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!

February 28, 2019

Wildflowers, Hardenbergia, and Polar Bears

Hello Stamplings!

The last domino of February is teetering over and if you look off to the east, you can see the first domino of March on the horizon, slowly making her way to the garden gate. And, boy, is the garden ever happy to see March coming with her galoshes and her tote filled with trowels, gloves, and little flower seedlings.

I was going to show you my Christmas card first, but after that blissful spring scene I just painted for you, I think it's only fitting that this card be my Onefer:
To watercolor these wind-swept flowers, I used Distress Ink markers directly to the stamp, spritzed the ink with a fine mist, and then stamped it on watercolor paper. The Rubbernecker stamps used are from the "Wildflowers in the Wind" set. The matching plum card base and the floral panel were stitched with my MFT die and the front panel was popped up with fun foam.

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I have often shared with you our amazing hardenbergia that blooms every February. We never cease to be amazed at how it grows every year. Now follow me with this. The photo below is from the front yard where the hardenbergia is planted. That entire expanse of purple blooms is coming from ONE plant! It was planted seven or eight years ago.
Now check this out below. 
This is the other side of the fence! We have to continually trim this side so it doesn't get too low and bring the whole fence down. Isn't it amazing?! I should have taken a photo from my dining room chair inside that window to show you how thick the bursting vine is. (You can just see my sweet crocus coming up in the garden box.)

Here is a closeup of the gorgeous purple flowers. 
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Twofer (With compassion for all of you still knee-deep in winter.)
I thought this design would be cute for my peeps with December birthdays. The adult bear and the sediment are from "Cool Day" by MFT. The fishtail banner and stitching are also from MFT. The adult bear is watching her sister's twin babies today. Both they and the north star are NBUS from "Polar Bear Fun" by Poppystamps. Even though they agreed to have their photo taken, some bears just always look shutter-shocked in photos! My cousin LeRoy is like that, too.

The DSP has embedded silver schplatts, so Hammy got the day off. Here's another view to show the silvery silver:
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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

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103 comments:

Tina Z. said...

Wow, I just love your magnificent plant, it is very special. And I like your watercoloured card, great technique. Bears are super cute and at the moment very suitable for our cold morning. We have such a strange winter here, it was like a spring in February and now it us getting colder, uf.
Crafty hugs xx

Jane Willis said...

Two stunning cards but the real star of the show is that amazing plant. Herdenbergia did you say? I've never heard if it, it mustn't like our climate here in England. Although this last week we had summer. I'm excited to see what season we get next.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Love both cards. The polar bear one will also make a nice Christmas card.

That plant is lovely. It's handy the other side of the fence is your property as well, otherwise you could have a neighbour cutting it back so much, it could kill it.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

kiwimeskreations said...

What a magnificent plant Darnell, that is stunning - love both your cards too. I do hope Hammy did not have his nose put out of joint with not being called to glitz and glam your cards today!!
Blessings
Maxine

Kathyk said...

WOWser! Your makes are fabulous enough ... but that hardenburgia is phenomenal, and only seven years old too - you must surely be doing something VERY right with it!

Kathyk

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Wow what an amazing plant, the flowers on it are gorgeous it must look so much better in real life. I love your cards too, the bears are so cute.

Sue xx

oldpunca said...

It is a positive energy in your garden and it is no wonder that this flower grows and blooms so beautiful. :-) Nice lilac color.
I like awesome windswept flowers on your first card. Fantastic color combination and a great technique. Polar bears on your twofer are cute and funny on amazing background. Perfect December birthday card. :-)
Spring greetings and hugs, Sonja

Carol L said...

The view of your yard is magnificent with those beautiful purple blooms and I see them reflected on that gorgeous card! Loving the bears caught in the headlights too, and that silvery shimmery background is fabulous! I'm anxious for spring, but we have yet 2 more snow falls to deal with this coming weekend I've heard. Eventually we'll get there ;) Enjoy those flowers, what a wonderful sight to see from your window!

KandA said...

LOVE your beautiful wikd flower birthday card Darnell, the colours are gorgeous... and your polar bears are so sweet. Raining here today but after having some wonderful weather I shouldn't really complain. Your photos are fabulous and I always love it when the crocus makes an appearance xx

Marilyn said...

WOW! Love your huge plant! It is beautiful. Love your watercolor card and your polar bear card,
Have a great day,
Marilyn❤️

Cat Craig said...

Darnell What a fabulous job you did with both cards. I love the lush blooms on your watercolor...the movement I can imagine them swaying in the wind. Your bears are perfect for December birthdays for sure. Our March 1st (which for me has always meant spring having lived so long in SO Cal) will be full of winter and snow flurries. I am loving the 4 seasons I get here on the east coast...but I miss March in SO Cal. It was always my favorite month.

Chris said...

Wow! That plant is amazing! How lovely to have that glorious spread of colour so early in the year. The weather has been wonderful here so we have spring flowers bursting through...but nothing like this!
Beautiful cards too, really love the water colour stamping on the floral one and the polar bears are so cute.
Chris
x

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, those flowers are so stunning!! They make me happy just looking at that beautiful purple color!! Wow!! Your cards are gorgeous, too!! I love the watercolored flowers on the first one and the adorable bears on the second!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Jus luffly my friend the onefer and twofer!! Lovely parple as my great nephew says.. his fav colour is parple! And the happy wandering hedges plant we call happy wanderer here ... 😊 I like natives though and it doesn’t qualify. Funny to think of snowy winters still.
Very summery here.
Hugs Shaz in Oz.x

Sandra H said...

Oooh wow Darnell not only are both your cards so lovely that plant is stunning and full of flowers the fragrant coming from it must be such a lovely smell it's really in full bloom and matches the colour of your first card totally stunning as always take care and enjoy your day x

Jeanne said...

So much wonderfulness, I almost don't know where to begin! The first cards is simply wonderful. I mean, it looks like a watercolor painting where i can almost feel the blustery wind blowing. It is amazing! You should frame the card! The bear card is so neat, the bears lined up at attention to wish a happy birthday to the recipient. The schparkle in the background looks fabulous. And then there is your gorgeous hardenbergia that is just stunning to look at. You must give it a lot of love for it to take off like that. Or maybe it is just got the perfect mix of conditions for it to thrive. It's spectacular! Thank you for sharing each piece of art!

adele holcomb said...

Your hardenbergia is stunning! Can't believe that's one plant. I'm not familiar with this plant as I don't think we grow it in Florida but it reminds me a bit of the bougainvilla that was so pretty arching over my patio wall.

I love the watercolor-y purple flowers on your card too.

ionabunny said...

Your Hardenbegia is gorgeous Darnell. I am a little sad cos the blurb says it will only withstand -5°C so it probably would struggle here, but that said I might be tempted to try anyway. And now look, you have given me a reason to extend my distress marker collection. Love how that first card turned out. The bears are cute and thanks for the Rudolf days reminder!! Hugz

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are stunning, and I don't just mean the cards! xoxo

Carole said...

Love that purple, both on your flowering climber and your beautiful card....so classy. The polar bears are very cute ad fingers crossed that after beautiful sunshine this February we are not in for the 'Beast from the East' this March! xx

Sheri said...

Love the wildflowers in the wind. I have that stamp. Why have I not used it lately? Your flowers are gorgeous! Unfortunately I fall in the knee deep in winter category. Some day!

Brenda in IN said...

That hardenbergia plant is awesome. Clematis spreads out like that too and takes over a fence. Yours is magnificent and the color is gorgeous. Beautiful yard, front and back. Looks like trucks for the twins in the third garden box. Darnell, I keep going back to look at that card of wildflowers. It is the most beautiful card. I love the colors and windblown look.

I Card Everyone said...

D I'm just bird-knee-deep in snow, but it's still SO cold! I'm so happy to have this wonderful view from your world this morning! What a magnificent plant it is!
LOve your wildflowers, and the movement you've achieved here with the spritzing.
=]

cuilliesocks said...

Wow Darnell what a magnificent plant, the flowers are gorgeous, I love the colours. You must have green fingers.
I love the watercolour card, it's quite beautiful and of course the Polar Bears are fabulous.
Thanks for your visit and kind words, Kate x

Happy Dance said...

Well, Miss March had better keep her snow boots on, and grab a shovel instead of a trowel, lol! But Spring will come...eventually. Your card is a breath of Springtime. Those flowers swaying in the breeze look lovely. Such pretty colors, too!! Love this card. And I'm blown away by your hardenbergia. It is simple beautiful. Wish it would grow around here! You'll have to post a pic of it after the blooms...just curious. Thank, btw, for your compassion for those of us up to our whatevers in snow. Not horrid here, but my sisters have had to shovel their roofs, and barn roofs are collapsing left and right up north. Your bearthday card is darling! LOVE the slivery splats you've added to all the pretty blues. So shimmery! Great card!! Missing you every day, and yep, still wished we were neighbors. xoxo Bev

Glittered Paws said...

Love both of the cards - the flower card is totally beautiful - going to have to try this. And I am a sucker for bears of any kind and lovethe bear birthday card.
I do believe Mother Nature must be angry with us as she is not playing nice here in southern MO. Today we have ICE - and for the weekend we have SNOW forecast.
You and Hammy have a great weekend.

OH Babs said...

The flowers are heavenly what a joy to look at. I love your rubbernecker card, I believe I have that stamp too. Happy March. March? How can that be? Hugs, Barb

Bonnie said...

Two beautiful gardens, Dolly! I love your wind swept flowers with all the shades of purple blooms and your hardenbergia is gorgeous! What a wonderful February view. My crocuses are blooming too. All three of them! Wish I could match the beautiful purple color of them!

Love your polar bears and lucky you to get those twins to sit still long enough to get their image! Wonderful paper with the schparkle already embedded in it! XOXO

Lynette said...

Oh, your first card is so beautiful!! I love it. And I love your amazing hardenbergia (which I've never heard of!) Your second card is fabulous, also, but let me tell you ... we more than KNEE-deep in snow! LOL.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Your purple flowers are beautiful thanks for joining in at jugs

Christine Alexander said...

OMG Darnell that plant must be a Triffid, I can't believe how big it's grown.
Great cards, I've always loved that Rubbernecker flowers in the wind, looks wonderful in it's watercolour suit :) and those polar bears look so cute surrounded in their sparkle.

Cardsbymaaike said...

Very pretty Spring flowers, so dainty moving in the wind and perfectin watercolor, completes the look.Thank you for playing at AAA Cards

Jeanne H said...

Boy, am I jealous of your garden! So beautiful and I love your floral card too. Thanks for sharing Spring...I need it. :)

Susan said...

Now, Darnell, I have to say that is just too cruel a post for us northerners who still have lumps of snow in our gardens! For a keen gardener like me, it is just too much to see that gorgeous purple something or other (that I have to admit I've never heard of and I pride myself on my plant knowledge) that blooms in February. I'm lucky to have some snowdrops blooming.

But I will take the high road and still leave you nice comments on your cards. The wildflower one is beautiful - I want to make a card just like it - not a CASE but a total copy! Your icy winter bears are adorable and make me feel right at home as I definitely wear woolly scarves every time I go out these days. A perfect card for a winter birthday (especially for a northerner!).

Bobby said...

Since I'm knee deep in winter I'll start with that card, Darnell. Your photo shocked twins reminded me of when mine were little. After having their picture taken my son kept grabbing at the air. When asked what he was doing he said "I'm trying to catch those spots".
The Hardenbergia is spectacular. What a joy to be able to look out and see it's glory every day. Also spectacular is your wildflower card. It's a lovely watercolor work of art. Thanks for sharing it with us at Just Us Girls.

Darlene said...

Of course your card are FABULOUS (always are!) but that hardenbergia ... HOLY MOLY ... it's HUGE AND GORGEOUS!!! I can't even imagine having something like this so close for daily viewing. Absolutely beautiful! It looks so healthy ... do you use Miracle Grow? If you do, you should send this photo to the company for compensation! LOL Still Brrr Cold here in Ohio and I'm sure looking forward to Spring! Can't wait to open my windows & doors for some FRESH air! HUGS and THANKS for sharing!

Pat said...

I seem to remember you made a beautiful csrd with this Rubbernecker stamp a while ago, and you have done it again Darnell. The marker straight to stamp technique looks great with these pretty colours, and I love the purple base card too. The second card is gorgeous too with the very interesting silver foil pieces in the actual cardstock, and with your sweet bears. I can't believe that is all one hardenbergia plant and the deep lilac flowers are stunning. x

Dotty Jo said...

Gorgeous cards, Darnell! Love them both. Your bear card is adorable and I laughed out loud at your comment about your cousin Leroy - you are so witty. Thanks for playing at The Christmas Kickstart, it's great to have you join the fun, Jo x

Bonnie Lynn said...

Awesome! I love your painted flowers and those cute polar bears.

Helen F. said...

WOWZA! The flowers in your garden are amazing! I really love you watercolor flowers on your beautiful card just as much, Darnell! :-)

conil said...

Both your cards are carrying those blue and purple hues which straddle Winter and Spring. You were truly inspired by the Hardenbergia which, by the way, is spectacular. It's occurs to me that it was a good thing you didn't plant 2 or 3...you'd have to move. Seriously, it is gorgeous. I wish I had something blooming right now but, sadly, to much cold and too much rain has slowed my garden down to a crawl. Unfortunately, it hasn't slowed down the weeds but to pull them right now would be a muddy mess. Boo hoo!

Helen F. said...

PS: the bears B-Day card is beary cute also ;-)

Redanne said...

Funny you should mention dominoes, I am having a domino kind of day on my blog too! Wow, oh wow, your Hardenbergia is stunning (never heard of that shrub before), the flowers themselves are gorgeous!

Your Spring scene card is so beautiful, the watercolour flowers are so pretty, and the winter birthday card is such fun, I love the trio of bears.

We have had a few days of warm Spring sunshine but it is all back to normal now :( Hugs, Anne xxx

BożenA said...

Oh, Darnell! Your first card is a masterpiece! I love the subtle drawing of watercolors. This is such an amazing card! The undisputed winner of all challenges. I love this card. Your watercolor technique looks stunning !!
The second Christmas card is sweet. I love these funny bears. Well, I can not, I have to repeat it - the first card is outstanding and very artistic!!!

Donna said...

Your spring card is so lovely, you really ought to frame this, and your winter birthday card with the silver sparkles is stunning!

JoAnn said...

Wow, your purple flowers are gorgeous. They look so good on your fence.
Your 2 cards are lovely too. Your watercolored flowers are so pretty. Love the sentiment font also. The polar bears are just too cute. TFS

Jean said...

What gorgeous flowers. Would love to see those out my window. Love your cards.

Kathleen said...

Just love the first card, really gorgeous image and the colours and design are superb. Great Christmas, Birthday card, super background and cute images.
Lovely photo's too.

Kath x

Nora Noll said...

Your first card with the watercolor flowers is BREATHTAKING!! I just love it. The second card with the cute bears is adorable. I like that you stamped a trio of them in the snow.

Those flowers are gorgeous. Such a breath of fresh air from the gray and dreary New England winter.

Anonymous said...

Oooh, what a beautiful spring card and plant and i love the dark pink shrub underneath it! And the bear card is adorable. Thank you so much for playing along with the Rudolph Days challenge.
Linda
DT Rudolph Days Challenge

Lisa Elton said...

Oh, I like how wispy and delicate your flowers look, this is pretty! And oh my goodness look at your real flowers! It was a gorgeous bright sunny day here and a whopping 15 degrees so thanks for this pick me up!

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
as always your cards are excelently made and their designs so perfet too.
Love those Bears.
Such a super array of gorgous flowers or bushes.
Thank you for joining the Rudolf Challenge.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L DT

Cheryl W. said...

That flowering plant is just amazing! BOTH your thumbs must be the greenest green. I'm pretty certain I could never grow such a beauty, no matter where I lived. Your cards are pretty awesome, too. I love those windblown flowers. The spritzed-marker-on-the-stamp technique added that wonderful artistic quality. The bears are sweet--I rather want to hug the little ones. Have a great weekend. Take some time to stop and smell those flowers.

Leslie Miller said...

So many of your photos show a sunny day and it appears your plant is thriving in it beautifully. Of course, it could have something to do with your loving care and attention. It's absolutely amazing and such a nice start to an early spring. I saw the first peek of yellow on my forsythia today (out there in the hail, rain, and snow mix). Gorgeous onefer and cute twofer, Darnell! Those watercolor flowers turned out very dreamy and realistic (can that be a thing?). I don't know how in the world you got your marker colors on there so perfectly without making a muddy mess. Really beautiful! Critters and flowers, sigh... they're always my favorites!

Loll said...

Two fabulous cards Dolly! LOVE your beautifully watercoloured windswept wildflowers. Gorgeous with the plum colours card base. And your polar bears are so darn cute! You find the BEST DSP ... this is gorgeous wih the silver bits embedded.

Your plant is AMAZING!! What a joy to see that in bloom every February! Incredible that it is just one plant. Beautiful from both sides of the fence! Lolly xx

Gerrina said...

Reading this post is almost as beautiful as your unbelieveble growing plant; poetic and blooming!
Love the flowers in the wind; you got so much movement in them! And the bear is cute and that one looks so cold.... Here we had a week filled with sunshine and unbelieveble warm temps for February and we enjoyed it! But today is back with rain and 'normal' temps...so a good day to do hh-work and get inky! And it looks like the whole weekend will be like that... Hope you have sunny days this weekend! Hugs, Gerrina

Linda said...

WOW! Now that's stunning. A gorgeous sea of purple, and all that from a single plant .... amazing!
Two amazing cards too ..... love the watercoloured flowers, very arty! And the polar bears well, they're just too cute. Love the shimmer in the background xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Two super cards Darnel and your plant is amazing such a gorgeous colour

Anne

papierelle said...

I love your wildflower card!! Amazing!!

Jane said...

Stunning wild flower card Darnell! I love purple anyway, but your choice of stamp fills the corner so beautifully and is so gorgeous. Thanks so much for playing at AAA Cards, hope to see you joining in with future challenges too.

Ros Crawford said...

OMG!! I would love that plant is amazing and so beautiful!! As it your flower card Darnell... Stunning! And who could not love those polar bears? What a mix for today... Happy March to you!

Whisper said...

Your garden is looking good, stunning flower card and your Xmas card is so darn cute and adorable, Luv Sam x

Nancy said...

Not only can you craft like a rock star you are a master gardener too! Your card is as lovely as your flowering hardenbergia. Hubby and I have been looking for something to put in the back yard to hide the view into our neighbor's yard, as the fence is too short. This may do the trick! Thanks for the double inspiration and for joining us at Just Us Girls!

Inkyfingers said...

What an amazing plant Darnell and the length of fence one plant can cover just leaves me in awe! Your beautiful purple card is so well composed and your inking and spritzing really brought it to life. Your bear stamp leaves me with a smile on my face and I'm impressed that you are thinking of next winter already!
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Carol x

Kara Lynne said...

Your purple wildflowers are AMAZING! I love the depth and variation of color you achieved! Thanks for sharing your hardenbergia - how wonderful to have so much color in February. Are you growing toys in your plant box to the left? I always thought you had special powers! Your winter bears are adorable in their matching scarves that grandma knitted them for Christmas. She only had enough yarn left for one hat, but little kids are resilient. If it must snow, I wish it would snow in that gorgeous silver!

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Wow, what an amazing plant! Beautiful!

Love your cards too!

Lisa Kind said...

Your cards are beautiful! I'm especially partial to the first one! Just gorgeous! And your flowering plant is equally amazing! How lucky to have something so beautiful to look at out your window! Thanks for playing with Just Us Girls!

pinky said...

Two equally beautiful cards yet so different Darnell!! Wow to your beautiful flowering plant. It is truly amazing. One can only image how wonderful it would be to see it in person. Enjoy!!

Kathyk said...

I KNEW your watercolour card was a stunner and I see the DT at Just Us Girls thought so too - CONGRATULATIONS

Kathyk

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

What absolutely gorgeous bloomage! Of course the washed flower card is beautiful. also. Then there are the cute Polar Bears.... They are very fitting as we were blessed with more snow today!

Viv said...

Wow Dee two fabulous cards here.Love that first one with the amazing purple and watercoloured flowers. Your second one...aww look at those sweet bears. Loving your humdinger of a plant too....so very beautiful ;) hugs Vee xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

That's so gorgeous with those flowers spilling over that fence. I guess if I want to see some flowers outside I will have to get some spray cans and make designs in the snow. We are getting more of that white powdery stuff so I guess the flowers would disappear soon anyway. Another layer to add to the accumulation. LOL And, your little polar bear design is awesome too.

Imke said...

Your wildflower card is perfect for our Challenge this week @ Little Red Wagon. Like the technique - it looks so real !

Thanks for joining our "Love it" Challenge @ Little Red Wagon this week.

Imke ~ MY CRAFTY PLACE

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow Darnell, you put a smile on my face with all those purple flowers!!! Your card is a piece of Art and all the little flowers of your hardenbergia are an explosion of spring!!! I have never seen this plant before now, but I totally LOVE it! Such wonderful flowers, they seem mini-orchids!!!
Your Christmas card looks so fun with the stunned bears :)

Sarah said...

A post full of beauty!! Your shrub is incredible Darnell, the colour is gorgeous and goes so well with your windswept blooms card which is absolutely brilliant and actually looks watercoloured. Cute snowies too xx

Karenladd said...

Your watercolored floral card is so beautiful, but I think it's probably feeling a bit intimidated by that enormous purple hedge (I know I would be). One of the earliest stamping tips I got was to use brush markers directly to the stamp but haven't done that in years. From the look of your gorgeous results though, I need to pull out that bag of tricks. Spritzing with water before stamping gives it that water color look that is so hard to capture for me.

frommycraftroom said...

Such lovely cards. The first one is simply stunning.
Gorgeous garden. We are in the midst of 35+ days here! what a contrast - we are looking for some cooler weather. Ha Ha are we ever happy with the climate?

Fikreta said...

Wonderful cards!
and so beautiful photos!
thank you for sharing!

Judys said...


Beautiful water color. Yep, that vine is gorgeous. I have a trumpet vine on a back fence in a like manner and can't get it to bloom on my side due to lack of direct sun.Instead it blooms on my back neighbor's yard and she hates it. So sad. We are in California. Remember seeing your Playhouse before. Sure love that idea for a craft space!!

Sue - said...

What can I say? Gorgeous watercolour card. I always end up with a mess using that technique, will have to practice more! Absolutely beautiful vine - what a treat to see that in February! xx

Maria Rodriguez. said...

WOW!! This card is gorgeous Darnell, love the loose watercolor look and those shades of purple are amazing.
Thank you for playing with us at SHOPPING OUR STASH, it's lovely to see you in our gallery.
Hugs.
Maria Rodriguez.DT

Celeste Goff said...

Two amazing cards Darnell! Congrats on the win on the 1st card!

Donna said...

WOW that hardenbergia is just gorgeous!
I am off to google that to see if it's something that would grow where I live!
Gorgeous purples in your wildflower card!
Thank you for sharing and for celebrating FABULOUS FEBRUARY with the crew from SHOPPING OUR STASH!!

Mac Mable said...

Many congratulations to being the 'chic' over at JUGS with your stunning first card Darnell. What a beautiful card it is and adore the watercolour effect.....so very pretty. Chuckled about your second card, in a good way! Yes those bears always looked stunned whilst you take a photo of them x.
Wow to the photos of the amazing hardenbergia flower/ plant/ tree x

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

The card is beautiful, but I am swooning over this plant! AMAZING!!!! Is this your yard right now? Mine is covered in snow and more to come tonight - after literally having almost now snow all winter long, tsk, tsk, tsk...How is hubby doing? I sure hope is is all back to normal again!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

I'm in love with your gorgeous purple bush, Darnell - of course the poor dear would never survive the MN winters! I'm under a snowbank right now - wish spring would come this way soon!! Just love all your cards too!!

Sharyn Polesel said...

Wow, your water color flower card is absolutely stunning! I love it! What a pretty stamp and the coloring is really lovely. Love your Christmas card too. The flowers on your fence line are beautiful. I can't believe how full they are. It's nice to see some pretty color because we sure don't have any around here. We're waiting to see what the upcoming storm is going to bring. We're supposed to get snow but not sure how much yet. It will depend on how it tracks. Keep your fingers crossed. lol Hugs, Sharyn

wannabcre8tive said...

Darnell, both your cards are fabulous. The wild flowers are water colored beautifully.

Papercraft Boutique said...

The wildflower card is absolutely stunning, Darnell! I love the watercolor look of the stamped images and the colors you chose! The matching card base finished the card perfectly. And your hardenbergia is amazing! It looks like beautiful purple flower tsunami is coming from behind the fence. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
The bear B-day card is so cute! I love the facial expression of the big bear. Great use of DSP and pretty coloring! Glad to hear that hardworking Hammy gets a day off once in a while. ;-)
Hideko xx

Nancy Penir said...

Yay for you! Just saw you won the JUGS challenge with your beautiful floral card! And yes, your hardenbergia is amazing! When they're happy, they let you know it. Your polar bear is adorable, but the colors and layout of the first card is definitely a winner! Congrats!

Rosmarie said...

Your Hardenbergia is a real feast for the eyes, Darnell! I'm sure she has inspired you with her delightful colors to this wonderful "painting" - I am totally thrilled by your card!
....and the bears are just too cute!
Hugs, Rosi

laurie said...

Lots to enjoy on your post today! From your gorgeous blooms to your awesome cards!!!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

These are so creative! And you truly have a spectacular plant there, I wish I have green thumb, I killed everything.

Chana Malkah said...

Well, I think every lovely thing that could be said about this beautiful creation has been said. It captures the very essence of our challenge and we are just delighted that you decided to share it with us at Shopping Our Stash.
Hugz,
Chana, DT

Anita in France said...

Oh my, Darnell, your hardenbergia is positively resplendent in all it's purply glory ... what a joy to see it, thank you! Simply beautiful wildflowers drifting in the spring breeze ... the depth and dimension you created with the h-inspired hues is just stunning! Sweet polar bears ... the expressions of the little ones could be shutter shock ... or it might be that the fur on their little behinds is just not thick enough to protect them from the chilly ice they're sitting on ... ooh, refreshing! I'm late, mea culpa ... just got back online yesterday so am catching up after another three days with no phone/internet ... it's becoming a smidge wearing!! LYAMYHMCA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Bobby said...

Congratulations on your win at Just Us Girls, Darnell. Your card would have been my pick too.

Sharron said...

Your plant is stunning! Is it fragrant too? Love the gorgeous purple. Your pretty card captures some of that wonderful color and also the carefree look of some wildflowers. Seeing the bears remind us that winter is still here though. Of course, I could also just look out the door!

Ruth said...

Well I always learn something new about the garden from your blog! It's a gorgeous colour and clearly loves your garden and your tender care. Me, I need plants that will survive with very little attention...... so far I have muscari in the front which is happy on its own. Rain has descended here so that garden is happy.

I LOVE the wildflower spritzy card. It is exactly what wildflowers look like from a distance. xxx

Brenda said...

Wow, wow, wow on the cards and the flower! First off that first card is just stunning! I love the artsy watercolor look you got by your technique. It is truly a stunning card! I can't believe that flower plant, it is ginormous and can hardly believe it is one plant! What is even more amazing is that the fence is holding it up as it has to weigh a ton! Oh Auntie, send me your weather, I want to see flowers and green grass and no more snow. lol I can't imagine looking at your gardens each and every day! So beautiful! Now onto you sweet little bear card. I love it too! That shimmery background is so beautiful. I love those sweet bears, the mama bear is just so sweet and cute with that expression. Then there are the twins, they are just adorable! A great winter birthday! Hugs, Brenda

TK said...

Gorgeous! Gorgeous! And fun! Gorgeous water colored florals (oh I wish I would buy me some of those markers...). Gorgeous IRL florals! Holy Moly!!! And what a fun winter card! Gotta love those bears! And yes, that is us this year enduring some of the winter. I know others have it much worse, but we typically get snow once or twice in a winter and it's gone in a couple of days -- not so much this year, it's been on the ground for almost a month straight! Freezing rain coming tonight... Stay warm, you and your garden!

Maria - Ivyleaf Crafts said...

Wow the plant is amazing and what a beautiful colour. Love the floral card xx

Greta said...

What neat designer paper for the cute bear card! Were we on the same wave length or what?! I can't even remember the last time I colored a rubber stamp with markers before my tulip card & here you did the same technique! Beautiful wild flowers with the wc look & I see you won--congrats! I've never heard of that plant--it's a stunner!

Kate said...

Always a laugh stopping by your blog Darnell! And beautiful cards as well. Thanks for brightening my evening!