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!

November 19, 2012

OLW#114, ATCAS#1 ~ Holiday Snowy Thanks and "Fun in the Night" Part II

Hey, hey, it's a Monday!

I have missed a couple of the One Layer Wednesday challenges.  This week our terrific hostess is Cheryl at A Paperie Journey, where she challenges us to get a head start on our holiday thank yous.  As in written.  On a card.  An old-fashioned idea in an age of emails and tweets.  Personally, nothing gets me all atweeter like a real card in my hands.  So thanks, Cheryl!

Here is my one-layer holiday thank you card:


I love that image which I picked up on sale after Christmas last year, so this was its first inking.  You could think those spots are stars, but since it is called "Merriest Christmas Wishes," I think we are safe to assume it's snow.  And if it's snow, it is also going into Addicted to CAS's first challenge as my second entry in my third paragraph.

~~~

Boyfriend Pillow Conclusion

Before we all forget there was a Part I, and as a follow-up to "Fun in the Night," here, I wanted to report to my fellow Fibromyagony sufferers, or anyone with sleep issues, on my trial of the petite version of the Comfort-U pillow.

I returned the first pillow, affectionately called "Big Boys" and through a different company, I ordered the petite version, affectionately called "Little Fellows."  It arrived in a much smaller box.

Froggie wanted in on the action right from the get-go!

Here he is with both the Big Boys and Little Fellows.



At one-third the size, the Little Fellows left more room for Mister.  Due to viewer demand following my first post, here I am with Froggie, modeling it.


While stunning I know, that picture is decreptive.  It makes me look long and lean, but IRL, I'm short and dumpy, so given that, you can see that the petite is a reasonable size.  I gave it a try for three nights and that was long enough to know I was sleeping better without it.  It was definitely more comfortable than Big Boys, but there was still too much flailing about taking place and, even with a second covering in the center, I found that it was too rough and annoying against my neck when I tried to snuggle in the apex of the curve.   I'm not sure curves have apices, but it sounds impressive.
Plus, Froggie was jealous.
DDIL is going to try it because they have a king.  Bed, I mean, not like a live-in.  If she doesn't like it either, I think I might cut it into two long pillows, so I can use my normal pillow for my head, given that the underlying (oh, ha, get it?) idea for front and back support is a good one.
So that's my report.  If you would like to try one for yourself, here are the specs:
Company:  Comfort U
Item:  Petite Comfort-U Body Pillow CU8000
Price:  $74.95
~~~
Okay, there may be radio silence from me for a few days, which will give you the chance to catch up on old posts you missed while trying to back your mouse out of the driveway.  This time it will be for a fun reason ~ I'll be doing arts and crafts with the twins while Rachel does all the heavy lifting prepping for the Thanksgiving Day pig-out!  Me and the boys will be making these adorable turkey napkin holders you can find at Karen K's site, Studio At The Lake.
~~~
Enjoy the coming days to my non-American friends!  For those of you in the States, enjoy your special Thanksgiving Day!  No, seriously, enjoy your day. 
As Uncle Phil ties one on and Joey pulls Mary Ellen's hair and your mother wants to know why you didn't use her recipe and you forgot the dinner rolls are in the hall closet, and the dog is chewing something behind grandpa's recliner, be the calming force which reminds everyone that this is a holiday to pause and appreciate all of our blessings, not a free-for-all-football-and-feeding-orgy.  Wait.  What?
Mwah!!


Paper:  PTI white
Stamps:  Hero Arts CG877,
  "Merriest Christmas Wishes"
  PTI thank you #2339 from
  "Thing Big Favorites #2"
Ink:  SU! night of navy and
  poppy parade


32 comments:

Loll said...

Those turkey napkins holders are adorable. Aren't you and the twinks goin' have fun??!! Enjoy your Thanksgiving with the family!

Redanne said...

Another glorious card Darnell, love the colours, especially the cute bird.

Great idea to cut the boyfriend in two (well not literally, of course) if DDIL cannot get on with it.

The turkeys are fab, you and the twinks will have such fun making those. Have a happy Thanksgiving, I will miss you! Hugs, Annie xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, beautiful card ! I love the image it's great. The red bird against the blue sky is perfect. And then.......... the continuation of the 'pillow talk' !!! You are so funny, and so is that giant 'small' pillow. Your froggie is too cute :) Have fun with the twins. Cheers, Shirleyxx ps.. thanks for your kind comment at my 'pair of pears' post xx

Kylie said...

Hi Darnell, Im sitting in the waiting room at a hospital while waiting for my dad to have some procedures. Reading your post made me let out a few giggles and Im sure there were a few eyebrows raised at me lol.
Love your second entry! Another gorgeous scene and I also like to think those dots are lovely snowflakes!

Thanks so much for playing along again in our first challenge at ATCAS! xx

Virginia L. said...

This wintery bird image is one of my favorite images from HA. You stamped it so very beautifully, Darnell! Thanks for sharing your new pillow. I have never seen it before...so it's most eye-opening! Happy Thanksgiving to you and family!

Tracey McNeely said...

Those turkey's are brilliant--LOVE them Darnell. Loved your post too. Happy Thanksgiving!

Jean said...

Love the stamp ~ even if you hadn't gotten it on sale, it would have been a great deal! Love the red bird, thank you and brad! Too bad the smaller pillow didn't work for you. It looks like you and the twinks will have a lot of fun making those fun napkin turkey napkin holders. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

kingstonmama said...

So pretty! I love that stamp. Happy Thanksgiving to you. Ann

Amanda said...

fabulous card and hard to believe that is just one stamp so perfect for a thank you card too. Love those turkey napkin holders. I miss thanksgiving, we have been in Florida a few times for it and we love all the food and festivities. Oh and especially the black friday sales, although I was most surprised to see lots of people in their jammies, with hair all a kimbo, still it made it more fun lol. Hugs, Amanda x

Ardyth said...

I always have to pause a moment to remember all the elements of your post. 1) Love the OLW card - perfect amount of pops of red to complement the navy (and I love the curved corner). 2) Glad to see the turkeys made it to the blog - they're really cute! And while I won't be there for Thanksgiving, I'll be in the US for Black Friday (I'm a little scared about it, actually!). Happy Thanksgiving!

maria f. said...

How funny... ditto Ardyth. You are one whirlwind! Love your card (it's why I came over). Enjoyed meeting your pillow (we use pillows like those over here in Germany when nursing our kids...). And you're dead on with your Turkey Day scenario. Wishing you a great one!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for joining us for our first ever challenge at Addicted to CAS Darnell and also for your lovely visits and cheery words they made my day. Another entertaining post filled with snippets from your life. Love your card for our challenge beautifully Cas and your turkey lurkys are sensational. Have fun with the twinks and thanks for the pillow info !

Marie

Allisa said...

Great stamp for a one layer card!

Unknown said...

Love the red bird on this snowy scene. Thanksgiving napkins are so cute - hope you have a wonderful time.

Anonymous said...

I love that card, it's a great stamp. I like picking up the clearance Christmas stamps too after the fact, bad thing about that is that you have to wait all year to use them!

If I don't see you at WOYWW, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the time with your family.

Hugs
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Meant to say that I LOVE the napkin holders!!!!!

Geri said...

This card is fabulous! So beautifully stamped...made me rethink my SU Night of Navy!

These sweet turkey guys are just the cutest. Some fun crafting time ahead for you and the twinks (especially cuz you won't be cooking - whoot whoot).

Thanks for the entertaining update on the pillows.

Have fun with the kidlets!

Unknown said...

Hi Dippy - what a wonderful card for your second entry to ATCAS. Love that super red bird - it just pops and the PTI sentiment is lovely. I was most impressed with your Little Fellow, especially being modelled by you and Froggie, but think I would end up being strangled or suffocated, which wouldn't do my Fibromyagony any good at all if I ended up dead.......! lol I was just getting really impressed thinking your DDIL was married to a King.....but then you went and spoilt it!

Enjoy your playtime with the twinks and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.......we'll miss the silence!!! Hehe....

Hugs.

Karen x

shirley-bee said...

Beautiful card, Darnell! I love that image. And your turkey napkin holders are fab! (I love how you put a thumbnail of your card at the end of the post to remind us why we came here in the first place!). Enjoy your day !

Suze Bain said...

I love your card Darnell, that is such a fabulous stamp. Can't say the same for that pillow, think it would make me feel claustrophobic - you turn around and it's there - you turn around again, it's still there! Have a great Thanksgiving. xx

Kim Heggins said...

Your card is stunning! And whether they are stars or snow, both are just breath taking and with just one layer, amazing! Love the story about your pillow, never really needed one but always wondered if they were comfortable...Have a festive Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with the twinks too.

Deanna said...

Love the card with the pop of red from the cardinal.Those turkey napkin holders are so adorable.
Don't you just love those pillows! I too made it into 2 large pillows.
Just a thought for you. I ended up putting a thick feather down mattress cover to help cushion painful joints while sleeping~so far so good :)
Have a great Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Love the card, Darnell ... fab burst of red and the navy contrast is really dramatic! Those turkeys are so cute ... have fun creating with the twinks. The Little Fellow is more like the enormous marshmallow man in Ghostbusters than a pillow, so beware fluffy white stuff! Thanks for the chuckle and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Anita :)

Beate said...

First off, I love the card. Love the splashes of red you added.
Second, thanks for the pillow story. Don't you love a pillow that makes you look long and lean? that alone is reason enough to get it. LOL
Lastly, your little turkey napkin holders are adorable.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Aileen said...

Super card. Love the pop of red. x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Who are you kidding?! Tomorrow is all about the football and the food. The food shall be cold pizza and colder beer because we are thankful for comforts and a day off work. The company shall be no one who does not already reside in the home. *sigh* *sheer bliss*

I love that card. I love that stamp. I have seen it in use in a couple of places and I always think just how wonderful and simple it is.

trisha too said...

Lovely card, Darnell--and don't make Froggie jealous anymore, please!

Those turkeys are too cute--a Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, my woyww friend! Sorry you're not playing this week, but thank you for stopping by for a holiday visit. (I have two pumpkin pies in the oven right now!)

:)

Whimcees said...

Hello!

I love your card - so pretty and I would like that image myself! The colors are perfect. I had to smile at your post - the pillows and description of a holiday family - made me laugh. Wishing you a great weekend!

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Unknown said...

Hi Darnell,
I've been trolling through your blogs, really enjoying myself (though it's Carol who is the carder). There is a joy in just writing and this comes through strongly in your pieces, so I'll be coming back a lot more. Incidentally, the comments you made about the Californian poppy are as true in rainy old Manchester, England, where it is a popular garden plant,as they are in your sunnier clime.
Best wishes,
John

Pam from Maine said...

I love that bird thank you card. It's very striking. I also love your adorable crafting "house". How lucky are you! I couldn't get inside, but what a welcoming space to work!

Carol L said...

Your OLC looks so pretty with that red bird and white birch branch he's perched on! Those turkeys are adorable too, and I know you had fun making them.
As for the pillow.....bwahahahaha!! I love your review on both pillows, and the pictures are all priceless! Who knew you snuggled with Mr Froggie? LOL I love visiting here and seeing what you're up to :)

Bonnie said...

Stars or snow? It can be whatever you want it to be, Darnell! I love this image. Love those turkeys too and I can see that the boys loved making them with you.