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!

October 27, 2016

Bluebird of Merriness

Hi there! How's it going?

We are over Humpty Dumpty and cruising into the weekend. I'm actually going to be super quick today. Wait. What? I know, check my forehead for fever!

My card:
My OLC was pretty quick, too, heat-embossed in black and colored with my Ziggies. I have a coupla busy days ahead and didn't decide until late in the day yesterday that I wanted to play in some challenges. When I finished, the sun had gone over the yard arm, so please excuse the odd shadowing on the left and my over-exposing myself trying to make it less so.

This one looks a little better maybe:
Anyway, I used this stamp.
The artist is the phenomenal Carolyn Shores Wright. I took some liberties and turned her sweet posy into a Christmas poinsettia. At least I tried to do that. I was sort of happy with my masking and freehand drawing until I saw on the monitor that it looks sorta like a filleted strawberry. Well, hey, that's fine. It can be either a poinsettia or a Christmas filleted strawberry!

The sediment is from the "Jingle All the Way" set by Technique Tuesday. It underwent surgery a year or two ago and it's never grown back together so I can still easily use it in a variety of ways.

Challenges:
jingling all the way!


~~~

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90 comments:

Jane Willis said...

Well I took one glance at that filleted strawberry and thought it was a poinsettia! Perfect bit of liberty-taking!
Jane

LesleyG said...

O that is so much fun, and I was quite happy admiring the poinsettia, not a strawberry at all, and how clever of you to adapt it! Xxx

Ruth said...

Quite happy with that filleted strawberry! Definitely looks like a poinsettia to me. Love that little bird! Xx

Anita in France said...

Well, my friend, that filleted strawberry poinsettia is brilliant ... I did a double take to check out how you did it ... so creative and clever! Awesome ziggy colouring ... the sense of depth is fabulous ... don't you love the expression on that sweet bird's face?! Hope the next couple of days are fun as well as busy! LYAMYLALMA! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I thought your filleted strawberry looked like a poinsettia Darnell, such a beautiful image I can see why you wanted to turn it into a Christmas bird.

Sue xx

Redanne said...

I also thought it looks exactly like a poinsettia, so now you have me wondering.... no, definitely a poinsettia - what a great transformation! I love the bird, it looks all fluffy and sweet. Your colouring, as ever, is brilliant! Big hugs, Annie xxxx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, That is a fab image and a lovely card.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Jan Clothier said...

So gorgeously zany and colourful! Love your bright colours and the way you've coloured. Fantastic as always!

Dotty Jo said...

Great card, Darnell. That bird is such a sweetie, Jo x

Lia said...

Great card Darnell and I love the way you coloured the image. Well done!!
Lia xx

KandA said...

Wonderful card Darnell. Love that stamp and your fabulous colours. Poinsettia looks great to me but I bet that birdie is hoping it's a tasty filleted strawberry xx

Barb said...

Oh I love that sassy bird Darnell. It's a really lovely card. Barbxx

Birgit said...

What a darling card and fabulous coloring on this Darnell! Poinsettia or filleted strawberry... either way your new found flower looks great to me! I see a poinsettia but I'm only on cup one of my morning caffeine today. As always, it's such a joy to stop by and see what you've been up to. You bring me joyful morning smiles. ;0)

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi Darnell well your card sucked me in wasn't till saw your stamp I realised what you'd done, so think strawberry might be a stretch too far, def more like a poinsettia, a very cute stamp and great card.
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Oh, I love the look on this little guy's/gal's face! It almost looks like a 'pucker up' face. It did make me smile! Great job on the hand drawing (much better than any of my attempts would be) and fabulous colouring too Darnell! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I really appreciate everyone who has stopped by knowing I am only able to return comments at the moment! Have a wonderful day! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Stamps and Paper said...

HI Darnell...that little bird is just so darn cute....lovely card and such vibrant colours

Anne

Marilyn said...

Cute card and adorable image!!

Linby said...

Ingenious to pair that sentiment with the image - I thought they came that way. Lovely colouring too.

Jeanne said...

That bird is so sassy looking! Giggled at his/her expression. I so appreciate that you share how you modify images to make them your own. Lovely watercoloring, too with those Zigs! Have a wonderful day. Hugs!

Pat said...

I really love your cute and funny bird Darnell, and your flower does look like a poinsettia because I thought it was that before I actually read about your masking and changing the shape of the petals. Your colouring is beautiful too. x

Sharon Underwood said...

Poinsettias, strawberries, who needs to know the difference? lol Looks good to me! I like the way you colored the leaves. Looks awesome! Beautiful card. Love the bird, too! Thanks for the comment on my recent Christmas card with the Dude on the beach. So glad you like it!

Brenda in IN said...

Oh Darnell how cute this is! Love the shading and bright colors on the bird and leaves. I thought you only played a surgeon on tv and now I find you can also perform surgery on cards. Your talent knows no bounds! I hope your busy days ahead contain fun, laughter and family.

Happy Dance said...

Mmmm-hmmm. Yep. This is fantastic. No two ways about it. And no, darlin'. That's definitely not a filleted strawberry; and is most definitely a poinsettia. Your freehand is amazing. mmm-hmmm. And speaking of amazing, your coloring is just that; rocking it girl. One amazing card. Speaking of cards...I happened to find one in my mailbox yesterday. Will em later. MISS YOU. xoxoxo Bev

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

How cute and fun birdie! Beautiful CAS, as always!

Viv said...

Awww how cute is that little fat birdie....very!!! love the Poinsettia too...and no it doesn't look like a filleted strawberry!!! great card Dee, enjoy your week/weekend too ;) hugs Viv xx

Krisha said...

LOVE it! Great post as always D.!
I saw a poinsettia and not a strawberry.......you must have been hungry when you did this....LOL!!

Linda said...

What a fun image Darnell and so beautifully colored. Thanks for joining us this week at Merry Monday.

Colleen said...

Only you could come up with a "fillet strawberry" Darnell! you crack me up! Well, I think you did a fabulous job bringing some Christmas cheer to this card because that is exactly what I thought when I had my first glimpse of this! the red flower is what caught my eye and I truly did think it was a poinsettia! Well done and thank you for sharing this at Merry Monday!!

Sandra H said...

Hi Darnell oh l do like your stamp that image is just so cute! lovely Colours used and your colouring is stunning! l just love your card sending lots of love xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful image and colours Darnell. I hope you are doing well :) Hugs, Shirleyxx

Lisa said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! I love the image!! You colored it so beautifully!! The poinsettia is perfect!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Cat Craig said...

What a great card Darnell!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Gorgeous stamp Darnell
fantastic card
hugs Tamara

Jean said...

Just darling!

Jerrie said...

I love your bird card...its hairdo makes me giggle! Love all the colors you have used. This card is fantastic!

Fikreta said...

gorgeous card!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love it and it is so cute and adorable. And, looks very much like a poinsettia to me. Great job on this one.

oldpunca said...

You did it again! :-))) Fantastic turn of a bloom into poinsettia! It becomes your habit to modify stamps. :-))) Wonderful christmas card with no traditional motif and superb colours.
Hugs, Sonja

Bonnie said...

Whether this is a poinsettia or a strawberry, this is a gorgeous card, Darnell! I love this fluffy bird! And your picture doesn't look overexposed at all! It's bright and clear!

Mrs A. said...

An here wos me tinking that the shading on the card wos meant to be! I have given up taking photos at night time (for lent) cos they all come out funny (even the serious wuns).
Hugs Mrs A.

Aileen said...

You are truly an artist, thats no filleted strawberry, looks like a brilliant poisettia (cant spell it) to me. Wonderful card, love that bird, the look on its face is just perfect. Love your use of the zigs tooo, has come out wonderful.

TK said...

Well, looky that sweet bird! Gotta love him...

Lisa Elton said...

By the look of the droopy eyes on that bird, he's already been makin' with the merry!! Sure looks like a poinsettia to me. Very cute card Darnell!!

Bobby said...

I noticed right away the flower was different so I'm glad you explained the transformation to a poinsettia which was a brilliant idea, Dr. Darnell.

Lindsey said...

I so love this card! And I definitely saw the flower as a poinsettia, NOT a strawberry. :D

Birgit said...

I love this card with this funky bird. This is so fun to look at and you know, it put a smile on my face and I thank you for that.

Dr Sonia S V said...

What an adorable happy looking image...love it !!!
Thank you so much for joining us at the Rudolph day Challenge!
Rudolph Days Challenge DT
Dr Sonia

Susan Joyce said...

Love the bright fun colours you used Darnell, lovely Christmas card. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.

Cheryl W. said...

I think you did a bang-up job turning that flower into a poinsettia. Makes for a very cute Christmas card. Your bluebird is delightful, too.

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Darnell this is super cute - I love it!! So glad you made and displayed it :-)
Blessings
Maxine

Karenladd said...

Well aren't the clever one, turning a spring flower into a fileted strawberry....um, I mean a poinsettia. Actually, I absolutely thought it was a poinsettia right from the start. That bird is so cheerfully colored, even though it looks as if it's not sure whether merriment is in the cards today yet or not!

Linda said...

What a fun design ..... I love the bird. You've done a great job with that flower too .... looks like a poinsettia to me 😊 xx

Deborah Frings said...

LOL! I love the expression on that bird's face! Super simple and just such a fun card. Thanks so much for playing along with 52CCT this week! Deborah, DT.

Ros Crawford said...

It's just fabulous!! I love the image and your colours are beautiful! Love the wilting poinsettia too! ol! BTW thanks so much for your lovely comment on my 1st Christmas card!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Such a sweet card, Darnell.
Hugs,
Em xxx

Theresa's Studio said...

Love this stamp...such a Merry Bird! Great card!

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
how cute is this lovely stamped image, and you have coloured it perfectly.
What a very fab idea changing the flower to a poinsettia so its' Christmassie.
Love and big hugs from my house to yours.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Sue - said...

Hi Darnell, just love the expression on the bird's face! A great Christmas card.

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

I'd say you were very successful in turning that flower into a poinsettia! Who would have thought? TFS!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I've always found the filleted strawberry to be the most festive of Christmas fruits.... seriously, I thought that was poinsettia. Either way its quite the lovely card. And that was really quick. Iz U feeling okay??

KT Fit Kitty said...

Such a gorgeous one-layer card! These are the hardest type of card for me, even tougher than masculine cards. I think I've only made 2 or 3 of them ever. Bravo on yours!

Megan J said...

Hi Darnell, a great card such a cute little bird... if you hadn't shown the original stamp I'd never known the poinsettia wasn't meant to be there... have a lovely weekend...Megan

Jenni's Jems said...

Beautifully coloured Darnell I just cant get the hang of my Zigs but you obviously have ! x

SmilynStef said...

I think your poinsettia conversion is brilliant ... such a lovely card ... so glad you joined us at Jingle Belles.

samantha's cards said...

Wonderful card, thanks for joining us at Christmas card challenges.

Marcia Hill said...

Took it for a Poinsettia before I even read your post Darnell, so it's all good! And besides, that sweet and fluffy little birdie steals the show, so no worries about a fillet'd strawberry!! And beautifully colored with those Zigs too I might add! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Merry Monday!! :0)

Brenda said...

Hi, Darnell! Your little birdie brought a smile to my face and when I read your post it turned into an out loud chuckle:). It's definitely a poinsettia! Thanks for the inspiration and the fun.

Kuni said...

This is wonderful.
Hugs
Kuni
PS my new challenge blog start on the 10th november and i hope to see you.
http://sweetstamperschallenge.blogspot.de

Kuni said...

Hi Darnell,
thank you for visit my challenge blog, i have one now a Button Follow by
Email.
Big Hugs
Kuni

Trina P. said...

Hi Darnell,
Lovely card and I thought it was a poinsettia even before reading. Hope you're having a good weekend.

MaryH said...

Love this particular designer's stamps...have a couple of her wooden images, but not this adorable one! This guy just made me smile at his expression, and great work on the coloring too. I'm awed that you had the idea to make the flower into a poinsettia, and THEN were able to do it! Doesn't look like a strawberry to me. It's perfect to go along with the expression on the bird's face! Enjoyed the cutie of a card, and hope that you're enjoying the Halloween goodies. I heard that at Halloween these don't have any calories. Since I heard that, I've been munching some snickers -but tiny bite sized ones! Big hugs, TFS & ya'll have a great week coming up!

Liz said...

Super card with an adorable image. Very clever how you've changed the flower into a poinsettia. It definitely is a poinsettia and not a filleted strawberry. 😉 xx

Sheila H said...

I am so impressed, Darnell, that you could change one flower into another! Your delicate coloring of the bird in particular is quite striking. Your card is lovely.

Greta said...

Sweet image & beautiful coloring with the Zigs, Darnell! I need to use mine--too many techniques & too little time--haha!

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Stunning!! Love the bright colours!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Cute image and lovely coloring Darnell!

Unknown said...

I love your card Darnell ! Your coloring and your masking are wonderful ! I love the expression on this bird face ! You know, it is said that the dogs have the same expression face than their masters. Your poinsettia is perfect (wonderful drawing by the way!), it just reflects the mood of this birds ! Love it ! Thanks for sharing.
Izzy Scrap

Marybeth said...

I love that you turned this into a Christmas card with the bloom and colored it so beautifuly with your ziggies! Beautiful card,Darnell!!!

Craftychris said...

Gorgeous colours for this fabulous card. I love the flower as a poinsettia! Perfect! xxx

cm said...

What? Are you telling me the poinsettia is 'not' a poinsettia! Not believing it (even though you provided the evidence; turning a blind eye! Totally charmed by your bluebird of merriness (love that rather 'coy' look...)....
Hugs~c

shirley-bee said...

I love how you've turned the flower into a poinsettia, and I love the little birdie's expression :) Just a little concerned about you over-exposing yourself...

Trina P. said...

Congrats Darnell on being one of the HM at Merry Monday!

Gerrina said...

So late commingting...bussy here too...
The bright colours drow my eyes so quickly to your card in the blogroll; just love them and so beautifully coloured! Hugs, Gerrina

Keep It Sweet and Simple said...

Super card - I am always saying that we just don't see enough filleted strawberries :-)
xxx

Bobby said...

I already commented once personally but I have to come and say thanks for sharing this charmer at Addicted to Stamps and More, Darnell. He's a cutie, that's for sure.

lauren bergold said...

oh my gosh, i love absolutely EVERYTHING about this awesome card! thanks for joining our celebration of christmas critters at JINGLE BELLES! <3

Lisa T said...

haha! It does not look like a strawberry! You do make me chuckle. It's such a sweet stamp and beautifully coloured!

Donna said...

Darnell, as usual, I LOVE your card! You always have such a unique bent on a card. Your bird is adorable and everything is perfectly colored. Sorry I am so late for commenting but thanks for playing along with the Rudolph Days challenge.

Geri said...

Love this card! Morphing the sweet posy into a pretty poinsettia is the perfect way to turn this image into a Christmas card! Definitely one of those 'fist pump/hell yeah' moments when you come up with such a cleverly creative idea!!!

Rose said...

That is such a cute stamp! That pudgy little bird looks like he is very merry! I got your poinsettia straight away so you did well!