Whimsy Stamps Challenge! - Shabby Chic Vintage

Howdy -

Today is the Whimsy Stamps Challenge! And I love the challenge... Shabby Chic Vintage - and when I saw the new Crissy's Digi I knew it would look perfect with a Shabby feel to it.

This is "The Infant King"

Colored with Copics (colors below) Then found some old Christmas scraps - I inked the edges of everything with Ranges Tea Die Distress ink - Then dotted the corners with Viva Decor Pearl Pen. Ran a piece of vintage lace and then over that another favorite of mine from Whimsy - The Pink Petal Ribbons - I LOVE them!! If you haven't checked those out you must. Gorgeous colors available.  OH I added some stickles and some Marvy Snow Marker to the lamb :0) - I just love a fluffy lamb.

Inside I used one of Crissy's Love Sentiments - This is a Favorite! This set is so beautiful.

Close up - 

Copics Used -

Now hop on over to the challenge and see all the shabby chic and then join us!!! 

Whimsy Stamps October Digital Release!!

Howdy -

Second post for the day - Please scroll down for the High Hopes Challenge -

But now....

Welcome to the October Whimsy Stamps digital release blog hop!!!! 

We have lots of new images to share with you today created by 

Marika Collins Collection

Stamp Art Design

Lia Stampz

Crissy’s Digis

All Whimsy Stamps digital images are 300dpi for high print quality.You can re-size, flip, or rotate to fit your own project

  To find all of today's new releases please visit the

 Whimsy Stamps Store

Don't forget to leave comments along the way as there will be 2 mystery DT Members who will each be choosing a winner from the comments left on their hop posts!

 

These winners will each win a Whimsy digital image of their choice.

The Grand Prize winner of the hop will be chosen from the very last stop, which is 

Michelle Oatman's Blog (THAT IS ME!!!) 

 This winner will receive 5 digital stamps of their choice from the

 Whimsy Stamps Store

 

The hop will run for 1 week and end on Sunday 8th September at 12 Noon EST, when the lucky winners will be announced right here.

  

Below is a complete list of the hop in case you get lost along the way

Marjolein Dekker Dejagerr

Judith Gowdy

Jackie Randolph

Charlene Brown

Christine Garner

Jackie Smith

Judith Hall

Kelly Mannix

Lisa West

Michelle Oatman

Here is my project for the new release!!!

I was trying to bring on some fall weather by coloring up the new Stamp Art Designs Autumn Wagon -

The sentiment is a bonus with the set :0) Love that don't you?? - I used Copics (colors below) - Oh and the vines that I put behind the sentiment - those are Whimsy too... "Vines Die Set" They are useful with so many different images -

The inside matches the outside -

And here are the Copics used -

Now don't forget to comment for a chance for the prize :0)  -

And if you missed anyone along the way you are going to want to go back and see more  new images!

HUGS and -

High Hopes Challenge - A Sketch!

Howdy -

I will have two post today - one of those rare times when two companies both have stuff that needs showed off on a certain day ;0)

First is the High Hopes Challenge - And this week the challenge is a sketch. GREAT ! My brain just followed the dotted lines and with fellow DT member Anna making up the sketch for us it was a fun one to work with too!

To find the sketch pop on over to the High Hopes Challenge -

Here is my card

Well it ended up a bright one didn't it? LOL I used the Snow Couple Block. Sweet pair aren't they? I colored with my Copics ( colors below) then found a piece of Heidi Grace shimmer paper from YEARS ago - went with it and a red card stock and light blue card stock. Followed the sketch... I then guess I was just having so much fun I found myself added rows of pearls to it.. why no clue! LOL saw them on the desk and they seemed fun...

Then I used the new sentiment "Work of Art" , except I cut it apart and ran it along the horizontal band. Different...

After I put it all together, my snow couple needed some "ice" look. So I filled them in with Viva Decor Sparkle paper pen.

The inside ended up plain... but matches -

Here are the Copic colors used.

Again it is a bright card - but I love the color combo of red and bright blue.

Make sure to visit the High Hopes Challenge and see the other DT cards versions of the Sketch. Then join us for the challenge.

Now please come back later today for my second post! There is a new release at Whimsy!!

HUGS and  -

Animal Crackers - How Green is Your Grass?

Howdy -

I think I have been telling you the past couple of weeks about Hubby's "new grass". How we had moved around the donkeys to work on a couple of pens with some winter grass. You see you cannot put down grass seed and leave donkeys in that area. 1- they will eat the seeds 2- they will pull up any new growth before it is rooted in. So as much as it felt like torture the boys were locked out of their normal pen and put in the girls old pen next door.. and they had to watch the grass grow.

Yesterday afternoon Hubby decided that it was ok to let them back in.... I see children being let go and told eat as much as you would like in a candy store -

They didn't know where to go first and I am not sure now hours later.. that they have even looked up yet.

You can see they have lots to enjoy -

It is the greenest grass I have ever seen.. and it must be really good grass. I'll take their word on it though.

We had rain yesterday - surprise pop up showers. The three standard donkeys, lovingly known as "The Three Stooges", they normally head for the barn if they know a storm is coming. Normally... they have that animal instinct and know it is going to rain soon.. but yesterday, they got caught out in the rain. And heck maybe they just stayed out in it to cool of and enjoy -

Cocoa is the leader and makes all the decisions - so it was all her call - She is the only Woman of the three so of course she makes the final decision.

You can see she wet, she was soaked a little earlier but was already drying out in the hot humid sun. I see this photo of her and realize that she is getting older. She is starting to have more grey in her coloring. Hope she has many many years with us - She has a pretty good thing here... 20 acres. Eat what you want, it is all hers to roam and go where she wants.. Or doesn't want. Now the other "Two stooges" They have it the same.. other than they follow her -

Valentine McKee (he was named after a character in one of my favorite movies... there is some trivia for ya LOL) He is about 6 I think. A totally Momma's Baby - He is her shadow. And my boy too... Very slow and very sweet, unless he doesn't know you... or you have anything in your hands that could be considered medicine. Then He is fast strong and GONE.

Ted E. Bear

Our Walmart Greeter, and just about the sweetest boy there is. He was so wet from the rain. And was insisting on being petted. And yes... when a 750+ lb.  Donkey INSIST on being loved on. You DO! Even if he is wet and stinky! LOL Love this big guy.


Got a funny photo of Gracie yesterday after the rain....
She is my Super Model - Stunning Ice Blue eyes that seems to love to get her photo taken - But yesterday... I caught her lounging on top of one of the huts... a little afternoon Nap -

Even with her eyes closes sleeping she is a pretty girl. Can you see those Eye lashes??  Big blue eyes and gorgeous long eyelashes! LOL  Well she was named for Gracie Allen ... she was a looker wasn't she? (her brother was George BTW)

Now the last photo is about CRAZY -

 The chickens have just been acting nuts lately. Talking non stop - running all around - just nuts. Maybe it is the weather. There are no snakes. Hubby has been checking with me each day - and we have not found another. Whew. We are up to 9-10 eggs a day most days. There are 13 birds... so most all are doing their jobs. A few days here and there we only get 6 or so, don't know why but seems to be the normal each week. Honestly we have lots of eggs so if the girls slack a day or so a week it is ok...LOL

Well busy morning here  - Lots of chores, and plans today so better get busy. My priority of the day is a Pedicure with BFF Tracey... Hubby has a ton of other things, but once I confirmed the Pedi that was all I heard and cared about.. LOL

Have a wonderful weekend -
HUGS and-

High Hopes Challenge - Dies or Punches this week!

Howdy -

This week the High Hopes Challenge is a fun one - time to dig through all the million punches or dies and find one to use with a High Hopes Stamps.

Sometimes I just need a push to move across the room and go through my stash. Found quite a few punches I haven't used in forever! Like finding new supplies.

I chose to color up one of the new High Hopes Image "Buddy's Gift Block" - really cute teddy bear in one of the blocks. I keep thinking it would be cute to use all the new blocks in one project... hmmm will need to work on something....


Here is my card for this challenge though --- I used punches....

I found some winter snow flake paper in my scraps - and then used the Martha Stewart Jumbos border/corner set - Double Arches. Now I am going to be really honest here... I messed it all up when I figured my sizes. And I had already cut all my papers when I did my punch... it was the wrong size... and I couldn't get the punch to punch evenly with out totally messing it all up... SOOOOO I faked it I guess you can say. I punched the corners, and one border punch in on each side. Doing that left a big punched hole in the middle of each side... To fix it.. I wrapped it with the ribbon around both sides. First gold, then a ruffled red velour. Kind of reminded me of the present "Buddy" is holding... and it fixed my boo boo... My sentiment is also High Hopes - "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!"

Here is Buddy's Gift Box up Close -

And here are the Copic colors used -

Great challenge this week - you really need to join us!! And there is even better reasons to pop over to the challenge .... there is info on a Guest DT call!! We want you to come and play with us over at High Hopes! Head on over to the site and check out the facts... High Hopes Challenge 

Have a great day - :0) 

Hugs and 

Whimsy Stamps Inspiration - Autumn Delight

Howdy -

We had our first "cool front" here in Texas. And things are not cool, but they are actually very nice. Really gives the idea that summer is over and fall is coming.


Made me want to color up some fall -
This is "Autumn Delight" by StampArt Design by Kathryne.

  I colored with Copics - (colors below) And then found papers from Graphic 45 that were rich and reminded me of fall. I layered up patterns added my image, then found a sentiment also from Whimsy -
Gratitude Sentiments - Love this collection of great Sentiments

Here is my image up close -

And the inside of my card -

And Copic colors used -

If only coloring up Fall would bring it on sooner! But it has been nice here so no complaining -

Busy Busy Busy around here this week - getting ready for one of our largest Antique Shows coming up... cleaning, pricing, packing and getting all ready!

Hope you have great weather where you are and hope you have a very blessed day -
HUGS and -

Animal Crackers - The Sky is Falling!

Howdy

Well this week we have been blessed with some really fabulous RAIN! Yep.. really great Rain! I went out to check on my chickens yesterday afternoon... (I'll share why I have been a little on edge with them a bit later...) Anyway I went out to make sure they were good, there was more rain coming and actually it hit just after I got out into their Coop.

My reds are not rocket scientist... Hubby keeps reminding me they have "Pea Size Brains" But these ding-a-lings stand out in the pooring rain. They were soaked. They were really screaming out yesterday and all though they talk alot and yell out I have just been on edge. So I went out and took them their late afternoon veggies, and planned to gather the eggs.... took my camera to snap a few wet chickens for you ...

They LOVE frozen mixed veggies... all though it wasn't the normal hot due to the rain, but they still enjoy them. So even in the mud they were happy scratching around, clucking and pecking up their green beans, corn, peas and carrots. 

When I was heading back in I realized that all the goats were hiding from the rain. We do all know that they will melt if they get a drop of rain right? They think so.. But the Guineas... they were out screaming at the top of their lungs. Like the SKY WAS FALLING...DANGER DANGER!! I told them all was ok and to get under cover.. As I headed towards to porch I told Hubby " Those stupid birds are all out getting soaked in the rain! They are idiots! ".... He looked at me and laughed. Then he said... "Uh you really need to look in a mirror Dear, you are soaked... and you were out talking to birds in the rain... " Guess he was right.. LOL

Now I know you are all probably wondering why I have been on edge with my girls.... I know this is beginning to sound like a broken record... but earlier in the week I went out to gather the eggs, opened up the coop door started to poke my head in to check out each nest and get my eggs... when I saw this.....

It is a VERY good thing that I have been lectured a million times from Hubby to look before I reach in!! I saw about three inches of this slithering in one of the nesting boxes. In all he measures up to over 4 feet long!! I ran back into the house and yelled for Hubby to get outside NOW!  It took us a few minutes to get him out of the nest, we were not sure what kind of snake he was. Not a normal Bull Snake and Not a Rattler... So we decided that if we knew it was a Bull Snake we probably wouldn't have killed him. As they do eat bad things... But then after a "debate" we agreed that whether or not he was poisonous he now knows where the eggs are, and will make it a regular meal. So he needed to "be taken care of" Especially since we didn't know what kind he was. So he no longer lives.  I am ok with it... and the chickens are really ok with it - as they were VERY upset. Maybe that is why they have been short on laying eggs the past week? Do you think I have been reaching in and he has been in there for a week??? Oh I hope not.  We now know he is a Texas Rat Snake. Not a "Bad" Snake... unless you are in my chicken hut!  

Now I am even more cautious! 

How about some pretty cute photos now... 

 As I was out yesterday I had a talk with Miss Libbie... Little Missy does not like to go out into the yard when it is wet. So she will head out and stop on the edge of the porch and sit down. Now I know she need to do her business... but it is like pulling teeth to get her down the steps. I knew she had not gone out so I was talking to her and this is the response I was getting.....

Totally ignoring me!!! Completely!! I raised my voice a little and said "Libbie look at me and pay attention to Momma!" and I am not kidding this is what I got when she turned her head towards me!

I have no words... LOL

I found a photo from last week I wanted to share - with you Anna Belle "Bella"

Having a issue with this gal right now....  We have her boy penned off with the boys. Long over due but he has been there for a few weeks now. Most Mom's will be sad for a few days - cry out for their babies maybe... but they usually after a week forget and move on --- Bella is really causing us a little stress. I think we may have to create a special pen for her if she won't let go of her boy. She won't leave that side of the pasture. She stands near the fences Rain or Shine - won't leave hardly at all. We finally got her to follow us across the pasture for a little while, she grazed with the other ladies that day. I felt much better... next day - she was right back over near her boy all alone. I think we may just harness her up and bring her up to the house in a small pen. Do a little spoiling, TLC and take her mind off things....

So what is your weekend plans?

With so much rain, and more predicted for this morning, we are going to stick around here. A little clean up and house and farm chores are needed. Would love to just get in the Jeep and take off for a day trip... but sigh... oh well.

Hope you have some fun planned!
Have a great day!
HUGS and