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!

December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas 2018!

Hello Stamplings!

Here's a baby moose to help me and Hammy wish you all a Merry Christmas:
He makes me smile and I love that he is a QACAS OLC, although looking at him now, I wish I'd put a Christmas bow on one of his antlers. He's a NBUS stamp from the Unity Stamp Company and he was Ziggified by me and winked by Hammy. Hammy has decided to call him Maynard. It's a rather big handle for the little guy, but I have a feeling he will grow into it.

~~~

I am also sharing our traditional photo of Henry and Adam celebrating their 14th birthday wearing the birthday hats they have put on every year since their very first birthday (which seems like it was only about five months ago!). What good sports!
And Justin Case you are feeling badly that they have to share such a wee cake between two strapping young men, this is their second 14th birthday celebration and cake!

And here they are after they decorated our tree! Thank you, boys!
Speaking of hats, Hammy wanted in on the fun!
Long-time friends of my blog will remember that Hammy is a devoted father. When he was away recently he went to visit three of the offspring who stayed close by and they recorded their usual annual Christmas concert. Thanks to my friend Jeanne, you can find it here: Have a Merry Christmas and a Hamster New Year!

~~~

I want to thank all of you for another fun year! I cherish your friendship and the support and encouragement you've shown me with your visits and comments. I sincerely appreciate all of you who have stayed on in our loving Bloggie community and those of you who don't comment, but are still dedicated followers.

May you enjoy all of the blessings of this wonderful holiday as you celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus with your family and friends. And special hugs to those of you for whom the holidays are a really hard time. Mwah!

~~~

Enjoy! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* 

*Life is too short!

58 comments:

Aileen said...

Hi Darnell thought I would drop in and wish you a very special Christmas cheer.

I love this card and that ohh so cute moose. Hope to see him some more next Christmas.

Christmas has come to an end here and I have just arrived home after spending the day down with mum and dad. A very different Christmas to last year as mum no longer wakes to us and dad remembers very little. It has been a hard Christmas this year but I have had many wonderful friends including yourself continue to support me and send me a card to celebrate the season. I just wanted to let you know I received the card and thank you so much it was so very appreciated.
I cant believe how much those grandsons of yours are growing up, life moves so fast. Make sure you enjoy every minute. Such a wonderful time of the year, keep well and dont let Hammy get too carried away with his celebrations. xx Love and hugs Aileen

Pat said...

I love Maynard he is so cute and beautifully coloured by you and with special Christmas winking by Hammy. The boys are growning into fine young men and your tree has been well trimmed. Thank you for your Christmas wishes and like Aileen a very special thank you for my beautiful card. Blogland is a very special place! x

Ryoma Sakamoto.Japan said...

May the magic of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love.

adele holcomb said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Darnell (and Hammy of course)! Your grands have grown into such handsome young men and I always enjoy pictures of them. Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year!

Lisa Babitz said...

Merry Christmas!

Bonnie said...

Hammy certainly has a talented family! Maybe he can give them some winked outfits for next year's concert! The boys are so handsome and soon will be as tall as that Christmas tree! Your sweet moose will no doubt grow into a strapping fella like those boys! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

ionabunny said...

Merry merry to you and yours Darnell. Hugz

Jeanne said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Darnell. You are such a treasure and a delight and I so appreciate everything you do. Your grandsons are so handsome and I'm sure very sweet and filled with just enough mischief. I adore that little moose card. So happy it lives with me. And thanks for the shout out regarding Hammy's concert. ;) Happy to help in some small way to spread some cheer. May the new year bring you much joy!

JanetB said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and Happy 2019!

Susan said...

Oh my goodness - that video of Hammy and his family performing Christmas music is so adorable - it brought a huge smile to my face. Looking forward to more of Hammy's antics in 2019! And his winking on your cards.

Love the moose card and the photos of the boys - what a handsome and happy pair!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! I'm heading off to help my best friend cook Christmas dinner for 20!!

Diane said...

Best of the holidays to you and your family.

Hugs diane

OH Babs said...

oh how clever and cute

speaking of cute the twins are growing up to be two very handsome young men - my how time has flown

hope the rain was good for you, now we have it and it hailed so loudly it woke me and Ginger our dog up, but not the mister

ho ho ho and Merry Christmas

sandie said...

oh this card is perfect for Xmas wishes, wonderful colouring. Love the pictures. Thank you for all the support you have given me-you are one special person xx

JD/ Jill said...

Great card...and another delightful post...
Reading your blog makes me feel like it's Christmas every day...

Hope you and your family have one of the best Christmas's ever!
The twins are so handsome and goodness where did the time go

Blessings,
Jill

Leslie Miller said...

Merry Christmas, Darnell! I'm having my first quiet morning in a while and have been enjoying a crisp sunny day out with the dogs, visiting with neighbors who were also out enjoying it. Hammy's concert was great fun! Thank you for inviting the rest of us to see it. Maynard will certainly grow into his name, but right now he's an adorable little guy and he gave me a great big smile. So cute how the boys wear their original birthday hats every year. We all have our own little traditions, don't we? Just wanted to pop in and wish you a merry Christmas!

Loll said...

LOVE that musical family!! Enjoyed the performance by Hammy and his kids! :) Adorable moose card that made me smile, Dolly! The boys are growing up so fast! Merry Christmas! Love, Lolly

Redanne said...

Baby Moose is just darling Darnell! Merry Christmas to you too, ours is nearly over and yours is still in full swing I suspect! The Hammy video is just the cutest thing I have seen for a long time, it really does make me smile.

Adam and Henry are SO handsome, I hope they enjoyed their second birthday cake! They certainly made a great job of the tree.

Big hugs, Annie xxx

Krisha said...

Well now, I recognized Hammie right off the bat......but those young men with funny little hats.......are you dating again? LOL!! OMGosh they have grown to very handsome young men indeed.
Merry Christmas!!!

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Lovely post. Nice to see the boys.

Your card is the cutest ever.

I love Hammys band.

Happy Christmas. Sue

Kathleen said...

Brilliant video and a really great post. Love the Moose card and the photo's of your Grandsons. My Hubby's birthday too, bet he wished he was 14 instead of 71.
Super tree and the boys have decorated it brilliantly.

Very best wishes for 2019.

Kath x

Craftychris said...

Ooh Maynard is sooo cute, what a gorgeous card! Fab photos of Henry and Adam looking very handsome as always! Lovely pic of Hammy too - will watch the video tomorrow as am going to bed soon. Happy Christmas my friend and I hope you have had a fabulous day! Big hugs xxxxxxxxx

Christine Alexander said...

Merry Christmas Darnell, all the best to you and your family. Apple sends his best wishes to Hammy. He loves his Canadian home and his best friend Tika :)
See you in May.
Hugs Christine.

Cat Craig said...

Merry Christmas. Maynard is a lil sweetie. Such talent in Hammys offspring. Looking forward to the new year, and wishing you all the best in that new year.

Carol L said...

I just marvel over how fast those boys have grown up and how handsome they are as young men! Thanks for letting us have a peek into your life through your blog through the years. You're like family :) Hopefully you had a marvelous Christmas and enjoyed every precious moment! It's a little late, but Merry Christmas to your family and BTW, I love the moose card! Too cute :)

Marilyn said...

Adorable baby moose card! Love the pictures of your grandsons and Hammy in his adorable hat
Have a great day@
Marilyn❤

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Oh, such adorable baby moose!!!! Fabulous CAS! Your grandsons are so lovely, such beautiful boys!!
Mery Christmas!!! (a bit later... LOL)

Fikreta said...

Wonderful card!
Nice photos!
happy birthday to the boys!
Happy holidays ! 🎄

Brenda in IN said...

Maynard is so adorable with those big eyes and antlers. What a fun tradition for the boys to wear their hats every year! They are so handsome and I think Adam in the blue shirt looks just like you. He sure has your smile. You have never mentioned that Hammy and his brood had musical talent. I love their video and how fun they are. It's a shame he doesn't get to spend more time with them. I have been so blessed this year to be able to spend four days with you and I'm so happy you came. It was a delightful visit and my family was so happy to meet you. They were asking yesterday when we were going to do it again. Mitch told me how nice and fun you are and he was glad he got to meet you too.

Donna said...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks for sharing your pictures!

I Card Everyone said...

Ham's fam is just as talented a lot as I've ever had the pleasure of seeing! Especially that harmonica-hammette!
Maynard can handle that handle just fine, D... and look at him playing in a mud puddle - typical kid, and we'd have it no other way, right?
Love seeing your handsome boys... if they split that cake in two, that's still a pretty big treat, Grandma!
I'm sending lots of lingering-Christmas hugs, my friend! Here's looking at another year of crafting adventures, with you, kid! xx
=] M

designbydonna said...

Merry Christ"Moose" to you and your family. I am a sucker for baby animals. Your moose is adorable. Your grandtwins are handsome young men.

Lisa Elton said...

What a cutie patootie moose! Merry Christmas to you too Darnell. Look at those handsome grandson's, they're growing up way too fast. They did a great job on your tree!

Brenda said...

Merry Christmas Auntie! I hope you and yours have a very merry one. Love this sweet little image and this QACAS card! The image is simply adorable and makes me smile from ear to ear! Love him! I also love the photo of the twins, they are growing up so fast! I thought that was a small cake. lol But if it isn't their first one, it doesn't need to be big. They did a splendid job of helping with the decorating of the tree. So pretty, so merry! Hammy is looking marvelous as well in his hat and I loved seeing the video of him and his family playing the Christmas songs on their instruments! Hugs, Brenda

Lisa said...

What an absolutely adorable card!! That moose is so sweet!! Totally makes me smile, too!! The boys look so cute with their birthday hats!! And with the beautiful tree!! Hammy is precious!! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas my friend and wishing you a wonderful new year!! Holiday hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Patti said...

Sweeeet post! the boys are getting so big!! and they hae such beautiful happy faces : ) Loving those hats!! you are right they truly are good sports!! and you are a blessed grandma!!

Your Merry Chris-moose is adorables! LOVE those eyelashes!!

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

Kath said...

A fabulous card and lovely photos too. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Kath x

conil said...

What a delightful post...good Christmas wishes, an adorable moose card, an update on your sprouts growing up like Spring bulbs and a concert by Hammy's offspring. Wishing you, Kevin and the rest of your family the very best the holidays and coming year have to offer.

Mac Mable said...

Super cute card and Maynard sounds good to me.
What great sports the two boys are.....So glad the boys had another cake too xx
Hammy is of course adorable in his Christmas hat and hope he continues to Wink in 2019 x

Thank you for your blog friendship in 2018 Darnell and here's to a healthy and crafty 2019 x Continue to enjoy the festive period and I cherish your friendship too x

Celeste Goff said...

Such a sweet card Darnell! A very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year to you and yours!

Cheryl W. said...

Well, I was feeling a bit deflated after all the Christmas hoopla, but that hamster musical performance got me right back in the swing of the holidays! Thank you for sharing it! Your "Maynard the Moose" card is super cute. I like the idea of a Christmas bow or maybe a little ornament dangling from the antlers, but It's still cute as is. Your twin grandsons are handsome young men. I'm sure they made your Christmas really special. Have a wonderful 2019 filled with lots of love and laughter.

Jean said...

Sweet card. Love the photos of the boys. Merry Christmas

TK said...

What a precious card! And the photo of the "boys" is great too -- such fun young men! Thanks for the music clip, and I just want to personally thank YOU for being such an inspiration, a great person, and beloved friend!

Greta said...

Hard to believe how the twins have grown--cute BD pic! You've gotta keep 'em around to decorate your tree--great job! Don't think I've ever seen a baby moose stamp--so cute!

kiwimeskreations said...

Gorgeous card Darnell, and I think the name Hammy chose is fabulous - as is his very talented extended family!!
Christmas turned into a wonderful day surrounded by the love of family and friends - I trust your's was also. Those tweens are growing up so fast!
Blessings
Maxine

Bobby said...

Thanks for sharing some of your Christmas with us, Darnell. The hamster orchestra was a delight and Hammy should be proud. Just as you must be proud of those handsome grandsons. They did a great job on your tree. Can't wait to see what 2019 brings us in the blog world but I'm ever so thankful for all that happened in 2018, including time at the Lakehouse with you and the girls.

oldpunca said...

O, what a cute post! :-) I like your baby moose. He is so sweet and very nice colored. Your twins are growing up very fast. Thank you for sharing their photos with us.
I'm a little late with commenting. My computer was turned of during the holiday. :-)
Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Sonja

frommycraftroom said...

A very cute card.
Such good sports to have their photo taken - My 14 year old isn't always so obliging!
Hope you all enjoyed the festivities.

Helen F. said...

Oh my, how sweet is that Maynard face! Such an adorable image! And speaking of adorable...The boys are so grown up~love the 'traditional' birthday photo also :-)

Ros Crawford said...

Beautiful photos!! I hope you, Hammy and all your family had a wonderful day!

Sue - said...

What a fun image Darnell , though he looks like his antlers might make him fall over! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas with the family. The twins are getting so grown up now too. Glad to see Hammy visiting his family for a musical get together! xx

Ruth said...

Hahah! Maynard is the best name for a Moose. The boys look like are older than 14 - so grown up. Or maybe it's the rather small hats..... I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that New Year brings with it more crafty fun and games. Thank you for your continually hilarious posts and all you do to bring us all together. xxx

Lisa T said...

As always, I finish the year laughing at your post. That video had me in stitches, where do you find these things?! It's too funny, especially the last note sounding how I feel! Happy birthday to the boys - nice to see them sporting those little hats and not looking like they want to kill you ha. And of course, who can forget adorable Maynard, he's a beauty and I hope to rears his antlers again next year. Wishing you a Happy New Year Darnell - thanks for the laughs and of course the friendship through the year. Sending love and hugs, Lisa xx

Anita in France said...

Maynard is such a cutie, Darnell, all winked up for Christmas ... Hammy made a great choice for his name, it suits! Adam and Henry really are such good sports wearing their birthday hats ... they're also such handsome young men ... and so handy with the Christmas tree! They did a great job, it looks gorgeous! Loved the concert from 'Hammy and the Offspring' ... any more recordings on the go?! LYAMYHMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Kelly Griglione said...

Ooooh, look at those handsome twins!! And we totally have those same birthday hats!!! From when Logan was 2, 12 years ago ... would they be the same vintage? Just love that they decorate the tree for you : )

So you know I still feel a crafty responsibility for the whole Catherine Pooler Ink debacle : ) Even though that was not at all your intention. But I'm curious how you're liking them so far?

xo,
Kelly

Susanne Vargas said...

Maynard is so adorable all sparkly, thanks to Hammy! And I can't believe how big and handsome your grandsons are getting! Your tree looks very festive and pretty - no wonder with such great helpers!
And now I'm off to listen to Hammy's Christmas concert...

Monika Reeck said...

The Boys are bigger now Darnell wooowww
14 years old like my Kevin my firs son
great Foto and great smile too and Love your cuteee Image on your Card
hope my Christmas Card come to you soon
it sent 2 weeks ago
and Happy New Year for you and Family
see you Maybe more often in the Bloggy Land
I Always smile read your lovely comment
thanks for the Christmas Card from you Darnell it came number 2 in my home yoou are FASTER than me hehehe LOL
hugs
Monika

Lyndal said...

Darnell,
Wishing you a fabulous (if belated) Christmoose and Moo(se) Year!
May 2019 be as AWESOME as you! Happy crafting (and cleaning lol).
Lyndal

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Happy New Year Darnell, thanks for your kind words for City Crafter Challenge Blog, wishing you another wonderful year ahead!