Although I'm not keeping with the theme chosen by hostess Beth Niquette at
The Best Hearts Are Crunchy, I'm putting up the First Day Cover that I did last year for my brother. Not only is he a drummer, but he just happens to collect Drummer Boys year round.
In the process of researching Drummer Boys for the art work, I discovered that there is a rich history behind the nutcrackers here in the United States. Although immigrants from Europe new them well, soldiers brought many of them back to our country after WWII.
In 2008, the USPS commissioned a fellow by the name of
Glenn Crider to build four nutcrackers for the Holiday stamp issue. Although each nutcracker he builds is unique, he also builds one of each for his own collection. There's probably a lesson to be learned from that, since I've done many covers over the past twenty years, and have very few of them in my own collection.
While browsing early, I found that FunOldHag aka Carol, at
Pieces of the Past had posted a cute postcard of a young drummer under the Christmas tree, probably waking up his folks from their long Winter nap. It woke me up to my entry for today's Postcard Friendly Friday.
gorgeous card - the fairy tale behind the nutcracker is also fascinating... check out this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egX1tefK9eo
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful cover.
ReplyDeleteAre you able to view "Pieces of the Past" by funoldhag normally? The posts get covered with a semitransparent gray layer on my computer.
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous piece that you have done. That certainly speaks of the season, Dave.
ReplyDeleteWow I've never seen nutcrackers like that, what have I been missing:-) Love the card and story.
ReplyDeleteWonderful cover! Beautiful work, Dave.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover
ReplyDeletei didn't realize i hadn't been by in awhile
ReplyDeletecoming to your blog is like going on a history lesson
fascinating stuff dave!
ostritches to motorcycles and appropriate to the nearing day
drummer boys...do you hear what i hear...
awesome works..
i hope you post up the piece you are working on right now too!
merrrrrry christmas!
This is amazing--and I learned something new today! I've always loved nutcrackers. This is a beautiful piece of artwork, that is for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing!
Happy PFF
Well, they do crunch nuts with great aplomb, so I think that qualifies as making them crunchy ... or perhaps just crunchers.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous for the season! I hope you've started keeping copies for yourself now.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Even if you send your creations to others, scan them first! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is quite nice. Well done. I am putting out another envelope I found on Saturday digging for something else. It is on Pick a Peck of Pixels at blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYou can down load the last production model if you wish.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my other blog and leaving a comment. Really very sorry that t=you missed the last model from the Lincoln Production Company, Melissa.
Copy and paste the link below to see what saw.
http://abrahamlincolnsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/baby-factory-announcement.html
Very nice! I like the way it all works with the vertical layout. And really nice colors. Another great illustration. Keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteAmazing artwork, once again Dave. Perfect for xmas too! I want a drumer boy. Actually, we have them - they come in the form of little xmas tree ornaments this year. A real score from last year.
ReplyDeleteYou know--I do believe you are right about those Christmas elves--I think they ARE brownies! I have an old brownie book belonging to my sister--and they DO look like Brownies!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. You and your dear wife are in my prayers still. ((hugs))
Do you ever paint dogs? Kipling wrote a book called Thy Servant a Dog and I remember the old illustrations of funny Victorian scotty dogs.
ReplyDelete