More Playhouse Critters

Welcome, friends!

This is another scheduled post to share some of my photos of outdoorsy things in and around the Playhouse. Today will feature bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and even a grasshopper. Wait. What? And maybe I'll throw in a squirrel. More importantly, I want to continue introducing you to new friends for your enjoyment and inspiration!

But first, may I give you another QACAS card?

 

I had hoped to make you a card for each species, but I rant out of time. So the above is all I have for you. You can plainly see the gorgeous butterfly sticker from KandyToys Exeter and not so plainly you can see the embossed dragonflies and butterflies on the green panel. I used that same green paper and sediment on my last card. I liked it so much, I used it again for this one. The e/f is a Sizzix "Butterflies and Dragonflies." The patterned paper is from KandCompany.

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Some of you are familiar with a beautiful flowering plant commonly called a "butterfly bush" (Buddlea). We have two in the front yard that tower over eight feet tall. Last spring I was tickled to find out they have come out with a miniature Buddlea and I planted one right next to the Playhouse. 

Unlike our towering bushes, this one has bloomed again and again throughout the summer and into the fall. And, living up to its name, it attracts butterflies! 

And very large carpenter bees who apparently like the nectar of flowers as much as they do the grain of wood!

Smaller honey bees prefer the nectar from the statice plant:

Normally we don't get large dragonflies here, but when it's very hot, we do get damselflies, like this:

I think my sister Diana took that photo when she was here last May. This damselfly is only a few inches long, sitting on the edge of a flax stalk.

But then about a month ago, the Mister left for work and came back inside to tell me that a for-reals dragonfly had landed on the house by the front door. He knew I would want to take a picture to share this amazing sight with you.

Sadly, it's hard to tell scale, but this guy is at least triple the size of the damselfly. Below is a close-up of his cool head decoration. (Sorry, I know some of you hate these guys.)

This next one is nature's life cycle at work. A few days ago I was walking to the Playhouse and I saw a dead grasshopper off to the side, making a delicious meal for lots of wee ants.

Two things make this noteworthy. One, we don't have grasshoppers here. Like ever that I know of, so it's a mystery where this huge guy came from. And two, would you just ignore everything else and take a look at those wings, shaped and veined and looking prezackly like a leaf?! How remarkable is that design?! If you're attentive, I think nature provides the best entertainment! 

Let's see, what else did I want to show you. I have seen several wee wittle lizzie lizards in the back this summer, but I suppose you've seen enough of those photos. The only other critter pitters you might enjoy are the ones of the squirrel completely disabusing my neighbor of any hope of fig jam this year!

 

I think she might be a new mama.

Of course, she had to wash down all those figs!

And that's the latest critter photo news from the Wild Playhouse Kingdom. We haven't done that for quite a while!

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New Friends Corner

We are continuing with five more talented and inspiring card artists who have been patiently waiting to meet you! It is my extreme pleasure to introduce you to:

Becca Cruger of The Damsel of Distressed Cards. Becca has only been blogging since September, but she is already an award winner! I think her own words describe her best when she says she likes to mix up her card art style between vintage, distressed and grungy, clean and simple, and humorous. A style for everybody! She is also a huge fan of upcycling. Becca's blog is about a small-town girl with glitter on her fingers and a love of card artistry in her heart. I know I can count on you to visit her and welcome her to our wonderful corner of Blogland!

Dawn Turley of Dawn's World. Many of you are very happily familiar with the talented Dawn. She lives in New Zealand and has been blogging since 2009. Dawn is a designer who is an avid challenge player and a well-deserved challenge winner! Her clean and impeccably-made cards will provide tons of inspiration for you!

Hussena Calcuttawala of Quill and Punch Works. Hussena has been blogging since 2010. She is also a designer who has won many awards and honors over the years. Her cards are always sharp and bright and exquisite. Hussena's enthusiasm and love of making cards is evident throughout her very appealing blog!

Donna Thielker of Lakefront Stamping Creations. Donna has been blogging since 2011. She is a registered nurse and avid stamper. Besides making her beautiful cards, Donna enjoys boating, cooking, reading, and relaxing by the lake. Like so many of us, it was a SU party that hooked Donna 16 years ago and she's been creating and teaching ever since. She is a former DT member and award-winner who enjoys donating many of her pretty cards!

Leanne of Stamping a Little Sunshine. Leanne has been blogging since 2011. Her cards are truly gifts unto themselves. As the title of Leanne's blog suggests, her passion for this wonderful hobby grew from her love of sending cards (sunshine) to others for birthdays and all other occasions. As you will see when you visit her, receiving one of Leanne's cards would indeed be like receiving an envelope of sunshine!

Thank you for joining, ladies, and welcome to the Playhouse!

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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 leave a comment and/or join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!

  

 

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