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!

October 21, 2017

Hammy's At Pixie's Playground ~ Cousin Hammie's a What?!

Hello, Stamplings!

We've had a wee bit of rain! It wasn't enough to completely extinguish all the fires, but it helped the firefighters tremendously which is a huge relief. I'm feeling better with the clear air and return of blue skies. I hope where you are, things are sunny, too!

I am delighted to be Guest Designing for my very good friend Di over at Pixie's Crafty Workshop. Of course, Hammy wanted to be involved since he went all the way to England with me to meet a lot of the Pixie Playmates last year! Not to mention, Di has her own special critter named Parsnip and the two of them are fast friends.
Isn't him so cute eating his cookie?! The NBUS hamster stamp is from the "Hammie Coffee & Tea" set by Your Next Stamp. Naturally we HAD to have this set of stamps and dies! The fun NBUS sediment is from Riley and Company. 

The background dotted pp is from SU and the watercolor pink paper is from Lawn Fawn. I just love it when I can stamp directly onto a piece of pp and use that schtuff up! Hammie is die cut and popped up for a little bit of dementia.

Snippets Playground BadgeIf you have been friends here for a long time, you are familiar with Pixie's and it's been great to see a lot of you join in the fun at the Playground over the years. Di and her challenge regulars are a hoot! They will all make you feel welcome and half the fun is reading their comments! It's definitely a friendly place to make friends and it always feels good to use something from that scrappile!

If you are not familiar with Di and her challenge, the only requirement for playing is that you use at least one scrap (snippet) on your creation. Just like I encourage you to use your NBUS, Di encourages you to use your leftovers and she's been doing so for a long time which we all appreciate! (Of course, when I say leftovers, I mean papers and ribbons and schtuff, but Di is also pleased when you reheat last night's dinner for today's lunch.)

Thank you, Di, for the opportunity to be a guest designer at the Playground!

~~~

And here's my twof ... wait a second. What?
Are those vampire teeth?! We don't really know this branch of the family very well, thank goodness, but every family does have their little monster!!

Challenges
Take it, it's yours
~~~

Real quick. I've seen this car driving around in our neighborhood for quite a while, but until now, I've never had the chance to catch it when it was just sitting in the person's driveway!
How about that?! Hammy got quite becited, so one of these days we are going to go by and introduce ourselves!

~~~

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!  Please let me know you came by so I can be sure to return the flavor!


(source unknown)






*Life is too short!

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84 comments:

Mac Mable said...

Glad you've had a wee bit of rain...we are getting a lot of rain here in Scotland tonight. Fun cards and fun sentiment on the first one. Best avoid that 'branch' of the family on the second card x Great to see Hammy having his own line of stamps, so well deserved x

Anonymous said...

Such great cards.
So good to hear you have some rain - we did here in Melbourne over night too.
Will have to check out Di's sight. How exciting for Hammy! his own personal number plate and stamp line :)

Carol L said...

What a cute pair o cards with that little hammy! Loving his fangs and especially his limo parked outside the house! That's really funny :)

Lisa said...

I'm glad you finally got rain, even just a little, and that you are feeling better. Your cards are absolutely adorable!! I love the adorable Hammy eating a cookie!! The sentiment is beautiful!! And the second one is so cute!! I love the vampire fangs!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Bunny said...

As usual I forgot what you made because I was entertained with reading the blog. But, I'm sure it was fantastic. Anyhow............I can't wait until Hammy goes to introduce himself. Just the thought of that cracks me up.

I love to play at Di's. Also, I'm so glad you're getting a little relief from the smoke. I keep praying those fires go out soon. Like NOW would be good. [Bunny]

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Cute Hammy, love them both, thanks for sharing with us at CCCB!

Lisa Elton said...

Good news about the rain and that you're feeling better! Your cards are adorable. It's a good likeness of Hammy. Maybe not quite as dapper, wouldn't want him to get a big head or anything!!

TK said...

Glad to hear your can breathe again, and life is fuller when we can! Two wonderfully fun cards, pretty papers and like always, a pleasure to see your
creations!
Hugs,
TK

Cheryl W. said...

Happy to hear the heavens have showered on Cali a bit. There's not much that's better than fresh, rain-washed air! Your cards are so fun. Somehow you are able to inject your and Hammy's personalities and sense of humor into all you do. Always fun to see. Hope the new neighbors really DO have 5 Hammys. How fun would that be?

Colleen said...

OMG you are a delight for the soul, Miss Darnell!! I love your stories so much, they warm the heart and bring a big smile to the face and a chuckle to the belly! I want to hear the story about that license plate when you all go for a visit and introduce yourselves! hee hee!! Fabulous card...the monster hammy in the pumpkins is just too darn clever for words!! You have a wonderful Sunday! And so glad the air is clearing and you are feeling better! We had pouring down rain today...like cats and dogs pouring!! A break tomorrow though...maybe a peek at the yellow ball in the sky!!

Loll said...

Hi Dolly. Adorable cards featuring the famous "Hammy"! :) Love him munching on that cookie ---- it looks delicious! Homemade by you, I'm sure. :)

So cute peeking out behind the pumpkins. Those teeth look wicked!

Lolly xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Well well well young Hammy is getting to quite the star with his own stamps AND a limo... he had better remember who has loved and fed him all these years and given him blog exposure to get him started!!
Love your cards Darnell - they are fabulous as usual, and the first one is absolutely gorgeous.
Blessings
Maxine

Jane Willis said...

How brave of you and Di to allow Hammy and Parsnip to play together again - I wonder if the port of Southampton has recovered yet from last time it happened?
Gorgeous cards, that Hammy stamp is adorable. In the second card he seems to be being a bit of a vegetarian vampire!
Jane

Valerija said...

Beautiful cards with some great words to live by on the first one!
Have a great day.
Valerija xx

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards.

Are you sure Hammy isn't leading a double life:) LOL

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

sandie said...

Yah, Hammy has his own car.

Love the spotty background of your first card and what a fab take on our phot-love the placement if the pumpkins and the cute little monster! Thanks for your comment on the blog...and yea we thought we would have more entries but never mind! We are super pleased you joined us at Time Out x

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell .... love the little cutie enjoying his cookie, and the little monster is just adorable, not scary at all.
Classy limo too ...... perfect for Hammy, and you of course xx

Stamps and Paper said...

So pleased to hear you've had some rain Darnell and that the air is better...
Your stories really bring a smile to my face Darnell..Hammy really ought to introduce himself to the owner of that fabulous looking card.
Two super cards for your challenge...

Anne

Marilyn said...

Adorable cards!! It is pouring right now over here where I live.

jimlynn said...

Two cute and fun cards! Love the vampire teeth on that one little critter too. He/She's a doll!
Congrats on the guest designer spot!
Lynn

Donna said...

I was so glad when I saw on the news that California got some rain. Congrats on your Guest Design Spot! Two fabulous cards.

Brenda in IN said...

Rain, rain stay a while. The fires are just terrible and I can't imagine what you have been going through with all the smoke. Hope this is the beginning of the end. Cute card with Hammy's cookie and I bet Parsnip is insisting on a cookie now too. Fangs or no, this didn't make him very scary!

Aquarius said...

Good to see you in the fun and friendly playground - Hammy too of course! Your posts always make me smile

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Love both of your cards Darnell. Love those fangs on Cousin Hammie and what a great expression! Thank you for linking up and playing wtih us at Time Out.

Pat said...

Glad you are getting some much needed respite from that awful smoke pollution and hopefully making fighting those fires easier for everyone! So great to see you as GD over at the playground with this really fun card and then Hammy mark 2 in dracula guise, love those fangs, and with the fabulous pumpkins, is perfect for Halloween. x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Glad the air is clearing for you Darnell, even if the fires are not completely extinguished yet, hopefully soon. I love the two gorgeous cards you've made for Di's challenge.

Sue xx

conil said...

Both these cards SCREAM, WINNER, at the top of their lungs (if they had lungs). Really love those little critters, even the one from the distaff side of the family. And the teeny little crumbs on the first card made me laugh out loud. Especially since they look so much like Hammy.
You're going to have to track that car owner down, you know. He/she may have Hammy's distant relatives stashed somewhere on their premises.

Redanne said...

Congratulations on your GDT spot! Little Hammy is adorable, he looks so cute eating that cookie! And he looks equally sweet with those fangs in!!

So glad you got a little bit of rain - and that it helped a little with those horrendous fires.... Loving the licence plate, no wonder Hammy was becited! Hugs, Annie xxx

Leslie Miller said...

Again I'm just LMAO!! That car! The vampire hamster black sheep of the family! The darling little sweet guy in your first card. Well, he's just too sweet. The sentiment is something to keep in mind, too. It really, really works. It's good to hear you had at least a little rain and are feeling better. It's been pouring here! I hope it's true that next week will be sunny because we're taking off with the trailer. Now I'm going to go have a peek at that challenge...

Mrs A. said...

I could watch those rainny puddles forever on your blog. They are quite soothing unlike the puddles/stream/lake I spotted outside the french doors this morning whilst partaking of my morning coffee. The Doc had decided the pond outside the kitchen window (we have several but this is the pond for the frogs and the one that Norm fishes in) needed filling. He put the hose into it switched on the tap and promptly forgot about it and came inside. After bout 10 mins he said to me "I can hear running water somewwhere"? You sure could and see it too!!!!!!! Hugs Mrs A.

Ruth said...

Oh fabulous!!! I love them both, but especially Transylvanian Hammy. That is too cute! I haven't played in Di's challenge for ages, mostly because I only managed to get some play time today and found my card blanks and adhesives etc... Maybe time to have a play... as for the car, it looks like an Aston Martin symbol, so find out if the owner is single. I have a sister who could do with some luck! Lol!! Xx

Barb Ghig said...

Hi Darnell ~
I'm so glad to hear you have finally gotten a little rain...I hope the good Lord keeps it comin', too :)
Congrats on your well-deserved Guest spot! I love your twofer of cards, especially the hammy with fangs sitting inside the pumpkin...too cute! And, your little guy eating the cookie with that fabulous sentiment just steals my heart :) As always, you nailed it, Darnell!

How fun that you spotted the car with 'your plates' on them...I'm sure the owner would love to meet you! Thank you so much for playing along with us this week at Addicted to CAS...we always enjoy seeing your creations in the gallery! And thanks for the link to Di's challenge blog...it sounds like fun! Have a great week ♥

Sandra H said...

We hsve had plenty of rain if l could pack it up and post it to you l would do just that to help with the fire's and it does help to clear the air .....many congratulations on your guest appearance on Pixies crafty workshop your cards are amazing and nice to see Hammy and that cookie looks yummy!! take care sending lots of love x

Nora Noll said...

I am so happy that you are getting a bit of rain. You need it.

I LOVE the adorable hamster cards. The sentiment on the first one is adorable and I love the vampire teeth on the second. Looks like you have been having fun in the playhouse!

Linda said...

Two adorable cards Darnell. So glad the skies are clearing from the smoke. We had that a lot this summer and it was so awful. So I know how you feel. Have a great day friend.

Verna Angerhofer said...

So glad to hear that the rains helped with the air quality and that you are feeling much better. That is great news! And, I love your cute cards you made with that cute hamster. He sure is a darling image and I can see why that set appealed to you. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful cards and I hope you continue to feel much better.

AlisonC said...

A brilliant sentiment and one to remember when skies are grey. The other Hammy is a bit scary though.
I went to a craft show and bought new stuff which I got right out and played with straight away. I hope you are proud of me. I'm not sure if I've made anything worth showing yet but I'll get there. x

Izzy Scrap said...

It's always a delight to see your cards and to read your posts ! I'm always sure to have a smile if not a laugh when reading you ! And today is no exception ! Hammie's card and his relatives' one are fabulous ! Love how he comes out from this pumpkin ! Fabulous design and great take to our "scary" challenge ! Thanks so much for sharing and for playing along at Less is More !

JoAnn said...

Cute cards. Love the sentiment on the first card.

Kathleen said...

Well done on the GDT in the playground, super card and a cute little image, cute just like Hammy.
Love, love love, the Hammy pumpkin card, just fabulous.
God help the owner of the car when you do go and visit, lol.

Kath x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

You always make me laugh, Darnell! :D Such fun-tastic cards!! :D Love the first one you made for Pixie's Playground (and congrats for your very well deserved GD!) but the second one is too much fun!!! Those vampire teeth in Hammy's mouth are really soooo spooky and cool! :D Great works!!

Fikreta said...

love both cards!
super adorable!

Di said...

Brilliant cards Darnell! I can so see Hammy being tickled pink about being with you in the spotlight as well as that car being named after him - what fun! Thank you so much for being GD in the Playground this time. As always, you brightened up our day!

Love

Di xx

Bonnie said...

How special that there's a stamp and die set made just for Hammy! He's becoming quite the celebrity isn't he? And you have some Hammy neighbors. How cool! I love vampire Hammy jumping out the the pumpkin! Adorable! Congratulations on guesting at the Playground. Hope you can keep everybody in line. Oh wait, you'll be leading the fun!

Pam said...

Love these! Hammy is a pro!

Bobby said...

I hope Hammy's head isn't getting too big now that he has his own set of stamps. Congrats on guesting and allowing Hammy to tag along.

Sybrina K said...

Hi Darnell, Thanks for another hysterically funny post... and for sharing a couple of great cards, too. Have a great week!

Christine Alexander said...

2 adorable cards and a funny post. What more could I ask for :)

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Love reading your posts as much as viewing your cards Darnell - they always leave me with a great big grin on my face! So glad those fires are dying away and fingers crossed it stays that way. Well done on your DT post at Pixies Playground ... yikes it's so long since I played there! A brilliant 2-fer and just love how you've added fangs to the little hammer and made him monster-like amongst those pumpkins. A fantastic and ingenious take on our monster challenge at Less is More and as always thanks for playing with us. x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Love, love, love them! xoxo

Melanie Ann MacKenzie said...

Love reading your posts! Such fun. I have just begun to follow your blog. I must say I envy you your playhouse. I have a craft room but not a whole building! Cheers.

Barb said...

It's lovely to see you in the Playground Darnell. Two super Hammy cards. Those teeth look a bit scary! Barbxx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

A hamster vampire?! Is that Hampsire then? Goodness it certainly is spooky! I love the card featuring Hammy's cousin. The greeting made me laugh. If you can't do that then be so happy that people want the name of your doctor. Bring on the good meds!

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful cards Darnell!! Hammy should be really happy to see that!

Cat Craig said...

I'm glad that rain cleared the air a bit. Hopefully your breathing is better. Love your cards, and so fun that you got a pic of the plate.

Lynn said...

Well of course hammy would be excited by that car! It's perfect! Love your two adorable cards and of course loving seeing you at Time Out!

Loose Stitches said...

Fabulous cards Darnell, love Hammy and the sentiment on the first one, too cute on the second one!
I'm glad that you finally got rain, even just a little. I know that some of the firefighters from here went to help. Thankfully the air cleared here from rain.
Congratulations for being a guest designer!
Now that would be awesome if your neighbor has 5 Hammy's. :)
Hugs, Sherry x
Loose Stitches and Unraveled Threads

Craftychris said...

So glad there has been some rain to help the firemen and your poor eyes! Glad you are feeling better! Love your snippets card and it's fab to see you guest designing for Di! Love your other card too with a scary Hammy! Cool car reg! No wonder Hammy is excited! Hugs xxxxxxx

oldpunca said...

Dear Darnell, I became happy as I saw happy Hammy. :-) Sweet card. It's great that Hammy the star of your today's post is. He is also as a monster cute. :-)
Great news about fresh air. A two young people in San Francisco are happy too. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Ros Crawford said...

Congrats on your GD spot! Two fabulous cards there Darnell and a great post as always! Wow! What a car ... Perfect for you and Hammy I would think!
Glad to hear you got some rain and if I could I'd send more of ours... Instead it will have to be a cyber hug!

Cara said...

Love your cute first card and your spooked up second card is brilliant!

KandA said...

It was great to see you guesting over in the Playground Darnell and the sentiment on your card is definitely YOU and the little Hammy is so sweet. Love the halloween card too xx

Susan said...

The perfect stamps for you and Hammy! Fabulous cards! Looking forward to seeing more (as is Hammy, I'm sure!).

Marybeth said...

Rain??? Hey just a bit is good, we are so hot, dry and windy here that I am afraid if I sneeze I might start a fire. loved the hammy license plate how fun is that! Darling cards Darnell, love the happy card and beautiful pumpkin card! Hugs and love to you.

Neets B said...

Oh how you make me giggle, my lovely! So glad those fires have been dampened down a little. And I can see why you needed that Hammy set and dies, these two cards are so fun. I never think to stamp directly onto patterned paper but this looks fab alongside cutesie Hammy! And Monster Hammy, what a fab idea (although secretly still very cute!)
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Less is More, Anita xx

OH Babs said...

The Hammy images are so adorable. Hope the air is clear again. The heat has been unbelievable here, so glad we have AC. I owe you a lengthy letter.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Vampire Hamster - how hilarious! Keep Hammy away from him....

Anita in France said...

Hammy has a whole stamp set named after him, Darnell? Well, you're certainly keeping his feet on the ground in not allowing him to become gonflé'd (inflated!) about it ... a Very Good Thing. He is enjoying his munch through that cookie .... crumbs everywhere ... fortuntate he's not in his car ... too much clearing up afterwards! The alternative branch of the family prolly need a bit of your influence to bring them round to being kind and loving ... those vampire teeth don't look too welcoming ... though this guy is rather cute among all those plump pumpkins! Delighted, as ever, to have you playing along with us at Time Out! LYAMYMAGTHYFMB! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Gerrina said...

Great to hear that it is looking and feeling more normal at your end of the world!
Your cards are so fun and great how you put the theet on the second and sat ot between the pumpkins! Hugs, Gerrina

laurie said...

Cute cards and post! I love to play at Di's challenge...seems I have a snippet on every card I make....LOL!

Linby said...

Lovely to see you and your fab sentiment in the Playground GD spot. Cute halloween card too. Now a Hamster with a car.......... seen it all now!

Joyce said...

Really love your adorable Halloween card you entered at Time Out. Such a fun way to do the sentiment. Thanks so much for playing along at Time Out.

cotnob said...

Two super cards Darnell, I love the first one, such a cute image and wonderful sentiment.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Susanne Vargas said...

Congrats on guest designing over at the playground with two fun cards! That polka dotted paper is so sweet! What a great idea to stamp directly on it - I'll have to remember that! And Hammy's cousin peeking out from the pumpkin is probably (hopefully) just dressed up for Halloween! Great cards!

Kathyk said...

Sorry to be so late visiting your blog this week, I have no excuse! Love your Hammy and monster makes and ... what about that TAG plate? Did you tell the owner about Hammy?

Happy Thursday

Kathyk

Helen F. said...

You always put a big smile to my face, Darnell. Reading your post and seeing your fabulous cards. That little vampire hammy is just too cute. Happy to hear the air is clearing some and you are feeling better. My thoughts and prayers continue for all affected by the fires.

Nonni said...

Hi Darnell! A delight to visit your blog as always, loved to read this post! I'm in fact not familiar with Pixie's snippets challenge and will definitely check it out now! The new hamster stamps look so cute. Your card for LIM: Love it!! The repetitive sentiment strips and your pumpkins and little vampire monster look amazing -great colors and fantastic layout! Thanks for joining us at Less Is More!

Greta said...

The license plate is too funny! So glad the fires are getting under control & that you can breathe clean air again, Darnell. It's gorgeous here right now, but guess we missed a big storm while we were in the east. Love your snippets card--perfect for the great GD that you are! Absolutely darling Halloween card--just what I like!

Jaydee said...

Darnell, so glad you got the rain. Finally. I love your wonderful little pumpkin scene and those vampire teeth crack me up! So glad you joined us at Addicted to CAS this week
jaydee

cm said...

Your duo of Hammies are too cute, be they munching cookies or sinking teeth into a pumpkin (which would require vampire teeth; those shells are tough going!). A 5Hammys license plate? Intriguing! Yes, go visit! Sounds like Hammy might have a whole bunch of new friends...
Hugs and love~c

Sheila H said...

Your Hammy cards are so cute and such fun! The car cracks me up. I just hope Hammy doesn't decide to hop behind the wheel - LOL!

conil said...

Hammy and you have done it again. Less is More loved your card as much as I did. Congratulations.

Macimbalo said...

Congrats - love your card - those teeth! Adorable! Congrats on your shout out at LIM!

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Darnell
It's me finally. I have been a very neglectful blog chum and hope you forgive me.
You know it's bad when Im commenting on a Halloween card at the end of November lol!
Two brilliant cards, as always and are you sure that's not Hammy's passionwagon he's not told you about lol?
Ang x