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!

February 26, 2024

February 26: A is for Anything Goes!

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? Welcome to a brand-new week! I like to think of it as a clean slate of possibilities! I just don't understand how they keep coming around so fast any more!

Onefer
For this cute card, I used a favorite stamp from Your Next Stamp called, "Hammie Coffee & Tea." The e/f is from Fun Stampers Journey, the frame is from PTI, the sediment is from Pink Fresh, and the stencil is from Gina K. The flat sequints are from somewhere, too, but I ran out of breath. 

You can prolly see that Hammy had fun winking his image. I'm linking to the A/G stencil challenge at Just Us Girls and to the circles challenge at Can You Handle The Pressure.

The photo doesn't show embossing of the e/f very well, so here is a closeup:

There is a special reason I made a "Hammy" thank you card to post today. I have a very dear friend, Annie, who lives in England. I met her online back in May of 2012, soon after I started blogging. Annie and I have exchanged many emails, cards, calls, and Zooms over the years and Hammy and I were fortunate to meet her in person when I did my friends Tour back in 2016!

Over time our crafting interests have evolved. Annie is well-known for her incredible talent with mixed media and making miniature works of art. Lately, she has taken up felting animals and she tickled me no end by making me this delightful little guy to add to my menagerie!
Don't tell Hammy, but isn't this little guy just the cutest?! Not only was he special, he arrived in his own little apartment with a handmade felted top, replete with a sweet lambie and French-knot flowers!
Hammy, who is often bored with me, is so happy to have a friend!!
I was going to name him Junior, which is pedestrian and unimaginative, but after all, ahem, I named "Hammy!"😏 Perhaps we should have a Naming Contest?! I'd love your suggestions! And thank you again, Annie! Mwah!

p.s. in the "small world" category: I live in a medium-sized town in California that we will call Nellville. When Annie went to her local post office in a village across the pond in England to mail this precious cargo, the postmistress looked at my address and exclaimed, "I'll be in Nellville next week!" I mean, of all the towns in England and the USA, what are the chances?!😲

Twofer
I used this watering can from Memory Box the other day and while it was out, I die-cut a few more in this pretty lilac color. When I saw the current Color Hues challenge, I backed it with a piece of lime pp that I've had forever. I used a NBUS Memory Box die called, "Lavender Bunch" to fill the can. The frame is from poppystamps called, "Pointed Rectangle Frame." I'm also linking in the pp brief at Double D.

~~~

I had a chuckle when I was thinking about what to make for this week's I.D.E.A.S. schedule. The letter is A, for "anything goes," which basically means that everyone who posts a creation during this week will be joining me, lol! Welcome one and all!

By the whizzle, anytime you want to play with the I.D.E.A.S. schedule, you do not need to use your NBUS. It's always a goal to use it, but unlike the NBUS challenge,
it is not a requirement for I.D.E.A.S. Sorry if you're confused. It's good practice for when you get to be my age!

I look forward to seeing what you make! Have fun!

~~~

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! I'll be back on Wednesday for the Group of Seven post.🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌

*Life is too short!





44 comments:

Aquarius said...

So pleased you shared the pic of the gorgeous felted Hammy and his/her apartment. What a super gift to receive. Great card too, everyone needs a purple watering can 😊

Carol L said...

I love your adorable card with all the bubbles and hammy nibbling on a cookie. It's just too cute and so is the felted hammy your friend sent you. It's just as cute as can be and I'd probably be calling it Pammy so Hammy can have his very own girlfriend LOL Love the A/G's card too with those great colors. Have a great week ahead and keep smiling :)

Jeanne said...

Beautiful cards, Darnell. It looks like you are having a blast with your schedule. Your new hamster friend (maybe Sterling, using the Ster part of hamster could be his name? Or Darius-using the first letters of your name?) is adorable. What a sweet friend and what a small world regarding where the postmistress was going! Wouldn't it be even wilder if you actually saw her?? Have a fantastic day, Darnell!

designbydonna said...

That Hammie character is so cute. Pretty stencil over the embossing. Love the watering can. I used to have a collection of real watering cans and even decorated some until I decided I don't even water flowers. LOL. Put them in a yard sale for someone else to collect. Yours is pretty with the stems of lavender,

Brenda in IN said...

The Hammy stamp card is adorable nibbling on his cookie. The watering can bouquet of lavender is so bright and pretty. Annie does awesome work. She captured Hammy perfectly and his apartment is a wonderful home for him.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Thanks for inspiring us again this week, Darnell - the little hamster with cookie is just adorable & I love your lavender bouquet! Awww - sweet felted hamster - Annie is quite talented!! A name that came to my mind is Fuzzy since he looks so soft & yes, fuzzy!

Jeanne H said...

Love Hammy on your card and wow, what a wonderful gift you received. I'd name her Amy, part of Hammy's name and I agree, he needs a girlfriend. lol

ElizStewart said...

Darnell... so cute! Love your hammie with a cookie, as well as your felt and stuffed hammies! Thanks so much for joining and sharing at Just Us Girls this week.

Pia S said...

Spots, dots and circles, I love them all, always have! I think it's fun that you mixed embossed and stencilled ones and those flat sequins look fab too!

Donna said...

Junior is so cute and so is your Hammie card! I also like your thinking of you card with the circle pattern paper and lovely lavender basket!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! I do love visiting you Darnell, there is always a lovely story and a laugh, which I've had today, your friend Annie is very clever, love your Junior and the box he got to you in. As for the coincidence at the Post Office? WOW! I nearly forgot about your cards! Which I think are absolutely wonderful, love the first with the spots and spot EF too, a cute thank you card. Your colours on your next card are a lovely mix and I love it. x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Two sweet cards Darnel, and how much cute hamsters today!(that on the card, your own long time friend and the new felted one). So kind of your friend Annie making a so adorable felt hamster for you and love his round box!
Hugs

Stef Perry said...

What a treat to drop by to comment on your Color Hues card and get to see a twofer with your little Hammie card too! It's so cute and your friend Annie is definitely gifted, her felted Hammy and "apartment" are so precious!

Your lilac watercoloring can with the white lavender bunch stems looks very pretty, Darnell and the bubble background design gives your card such a cheerful feel! I'm so glad you had a chance to join in at CH!

Bonnie said...

How can you help but smile at this adorable hamster with his cookie! I can totally identify with that look after biting into something sweet! The bubbles in the background make this even more fun! And I am in awe of the felted hamster! Hammy is so lucky to have a new friend to keep him company! Your watering can is so pretty with the lavender stems! Thanks for the inspiration, my friend!

Lisa Elton said...

Cute cards today, Darnell! You know you had me with the sweet polka dotty Hammy card! How sweet of your friend Annie to send you such darling gifts. What a talented lady she is. I think in honor of her he should be named Mannie!

TK said...

Two fun cards, Darnell! I love that you thanked Annie with her own little Hammy! And names? I'm glad you asked because I heard that Hammy and Bernadette could be quite the couple, even royalty in Nellville! Speaking of -- what a co-inky-dink re: Nellville!

Cheryl W. said...

Fun, fabulous cards today. And what a great gift from a dear friend! As for names, since it's a shorter, smaller version of Hammie, I think I'd call him Sammie, but I look forward to learning what name you decide on.

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Darnell, what a gorgeous wee Mini Me Hammy has to keep him company - and I do love his travelling box!! What class!
You card with Hammy on is fabulous, and of course he had to wink his mirror image with loads of WoS...
Love your lavender watering can with the white lavender in it - perfect!
I may not be around much over the next few days, I am meeting the surgeon on Friday, and he is doing a nerve release in my left elbow, so that will cut down my computer time, card making etc - I foresee a few visits to the local library. I had better stock up on Thursday, me thinks.
Blessings
Maxine

LesleyG said...

Oh boy, the hammy card is so cute, then I saw the gifted felt one and my heart melted, how super cute, and the box too, just adorable. I’m not good at names, but I’m sure you’ll think of one xxx oh and indeed a small world isn’t it!

Julie B said...

I love your IDEAS mnemonic, a great way to supercharge a lagging mojo, but despite all my best intensions I still haven't taken it on board!
What a cute companion for Hammy, hope he's from the Russian side of the family as the Syrians tend to be more solitary! ;)
Thanks for linking up your springlike card at Color Hues too. :)

Sandra H said...

l love both of your cards Darnell and how adorable is Hammy l just love the pair of them so pleased he's got his own friend now so super cute xx

Karen said...

Waht fun to see that Hammy has a buddy! What a thoughtful gift! Your watering can with the white florals is lovely and pops off the swirly background! So happy to see you in the Color Hues gallery!

Lia said...

You are such a busy crafter and you make the most wonderful creations! I like you embossed card a lot, and thank you for joining the challenge!
Lia DT CYHTP

Nancy said...

I am here to comment on your card, but before we get to that...Your new felt hamster is the cutest thing ever. What talent! As for a name, I think Lisa E's idea of Mannie would be super cute. Plus it will confuse you when you are typing as they both rhyme. LOL, now your card for Color Hues is really sweet too. Love that watering can. Thanks for the laughs today and for playing along with Color Hues.

Stamps and Paper said...

Thank you for sharing the lovely photograph of your felted Hammy he's so adorable....Lovely cards too, love the purple watering can it really 'pops' out against the green background

Anne x

Bobby said...

Three hamsters in one blog post. How much cuteness can we take? How wonderful that Annie made a hamster for you, Darnell. My son had one when he was young and named it Pookie. I think that would be a good name. My granddaughter tried felting and made me an owl for Christmas. Thanks for sharing that card with us at Just Us Girls.
I just ordered a watering can die. I love yours filled with lavender on that bright lime paper.

Pat said...

I love your cute Hammie amid the circles, both embossed and stencilled
Darnell, and just adore that felted version sent to you by Annie..how clever! I also love your pretty purple watering can filled with the lavender stems, and the green paper with the white circles is a lovely backdrop, and that pierced frame is a beauty. I have a card for Week 4 to join in the IDEAS fun. x

Sarah said...

Gorgeous cards Darnell particulary gorgeous Hammy for gorgeous Hammy!! That really is a beautiful felted piece and the apartment too, incredible work xx

Leslie Miller said...

I love your darling hammy-with-a-cookie and cute polka dot bubbly embossed background and, OMGosh, I can hardly stand how adorable your felted hammy is with his pink feet and his own special home to keep him safe! What a wonderful gift from a very kind and talented friend! I wonder if this hammy is a girl or a boy? I'm funny about names. Sophie has a friend nearby whose name is Myrtle and I just love that. I never would have thought of it. Your purple watering can with the lavender inside is so pretty and fresh! I love that you made use of some patterned paper for this, too. It looks great as a background. Thank you for playing along with us at Double D! Lastly, that's an amazing coincidence about the postmistress and your hometown. My jaw would drop. A few years ago my Rich ran into a guy from our hometown in the Atlanta airport and I thought that was a stretch... but England and "Nellville" -- no way!

cuilliesocks said...

Love your new little Hammie and that very pretty felt box. Gorgeous cards too Darnell, Kate x

HilaryJane said...

Your hammy thank you card is perfect for that very special gift. He looks like a very happy little chap and I love is little box. So very special. I would call him happy to go with hammy, not very adventurous either but hey ho.. xx

Cat Craig said...

Love all the circles and dots and then the round embellies too. Sweet card. That felted hammy is fantastic. WOW.

JD/ Jill said...

I love your card! And what a special gift that you received! Love it!

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
oh I love your fabulous Hammy card he is such the very cutest just like Hammy.So glad Hasmmy has a new friend he is also as gorgeous as Hammy.
My Annie is such a fantastic felter and that little home he came in is such a beautiful delight too.
Love your purple watering can card as well.
I may just look for a purple watering can next time I am out shopping as that would look great in my garden.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L.

nancy littrell said...

I am loving Hammy and Pammy as fun and very cute best friends names:-) They already look like the very best friends:-) Love and Hugs to your new friends:-) Nancy Littrell

Gerrina said...

I love the watering can card! And a fun week with the anything goes... Hammie and you are so lucky with the new/junior! Hugs, Gerrina

Vicki Dutcher said...

Such a cute card with that stencil background that bear made me smile. Thanks for joining in at JUGS.
ps love your new addition to your stamp House he’s totally adorable 🥰

Susan said...

Your little felted hamster is wonderful and so nice for Hammy to have a friend. Love the thank you card you made for Annie - such an adorable hamster image eating his cookie! Very pretty blue and white background. Great twofer in a perfect spring colour combination!

Donna Phelan said...

Sweet little watering can card--the signs of Spring! YAY! Oh Hammy how cute! And that is incredible about the PO lady, maybe she'll look you up ;) Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Double D, Patterned Paper Challenge. Donna, DT Member.

frommycraftroom said...

The cutest little felt hammy ever!

Great cards love the little coloured hammy too.

Redanne said...

Hi my friend, I am trying again to leave a comment.... I am so pleased you love Hammy's new friend, it was a joy to make for you! And of course, I love my Hammy card! Lots of love, Annie xxx

Lynette said...

What wonderful cards, Darnell, and such a cute Hammy II! So sweet. And yes, what a quinky-dink about the postmistress visiting your town! Could have been hand-delivered. LOL!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Beautiful cards! Stanley, as I know he's already named, is adorable xoxo

Sue - said...

More fabulous cards! And such a sweet Hammy Junior , you must love him!