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!

April 6, 2021

Your Special Day and Christmas Rainbows!

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Easter weekend, although by the time I get this posted, it will no doubt be mid-week. That seems to be my new normal now as I start something and then a warm breeze blows through my meager thoughts, scattering them like moths under the street lamp. Then I'm off to gather them up, or head off in an entirely new direction! 

Eventually I wend my way back to creating and sharing. It may take me longer, but I get there in the end and here are my latest makes.

Onefer
Most of you will prolly remember this stamp from the cute Penny Black set called "critter celebration." It was very popular, just as the fabulous Anita Jeram stamps are now, and eventually I succumbed to buying the set. And then it sat because by that time I thought the interwebs had been saturated with the sweet critters. Now, with Hammy gone, I went looking for another critter to play with so this NBUS set is finally getting some love.

Using some pretty pp from SU, I paper-pieced the flower, stem, and mouse. I think I've mentioned before that paper-piecing is one of my all-time favorite techniques. I think it's because it reminds me of playing with paper dolls. I remember having lots of fun making more clothes out of magazine pictures. The sediment might also be from Penny Black. Some matching mouse-colored schplattering and a wee butterfly finished the scene.

Challenges
Twofer
This is thinking outside the Christmas box of decorations, isn't it? It's like bleu cheese. You're either gonna like it or you're gonna hate it. Either way, this was a fun and QACAS OLC design that took only minutes to make. I used the "poinsettia row" stamp from STAMPlorations, colored with markers and spritzed. Hammy would love winking all those colors, so I left them for him to do when he gets back. (They are on the move again, so that's good!)

Challenges
~~~

A First

Normally, I put the laundry away right after folding, but the other day, I left it for a few minutes and when I came back into the room and glanced at the basket, I cocked my head to the side wondering when we acquired a sheep-skin rug.
Wait. What?
It was just the little diva, Nellie! You will notice that she, too, needs to be laundered and thankfully she sees the groomer tomorrow! 

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Keep safe!

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse, especially since I've been slow with my return visits, and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! See on Saturday with April's Twofer Challenge!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

75 comments:

Jane said...

Bright and cheery rainbow card. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards, hope to see you join in with future challenges too. Stay safe and keep crafting!

Julie B said...

How cute is that little mouse and your choice of DP for the PP is perfect!
Your rainbow Christmas card is so bright and cheerful. Sadly it looks like March didn't quite go out like a lamb and April is following suit. I'm having to keep my tomato and pepper plants either wrapped in fleece in the greenhouse or bring them indoors on the window ledge to protect them from the Arctic blast! Keep safe. :)

papierelle said...

I love your first card!! It's perfect CAS and so cute and lovely!! And it was certainly not easy to cut out the small motif so precisely!
And I had to laugh! With us, the cats like to lie in the baskets with the freshly washed laundry.

Kath said...

Lovely cards Darnell - the Special Day card is so cute and I love the rainbow Christmas card too.

Nellie looks so comfortable in her new 'nest'! Hope she was okay at the groomers.

Kath x

Kathyk said...

You're not wrong, it IS mid-week!

FAB makes though, two smashers and so is the lovely Nellie!

Happy Wednesday to you and your readers

Kathyk

Sandra H said...

Oh wow Darnell the shadows created by the image & butterfly is amazing absolutely stunning are all your cards you really are so creative.....Nellie looks just so comfortable in the basket 🧺 my cats would just love that l have to keep it free from cats there hair gets all over and l am not a fan of cat hair.....enjoy your day x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell, I love the paper piecing in the first and also the multi coloured Christmas card.

Sue xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Ohhh Darnell, is that Hammy still skiving off and leaving you all the work... shame on him!
Loving your wee mouse in the flower - of course you needed that stamp!!
Still thinking about your second card - it's certainly colourful, and when Hammy is home to wink it, it will really be eye-catching!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Jeanne said...

That first card is so sweet, Darnell. I like the bright colors on the second and that it only took a short while to make is enticing. :) That Nellie! She looked comfy, cozy there in the nice warm laundry basket. Thanks for sharing this fun post, Darnell. Hope you have a great rest of your week. :)

Marcia Hill said...

FABULOUS cards Darnell! That paper pieced (one of my favorite techniques to do too!) little mouse in the paper pieced flower is ADORABLE!! That PB set is one of my favorites...why is it stamped mice are so dang cute, but the real ones not so much?!! And your rows of rainbow Poinsettia's are SO bright and cheery...someone's definitely going to smile when they receive this card! And it looks like Miss Nellie found the perfect napping spot...wish I could fit in a basket of warm folded clothes!! Well maybe not...probably wouldn't be able to move for weeks after getting myself out of that configuration!! Thanks for my morning smile and chuckle and hope you have aa great day my friend!! Hugs. :0)

I Card Everyone said...

Suffice it to say I LOve bleu cheese! and will never tire of that darling little character! Especially cut from corduroy [?] paper!
=]

cuilliesocks said...

What a gorgeous photo of Nellie, thanks for sharing.
Beautiful cards Darnell, lovely designs and colours, Kate x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I love your little mouse in her paper pieced flower, saying hello to her butterfly friend, it's gorgeous. As for you fabulous Christmas card, Yep! Spirits Bright it is and I love it. Your furry washing basket has a beautiful pattern, I really like it as for the sheepskin rug? I did have a laugh. Keep safe and well
Faith x

Gerrina said...

Love both cards; ranbows are always beautiful! But the paperpieced card is my favo; love the popping red!
Think I get more distrected the longer lockdown goes on...
Would be nice to have more daily routines again... Hugs, Gerrina

Donna said...

Fabulous cards, your critter card is adorable, like the dimension you gave it, and your poinsettia card is gorgeous and striking! Nellie is so adorable!! Take care, Donna

Bobby said...

Your fussy cutting is amazing, Darnell. I love the texture on the little mouse and I also have and love that stamp. Now I need to get it out and make a card.

Brenda in IN said...

The mouse inside the pp flower is so cute. What a gorgeous rainbow of poinsettias and Hammy will be so excited that you saved them for him to do. Oh, that Nellie. She knows a warm and inviting place to sleep that you set up just for her!

HilaryJane said...

What a wonderful paper pieced image, you must love it to fussy cur those tiny pieces. Your splatters are amazing and that tiny butterfly is the perfect finishing touch. I like the bright cheery nature of your second card too, it makes a great Christmas card but I think you could use it for other occasions too xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving both cards.

Nellie was listening to her inner cat, as they always make a beeline to lay on laundry.LOL

Hope the rest of the week goes well.

Hugs
Sue

Sharon Underwood said...

As always, I love your cards! Such great ideas, & I love the paper piecing. We are different in that I don't have the patience for cutting such little bits of paper! Hope all your appointments find you well.

Michelle B. said...

You will definitely make spirits bright with your bright & beautiful Christmas flowers, love it! So glad you joined us at CCC!

Brenda said...

Oh boy, sounds like me with the warm breeze blowing through my meager thoughts-yep, they scatter! I get there eventually too....sometimes. lol

I love this special day card, it is so darling! I love that little mouse in the flower staring at the cute butterfly. I so love the paper piecing! So sweet, so darling, so special! Oh my, this rainbow challenge has me flabbergasted! lol But I might have something figured out. I don't hate the challenge, but not particularly loving it either. You found a great idea in those meager thoughts of yours! I love your rainbow of poinsettia's. They do come in all those colors too. Love it! And speaking of loving it, Nellie is so dang cute curled up in the basket of clothes. My sweet little Pockets (RIP) used to do that too, or I would always find here on Dwayne's pillows on the bed. Nellie is such a cutie! Can you even picture life before her?! They bring so much joy don't they?!!! Hugs, Brenda

Em Louise Fairley said...

Wonderful cards, and Nellie's as adorable as ever xoxo

Stamps and Paper said...

Your little mice card us so cute Darnell abd I love the paper piecing...your multicoloured Christmas card is very modern I like it...I see your little bundle of fluff loves comfort! My daughters cat always sits in the ironing basket when washing has been brought in....she’s adorable Darnell

Anne x

Maria said...

Such a sweet card with the mouse in the flowers, so cute!! The Christmas card with the rainbow colors is very colorful and creative!! And, little Nellie in the laundry basket is just way too cute, so adorable!! I hope you had a wonderful blessed Easter, hugs!!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Both your cards are fantastic. I am glad you find your way back now and then to the craft room. I can relate as I too start a card and then let it lay for a day or so before finishing it. Before the big C I used to get several done in an afternoon and now if I get one done I feel successful indeed!

Jeanne H said...

What great cards this time, Darnell. Your eyes must be better than mine, doing that paper piecing, and I have new glasses. Haven't figured out a Christmas rainbow yet, but love yours. Nellie is adorable...do show us more pictures when you can. Hugs from MN.

conil said...

I did notice that Nellie chose to rest her head on Kevin's skivvies. Do you think she figured he'd eventually have to pick her up and cuddle in order to get dressed in the morning?
You are a CAS wonder. The paperpiecing your did on your first card is phenomenal...perfection in pp trimming. And rainbow Christmas is just more perfection. Guess that makes you the CAS Queen.

Susan said...

Nellie and Tessa could compare notes on snuggling in laundry baskets! Tessa's favourite time for it is when the laundry is straight out of the dryer and is nice and warm!

Love your sweet little mouse card! Great choices of dp and incredible fussy cutting - those are pretty tiny pieces to cut!

Beautiful rainbow of poinsettias!! Definitely enough to make spirits bright! Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas!

Pat said...

The little bear is so cute sitting in that sweet flower all beautifully paper pieced, and a cute little butterfly with a lovely sentiment to finish, and then the row of rainbow coloured poinsettias, just wonderfully bright and love the accompanying sentiment too. Two fabulous cards Darnell. What a sweet photo of Nellie taking her ease in the laundry basket, and I'm sure she appreciated the lovely smell of the freshly washed linen to lay on..lol. x

nancy littrell said...

Your little mouse critter is adorable sitting in the beautifully paper pieced flower, Dolly. I Love your rainbow colored poinsettia border too. Two perfect cards for the challenges. So pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up with your paper pieced card. Nellie looks so comfy, sweet and innocent....and soon even more beautiful. Missing Hammy...and You, my friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

JulieP said...

Love the texture of your sweet critter! Your poinsettias actually look like Christmas bows to me. Looks like little Nell has a new doggie bed. 😄

Glittered Paws said...

Love the special day card - so simple but yet so eye appealing. Then the rainbow Christmas twofer is great. Now where is Hammy????

oldpunca said...

I love this special day card. Fantastic motive for paper piecing technique. Christmas card in rainbow colors is great to. Nice idea to make traditional motive in not traditional colors.
Nellie is so sweet! She knows how to get your attention. :-)
Take care of your back! Hugs, Sonja

Carol L said...

That's some very intricate paper piecing but what a great resulting look! The rainbow of poinsettias combine for a great Christmas card too, but I must say that Nellie steals the show this week with that innocent look on her face! LOL Who doesn't enjoy warm, fresh laundry to lie down on and take a nap? Smart! :)

Cat Craig said...

Sweet cards, love the paper piecing and that colorful row of poinsettias is fabulous. Here I thought only cats hopped into the laundry basket~

Lynette said...

Delightful cards, Darnell!! I love the cute, cute critter and your wonderful paper-piecing. Your Christmas card is cool, too. And your laundry basket is filled with darling-ness. :)

Loll said...

First, I can see why Nellie made herself at home in your laundry basket. The smell of clean clothes that were probably still a bit warm from the dryer would be too tempting to pass up. :) They do entertain us, aren't we lucky!! :)

I love your paper pieced mouse in the blossom. I love this set of stamps and this one is just perfect for paper piecing. Great work, my friend!

Your rainbow poinsettias are so pretty. What a great image for the challenge! Love, Lolly

Bonnie said...

I still love seeing this sweet little mouse peeking out of the flower and you've made him even cuter and I love how he looks like corduroy! Your colorful poinsettias are so bright and pretty! They will definitely make spirits bright!

Lisa Elton said...

This is an extra sweet little critter and I'm so happy he came out to play! Terrific Christmas card too. That Nellie, what a rascal!

Donna said...

More laundry to fold? Oops no. It's a cutie that popped up. Not long ago my grand daughter Valerie wanted to be buried in laundry. She thinks it's hilarious. Love your cards! That mouse is adorable and the colorful Christmas is so fun! Made me smile today!

Celeste Goff said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell! I love the clean simplicity of them both!

Trina P. said...

Wonderful cards. The first card is just so adorable... looks so cool paper pieced. And your Christmas card!... the rows of poinsettias in gorgeous rainbow colours is awesome! Thank you for brightening up the gallery at CAS Christmas.

Glad you had a good Easter. Nellie’s so cute!

Cheryl W. said...

Your happy cards brightened my day. I love paper piecing, too. There is just something so satisfying about it. Nellie seems to know a soft bed when she sees it. Nothing better than some fresh folded laundry to nap on.

Christine Alexander said...

I rolled around laughing at Nellie's antics, she's lucky she didn't get ironed :)
Great paper piecing and rainbow stamping. I love all your colourful poinsettia ♥ Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas.

Ros Crawford said...

Oh what a cute little mouse... I love your cards and I think you could also enter the 2nd one at Double D challenges? Oh my your little dog is just the sweetest!

Cathy said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell, love the sweet little mouse peeking out of the flower, and the rainbow of poinsettias is beautifully CAS, Nellie looks very content in the laundry hamper too! Thankyou for playing along with CAS Christmas too, Cathy x

Diane said...

Fabulous cards, the little mouser is as cute as can be and that is the only way I like mice, on a card lol! Your rainbow card is awesome as well, but even cuter is the laundry basket full of 'fluff!!

Mac Mable said...

What a darling of a card with the super cute mouse and dainty butterfly. Great paper piecing x. Vibrant and wonderful rainbow Christmas card and a creative idea to use the poinsettia in a row stamp. I can totally relate to your opening comment Darnell and thank you for sharing the super cute photos of 'Nellie'. Glad Hammy is on the move again...he's being missed x.

Linda said...

WOW! Amazing job on the fussy cutting ..... your little paper pieced critter is just too cute. Thank you for playing along at CAS Mix Up!
I love the rainbow of poinsettias too ..... who says they always have to be red! xx

Redanne said...

That little mouse is just so adorable! Without its tail it could pass for a baby bear although it would look strange sitting in the beautiful flower! You made clever use of the poinsettias, rainbows are so popular here at the moment and the colours look wonderful.

Nellie is just the cutest ever in the laundry basket, it must have been so lovely and cosy in there! Keep safe and well my friend - we have had snow here these last couple of days, I hope your weather has been better. Hugs, Annie xxx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Your paperpieced CAS card is just delightful and very intriguing, the papers are so pretty and such cute scene!! Love the rainbow of poinsettias too! But Nellie is the cherry on the laundry cake :D LOL Such adorable innocent face!
Hugs

AlisonC said...

That is the cutest mouse stamp I have ever seen, I must have missed it doing the rounds last time. ( Almost as cut as the mouse under out bed this morning, thanks Kitties). A great fun rainbow card too. Cats also like a basket of clean laundry! xxx

Carole said...

Two great cards Darnell..love the little bear and your paper piecing...so cute, and the rainbow of colours makes one feel happy. xx

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Love your colorful row of poinsettias, what a wonderful and beautiful idea to do them in Rainbow colors.
And I can totally relate with you when it comes to laundry baskets full of warm clothes, our little cat "Ivy" loves to curl up and take a nap and we have to wait till she's good and ready to wake up and leave to fold our clothes, LOL!!
Thank you for sharing with us at RETRO RUBBER.
Stay healthy and safe.
XO
Maria/DT

creative lady said...

Beautiful rainbow card! Thank you for joining us at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!

Leslie Miller said...

Hello, Darnell! You're so good at CAS and I can learn much from you. Your little critter in the flower is the cutest thing! I oftentimes harken back to my kid days when I'm crafting my cards. My mom saved the expired Montgomery Ward and Sears catalogs for me so I could make paper dolls. I cut underwear ladies who had all their arms and legs, then searched for properly sized outfits to cut out for them. Hey, it wasn't THAT long ago... was it? You made a very pretty and colorful Christmas card, too. The sentiment and colors are perfect together. Reminds me of my Kaleidocolor ink pads that are gathering dust. Must use those! Nellie found the perfect bed and she looks adorable in it! LuLu loves warm laundry. I generally fold in the laundry room, but if it gets plopped out on the bed I'll find LuLu in it soon. I always say, "love me love my dog hair". Hugs!

frommycraftroom said...

Firstly what a fabulous find in your wash basket. I only ever find more laundry.

Love your two cards. I am sure I have that PB set in a cart waiting to be purchased. Such fab cute images.

Love the bright poinsettias - on my list to CASe

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two beautiful cards, Darnell - just love the critter in the flower and the rainbow poinsettias!! Darling Nellie too - when I had cats, they always loved the laundry basket - full or empty!!

Susan Joyce said...

Two awesome cards Darnell, I adore your little paper pieced dog sitting in the flower. Thanks for sharing at CAS Mix Up.

Joy Dsouza said...

Fabulous card. Thank you for joining the AAA Cards Challenge.
- Joy Dsouza

Vicki Dutcher said...

Your card for STB is over-the-top adorable! Even the fun font is perfect with the image. Its always a pleasure having you joining us - Thanks for joining in at STB

Robyn Oliver said...

Perfect 'pieced' mouse card Darnell..so cute and wow a lovely bright Christmas card... Darnell you nearly can read my thoughts... your intro is just how it is with me and instead of a wee dog in the clothes basket I'll find a cat...always a smile...LITs hugs Robyn

BożenA said...

I love these cute animals, and this PB mouse has stolen my heart for a long time. The second card is very well designed. A fast but very effective Christmas card.
Nellie is such a little trickster. It is impossible not to love her :-)
xx

Anita in France said...

Hahaha ... laughed at out at your first line, Darnell ... cause by the time I've arrived here after you've posted, Easter is well gone! Anyway, your little mouse is adorable all paper pieced, dimensional (complete with shadow!) and splattery ... and how vibrant are those Christmas poinsettia ... wonderfully artsy ... brilliantly contemporary! Cute photo of Nellie ... that's just what Nibble does given half a chance ... must be 'nesting'!! LYAMYSMMCA ... HAWW! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

My Paper Epiphany said...

I think you do so well keeping us all entertained with your posts asa well as sharing your delightful cards! I must admit, I am struggling with writing my posts.
Your paper-pieced card is so adorable and the fussy-cutting is very impressive. I love your rainbow Poinsettias too.
Thanks for sharing at PBSC & CAS Mix Up:)
Love Nellie too 💕

Jean said...

BEautiful cards! My daughter has problems with her cat climbing into the laundry basket all the time.

TK said...

Such a sweet image! Saturated interwebs? I musta slept through that one or my feeble memory has forgotten...
Nellie's cute as always, needing laundered or not!

Barb Ghig said...

OMGosh, little Nellie just melts my heart, Darnell...I would love to have a pup like her!
Your paper piecing on your first card is fabulous...I love your cute little critter and the patterned papers worked out perfectly! I also love how you played with the rainbow colors on your Christmas card! The repeat pattern and texture on your card base is beautiful, my friend! Thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas!

Di said...

What a fabulous paper pieced card Darnell, Penny Black stamps will never go out of fashion for sure - your other one is gorgeous as well. To be honest, you scared me when you wrote that Hammy was gone - that little guy is so real I almost had the vapours and had to go and see what was going on. Phew! And what delightful photos of Nellie - aren't they little scamps?! It's so hard to explain the joy they bring - I said to someone in a previous comment or email - if only we could bottle that joy! So pleased you came to play - I so often think of our wonderful time in Southampton, a time with you and Mrs A that I will always treasure. And then we had such a wonderful soiree with all those brilliant friends to start off your trip around the UK. May your 'wodka' always be pip free! Snort.

Hugs

Di xx

Julia Aston said...

How sweet is that little critter sitting in the little flower! SO darling! just as darling as Nell sitting in the laundry - what a sweet face she has! Your rainbow card is lovely with your rows of poinsettias Sis - thanks for joining with us! xx

Greta said...

Oh my goodness--that Nellie is so funny & cute! Great paper piecing & such a fun rainbow Christmas card, Darnell!

Helen said...

I am so pleased this dear little PB mouse has found his way to your stamping area, Darnell!! He is sooo cute and your paper piecing is brilliant on every level! What a gorgeous CAS card with super impact!! Wonderful you are back creating!! Thanks so much for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge! Stay safe! :)

Helen said...

Your wee mouse is adorable - love that you paper pieced him!
Also love that rainbow Christmas card - certainly making spirits bright!
Just wanted to pop by to leave you a message to let you know that you were picked as the lucky winner of last month's Penny Black Saturday Challenge as I saw that you were minimising your blogging time and didn't want you to miss out on your prize.
Please email me to claim your prize (link on the PBSC blog post & in the sidebar on my own blog).
Helen x

conil said...

Congrats on your HM at CAS Mix Up. Richly deserved, I might add.