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!

September 6, 2018

Rainbow Parrot and Kavorting Kats

Hello Stamplings!

I hope this finds you well! Today we are celebrating national Parrots Are People Too!

This holiday was started in 1956 by a little old lady in Maine who owned 13 parrots. This was before videos, but purportedly she had a room set up with elementary school desks and each parrot had a desk for his or her studies. If you closed your eyes, you would think you were listening to a group of first-graders. It must have been an amazing sight!

Oops, not really. I made all that up as a segue to my Onefer:
Cept for the parrot, this is a one-layer card. I sponged a light pastel background and applied three strips of rainbow Washi tape. The stamped sediment is from PTI and the parrot, colored with my Ziggies is from GKW. I've had it for ages and this is the first time I've stamped and colored it. Of course, Hammy winked and googly-eyed the final touches!

Challenges

Grab Our Badge!
Twofer
I made this card a few weeks ago and didn't post it because I wanted to make 26 of them in various designs and post them all at once. You know, like that's gonna happen. Let's all pause while you choke on your laughter and get a glass of water. I made this for my sweet friend Kay. The base is embossed with a Sizzix e/f, the postage stamp panels are NBUS from Memory Box, the happy birthday is from GKW, the flag banner is MFT, and the cute little NBUS Zoophabet stamp is brought to us by Penny Black.

Challenges
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62 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Fab cards.

Hope you have as lovely day. Sue

Aquarius said...

Two great cards - loved the parrot story!!

Redanne said...

Ha, ha, I actually believed your story, wouldn't it be wonderful if it was true??? Your parrot card is beautiful, I love the beautiful rainbow washi tape and the colourful parrot, of course.

Such a striking 'Kat' card, the base colour is gorgeous and I love the offset postage stamps - such a beautiful card for your friend! Big hugs, Annie xxx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, I love the parrot one.

Sue xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Fun and fabulous cards Darnell!
Love your story about the parrot classroom... and that Hammy has helped with that card... could you imagine Hammy in class? The mind boggles...
Blessings
Maxine

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

:D I was just to searching those learning parrots on the web! Ah ah! :D Anyway, it would be a great idea :D
Two fabulous cards, love the googling eyes of the parrot in the onefer and the background stripes are stunning!
Fabulous fresh look of the Twofer, and LOVE those cute kittens!

Carol L said...

I actually believed the story of the parrots for a moment! LOL Girl, you have the most amazing imagination and convincing story-telling skills ever! LOL Thanks for the chuckles today, including all 26 of those well-intended cards you were going to make! Bwahaha!! Both of them are fun cards, and your descriptions make them even more fun. I just love your blog and you :) thanks for the smile I'm now wearing :)

Pat said...

What a one you are Darnell, the thought of those parrots with their own little school made me smile...how do you think of these stories..lol. I adore that cute multi-coloured parrot perched on the sentiment, and what fabulous washi tape and lovely lightly coloured background, then the bright and beautiful twofer with the sweet cats, and love the personalisation for friend Kay. The postage stamp mats and the tag look great over that large circle embossed background too. Perhaps you could make one card a week using the Zoophabet, and it will only take you about six months to complete the task...lol. x

Bunny said...

Cute story, Darnell. I love the little google eye you added to the parrot. [Bunny]

Craftychris said...

Did laugh at the story - what a brilliant imagination you have my friend! Beautifully bright parrot card - gorgeous! Love the cheeky cats peeking around the 'K' - purrrrfect! Thank you for your lovely comments on my grey hair! Hugs xxxxxxx

Nancy said...

You got me for sure! These cards are so fun! Love the parrot card a ton with the fun Washi tape to match your pretty parrot! Then the bold dots on your second card with the adorable kittens! Love the way you tied in the dots once again with the letter K. So happy to have you in our gallery at Just Us Girls and Seize the Birthday! Also, hope you are doing well post surgery too! You have been on my mind!

Jeanne said...

Thanks for the giggle, Darnell! These cards are so fun and full of whimsy. One can't help but smile when they see them. Thanks so much for sharing. :) Hugs!

Marilyn said...

Loved your story about the parrots! Your cards are adorable!
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤️

Jean said...

So bright and cheerful!

Em Louise Fairley said...

You got me! Beautiful cards, as always xoxo

Bonnie said...

Both of your cards are so colorful and fun, Dolly! What a wonderful way to start the day!

Kara Lynne said...

I was following your parrot story until you said "desks", although I can imagine the sound being similar to first grade! Parrot the thought! Anyway, wonderful cards, Darnell! Your rainbow parrot is balanced perfectly with the washi tape. I'm impressed by how well you lined up the tape. Kay is going to love those kitties - it truly is a "special K".

Glittered Paws said...

Love the brightly colored parrot - I can understand why Hammy liked this card. But being a cat - kat lover the second card is my favorite. Always enjoy your twofers.

Colleen said...

Darnell, you have two amazing cards...I think you should go for the 26 alphabet cards (cough cough)!! thank you for the wonderful rainbow colored parrot and that awesome rainbow washi tape and joining us at Seize the Birthday! You have a fantastic day friend! Heart Hugs, Col

Trina P. said...

I stepped away in the middle of leaving you a comment and then came back and it disappeared. So let’s try this again!
Two terrific twofers, Darnell! Love rainbows, so no surprise... love your first card. So cherery and bright. And what a fabulous washi tape. I wondered how you did that. Your second one is so stinkin’ cute... waiting to see you complete the collection! 😂
Enjoy your day! xx

Ros Crawford said...

I often think I've got a parrot on my shoulder... it's only Ian! Your cards are brilliant! Loving those cats and that parrot with the washi tape makes for a happy card!

Verna Angerhofer said...

You really had me going with your parrot lady! That was funny! And, I love both of your cards you made. Great CAS designs that pack a punch! I hope this finds you almost fully recovered too. Take care.

Susan said...

Your parrot is so beautiful - all those colours make me very happy! I had to laugh when you said you wanted to make all 26 of the alphabet cards - so often I plan on making multiples with variations and it has never ever happened in all these years!! But at least you made one super adorable card for your friend!

Brenda in IN said...

Oh how fun these cards are! I love your fantastic background with the washi tape added. And, oh, that sweet parrot and his beautiful colors. Kay will love this colorful card and that cute polka dot K. Can't wait to see the other 25 letters.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Darling bday cards, Darnell - especially love the colorful parrot and cute kitties on the monogram!! I'm sure that little old lady exists somewhere on the planet with her flock (??) of parrots!!

conil said...

Parrots and cats...two pets NOT made for the same household but the story of the lady from Maine was very creative. Wish I could borrow your mind for a couple of weeks. Don't worry you could have mine in the meantime except it wouldn't help you much.
Anyway, both cards are fun and, as an critter lover, I think they're adorable.

Lisa said...

Haha - I love your story of the little old lady in Maine :) Your cards are both so gorgeous!! I love the amazing colors of the first one!! The parrot is stunning!! And the image on the second one is too cute!! Love the embossing, too!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

cuilliesocks said...

Goodness me Darnell you had me going there with the parrot story, what are you like!!
Super cards, love the colours and designs, Kate x x

Cat Craig said...

Ya sucked me in...lol. The parrot card is wonderfully colorful and your kitties ...well...duh they're kitties how could I not love them. That dot ef makes for wonderrful texture in counter point to all those sharp angles in that project.

JoAnn said...

Love your pretty rainbow colored parrot with the strips of rainbow Washi tape. Very pretty card. The kitty card is adorable in the bright colors. I am sure Kay loved it.
Thanks for sharing your rainbow parrot card with us at Seize the Birthday.

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous colours on your first card, love the bolder panels and then the subtle background, lovely image and a super design.
Very clever design of the second card and love the cute image.

Hope Grandson is doing well.

Kath x

Lisa Elton said...

You are TOO MUCH FUN...and so are you cards! Love those little cats!

Karenladd said...

What?? So does this mean you aren't going to make one of those cards for every letter of the alphabet...oh darn. That parrot card is the cutest and I do love your one-layer design. However, I'm stumped, trying to figure out what GKW stands for (as in, "the happy birthday is from GKW"). Please don't make me lose sleep over this...because I will!

Celeste Goff said...

Love the inking technique you used on the parrot card Darnell! So super cool and that kitty card is too stinking cute!

Cheryl W. said...

That parrot card is awesome! I have a friend who has an African Gray parrot. It talks and says some funny things. For example, one day during lunch, the parrot was nearby and made the whistling sound of an airborne bomb, then said "incoming" in a droll voice. A little unnerving, but funny all the same. Your birthday card is bright and fun and happy. Bet your friend loved it! Have a wonderful weekend.

oldpunca said...

Ones again two wonderful cards. I like the parrot story. We had a parrot. 33 years long. He spoke a lot and made us happy. Therefore the parrot card is my favourite this time. :-)
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Sonja

Dr Sonia S V said...

Hehe you are so funny Darnell...inventing National Parrots Day!!!!

Cheers
Dr Sonia

Anita in France said...

What's the phrase, Darnell ... parrots are people too?! You and Hammy did a great job on yours ... delicious tropical colours and all winky (in a shimmery as well as in an eye-y way) ... that luscious washi is yummy alongside! I admire your commitment to making 26 individual letter cards ... this first one is adorable ... those little kitties are so cute and so much fun! LYAMYMA ... IGSC! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Leslie Miller said...

You had me going with the parrot story! I seriously believed you. Spewwwww!!! I love the rainbow Washi tape and the parrot. I currently have a parrot waiting to be colored, but it's fairly new so it may be a few years yet. Snort! I hope not. Hey, if anyone could make 26 alphabet cards it would be you. It's a fun and ambitious idea. Very cute card! I have some of those PB cats in a different stamp. The alphabet stamp is so cute! Must be a large set if it has all 26 letters!

Sarah said...

You kidder you!! Nearly got me with the parrot story!! Lovely cards Dar ell xx

Julia Aston said...

Two bright and colorful cards sis! I thought you were going to say that Hammy dropped into that ladies Parrot classroom one day and wreaked havoc!?!! Julia xx

Brenda said...

You are a hoot Auntie! I love your Parrot card, that soft background is so pretty but as I was looking as this card (before reading) I was trying to figure out how you got that cool background only to read that it was washi tape! You got the coolest washi Auntie. I just love the color on this card and love the googly eye on that parrot. And speaking of color, wow-I love the colors on your twofer! So bright and colorful and the image is so cute. But I really am loving those dies that cut the postage shape. Hugs, Brenda

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Love both the cards. They are absolutely gorgeous.😘😘

OH Babs said...

Love your creativity and imagination - write a book. Your talent continues to grow. Hugs, Barb

Heather said...

Very sweet one layer card. And such pretty colours. Thanks for joining the challenge at Little Red Wagon this week.

Fikreta said...

your cards are so very nice!
hugs

Tracy said...

I can never really figure out how to use washi tape on my projects but this works beautifully. Nice way to add the bright colors to match your fun parrot.. Great cards!

stampwithsandy said...

LOL, you had me going with your parrot story, Darnell! I was all ready to go look for a youtube video! Love your rainbow parrot creation with its beautiful sponging, and your little kitties on the second card are adorable! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Seize the Birthday!

Birgit said...

And here I am from Maine thinking, "funny, I've never heard this story before..." You had me going for a minute Darnell! Your parrot card is sweet and beautifully colored as is the sweet card for "k". Happy Parrot Day!

MaryH said...

A terrific segue into your parrot card. At first I thought you had done amazingly even w/coloring blocks, so I was relieved to read it was washi tape (Pretty washi tape, and evenly arranged, but ...well you know..) It's a wonderful design, and love the parrot (more on your card than IRL. Relatives had parrots...they are even more messy than parrakeets!) Delightful & fun #2 with the K card. Hope you & Adam are both continuing to behave yourselves and keep on the mending gig! Big Hugs & TFS.

Ruth said...

Just love that parrot and his googly eye. I'm now trying to make up a limerick about a lady from Maine with 13 parrots.... all I can rhyme it with is carrots.... anyway, I'll work on it. Your idea to do 26 of those cards is a great one though, I challenge you to try :) xx

Ruth said...

There was an old Lady from Maine,
Who had 13 parrots, so they claim,
They all went to school,
So that none was a fool,
That clever old lady from Maine....

Donna said...

Your rainbow card is stunning and the animal card is adorable!

JD/ Jill said...

I glad to read in a comment above mine...that I was not the only one who believed your parrot story. I went to a family party this weekend and my cousin told me he baked the peach pie that he brought. I actually believed him...(still can't believe that I did...He's probably still laughing at me!

In regard to your two creative cards...awesome design! Loved them!

Gerrina said...

A fun story about the parrots! Love that card; like the geametric design and that beautiful parrot! Your 2nd is a fun and bright one too! Hope you had a fun weekend!

Kath Stewart said...

beautiful cards Darnell, love the washi tape and that gorgeous parrot, thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, hugs kath xxx

frommycraftroom said...

Two fab cards.
Wondering how you are going with the other 25? HaHaHa

lauren bergold said...

what an amazingly fun & colorful card, i just LOVE that parrot! thanks for SHOPPING YOUR (crazy for coloring!) STASH with us this week!

TaeEun said...

Awesome interpretation of the rainbow theme on the first card! Adding rainbow washi stripes was such a creative touch! And I love the cats on the K!!! Thank you so much for playing along at Seize the Birthday, Darnell :)!

Kim Hamilton said...

LOVE that parrot! Thanks so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge :)

Mimi said...

Oh, Darnell... you absolutely crack me up! You had me hook, line, and sinker with your introductory story! Anyway, amazing cards, as always. Inspired by your use of washi on the first card-- I really need to use mine more often! Thanks for sharing last week at Shopping Our Stash!

Susanne Vargas said...

Your parrot card is so colorful and fun! That Washi tape looks fantastic! And your card for Kay is adorable! Adore that alphabet (well, at least the letter "K")!