is a nudge that C(hristmas) will soon be here...
I really need to be more prepared this year, you can remind me I said this in April when i'm panicking in November that i've not made one single card hee hee!! Thanks for sharing Darnell Happy Weekend Hugs Tracey xx

frommycraftroom said...

Yep mother nature been mixing it up here to! t-shirts the other day now sitting here in my thick wool jumper & thermals!
Love the cards. The purple onion image is so cute.
What a lovely distraction! Enjoy

Celeste Goff said...

Two absolutely amazing cards Darnell...both representative of the bi-polar weather Mother Nature has been throwing at us lately!

Leslie Miller said...

Sweet dandelion card! I love how you gave it so much character and style while still maintaining the simplicity. Cutest stamp! Now look at the dimension of the foamy sentiment on your twofer! You're way ahead of the game with a Christmas card so YAY! Amazing how the plaid matches up with the color challenge. Good eye, Darnell! So, those are succulents the hummingbird is enjoying? They look tall and beautiful! Still mostly just azaleas at my house, aside from the cherry tree and a few spring bulbs and lots and lots of wind these last few days. Darn wind!

Trina P. said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell. Your dandelion card drew me in. It!s simply adorable. Great colors and beautifully designed. xx

Cheryl W. said...

Those dandelions look so summery, and I'm really hoping you'll send some warm breezes our way. The temps here will dip to the freezing mark tonight, so jackets are still the outfit du jour. I love your Christmas card with the stripey die-cut. Now you've got me wondering if I could make my own version of that card. You don't mind a little thievery of your ideas, do you?

Gerrina said...

It is a wonder you get to making cards with so much beauty to look at!
I think your first card is super! CAS and modern and fresh; a great combination! And the 2nd is one I don't want to think about...I want to enjoy warm weather...but today first a rainy day.... Hugs, Gerrina

luvhymns said...

I know that purple onion stamp.... I have it. But you made it come alive. Beautiful card.

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two fantastic cards Darnell and a beautiful photo of the lovely hummingbird.

Sue xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell...you are so lucky to have hummingbirds in your garden...the weather here is also very changeable its quite cold and very windy here at the moment, roll on the summer

Anne

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell .... love the super cute dandelions.
Our weather is always a little unpredictable ..... always have to be prepared for anything here xx

BożenA said...

WOW, Darnell! Your first card looks stunning. I love the whole project. I love how you cut a circle out of a picture and how you used colors. A wonderful spring card. The second card is a beautiful Christmas card proposal. White makes it a cold winter character. Well, and the picture is just brilliant !! I envy such views from the window.
Hugs,
BożenA

Bonnie said...

Sweet puffy dandelions, Dolly! Love the spring green watercolor and circle frame! Awesome matching of snowflakes and winter sentiment to go with the warm, cozy plaid paper! Kudos for using up some of the paper stash. That's something I need to do. You hummer is adorable and looks like she's suspended from the flower. Her little wings are beating so fast that they're invisible. Thanks for sharing her.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the trip through the seasons; that's what our weather does here in Ontario. I love the plaid on your Christmas card and the dimensional sentiment! thank you so much for playing along with the Rudolph Days Challenge.

Linda
Rudolph Days Challenge DT

HilaryJane said...

Love that first card, very clever highlighting with the circle frame, subtle and effective. You are so lucky to be able to see humming birds from your window. If that was me I would get nothing done except daydreaming and watching the wildlife xx

Pia S said...

Two beautiful cards, Darnell. The one with dandelions caught my attention as soon as I saw it, I think the circle frame and small dots are great design additions.

Rosmarie said...

Uh, I thought I wouldn't make it to the end of the comments list, it's soooooo long....! Ha ha
I am dazzled by the simplicity and the beauty of your puffy dancing dandelions, Darnell! - I just love them! ...and Hammy did a great job by adding some dandelion fuzz! ;)
Very beautiful Christmas card too! - It's really pretty with the plaid pattern in the back! .....and how lucky you are to have hummingbirds in your garden!!
Thank you so much for playing with us at DotMCC this month again!
Hugs, Rosi

Jane said...

Lovely cards Darnell, thanks for linking up your sweet puffy dancing dandelions to our Spring/Easter challenge over at Country View xx

Heather said...

Sp pretty, Darnell - love that plaid! Such a cool design for a great winter card! Thanks so much for playing at Fab Friday!

Greta said...

Oh wow--amazing picture of the hummer, Darnell! They truly are mesmerizing! Both great cards, but the Christmas one takes top honors for me--love it!

Bobby said...

All is forgiven because I would be mesmerized by the nearness of a hummingbird too, Danrell. I love to sit at my dining room table and just watch a variety of birds on my feeders. Your little dandy lions are so cute and that chartreuse circle draws attention to them. Christmas is coming faster that we think so it's great to see a card celebrating the season in plaid and stripes.

Carole said...

Two fab cards Darnell....love the CAS design on the first one and the lovely bright colours and die on the second one. Weather here is changeable too, we have gone from summer to winter, to spring again all in the space of 10 days! xx

Loll said...

Your puffy dandelions are awesome. Love this design with the round frame and the outside-the-edge stamping. Fantastic!! Your winter card is so sweet with the pretty plaid background.

Your hummer really steals the show. Have to say your photography skills are excellent. That is one amazing picture of her drinking from the flower. Isn't nature beautiful??!! Love, Lolly

sandie said...

Hello Hon, sorry not been around much, not feeling it at the moment-you know how it goes! I was wondering when looking at your card-where did those dots come from at the top-now I know-hammy hepled! Makes the card even more 'playful' and these sweet whimsical flowers are so fun-love the design of this card and fab to see at Time Out

papierelle said...

A pretty little stylized dandelion. It does not take more to put it in the limelight. Thank you for showing us the card in our new Challenge of DotMCC.
Your winter card is very different but also very nice. And a hummingbird in front of the window, that takes my breath away, I love these little wonderful birds.
Gundi

Sharyn Polesel said...

I love reading your blog and wish I had your gift of gab. You make me smile! Your onefer is adorable! I, for one, love a dancing dandelion and this stamp set is perfect. Your twofer has such fun color and I love the die cut sentiment. Have a wonderful day, sweet friend. Hugs, Sharyn

KandA said...

I LOVE the dandelion card with the colours and circle. Why is it we teach our kids to blow the dandelion heads and then regret it when they pop up all over the garden! Fabulous christmas design and the foam sentment is great xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell, and that hummer is stunning! xoxo

Whisper said...

Oooo what a stunning pair of cards. I love the way on the Xmas card, you have used the die.

Your photo of the hummingbird bird, reminds me of being back in Peru and a very magical day, Luv Sam x

Lisa Babitz said...

Your dandelion card is just so cute! I love how you framed your image and added the perfect amount of color and texture with the dots. You used such fun colors on your winter card. And that hummingbird photo is amazing!!

Corrie Herriman said...

Nice ! Thank you for joining us over at Country View Challenges this month !
Corrie x

Ivana Camdzic said...

Sweet Darnell, these cards are BEAUTIFUL! And your hummingbird photo is just stunning! Funny enough, I just posted a hummingbird card on my blog this morning, and it happens to be the same day I stumble upon your sweet post! Thanks so much for the visits and sweet notes, friend, sending big crafty hugs your way! xo

Lisa T said...

two more beauties for your stash Darnell - Purple Onion do the loveliest designs don't they! Your card is just so pretty! And nice to see your NBUS cover die out - I've used mine at least three times, can you see my halo? Hoping you are feeling 100% again by now aswell. It's freezing over here, about to stick the heating on AGAIN. sigh. Lisa xx

desperatehousewifecraft said...

Both cards are wonderful but the fun foam on your Christmas card is almost luminous! How amazing to get a shot of the hummingbird drinking on your flower, and you have eagles to boot!!! What flowers do I need to put on my balcony to attract hummingbirds and is it enough to put my rabbits outside to attract eagles? ;) Have a great week! Hugs, Gwendolyn

Ruth said...

Oh we had the craziest of weather last week. A massive hail storm suddenly on Thursday night, so my parents ended up staying over instead of heading home. Love all the simplicity of your cards this week. Haven't even thought about Christmas yet - probably time I started looking into it.... but not when I see that beautiful hummingbird. You have such wonderful wildlife! Makes a change from the pigeons I see outside my window xxx

Sandra said...

Such pretty cards, especially the first one, it is so fun fresh and fun. Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra

scrappymo! said...

Two great cards, Darnell. The photo of the hummingbird takes center stage, though. Fabulous to view this as you are creating!!

Thanks for taking part in the April Rudolph Days Challenge.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Puffy dandelions - I am in love! Too cute! I for one can never resist any dandelion stamp I certainly would have snatched up that one....on my wish list it goes.... I love it that you continued with the grass outside the circle. Wonderful idea! Now the hummer - looks like she is totally addicted and can't get enough of that nectar. She would crawl into that flower if she could, LOL! Such an amazing picture! I think I wouldn't be able to craft with so much interesting shtuff going on outside my window.....Thanks so much for playing with us at DotMCC!

Brenda said...

WOW, Darnell, what don't I love about this post. The pics are beautiful and fascinating (I have a think for humming birds which unfortunately we don't have in Hawaii). Your cards are wonderful and the dandelions are just what I had in mind for our challenge. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Little Red Wagon!

kiwimeskreations said...

Love these cards Darnell - especially the first one with the dandelions!! Good to see that Hammy is learning how to use dots now :-)
That humming bird must be mesmerising to watch.. we don't have them here...
Blessings
Maxine

Tina Z. said...

I love your cards, the first one is such a perfection, uf.
yes, we are having strange weather here as well - so cold and rainy at the moment but in February was almost hot ... we were planning to go to the Adriatic Sea but it is too cold. I hope it will be better in May.
crafty hugs xx

TK said...

Perfectly darling cards, as you have us skipping from season to season! LOVE that first dandelion sweetie, but I'll pass on the real ones! Such a gorgeous little "hummer" too - wish we had more around our yard -- I've tried everything...

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous Darnell
so beautiful and creative.
Have a lovely day
hugs Tamara

Anita in France said...

That dimensional sentiment on the warm plaid is delicious, Darnell ... it makes this QACAS design both frosty and cosy at the same time ... and positively touchable! Those puffy dandelions are just gorgeous ... floaty and dreamy in the gentle summer breeze ... Hammy did a great job with his pogo stick, those little dots really do capture the sense of seeds heads drifting about playfully! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Time Out! LYAMYHMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Izzy Scrap said...

Love both cards, Darnell ! First these whimsical dandelions are so beautiful and the way you framed them is fabulous. So lovely. Love also your Winter card with this beautiful plaid pattern paper and the lovely strip cover die on top of it, just awesome ! Hugs x

Mac Mable said...

Love your puffy dancing dandelions Darnell and what a perfect CAS card....love the font on the sentiment too x. Striking second Christmas card with a great design x. What an adorable image of the cute hummingbird and no wonder you sit and watch her x

Amanda Mertz said...

I love that you choose to make a Christmas card with our colors! My mind didn't even go there! I love the plaid paper! Thanks for sharing at Fab Friday!

Shona Chambers said...

I hear you when it comes to the weather, even in little old NZ I never know if its going to be cold Autumn weather or mega hot and sunny like it was this afternoon. No wonder the kids and I got sick recently, the bugs are having a ball!! I absolutely love your dandelion image and it goes so perfectly with the sentiment font. And how did Hammy get such teeny-tiny black splatters?? Whenever I try it the word 'splatters' doesn't seem big enough!! Love the white die over the gorgeous paper on your second card. And I don't know why I've never thought about using foam for a die-cut word before??!! Love that the hummingbirds are in full-swing. Our cat came in with a bird this afternoon that Phoebe and I rescued. Its still alive and sitting in box in Phoebe's room. It doesn't have major injuries I can see but at least it is warm and with someone for when it dies. Sorry to end on such a sad note but you know how much we always love seeing you at TIME OUT!! Mwah!!!

Nonni said...

Absolutely love this scene with dandelions, Darnell! This card has such fun details. The faux stitching around the card brings the scene beautifully together and the green frame around the dandelions is very unique and super stylish too! Love it! Thanks for joining us at Time Out!

Unknown said...

Just super!!