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!

September 9, 2024

More Cute Critters!

Hello Stamplings!

How ya doin'? September is such a beautiful month, but the weather can still be unpredictable. I hope you are somewhere clement and having fun!

I'm featuring dies on this second Monday of the month.

Onefer

I love the way this little Colorado Craft hamster fits so perfectly into the sensational NBUS Scripted Sediment from The Greetery! (I'm glad the guys are at the neighbors so they won't think I'm showing favoritism by only using one of the hamster die-cuts. Ssh!🙊)

The NBUS coverplate die is called, "Aida Cloth Texture Plate," also from The Greetery. I added a little heart for punctuation and then blended a corner border on opposite corners to draw your eyes into the focus-pocus center.

Twofer
This creation has a bit of this and that and a schplash of ah ha. It started with a simple white die-cut circle I found in my stash. The circle had a light inner rim of pink all around the inside edge. I have no idea why, but there it was. Over the course of several days, I tried arranging /filling the circle with flowers or words and nothing was happening until I realized the white circle fit perfectly into a larger black circle panel, which I found lounging about in another corner of my stash.

After putting the circle panel and card base together, I went back to figuring out what to put in the circle. Recently, my friend Karen used her NBUS Harvest Mouse set from My Favorite Things on a darling card, which reminded me that I also have that set ~ neglected and unloved since 2015. (It's so nice that our products don't have expiration dates!) I thought this little guy from the set fit perfectly in the circle and from his sweet expression, a get-well sediment seemed appropopo!

~~~

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

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! 

*Life is too short!
Challenges
Die Cut Divas: Sympathy



23 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

AWWWW - what super cute cards Darnell - love how you have doubled up the circles on your second card, and that die cut sediment is absolutely stunning. Yes, that cover plate really does look like adia!!
Wot - the boys are still visiting the neighbour and generally slacking - you will have to cut their rations!!
Blessings
Maxine

Jeanne said...

Your first card with the sweet hamster has such a joyful vibe! Love the look of the aida, something with which I'm very familiar ;). The sweet, caring mouse looks so nice in the circle of concern. Happy new week, Darnell! Hope it's the start of a great one for you. Thanks for sharing these delights!

Bonnie said...

The first little guy looks like he has a BIG hug, and he fits so perfectly in the curve of the sentiment! The sweet mouse with his pink shirt fits perfectly in the pink lined circle. The black background gives her a spotlight effect.

Aquarius said...

Two sweet little critters 😊

Karen said...

I love both cards! That large sentiment from The Greetery is wonderful as the main focus of the card, and makes me wonder how many different ways that set could be used! That little critter fits in there so perfectly! LOVE that cute mouse in a bright sweater holding the apple. What a great idea to see that as the focus for a get-well card! Thanks for expanding my visions for these products--so inspiring.

Susan said...

Super cute critters on each card, Darnell! Love the way the little hamster fits into the sentiment swirl - also love your great idea of a bit of shading in each corner. Your mouse in the bright pink sweater really suits the tiny touch of pink on the white circle. Great use of those pieces from your stash!

Susan said...

Super cute critters on each card, Darnell! Love the way the little hamster fits into the sentiment swirl - also love your great idea of a bit of shading in each corner. Your mouse in the bright pink sweater really suits the tiny touch of pink on the white circle. Great use of those pieces from your stash!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Adorable hamster in the loopy love, Darnell - perfect atop that pierced grid background!! And your sweet mouse pops against that black background! Might he find his way to our September Diva challenge? We're doing sympathy and sorry works!
https://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/2024/09/poppy-yes-poppy-stamps-month.html

Leslie Miller said...

I do adore these cute critters! The first with the fantastic sentiment die and pinpoint background is looking all flourishy and full of love, especially with the pretty golden heart for punctuation. It's great how your parts from here and there helped design your second card. The sweet little mouse in her pink sweater looks like a kind soul. You know what they say about an apple a day. If the apple doesn't do the trick this card surely will!

Lisa Elton said...

Two darling cards, Darnell! Yo'uve reminded me to ink up my Harvest Mouse set soon, they're just the sweetest little fellas!

I Card Everyone said...

Marcia, that teensie circle looks like the ring from one of my EH circle dies - I'll bet you used it to cut something when you were here? Maybe the stenciling we did with TK? But no matter, it surely does a darling job of shining the spotlight on your sweet little apple-bearer - he keeps the doctor away in a very cute way!
I'm adding extra paper in my carryall for that Aida cloth plate - that hamster can't have ALL the fun! but he is SO cute!
=]

I Card Everyone said...

me again... here I was thinking I was commenting on Marcia's blog - also wondering why everyone was calling Marcia Darnell?? OY! It's truly a MOnday! Sorry if I confused you as much as I did myself! lol
=]

Arlene said...

Those cute little critters are just so darling and I can't believe that one of them makes such an impact on a sympathy card offering that "apple a day keeps the doctor away" nod. Super! So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas for our challenge this month.

Cheryl W. said...

Awww, your little critters are so cute. They definitely brought a smile to my face. I need to look through my critter stamps and find some that might just brighten someone else's day. As always, thanks for the inspiration.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Both critters are so cute, Darnell xoxo

Brenda in IN said...

Two sweet little critters and two great cards.

Bobby said...

That little hamster and wonderful love die were meant for you and to go together, Darnell. Such a sweet card and I'm loving that Aida cloth coverplate. Your sweet little apple bearing mouse is perfect with the get well sentiment. I think I have a few of those stamped and cut from Michele from a long time ago but not as far back as 2015. lol

Christine Alexander said...

awww what cute cards, was hammie all excited having another hamster in the craft room :)

TK said...

Two ADORABLE critter cards, Darnell! Love these sweeties and the roosts that they landed on -- that aida coverplate is so realistic

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

So delighted you popped over to Die Cut Divas with your sweet mouse, Darnell - thanks!! Glad to see you there!!

Pat said...

These two are so so cute Darnell, and love that Greetery large swirly sentiment and that sweet little hamster looks extremely thrilled to be placed there, and love the added heart and the bit of corner inky border on that wonderful Aida Texture Plate. What a lovely expression that little mouse has on the second and perfect as a get well, and the white circle goes splendidly inlaid into the black which really shows off the bright and pretty colouring of that sweetie. I do have a card for this week, but know you are busy having fun, hopefully in the sun..enjoy!

Donna said...

Fabulous hamster card and darling mouse card!

Loll said...

Two adorable cards, Dolly!! Your sweet little guys will both bring smiles to the recipients of these cards. :) xx