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!

September 27, 2019

Riding Through the Seasons

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? Have you had a good week so far? I hope so! And I hope you have a great weekend, too, but make sure you write on the calendar to get your flu shot next week if you haven't gotten one yet. This time of year (in this part of the world) brings cooler nights, perfect for sleeping, but also perfect for those darn flu bugs. Note to self.

Once again I've gone seasonal, jumping from spring to Christmas ...

Onefer
What happened was I made this card in the spring and have never posted it. When I made my Twofer below, it reminded me that I still had this one in my folder. The how-to is pretty self-exploratory. I did get a little creative with my slicing and dicing of the pp, just to be different. The hello sediment is from Technique Tuesday.

Challenges
CURRENT CHALLENGE "Mad For Plaid" - Closes Sun Sept 29thSnippets Playground Badge

Twofer
Coastal cabana snow? It must be your screen, Shirley? No, it's just that Hammy loves shades of aqua and red together on a Christmas card. The stencil is from Dylusions, the schparkly silver jingle bells are from PTI, and th ~ what's that? Why is there a bird on a bicycle? That cute owl is from my friend, Jill. Being a wise old owl, he's hitching a ride because his red lamé Santa hat and matching scarf are heavy!

Those are also spose to be silver jingle bells hanging from the handle bars, sized appropopo. Hammy took a marker and tried making those slits jingle bells have, but it just looked like the bike had two eyeballs, so I punched out another set of glitter dots and glued them over the top. 

Challenges
~~~

We had the boys and their dogs last weekend, which was their first introduction to Nellie. That wee girl has been through so many new changes and new people, but no worries, nothing but tail wagging and smiles all around!
At least the people are looking at the camera! There are way too many squirrels in this park to even bother trying to get the dogs to look straight ahead! That's Adam and Jack on your left and Henry and Duke on your right.

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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72 comments:

Aquarius said...

Two great cards and I especially love the bird on a bike - an unusual combo but it works!! Thanks for sharing the doggie pics.

Redanne said...

Beautiful cards Darnell, I love the slicing and dicing on the first one, it draws the eyes in perfectly. The colour combo on the second is my favourite so it definitely works for me and owl is just the cutest!

Love the photos, Nellie really does seem to have settled well with you, I am so pleased that she finally has a good and loving home. Adam and Henry look so grown up now - how time flies!

Have a lovely weekend, my dear friend.

Hugs, Annie xxx

kiwimeskreations said...

Thank you Darnell for the giggle your owl on the bike card gave me... not because there was anything wrong with what you and Hammy had created, but it was unexpected and FUN!
Your spring bicycle is gorgeous - love the colour tones in the plaid.
Your boys and dogs certainly appear to love life - please keep Hammy safe from them though ;)
Blessings
Maxine

Sandra H said...

Both your cards Darnell are fabulous l too like the 2nd card with the owl one way to hitch a lift lol lovely phot of you and your grandchildren the dogs look so content hope you have a lovely day and weekend take care xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I love both of these fantastic cards.

Sue xx

maria f. said...

And would that be you and a new kid in the middle? Must go backwards and read your posts to find out. Just love that spring-y bike card. Perfectly done with your chopping of PP.

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Me back again Darnell. Forgot to say thanks you for joining in with the Rudolph Days Challenge this month.

Sue xx

oldpunca said...

How cute are all of you! :-) Fantastic photo. I was wondering, if all three dogs will become friends. I am pleased for Nellie to have finally found a lovely home.

Both your cards are fabulous in spring colors. I like perfectly done stripes on your hello card and the bicycle as a focus. The red and aqua christmas card is super cute with the acrobat owl on the bike. :-)

Have a great weekend!
Hugs, Sonja

Lia said...

Both cards are really beautiful with the bike as centerpiece. Great work!
Lia xx

Anita in France said...

That spring-coloured plaid is delicious with the bike basket full of blooms on your first card, Darnell, so fresh and pretty! I chuckled at the red lamé adorned owl hitching a lift ... he's so fun with the shimmery jingle bells (or eyeballs!!). You're all beautiful/handsome in the photo's ... looks as though it was a happy, sunny weekend! LYAMYLALMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Marilyn said...

Cute spring card! Love the plaid paper. Love your Christmas card also with that cute little owl!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Jeanne said...

Fabulous all around. Your cards are wonderful, but I think the park pic is the best! So true!! Squirrel! Happy weekend, my friend!

Chris said...

Beautiful cards Darnell, the spring one is lovely - love the slicing of the dp, looks great and adds interest. My favourite is the 2nd, great fun- you don't often see acrobatic owls balancing on bikes, do you?
Lovely photo of you, the boys and dogs - glad Nellie is fitting in so well!
xx

sandie said...

I love the design of your first card-loce the fresh colours and the gorgeous patterns. And what a fun Xmas card-all that sparkle and the eyes! Aqua and red-must try that one! And looks like you had a fun weekend x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Adorable cards, people, and pups xoxo

Bonnie said...

You've covered two seasons here, my friend. Love the aqua bike carrying flowers for a friend. The pastel plaid paper is so fun. I'd use every little strip of it! Love that red bike and this owl looks very festive jingling his way down the street. Your boys are growing up and so handsome. Gram looks way too young to have such big grandsons!

Mrs A. said...

Well whose that in the middle then! Love your pretty spring coloured card. I used to have a shirt and matching skirt in those colours that
I loved all the way to the rag bag. Hugs Mrs A.

Brenda in IN said...

Fun cards and a great, fun picture. I love how you cut the strips of plaid paper. It gives so much interest to the card. Owl Santa is adorable in his sparkly hat and scarf. I don't know who is cuter, the boys or the dogs!

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
Happy Rudolf Days.
Your twofer cards as usual are so fantastic and brilliantly created.
Love how you have adapted the second one for a Christmas one.
Such lovely glitz too and a cutie bird balancing on that bike with his lovely glitzy hat and scarfe.
Thank you for joining the Rudolf Challenge.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

Rita said...

Beautiful cards Darnell. You always lead such a busy life. Love your cards but the Dogs have stole the show I'm afraid. Take Care. Rita xxxx

Cheryl W. said...

Well, you went from summery to snowy in one fell swoop--and they're both fab. I love an aqua/red color combo, too, but the pastel colors on your first card remind me of warm sunshine and balmy winds at my back. Can you tell I'm bracing for a Minnesota winter? Thanks for sharing the pic of the twins and dogs, too. Fun to see them as they turn into fine young men.

designbydonna said...

Two adorable cards. I love the way you cut up strips of that plaid paper. It adds nice interest. The Santa owl is adorable riding his bike. Your grandtwins are gowing into handsome young men.

Jean said...

Boys and dogs! How fun!! Love your holiday card!

nancy littrell said...

Beautiful seasonal cards, Dolly. I love all your snipping of DSP on your 1st card. Beautiful Spring design. Fun to add to your Christmas stash with your 2nd owlish card design. Agree, a very heavy looking santa hat, but so stylish:-)

Nellie sure is making herself at home on your beautiful chair. Great that she and the twins big dogs got along too. The boys are sure growing up. Always fun seeing their pictures. TFS and Happy Fall my friend. Hugs..Nancy

Verna Angerhofer said...


Two beautiful cards. I love how you sliced and diced the pattern paper in the first one. And the second one is such a darling Christmas design with that cute owl. Very festive design too. That is a lovely photo of the boys and you with the dogs.







Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Love both cards, Darnell. I totally get the lack of picture posing with the dogs. We were not even allowed to say the word and had to use SQ instead, with our old Lab!

Di said...

Wonderful cards Darnell - so different and perfect as ever. LOVE the photo of you with Nellie, the boys and their dogs. Is that dear little Nellie on the chair as well? She's so like Dudley I did a double take! Aren't we blessed my friend.

Hugs

Di xx

conil said...

Those twins are getting so big...and Nellie looks a bit exhausted in the blue chair but it's wonderful that all the canines could get together for their introductions. You all look great in the photo, dogs and humans alike. These bicycle cards are adorable. Always love seeing a vehicle of any kind on a card...maybe, I want to travel, hmmmm??? Anyway your leap from Spring to Winter really works well. Both cards are fun and festive.

Jeanne H said...

Oh, I love seeing the twins and the dogs! Thanks. As for your cards, the plaid/bike one is absolutely scrumptious. CASEing coming on. Hugs to you.

Vicky Hayes said...

My goodness, I love the gorgeous bright colours on your onefer - what a beautiful card! You are the mistress of stencilled backgrounds too (looking at your twofer now!) which is very inspiring. Poor Owlie, with his heavy accessories, but he is obviously prepared to suffer for his style and seems rather excited to have hitched the ride on a bright red bike! I would've quite liked to have seen the bike with eyeballs but it's probably best to have jingly bells instead!
Nellie on the chair is the cutest little bean and how fabulous to have had armfuls of boys and dogs over at the weekend!
x

Vicky Hayes said...

My goodness, I love the gorgeous bright colours on your onefer - what a beautiful card! You are the mistress of stencilled backgrounds too (looking at your twofer now!) which is very inspiring. Poor Owlie, with his heavy accessories, but he is obviously prepared to suffer for his style and seems rather excited to have hitched the ride on a bright red bike! I would've quite liked to have seen the bike with eyeballs but it's probably best to have jingly bells instead!
Nellie on the chair is the cutest little bean and how fabulous to have had armfuls of boys and dogs over at the weekend!
x

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab cards.

Glad Nellie got on with your grandsons and their dogs.

Hope you have a lovely weekend. Sue

Kara Lynne said...

Look at you three and the three pooches! Well, I've missed a lot, so I went back and read up about Nellie. She seems as sweet as can be! Your bicycle looks wonderful in the spring time colors and with its basket of flowers! Mr. Owl couldn't be more festive free wheeling on that bike!

Craftychris said...

Two stunning cards! Love the bird on the bike! Soooooo cute! Fab photos I bet your weekend was wonderful. Darren and I have our flu jabs booked - no chances taken here! Big hugs my friend xxxxxxxxxxx

Glittered Paws said...

Love your bicycle cards - the owl one is a "hoot" LOL. Love his red hat and scarf. I'm not sure I've seen a Christmas card with a bike but it works beautifully. Then to those 2 handsome grandsons with their handsome dogs. I'm personally a big dog person - yes we have 3. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

Cat Craig said...

Loving that plaid what a fab springtime card. Your Christmas card is so festive, Mr Owl looks like hes having fun. Great picture of all six of you!

cuilliesocks said...

Love this cycle die and what a pretty card your first one is gorgeous colours and design. Second card is so sweet, lovely little owl and design.
So pleased that Nellie is settling in nicely and getting along with your Grandpets. Lovely photo of you and your boys, Kate x x

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Darling bicycle cards, Darnell - so clever to make one a Christmas card!! Adorable photos of Nellie in the chair and of you, the twins & dogs!!

Pat said...

I love the bicycle die you have used on both your cards Darnell, and and the pretty check paper has been sliced uo in very interesting ways, and what pretty flowers in the basket too, and the second with the cute owl perched on the seat wearing his very best red glittery hat and scarf, and then the added jingles in glittery silver complement the sentiment. What a wonderful photo of your and the boys with all the dogs and so pleased that Nellie gets on OK with them. I can see lots of fun and games happening with the three together in the future, and Nellie was obviously tired out after her exertions. x

Liz said...

Two brilliant cards, Darnell. I love how you've used the plaid patterned paper on the first card and what an adorable owl on your second card. Love the photo of you with your grandsons and the three dogs. xx

PS I've booked an appointment for my flu jab. ;-)

TK said...

Two fun cards! I also happen to LOVE the owl riding the bike!!! Great pic of you and the "boys"!

Lisa Elton said...

This just goes to show you that a bicycle can be ridden in the winter...well, by a Santa owl anyway! Two cute cards Darnell. Two handsome grandsons too!

Christine Alexander said...

Wow, that bike has been on a long journey from spring into summer and now bypassing fall and heading into winter. your Christmas owl is loving his ride :)
Love the family photo with the dogs, your lucky they were just looking rather than running for the squirrels.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow, such great use of your bike die! Two fabulous and very different cards! My fav is the sweetie one but the second makes me giggle with that fun bird!
LOVE your photo, such adorable group you are with your pets!!
So glad that Nellie has find YOU!! She surely is a very lucky doggie! :)
Hugs

Karen Brown said...

Santa Owl on a bike....very cute and clever! This is a really fun seasonal card. Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday.

Susan said...

Fabulous Twofer!! Love that plaid dp - it gave me a great flashback to my late teen years when Madras shirts were in fashion and I had one in almost exactly those colours! And the owl in the Santa hat carefully balancing on the seat of the bike is wonderful, though I'm worried the bike is going to bump into those bells on the ground and poor owl will take a tumble (but I suppose the owl would have the sense to just fly away instead of crashing to the ground).

jeanchaneyaz said...

Both of your cards are marvelous. I especially like the way you used the plaid on the first one! Thanks for joining us over at the Double Trouble Challenge Blog!

Sarah said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, I am a big fan of aqua and red on Christmas cards so the second ticks all the boxes for me. I love your photograph, Nellie looks so happy and completely unperturbed by those big boy dogs, what fun you are going to have together. I work in a Medical Centre so much of my time is being spent arranging Flu Clinics at the moment!! xx

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards. Love the slicing and dicing, what pretty paper. Great use of the bicycle for two very different cards.
Love little Nellie too ..... what a sweetheart xx

Created by Kath said...

Great twofers! Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges!

Loll said...

Love the spring colours of your beautiful plaid. So pretty with the bike and basket of flowers. Cutting up the paper really adds a special touch. Very creative and fun! Speaking of fun, how cute is that owl standing on the bike seat. Looks like he is into doing bike tricks!

Nellie is right at home. Love that she's found herself a nice, comfy chair. Doesn't look like she's prepared to share with anyone ... but maybe Hammy can cuddle with her. It's great that she is so calm and just takes everything in stride. Wonderful addition to your family. Love, Lolly

Leslie Miller said...

You're the best with the twofers, Darnell! A bike for all seasons. Love that you have an owl on the second card. Who would've thought? I don't doubt the tail wagging and smiles one bit. It's good to have friends! I'm glad Nellie is settling in so nicely. She's a wonderful new addition to your family, and I bet she keeps YOU smiling, too!

Pia S said...

I love the whole Twofer concept as it encourages your use of your stash in different ways. I love the plaid paper and its colors and also your creative use of additional strips cut from it. Fresh colors too. As for the owl, he looks ready for Christmas in his brilliant sparkling Santa’s hat. The aqua and red color combo is spot on for Christmas.

Celeste Goff said...

Love both of these cards using that same die! Gotta love when a crafty purchase can give you such versatility!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Inkyfingers said...

What a lovely bicycle twofer, Darnell and I particularly love the balancing owl Christmas card with the fabulous sparkle! The boys look so grown up now and Nellie looks like an established part of the family.
Hugs
Carol x

Donna said...

Such beautiful cards, the first one with the soft plaid papers is beautiful, I just got back from Gulf Shores, AL and lots of people there ride 3 wheelers that ride low to the ground, it was interesting. Your owl card is charming, like the glittery hat and scarf and the google eyes. And best of all your picture with the grandsons and puppy!!!

Ros Crawford said...

I just love the cold nights here... The only way I can sleep!! I love your photo And your cards. The way you did those stripes on the first card is so very eye-catching and pretty. Heck who wouldn't be charmed by that sweet bird on a bike Lol!
Sending hugs!

Linda said...

Love your Spring card and the colors. Too bad we are heading into Fall/Winter. I feel like I didn't even get a Summer.
And your Christmas card is as cute as can be. Looking forward to the retreat to get my mojo working again.

scrappymo! said...

Your Christmas version of your twofer card is amazing. Love that cute owl and the jingle bells look so good too!

Thanks for taking part in the September Rudolph Days Challenge.

Mac Mable said...

I am playing catch up as my computer broke....You sure do miss it when it's not there! What a pretty first card and love the pretty pastel plaid and the fresh looking card x. The owl is super cute and I can only imagine how heavy that red lame is...wise owl indeed x. Nice try Hammy on wanting slits in the tiny balls...it was never going to happen! x
So glad Nellie was ok with her new friends and thank you for sharing the adorable photo of the three of you and your adorable dogs x

Suzanne Reynolds said...

Great cards using the same image and contrast between the spring colors and the Winter...both are fun and beautiful cards. Of course luving the way you used your plaid on the spring card. Thanks for sharing with us at Double Trouble.

Carol L said...

What a fun twofer of cards, and I just LOVE how you used the plaid in the first card! Both are so cute, and speaking of cute......those boys and all the dogs with you - what a fabulous photo! I cannot tell the twins apart now that they both have short hair!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Ha! Love the jingle bells on the cute Christmas bike

frommycraftroom said...

Such happy cards!
💗 the dog pics. Nellie must have had a big day by her pose on the chair.

Greta said...

Fun, fun picture of you, the boys & the dogs--needs to be framed! Very fun cards, Darnell!

Fikreta said...

these are so nice cards!
lovely photo.

Cris G. said...

It was a big jump from Spring to Christmas, but with climate change no one will be surprised. Well, my comment was supposed to be funny, but now it doesn't feel that funny... :(
Adorable picture of you and and the boys with furry friends. It's great that Nellie is such a good girl!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Always such joyous cards, these are wonderful, love the first, so very pretty. Your owl with his glittery hat and scarf is fabulous, with the baubles and bells, perfect! With both my hats on - Thank you so much for joining us in our Use Embellishments challenge at The Male Room this week. Looking forward to see you again next challenge.

Faith The Male Room DT

The Male Room
themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk

Melanie R said...

Wonderful card with the bike-riding owl! I also like what you did with the plaid paper on the first bicycle card. Thank you for joining us at Double Trouble.

MA-MI said...

Thanks for sharing your work with The Male Room. I hope you'll be inspired by our future challenges too!
Regards,
Maja DT at The Male Room
My blog: Rilcek in Kljuncek

BożenA said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! What an amazing card. I love the wonderful rainbow colors and stunning flowers !! And I love the second card, it's so funny. Great Twofer inspiration
Hugs,
BożenA