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 7, 2019

Birthday Dawg and Christmas Stocking

Hello Stamplings!

Good day! I just ate a fat left-over Easter egg, so pardon me if I get chocolate on your screen. It's been hiding behind a potted plant on the deck for a few weeks, but it was okay to eat, doncha think? Sure.

Thank you for letting me know how much you enjoyed my bunny up a tree in the last post. The world is pretty anxious these days, so it's nice to have little unexpected giggles. I do tend to levitate towards critters when I make my cards (gee, Hammy wonders why!) and I did it again today with this Onefer.
I used a NBUS "Pawsome" set from Taylored Expressions that I've had for a little while years. I don't know why I haven't used it before because it was fun to watercolor with my Ziggies.  I added a few grass clippings and some rainbow-colored party confetti to match the tops of the birdie's party hats. A wonky MFT border seemed appropopo for the frame and it was good to go.

Challenges

All Creatures Great and Small: The Classic Memoirs of a Yorkshire Country Vet (James Herriot 1) By James Herriot | World of Books

Twofer
Here we have a classic Christmas card depicting, "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care." There's only one stocking on this card because it belongs to Emily. She's a young single woman who is celebrating her first Christmas in her new home! I used a Tim Holtz stencil for the chimney. The stocking is from MFT and the sediment is from GKW.

Challenges
SPREAD THE MERRY LITTLE LOVE AND GRAB A BADGE!

~~~

Off to play with our company. 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!

*Life is too short!

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73 comments:

Aquarius said...

Your posts and cards always make me smile and this dawg is no exception. Just had to look back to find the bunny in a tree which I'd missed - another smile so thanks.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Oh, your Onefer is really cute and fun, and it makes me smile, thanks!! :) Love that cute happy doggie, such lovely party! :D
You Twofer CAS card is lovely too! I have to make some Christmas cards to not be in difficulty the next winter!
Hugs, have a lovely week

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I love your fantastic dog stamp Darnell, you've made a gorgeous card with him. A fantastic Christmas card too.

Sue xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Love that doggy card Darnell - but don't tell Hammy, he might get upset.
Your Christmas card is a great one too. Your brick chimney is stunning!
Blessings
Maxine

Gerrina said...

Your BD-card is so great; like the bright colours, the festive feel and the cute image! And a totally different christmascard; like how you made it CAS and gave it a textured 'feel'! Hugs, Gerrina

KandA said...

I love your little doggy, he looks so happy with his little birdy playmates. And your christmas card is super too.... must get myself that brick stencil as it looks fab xx

Cat Craig said...

Love the pup, so sweet and cheery. YOur stocking card is festive as well. Enjoy your company!

cuilliesocks said...

Love your gorgeous doggy card Darnell, such a sweet image and fabulous colours and design.
Lovely Christmas card, super design. Hope you are well, Kate x

Birgit said...

Your puppy card is so cute and festive with all the bright party colors. Great job using your Zig's! The stocking hung on the brick is wonderful too! Enjoy that sunshine and the chocolate!!

Lisa said...

Both cards are so beautiful!! I love the sweet puppy and his little birdie friends!! The brick background is perfect for the stocking!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Marilyn said...

Your first card is so adorable!
Love the the dog with the party hat and love your second card also!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Jeanne said...

Oh that first card simply makes me smile, Darnell! So sweet, fun and wonderfully colorful. I'm curious...have you read James Herriot's books? My mom got me interested and I loved them! So funny. There was a series based on them on PBS back when I was in high school...a long, long time ago. Anyway, I just had a quick jaunt down memory lane. Thanks! Your sweet stocking and mini story for the second card is lovely. Thanks for sharing both! I hope you have a wonderful day. :)

Chris said...

Fab cards Darnell, love the doggy stamp, glad you got around to inking it up! Funny how we all seem to NEED a stamp set and then it doesn't get used for ages... lovely design on the Christmas card too!
Chris
xx

Viv said...

Great cards Darnell... I am desperately searching through my stamps and have decided no stamps suitable for kids!! Honestly... can you believe it??? So am going to rectify that immediately..... well, a girls gotta do etc etc! xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Love your first card with the "critter" it's such a happy card. Your second for the single gal is just great, love the star on the stocking and that it's on the chimney, and as for the story attached, awesome thinking.
Faith x

Bunny said...

I love the cute birthday card. That dog and his friends with their party hats on are great.

What's the real story behind that chocolate bunny? You hid it there for later didn't you? [Bunny]

papierelle said...

Your first card is very cute and funny like a perfect birthday.
Gundi
PS: Look at the Day of the Month Card Club Challenge Blog, you are the winner last Challenge.

Bonnie said...

Love, love, love this pawsome pup, Dolly! If there's room and you have time, would you tuck him in your suitcase? He's so perfectly colored with his subtle spots and party hat! Emily's stocking is certainly hung on the chimney with care. I hope Santa fills it up! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Christmas and CAS Watercolour!

Brenda in IN said...

Great watercolor on the sweet doggie. I love his party hate and the confetti. Cute Christmas card too. I hope Emily has a terrifc Christmas in her new home with lots of treats from Santa.

Lisa Babitz said...

Your colorful birthday scene is adorable, and you did a nice job with the color challenge for your Christmas card.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Two fantastic card designs. I love that cute doggiey one with all the wonderful coloring. And, another fantastic Christmas design too. Thanks for sharing your talent and so glad you found a leftover chocolate egg to eat. Ours have long been eaten. In fact, there were only a few small ones left after all the gang left for their homes Easter Sunday. And we finished those off in no time at all too.

Vikki H said...

Always fun to see your critters and your wonky stitched border fits the scene well. Your linked challenges send me around the internet, thanks.

Unknown said...

It's lovely, but this challenge closed april 30. Time to see the new one.

Kim Hamilton said...

That dog is just the sweetest! Love! Thanks so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge :)

Susan said...

Love that cute dog and his little bird friends - great colouring with your Zigs! And your Christmas stocking card is wonderful - love the non-traditional colours and the great brick wall. Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Christmas!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fabc ards, I love the dawgy one:) Sue

Carol L said...

Love the cut and festive pup celebrating a birthday! Love those little confetti bits working the background! Cute Christmas card for Emily's new home/first Christmas celebration with those itty bitty stars! I'd be leery of any chocolate eggs found behind plants on the deck! *smirk* I have a box of Easter eggs hiding in my dining room hutch - you know - out of sight out of mind? Now that you mentioned a chocolate Easter egg, I'm reminded that they're there LOL Thanks :)

Dotty Jo said...

Lovely cards! Can you believe that I didn't get a single egg this year? Jo x

nancy littrell said...

Love your Birthday doggie and birdie friends card, Dolly. So colorful and fun, especially with the confetti background. Great to get another Christmas card for your stash too. TFS my friend. Hugs..Nancy

Pat said...

Two fabulous and fun cards Darnell, your dog with the little birdie friends is cut and love their party hats, and what a great idea to add the little confetti in the background, and your sweet stocking is another clever idea with the brickwork stamped in the background and the matching tones for the lovely sentiment. I love the pop of red with the big and little stars. x

conil said...

Busy, busy, busy. Surprised you were able to get a twofer in and what a twofer it is. LOOOOVE that pup...superb coloring, a few pals and that hat makes him look so festive. Enjoyed Emily's new home story, as well. The addition of the brick makes this shine. Besides, I more Christmas card done.

papierelle said...

You won a guest design at DotMCC. Please contact us via mail!!
Gundi

Trina P. said...

Wonderful cards, Darnell. Your bright and cheery puppy birthday card is so adorable. And Emily’s stocking hung by the chimney with care is so cute and whimsy. Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas. xx
See you in 8 days!!! 🤗

Redanne said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell, the shading on the first one makes the hat look really dimension, I love that! The stocking hanging on the chimney breast is beautiful - I especially love the brickwork. You always make me smile, thank you! Hugs, Annie xxx

JoAnn said...

two great cards. Love the cute puppy with this birthday hat and the background. Thanks for sharing with us at Seize the Birthday.

Ruth said...

A right good bit of cheer with your cute doggy and a kick up the rear to start thinking about Christmas cards..... i just never seem to be able to until about December.... always the way. Happy crafting! xx

BożenA said...

Your first card is stunning, Darnell. I love her vivid vibrant colors. And the hat is brilliantly made, I love her wonderful flash. The second card is also beautiful, great colors, and the wall looks beautiful.
Hugs,
BozenA

jimlynn said...

Great coloring with that zigs on that first card - which, by the way, I adore. I'll have to look for that TE image now.
Both are wonderful as always!
Lynn

Brenda said...

Your birthday card is so adorable Auntie! I love that dog with his party hat and I love that his little birdie friends are helping him celebrate. So cute, so festive! Your stocking Christmas card is just beautiful. I love the way you placed your brick wall to one side and your sentiment on the other-this design is great! Hugs, Brenda

frommycraftroom said...

Such a bright and happy birthday card! Love it.

Nora Noll said...

That first card makes me smile. I ADORE the dog but the little birds marching around him really made me smile. Those birthday hats are too cute! The second card is beautiful with the stencil and stocking. Lovely cards!!

OH Babs said...

Super cute birthday card and I love the confetti.

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, I'm all over those critter stamps! I have a hard time doing anything other than critters and flowers. I try, but it doesn't happen very often. Your birthday pup and birdies make me smile so big! All that wonderful color and cuteness, sigh. Love how you added the colorful confetti background. You've got a perfect CAS Christmas stocking card, too. Cool brick stencil and itty bitty stars under the sentiment. Great job with all these challenges!

Christine Alexander said...

that birthday pup is so cute Darnell, he looks as though he's having a great birthday with those birds and I love your little stocking attached to the brick fire place. thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas :)

Lisa Elton said...

Two cute cards Darnell! The pup and his feathery friends are adorable!

Cheryl W. said...

Your birthday card is so fun and colorful. Love the air confetti. The Christmas card is perfect for that new homeowner. Bet she drinks the entire bottle of Christmas wine in celebration!! I know I would (er, did).

Greta said...

Enjoy your company! Just love the doggy BD card! Wonderful, classic Christmas card!

Marina said...

I love how colourful this is - it really makes me smith - the falling confetti looks fantastic.Thanks for joining The Library.

Linda said...

What a cute little party pup, beautifully coloured. Fab Christmas card too xx

oldpunca said...

It took a lot of time to clean my screen of chocolate egg. :-) Therefore the delay of commenting. :-)
Thank you again for a dose of giggle.
I'm impressed about colouring of the cute motif on your card for a child. Amazing. I like your Christmas card too. Super nice colour combo and amazing detail of christmas feeling. :-)
Have a nice day!
Hugs, Sonja

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Such a nice stocking card, but I am drawn to the lovely colors and cute critter on the birthday one! Lovely!

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both fab, Darnell xoxo

Ros Crawford said...

Love love love that dog card Darnell! You coloured him beautifully and another super Christmas card!

Marcia Hill said...

That dog with his tongue hanging out is about as CUTE as CUTE can be Darnell...he's water colored beautifully and I just love the rainbow party hat! That is one HAPPY dog!! And your stocking card is CAS and just perfect! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour...we LOVE seeing you show up in the gallery!! :0)

Craftychris said...

Love the cute dog! Such a happy card! Fabulous Christmas card too - perfect for the young lady in her new home. Hugs my friend xxxxxxx

Loll said...

Two wonderful cards Dolly! LOVE your sweet birthday dog .. he has the cutest face!! :) Great zig colouring! Love rainbow coloured hat and confetti!!

Your stocking is adorable hanging on the chimney. Love the bright blue and white stipes with the red star embellie! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas! Love, Lolly

nwilliams6 said...

Great coloring on the birthday dawg, Darnell. Super cute and super colors - very festive. The second card is cute as well. GREAT cards. Hugz

Marybeth said...

Hi Darnell! I love your sweet fun little dog party card its too darn cute and glad you used that not been used stamp, too cute to not be used. What a sweet single stocking Christmas card, I need to start making them.
The floors are coming along the demo went pretty well. We go gang busters then slow down s bit and happy for any excuse to take a break.. like going to the grandkids sports games.
Hope you and your family are all happy and well. Happy Mother's Day to you sweet friend!

Sue - said...

Love the cute little doggy with his pretty confetti. Great Christmas card too. Not much cra feting going on here at the moment. Hope I can get back to it soon!

Kara Lynne said...

Your pup and his pals are so adorable with their rainbow confetti and party hats! I love your Zig coloring! Congrats to Emily and her new abode, I actually hope she doesn't find a surprise in her stocking on Christmas morning...that would be unsettling, to say the least!

Sue said...

Your posts always cheer me up Darnell and these cards are lovely lots of huggles Sue xx

Cris G. said...

Cute cards, Darnell! My favorite is the rainbow "Pawsome" birthday card, it reminds me of a cool dog that wanted to eat a donut... or in this case maybe an entire cake :).

Sharron said...

Of course Pawsome is my favorite as I can never turn down a pup design. He's so adorable and looks like he's enjoying celebrating with his chick friends. The stocking is lovely against the brick design and I love that cheery sentiment!

JD/ Jill said...

Two great cards, Darnell! Your "doggie" card is just adorable!

Celeste Goff said...

Two fabulous cards but that doggie card is the bomb girl! And just so we can set the record straight...there is no expiration on chocolate! LOL

Colleen said...

What an adorable pup card! And thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas with the awesome design of the brick and fun stocking! Happy Mother's Day Darnell!! Hope your day is a big celebration!

Shona Chambers said...

Surely chocolate never goes off although with me around it never gets the chance to do it here......Hope you enjoyed it!! Why do we find ourselves with so many 'never used' stamps?? This one is so cute and I can see how much fun you had painting it and bringing these critters to life. This reminds me of a few Your Next Stamp sets that I still haven't used....must remedy that! And the single stocking is gorgeous, wonderful way to use the colour combo, especially for a non-traditional Christmas card. I'm still dreaming of having a little cottage like yours in my backyard, I must mention it to my husband once a week and have a brochure pinned to my board over my computer. Hopefully one day $5000 will drop out of the sky and I can get one!! You just never know......

Fikreta said...

love this card with dog!
so cute!
and other card is so nice!
hugs

Karen Dunbrook said...

super cute, super fun....who could ask for anything more to bring a smile!
Thanks so much for playing along with the CAS Watercolour Challenge this month!
:) Karen

Izzy Scrap said...

Two beautiful card, Darnell ! I just come from the CAS Watercolour challenge and I saw your card. What an adorable scene you've done with these cute critters ! Your colouring is just amazing and those colours for sure will brighten someone's birthday ! Lovely stockings too and fabulous design. You rock ! Hugs xx

Karen Dunbrook said...

super cute cards....great for a child.
Thanks so much for playing along with the CAS Watercolour Challenge this month!
:) Karen

Linda said...

Two adorable cards, my friend. It was so much fun stamping with you this past weekend. Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas.

Monica Maier said...

Love stocking card with the background and stocking layers! The puppy is pretty adrobs too! ;-) Thanks for joining us this month at Merry Little Christmas Challenge blog!

Monica- DT
https://monicascraftcorner.blogspot.com/