High Hopes - Whooo Loves Ya!

Howdy! Ok, so this post is a couple of days late. Sorry - the antique show this past weekend was great, long and exhausting but great. But finally yesterday I was able to sit down and have some quality time, just me and my crafting supplies. Was fabulous!

Better late than never right - Here is one of the new High Hopes release for January from the Two by Two collection.

Feathered Friends and Sentiment "Whooo  Loves You, Baby!!" for this weeks High Hopes Challenge-

This weeks challenge is a sketch by the totally fabulous Anna Wight. Don't you just love her? It was perfect timing too as my brain didn't have to think at all! Just color and put it all together. So my Feathered Friends are colored with Copics (colors below) then cut into a circle. My branches are cut out so I could keep the circle a little smaller. Then I followed the sketch, keeping it simple for me. I used a piece of paper from Simple Stories with Core'dinations card stock. Some tan lace for the bands in the sketch. The sentiment is stamped on a sentiment block from the paper stack collection. I added three buttons in the bottom corner with twine tied through them.

Copic Colors -

Just love these two owls. Totally adorable! Now head on over to the challenge site and join in on the fun of the sketch! It is a fun sketch and you could be this weeks winner and win some High Hopes of your own!

OH and while you popping around High Hopes Challenge make sure to visit the High Hopes Main site. You are gonna want to sign up for the new Newsletter. Yep... that way you won't miss any new info about all the fabulous High Hopes Stamps! I got my email in as soon as I heard about it.

Now better run, weigh in at the Doctors today. Hope it is good news there, then a couple of errands to get ready for the next antique show! This new "job" is a lot of fun, but WOW it is a lot of work too! LOL

HUGS and -

Animal Crackers - How about a little more Then and Now?

I had so many tell me how great it was to see Tuco and Ammo's baby and then "grown" photos last Sunday - so this week for Animal Crackers I thought we would do a little more then and now shots.
Honestly... we are doing the antique show and I have not gotten out to take photos, first of the week it rained and was nasty, and then last part of the week we have been getting home after dark. Neither very good for taking photos. So I love seeing my "babies" and how much they have changed so I hope you will too this week -

My "Smiling Donkey" that named my blog :0) He is our handsome stud Jack  -

We purchased him when he was only 5 days old. We were lucky that they let us bring him home with his Mom as a loaner until he was old enough to wean. That way we could bond with him.

How about Lucy - one of our first baby goats. I totally fell in love with her and bonded right away with her.

Here she is all grown up with her last group of kids.

Josephine "Josie" - One of our  girls that has a fabulous sweet loving personality. Love this shot from this summer of her.. she is funny too.

As a baby she had the most adorable "Bangs". (odd both shots are through a fence huh?)

Chloe - or as well have affectionately nicknamed "pycho goat", Gorgeous but not a friendly girl. Very cautious. 

I guess the main reason for her being so stand offish, is not much handling as a baby. She was born just after my accident, I was not allowed to be out with any of the animals... that nearly did me in! She was a cutie wasn't she?

Gato our cat. She is like most cats. She owns the house. She is so much above the dogs it isn't even funny. We are very lucky she lets us live with her -

We are lucky to have her. Just don't tell her ok? Hubby and his brother found her when she was just a few weeks old. She was riding in the engine of our business delivery van. Yep.. she went all day riding in the engine. Then when they finally tracked the meowing down ( the engine is not the first place you look you know ) she freaked out and ran into the frame of the van. Have a while they finally got her out and Hubby brought her home. She was so tiny and young, I told him NO more cats. We had multiple cats over the years. It was nice to not have a little box, climbers, or something for the dogs to chase and break things. But she came home anyway... just until we found her a home. Yea... I know, I saw that little face and the meow, and that was it. She was my kittie too... I held her all day there for a while cuz she was so little. Now I can't imagine the house with out her.

 My boy Autie... my love, my funny man. He is our big boy of all four toys. A little too big in fact. Sometimes it is hard to remember the little tiny timid puppy we brought home -

Oh my he was so little! Totally round and fluffy. You could hold him in one hand.  Just too darn cute to even describe. 

And since I showed Autie... how about Miss Libbie... she is a beautiful dog. Well when clean and brushed she is a beautiful dog. 

Oh man was she a totally stunning gorgeous puppy. I use to snap photos every day, she LOVED to pose for me. And would just stop and be in one of those magazine perfect poses too. And those eyes... they would melt you! (still do at times, and they get her out of trouble too)

Hope you enjoyed. Hubby and I really sat here and oooh and had a little remember fest over all the photos. I could have kept going and showed off all of them, but I already went pretty long can you even imagine if I did everyone? LOL

Day two of the antique show! Better run!

HUGS and have a fabulous Saturday!

High Hopes January Release Blog Hop!

Howdy - 

Today is the blog hop to celebrate the Double Release. The Dream Team will be showcasing some of the designs from both the "Two by Two" and "Senior Moments" releases. Both releases will be available to purchase today. 

There will be candy along the way, but you won't know where. Therefore, make sure you leave a comment at each stop just in case that's the home of the candy!!

The blog hop ends at 7pm EST on Sunday, Jan 13th with the winners being posted on Tuesday.And now it's time to hop along to the Dream Team's blog for some fun and inspiration...

Kristine

Karen

Alie

Michelle

Aaemie

Lynne

Alex.Anna

Lacey

Andrea

Here is my card for the hop - I used Toucan Twosome from the Two by Two collection! 

Really went up a tree on this one huh? I colored with my Copics, and then cut out the few leaves on the right. I used a Memory Box tree branch die and ran them across for the "hint" of a large tree. The leaves are Magnolia dies, and the fence is a Memory Box as well. Love the sentiment, it is part of the new Two by Two Collection that is being release today - 

Inside is super simple with left overs from my papers. 

Now it is time to follow those links and see all the other DT's projects. And don't forget to leave those comments - as no one knows where the prizes are....could even be me! 

Alrighty I am off - Weigh in at the Doctors office this morning. Hair cuts at my Mom's beauty shop. Need to hopefully find time to get my nails done before we have to start setting up tomorrow for the weekend Antique Show in New Braunfels! And I still have to finish getting things together and we have to pack the trailer this afternoon. Gonna be a long day I think - Sigh..

Hugs and - 

High Hopes Release Day Two - Senior Moments

Howdy! It is day two for the High Hopes January Release and today we are also making it the first challenge of the year for the High Hopes Blog. Today we are showing off the second collection being released. And this one is just fabulous! "Senior Moments" perfect for so many fun cards!

And the challenge? To make a card using a High Hopes Stamp and have stitching included. That can be "Real" stitching or "Faux"!

For my card.. oops I did two! They were so fun I just went nuts! So for my CARDS I used the fun Cat Lover Cathy image and the second I used Betty Bubbles! The names are as fun as the images.

Cat Lover Cathy -

OH I know a few people this card would be great for! I colored with my copics - You can see I did my stitching! Blanket stitch around the papers. The sentiment is also from High Hopes -

Second card - Betty Bubbles

Great fun image as well... I know a few women that this would be pretty funny for as well. I colored with Copics - and added Viva Decor Sparkles to the bubbles. The Sentiment is from High Hopes as well and is part of the new Senior Moments collection!

Make sure to pop over to the High Hopes Blog and see all the great cards from the DT! Then pull out a High Hopes stamp do a little stitching on your project and join us for a chance to win some great new stamps!

Sorry a bit of rush post today.. wanted to show both cards, and well.. I am behind getting ready for the antique show this weekend! So I am just a tad more nuts than normal! I know scary huh? LOL

Come back tomorrow... more High Hopes for you to see!

HUGS and-

High Hopes Release! Today is Two by Two!

Howdy! Today is the first day of the High Hopes January Release! And this month there are two collections! First up is the Two by Two, and this collection is just tooooo cute!


For my card I am showing the image "Monkey Mates"

Totally loving this image. I colored with my Copics, then cut into ovals. For my card I used the BoBunny "Little Miss" Collection. I just love the browns, pinks and greens, perfect color combo's for my monkeys. I found a couple of patterns and then found two colors of core'dinations card stock to mat with on a cream colored base. I sewed things down - just in simple squares. I then used a Whimsy double scallop die that I ran a brown satin ribbon and a peach colored seam binding ribbon tied in a bow. It is a simple card, in fact I didn't even add a sentiment - I may later, but right now I just liked it as is and it can be used for lots of type of cards.

Inside is all my left over papers :0)

Make sure to pop over to the High Hopes blog and see all the DT's new release images. And make sure to head back tomorrow to see the other new collection! It is a scream! I can't decide which I like best.

Have a great Monday!
HUGS and

A Year Ago... We are having a Birthday!

Howdy! Today's post is all about fun! It is a memorable day here... it is Tuco's and Ammo's First Birthday!! When I realized that it was this weekend, I thought it would be fun to have Tuco, mail Ammo a birthday card. Yes I am a dork. (Our first dog after Craig and I married I threw a birthday party and invited all our family and friends. We had cake, hats presents and a BBQ! Seriously we did and Yes I am a Dork!) But back to now...  I had so much fun making Ammo's card and sending it. But first I thought it would be great to see a then and now of the boys -

Tuco -

Ammo -

I can hardly believe it has been a year! Remember how Ammo was three times the size of Tuco? I called Ammo Tank, and I had to supplement feed Tuco with and eye dropper because he was so little and couldn't get in to eat. Now... he has no problems, he gets right in there and eats just fine. I asked Ammo's new Mommy and Daddy to message me over a photo of Ammo now. He looks so much like his big sister Chica doesn't he? Except for those freckles.. I love that he still has those!

So last week I went to work on a birthday card from Tuco to Ammo - again DORK here!! I love how it came out!

First I started out with one of my favorite Whimsy images - Crissy's Digi - Dog Song. I colored him up to sort of look like Tuco. Can't you hear him "singing" happy birthday? I cut him out so I could pop him on the front of the card. Then I created the banner. LOVE the banner! All Whimsy - the banner stamps are called "Celebration Pennants" then they are cut out with the matching dies "Banner Pennants Die Set" OH this is so much fun! I ran a piece of twine through the top of the banners to attach them all.

For the papers  - How perfect are these papers? - I flipped through a new 6x6 pad Farm House "Fair Skies" (I have one left in my eBay store ) Love the Farm House papers, they are so me. I found the pennant paper in the stack and knew I had to use it. Added a EK Success border punch on top and bottom. Found two other papers... the blue gingham is just so boy, and the musical sheet well hello... Tuco is singing Happy Birthday! So perfect. Sewed everything together, attached it all then Cut out "Ammo" from a Sizzix Alphabet die. I flew through making this card! It just went together all on its own. I did just about the same for the inside  - but I added a special inside from all of us -

Told you it was a special day! I am thinking we need to at least get Tuco a big Chew bone or something today - wonder what Ammo will be getting? I am sure they have something planned for him, I know he is spoiled with love and treats too!

Hope it all made you smile - :0)
Have a great Sunday - I'll be back tomorrow with a High Hope Release Hop!
HUGS and -

Animal Crackers - A little of everything

Wow, it has been a week since I had a post. Honestly I had one that I thought I scheduled to come on Thursday, but it was still as a draft. So you will see it tomorrow, and that is a better day for what it is anyway. :0) You won't want to miss it ok?

So this weeks Animal Crackers post is a little of everything, some from last week, a couple of phone snaps during the week, the weather was nasty the past few days wet and cold. So I am really glad I had so many from last week!

Love Miss Jill - She is not only gorgeous, but a sweetheart too. Her girls always end up looking just like her - Long thin face, and of all the goats, Jill has the best looking horns.

Here she and one of the twins was cleaning up what was left of breakfast hay. Oh... and if you look way far in the background on the left... her other daughter Shirley was reaching through Peso's pen to clean up breakfast that he had not finished.

Speaking of looking like Mom - Can't hide that Joanie is Scarlet's kid!

She is for sure going to have that deep red fur like her Mom. BUT she has those stunning thigh high black boots! Joanie is starting to really tame down. Her brother Chachi is a obnoxious nut - way OVERLY friendly LOL and now Joanie is starting to realize that the scratches and loving is a good thing!

Little boy Flavio - still timid and cautious, but getting better. He is a looker though!

Totally adorable isn't he? And oh my wish you could feel that jet black velvet nose! Soft as silk!

Cali and Juliet. Usually there are three always together... but for some reason Lydia wasn't in this shot.

These three are the best of girl friends. They are so close we still have not let Juliet out to run with the standard three stooges. She just hates to be separated from her little friends. But man does she stand out in that pen of little girls! LOL Juliet is Teddy's (our standard) full sister. And I cannot tell you how many times I have glanced up across the little girls pen to see her out there and have a second of a total freak out. You see Teddy's is not allowed in with the little girls as he could "hurt" them. And Juliet is looking more and more like her older brother. And that second of panic really does make my heart jump, then I grin and remember that Juliet is suppose to be in there!

Another pretty little girl - Camilla

She really has the most unusual coloring. really stunning when you get to looking at her in the bright light. She has everyone's coloring, Peso's white and grey, her Mom's red and black, her Grandpa's black and white... and I think she is going to have the longer hair like Grandpa as well.

Here is a good color shot! Snapped this on Wednesday just as Hubby had thrown in some fresh alfalfa!

So lets see.. that would be like someone pitching in chocolate into a group of women... or wait maybe brand new release stamps, pattern papers and new ink colors? LOL it was wild lets just say that -

Last week I showed you Sam and Momma cat in the beds of the cat house. This is a photo I took of Big Moe enjoying the warmer winter sunny afternoon  -

I would so take this big guy in the house in a second.... if I didn't think that Gato would freak, and that the dogs would get totally nuts chasing him. And then breaking things. We are pretty lucky with Gato and all our antiques. She is super careful, even when Libbie is trying to catch her. Big Moe... I don't think he would be so careful. And besides he really loves the cat house - his house with the 4 gals. He looks content doesn't he? 

Now I know I showed Autie last week... but Hubby snapped this one this week and it was just too cute to not show 

 I had a box of goodies delivered this week. And as part of the packing to strengthen the box they had used snapple box bottoms - Hubby just took them out and pitched them on the floor while we unpacked the box - they weren't on the ground 2 minutes before Autie decided that they looked sort of like a bed -  He loves to sleep on things! Love my rolly polly boy! We are going to have to really get him loosing weight... we are still fighting that battle with him and Libbie. Libbie seems to have lost some. I think. But Autie isn't. Their food has been changed to healthier food, and we are really watching how much is given. No more when ever you ask for it, we measure it out. I think he is eating bugs and things outside that must be fattening! Maybe he needs to go in with me to one of my Dr. appointments and get on my program. 52.5 lbs down baby!

Well I am off! Things are going to be nuts around here for a few months. Two antique malls to keep booths stocked, and we have a whole bunch of Antique Shows lined up!  Plus I have a bunch of post lined up this week! Release at High Hopes and a few fun things I got done over the New Year break. Starting off with tomorrow... make sure to pop back cuz this project really made me smile!

Have  A GREAT Saturday!
HUGS and