Hello Stamplings!
My friend Cornelia is a card artist whose blog is Stempel Spass (Fun Stamping). I'm sure many of you know and admire her work as I do! She often makes very funny cards with her stamps, especially with her Katzelkraft stamps.
Over the years when I would visit and comment on Cornelia's cards, I would often launch into an imagined "back story" about her card. We would joke that we should write a book with me as the author and Cornelia as the illustrator. Then, a few months ago, Cornelia suggested that we get serious about giving it a go. While we don't feel a book is warranted, we thought you might be amused if we launched a blog series once or twice of month with a bit of Back Story silliness. The format won't always be the same and most back stories will be very short.
As this day is April Fool's Day, it seemed the perfect day for lift-off! Please let us know what you think. Enjoy! And Happy April Fool's Day! Darnell and Cornelia
As this day is April Fool's Day, it seemed the perfect day for lift-off! Please let us know what you think. Enjoy! And Happy April Fool's Day! Darnell and Cornelia
~~~
The Back Story
The Back Story
ABRAHAM, THOMAS, AND SUZY
Darnell J. Knauss, Author
Cornelia Wenokor, Illustrator
[Excepted from the Websville Community Newsletter, April 1, 2019]
Welcome to another article where we help you, our neighbors, get to know your candidates on a more personal level. We know you are all fascinated by the fact that a set of triplets are vying against each other for the one vacant Rat City Council seat and you want to know more about them.
Let us first introduce you to Abraham.
Abraham is known in the community as The Realist. When the triplets were born, Abe was the oldest and the biggest. Immediately, their mother started treating Abe as her right-hand man, especially since their father had been killed in a trap on his way home from the pizza parlor a week before the triplets were born. Abe never disappointed his mother. He saw to all their needs and never had a childhood of his own. No one was surprised when Abe became the first rat in the family to attend college and earn a degree in Logistics.
Next is Thomas.
Thomas is the middle mouse. He is known as the Doubter. Being in the middle between his brother and sister, Thomas doesn’t know who to believe, so he believes no one. You’ll never hear Thomas answer a question with a straight Yes or No. Instead he’ll say, “I doubt it.” Or, “What makes you say that?” Or, “Let me think about it.” And his most-used phrase, said in a sulky tone: “Well, I don’t know about that.”
Last, but not least, we have Suzy.
Suzy is known as the Optimist. Suzy welcomes life with open arms. She feels that every day is a blessing and she wakes up excited to see what adventures await her. Her brothers pretty much hate her, especially when she breaks out into a rousing rendition of, “Oh, Suzannah!”
Their long-suffering mother once asked Suzy why she was such an optimist when her brothers were not. Suzy just smiled and answered quietly, “Well, that’s obvious, Mom. According to the laws of nature, there must be two polar opposites. I’m the equator.”
©04/01/2019
Vol. 1 Ep.1
79 comments:
A great idea - good way to start a Monday morning, especially as it is 1st April!!
What a lovely read to start my day, fun words, fun cards, this is going to be a great series!
Amazing!
Oh Darnell - thank you for the giggle - that is amazing. Please keep up the great collaboration. Love Cornelia's cards too.
Just remember to include Hammy once in a while, or he may go on strike, or run away - remember the results of his last solo trip, you wouldn't want that to happen again ;-) !!
Blessings
Maxine
Hahahahaha ... your brilliant words with Cornelia's fun illustrating, Darnell ... what a fun, happy and delicious way to start the day! Already looking forward to more ... !! LYAMYEDMCA! Hig hugs and bisous, Anita :)
What a fabulous idea Darnell and a great way to start the day as many have wrote above l think this would be a great can’t waiting for the next chapter xx
Forgot to mention great cards too! xx
I love books, I love stories, and especially stories where animals are anthropomorphised. This is usually great and funny. Your idea is great and I have already smiled vigorously while reading the character stories. And the stories will be special if they are well illustrated. Then each character becomes unique. And now I'm curious about more characters, stories, adventures, experiences ....
Gundi xx
Great way to start the day....lovely cards.
xxx Margreet
Cudo to you both, love this idea. We all enjoy your stories Darnell and I know I love Cornelias quirky cards so its a perfect mix. Keep it up ladies. xx Hus Aileen
What a fantastic idea and a great story to start the day off with.
Sue xx
Brilliant!! I've long thought you should write ... Your posts are always funny and uplifting and along with your friend's fabulous cards it's the perfect collaboration!
Great way to start the day! Cute cards.
Have a great day,
Marilyn❤️
Absolutely brilliant. And here is the start of your new book ( of short stories) x
Wonderful cards. So fun images.
Valerija xx
What a great fun idea Darnell and a wonderful start with the three mice beautifully done by Cornelia, and the story behind each one really made me smile. Looking forward to Chapter 2. x
This is a great idea Darnell and I already had to laugh a lot while reading Cornelia's characters. - I'm really looking forward to new stories and adventures....
Hugs, Rosi
Brilliant idea and beautifully done! Congrats to the author and illustrator, a very entertaining read!
xx
You should be a professional writer. Fantastic story. Your words and Cornelia's illustrations make my day! Thank you for the giggle.
I hope this is not an April joke and the story will continue. :-)
Hugs, Sonja
This is better than the library! Great job by you and Cornelia. The cards are adorable and the backstory is a fun one. I vote for Suzy for rat city council, She has the best outlook and will shake things up with those stodgy old rats already on the council. I look forward to the next story.
How fun! Loved the backstory and the cards look fantastic. I like that Suzy!! Looking forward to the next backstory. You are a marvel, Darnell!
Great idea. so fun.
Cute story. Nice coloring and illustration by Cornelia. [Bunny]
Oh Darnell, this is so cute, loved reading it. Love your backstory of Abraham, Thomas, and Suzy, along with the cute cards. TFS
Fantastic... keep it up!
How fun cards!!!!!!!!!!!!
How wonderfully fun, great story with brilliant illustrations. Nicely done to both of you x
Oh, give me a minute to wipe the coffee off my monitor. Love the story. Really cute illustrations. Look forward to more stories. You may just have to bind them all into a book.
Happy April 1st Darnell and Cornelia! What a fun way to start the month. Wow can you spin a story or what, Darnell?! :) And the cards are fabulous Cornelia. I look forward to the next addition of “Backstory Story”! Hugs
I love the Backstory idea and love the cards!! Nice way to make me smile and chuckle in the morning!
I had just read this on Cornelia's blog as well. I love it and think the two of you are a great team. It is so fun and entertaining. Thanks for making my day start off great and that is no April Fool's joke. It is wonderful!
What fun and a very brilliant idea. Boy can you write a tale Darnell. The cards are fabulous and great images too. Looking forward to the next backstory, Kate x x
You are always brilliant with your uniwue ideas and this one is another jewel! 😄I can"t read all and enjoy all the story of you and Cornelia, because of my poor english, but it seems very fun and cute as the images 😊 Such great crearivity!
Hugs
creativity... 🤨I forgot my eye-glasses😄
This is just wonderful, thank you. I shall look forward to the next story xx
:-)) Fantastic story. I love your cooperation with Cornelia. I can not wait for the next part of your novel. I hope I can read it for years ... Please, please!hugs,
BożenA
Darling trio of rat cards and I love their story too, Darnell - so clever!!
Happy april first, and what a fun way to start out the month. Loved Corneila's cards and your story.
You two are geniuses to put this feature together. I love Cornelia's artwork and her sense of humor...this idea really showcases those attributes. And I'd read anything you wrote because it is so very entertaining and, often, hilarious. Keep these coming...love, love, love it.
Hi Darnell, Fab. I look forward to the next one. Sue
Such fun, Darnell! The retired children's librarian that still resides in my heart and mind loved the story!!
This is so fun!! Totally enjoyed reading this!! The cards are fabulous, too!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
He he great back story Dee and loving those sweet cards with the cute mousies too ;) hugs Vee xx
Love this!!!!! More! More! :-D
I look forward to many equally inspired collaborations!
Yes please, can we have more? This is such a fabulous idea, you are such a brilliant wordsmith and Cornelia's artwork is equal to the challenge, it is fabulous. I doubt that I am in the minority here but I really do think you should both consider bringing out a book... a small one to start with but definitely worth considering..... you are both seriously brilliant! Hugs, Annie xxx
Brilliant post, super images and fabulous cards and story, very much like the idea.
Kath x
The story sure made me smile. Thanks you two!
A great post! Love the story and the cards :)
Heee love those cards and fab back story too!
What fun! I love this and hope to see lots more!
Oh, ha! Each mouse fits it's story perfectly! I knew before reading that Suzy was going to be the optimist. So funny! I love Cornelia's cards and these stamps and stories!
OH my gosh how fun! You two go together like peas and carrots! Can't wait for more!
Cute and fun story and of course the cards are darling! Love them!
Lynn
You know how I like a good story, and I think that you and Cornelia have done a great job teaming up to do this. I love the "I don't know about that," as you figured I would! So much fun darlin'. You have such a way with words. I can't wait for the next one!! Cornelia's cards are so sweet, and I'm going to head over and let her know that the cards illustrate a great little story! xo Bev
OMG! I love your collaboration and I could see a sweet children’s book with this..love the mice and the middle one made me laugh especially the saying. Great looks and love the colouring and the fun story and character setting for each mousy.
I will never look at rats the same way again! I didn't know they had such strong personalities, along with hopes and dreams just like we humans. I love the images and sentiments on your cards. What a fun post--looking forward to more.
These are so much fun.
Wonderful story, Darnell, and fabulous cards from Cornelia.
I always love reading your posts, but this time this is a very special one!
You and Cornelia took my into the world of the triplets so fast...can't wait for more :)!
Thanks both for ginving me a smile by reading and looking! Hugs, Gerrina
Great idea Darnell such fun cards too
Anne
So much fun! You should be a writer, Darnell!
What a fantastic idea! I've always loved your stories and Cornelia's Katzelkraft cards so this is a marriage made in heaven. I can't wait for the next installment.
AMAZING idea!!! I loved the story and cards. FUN!!! Can't wait to read and see next one. :o) Great job Ladies. :o) Hugs!!! xx
Fun read and two very creative bloggers together...what a marvellous combination x.
I would be first in line to buy the book for myself and for gifts!!
Hilarous!!! And just when I needed the laugh too. I can't wait for the next installment.
Awesome! I'm hooked already! Can't wait to read the next edition! The cards are fantastic and the personalities of the three rats really show. Love it! Lolly
Wonderful card!
love this idea with story!
so fun!
Ha ha! What a great idea for a series - I look forward to reading more of these Darnell. Love your sense of humour, it's always a chuckle when I get time to hop over and indulge myself in your posts! Lots of hugs to you, Lisa xx
Brilliant fun idea and a big thank you to you and Cornelia for bringing a smile to my face and cheering up the day xx
I think this is a fabulous idea, and what a great read. You are so good with words Darnell, and I love Cornelia's work. I think it should be a book!! xx
So delightfully entertaining! I'm looking forward to more Darnell!
Love this, Darnell! What a great idea for two very talented people. Your story was such a treat to read and Cornelia's fun designs were a joy. Hope you both will continue to provide more. Can't wait for the next addition!!
What a fabulous collaboration from two of my favorites!
=]
Ha, ha, ha ! It had to be funny with you as a writer, and so beautifully illustrated with Cornelia as illustrator ! A wonderful and fabulous pair with you both ! It is definitely a brilliant idea to combine your writing skills with Cornelia's sense of illustration ! Thank you so much for this delicious and unique moment. Hugs x
Hahaha, wonderful series! Awesome that you both took action on your blog comments over the years. And I can think of no better author : )
Absolutely perfect way to kick of the series xoxo
Darnell, I want to live inside your brain for just one day because it appears to be the most joyous, inspiring, creative, hilarious place on earth!
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