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 17, 2021

It Makes My Bird-Loving Heart Happy!

Hello Stamplings!

I think the summer heat has gone to my head. I was talking to a friend last week about any plans for traveling in the fall and then I asked her if she was going to make her usual trip to the Midwest in late June or early July? Needless to say, she cocked her head in the universal gesture of, "What the hay is wrong with you?!" Oh. This getting old thing is a mental surprise every day. As is the calendar!

Speaking of calendar, it's time to remind you that the current Twofer Card Challenge ends on July 24th. It makes my bird-loving heart happy to see the pairs of birdies in the gallery!
You can imagine the fun I had making these cards! The BIRD stamp my two different designs have in common and which I just HAD to have, is NBUS from Art Impressions. (Bird-Brains UMD1878.) 

Onefer
There are only about a million reasons why you could use this chicken on a card, especially when you have the snarky sediments from Tim Holtz. I used this card as a humorous thank you card for my SIL. The background is a piece of pp (pats self on back). The stitched square frame is from MFT. For the background behind the chick, I did a blend of yellow and gold inks through a honeycomb stencil. I zigged the chicken and Hammy winked her. She was really out cold cuz she never moved a feather and you know it had to tickle, especially on those feet!

Challenges



Twofer
And then I got nostalgic and turned my chicken into a Christmas wreath. Chicken wreaths used to be a tradition in a small town in Missouri where my sister once lived. She moved several years ago and the tradition may be going on for all I know. The youngsters had such fun dying the feathers and feet green and red while the grownups sat behind the wood shed and drank moonshine. For weeks afterwards the kids would show up at school with their hands and arms dyed up to their elbows! (Hanging a chicken wreath on your door was thought to ward off sickness. I personally think the stink warded off visitors and hence nobody brought germs into your house.)

Hammy made the wreath even more festive by adding a wee holly stamp here and there and then winking the entire wreath. I heat-embossed the sediment in princess gold powder and chomped the corners.

Challenges
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I hope you have time to play in the Twofer Card Challenge this month! We all have bird stamps, dies, or stencils that are just waiting to fly onto your two different card designs! We are fortunate to have Maria and Coni as our guest designers, as well as lots of inspiration from the talented Design Team!
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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!

An update from the Back Department: both of us are much better, still waiting for some medical follow ups, but all in all 👍! I send my return best wishes to all of you (or your family) who are suffering with illness or floods or drought. 

*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!)

64 comments:

Aquarius said...

Fabulous and imaginative way of using this wonderful stamp for the twofer challenge. Love them both and the sentiment on the first is great.

Ros Crawford said...

I just LOVE that bird stamp! I can't stop laughing at that sentiment with the bird on your first card... And how clever of you to make a wreath with it! Have a fun weekend my crazy friend!

Gerrina said...

How did this idea got into your head? At first it doesn't stand out, but what a way to use that bird stamp! I think you have some extra special creative conections in your brain... and we are glad that we can enjoy them! Hugs, Gerrina

Jeanne said...

Oh goodness, Darnell. you sure know how to make a person snort! Thanks for these delights and the fantastic commentary. Happy to hear the backs are improving! Hugs!

BożenA said...

I knew the chicken wreath was a special tradition. But I laughed, thank you Darnell :-))
Two fantastic cards, amazing ideas and your description of why this chicken wreath. One of your funniest posts, my sweet Darnell :-)
hugs,
BożenA

Donna said...

Such fun and clever cards! Your wreath came out perfect! Hope all is well with you!

Brenda in IN said...

Oh my, these are great and the wreath is so creative. Two fun cards and I love the sentiment on the yellow card. It pretty well describes my day, which is why I haven't made my bird cards. I need to get off my tail feathers and get busy.

cuilliesocks said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell, such fun and the chicken image is a belter. How clever to make one of your cards a Christmas wreath.
Good to hear that you are both feeling better, Kate x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Stunning creations! You are always so creative!! Love the grey plus yellow/gold, is such a great combo and your card is very fun! And such incredible imagination you have, thinking that chicken in a Christmas wreath!!! And it's elegant too! :D This is Art!!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Definitely did a double take to locate the bird on card two, Darnell - so clever and fun!! Just love card one also - the entire design makes me smile and what a fun sentiment!! I have many successful days like that....

Verna Angerhofer said...

Oh, Darnell, you are a gem indeed! I just had to look twice and realized that the wreath was made with the same ducks. How clever and great working outside the box!

conil said...

You continue to educate me on the vagaries of the human condition. I never knew chicken wreaths were an actual thing. Not something I'd ever hang on my door for any occasion but, as they say, different strokes. Do love that chicken image, however. That's exactly how my last few days have been...ugh!
Hope you and Kevin are both doing well, is Kevin improving? Take care and be safe.

Brenda said...

Egads, I'm right there with you Auntie. I said something to Bret about July and he was like, "you know we are in July, right?" Uh, yes I knew that. lol Oh my, I don't think it is age as much as it is all the stress from Covid. No one goes out much or at least those of us with any sense. So the calendar just ticks right on by! Your twofer's are very clever Auntie! I love that chicken passed out, so cute and funny. Fun sentiment too! But you really got me with your chicken wreath! It made a fun wreath for the holidays. Never would have thought to use it that way! But you did! Glad to hear the backs for you and the Mister are doing better, lets pray it stays that way! Hugs, Brenda

Sue said...

Oh my goodness Darnell what fabulous cards!! and I love that chicken wreath lots of hugs Sue x

Lynette said...

Oh, I love that first card, Darnell!! Great sentiment - I guess I have lots of productive days! The colors are so bright and cheery and the birdie is so cute. I've never heard of dying chickens, but your wreath is fabulous. One has to look closely to realize what the images are!

Lisa Elton said...

Love the way you've framed your passed out chicken, what a great card! But a chicken wreath!!?? I do love the way you think!

Bonnie Lynn said...

Oh Darnell what an awesome idea to turn that birdbrain stamp into a wreath!! I would never have thought of that.

Pat said...

These Twofers are brilliant and both so funny Darnell, particularly with the addition of that sentiment on the first, and I love the yellow starry paper and the honeycomb behind the sleepy chicken, and the wreath on the second is inspired, and perfect with the addition of the little sprigs of holly for Christmas cheer. x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OMG, I have chuckled so much for, well since yesterday! I absolutely adore these cards, such fun and beautifully done. I had to take another look at your wreath and what it had to do with birds, hilarious Darnell and the story is amazing. Good to hear you are both improving.
Faith x

Jeanne H said...

Rolling on the floor, or I would if not too old. Fun, fun cards. Hugs.

designbydonna said...

That bird is hilarious. I love and empathize with the sentiment on the yellow card. Just how I feel some days. It really took imagination to turn a chicken into a wreath. Your accompanying story had me laughing out loud.

Loll said...

LOVE the bird stamp ... made me smile! Adorable card using it in the "traditional" sense, although the stamp is definitely not traditional. :) Making a wreath ... I think you are the only one that could have come up with this idea. It is AWESOME! What a great wreath! :) Love, Lolly

Carol L said...

Your cards are both fun and absolutely hilarious with that chicken! I feel pretty much like that worn-out chicken myself these days!
As I just mentioned in a comment on another blog - I'm blaming my absent brain function on the heat! I got up early this morning to put a beef roast and veggies in the crockpot for our dinner tonight and about an hour later my hubby said "do you want this thing turned on? It's plugged in but not turned on yet!" It can't possibly be my age, it's the heat I tell ya = yep! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
So glad to know you and the mister are recovering well from all your back issues. I hope the coming days bring you some pain-free good times instead of those old PITA times! Take care and keep smiling ;)

Cat Craig said...

Lovely birdy cards and that wreath is fabulous. Love the snark on sentiment.

Bunny said...

Dyeing chickens, eh? The country girl in me loves it. It's kinda like the possum drop on New Year's eve when the clock struck midnight. They had to put a stop to that several years ago. PETA kinda frowned on that.

Anyhoo.........love your cute cards. I'll try and use my bird brain to think up something for the challenge. [Bunny]

Heather said...

Two very fun cards! The procrastination sentiment fits me to a T most days!! : ) Love the paper/colors you used. And the chicken wreath is quite genius! Thanks for playing with The House That Stamps Built.

Jean said...

That chicken wreath is hilarious. So creative. Hope you continue to feel better and better,

Vikki H said...

Still laughing at that fabulous wreath! So clever. I've stamped and cut up a few birds and need to get them on some card fronts. Thanks for the reminder.

frommycraftroom said...

WOW I really have no idea how you came up with that! A chicken christmas wreath! and your story! Love it.

Both great cards.

Julie B said...

Well I nearly had granola down my nose as I read the bit about the chicken wreath, not a sight you want to see! In the future I better not read one of your posts when eating breakfast!
Two fun takes on the the theme though! Glad your backs are better if not back to normal. :)

Kathyk said...

I love a card with humour and this (these) have it in spades!!! When I clicked on your lovely "wreath" make over at LIM I had NO IDEA you had made the wreath using that fun bird stamp - Priceless!!! Love it

Happy Sunday

Kathyk

kiwimeskreations said...

That wreath is magical Darnell - and I am still smiling - poor Hammy having to wink their feet... hope you gave him extra rations for all his work! Loving the snarky sentiment on the thank you card too
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Marilyn said...

Cute cards! Love the creative way you used the chicken stamp to make a wreath
Have a great day!
Marilyn💖

JulieP said...

Well this is a first. I have never, ever, ever heard of a chicken wreath and I even grew up in the Midwest! And honestly, I wouldn't have even guessed that those were chickens on your card. So danged creative!

Kara Lynne said...

Now I gotta have that chicken! Your cards are both wonderful! Funny, we had that same chicken wreath tradition where I grew up ;)
I love your new photo! You look so happy and vibrant and so does Nellie!

TK said...

What a hoot!!! Yes - you, yes - that hilarious image, and YES - the fact that your "old" brain could use it for a wreath!! You're awesome, and so are your cards, Funny Lady

HilaryJane said...

Well done for using a piece of patterned paper, you deserve that pat on the back. I love both these cards, they are so clever and who would ever have thought of a chicken wreath, I think you must be having us on, but your card is pretty clever and really very effective. Well done xx

Sandra H said...

😂 put it down to being a senior moment Darnell ......we’ll absolutely love the patterned paper both cards are fabulous your talent always shines through xx

Liz said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell, such a creative way of using this brilliant stamp. xx

Cheryl W. said...

I always love the snarky sentiments you find. They're so much fun! Your chicken wreath is fabulous, too. I usually feel like a passed out chicken by the time the holidays come to a close. Will try to get some cards done to enter the fun on the Twofer blog. I've got some NBUS bird dies that I'm itchin' to use.

Susan said...

I laughed out loud when I read that snarky sentiment!! I have many wildly successful days! Two great cards with that hilarious chicken stamp. How you ever came up with the idea to use it to make a Christmas wreath is beyond me! I must truly be lacking in imagination!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Great cards, I particularly like the yellow one.

Glad backs are much improved and hope they stay like that.

Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

R's Rue said...

Thank you for the laugh. Your cards are always so lovely and imaginative. Happy Monday. Be blessed.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Two great cards, Darnell xoxo

Bobby said...

What a riot you are, darling Darnell! A chicken wreath? I don't know which is funnier. The wreath or the story. I love the winked and zigged one too. Passed out for sure!

Monica C. said...

Nice to meet you Darnell! Thank you for leaving a comment on my bookmark post.
These cards are brilliant! The yellow one is perfect for that sentiment and the chicken wreath delightful. I will never look at my stamps the same again seeing you make a wreath our of chickens!!
Hugs Monica

Bonnie said...

Such a fun chicken stamp, Dolly! I feel like that a lot! I can imagine all of them humming as they lay in that circle! Two funfer cards, my friend!

Holly's Handmade Card said...

Such a cute cards!! Love them and great take on the sketch. Thanks so much for joining us this week at CC&S!

Donna Ellis said...

Laughing out loud, here! WOWOW! What a great imagination to make a Christmas wreath from your crazy birdie! LOVE IT! And the procrastination card is pure genius in prettiness, cheerfulness, and cuteness! OH SO CUTE! huggers, de

Shannon Lorenz-Hatch said...

You are hilarious.... and what super cute duo of cards! What a clever idea to use the chickens in a wreath, it took me a minute to recognize they were the same stamp. I love your coloring and blending, lucky thing this chicken didn't move!Well done. Thanks for joining us this week at CC&S

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

I needed a belly laugh today, Darnell. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The procrastination card is so fun, and the wreath us simply genius. Thank you for the sunshine on a cloudy day. xx

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Oh and I forgot to say thank you for playing with us at Less Is More. I was too preoccupied with the chickens...

Wei said...

Such a fun take on the sketch! Thanks for playing along with us at CAS Colors & Sketches Challenges. Looking forward to seeing your creative projects in the future galleries.

Craftychris said...

I love these cards with that hilarious stamp! Adore how you made it into a wreath - so clever! I hope the Mister is starting to recover - backs are such a pain when they go wrong. Take care my friend, hugs xxxxxx

perfectly4med said...

YOur cards are both wonderful, but using the stamp to make Christmas wreath is inspired! Thanks for your CAS entry with us at Less is More.

Neil

Inkyfingers said...

You really crack me up, Darnel, and I needed a smile today! I love the procrastinating chicken but the wreath and the story to go with it are going to stay in my memory lol! Sorry to be late to comment.
Hugs
Carol x

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

As always I am left giggling and smarter in equal measure having visited your blog Darnell! I am glad I'm not living in Missouri, especially for Christmas but I love that festive chicken card! The yellow chicken card totally speaks to me too - I hope your sister loves it as much as I do. Thanks for sharing with us over at CAS Colours and Sketches this week!

Linby said...

Well, it totally passed me by that you used the chicken stamp for the wreath lol! even though it is a twofer! Ingenious to put that sentiment with the chicken, I assumed it came with it. Fabulous Christmas card wreath and the story which is when the penny dropped!

Glittered Paws said...

Laughing my backside off at these two cards - only you would have come up with this!!! I live in Missouri and I have never heard of this town or tradition - maybe before my day. LOL. I'll ward off sickness some other way beside chicken feet and feathers. I'm glad you let Hammy add his special touch.

Vicky Hayes said...

You're obviously feeling much better Darnell as you're up to mischief again! Chicken wreaths at Christmas eh? Hmmmm! Absolutely love your cards and that stamp and snarky sentiment set have gone on my wish list (or it will when I've found the end of it! I could be some time...!) Sending hugs, Vicky x

Mac Mable said...

Thank you for the smiles Darnell.......what fabulous, funny, adorable and creative cards. I so enjoyed reading your fun post and what a wonderful storyteller you are x. so glad that both of you are on the mend....continue to take it easy and continue to recover....sending hugs x.

Greta said...

Oh my goodness--so creative & fun!

Cazro said...

A very pretty 'Sparkle'card. Thanks for joining in the fun at Happy Little Stampers - Christmas challenge. Caz. DT.

Barbara Godden said...

What a fun card, only a great mind could take that bird stamp and make a Christmas wreath, fantastic card, thanks for playing along with us at Happy Little Stampers for the Christmas challenge.