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!

January 4, 2015

Just A Note

Hello on this fine upstanding Sunday Funday!

If you're looking for NBUS Challenge #3, please click HERE.

I've just a note for you today.
Why do we say, "just a note"? Don't we all love to get a little note in the mail, same as a card?!

Today's card features the Roy G. Biv family of birds. Even in the world of the rare Rainbow (Eritiacus nuzidula) family of birds, it is unusual for the brightly colored red male and the violet-hued female to throw a hatch of completely separate tinted offspring which encompass every element of the color wheel. [And they say blogs are inane. Where else have you seen this phenomenanon?]

As you can see, the five young'ns are almost fully grown, so they are having a fun evening sing-a-long to the music from "Bye Bye Birdie."

Ingredients

  • NBUS birds on a branch (Hero Arts) which I die cut into the white card base (Bazzill) and then inlaid with a scrap of woodgrain patterned paper for the limb and multi-colored scraps for the birds.
  • Music by Memory Box ("Virtuoso Music") cut from a gold SU envelope liner.
  • Sediment is an unmarked wooden stamp.

Challenges

Pixies Crafty Workshop
Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
Please click on the links for all the details on rules, sponsors, and prizes! Playing in challenges is the best way to meet others in our stamping community in Blogland. Thank you so much to all the owners, design teams, and guest designers who work tirelessly bringing us fun challenges!!

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New Friends Corner

I'd like to welcome and introduce these five new friends who would love to meet you!

Teresa Godines of Purple Bunny Paper Crafts. Teresa has been blogging since 2012. She makes fantastic cards and mixed media works of art. She also generously donates to the Caring Hearts Card Drive. Teresa doesn't blog often, but when she does, her creations are great. I know she would love a visit and encouragement from you!

Karen of Kaleidoscopic Sparkles. Karen has been blogging since 2011. Her cards are outstanding and her 3D projects and creations are truly remarkable. And, as if that weren't enough, you'll find a bonus tab for delicious recipes on her blog! Karen has a a sparkly joy for crafting and for meeting new friends which is lovely and contagious!

Barbara Cleggett of BJ Crafty. Barbara has been blogging since 2013 and baking, sewing, and crafting in some capacity for years. Now that she is fully retired, she is focusing on paper-crafting and enjoying the unlimited time being retired gives her. Barbara also demonstrates at her local craft group and tutors workshops. Her range as a card artist is spectacular!

Lori Kobular of Lori's Kreations. Lori has been blogging since August 2013. She is a challenge winner and design team member who began scrapbooking 15 years ago and back then was a Creative Memories Consultant. Lori actively donates her terrific cards to Operation Write Home. The cards she makes for them and shares on her blog will delight and inspire you! 

Tracey Kelly of Trace-Elementz. Tracey is from Australia, married to a Canadian, and a SAHM to four kids. She has been blogging since 2010 and is an award-winning challenge player and designer who loves her Cricut. In addition to creating gorgeous scrapbook layouts, Tracey makes beautiful cards and amazing 3D creations!

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

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Finally, thank you so much for all your support, encouragement, and enthusiastic participation in my NBUS Challenge #3

Keep 'em coming! MWAH!!

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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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98 comments:

Milka Gubo said...

:-D Wonderful card, Darnell :-D I like it a lot. :-D Have a wonderful day :-D

Rita said...

Good Morning Darnell. What a lovely card and the little story that goes with it. Perfect. Enjoy your Day. Hugs Rita xxx

Veerle said...

Love your card Darnell especially all the colourful little birds, so lovely. Hugs, Veerle

Hussena said...

Lovely card Darnell and what a fun story behind it ...I really enjoy reading through your post ..Have a great weekend :)

sandie said...

What a cheerful card to start my day! Such a sweet little bunch of birds! Thanks for joining ink!!

Inkyfingers said...

We twitchers are always very happy to see the lesser spotted Eritiacus, especially when we don't have to get out of bed and search for the nikinoculars to do so.
Love your colourful card Darnell and that we can see the beautiful music they are singing.
Hugs
Carol x

Kathyk said...

Such a cutie, Darnell

Kathyk

Sammy said...

Such a fab card Darnell! I just adore your colourful bird family. It reminds me a lot of my family... So many colourful characters there too! lol. x

Sue said...

This is gorgeous Darnell, I love the design and beautiful rainbow coloured birds.
hugs Sue xx

Rebecca Hoy said...

Lovely card Darnell- so bright and colourful! Happy New Year!!! Rebecca x x x

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Beautiful arrangement of rainbow birdies Darnell. Real eye-catching.
Xx

Redanne said...

You have cheered me up no end, both with the little story and the beautiful bird family - really love them and also the musical notes. You are so clever at making things that match so many challenges too - genius! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Carole Z said...

Morning Darnell...love this card and the sweet story with it...beautiful! Hugs Carole Z X

Jane said...

Such a clever idea Darnell, I always love to see what you create. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards.

Sue said...

Fab card. Loving the coloured birds.

Hope you have a good day. Sue

Karin said...

Hi Darnell, first of all, I wish you a healty year full of happiness and joy!
Your card is great with all those colorful birds!
Karin x

Viv said...

Lovely colourful birds Darnell!

Carol L said...

I'm loving the fact that you die cut the musical bar from an envelope liner! I groan as I think of all those Christmas card envies I tossed in the trash now :) The birds on a branch decked out in their finest colors look so cute!!

joy said...

So adorable to make a rainbow of birds, Darnell! Love this card!

Unknown said...

A really sweet card Darnell. Happy New Year to you and thank you for our Christmas card. x

Marilyn said...

Beautiful and colorful!!

Unknown said...

Fab card designer, creator of NBUS and a nature buff, well done on capturing that exotic bird family, love it :)

Unknown said...

Fab card designer, creator of NBUS and a nature buff, well done on capturing that exotic bird family, love it :)

cotnob said...

This is a fun card Darnell, the brightly coloured birds are fabulous.
Pauline
x

Kim M said...

Wonderful card, Darnell! Love the rainbow birds and especially your amusing story about them. Your too funny! Nice to see you playing over at Ink too! :-)

Stamps and Paper said...

Love your card Darnell and those cute little birds

Anne

Lynn said...

I love the sweet little line up of birds Darnell. Happy Sunday!

Anita in France said...

Oh goodness, Darnell ... a most rare phenomenemenemenem indeed ... not only jewel coloured off-spring, but ones that can sing so sweetly too ... and you captured the lot perfectly! Fab tale, equally fabby card! Hugs, Anita :)

Bobby said...

I'd love to see an array like this on my bird feeder someday, Darnell. :)

Brenda said...

What a fun card Darnell! I love those colorful birds all lined up on their branch. It's a good thing to get together as a family and have a good sing along. lol I love that you inlaid your dies, love this technique! Hugs, Brenda

Sheila H said...

Fun card - love the birds. They are darling!

Pat said...

This is lovely Darnell, and adore the rainbow coloured little birds, and the music notes which accompany the sentiment so harmoniously. x

Jacquie Southas said...

So many of my favorite things on this card - gold, music notes, a rainbow & birds - wonderfully melded together! Happy New Year, Darnell!

Gerrina said...

Love the rainbow-fantasy coloured birds! Make a sunny cheerfull card; greet on a day a s today! Hugs, Gerrina

mamapez5 said...

I love your rainbow birds Darnell. This card made me think of my son who would love it - He´s a wonderful pianist, song-writer and singer, and he´s gay, so uses the rainbow symbol! I might have to do my take on it one day for him. Kate x

Jerrie said...

In Wisconsin we say...Winter is for the birds...if we had cute birds like this here, I might go out into the frozen tundra a little more often!! I just love the colors and design!

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what a super array of lovely coloured little birdies.
Such a great little story and card love it.
I do love birds they are so pretty, and some make the most fabulous songs.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Marybeth said...

Gorgeous, Darnell! Love the gold music notes with the bright birds... very creative my friend!

Marybeth said...

Gorgeous, Darnell! Love the gold music notes with the bright birds... very creative my friend!

Karen said...

Hi Darnell! Your card is gorgeous, as is the story along with it. :o) I love the rainbow of sweet birdies and your choice of gold for the musical notes. Most birds indeed sing with a golden voice, after all! :o) Thank you for the sweet introduction in your New Friends Corner! You make my heart extra sparkly! I'm off to visit the others to say hello. :o)

And I agree with you on 'just'... it innately minimizes! One of my dance teachers forbade that word when she caught herself telling us to 'just' do a certain combination when we were all beyond drained. She said everything is lovely and never a 'just.' :o) Have a wonderful day, my friend!

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

Becca Cruger said...

Ah yes... here we see the famed rainbow birds of Bloggyland in their natural habitat - a paper telephone wire. Crikey!
:D Thanks for the laugh and the cute card inspiration.

oldpunca said...

Just a note: lovely card, dear Darnell. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Jean said...

A fabulous bright and cheerful card. I love the colourful little birds, and your amusing tale.
Jean x

Vicki Dutcher said...

Look at you going on with all the fun challenges!! Love the colorful card - Thanks for joining in at AAA.

Claire Grantham said...

Happy New Year Darnell! Thank you for the gorgeous Christmas card. I see that NBUS 3 is up..given my Black Friday (and every week since) splurging..I have plenty of NBUS to play along with. I love your card for today, the multi-coloured birdies are fab. Cx

Jenni's Jems said...

Love the colourful birds and it looks like they are getting all ready to sing the dawn chorus reading the music above them :),the purple one is the conductor(is that how you spell it??) and trying to settle the chattering birds down....oh dear I seem to be getting carried away! hee he what i meant to say is a cheerful and beautiful card Darnell! x

Tracey said...

Such a sweet card Darnell....love the little story as well - what a fun post to read. And.....thank you so much for the feature, so nice of you :) Hugsx

conil said...

I'd say these birds are a miracle... nature's way of saying "you ain't seen nothin' yet". The way you constructed it is nothing short of brilliant, though. Clever girl.

Ros Crawford said...

Oh I love this!! What a clever design! Hoping to link up to the NBUS challenge soon ... I'ts too dark here now to photograph anything! Have a fun day!

Laura Norris said...

Love your rainbow family of birds!!

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous Darnell and love the colourfulness of it.

Kath x

MaryH said...

Happy New Year! Saw this pretty at the Snippets Playground, and it has everything! Sparkle, music, color, birds, dimension. I don't think you left out anything, but yet it's still very CAS. Love it! Hope I can play in the NBUS - as soon as catchup is done, (blogging, bill paying, bookwork, appts.) Hope that your New Year has started great. Ours started lazy, but will be busy tomorrow. TFS & Hugs

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your darling card with all the colorful birds.

Karren said...

A beautiful, cheerful card full of gorgeous white space. The Bivs look very happy on their branch :)

Shelly said...

Such a sweet and happy card!

Sheri said...

Cute card! Don't cha just love the Roy G Biv family? Such a colorful family and so compatable as well

Barb Ghig said...

Well now, this is just too CUTE, Darnell! I love your golden musical notes with your rainbow of singing birds! Not to mention the puny sentiment which is totally perfect!
Thanks so much for the Biology lesson, and the trip down Broadway's memory lane! You rocked these challenges, for sure :)

Geri said...

Adore these wee songbirds, looking resplendent in their festively colored frocks and sweetly singing their greetings!

Awesome 'shrapnel free' embossing!

Nora Noll said...

How FUN is this card!! I Love the rainbow birds with the gold. Totally adorable!!!

Indy's Designs said...

What a darling card! Love the notes!

Joyce said...

Fabulous card, Darnell. I just love your rainbow birds. Now, wouldn't that be a sight to see?

Bonnie said...

Bright and beautiful! I'll bet this family will have some colorful stories!

Donna said...

This is fabulous, such an adorable image, like the rainbow colors and my new knowledge for today, thanks!

cm said...

*Just* me (tee hee), popping in with a mega-watt smile, to add my cheering voice to the others. Your Eritiacus nuzidula family is absolutely delightful. Fortunately, they're not here in Edmonton right now: they'd be frozen and trust me, they wouldn't be singing a very happy tune. Minus 40..seriously! Yeesh! Anyway, I'm smitten with your birds on a wire! Thank you for sharing this gem in the Inkspirational Gallery!
Hugs~c

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Love your family of rainbow birds! Such a cheery card!

Taunya Butler said...

I am really loving that family of roy g biv birds!! Such cleverness is always to be found on your blog!! I have to tell you that my jaw dropped and hit the table when I saw just how many challenges this card made it into - truly inspiring and SO COOL!!!! Have a most delightful day!!!

Susanne Vargas said...

Love your fun family of rainbow birds singing their golden song!
Hope to be able to play in your challenge soon! There is certainly no lack of NBUS here (I probably could enter a gazillion times) more a lack of time...

Kelly Griglione said...

You're right, the note cards are usually just not on the same level as the "regular" cards, poor things. Yours, however, does not suffer that fate ... love your Roy G Biv birds!

Cheryl W. said...

Super fun card! Love the rainbow birds!

Nan G said...

Wow look at you going to town with paper piecing and using such teeny tiny bits of paper! This is a fun card made even more so by your story. Happy New Year!

Carole Pollard said...

Firstly I want to wish you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year. This is a stunning card and design so lovely. Sorry I've not been around much over the holidays had a house full so lots of cooking and cleaning rather than crafting and blogging !! Love and hugs Carole x

Di said...

Absolutely fabulous card Darnell - I adore the design and those wee birdies are so tweet :)

Hugs

Di xx

Caz said...

I always love getting "snail mail" :-)

Karen Petitt said...

Fabulous creation Miss D! I love the Roy B Giv colours and you have used them perfectly here. Your paper piecing is pristine - I must practice mine! Santa was good but I've not had a chance to play with my new stash yet - hopefully later on this week. Keep yourself well huni Karen xx

Happy Dance said...

Miss Bobby has called you a "wordsmith" and she's spot on with that. Your posts are always SENSATIONAL, and loved by us all sweet friend! And speaking of sensational, this card is amazing! Love those rainbow birds and your upcycled SU envelope. Your cards are always a joy to see dear friend! bisous. Bev

Deepti said...

This is awesome! Love the rainbow colors on the birdies :)

Lisa said...

Oh wow, what a gorgeous card, Darnell!! The rainbow of birds is so beautiful...love the pretty colors!! The musical notes are awesome!! This is just fabulous!! I seriously thought I was already following you...I definitely am now!! I hope 2015 is filled with much love, endless happiness and many, many blessings!! Hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I love the way you cut the birds out of different colors of paper. It gave the card much more interest. Happy New Year!

nwilliams6 said...

I have missed you and your fun wit! Great card and fun post. Beautiful work. Hugz

Lindsey said...

Ooh, pretty. I have and love the note die, but obviously I need BIRDS to really use it properly. :D

Tracey McNeely said...

Love the colourful birds and the gold foil music Darnell!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Hi Darnell! I love your rainbow birds family. I have always resisted "rainbow" colour groups, but several months ago I kept seeing cards done in the ROYGBIV fashion from the likes of you and Ardyth and Laura Bassen. Y'all have converted me! Thank you 😄. I love the gold too.

Virginia L. said...

Love your gorgeous design, Darnell! The white space truly makes the gold and birds a standout! So glad that you join the fun over Virginia’s View “Clean Slate” Challenge! Happy 2015!

debby4000 said...

Gorgeous, beautiful card, love the colouful birds.
Thank you for joining us at Simon says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
Luv
Debby

Manuela said...

what a sweet birdie card! Love the colorful birds on the branch!

Kim Heggins said...

Love your card! So fun with your brood of colorful birdies on the wire. I recognize this die too, isn't from the Hero Arts store, so fun and I love how you used it.

Greta said...

Oh how cute, Darnell--great note card!

D- said...

Love your sweet birds. Thanks for sharing.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsbyDragonfly.blogspot

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your happy "just a note" card. Such beautiful birds.

maria f. said...

You totally had me at Roy G. Biv.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Love your colourful birds and gold song notes. Wow your challenge is a hit :) Hugs, Shirleyxx

Lindsey said...

Lovin' this cheerful, colorful, singing bird family. Makes me smile.

Shona Chambers said...

I don't know much about birds but 'Rainbow Lorikeets' came to mind immediately when I saw this card. I love how you paired the birds with the notes, as if they are singing a song together, you clever sausage!!!!

Cat Craig said...

wonderful card, love the rainbow of songbirds.

scrappymo! said...

What a great snippets card...Oh my...perhaps I should be saving really small pieces! lol

I usually keep anything larger than a credit card! teehee

Great card!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

ahhhh Darnell after reading the post above, I have come to the conclusion you dont do things by halves (mind you think I might be in the same collecting category - including stash sadly) .. but loved this card so scrolled down to comment :D
Thanks so much for sharing!
Shaz in Oz.x

{Shaz in Oz – my personal blog}

Tanvi said...

This is so adorable. Thank you for for your visit to my blog.......happy to follow you too!!!

Victoria Lavender said...

Happy New Year! Thanks so much for playing with AAA Cards this past year! Each game has brought us new friends and fun new ideas in card making. We whole heartily send a happy hug with our thanks and we hope you’ll enjoy the new year with us as well. We look forward to you and your cards when we restart on February 1st 2015.

“Use a little GOLD”...
So nice to see the colorful birds! The music is a wonderful touch of gold. Big hugs sweetie and thanks for playing with us so often!

Wishing you a wonderful year. Victoria Lavender