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!

July 27, 2021

A Tiny Cow or Tiny the Cow

Hello Stamplings!

How're you doing? Times are again a bit uncertain and the weather is again all over the place around the world and for the bazillioneth time, I'm grateful I have an escape. Otherwise, I don't know, I might have a drinking problem, or possibly be in jail for spousicide, or locked in a padded cell blowing bubbles through my nose. 

Who knew a few hundred thousand dollars worth of craft supplies would make such a difference in lives?! We did! It's our little secret.🙊

I just have one quick card for you today:
And here with her arm raised to toast you is our cow friend, Tiny. Tiny is from the Penny Black Vintage Collection. As you can see, the sun is starting to set and in Tiny's family (and ours) that means cocktails, especially during the holidays. You may remember that Hammy often takes a vaycay in early December after all the Christmas cards are mailed. He took this photo of Tiny a couple of years ago (pre-Covid) while visiting her in Baja. 

Tiny has since mooved into the Udderly Divine Bovine Retirement Village so in future she will have to hide Hammy in her Santa hat if there are any other cows around. Because you know ~ cows and rodents. (Great Chicago Fire of 1871.)

The photo of Tiny was too good not to frame and put on the mantle every year at Christmas time, so I used red glitter paper for the mat and for the sediment. I used a torn piece of paper to delineate the sand and ocean. I used a cloud stencil and blended CP ink for the sky and I used a colored pencil for the sand and sand dollar. The Flying Gulls are NBUS from Memory Box.

(If you're nautical by nature, you might notice that the ocean horizon is not level. It's because the little photographer had had a few cocktails himself and not because a Sue Nami was about to hit unsuspecting Tiny.)

Challenges

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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy and keep safe! 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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64 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the card. It did make me smile.

Our weather has been changeable, with a lot of storms around.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Julie B said...

As I scrolled down your post to reveal the elegantly clad Tiny, I just couldn't resist the smile spreading across my face. You certainly know hoe to weave a tall tale! The heat has broken here, thank goodness, we were woken by a heavy shower that landed on us through the open rooflight over the bed, last night. :)

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I had a laugh out loud and still chuckling at this VERY Happy card Darnell, I love it. We need some humour with all that's going on so thanks for this chuckle this morning.
Faith x

Mischelle Smith said...

Hello Darnell, Love the card. It's udderly Fantastic. Weather here in Death Valley, is strange to. We're clear and hot. Then all of a sudden, clouds drop down and we have lightening and little rain. Not much good, with the fires in Cally. Keep crafting, dear friend!

Marilyn said...

OMG!! This is so adorable! Love that cow!
Have a great day!
Marilyn💖

Diane said...

What a fun fun card this is, CHEERS to Tiny!! Whomever receives is sure to have a big smile on their face, so cute and fun-tastic!!

KimB said...

Now this is a unique Christmas card Darnell! Love the idea of a cow at the beach in a bikini! Thanks for joining us at Just Add Ink this week. Kim

Jeanne said...

The weather here is hot with a chance of ozone alert! I'm so bummed. I left CA to get away from yukky particulate matter in the skies and here I am, back in the thick of it. :( Hopefully storms predicted for later in the week will help get rid of that stuff and I can go on my daily walks again. Meantime, fabulous (hic) card, Darnell n' Hammy! What a maschterpiece to add (hic)to the maaantle. (hic) ;)

Hilda Burton said...

I love this funny card and your creativity is wonderful, but your storytelling is udderly amazing!! Enjoy your day!

sandie said...

Such a fun card and we all need a laugh! Loving the glitter frame and cheers to you xx

Bunny said...

I don't know if anyone else has noticed but Tiny's black spots are perfect as they make her look thinner. Don't they? Wait, have I had a cocktail? No, the spots make her look thinner. Maybe I need some spots. [Bunny]

designbydonna said...

ROTFL11 That card is a hoot. It is 5 o'clock somewhere right?

Ros Crawford said...

Oh my goodness! This had me laughing out loud!! So funny Darnell...In reply to your last comment re the 'pants' ... Even I read that when I was reading my preview... Must be the heat!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

How fun card!! :D I live near the beach, but have never seen a cow with bikini! You are always so creative!
Hugs

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
Happy Rudolf Days.
Oh your way with words always has me chuckling you are so clever with that.
What a very fab card and I love all the red sparkle as you know I am a glitz type of girl.
Such an unusual scene on this but he seems to be enjoying his tiple that's for sure.
A great fun design and a lovely photo of little Hammy.
Thank you for joining the Rudolf Challenge.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L. DT

Brenda in IN said...

The bikini lives up to the title tiny, the cow, no so much. But she does look like she's having a great time at the beach. I love the sparkle and it is such a fun card.

Donna said...

Such a fun cheery card Darnell!

Bonnie said...

I think I saw her at the beach last month! LOL, she's still celebrating! Thanks for the smiles, my friend.

JulieP said...

You do weave some hilarious tales. Cute card too. hahahaha!

Mac Mable said...

Such a fun post and I enjoyed reading it Darnell x. What a fantastic and happy card...I love Tiny and the merriment of her attitude x. Off to pour myself a cocktail....That's thanks to Tiny x.

Nan G said...

Oh Darnel! If it were possible I’d be ROFL’ing. As it is laughing so hard I’m coughing …😂 I so love you and your sense of humor. 💖 And Tiny, well, she’s just something else…
Thank you for brightening my day. Hugs Nan and the Girls (who’ve run and hid cause I’m making so much noise.) 😂😂

Monica C. said...

What a good thing you caught Tiny on camera or nobody would ever have believed it!!!
Great job on creating the ocean and sand in a mixed media fashion.
Hugs Monica

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love the card and your story xoxo

Jeanne H said...

I too laughed out loud when I saw your cow. Well done, you funny girl. Smiles & hugs to you.

Sue said...

Fabulous card as always Darnell you make me laugh out loud hugs Sue x

conil said...

Hahahahahaha! Nothing better than a drunken cow in a bikini with a Santa hat. Still giggling over Tiny's saga. You really know how to make me smile.

BożenA said...

Your story made me laugh to tears, Darnell :-)) Such a funny card, very unusual for Christmas, but so typical of you :-) I love your sense of humor
hugs,
BożenA

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Great card and story, Darnell - just love Tiny on her beach! Can't help but think that's what I'd look like if I tried to wear that outfit....

Loll said...

Great way to start the day (yes I'm late getting going!). Tiny makes me laugh. I LOVE the red bikini! Great design with your torn sand and sea. Love, Lolly

cuilliesocks said...

What a fabulous fun card Darnell, brilliant image and a wonderful sparkly background, Kate x

Happy Dance said...

I beg to differ...What you didn't know, was that Hammy only TOLD you he went to Baja. Really, he was here, and we took a little red wagon full of alcoholified drinkies in cans, a bag of popcorn, and a couple of lawn chairs to North Beach just down the street from me. The photo was of me, only I told Hammy to photoshop my head out, so he wouldn't get caught out. He and I had a ball trying to walk in the sand after the first thoo or tree drinkaliciousables. You should have seen us trying to walk back up the hill pulling that wagon! Hammy tried, but in the end, I ended up putting him in the darn thing, as his driving/pulling leaves quite a bit to be desired...at least after a few imbibations! I'm glad you have this photo memento of Hammy's time here. I have to say I look mighty good in that bikini!!
Fun story, funner card dear friend. You always make me smile. xoxo Bev

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a darling card design and so fun! That is quite a cow there. Thanks for the smiles.

HilaryJane said...

Cheers to Tiny, she looks very happy on her beach. Yes, I agree our hobby is such a good escape from current realities xx

Liz said...

Brilliant card Darnell and I chuckled all the way through reading your post! Thank goodness for our crafting hobby which is keeping us all sane (well fairly sane! 🤣) xx

Maria said...

Oh, I’m happy to see Tiny, the cow, having fun on the beach! She is rockn’ that bikini, too cute!! Oh, I so agree about having this hobby to keep me sane! It’s such a joy! And, I got to share it with the kids at bible camp today, so fun!

oldpunca said...

The card is awesome. If the world is not in level why should horizon be in level? :-) I like the bikini. Great pattern and it fits perfectly. :-) Thank you for the doses of laughter during reading your post.
Take care and stay in the Playhouse! Hugs, Sonja

Pat said...

What a fab and fun Christmas card Darnell, and I love Tiny in her very tiny bikini, and the torn paper sand and sea and the white die cut gulls all look great..a beautiful sunset too, and the red glitter card sentiment and background look great. I love your wonderful tale telling which moooooved me to chuckle several times. You're right, it's worth every penny! x

Susan said...

I've got a big smile on my face after reading your post about the bikini-wearing Tiny - one sexy bovine! So glad Hammy caught her celebrating on the beach!

TK said...

How cute! And so true... we all need a little "boost" now and then during this topsy-turvy time in history! Take yours anyway you want it, and we'll all do the same I'm sure

Christine Alexander said...

I howled at your cow, she's udderly adorable and a wonderful poster girl for Christmas in the sun :(
I agree, what would we do without our craft supplies, a cheap way to keep sane XX

kiwimeskreations said...

Hammy certainly has some made wonderful friends on his travels, and Tiny cow is one if them - she's gorgeous!! Well done on a fabulous photo Hammy to inspire your human.... who has made a wonderful card featuring Tiny, and her cocktail....
Yes, craft is way better that meds, even if it is a tad more expensive :)
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Aquarius said...

Oh I do love your amusing blog posts which along with crafting do really help me to escape from the real world now and again. That is one fantastic image!

Carol L said...

What a fun cow card! I once had that stamp and the bikini is just too much fun! She looks right at home on the beach with the sun behind her! Totally fun card! I hope both you and the mister are doing much better these days! TC!

Lisa Elton said...

HA! How fun is this and the accompanying story to boot! Tiny is rockin' that teeny tiny bikini!

Cat Craig said...

I'm not sure which I liked more the story or the card. Such fun.

Greta said...

Oh what a hoot!

Kara Lynne said...

I love the way Tiny thinks! What could be better than to be on the beach with a cocktail at Christmas time! Ahh, such is the life of happy Californian cows, not dreary, frostbitten Wisconsin cows! We're talking about cows, right?

Cheryl W. said...

Tiny is a hoot, and her bikini is teeny--udderly teeny! But once we have three or more of those refreshing cocktails, who cares? Thanks for the backstory on Tiny. I hope she enjoys those "Golden Years" at the Retirement Village.

papierelle said...

I had to laugh out loud, the bikini is the best!!!
The card is so funny!!
Glad you joined us at DotMCC. Gundi

Brenda said...

The weather is certainly uncertain. We are having a cool down now, which is nice to take a break from AC and throw open the windows and enjoy fresh air. We definitely know our hobbies are great therapy and way cheaper than a real therapist. lol I love this card!!! I have always had a love for cows/steers. Tiny is adorable in her teeny tiny polka dot bikini! Love the scene you created for her. Makes a wonderful and cute Christmas card! You and Hammy enjoy those tropical drinks! lol Hugs, Brenda

R's Rue said...

What a cute card. Hope you are well. Hugs my friend.

Karenladd said...

Ah....Tiny is obviously a cow who is comfortable in her own skin (and a teeny tiny red bikini!). With a personality like Tiny's, the red glitter mat couldn't be more perfect. Cheers!!

Stamps and Paper said...

Your cow card is Brilliant Darnell and it certainly made me smile..

Anne

Bobby said...

I totally agree that the the world of crafting helps us escape the 'real' world by bettering others. The same can be said for stopping by your blog and getting our good feeling for the day, Darnell. Your card is a riot and worthy of more than a giggle or two. Thank Hammy for getting the picture of Tiny in her Christmas suit.

Redanne said...

A really fun card and a very fun post Darnell, thanks for the smile!

I do so agree about crafting, I cannot imagine what some of us would have done without it!

Keep safe and well my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

Anonymous said...

haha, looks like Tiny is going to be very merry! Such a fun card. thank you so much for sharing with the Rudolph Days Challenge.
Linda, DT

frommycraftroom said...

She is the most devine bovine! Love her. thanks for the smile you popped on my face

Sarah said...

Oh my word, this post made me smile. Such a fabulous card xx

Ruth said...

You never fail to make me laugh!! xx

Rosmarie said...

LOL, what a sexy cow, Darnell!! I love her tiny little red bikini - and of cours the fun story about her!! Thank you so much for playing along with DotMCC. Hugs, Rosi

Leslie Miller said...

You always know how to make me laugh out loud! Even without the story I was already chuckling at your delightful card. Thanks, Darnell!

My Paper Epiphany said...

I adore your fun card and the story is even better! Thanks for giving me a chuckle:) Oh and thanks for joining us at PBSC. Hugs x

Nora Noll said...

Oh my goodness!! Your post just CRACKED ME UP!!! I love that fun Christmas card. Such a great stamp. Your little "scene" is darling!!

JD/ Jill said...

This is so cute! I have to see if I can find the picture of a cow I sewed for one of my bosses... It reminded me of this card.

And I think you may be about right about all the stuff piled in my craft room...
"
Who knew a few hundred thousand dollars worth of craft supplies..."

(It sure seems that way...