Animal Crackers - It's All About the Kids!

OH my has this week been all about the Kids!!!! So this last weekend was the Formula One Races here... we had tickets for all three days. I knew and had been telling Hubby that the 8 Mom's to be would all wait until then, and when I was dead tired. And that is exactly what they did. I showed you a few photos earlier in the week.

Scarlet went first Saturday night - she thankfully did it earlier in the evening so I could get some sleep for the race on Sunday and the last day of a million miles to walk... Scarlet had twins, Joanie and Chachi. Then on Sunday evening Chloe went into labor, she had two... and then after hours with her we finally decided that there had to be one more, and we had to pull a still born. She is doing great now, and is back to queen of the pen Chloe. Her kids are Luke and Leia -

They are very independent, and active most of the time. But I caught them napping here...

Rhett then decided it was her turn Monday - She did wonderful and especially since she had triplets. Her first baby last spring was a single much easier to keep track of and control. Three... well she has had to learn to corral and control them... LOL  Her kids are two boys and a girl.  Peter, Paul and Mary.

I have a thing for Peter... he really loves to be held, and he is a real looker!

Not that Paul isn't handsome too!

 I have no clue where Mary was... odd thing is that these kids love to all mix up. They sleep in one huge wad of kids, and they run and scatter and play. When a Mom calls... her kids separate out and head over to her. But other than that they are all one big party! 

Then Lucy decided that she wasn't going to let her baby sisters Scarlet and Rhett have all the attention with their kids so she went into labor. And within about 30 minutes delivered triplets of her own. Two girls and boy... We named them Charles, Lady Di and Camilla  -

 All three of these are just too cute. And very sweet. Lucy is a bit more controlling of her kids and these three stick closer to Mom and usually are not far from each other.

Adorable huh?

Tuesday night we had dinner plans with friends from high school. We don't get to see each other very often, so we look forward to seeing them and catching up and laughing a lot! About one hour before we were to leave... Jill decided that she wanted to take up some of my time and deliver two sweet little girls.

Jill did great with the first one, but the second was a bit tougher... and she was worn out. Laverne was up and walking all over the place within minutes of being born. Screaming the entire time. Shirley... was smaller and quiet when she finally arrived. Oddly, Jill was so concerned about the active loud Laverne that she forgot about Shirley for a bit. She did finally get the two together and fed them both. But she never did clean up Shirley like she normally would have. I decided to wait and give her a chance as that is such a bonding time and went on to dinner. But when we got home poor Shirley still wasn't fluffy and pretty. So I took her inside and gave her a special warm bath in the bathroom sink. I think she really loved it. And now we have a special bond :0) She LOVES to be held and cuddled. Don't worry though... Jill gave her another bath once we got back outside and she still is totally caring to her daughter.

Then before we crashed for the night on Tuesday - Belle decided that it was now her turn. She gave birth to baby one easily and cleaned her up and fed her right away.

Confused us as usually they don't clean and feed until all the babies are born. And Belle still had a some size to her so we thought there was more to come. A while later she started up labor again... and pushed and pushed... nothing. We checked and yep... there was one there, but coming the wrong way. And not only that but with legs all crossed up. We couldn't help with the baby at all. And believe me Hubby and I both tried. The only thing we could do is comfort her and wait till closer to morning and call the vet. I stayed outside with her all night. About 4:30am I just had to go in for a little while. Hubby went went back out at 5:30 and somehow she birthed the baby... along with a third, that seemed to have wedged up next to the other. Both were still born and poor Belle she was totally exhausted. Took her a couple of days to recover to herself. That and a some vitamins and lots of TLC. She is doing much better, and is totally a great Mom to her little girl. Sweet Pea.... I held her a ton that first couple of days... and the nick name I use for lots of babies, well it stuck on her.

This was too funny to not share - I was in the goat pen quite a bit this week. Especially with Belle - All the dogs were very interested in everything that was going on. And all the bouncing kids... well that just drives them totally nuts. LOL But here they had been watching Belle and her baby, and feeding time. They were there for quite a while I guess - Chica fell asleep and Autie.. well his head must have been really heavy to hold up don't you think?

 Too cute...

So that is seven Mom's in just four day!! Seven Mom's and 14 kids!! Now I only have one Mom to go. Annie - She is as wide as the barn! I snapped a photo of her Thursday that seems to be her laughing saying -  "I held out the longest! ha ha!"

 She is getting close though. Hopefully she won't wait until late in the night. I really do need to catch up  on sleep this weekend. But whenever she is ready I'll be there!  I am so glad they all did wait through our crazy month, December should be much calmer and that means I can spend LOTS of time bonding with everyone. There is NOTHING more fun than sitting out in the middle of a bunch of hopping, jumping, wiggling, bouncing kids! I am thinking I may spend the day doing just that :0)

Hope you have something fun planned -
HUGS and-

Whimsy Inspirations

Howdy! Today is the Whimsy Inspirations post! There is so many great images this month - especially with all the Christmas fun.

I used the great Christmas Tree image by Lia Stampz - a great wonderful Tree for your holiday projects. Me, I thought it would be good to start making up a few more gift items. And ran across my Sizzix Big Shot Pro Pillow Die box while sorting a few things in my craft room. It has been a while since I used it... and the tree seems to be a perfect image for the pillow box and a gift.

Green card stock for the pillow box. Then a piece of Tina Wenke's FABULOUS new papers. (www.tinawenke.com) Love how whimsical this pattern is, but has a great solid pattern look for behind my image. I colored the Christmas Tree with my Copics, then went all stickles on it. A tree has to sparkle right? I cut it loosely out - Ran a piece of Merry Christmas ribbon and the two red satin ribbons and bows around the ends.

Because I will probably make multiples of this I kept it sort of simple. Well simple for me. I think the tree and big red ribbons set off the gift box all on their own.

Close up of my stickles tree ..

Love how with the digitals... it will always fit your project. You set the size and print out and color. Totally love it!

Now you really need to head on over to the Whimsy Inspirations blog and see all the DT projects.

Have a great day... more Goats to show off later in the week!! Things have been hopping around here let me tell you!
HUGS and -

Animal Crackers - 4 Mom's - 8 Kid's 36 hours.

Wow!! I told you when they started it would be lots of babies at once! So it was a very tiring long weekend with the Formula One race. Was LOTS of walking, and I used muscles I forgot were there. I have been so sore, but thrilled to have gotten to go and actually see the race in person. Hubby is a HUGE F1 fan, and for the past 26+ years the TV is on for the live races, even if that meant setting the clock on a Sunday morning before the sun came up. But to see the race in person and better yet FEEL the race, was thrilling.  I took over 900 photos in the three days. We were exhausted when coming home, and looking forward to a hot shower a couple of aspirin and heading off to bed..... but then the goats decided that wasn't going to happen -

Scarlet went first, I knew she would as she was showing the signs earliest. I didn't get photos right away as it was dark - I tried to get photos this afternoon, and well the twins just didn't want to cooperate. These two are always on the move and poor Scarlet keeps loosing them and having to walk around the pen calling out for them.

I named Scarlet's twins (one boy and one girl) - Joanie and Chachi - and these two are going to be active little ones! I will work hard to get better photos for Saturday's post - Just need to set my camera for all my race settings again.. LOL  (Cleatus is the daddy for these twins)

Then last night really late, Chloe went into labor. She did ok with the first two, but then things stopped and she laid down like it was all over, I kept a close eye on her all night, and all day... mid day she was acting like she was in pain. She had a third baby that was stuck. So Hubby and I had to pull it ourselves as the Vet couldn't get here for hours. We got it done, and finally she is doing good and acting like a new Mom with her kids. Poor thing is worn out and sore

Hubby named her babies... Luke and Leia. They seem to be doing well, I supplemented some kid milk during the day, but they are now eating healthy meals from Mom. (Cleatus again for Chloes's twins)

In the morning while dealing with Chloe... Daisy decided she was ready - She did most everything all on her own, the best way. Now last time Daisy had quads - but she wasn't very big this time so we were not sure what to expect... but at least more than one. But nope, she just had one BIG baby!

He is a cutie.. Big but a cutie! Hubby named this one too ... Tonto - Seems to fit him! (Peso is the Papa for Tonto)

Now ... as I was typing this and uploading my photos I took a second to run out and check on everyone.... yep..... as I head towards the pen I hear new noises. Rhett had already had hers!! I get through the gate and around the pen to find her cleaning up three little black and white babies! All black and white with blue eyes it looks. And I think two boys and a girl. Not 100% yet as it was so dark. I'll check better tomorrow and get photos then as well. My night time photos just are not coming out well lately. 

So 4 Mom's - 8 kids's - 36 hours!  Three more Mom's to go!!!! 

HUGS and 

Animal Crackers - Roar!!! HUh?

No I did not see lions yesterday. Nope.. we were at the Circuits of America's F1 practice. And most all day it was an enormous roar, the ground shook, and then every time some would talk to you it was HUH? what was that? And we were wearing ear plugs! WOW those cars are loud! But exciting and fun too! We have a two more days... today is qualifying and Sunday is the actual race. I just hope I make it. I am so sore! We must have walked a 100 miles, from parking all the way around the track to our seats, then out to get lunch and around the track then to the parking again. I have no where that doesn't hurt. Just hope that today isn't as much walking...

Now it took us so long to get home it was dark. And I didn't take many photos at all this week cuz I am STILL waiting on baby goats!!!! I just knew when we got home there would be new kids in the pen. In fact Thursday night I got up twice in the night to check on them. Sadly I passed out Friday night and couldn't get alert enough to walk out to their pen... but they were good. Maybe today is the day.


One photo of Jill... she isn't on my on call list. Hasn't shown any signs of being close and most of the time doesn't even look that wide. Now she did not look huge last time either, and she had three. So who knows these goats keep me guessing all the time!

Snapped a good photo of Gato too... we were having a talk. A serious discussion. I was explaining to her that she cannot climb and sleep on my boxes of antiques. She is going to crush something, or turn it over and break something.

I guess you can tell by the photo that she really wasn't too concerned about my worries. Her house, Her box and I am lucky to be able to live here and take care of her. The life of a cat.... to be so lucky.

Now please don't be upset, but that is it for today. I know not much. But I KNOW that we are gonna have goats right away... and then I will pop a Animal Crackers post in a extra post for the week.

Hope you have a great day!
HUGS and

High Hopes - Another Donkey Card :0)

Howdy-

Today I have a card that Hubby asked me to do. Yes, every once in a while he ask me to make a card for one of his friends. This one had to be on the edge funny. Cuz this guy is always kidding around and cracking jokes. So of course I had to do a Donkey card... and one of my all time favorite for this "type" of card is High Hopes Brayden's Backside....

This guy is so cute. I started with a kraft card stock base, dark brown card stock mat and then two patterns of paper from Simple Stories Generations stack. My loops are Martha Stewart Loop border corner punch. I sewed things down, and then found some brown satin ribbon to go around the card. Since this card was for a guy, I decided that a bow was just about all the embellishments I should do. Brayden is colored with my Copics. Sorry... I totally forgot to take a photo of them as I was hurrying to get the card done so we could mail it.

Now I did the inside as well... and please don't be offended ok? But this was for an adult man with a wild sense of humor. So I created a sentiment on the computer for him.

He called last night to tell us that he got his card. He was laughing so hard and totally loved it. So it was perfect for him. Again.. hope it didn't offend you - all in fun.

It is nice sometimes to create a card special for someone that is totally them and just for fun. It was great to hear how much he liked it and have him laughing so hard over it.

Hubby and I spent most of the day yesterday getting official. Well the Antique business official, we have been official for 26 years... LOL   We headed into the big town and to the courthouse downtown. I stress going downtown, parking.. paying for parking, getting in the courthouse with all their security just to sit in a chair and wait til our number is called to get our business name filed. And that took about 5 minutes. Got out of downtown, then to the bank... yes a long while there too, but not quite as stressful.  But now it is all done! Whew! Seems like a waste of day, I would have much rather been out antiquing finding things to sell... but we have to be legal right? Now we can really get serious and get to selling lots of antiques!

Now to get things going for the day. I think it is a stay at home getting chores done! Much needed day for sure. Plus I am really getting a little jumpy over the goats. There are a few out there that just look totally miserable! They are going to pop for sure, they are so big! But no babies yet. Hopefully soon as they just make me hurt all over watching them. They can't stand, uncomfortable. They can't lay down, uncomfortable, they can't sit, well I think you get where I am going. They are just not happy campers right now. I am so hoping to see some happy bouncing babies soon!!!!!

Toodles for today -
HUGS and-

High Hopes Challenge - Non Traditional Colors

Howdy-

It was a wonderful show this past weekend. And now a few days of regular things - then this coming weekend... busy as ever, but this weekend it is with friends at the US Formula One Race! We have three day tickets so we could see everything. But for today it is just a slow day around here to get some chores done, coloring and enjoying the animals.

Today is also the High Hopes Challenge, and this week it is all about using NonTraditional Colors on your holiday card. I started to pull out one of the new release stamps, and I just kept seeing Cowboy Snowman. He was shouting out that he really needed to be inked up and used. How can you tell a Cowboy no?

As you can see I went with Pink and Brown as my NonTraditional colors. Pretty far from the normal holiday colors I would say! I found a piece of this pink glitter DCWV holiday paper in my stash, and then used Core-dinations brown card stock run through a Sizzix embossing folder and sanded. I brown gingham ribbon and zig zag stitching helped finish the card.  Cowboy Snowman was stamped on kraft card stock I then colored a few areas with my Copics, including the sky. Then the snowman and the ground I colored with a white pencil to have it pop more. I added gold stickles to the star and bandana for some bling. The edge I also added stickles for a sparkle mat.  The sentiment is also from High Hopes. "Roundin' Up Some Winter Fun!"

Inside -

Simple inside. I have been leaving the insides without sentiments. As most of my cards have been being sold recently and they have asked to have an area to write their own sentiment. So that is ok with me!

Now you need to see all the other colors over at the High Hopes Challenge!  Then please join us! YOU can be the winner of the challenge and win yourself High Hopes Stamps!

Better run - I want to get chores done early so I can play the rest of the day :0)
HUGS and-

Me and My Space - Show Booth 2

Howdy -

 Promised to show you photos of our second Antique Show booth. These are not good at all. We had a wider booth this show and I couldn't back up far enough to show you the entire booth in one photograph. You can also see into the neighbors booth a tad... but at least you will get the idea. :0)

To the Left -

It was also sort of dark when I took it... sorry. But I think you can see that it is pretty full. Totally love the  Handmade Texas Child's bed we found, perfect display for some of the older dolls and the 1850's Doll carriage. Hubby's corner wall really helps anchor our booth. This time I took quite a bit of my Transferware, Flow Blue, Feather Edges Pearlware and Children's Creamware plates. Lots of Dolls, I think I told you that I was lucky to purchase quite a few from one ladies' collection a few weeks ago. Toys, more Toys and then a few more Toys. The large General Store Coffee and Tea Tins really get attention too. oh.. and then my new "little" item that Hubby got me :0)

To the Right of the booth -

We put the antique Schoenhut Animals and the Circus Tent up in the back this time. One I felt it was a little safer, and two... we were totally out of space. More toys, you might see a couple of my tin toy washing machines on the shelves. I love those things, Hubby thinks it is funny to tell people that I seem to love the toy washing machines but have a problem finding our large real one.. ha ha. Kitchen tins, Yelloware, Baby plates, Furniture and then Hubby added in a few pieces of Indian War collectibles, have to have a few things for the men you know. But honestly... I think more guys get a kick out of some of the toys than the women. LOL

Larger booth by a little, but it seems smaller and tighter to get around.

Ok.. now a little better photo of my "little" present -

How stinking cute is this donkey. This was a quick photo I had snapped the day we found it. Honestly I never imagined that Hubby would buy it. I mean I knew we both totally adored it. But it is HUGE. I showed the one with Hubby looking at it so you could see just how large. We honestly think it is bigger than most of the "real" minis. LOL

So what is it?  "She" (we named her Sonia cuz she reminds us so much of our little Sonia) She is a New York Macy's Store Window Display from the 1940's. She is paper mache, but is pretty stout, with a wood frame under neath. I don't think anyone should actually ride this rocking donkey, but it is actually pretty strong. I just love her face. Those eyes just melt me. I nearly passed out when Hubby said we had to have it. Problem... it wouldn't fit in our truck. Oh the bed.. but no way was I letting it ride back there. So the kind man we bought her from delivered her to the show for us, that way we can take her home in the closed in box trailer with all the other things at the end of the show. I probably should have just let her stay in the trailer during the show. But I felt sorry for her being locked in there all by herself. So we just let her stay in the booth with us.  So where am I going to put her in the house? Well that is a really great question!!! When I figure that out I'll let ya know, cuz we have talked and talked about it, and everywhere we come up with she is either too tall, too long or not safe there. So we will keep working on it... but she has a home for sure!

Better run - lots to still do tonight (scheduled my post to come on as we are heading out so early) Hope you have a great Sunday -

Hugs and -