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!

March 8, 2017

From Sublime to Silly

Greetings, Stamplings!

Don't forget the April Boo-Boo Hop/NBUS Challenge #11 is coming soon!

I need to go straight to the Naughty Corner because of this post. In spite of doing so well using my NBUS so far this year, I fell back into my old way of designing by seeing challenges I want to play in and then heading straight for products I've used before. Having that container overflowing with NBUS right in front of me didn't make me pause for one second yesterday. Slap!

It's okay. I'm only humane. I promise I'll get right back on the NBUS again after this post. The NBUS travels on roads that are paved with good intentions!

Since you're here now, I'll show you what I did.

Onefer
I created this bouquet using the Rubbernecker "Create a Garden Set," watercolor markers, a spritzer, and a brush. I just kept adding to the bouquet until Hammy showed up at my elbow with an electric drill and a paw full of screws. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He said if I was going to keep going he would screw the flower pot to the table so the whole thing didn't topple over. Subtle.

(Sorry, I didn't realize I had captured the faint shadow of a nearby tree in my photo.) 

Challenges
~~~

Twofer

Look away if you can't bear the thought of Christmas yet ... unless you can't resist silliness!
The chimney on my card is a Darice e/f. The goofy bird is from the Stampers Anonymous "Bird Crazy" set; the Santa hat is from the companion embellie die collection. The sediment and mistletoe are from Cas-ual Fridays "Merry Kiss-mas" set. I made teeny little puffs of glitter snow on the mistletoe leaves with glue and Glamour Dust. 

Here is Cornelia's Muse card which I CASEd. Her card is such fun! And now I wish I had given my karazy bird yellow eyes!
Challenges
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge

~~~

Postal Roller Coaster

We all complain about the post office deliveries and rates, so when I received exemplary service recently, I thought it was only fair to share my experience with you. In my recent NBUS challenges (other than the five gift certificates), there were nine packages that needed to be mailed. Dr. and Mrs. Random Org pulled the winners thusly: three from the US, two from Canada, and one each from Poland, Finland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand! 

I didn't pay for the most expensive delivery service available, so I was shocked and amazed when record-breaking deliveries occurred thusly: to the UK and New Zealand = 5 days; to Poland and one to Canada = 6 days; to Finland = 7 days; and the second one to Canada = 12 days!! That deserves an "attaboy!"

But, wait. 

Lest you think the world has tipped on its axis, allow me to share what happened to my friend Nancy some time ago. Nancy made dozens of the most gorgeous wedding invitations for one of her daughters. To make sure there wouldn't be any problems with mailing the invitations, Nancy took the time to go to the main post office with a completed invitation to find out what would be necessary to mail them. The clerk was very helpful and very complimentary. The invitation was measured and weighed and the proper postage was determined. In addition, the clerk kindly gave Nancy a suggestion that if she would box up the addressed and stamped invitations and sort them by zip code, that would ensure a smooth and timely delivery. 

Two weeks later Nancy returned to the same post office with the completed fragile invitations. They were all in a box, properly addressed, stamped, and sorted by zip code. Smiling happily, Nancy handed the box to the clerk. Without so much as a glance at Nancy's face, the clerk took the box and quickly checked the invitations. Then she cruelly turned around and dumped the invitations into a giant mail sack. Turning back to hand Nancy the empty box, the clerk found that Nancy had disappeared.

After receiving smelling salts and a bit of water, Nancy was able to get off the floor and make her way home.

~~~

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100 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab cards.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

gorgeous cards!! the flower card is so so pretty and the second is so fun and cute!! love the different styles :) your posts are always so humorous ! thanks for making me smile and kudos to the mail service for their speedy delivery, it is so awesome when things work efficiently.
cheers
preeti

Stamps and Paper said...

Two great cards Darnell..love your floral card on that beautiful textured card and you crazy bird really made me smile.....

Anne

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, I especially love the top card and all the different colours you've put into that wonderful bouquet.

Sue xx

Carole said...

Two lovely cards Darnell. the first is so pretty and the second so different...made me smile and great use of a brick embossing folder as a chimney.

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

I read your final story and clicked to get out of here, because I was so upset for Nancy. Well, I am back! I too have postal frustration, but not as bad as her's. When I have thicker cards, I take them to the PO to have them hand cancelled. We all know what a machine can do to them. It always costs me extra, which I am happy to pay. If I send hubby to the PO with cards to be hand cancelled, they do not charge him..... say what? Okay I am done. I love you're cards today. The vase is gorgeous, and the cased card gave me true inspiration. I happen to have some sticky Santa hats to use up!

!neke said...

Morning Darnell,
Two beautiful cards !!!!!!
Love the funny one !!!!

Ineke X

Fikreta said...

your cards are gorgeous!
have a nice day!

Marilyn said...

Adorable cards!!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Your watercoloured pot of flowers looks amazing! Fab card! Love also the second one, so fun!!

jimlynn said...

BOTH are WHOA cards - and each in their own way!
The first is simply gorgeous! So much beauty!!!
The second - So much fun! Cute idea and you just gotta love those birds.
Who knows about the postal system these days - it's a crazy world you know
Lynn

Pat said...

What an extremely bright and pretty vase of flowers Darnell, and the colours have layered beautifully over the top of one another. The cute crazy bird peeping up over the top of the chimney is such fun too and I love his santa hat and the very apt sentiment, and a great CASEing of Cornelia's delightful card. I love your postal service stories which show just how you never can tell what will happen when you post anything, one good, the other totally ridiculous. Our postal services vary somewhat too and although OK most of the time there are instances where you wonder if it is a service or not. x

Nan G said...

Gorgeous bouqet of flowers. Love that ka-razy Santa! I'd go back and add yellow to the eyes, for sure. ;) hugs

Sarah said...

Super cards Darnell. Hope today is a good one xx

Viv said...

Such a pretty pot of flowers there Dee! great colours and stamping too. Love the cute Xmas bird one also, sooo cute.I have hit and miss experiences with the PO. Sometimes they weigh a card and tell me the price only to find it's charged extra at the destination grrr.Other times they lose stuff....other times I get post super quick.Anyway thank you so much for sharing your beautiful flower card with us and playing again over at 'The Flower Challenge' ;) huggles Vee DT xx

designbydonna said...

I love the watercolor flowers. Pretty colors. And what a fun Christmas card. Cute character.

Lia said...

It's a joy visiting your blog again: reading and admiring everything!
Your card is very pretty!!
Lia xx

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful cards Darnell!! Love those watercolor flowers set! Very pretty!! I hope Nancy's invitations reached the invitees, safe and sound!

Diane said...

Wowzers...love your beautiful cards and I loved seeing the xmas one...so silly AND cute!! I shipped a die to a friend in (Africa) early Dec and it came back in my little old mailbox with postage due of about $12...really, so I repackaged it and resent it, but waited until a different clerk was there, not the one that gave me so much grief with it in the first place...and low and behold it went thru fora about less then $3....more to the story but it is waaaaaay too long to write it all up...lol
Diane {Nellis Nest}

cm said...

Swooning over your vase filled with gorgeous flowers! Such an arrangement would look lovely on my kitchen table that will soon be in a new place (fingers crossed we 'do this' by month's end! Excitement is reaching critical levels *grin*). Your crazy bird has induced a fit of giggling! Those eyes! I have bird terror but I 'might' consider giving this dude a quick under-the-mistletoe little smooch. Awesome take on Cornelia's card! Yes, the postal services certainly do deserve some applause. Six days to Canada has to be a record; 12 seems more 'common'...unless something is heading my way, in which case we're looking closer to 21 days. Sighhhh...dog sled and pony express do take time, I reckon. Poor Nancy! My shaker cards to my niece and nephew often get 'special scrutiny' from the post office...which makes sense on some levels but you'd think the 'kid decorated' envelopes would be a sign that nothing nefarious is going on!
Hugs and love coming your way!
~c

Krisha said...

Gorgeous card Darnell, I'm a sucker for watercolor anything, but your card is truly gorgeous.

stampwithsandy said...

Darnell your Christmas card is adorable, but that floral arrangement is amazing! I could look at it all day. I would have loved to see a video watching you and Hammie at work :)

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Lovely cards! I love the floral for spring, but I am with you. I like to start my Christmas cards so I don't get overwhelmed later.

Redanne said...

That is such a sad story about Nancy, I am sad to say that PO's seem to be the same everywhere... our PO charges hubby less for things than they charge me, so now he gets the job of visiting our unfortunately miserable PO man....

Love both cards, the vase of flowers is so beautiful and Spring-like and I always love the Crazy Birds and he looks so cute with his red hat!! Big hugs, Annie xx

Leslie Miller said...

Love that beautiful bouquet and your super cute Christmas card -- each in its own way. I'm trying to do at least one Christmas card per month, so I'm happy to see yours. I keep my NBUS in baskets -- stamps in one, dies and EFs in another. Plus I print the digis and keep them in a box. All are overflowing. Well, except the digi box. Those don't take up much room. It's easy to fall back on those well-loved stamps, isn't it? But that's because you love them well. You sure did a great job combining all these challenges! I don't know what's up with the PO. I try to think of it as a huge job, understaffed, and it's amazing they accomplish what they do. You never know what you're going to get with people.

Sue said...

Pretty bouquet and I love Hammy's comment...lol! I like the bird coming out of the chimney, too. Christmas...not yet!

Yes, our USPS has its ups and downs for sure :)

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
what a very gorgeous card, and your design is awesome.
Love the wonderful watercoloured vase of flowers, and their colours are so pretty and beautiful.
Now on to your postal story I can beat the times as when entering your Nbus Challenge, once your friends were helping you out with prizes also had spot prizes of which I was a winner.
I had my winnings delivered from Australia in 3 Days.
Now how is that for good postal services I sure was impressed, and so was Kylie the sender.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Mac Mable said...

Such a fun blog post. Love the take on the Christmas muse card, so very clever and brought a smile to my face x

Pia S said...

Oh, look at those beautiful colors and flowers! It feels great to use some NBUS but I also find it extremely satisfactory to reuse what's in my stash.
Fun case card, love both the original one as well your fun version of it.

Jane said...

Lovely cards Darnell especially that amazing vase of flowers...I can almost smell them from across the pond. That was great postal service you got...I bet you're relieved everything arrived safely xxx

Linda said...

Especially love that watercolor vase of flowers. So very pretty. I struggle with that technique.

Carol L said...

OH, these are great cards, and I'm especially loving that Santa bird card! What a great CAS of Cornelia's funny card! Your postal experience was beyond amazing because it takes 4 days for a card sent from PA to make it to you in CA, while you had packages delivered to New Zealand and the UK in 5 days? Amazing indeed! Give that post office a big ole pat on the back for me too please!

Sheri said...

I LOVE your watercolored card. So pretty! And I have a carton of NEBUS as well. Poor Nancy. But great service otherwise.

JoAnn said...

Love both of your cards. Love all the beautiful colors and flowers in your fist one.

Kathleen said...

Totally love the first card, such a gorgeous image and coloured in great colours.
Nice to see a Christmas card, brilliant take on the original card and a super fun creation.
Won't tell you how many Christmas cards I have made already, you may have another prolapse.

Kath x

shirley-bee said...

Beautifully arranged flowerpot, and I love the kooky crazy kiss-mass bird :) Six days and twelve days to Canada? Really? What are they doing, walking them there?

oldpunca said...

Oh my God, what a fantastic spring bouquet! And a super funny bird on a chimney. :-) You've created amazing cards. About the post a can tell a lot of stories. Sometimes my mails from Slovenia to the States arrives in one week, sometimes in two weeks or more, sometimes I get it back home and sometimes it never arrives... You had a lot of luck with your packages this time. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Neet said...

Poor Nancy! LOL
Love your watercolouor card Darnell and the funny Christmas ones are definitely for sharing in March. I often say "kissmuss" so why I never thought to write it i will never know. Great idea of yours.
Hugs, Neet xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful water colored bouquet and I love the Bird Crazy Christmas card. I have that stamp set on order so I can make crazy bird cards too. And, I must say our local post office is always very accommodating for me. I really appreciate them.

Sybrina K said...

Darnell, Love both the pretty floral card and the funny as all get out Christmas cat. :)

lauren bergold said...

what a fun holiday card and i love the sentiment "merry kissmass"! awesome addition to our "holly and the ivy" gallery at JINGLE BELLES! <3

conil said...

I'll just say you outdid yourself on the "watercolor"-ish card...don't think Hammie was right when he thought one more flower would topple the container but, I do believe that it is perfect as is.
As for your CASEing of Cornelia's hilarious and beautifully designed card...think you screwed that one down to the ground even without the yellow eyes.
Hope Nancy has recovered from the shock of the rude postal employee. Think that is awful.

Gerrina said...

I just love all those flowers and wish I had a vase like that on my livingroom table at the moment...
I too make the "mistake" of using something older, but he the stamps and all the other things are there to use as often as you can? Think so!
Sorry only after the summervacation I will be thinking of x-mas: first some warmth and sun!! Hugs, Gerrina

Birgit said...

I don't see the shade from the tree but I do see the beautiful card! I love the mostly white brought to life by the colours of the flowers and pot. The penguin with his Santa hat is funny and I love it! The mail can be great some days and horrible the next. You would think the people working there would be always smiling since they make a good wage but i forgot the saying "He went postal" :)

Loll said...

Your spring bouquet of flowers is beautiful and bright. It is sure to brighten the recipient's day! And your CASE of Cornelia's MUSE Christimas card is hilarious!! LOVE that you've used the crazy bird ... the folder does look like a brick wall. Great job Dolly!!

And congrats on your successful trip to the post office. It's not always the case. Unbelievable how callous the clerk was with your friend's wedding invitations. But there are a lot of people that just don't get the work that goes into creating a hand made card. I hope the invitations arrived in a timely manner and in good shape!

Thanks for sharing your pretty flower bouquet card with us at CAS Watercolour! xx

Bonnie said...

What a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers, Darnell! Just the right amount in that vase! And I love your fun "kissmus" card! Never too early to start on them! As far as the PO is concerned, go figure. I sent a package to UK and Canada the same day. It arrived in UK much sooner. I thought Canada was closer to us? At least it got there eventually.

Bonnie said...

Oh, and thanks for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour!

Jean said...

Love the watercolor bouquest!

Christi Conley said...

Both of these cards are AMAZING - the flowers are so pretty and "formal", while that Crazy Bird is soooo cute!! Adore both of them :) ~ hugs, Christi

Lisa Elton said...

Love your cards, love your posts, you always make me smile!! Glad you had a happy mailing experience and quick delivery. I feel bad for Nancy :( I can't tell you how many times I've taken an extra thick card envelope in for the correct postage only to have them squeeze and smash as if they're are trying to figure out what's in there!!

Heather said...

Your vase of flowers is just beautiful. I love the way the colours are overlapping and making new shades.
Heather T

kiwimeskreations said...

Despite hammy's rude comments I think your vase of flowers is gor-jus Darnell!! Love your Christmas card - and the one you cased is a real crack-up!!
I am loving the poly-chromos - they are bliss to work with, thank you again!
Great to have a few minutes to pop in
Blessings
Maxine

Cheryl W. said...

Your flower card is gorgeous. I don't care what Hammy says, you've got the perfect number of flowers in that vase! Your crazy bird looks...well...crazy. Like a loony Santabird or some such creature. Nonetheless, it will bring some hilarious cheer so someone during the holidays.

Liz said...

Two super cards, Darnell, but the second one really made me smile! Great take on Cornelia's card. xx

Linda said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell ...... I love the bouquet on the first one, so delicate and pretty and the second one just made me smile. It's never too early to start on those festive designs xx

Aileen said...

You may not have used any NBUS but you sure nailed it with these two cards. Adore that vase of flowers, they look so so stunning and beautiful and colourful. Then the bird on the wall, perfect take on Cornelias card, you are so clever. Isnt it amazing with postage these days, I can get a card to America often faster than sending a card from Sydney to Canberra. As for your friend Nancy how terrible for her, nothing like meeting someone who has never sppreciated a handmade piece of art shame on her

Ros Crawford said...

Nancy's experience sounds a lot like our postal service! The prices change depending on who serves us!
Your cards are fabulous ... Love your watercolour flowers and that crazy bird is such fun so I didn't look away!

Brenda in IN said...

This vase of flowers is just gorgeous. Poor Hammy, he has a big job of keeping you in line! I laughed out loud at your Christmas card. That is so funny and cute. I feel Nancy's pain after doing everything they told her to do and having it treated like that. It shouldn't but it does amaze me that when you ask the same question of several different people in the same company, you always get several different answers! It's like there are no guidelines to go by. Glad your packages arrived just fine.

Geri said...

...yep, post offices across North America must all have the same guidelines!!! Get this...Anita's b-day card got to her before Brady's birthday card made it to Calgary. Mailed both on the same day...one only two provinces away, the other waaaaaay across the ocean. Sad that the over-the-ocean card arrived faster at its destination than a within Canada card did! Talked to my SIS last night - a mere 5 hour drive from Dauphin - and it took her b-day card 8 days to get to her!

SQUIRREL!!!

Why I called was to tell you that your gorgeous water colored vase of flowers is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Definitely needs to be framed and hung on a wall! I love the wee pop of purple base color.

2nd card is off the charts delightful! The image cracks me up! Love the embossed brick wall and love the mistletoe! The hat rocks!!!

Canonbury creations said...

Fabulous bouquet Darnell and I love the Xmas Crazy bird!
Val x

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Ha, post offices are the same all over the world, just tellin'! Just getting out of the system, poor Nancy.

The first card is a stunner and the Christmas card is so fun...you'll probably find me trying to Case it, hope it's ok?


Love and hugs
Maarit

Donna said...

Well I'm afraid 'Buscuit' has well and truly stuck, my friend.
Why is it I'm so darn slow at crafting AND at catching up?
Never mind...
I love your used before vase of stamps. So pretty.
As for that second card... hilarious!

Craftychris said...

I so love your pretty vase of flowers - gorgeous colours! Your quirky Christmas card is such fun and so cool! The post did well with your parcels but poor Nancy, I feel her trauma! xxx

Em Louise Fairley said...

Gorgeous cards, as always Darnell.
Hugs,
Em xoxox

Carole Pollard said...

Great story and fab cards today thanks for sharing love and hugs Carole x

Donna said...

Your watercolor flowers are absolutely charming and your Christmas card is just too cute! Great story too. Hope you are doing well Darnell.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Aha, now I know the secret of getting you to play at MCV - silly cards - NO PROBLEM! Will keep that in mind. Love them, too ;) - yellow eyes on that bird - why not - you can still add them. So happy to see you playing along at MCV! Thank you!
Your first card is a real stunner. Oh well, those NBUS have to wait another day. They are at least not alone in a dark corner, they have plenty of company, LOL...

Nora Noll said...

Well at least you used your supplies more then once so I don't think you are naughty!! I keep buying when I NEED nothing so I think I should be in the naughty corner!! I LOVE your first card with all those pretty layers of stamping!! That bouquet just needs to be framed. Charlotte came in when I was looking at your second card and her eyes popped out of her head!! LOVE that cute kitty with the mistletoe. Who wouldn't want a kiss from him?

SmilynStef said...

Snort ... that mistletoe birdy is absolutely fabulous ... so glad you shared your festive foliage with us at jingle belles.

Unknown said...

You may have been a bad girl for ignoring your NBUS for these cards, but it was worth it. The flower pot card is stunning. Those flowers are lovely and the colors are so bright. And that bird card is too funny. It made me smile.

aussie aNNie said...

Thanks so much for your sweet and encouraging comment. I love your card too and glad you came to see me as I think I lost contact there for a while...hugs.xx ♥[aNNie]

Karren said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell! Your floral arrangement looks amazing and I am in awe of your ability to create a stamped bouquet like that. I honestly thought it was a single stamp. And those crazy birds crack me up every.single.time!

Happy Dance said...

Your floral arrangement is beautiful. I think we'd all like to see this on our desks, in the middle of the dining room table, or on the coffee table every single day. You've created a real beauty here, darlin'. It's full of love too, and whoever finds this in their mailbox, will be delighted. As to your wackadoodle bird, well, I just laughed. And I'm guessing that's exactly the response you were going for with this fun card! It's a hoot. And if you keep going with Christmas cards at this rate, you'll be allll done by the Fourth of July! The USPS does pretty well in my book, and the rates are among the lowest in the world, so I won't do any complaining... Sure hope I didn't just jinx things by writing that out loud... Missing you terribly!!!! xoxoxoxoxo Bev

alexandra s.m. said...

What a great, beautiful and fun post Darnell!
Your cards are beautiful!
Thank You!!
xx

Susan said...

Great job on both of these cards! Don't know how you do it! If I stamped that many flowers with that many colors...I'd have a big hot mess!...but not you! Beautifully done! I do love my TH birds too...and what a great idea to use him on a Christmas card!

Cobnut Crafter said...

AS always, gorgeous cards Darnell. I love the watercolours and the quirky humour of Bird Crazy Christmas! Anne x

laurie said...

Awesome cards Darnell! That watercolor is gorgeous! Loved reading your posts as usual..have a great day:)

Anonymous said...

Two awesome cards.
Glad you didn't colour the birdies eyes I like them the way they are. :)

Ardyth said...

Your MCV card made me laugh out loud! I know a few people who would make that same face if caught under the mistletoe! Thanks for joining us this month!

Barb Ghig said...

You always have the bestest stories, Darnell...thanks for making me smile :)
Your bouquet of flowers is absolutely gorgeous! I love all the pretty spring colors with your vase, and how the textured c/s makes everything pop on this card! Also, I think your 'Crazy Bird' is perfect with this design...the pop of color from his red hat is so fun, and your brick wall is perfect...you rocked both challenges, even though you didn't use NBUS :) Like you said, you're only humane...but actually, I think you're 'Super Humane'and I ALWAYS enjoy visiting your blog!!!

Kristie Goulet said...

Lovely cards, Darnell!!!

Bobby said...

I love what I call wildflower bouquets, Darnell, and yours is lovely. I think your pot is heavy enough to hold them all. ;) I wish I'd thought to use my crazy birds for that challenge. It works perfectly.

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
Two fab cards but the first is divine and looks just like a watercolour.
I've had post take over a week to reach someone 3 miles away here so that's astonishingly good service.
Best wishes.
Ang x

KandA said...

Two beauties Darnell. LOVE that vase of flowers with all the gorgeous colours and your christmas card is such fun. Love the way you left the crazy bird black and added the pop of red xx

scrappymo! said...

Your hand made vase of flowers takes the show. Steals the spotlight so to speak.
I have not seen this stamp set myself, but you have used it to full glory.
Beautiful card, Darnell!

Greta said...

Wow--you were really inspired, Darnell! Two fabulous cards--love them both! Gotta use my markers & spritzing--been a long time & it is a beautiful technique!

TK said...

Beautiful card, Darnell! Those flowers are astounding and not too tall for the vase, IMHO! Your second card is just as darling as the first is beautiful, such a great CASE. Congrats on the CTS Favorite of the first...!

JD/ Jill said...

Two great cards again. That first one is just amazing!

I feel for Nancy, I had a similar experience. I went to the post office with a Christmas package. One that I had carefully packed and put extra tissue paper in it to protect everything. Hoping things wouldn't get "Jarred" around too much. As I was leaving I looked back a second and watched my package being tossed all the way across the large room like a football through an open inside window to a big bin. You could probably hear the thud across the street as it hit the big bin.

Anita in France said...

Huh, ignore Hammy on this occasion, Darnell ... your delicious vase of beautiful blooms positively blossoms in it's loveliness ... it's gorgeous! Wish I could arrange flowers this well ... on a card or in real life! Am I right in thinking this little pretty was in the spotlight at one of the challenges ... quite right too ... congratulations! Hahaha ... crazy bird ... brilliant ... his fluffy edged and pompom'd hat is fabulous ... and I do love that puffy misteltoe! Mail services ... that was excellent for you and your winners ... though I'm feeling Nancy's pain! A card I recently received from the US took almost 5 weeks to get to me ... there's no understanding it! LYLAMYHMAHTSISOY! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Lisa T said...

I love your beautiful blooms Darnell - the textured paper looks great too and there is nothing wrong with an overflowing vase in my option - the more flowers the better! So Hammy needs to be put back in his cage on this occasion. I love the vibrant colours you picked - I don't have any watercolour markers, I wonder if I need to invest LOL.

And as for the karazy bird, well what is not to love with that gorgeous Christmas card, it's cute in every single way, especially that pretty mistletoe.

And an additional story about the mail service but here in England. I spent the best part of 2.5 hours making a 50th birthday card for a friend of mine in December (it got card of the week at Simon Says Stamp, so you can imagine the thrill).... well in all my panic in the week before Christmas I took it to the post office, threw it in the box and then had a major panic as I realised I didn't recall seeing a stamp on it as it flew in the box at 100mph!!!! Of all the cards!

So I called my friend and warned her that her special card is on its way but she may have to pay for it!!! Good job I have known her for 45 years.... Worse still, it may not get to her at all and I would have to make another.
She called me the next day on Christmas Eve to tell me they had delivered it (THE NEXT DAY!) and no charge. What a happy ending that was... Hugs, Lisa x

Karen Dunbrook said...

great cards Darnell...love the bucket of blooms, makes me want Spring so bad right now just as we are in the middle of a snow storm.
Thanks so much for playing along with the CAS Watercolour Challenge!!
xx Karen

Cat Craig said...

Love the cards Darnell, the flowers are lovely and your chimney is perfect. the post office is nothing if not inconsistent.

Sheila H said...

Your bouquet is just beautiful. I really like the paper texture. The bird Christmas card is too funny. The post office is always a gamble. I can mail cards to Florida and California at the same time. My California family will likely get theirs well before my son in Florida gets his. What the..!!

Petra Swart said...

Love your gorgeous bouquet, Darnell!!!! Lovely spring colours and very pretty flowers!!!!! And such a special sediment!!!!! So beautiful on the textured paper!!!!! And your Christmas card ...sooooooo fun and super cute!!!!! Love that crazy bird and the sweet little scene you created!!!! And I do agree on yellow eyes!!!! That bird and the fun sentiment has me smiling!!!!!
Yeah for the US PO on getting your mail to the recipients so quickly, but poor Nancy!!!! Can imagine how she felt!!!!
Hugz

Engelchen said...

a very nice Christmascard.
Thank you for playnig with us at the thehollyandivychristmaschallenge.
Greetings Geesje (DT)

Laila said...

this is so fun! And so cool! I totally love the simple, but yet spot on, colourscheme of your card! Amazing!

Thanks for joining Holly and Ivy's first challenge; we hope to see you again!
DT - Laila

ElizStewart said...

Love that crazy bird! So clean and modern!

Robyn Oliver said...

Two super cards Darnell, I'm a fan of both flowers and crazy birds, but the bird under the mistletoe is a real hoot. Australia post is no different sometimes I get overseas mail quicker, makes you wonder at times. Enjoy your week Robyn

Marilyn said...

Love your cards, Darnell. The Crazy Bird with the Santa hat is perfect. The addition of the Mistletoe adds an extra touch. Hugs, Marilyn

Jen W. said...

I'm so insanely far behind in perusing blogs and commenting but I just saw your Christmas birdie and it totally made my day! I love it and I am so going to CASE it!!