Me and My Space - Clean Out Candy!

HI - today I thought I might do something a bit different. Now we know I have been cleaning out and trying to thin out. So I have a big plastic box full to go to a charity this fall, and I am still sorting and filling it with things. But then I am finding some things that well.... I figured a reader might enjoy too! Sad that there are brand new things in my stash that I have never used, but it is how it is. And that might be a good thing for one of you!!

And then while stacking up a few things to share I remembered I still had a couple of stamps that Heidi from Stampavie sent me to share with readers - NOW we have some REAL candy!

So for my first candy (yes I think I will have a few with my stash that I am finding)

For my first Me and My Space Clean Out Candy I have:
the two wonderful Stampavie Stamps -
Gillian Roberts Bake a Treat
Sarah Kay image Rose Cuddling the winter Bunny  -  Two of my personal favorites -
Then I found a Brand new EK Success Jumbo Cupcake punch. How did I get two of them? LOL
And then I found two SEI Preservation Albums. Actually I found a bunch of them... but I have put two in the candy - an 8x8 and a 8.5 X 5.5 - these are fabulous albums to alter!!

Here is a close up of the stamps -

 And the punch -

So what do you need to do to have a chance at these?

How about telling me your FAVORITE Organizing tip or storage? Some thing you do, or even something you saw on the internet! I need some more help around here to get more to fit in small spaces! ;0)

I'll ship world wide so no worries there. If you would like to share that I have candy that is great but not necessary.

I'll have random number generator pick a winner and announce next Wednesday on my Me and My Space post ok?

Gabrielle update - she is doing much better, still running a bit of fever during the heat of the day, but not nearly as high. Another day or so of keeping a really close eye on her, and if all is well I'll let her and her Mom Lacey back out into their pasture with their buddies.

Have a wonderful Wednesday- me... gotta get to work ACK!! Look at the time!
HUGS and -

Dust It Off Sunday - My pretty little round box!

hi  - first a Gabrielle update. She is doing ok... the heat of the day is still getting to her, but she is hanging in. Actually she has spent some time in the bathroom... yes in my house. We had to get her cooled down, So that is a first, I have jokingly said that I would bring them in the house to take care of them. But when the Doc says that is the best treatment, then all sanity goes out the window and I bring a donkey in the house! Now her Mom has to stay outside, so in and out the baby goes to get food from Mom. Each day she is a little better... so hopefully we can get through this and she gets stronger and can fight the heat after a few days or week or so.

Now on to my Dust It off Sunday post - this time it wasn't my image I dusted off. No while sorting out some of my "Junk" on the shelves, I found a cute round wooden box. I must have purchased it on sale at some point.. LOL don't remember. But I decided it was time to decorate it! This was an opportunity to use my new paints too!

So I pulled out my paints. I started to go with something to match my craft room. But then for some reason, I decided that brown and white gone vintage would look better. I used Claudine Hellmuth Studio Semi-Gloss Blank Canvas white, and Sable Brown and painted the entire box.

 Then I started thinking about how I wanted to decorate it. I really loved using the Stampavie Penny Johnson image "Bird Cage", But it was too small - so I decided to use the Claudine Hellmuth Studio multi-medium Gloss paint as a image transfer. I stamped the image, copied it larger to the size of the lid then used the transfer to put the image on the box. Love this! Images can be any size we need them! I lightly colored with Copic Markers to add just a touch of color.

It needed more - after trying many things - I settled on Stickles Distress Brown glitter. I dotted my way around the top. Love that - While it was drying I moved onto the base. Laying on my desk was a scrap of the Martha Stewart Jumbo heart punch.

WOW how dramatic is that! So I punched out enough to circle the entire base of the box and then glued it down with the Gloss paint. WOW... then it needed more Distressed Stickle dots! After it all dried, I inked it all over. Then put a second coat of gloss paint -

Hope you enjoyed my little round box. I sure had fun making this one. I got messy with my new paints, finally used one of those impulse purchases on sale "to decorate", and got to enlarge a image I love and have Bigger fun with it!!

Have a great Sunday -
HUGS and-

Animal Crackers - LOTS of Baby Gabrielle Photos :0)

 * Edited to Add: We need some prayers again here at Animal Crackers...... Gabrielle our baby has been pretty sick the past couple of days. Basically the heat and being a new born is too much for her this week. She is holding her own right now... praying that she gets stronger and eating more and can fight the heat and win!

This little donkey is definitely gonna be a Super Model! She is really getting into the posing for me! Love that! Gabrielle is stunning and looking like she may have her Mom's same pushy friendly personality - I hope so!

My new favorite photo....

I just love this photo!!!! The light, the angle? The way baby Gabrielle is coming over Mom Lacey's ear... I don't know... just love it!  But wait - close second this week...

Now you all know that we take traditional day one photos of "Dad" (Hubby) with the new baby. We have done this with every single baby born here. They are all similar, but the ones with Lacey... are always just too perfect! I swear she likes to smile and pose with them! She is even looking at the camera while posing up with the baby. It is too funny!

We were laughing at her and the way she poses for the camera when Hubby put the baby down and was loving on her. Well Mom Lacey wanted loving too!!! So she went in for her own hugs - Sweet photo isn't it. Oh my this one may have to be my new favorite.

LOL.... Lacey is a bit of an ox with her "loving hugs" and let me tell you she is strong as an ox too! Hubby nearly lost his head with this hug!! LOL

They are adorable - Mom and baby Gabrielle - I love them so!

One more close up! Isn't she pretty... even if all ears and legs at this point. Amazes me that when all these photos were taken she was only 7 hours old! Already making rounds around the pen and active. Just beautiful!

But as we left that pen... we found this across from us...

Little Yolanda - "HELLO.... I AM STILL ADORABLE TOO AREN'T I??"  Yes, Yolanda, a mess, shaggy and hot, but totally adorable! She needs more shedding brush done. It isn't good to remove the baby's fur even if hot - but we brush them a bit to try and remove the tangles of fur. Then she rolls around in the dirt and more are there. Once she loose her baby fur and can be cleaned up properly she is going to be a stunning little gal, with her dark face and markings. We still love you Yolanda... no worries there baby!

Turned towards the house and the dog yard, and goat pen I found Rhett like this...... Is there any more grain??? This one seems to be empty now. Don't worry... we have a few bowls on the ground for the little ones to eat out of so we don't make them eat on their tippy toes :0)

Now that both puppies are gone, Libbie has gotten real playful again. Her and Chica really have been tearing it up lately - loudly too I might add - They were running in circles here jumping at each other. Just a Mom and her oldest daughter having some fun!

And then there is my boy - 

Just how darn handsome is he???  Stunning boy when clean and brushed. Shame he gets so dirty so fast. It has been quite windy here in the evenings - he has that blowing hair cover of a romance novel look here doesn't he?? Snort.... snort! :0)

Well hope you enjoyed today's Animal Crackers! We have more babies coming through out the next month or so! I just can't wait!!!

HUGS and-

Just Magnolias and Hanglars - Holiday fun!

I would love a holiday!! Go off somewhere cooler maybe, sit and watch the ocean? The mountains? Heck a clean house! Don't matter somewhere to just sit and chill! But that isn't on the schedule anytime so I guess I'll have to just stay here and melt in the heat, and clean my own house :0) I am enjoying a little time out with the new baby, Gabrielle, dang she is a cutie! And I got some FANTASTIC photos for tomorrows Animal Crackers post! How is that for a teaser? :0)

But today is Just Magnolias and Hanglars Challenge and the theme today is Holiday fun. What holiday you ask? What ever holiday you would like! Me I went with more of a late summer holiday look. Wish I was Tilda here - she looks so peaceful and relaxed -

 My image ended up being a bit larger than I had planned - by the time I used Tilda sitting on her post, and then added the Heart carved trees on each side. Yes the one on the left did get 99% cut off :0) I drew in some rolling hills. My colors were chosen in coloring with my Copics to match the new My Minds Eye Lost and Found Sunshine papers. I am so totally in love with these Lost and Found collection!!! You will be seeing them quite a lot as I got a few of the color collections on a really good sale! LOL I sewed down tow of the pattern papers with a cream color mat behind each of them and the image. A simple satin ribbon across the middle.

I added three mulberry roses, Martha Stewart frond and branch punches. Do you love that sentiment or what!!

This is one of the new sets from Papertrey Ink - you stamp out a pattern for the "ribbon" then die cut it out with the matching die. Then the sentiments have lots of "toppers" to match the shapes of the tag ribbons. You can see them all here at Papertrey Ink. Love these! And this sentiment was just perfect for my summery holiday card I think! I added three buttons to the bottom of the tag .

I colored Tilda with my Copics - then shaded with pencils. Love the rich look this gives. I then added Stickles to Tilda's wings and then to the mulberry flowers for just a bit more bling.

Hope you will now pop over to Just Magnolia and Hanglar Challenge and then join us on our Holiday Fun.

I think I am going to pop this card onto my cards for sale page -

Then I am going to get dressed, and head out. Have a couple of errands to run, then meeting up with buddy Tracey for our Toe Day :0) - So need it! Hope you have something fun planned for today!

HUGS and see you tomorrow for Animal Crackers and LOTS of Gabrielle!

Me and My Space - more cabinets and flowers anyone?

Just a bit late today huh? Sorry.... time is just flying by me this week. Didn't help that I had to spend all afternoon yesterday in a very crowded office to get my drivers license. Wasn't thinking it would take that long - 1/2 a day, but that was a biggie checked off my list, and I really didn't want to get pulled over with an expired license next week -

So late it is today, but better late than never right?

I thought I would show a few more of my "boxes" that are on my desk. I am loving these JetMax Boxes/Cube thingies for my storage. They are clean and well so far pretty easy to keep organized.

Here is one of the divided cubes. Now this cube came with the one shelf and then a drawer. I purchased two of them and used the two drawers in one and turned this one sideways for more standing storage. One side is my Papertrey Ink Card stock, handmade papers, baby wipes. 

The other side is what I am calling my junk side. LOL I have some plastic shelf drawers left over from my last system. I have some of my little thing stored here. Basically unorganized "junk". Tags, clips, forms, you know all those little things you have no idea where to put. I also have my Spellbinders Grand Nestie standing here.... I am sure I will have to find a new system for these larger dies, as one will grow into more sets I am sure, but right now... one is all I have :0)

Below this cube is my two flower drawers - I have shown in the past.

Next to these two are two different styles. The top one is three drawers (I'll show them off later, still working on these) Then below is a glass door cabinet. Love this one!

In this cabinet is where I have my Air Compressor and Slice machine. Safe from the cat chewing on the cords.. yes, I have had to replace the compressor cords - they don't work with millions of little teeth holes in them do they? :0) They are also safe from dust and such, but that glass door keeps them in my sight and mind - so I don't forget to use them from time to time!

 Now for my personal item.... it is personal and well it is storage as well! We all love our flowers for our projects right? I love to also use some of the pretty flowers from the floral department of the craft store. Well... why not enjoy them as well?

 I purchased a very inexpensive watering can from IKEA - then I collect all my flowers that I am using for that season and "store" them in the watering can on top of my cube storage. Pretty decoration as well as useful. Now from time to time I have to shove them back into the can... again .... The Cat likes to get into my things and she will pull out the flowers to play with them. Sigh... good thing I love that Gato so much - cuz she makes me nuts sometimes, her biggest thing she gets into trouble for in my craft area..... she likes to tear paper. Yep... tear paper. Not a good thing in a paper crafting room. So all paper stacks and paper has to be cleaned off my desk when I am done or she will turn them into confetti - Very sad when she got a hold of a brand new stack of glitter papers once. Hubby had to remind me how much I love her that day.....

Again sorry I was so late today - hope you enjoyed a peek into my craft room. Have a wonderful day and I'll be back on Friday with my Just Magnolia and Hanglar post!

HUGS and

Spoon Full of Sugar - Happy Birthday!

Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge is back this week! And the theme this week is simply "Happy Birthday" - create a card/project for a birthday. We all love having those cards on hand don't we? For me I got a chance to play with one of the brand new Stampavie images!!! She is gorgeous! And I tried out a new folding technique. I have always wanted to try these cards! Too fun! Once I figured it out!

 My card base is a 5.5 X 12 inch card - I followed the sizes from a tutorial at Splitcoast. You can see it here.  Was a fun card to make, I used DCWV papers and sewed them to add more texture to the card. My flowers are Heartfelt Creations Die Cuts with the petals rolled and then stacked. The sentiments are from Papertrey Ink's Birthday Inside and Out set. (love that set)

And now that great new image! She is by artist Penny Johnson "Cute little Anna". Just love her! I colored with my new ProMarkers.... getting better, but I do believe I need more colors.. LOL

Here I used: Blush, Oatmeal and Ivory for the face. Buttercup and Carmel for the hair. Baby Pink and Dusty Rose for her scarf and ribbon in her hat. And then Powder Blue, Blue Pearl and Denim Blue for the shirt and hat. 

Here is the inside sentiment  - close up. Good Birthday sentiment!
Now make sure to pop over to Spoon Full of Sugar and see all the Birthday fun, then join us for another great prize this week ok?

Me... I think I am going to go and love on a new baby donkey :0)
HUGS and -

We have a new baby!

Leave it to Lacey to want to have her baby in the middle of the day! Yep... a few minutes before noon Hubby came in telling me to grab my shoes and camera that Lacey was in labor. By 12:15 baby Gabrielle was standing!

 

Now I have really struggled whether or not show "birthing photos", I have had request. And finally decided that they really are a miracle.  So I decided to go for it. If you would rather not see them, then just enjoy this top photo... and then I'll show more on Saturday all fluffy and cute.

Lacey does really well. And is a super Mom. Seriously from start to baby standing was about 15 minutes!

 We don't "help" unless there is danger. But we don't like it when they insist on giving birth in a not so clean place. Here Hubby is making sure that her nose is up and not shoved into the "dirt".

Sack has broke and now we are making sure that the baby is breathing on her own.. yep... and kicking too! She is ready to get going!

Now Hubby is making sure that the cord has broke clean, and all is well.... this is also where he peeked to see if we had a boy or girl :0)

Now Mom and baby are bonding. Then we get in there and bond :0)

And on her own standing just under 15 minutes... by 20-30 minutes she was having her first meal :0)

 Stunning little girl - Long super model legs - and love them long ears too! Saturday I'll show off more photos! Hope you enjoyed :0) It really is a miracle and blessing to be there during such an amazing thing!

HUGS and-