Hello Stamplings,
How are you this fine May day? When you walk around my neighborhood, the homes on every street are just bursting with flowers and so colorful. The lawns are all thick and green and manicured. Manicured is a funny looking word, isn't it? Mani was really ill with fingernail blight, but now he's cured. Possibly. Turns out the English word comes from the French manucure, which in turn originates from the Latin words "manus" for hand and "cura" for care. That makes sense now.
Sorry, just another squirrel in the mental machinations.
I shouldn't tell you this, but I made my Twofer cards for today and my reminder Twofer cards for next week and when I went to write my posts, Hammy was sitting on my shoulder as he likes to do. He was reading along and all of a sudden he ran down my arm and hopped up to the top of the laptop and glared at me, chattering away like a wet hen. I looked back at him in my quizzical way. He then hopped down, ran over to the drawer where I keep my critter stamps and disappeared through the hand hold drawer opening.
Ah ha! What a bad hamster mommy I am! Of all the wheels all over the Playhouse, it never occurred to me to use a hamster wheel as my inspiration for you! Needless to say, that got remedied immediately, but he is still sulking a bit and I don't blame him.
Onefer
Twofer
For my birthday card, I used a NBUS Poppystamps die called "Pinpoint Rings." I silver embossed the wheel. The hamster and the sediment are NBUS from the brand-new Art Impressions "Hamster Wheel Cubbies." I think the balloon is from PTI.
Challenges
- Seize the Birthday: Optional Toppings: Balloons.
- Simon Says Monday: Add something metallic.
- Watercooler Wednesday: Kath's All About Occasions.
For my second design, I made a Christmas card using the hamster wheel as the O in the word JOY. The pp is from PTI and the embossed snow panel was a gift from my friend Chrissie. The little hamster running on the wheel on this card is from the Lawn Fawn set used on my first card and the JOY die is "Seed Snowflake Joy" from Poppystamps.
Challenges
- Love to Craft: Anything goes.
- The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge: Anything Christmas goes.
- Sweet Stampers Challenge: Animals.
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I hope you'll dig through your stash of cars, planes, trucks, campers, bicycles, tricycles, ambulances, buses, office chairs, wheelbarrows, carts of any kind, trains, wagons, pulleys, roller skates, skateboards, scooters, motorcycles, baby strollers, tractors, Ferris wheels, and luggage, to name a lot! I can't wait to see what you make!! You will find more sensational inspiration on the Twofer blog from our talented Team and Guest Designers, Hilary and Cornelia.
~~~
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 and return the flavor!
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 and return the flavor!
*Life is too short!
To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click 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!)
78 comments:
How adorable are these two cards. You just HAD to use the hamster wheel for this challenge! :)
Morning Darnell, l just love these little snippets of information you add to your posts so interesting regarding the word Manicured so nice l reckon seeing lots of flowers in bloom not at my house l only have one colour which is Purpley Blue l have irises in my garden full of heads ready to blossom, your cards are amazing l just love them both enjoy your day xx
Good morning Darnell! It’s a lovely sunny day here and the gardens are also all bursting into bloom! I adore your joy card with hammy running on his wheel, so sweet! Hugs xx
Two great and adorable cards. I like the image of the hamster!!
Lia xx
Gorgeous designs both so pretty I love them both Love and hugs Carole x
It's a good job you have Hammy there to give you nudges as he was so right in his choice of wheel. These are two amazing fun cards xx
Hammy has to love these two cards!! They're both so fabulous!! I love your gorgeous designs of both!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Two really adorable cards which I'm sure will make Hammy very happy.
Adorable cards! Always love reading your stories
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤
These are wheelie cute. Love both of them. I think you should make amends with Hammy by giving him some extra love and maybe some chocolate.Unless that would make him spin on the hamster wheel double time because of the caffeine. [Bunny]
OMGoodness these are so dang CUTE AND clever!!! I have many many stamps but don't think I have any 'hammies'....you might have convinced me LOL...I sure hope I can join in this time!
Hammy has to be over the moon to be the star in this Twofer. These are adorable cards featuring him. That is great paper on the Joy card, so bright and happy and using it for his collar is so cute.
Hammy has to be proud of the honour to be the star of the month on Twofer Challenge. :-) Wonderful and super cute cards. I like the word game on birthday card and CAS christmas card with non traditional colors.
Have a nice weekend and enjoy the spring feeling! :-)
Hugs, Sonja
Wow, thanks to Hammy you have two fantastic cards to share for this twofer. Happy to hear you can work together!
Your birthday card is darling! And it was so clever of you to use the hamster wheel as the "o" for JOY. Love the matching neck-wear!! Two great cards!!
D, these are just so delightful - seriously, what would we do without Hammy? and OH do I love the pinpoint!
=]
Beautiful Twofers and that is a set I thought about using. But maybe I can find another wheel inspiration among my stamps. You certainly did two great designs. I am glad Hammy got you on track for these.
I'd love to treat myself to a manicure, nails are a disaster, anyway, interesting piece of information Darnell, and always good to have for when your stuck for conversation at a dinner party.
Now your two cards are just so sweet, love the little critter and your designs, Kate x
We will have to give Hammy some special attention at Retreat next week, so he will forget that he was almost left out of your wheely adorable and creative Twofer cards, Dolly. TFS Hugs..Nancy
These are both wheely cute cards. Of course you needed to use hamster wheels and hamsters. Fun challenge.
That is the most fun Christmas card ever - send my regards to Hammy - he wins!!!! Love the other card, too - just so adorable. Why didn't I think of a hamster wheel.....Definitely my favorite set on the current Twofer!
Hi Darnell, Both cards are fab.
Hope you are having a nice Friday and looking forward to the weekend. Sue
Good for Hammy for steering you (or should I say "wheeling you") in the right direction for this challenge!! I used to have hamsters when I was a kid and those darn wheels turned all night when I was trying to sleep - I hope Hammy is more considerate! Love both your cards, but especially the second one - love the little collar you made for the hamster and the overall happy festive look of the card!
Wonderful and I would expect to see a hammy wheel from you. Good thing hammy is on the ball...wheel...that sounded so much better in my head. Love both cards, so creative.
Well of course you'd use Hammy and his wheel for your cards, Darnell. How could you not. Very creative with the Christmas card and I love the DSP you used. Of all those things you named I only have one stamp with wheels. I just pulled it out and will get making something as soon as I can get my mind around two different designs.
So happy that Hammy captured your attention and got you headed in the right direction. Of course, a hamster wheel should be your first choice! Love both of your fun designs. Just hope your cards don't squeak!!
Wheelie excellent post for the current twofer. Who could ever resist a hamster and his wheel...brilliant idea. You even got a Christmas card out of it. Love the CAS look of the first card but I have an idea it wasn't all that simple to make. The Christmas card is so clever it makes my teeth ache. (Why can't I come up with these ideas?) Even putting a tiny collar around your hamster's neck...genius.
2 excellent and very clever cards, I love them xx
Two fabulous cards, Darnell! I love how you tipped your hat to Hammy by using the hamster wheel...such a clever idea! Your Christmas card is perfect with your fun focal point and snowy background and I LOVE your birthday card to pieces! Thanks so much for inspiring us to play along, as always :)
Barb xx
Aren't you lucky to have a Hammy to get your inspiration going. Love them both so clever and very effective and fun.
Faith x
Wow, Darnell!!!!!! These are masterpieces!!!!!!! Kisses!!!!!!!!!
Two CUTE cards! Very unique way to say Joy too. Love it!
lYnn
I love your mental machinations, I always learn something from you!
Your cards reminded me of our hamster days, they used to keep us up half the night running around their wheels! Two fabulous cards, those hamsters are just adorable on their wheels. I do hope Hammy does not sulk for too long, we would all miss his antics! Hugs, Annie xxx
Two adorable cards Dolly!! Love how the silver wheel is Hammy's frame. So perfect. Great design in neutrals with a punch of colour from the fun balloons!
Your Christmas card is so fun!! LOVE the non-traditional colours and the "O" in joy. I bet this is a one-of card for someone special!! It's so very creative, my dear friend!
Hopefully Hammy will be over his snit soon. It was a temporary slight by you, but all fixed now, so he needs to move on! Love, Lolly
Two brilliant cards Darnel, both super CAS and some lovely cute images.
Kath x
Such brilliant pair of cards!!! Very fun and creative!! Hammy would be proud of them! ;)
Two lovely cards for your "Twofer" challange! thanks for all the suggestions of stamps, etc...to use for the wheels...Never would have thought of some of those... I can't say that I don't have a stamp to use for this challenge now. SMILE!
Perfect. Absolutely perfect. Love this take on wheels...I wheelie do! Just a quick pop in today, as I need to keep my nurse's hat on, but I did want to let you know just how darling these cards are. Love 'em! And you! xoxo Bev
Hammy had every right to be disappointed in your not using a Hamster in a wheel... but no right to continue sulking now you have rectified the omission. Tell him there is a willing home here for him down under, if he doesn't mind a cat....
Love your two wheels Darnell, and especially the collar on Hammy's cousin in the Christmas wheel - a very spiffy young man!
Blessings
Maxine
Such fun cards Darnell, love the hamster wheel, such clever designs, the pinpoint frame is so effective on the birthday one, wheelie good !! (Thankyou for playing along at Seize the Birthday too) Cathy x
Way to go, Hammy! That hamster wheel was just the thing to make a couple of great cards. Love them both.
my sides are splitting Darnell, Hammy's wheel of JOY is so adorable. is he ever going to get off he's having way too much fun :)
What a great idea to do the hamster wheel, the cards are fabulous and so YOU!
Also,thank you so much for the gorgeous birthday card you sent me, it's fantastic and I'm so happy you thought of me.
I love both of your cards and the little details on them such as the fancy collar cut from the decorative paper on the JOY card. Thanks for sharing with us at Love To Craft
I'm glad Hammy reminded you of this sweet stamp and inspired these cards! What would you do without Hammy! See you soon.
Hahaha, these are such fun and I wouldn't have expected to see anything but a hamster wheel from you!! xx
Oh so cute Darnell. You are amassing a large assortment of cards.
Wishing you a delightful Mother's Day with the famdamily (my mom's term). Hugs, Barb
Your ccard is wonderful and cute.
Thank you for joining us at the Sweet Stampers and i hope to see you again.
Hugs
Kuni
OMG Darnell, these are some adorably cute cards!
What a fun idea for the twofer! So cute!!
Oh, for Heaven's sake, so this is what you came up with! I can't even... How original and cute and unconventional and just totally amazing! Good for Hammy. I hope he's over his sulk by now. What fun!
Darling cards! I especially like the fun festive "JOY" card!
Loved reading your post....as always x I can totally understand where Hammy is coming from.....this challenge was made for him and thought you choose the challenge theme for the little fella....x Adorable cards and such a fun idea to use the wheel for the Christmas card x Hope you are having a lovely weekend?
These are both adorable! Your little hamster is perfect for this challenge. My kids had a hamster when they were younger. His name was Whiskers. I was always scared to death of it because it looked like a mouse to me. We had a hamster ball that we put him in and he used to run around all over the house banging into things. One day it dawned on me that I hadn't heard him running into things and when I checked the kitchen I found the ball with the lid popped off and Whiskers was gone. It was an all out hamster hunt trying to find him. He was sitting behind the fridge just watching us and probably laughing. Enjoy your Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day!! These little hamster cards are PERFECTION!! I love how you used the wheel die for the "o" in Joy and the little birthday card with the hamster holding the balloon? CLEVER as anything. Your creations are just too, too CUTE!
I can understand that Hammy might be a bit cross with you, but the two finished cards are such fun and work splendidly for the challenge Darnell so all's well that ends well, and thanks for the snippet of info on the origins of 'manicure'. x
Cute cards! love both! Thanks for joining us this week on Simon Says Stamp Monday CHallenge Blog! barbara
Love your hammit cards! Both so cheerfull and made me smile!
Like you I can get lost about words that sound strange or doesn't like to fit to where it is used for... it is super to find out why and how that is...fun to see how a language "grows"... Have a good week! Hugs, Gerrina
This ist sooooo cute, I have to smile every time!!
Gundi x
These are so cute, Darnell xoxo
Two wheelie CUTE cards Darnell and I'm sure Hammy will get out of his sulk soon once he see's how much everyone is enjoying your cards!! Your birthday card is FABULOUS...love the pinpoint circles and that bright green balloon that really POPS!! And your Christmas card is just as sweet as can be...maybe you should set that one aside to give to Hammy at Christmas as he'll probably have forgotten all about it by December! (I mean their brains are kinda small right??) Anyway, FUN challenge and yes, my wheels are turning!! Hope you have a great week my friend! Hugs. :0)
these cards are so adorable!
Wow...love your cards with the cute image, especially the christmas card. Thank you for joining us at sweet stampers challenge,
hugs Anke
Two cool cards. Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday this week
what fun cards! Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges!
So glad you listened to Hammy! These two cards are adorable! I love the little collar on the festive hamster. He's all dressed up for Christmas. That balloon is so sweet in the hands of the darling hamster and the wheel looks amazing silver heat embossed. This is going to be a wheely fun month!
What a cute and fun pair of wheeled cards! I just love the matching collar on the hammy in the wheel in card #2! Too much fun :) Great twofer too!
Wonderful cards!! That's a great challenge Darnell!
TOTALLY fabulous makes - Hammy must be so proud, particularly since you've rocked the watercooler with your entry
Happy Wednesday, sorry to be so late to the party
Kathyk
Darnell, what adorable cards you have created for your twofer challenge. The one with the balloon is perfect for the STB challenge. Only a couple more days and we will be together once again. Looking forward to it. Hugs.
Thanks for joining us at STB. Linda GD.
Yes yes...Hammy was right about the hamster wheel! Love how you made the Christmas wheel in candy cane stripes, just to surprise us. I know I have a hamster stamp and wheel image in my stash somewhere and I think it's calling out for ink!
Oh that Hammy is a ham isn't he. Look at him hoggin' the spotlight on your two delightful cards!
Imagine Hammy taking the huff like that, Darnell ... still, if he's forgiven you then all is good, especially if he's got over his pouting!! He should have done ... imagine what it'd be like to be the star of the show on not one, but two cards in the same post ... he'll be celebrated (even more) everywhere! They're both fabulous cards ... those pinpoints really draw the eye to Hammy's dapperness (is that a word?) and I love how his bright balloon is floating off! All the texture and dimension around him on the Christmas card is delicious ... fun, festive and contemporary, which suits him! I'm sooo behind (lots of 'life' ... sorry it's so late for me to come by)... just might need to press the dreaded delete button and start again. LYAMYHAHMA ... HYHTMWT! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)
What a gorgeous pair of cards Darnell! The birthday card leaves me with a big grin 'cos I love puns and the balloon is giving me a tickle too. Love the Christmas card too with all the snowy texture and Hammy looks so spiffy in his Christmas collar.
Hope you had a wonderful time in Canada.
Hugs
Carol x
So glad to see your hamster wheel making its showcase! Hammy's idea was perfect, resulting in two adorable cards!
What an awesome twofer!!! I would never thought of a hamster wheel with that cue words!!! Both cards are adorable and fun! Thank you so much for playing along at Seize the Birthday, Darnell!!!
Love these two cards, the birthday one is so cute. I love that little hammy. The Christmas brings me much Joy!
Hello Darnell
What fun cards! ;-)
Thanks for joining us at Sweet Stampers Challenge, good luck!
Hugs Marlene
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