Hello Stamplings!
Happy New Year! How has 2023 been for you as we finish out week one? Have you already broken any of your resolutions? That's okay, now you can just get on with life without pressure!
We are starting our year off with a series of Bomb Cyclone/Atmospheric River events here in California. Some places have not seen rain like this for 150 years! The storms are lined up out in the Pacific until the 20th, possibly longer. As much as we desperately need the rain, it's not good to get so much at once. So far we are in no danger, but so many folks are not faring as well. 🙏
Between the weather confining me to quarters and the card challenges being on break, I enjoyed cleaning and purging. I know, I'm nuts to enjoy it, but if I don't do it, I get creatively clogged. (Aside: I find chocolate washed down with wodka also helps with clogs, but that's a different blog.😊)
Now we are lucky to have some of the challenges back to light our schparkle and Hammy brought back a whole case of brand-new winkers thanks to his generous relatives. So, away we go ~
Onefer
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The NBUS star of the performance today is the "Serene Bird and Branch" die from Memory Box. For this CASual scene, she was cut from watercolor paper and painted with Ziggies in pink shades. With all the shiny gold from the frame and branch, we decided to just wink her tail feathers and use a simple sediment.
Challenges
- Color Hues: Light pink and gold
- Critter Crazy: A/G with a featured critter.
- SSS Wednesday: Something new. (The bird.)
Twofer
Look away if you just can't bear looking at a Christmas card right now, lol!
This card is more layered. The snowflake circle cut from gold is a Hero Arts die called, "Snowflakes and Ornament." I cut off the ornament hanger to make it look like a wreath and then I nestled the Serene Bird cut from pp in amongst the snowflakes. (I don't think they are so cold when they are cut from gold.)
I used Penny Black's "Red and Greens" holly die as wreath decorations and the NBUS sediment is from Simon's stamp set, "The Magic of Christmas," inked with CP's Juniper Mist.
Challenges
- Four Seasons: Anything goes winter.
- Just Us Girls: Color week.
- Snippets Playground: A/G w/ snippets. I used snippets for the wreath, bird, and holly.
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I've been posting Twofers now for years. By Christmas, I was up-to-here with even the thought of making Christmas cards, but I'm going to try and use the same stamp or die to make my Twofer a Christmas card during 2023. I'm slowing down and this past year I wasn't able to make as many Christmas cards as I needed.😒 The only way around that is to religiously make them all year like a lot of you are disciplined to do. I want to be like you. I always have good intentions, but then I get distracted by one bagful of squirrels or another!
Plus, I'm hoping this plan will give Mr. Mojo a kick in the jo! Even a kick in the mo would be good, but that's gonna leave a bruise. Here are a few other Christmas designs I made using the Serene Bird. It got rather addicting once I got started and I have several more birds cut from pp to make even more. Whoop!
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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
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As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse, being a follower, and leaving me some love!
*Life is too short!
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66 comments:
Happy New Year! Both your bird cards from today are beautiful Dolly! LOVE the soft pink and gold. The design is perfect to send your prayers. Then the second with the gorgeous deep blue inked bird. Love the ombre shading that makes him even more gorgeous. Pretty with the gold snowflake background and your holly on the side. Wonderful design. You've gotten good use from that lovely bird die already with the cards you made for Christmas. It's a keeper! :) Looking forward to seeing many more cards using it.
Happy to hear you and Mister are doing well with all the rain. We went through the same sort of thing just over a year ago and there was so much devastation for some. It's heartbreaking to see. Love, Lolly
You've certainly got your money's worth out of that bird die Darnell, and good for you for getting on with your cards for next year. When I make mine so early it makes my daughter twitch but it's the only way to get them done in time I fear. Thanks for sharing at Colour Hues too.
Glad to hear you and the Mister are OK, it's been pretty wet here too but I don't think we need Noah's Ark just yet, though the big pond has filled up considerably since it almost dried up in the summer.
Keep safe and HNY! :)
Happy New Year! Your bird cards are fabulous, what a great die and like how you have used it!
We've been seeing the awful events in the States with the weather Darnell, it's quite unreal, isn't it? The winds and rain you are all sending us across the Pond, are having an impact here too, we are drowning in rain and being blown in the winds. Luckily, no snow atm. Anyhow, back to You, cleaning too? OH! dear, the weather has got to you! Never mind, your cards are wonderful, I love the different look you have given this lovely bird, it doesn't even look the same. I had to switch between each card, as it looked like you had moved the wing or something? Yeah! I know the branch has gone, but the look is so different. Incredible work. Love them all.
Happy New Year Darnell.
Faith x
What a great start you have this year already. I love this bird and that Blessings card is so gorgeous. They are all great but that is my favorite. Maybe you could start a clog blog to help us when we are clogged. That is a great idea to use the stamp or die to make a Christmas card.
So happy to hear you've missed all the terrible flooding and storms! I love your Two-fer and was glad to see #1 pop up in the Color Hues gallery--the bird is so pretty in pink with the gold leaves and framing. I committed to making 10 Christmas cards each month last year. There were a couple of months when we were away, but the one-offs I made for challenges filled in the gaps. Hope to keep it up this year as well.
Oh My!! These are ALL wonderful, Darnell! I love the bird, and each perch gets better as you go. I think we can all relate to not having enough cards for Christmas - it seems that families grow and friends gather, which is an amazing thing. While all are wonderful, the plaid bird spoke to me, then the peach one with the gold flecks, but each has its own beauty and interest. Kudos and have a great rest of the year. Prayers that the Bombs and Rivers stay away from you
Happy New Year to you Darnell, I certainly hope it's going to be a good one.
Your cards are so beautiful, I love the little bird die and your lovely designs.
Thank you so much for your lovely Christmas card, Kate x
Ohhh, that beautiful bird is heavenly on all your gorgeous cards! Cleverness abounds in the way you combined it with different stamps and dies, and what a great use of your papers! I have this bird and have never thought to angle it in this horizontal position, but I love it! I'm so inspired I may have to go cut a bunch of birds from DP and tuck them away for later. I hear you about the slowing down, so adjustments must be made. As always, the funny at the end made me laugh out loud. Quite an outburst it was. I've started a new fitness routine and I'll probably be too sexy by summer. Mind you, this is not a resolution, just getting back to business after being down with some pain issues for too long.
That little bird is just adorable, he looks so serene and makes such good Christmas cards. You are right about Christmas cards, I enjoy sending them but did get in quite a stress last year trying to get them all made in time as I generally hate making them out of season. Perhaps I will try to take a leaf out of your book. We will see. Good luck with your mission xx
Glad to hear you are OK! And I love your bird cards!
I just made one and posted on Instagram (sharons_playtime)
if you're intersted!
Happy New Year!
Sharon
This pretty bird is a workhorse, Dolly! How fun to get all these cards from that one die! That gets the price of the card down to a reasonable level and a fantastic idea to do a twofer with one being a Christmas card. I'll have to mull that over a bit and see if I can figure a way to do that. I'd prefer to mull the wine though. 😉
All of your bird cards are so beautiful, Darnell! And good for you for getting going on the Christmas cards--you'll be so happy you did come December. Happy 2023 to you!
Happy New Year to you and the Mister, and to your readers too.
FABBYLICIOIUS birdie cards too.
Delighted to hear you are in no danger from the bombe Cyclone, though I do seem to recall your location as being higher than some. Stay safe. We've had cold and wet here too, which has curtailed my daily walk a bit! Must get back to it before the scales start shouting "one at a time" again!
Kathyk
That is a great bird to use in so many ways! It would be great on an Art Journal Page too! I love the soft colours om yourfirst and the shiny snowflakes in contrast with the white and pure looking branche!
Glad you are save!
I have a habbit of making christmascards around christmas; that way I am in the mood and mostly just in need of a few by christmas of the next year... Hugs, Gerrina
Love the sleeping birdie. Reminds me though, of an otter. Teehee Hugs and HNY
Happy New Year to you too Darnell, and YAY to you for all the bird cards you've created!! Of course I'm a little partial to the light pink and gold one right now (thanks for playing along with us at Color Hues!!), but I'm also loving the Christmas versions and glad to hear that you're getting ahead of the game early this year! I kinda slacked off making Christmas cards last year and had to do some assembly line making at the end to have enough, so I hope to do better this year too! And I really like your idea of turning each card you make into a Christmas version too...we'll see how disciplined I can be!! Stay dry and safe!! Hugs. :0)
Love the variety of colors you dressed this pretty little bird in! I hope to make more Christmas cards throughout the year too... hope!! Glad you're safe from the storms and pray it stays that way.
Happy New Year! I love reading your blogposts and am truly inspired by your card making skills. I sure hope that the weather out west calms down soon. I also hope that all of the water helps prevent a few fires and contributes to the water shortage.
I truly love your serene bird cards. That bluebird Christmas cad is stunning! I, too, struggled to get enough Christmas cards made this year. I have vowed to be better about making them all year long. So far I have made a dozen for Christmas 2023. We'll see how long my resolve lasts. I did do a big sort out and reorganization of my Christmas dies and papers. Maybe that will help.
Once again you gave me a great tip to create a second card for a different season/purpose and what better than to build the Christmas stash. Jim says that your bird cards are making his twittering heart beat faster! Thanks for the inspiration and Happy New Year!
Beautiful birdie, Darnell - love the blue ombre one it's soo pretty! and definitely a versatile Christmas die. Glad you're staying safe and away from the storms - take care. x
Beautiful cards Darnell, The blue card could double as a sympathy one without the holly leaves... It's wonderful to see you back again.
Hammy certainly has a wonderful family to give him a full range of new 'winkers' for Christmas!!
Blessings
Maxine
I’m impressed Darnell at your diligence in one week, a purge and all these cards!
I’m just doing a looooong list of jobs none of which include cards of any sort, after my tween Christmas and New Year play reality set in. I’ve too many things needing sorting in between visitors and starting a church group bulletin for Feb etc etc.
I’d love to join you in the making and indeed intend to… as soon as I think of a simple design to run with, as I want to do more batches this year.
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless you and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz} {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Hi Darnell
Both bird cards are fabulous. I can see you had fun after you had a craft room purge. Sorry to hear about the storms, I hope you remain safe.
Thanks for coming to play in the Snippets Playground. I've a few treats in my satchel if you come and find me round the back of the bike sheds! LOL!
Hugs, Sarn xxx
Happy New Year Darnell. Two fabulous cards with your lovely bird...your other cards are lovely too. You have coloured your bird so beautifully and Yeah you have a Christmas card for this year! My intentions for one a week...out the window. I have been busy with a card to post to OZ for Thomas. I need more desk space in my craft room...so need a good clear out first (craft room of course)...but what to part with, it may come in one day!!..lol ...so back to your wonderful creations, both stunning and showcasing totally different uses of the same die so well. Hugs xx
Happy New Year Dolly! x
Lovely birdie and lovely cards!
xx
Happy New Year! And what wonderful cards to start the New Year with. Naturally I like the cas beauty est in all its pink glory and yes I SKIPPED THE xmas version. Sending hugs and hope all is well xx
Happy New Year, Darnell! I hope this is the start of a fantastically creative year for you. You are off to a good start with these lovely cards. I have the same hope, to make Christmas cards throughout the year. Heck, to make cards period throughout the year. Not off to the best start, but in my defense my daughter was home from college and just went back to campus yesterday. :) I hope you aren't too adversely affected by all the rain. Feast or famine, right? Please take care and happy creating!
Happy New Year to you Darnell. I love your Serene Bird, it's such a beautiful die and your cards are gorgeous too.
Sue xx
So beautiful. I love it.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Just love your beautiul bird cards Darnell....Happy New Year to you and Mister... I'm struggling at the moment my mojo...
we've seen picture of the awful artic bomb the USA has certainly had its fair share of bad weather...pleased you've manage to stay safe..we've lots of rain here, flooding around the villages lucky we are ok at the moment...Take care
Hugs Anne x
Absolutely beautiful, love both designs using this gorgeous bird! Cleaning and purging is always a fun project to start in the new year! But sorry to hear about all the rain all at once!
Thank you so much for joining us at Four Seasons challenge!
Ellie
Ellibelle's Corner
Happy New Year, Darnell! I don't do New Year's resolutins, but I set myself a few crafty goals, that can happen at the start of the year, in the middle or end, it doesn't matter:) But I'll be focusing on making more than 1 card at a time , I'll be better trying out color challenges and I'll go back to my previous years'good routine of making Christmas cards early, it didn't go as planned last year. I absolutely adore your bird cards! Oh, and the postman came along and had a little something from you - thank you so much
Send me some of that mojo once you find it!!! Love this two-fer but I'm partial to the blue one. Just beautiful. Happy New Year!!!
Well, whatdayaknow? This lovely pink bird showed up in our Color Hues gallery. LOL!!! Again, just beautiful. Thanks for playing with us Darnell!
Happy New Year Darnell!! Serene bird is absolutely gorgeous in all the guises you've shared today xx
Happy New Year, D!!! So happy that you've given us all the bird to start our year out right!!
Seriously - he's a keeper AND a sender! and gave you a leg up on Christmas 2023! Keep up the good work/play!
=]
ps loved your Christmas card - such a beauty! Thank you!
Happy New Year, Darnell! I'm glad you are safe from the extreme bad weather!
Love the light pink and gold card with the lovely branch, and also the blue and gold one with the snowflake circle and the white holly. This bird die is so beautiful and all your cards look delightful, also the three at the bottom of the page!
Hugs and stay safe!
Happy New Year to you and I certainly hope you are managing still with this rain event you are up against. As for your two darling cards...that bird dies is awesome! I love the way you have shaded him/her to bring them both to life. Awesome cards and I appreciate you playing at both Color Hues and Just Us Girls. Stay dry! Hugs!
Happy New Year to you and yours. So far I see you're doing quite well and I admire your resolution to create Christmas cards through the year. I don't make resolutions anymore because it only sets me up for failure, so I admit my shortcomings and just plug along at my own pace and do what I can. What I can't do I'm just not going to worry about it anymore. Your birds are beautiful and you made 2 very pretty cards.
Wow, what glorious birdie cards these are Darnell! Love 'em all! Your posts always make me giggle.
Hugs
Di xx
I am glad to hear you are not suffering too much from all the rain in your state Sis! I too have been trying to purge and declutter and re-organize - a daunting task which seems to just create new piles in other places..... You have so many delightful cards here using that lovely die cut bird! Good for you getting a jump on your Christmas cards too! xx
What fabulous makes using this beautiful bird Darnell, and it is so pretty and pink and love the gold leafy branch and stitched frame, and the blue with some wonderful shading looks great with the gold snowflake circle and the white holly, and the paler blue makes a super background. This die has obviously been put to good use with the extra cards you have managed to make with it too, and all beautiful. Glad you are doing OK with this Bomb Cyclone but feel sorry for those that have problems..we noticed on Sky tonight that they have evacuated Montecito. We have been having the remnants of this rain and wind over here but so far apart from some localised road flooding and everywhere being like a swamp we have been lucky to escape the worst effects. Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Oh my, what beautiful cards, that bird is just adorable, you certainly kicked it in the jo! Stay safe. It’s going to be a good year xxx
Happy New Year! Sorry to be so late but I have been laid low with the lurgy that is doing the rounds over here. Hope you are continuing to stay safe.
Fabulous cards using this birdie and the one with the gold and the white die cut is just beautiful, great use of colour.
Super birdie cards - great for using up snippets. All the best for the year
All your cards are stunning, Darnell! I love trying to find different ways to use the same thing xoxo
Hello!! Long time no visit... sorry. Beautiful cards and thanks so much for the beauty I received from you. Happy New Year! I hope it's a good one... We're doing okay and thanfully all the work has been done on the home for now which gives me a lot less stress. Still waiting on hospital appointments but given the situation over here I don't expect anything soon. Stay dry and well. Hugs
Love your new bird die - so versatile! You created such a serene card in your Onefer - an ideal sympathy card or for someone going through a rough time. And the Twofer Christmas card is just plain gorgeous - I love the colours and the combination of die cuts (might have to CASE it). Then you went on and outdid yourself with the three extra cards. The one with the holly really appeals to me!
Happy New Year and your birdies are so sweet and cuddly. I watch the feeder during the day and I want to go out and give the Downy woodpecker a cuddle, hubby told me it would end badly--lol! I love your card and thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us at the Color Hues!
Fabulous bird cards. I am totally loving the second card -- must be the blue and gold a favorite color combo. What a great idea to get on the all year long bandwagon Christmas card making. I find that helps me, I get so mentally worn by October that its less fun over all for any card type.
Darnell, what two birdie beauties. Love the soft pink and the gorgeous blue. Gorgeous cards. So glad you are doing well with the weather being so nasty. Crazy weather all over. Hugs...
Beautiful cards!!! Thanks so much for participating in our CRITTER CRAZY challenge!!! I appreciate that you play along and I enjoy visiting your blog!! Have a happy crafty day!!
Deanne at A Little Bit O’ Paper
I love both of your cards Darnell. I'm slowing down a lot more than I already was. The last month has not been nice to me between the flu and migraines (I won't complain about the rain we need it too much). The last squall that went through yesterday dropped 3 inches at my house and officially 2.25 inches in the bucket at the airport. Stay safe my friend.
I never get enough of Christmas cards. :-) The little bird is a great motiv for different occasions.
I wish you a happy new year and a lot of mojo for card making.
Hugs, Sonja
Happy New Year!
I have broken my resolution - to stay on top of social media! urg I just don't!!
All beautiful cards. I hope you are still staying safe!!
Gorgeous card designs with that bird die, Darnell - especially love the one where birdie is the O of JOY!! And the rich blue bird in the gold snowflake frame looks stunning!! If you do a quartet of Christmas cards like this every time, you'll be swimming in cards come December :) Glad you're safe and thinking of all those poor folks dealing with the storms!!
Beautiful cards Darnell the birds are stinning die's love the colours too xx
Your cards are all beautiful, Darnell, and good for you for working on Christmas cards! I'm glad you are safe where you are. And I love your cartoon. :-) I'm in total agreement! LOL!
Both cards are just beautiful my friend! Hope 2023 is good to you!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Four Seasons Challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back again soon.
Darlene
FOUR SEASONS CHALLENGE
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Wow, that's quite a beautiful stash of birdie cards! Hoping that you are not at risk with all of the rain you're getting over there on the opposite coast.
Your cards a lovely, as usual! I love the blue one. That bird is so pretty. I wish I could make Christmas cards all year long, but that just does not happen...I'm not that regimented! Thanks for playing with Just Us Girls!
Loving the serene bird die Darnell and have popped her at the top of my wish list - not least because I need at least one serene thing in the Craft Square Metre! Your cards are totally inspiring and I love the touches of gold. What a great idea to make your twofer a Christmas card! I toyed with the idea of joining you in that plan but then I remembered that even after making one card I need a bit of a lie down! Happy new year my friend! Mwah, Vicky x
Well as always Darnell your cards are lovely. The bird looks like a very useful addition to your craft stash. You might think you’re slowing down but not judging by the number of cards you made!
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