High Hopes Stamps - Sitting Santa

Howdy - 

Ho Ho Ho! Isn't this just the cutest little round Santa? Sitting Santa from High Hopes Stamps! 

Just love him! I used my Copics to color (colors below) and then added lots of Viva Deco Sparkle to his coat and hat. I just think Santa has lots of sparkle to him. I found some pattern papers from Paper Studio that has a great little Santa pattern. I had to use it with Sitting Santa. Keep it simple and make Santa the large star of this one. I simple gingham ribbon tied on the corner. Then a High Hopes Sentiment "Merry Christmas!"

Simple... but Simply a sweet Christmas Card! 

Copic colors used - 

I hope you enjoyed Sitting Santa from High Hopes Stamps - visit the web site HERE for lots of great deals and thousands of stamps to choose from!

Hugs and 

Animal Crackers - Breezy afternoon

Howdy - 

Its a good thing Hubby was on top of things yesterday... I totally was lost in allergies and forgot that it was Friday... the day before Animal Crackers! He reminded me I need to head out and take my photos while the sun was still up... Thank you Hubby! A front was just blowing in and everyone was out enjoying the breeze. 

I was trying to sneak up on Big Al ... he was totally snoozing in the nice weather. But he woke up and I barely snapped before he was up and literally in my face. He is such a sweetheart. 

A handsome sweetheart... totally in love with this guy! 

Yes A.J. we are totally in love with you too... 

I was trying to snap a photo of the twins, they were side by side and looking so cute. But nope. Alvin Jr. is a total camera hog. He wants to be the only fashion model in this pen. Good thing his brother Chipmunk is so easy going. 

Chrissy was enjoying some left over breakfast... This was the only photo out of 15 that I took that her mouth wasn't totally wide open smacking her alfalfa.

Not lady like at all... But she is so calm and sweet its ok to have that one little flaw in her eating habits. 

Now I mentioned that the wind was blowing a cool breeze. It seems the chickens were all gathered to discuss the weather and whatever else they were gossiping about. Lots of chatter going on. 

I thought while passing Hubby's potted plants I would show off his citrus. They have had a tough season with no rain, so Hubby has been really keeping a close watch on them and making sure they had at least his watering. 

But after looking at the 10 day forecast I think that they will have to be picked before a cold snap this next week. We've been watching them for so long I hope they taste as good as they look. 

Cocoa was watching from a distance while I was roaming around. 

She is so timid some days and I had to move very slow and talk to her constantly to let her know I was moving towards her. She started to back away and take off. But she stayed and let me take a few photos of her, rub on her neck a little bit... then she turned away from me. No worries, it was just to have some rear end scratches.... She may be cautious and a bit timid but when she wants it she does allow those wonderful scratches. 

Came inside to find Libbie laying by the back door. 

Being totally blind now, her hearing is extra sharp. I think she was listening to us in the backyard and on the back porch. I really wish I knew what she was thinking. Its complex I am sure. 

Hope you got a large smile from the fur children. They always make us smile. We are blessed.

HUGS and 

High Hopes Stamps - Gingerbread House

Howdy -

This week for High Hopes Stamps I went yummy! Just love how fun this Christmas image "Gingerbread House" is! Just Yummy! 

Coloring with my Copics (colors below) and then added some "snow" with a Marvy Snow Marker. The lollipops needed a bit of sparkle so I added some Viva Decor glitter to them. Lollipops do need sparkle right? Now it is rare for me to color before knowing what pattern paper I am using, but I was just into coloring this cute little house I forgot to look for paper, but then I found a Paper Studio Candy Cane paper that just seemed to made for my card. A red card stock base for sure. Then I die cut a scalloped square for behind the image. Now at the time weaving a red and white gingham ribbon in that die cut seemed to be a great idea.... OMG... it took forever to do! The ribbon was too big for the tiny holes so I had to be very careful. But finally I got it done, and so glad I stuck with it! A ribbon at the bottom to tie it all off. Love how this little note card came out! Yummy right? 

Copic colors used - 

For LOTS of yummy images to color up you just must visit the High Hopes Stamps website! I guarantee you will find lots to fill a cart! Get there quick HERE

I hope you have a wonderfully blessed day - 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Beautiful

Howdy - 

I love being out with the Donkeys at sunset. There is just not anything more beautiful than seeing them in their pastures enjoying the evening. Miguel and Diego, they are buddies, and here watching to see if I was there to snap photographs or if I had treats and it was worth walking across the pasture to me. 

Sorry guys... just photos on this evening. They actually were making their way finally towards me for at least head scratches. But then Dad slammed a truck door and they decided to stop again and make sure things were safe. Safety first you know. 

I LOVE this photo of Patricio and Flavio! Ok, so it shows a little weight, but it is still a great photo.

These two are buddies... they all seem to always pair up. They hang with their buddy day and night. Just like a field trip... never leave your buddy! 

This photo of Patti cracks me up. I was trying to get her to look at me for a pretty portrait photo. The look in her "eye".. I was disturbing her on her way to eat. 

"Mom.. really? No way I'm on my way to dinner!" Gotcha Patti, I understand... food first! 

Pavo didn't mind stopping his dinner to come and give me some love.  

But do notice as his normal daily habit. He has placed a bit on his back for later. Sweet Sweet Pavo. 

Now this next photo is not a great photo by any means. But I kept coming back to it. 

Pepita... she is so laid back and calm. The last couple of years she is buddied up with Vicki, and you can most of the time find her looking around Vicki's rear end watching life. Hubby and I have been talking about Pepita lately. She is full sister to our baby Josie. And when Josie grows up it just might become very difficult to tell one from the other. :0) 

Last week I show a couple of my collection of postcards. You all seemed to enjoy them, and so I thought this week I would show a couple of favorites. I LOVE RPPC's.. in postcard terms that means Real Photo Post Cards. They are my favorite to find. So personal! 

Pretty young girl with a donkey. Is this a pet? Or is this one of those traveling photographers that take photos of children with animals. Love the fashionable dress and bonnet. Then that other photo WOW! Labeled the Cheyenne Burro Photo Co. Great family photo! Sitting on the "Burros" in full fashion and holding their babies proudly. Great Great Photo! 

Hope it was smiles again this week. Hope you have a wonderfully blessed weekend with family and friends.

HUGS and 

High Hopes Stamps - Callie Christmas Kitty

Howdy -

I just adore this image! Fabulous image for a fun Christmas Card! This is Callie Christmas Kitty -

Too cute right? I colored with my Copics (colors below). I am not sure why but 99% of all cats I color are striped cats. They are just fun to create the stripes and I love kitties with white feet. I added the sentiment directly on my image paper. High Hopes Stamps "Meowy Christmas" Just PUURRRFECT! Ha! I felt doodling was the way to go with this image so I did a wiggle "stitch" doodle around the edge. But on the top right corner I added three red enamel dots. My papers are stacked they are from Paper Studio. Fun Christmas wish. 

Copic colors used - 

I love fun images of animals. And Holiday images with sweet animals are even better. High Hopes Stamps has so many to choose from - visit the website HERE to see them all. 

Have a blessed day - 

Animal Crackers - Being a Big Girl

Howdy -

Isn't it hard to have to grow up and be a big girl. Josie is doing pretty good. I had no worries about putting Hanna in the Ladies pen, she is a larger girl, and well.. she has her Momma's attitude, nothing bothers her and she thinks she is in control all the time. But little Miss Josie is so small, and I was worried that maybe she would get chased or beat up on. I mean really... isn't that a sweet little face? 

But I really don't know why I was concerned... I forgot that her Momma Jolene is a really good Momma. She is always near her little girl, and if you mess with her.... well it isn't pretty. While outside taking photos Vicki tried to tell Josie that she was too close to her pile of hay. It really is everyone's hay, but there is a pecking order. Vicki shoved Josie... and then Jolene shoved back. Now it is calm and everyone has a place at the hay nice, quiet and happy. 

Good Momma Jolene .. watching over your girl Josie and taking care of her. 

Its ok Vicki.. you are still beautiful and I know you weren't really being mean. Just protecting your dinner. 

She really is a sweet donkey.

Another sweet girl.. getting towards the old lady category. Fanci we lovingly call her "Fanci Pants". 

In her youth this girl was the one that was always in control. She told everyone where to move to, where to eat, She never was able to give us babies sadly as she really is a great donkey, color and personality. But she has always been center of attention and loved. She has drastically mellowed as she has gotten older, and lots of grey has been coming in around her face. We love you Fanci Pants! 

I was out for a while with Hubby and the Donkeys - and after about an hour the sun started to set. I turned around and saw Juliet with the glow around her. Beautiful. 

I have no idea how long she had been standing there behind me... but her head must have gotten heavy. Good think that fence panel was there to hold it up for her. 

This week I thought I would share a couple of my old postcards. I sell LOTS of old postcards in our Antique Business, but never any with donkeys... I've been collecting them for probably near 20 years now and have I think way over 100 of them. 

Now how can you not love the Momma and baby donkey one? Donkey Hugs are the best! Then the one on top is an older tinted photo postcard, with a sense of humor. "Look Pleasant, Now --- Don't Smile" Those old cameras took a little while to take the photo, and holding the smile was hard to do without moving and blurring your mouth. It wasn't the style to smile in photos then, So this Spotted donkey was just reminding these two to hold still and look happy. Smart Donkey Photographer. 

Hope you did smile this week. Got a little happiness reading and seeing our fur children. We are truly blessed to have each and everyone of them in our lives and I love sharing them with you.

Have a blessed weekend where you are - 

HUGS and 

High Hopes Stamps - Rodney Reindeer

Howdy -

Now isn't this just the sweetest little Christmas Reindeer? This is Rodney Reindeer from High Hopes Stamps - 

I really wanted Rodney to pop on the card... so I went with white card stock base, and then two pattern papers from Paper Studio a red dot paper and a Christmas Pine tree... Simple but still adds a lot of color. I colored the Reindeer with my Copics (colors below) and then sewed all the layers down.  A pretty but simple High Hopes Sentiment "Sm. Christmas Script" and three Enamel Dots in the corner for fun! 

Copic colors used - 

Love how cute this little Reindeer is .. perfect for a great Christmas card! 

Hope you have a blessed day. 

HUGS and 

 

Animal Crackers - Winter is Coming

Howdy - 

Winter is coming... we've seen a small touch of it, then it has gone back to the 80's. But that little touch of cold has really done a number on any grazing around here. Things are dead for winter. So time to bring in a few round bales for a couple of the pens. The guys are really enjoying their bale as you can see.

Couldn't see Patricio... but no worries he has just claimed the backside of the hay for his. As much as they really love fresh green grazing, they do love having a round bale. No work, large buffet meal right in front of them! HA! 

Now the young girls and their Mom's have moved in the large pasture of all the Ladies. That leaves just Lacey and "Big Al" in the Momma pen now. 

"We" meaning Hubby... really fought having the girls move into the big pasture. He loved them being right out the back door. Ok we all did. But they needed to have the space and room to grow up and get to know all the other Ladies. But for now we still have Big Al in the pen, he has handled loosing his half sisters to play with pretty well. I thought he might make more noise about it. But he is being a big boy! 

But he does still love HUGS!

I think he gets that from his Momma Lacey. She loves to give hugs too.. and when the two of them are both hugging... well it was a good thing Hubby had the fence to fall back on! Donkey Hugs are just the best!! Worth it even if you do fall on your rear end! 

Had a little chat with Speck. She is such a gorgeous chicken! 

She just went through molting so she is really brilliant and stunning. Love this girl.. and her coop mate Guinea too! Amazing I snapped and got her in the photo too... she is always on the move! Never stops moving or talking.

Found Jennifer relaxing in the shade of one of the huts. This girl is not one of our normal friendly goats. Her and her sister Malory are both very stand-off, we have no idea why but that is who they are. We still love them - 

Jennifer has striking colors though doesn't she? 

Thought I would show another one of my "Collectibles" - 

Hubby and I found this antique painting years ago. It is not perfect by any means, has a few tiny holes and a scratch, but I love it. Sweet kittens, in a old worn frame. Just makes me feel warm and happy. 

I do hope that you got a smile this week. We all need smiles. 

Have a blessed weekend - 
HUGS and 

High Hopes Stamps - Raccoon Gift

Howdy 

Christmas is coming! And it is time to craft all those Christmas Cards and High Hopes Stamps Raccoon Gift is just adorable for your holiday cards. 

He is colored with my Copics (colors below) and then dotted with Nuvo white pearl paint. For my papers I found some scraps from Paper studio. I love how the one pattern paper looks like ribbon, so I created a faux ribbon and added Martha Stewart border punch loops to it. I stamped directly on the pattern for the sentiment "Small Christmas Script" 

For lots of fabulous Christmas images to color and have fun with visit the High Hopes Stamps web site HERE and see all the fun! 

Have a blessed day -

HUGS and