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!

June 14, 2019

A Sort of Blues Brothers

Hello Stamplings!

Annnnnnd here we are, swooshed right into Friday! Oh, my gosh, my hair's an absolute mess from the hot wind blowing me in here. And, poor Hammy, when I opened the door it blew him right underneath the bookcase and into the corner! It's a very easy way to gather the dust bunnies so I don't have to get down on my hands and knees, but bless him, it does make him sneeze. 

Okay, so. I was going through my Blue Phase when I made my cards today. 

Wait. What? What does that mean? I have no idea, but I've read of people going through this phase or that phase, so I thought I'd try it. It just sounds pretentious. If I ever do a Memwaar, these would be my phases: chocolate, hippie jeans, candy, the Beatles, wallpaper, chocolate, wine spritzers, candy, stretch pants, cross-stitch, choc ... slap! Oof, thank you for stopping me! That was only one decade.

Onefer
What happened was, I asked Hammy to open the tab for challenges and read me what was happening, au currantly, while I was cleaning out my Christmas stamps drawer. Well, I wasn't listening very well and when he got to Less Is More, I thought he said "blue duck egg, plum, and white." I immediately thought of Gunther, who IS going through his blue phase, so naturally the egg he laid is blue. (Thankfully the bird kingdom is way more advanced than humans and the males of the blue duck genus are the egg layers.)

Googly-eyes help Gunther see better and, although it's hard to tell from the photo, he is heat-embossed in black. Speaking of the photo, I'm sorry about the unfortunate angle.

Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit, imagine my surprise when I just now went to link to the challenges and I discovered that LIM does NOT actually want blue duck eggs, they are merely looking for the color of "duck egg blue." 

It does, however, beg the question. I mean, why name a color "duck egg blue," if there wasn't such a thing as blue duck eggs? She asks, cocking her head. So I'm entering anyway.

Challenges

Twofer
I think I made Harry the Stuffie correctly. He was made specifically for Bonnie's "Something Blue" brief over at the CAS Watercolour Card Challenge. He's verwee verwee blue. I used my Koi Watercolors to paint him. And didn't Hammy do a brilliant job winking every crevice? The stamp and sediment are from Stampingbella. Again, googly-eyes completed the picture.
~~~

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48 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving both cards, but really like the bear one.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Kathyk said...

I am LOVING your blue phase!

Hope that Hammy doesn't sneeze too hard before you hoike him out from under that bookcase!

Happy Friday

Kathyk

Redanne said...

Thank you for the smiles today my friend - I love how you mention chocolate twice for your Memwaar, I look forward to reading that one day!

Gunther is pretty cute with his googly eyes, wouldn't it be a shock for any man to have to give birth? I doubt the world would be so well populated - lol.

The bear is just adorable and Hammy did a great job winking - and not a spot of dust anywhere - well done Hammy! Hugs, Annie xxx

Mrs A. said...

Well I’m not surprised he was blue after laying that big egg. I rather like the colour myself. I have seen blue eggs on the supermarket shelves here on occasion. Darn pricy though which is why I have never bought any. Hugs Mrs A.

kiwimeskreations said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kiwimeskreations said...

Oh dear, poor Hammy and the dust bunnies... but then maybe I can find a "Hammy" to keep my dust bunnies company...or shoo them out. So glad he recovered and was able to do some winking for you.
Love your Gunther and egg card, he looks as though laying that egg was traumatic :), and that wee bear is a such a shparkly sweetie
Blessings
Maxine

Chris said...

Well, what can I say??? Your Blue Phase has definitely cheered up my day, 'tho I'm feeling a little sorry for poor Gunther, I don't think anyone told him that it was the male of the species who laid the eggs...he looks as if he's had a very rude awakening!
The little stuffie is adorable, so very blue and sparkly! Brilliant cards and a very entertaining post, thanks Darnell.
xx

Gerrina said...

Two fun cards and, by reading the colour names I couldn't see any connection with blue and duck egg either...:) Hugs, Gerrina

Marilyn said...

Loving your blue phase cards! Love reading your stories
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Lisa said...

They're both so adorable!! Gunther is too cute with his googly eyes!! Can't quit smiling!! And Harry the Stuffie is so cute!! I'm loving your blue phase, Darnell!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

oldpunca said...

I like your blue phase, Darnell. Or shall I say duck-egg-blue phase? :-) Try to imagine, what a mess was in my head reading about this colour. :-) You managed the challenge with bravoure! Amazing and funny card. Blue teddy bear is sooo sweet! And perfectly colored.
Have a nice weekend!
Hugs, Sonja

I Card Everyone said...

whoa... it's no wonder his eyes are googly - and he's certain to be singing the Duck egg Blues!!
Twofer the win, D!
=]

Dthielker said...

Darling cards,first one is fun and cheery and the 2nd one is just adorable,I love bears and your blue bear is sweet, this would be a good idea for prostate cancer. Wishing you a happy day!

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both adorable, Darnell xoxo

Happy Dance said...

"...blue phase" sound like it would be a good name for a new brand of vodka! Is that what happened to Gunther?! He's cute, and so is 'junior.' Great use of the colors at CT - I drew a blank, but you've rocked it! And googly eyes always make me giggle. Fun, fun card! Harry is mighty cute, too. I like the watercoloring you've done on him. That's such a sweet image!! Kudos to Hammy too for his excellent winking job. That scalloped frame is right in my wheelhouse...trying to resist shopping, but this may have made me throw common sense to the wind! Love this card!! You're one heckava crafter my friend. Sending love and hugs. xo Bev

Lisa Babitz said...

Cute cards, and you are just too funny!! ;)

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

:D Lovely blue tones and such fun post!! :D Love the watercolouring on the bear and the googling eyes!!
Hugs

Jean said...

Such fun cards! Your posts always make me smile!

Carol L said...

Love these cute blue cards with googlie eyes! I can't get enough of Gunther and his blue duck egg - Love the tale of how that card came to be :) Hope you are well and not dealing with severe weather where you live! Enjoy your weekend!

Marcia Hill said...

Well your blue phase certainly had me chuckling this morning Darnell! And I think I need to clean my glasses because I thought Gunther was a beaver and the blue egg was his blue tail...I'm getting old here Darnell!! But he did make me chuckle and I love the googly eyes!! And Harry the Stuffie is just adorable...you've colored him just beautifully and Hammy did an outstanding job shining him up!! Cute, CUTE cards my friend!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour...we love to see you in the gallery!! Have a great weekend! Hugs. :0)

Mia said...

Both your cards are beautiful, Darnell. I am glad you feel better. Kisses, my friend.

jimlynn said...

You made me happy today with all the blue since it's my favorite color. CUTE and fun cards too.
You make me feel so old since you didn't add hot pants to your list....and yes, maybe even a poodle skirt (when I was a baby of course)!
Lynn

HilaryJane said...

Well, you have surpassed yourself with this one. What a great blue phase it was/is. For me it is the expressions on the duck and the bears faces, must be the googly eyes that do it, brilliant. Thanks for todays very big smile xx

Trina P. said...

OMG, Dolly, your blue duck egg is priceless... and finished perfectly with googley eyes. Tour blue monster is adorable.
Blue is my favorite color so I welcome a blue phase. Have a wonderful weekend. xx.

Ros Crawford said...

Still laughing here... You are so funny! And there are blue duck eggs... we get them here anyway. Terrific cards and gotta love those googly eyes!
Have a terrific day!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Two wonderful blue cards...and I love them both. And, thanks so much for the entertaining narrative. I am still giggling and therefore, my day is started off with some laughs.

Linda said...

I'm loving your blue phase, both cards look fab. The blue duck egg made me giggle and I love the googly eyes. Have a fabulous weekend my friend xx

Aquarius said...

If Picasso can do it why not you eh??? This post really made me smile and I love your two blue critters. I have the duck/goose stamp which I've had since forever - it even has a wooden mount for goodness sake!!

conil said...

It's my considered opinion that any artist can have a Blue Period...I, for one, am thrilled you had yours. I think your question regarding the duck egg blue...clearly duck's can have blue eggs, at least Gunther does. And as for your Harry Stuffie, it male bears laid eggs, his would be blue, too.

Liz said...

I chuckled all the way through your post, Darnell! Just as well I wasn't drink a cup of tea when I got to 'butter my butt and call me a biscuit' or it may have sprayed everywhere!! LOL! Love both your 'blue phase' cards and the googly eyes are a perfect finishing touch. xx

Kathleen said...

I think blue is a colour that is not used very often, unless somewhere on a male card, I have been trying to use it more often lately, well you have to use all the blue stuff you bought sometime.
Two lovely cards and great images.

Kath x

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Now, I don’t think I would have thought to put google eyes on these images, OR to paint them blue. They are too much fun though. Great imagination you have!

Pat said...

I love that rather quirky duck and egg and then that sweet bear and with two very pretty finished die cut edges with the wonky rectangle and then the stitched scallops, and of course the googly eyes on both, and I think you have your blue phase in common with a very a very important artist, the one and only Picasso I think, so you couldn't be in better company. x

Bonnie said...

It's good to see Gunther out showing off is duck egg blue egg! Gotta love those googly eyes! He sure makes me feel happy! And sparkly Harry the Stuffie is adorable with his sparkly blue fur. He looks like he's saying Oooooh! I think he's happy to be taking happy mail! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour!

Lindsey said...

Gunther is a whole lotta fun! The mauve of the sentiment banner sets him off perfectly. Harry the Beary looks so sweet in his duck egg blue. Thanks for linking up with us at Seize the Birthday!

Cheryl W. said...

Hmmmm...I like your blue phase. It reminds me of the foofoo drinks we ladies can sometimes order on special nights at the local pub. I could go for one of those right now! Your cards are fun, and don't make me blue at all. In fact they both made me smile.

Sue - said...

Hi Darnell, as usual your post has brightened my day! I’m loving your blue phase, two fabulous cards! Hugs xx

Leslie Miller said...

Well, geez, you made me Google to see if there is such a thing as blue duck eggs and, sure enough, some ducks do lay eggs the color of the duck egg blue paint which I learned about during my Googling. Speaking of Googling, your googly-eyed duck is hilarious and makes a great CAS card! Love, LOVE the sparkly blue Teddy, too. So sweet. Yes, Hammy did a good job!

Michelle W said...

LOL Darnell, blue duck eggs are just perfect for our challenge! Thanks for the laugh and thanks for joining us at Less is More with your blue duck egg!

EmmaT said...

Haha love the blue duck eggs, funnily some of my brothers chickens lay blue eggs and people don't buy them as think they are duck eggs:-) I Love your card, you pulled it off brilliantly. Emmax

Kim Heggins said...

Fabulous blue birthday duck! Thank you so much for playing along with us at ATSM!

frommycraftroom said...

Love your post! Great blue phase and what a memoir you would have me thinks!
ps Great cards too by you and winking by Hammy ;)

Lisa Elton said...

You go girl! Looks like a winner...or two to me!

Susan said...

Love the way your worked in the colours for the challenge on the first card. And the second card is terrific - that blue teddy bear is so adorable. You definitely benefited from your blue period! Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Watercolour.

Anita in France said...

Bwahahahahahahahahahaha! Brilliant, Darnell ... that's given me a jolly good chortle for the afternoon ... your blue egg laying Gunther ... that cutie patootie little bear ... and your fabulous post! En forme I think, mon amie! LYAMYLALMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Vicki Dutcher said...

Great blue day! Gunther is rather fabulous with the eyes going on! :) Thanks for joining in at STB.

TK said...

Two adorably cute cards, and blue duck eggs fits them well! LoVe the googly eyes!

Nonni said...

Love this post Darnell... You are such a witty writer, your posts always make me smile big time!! Two very cute cards here, the googly eyes are super fun addition. Love how you said it make your duck see better!! Lol!!! Thanks for joining us at Less Is More!