Just wanted to say HI.....

I really worked on this one, pulled out the sewing machine even!

The challenge for Cute Card Thursday Blog is to pull out your pattern paper.

Well Check... although I use it on nearly every card I make so no problem there.

Instead I challenged myself to really put a lot into this card. I matted each of the Basic Gray Sultry papers with the light pink solid that came with them. I also punched out a border for the border with a Martha Steward Scallop punch with the dark pink Sultry paper. I sewed them down with a zig zag stitch in hot pink thread.

The sentiment is a Penny Black, I loved it when I saw it online and added it to the end of an order. I think I need more Penny Black stamps. I stamped it on the pink Sultry paper in Colorbox Catseye dark brown ink. Matted with the same Bling Bazzill as I was planning for the base.

Now to my adorable House Mouse stamp. I love this little guy... (and yes hubby love them on my stamps but NEVER in my house!) I colored him with my Copic Markers, and highlighted with white gel pen. I cut him with my Nestibilites oval and then matted with the dark Sultry pink paper. Dotted the scallops with white gel pen.

I added some Prima flowers in the corner and used bright green buttons for the centers.

Now to the inside.... I have been seeing so many wonderful cards that have been decorating the inside of the cards. Claudia at Paper Pressings does this so well. I thought this was the perfect card to give it a try. So I stamped a tiny House Mouse stamp in the corner of white card stock, colored with Copics, then sewed around the edge with the hot pink thread. You know it didn't take more than a few minutes to add the inside and it really does add so much more! Will be doing more insides.

Well I am happy with this one, and now I will get to my Friday chores, one is getting my things together for my Saturday classes at the Scrapbook Corral. I have two classes tomorrow and I am not ready at all! Yikes!

Hope you have a great Friday!

Card Info:

Stamps: House Mouse, Penny Black

Papers: Bazzill Bling, Basic Grey Sultry

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Colorbox Catseyes Dark Brown

Accessories: Copic Markers, Uniball White Gel Pen, Spellbinders Nestibilities, Sewing Machine, Thread, Prima Flowers, Buttons, Pop Dots.

Fun in the Sun!

Running late today... hubby is home from work and we are going to try and get some much needed work done around here. Why is it when he is home I am running late? Anyway - a quick post -

The Tilda and Friends ATC Challenge is "Beside the Sea". When I think of the beach I think of the birds, running along the seashore. I love watching them in the wet sand, and the little foot prints they leave. I colored the birds from the Magnolia Spring Stamp Collection to match those I see here. I then added the Spica glitter pens to them to add just a bit of sparkle, the sea spray does get them wet you know. I also used the clouds from the Spring collection, they are "colored" in with Liquid Pearls to give them a puffy but shiny look. The waves and sentiment are from a Close to my Heart set called... "fun in the sun". I tore some scrap paper for the sand and hand drew the sun. I used Copics and Spica Glitter pens to make is shine. I used my black Sakura Glaze pen to draw in the legs and the birds flying in the sky. I matted it on scrap paper and cut with my decorative scissors. Fun theme this week... that makes two beach cards for me this week! Wish I was planning a trip there!

Well better get this on, and get some work going. Hope you all have a wonderful Thursday! And don't forget my blog candy... we are getting close to the drawing date! See it HERE.

A guy card, and two ladies -

I got a new camera last night... so you might be seeing more "nature" photos, meaning more of my babies. You know I have to learn how to use this fancy thing and I do have lots of subjects to pose for me. So please bear with me.

I will go ahead and show today's card first. The challenge this week at Papertake Weekly Challenge is to do a card for the fella's in our life. Well I made one, a very serious, adult card. Showed it to hubby and he said man that thing is blah. Really not your best work dear. Do one of your fun stamps instead. Uh well... ok.

So I went back to my desk and pulled out this "fun" fella. He is a Rubbernecker Stamps image, I colored him in with Copics and highlighted with gel pens, and Spica Glitter pens especially his buckle and gun. I then pulled out a sheet of Bazzill in the same shade as I used on my little dude to use as the card base. I used a piece of Papertrey Ink brown kraft paper to use my Cornish Heritage Farms Background stamp. How fun is it with all of these brands on it. So western. I tore the top right corner off just to look a little more rough. The sentiment is made to go with the cowboy, I love the barn wood letters. I doodled around things with Sakura glaze pens and a white gel pen, but before I stuck it all down I thought it needed something to "hold" down the sentiment, so I cut slits in the sides and ran a scrap piece of brown ribbon through it. I then showed hubby again, he smiled and said, oh yea that is better. More you. What ever that means...........

I took my new camera out this morning while feeding breakfast. I took 78 photos! These were two of my favorites. I really need to study the book on it and learn more. In case you want to know what I got, it is a Sony DSLR - A350K. I liked the live view tilting screen, the 14.2 mega pixels, and that all of the many lenses I already own fit! No adapters needed this was thrilling cuz these are from the film day and I haven't used them in forever. So this thing has more buttons than I know what to do with and I just played some this morning.

The first photo is our first baby girl Rosita. She is getting so big... why do they grow up so fast? She is not happy with me here. I usually get my head in the pen and rub faces and love on her, but I wanted a photo, so she is pouting here.

The next photo is one of our three standard Donkeys. They roam the property and keep us safe. =) That is their job anyway. We won't discuss the fence they bent from rubbing their heads and rear ends on it. Or the mirror they broke off my last truck, or the teeth marks in my new truck because I had left a bag of sweet feed in the back and they couldn't reach it! But I still love them, and Cocoa is the leader of the three and studies everything before she does anything. She is really beautiful.

Card Info:

Stamps: Rubbernecker Stamps, Cornish Heritage Farms

Papers: Bazzill, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Colorbox Catseyes

Accessories: Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pens, Sakura Glaze Pens, Uniball White Gel Pen, Ribbon

I dare you not to smile after reading this card...

Ok, now common tell me you didn't chuckle when you read this card! I think it is hysterical. Hubby just rolls his eyes! This card was made with the sketch from this weeks Ismaki Challenge Blog, a sketch by Claudia. Great sketch Claudia, you can see more of her work on her blog Pretty Pressings!

The stamps used are from Whipper Snapper Designs, they really do make some wonderful stamps with some great artist! The "Hare" image is colored in with my Copic Markers, highlighted with Sakura Glaze pens and then the bubbles layered with Diamond Glaze to give the wet appearance. I tried to photo this up close so you can see it, really shines in real life! The base is Bazzill, and the pattern paper is Fancy Pants Sweet Pea. I love two sided pattern papers, they are usually the same shades of colors and work so well together with out cutting into multiple sheets of papers. I matted each block with a lemon yellow green scrap, then scraps from the base card stock. I doodled the edges of everything. It seemed to need something else on my card so I found these shell buttons in my box, I tied the same color of green embroidery thread thru them and then glue dotted them down. The metal dots near the sentiment are Colorbox metal adhesive dots. I do hope that this card made you smile.

Now I also have to point out my new Watermark.... Sara, the brilliant person that did my blog, made my watermark too! And if you don't recognize it, that is Raffie - my smiling donkey! I love it, but I do love my Raffie.....

Have a great Tuesday!

Card Info:

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs

Papers: Bazzill, Fancy Pants - Sweet Pea

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura Glaze Pens, Uniball White Gel Pen, Diamond Glaze, Colorbox Adhesive Dots, Pop Dots, Buttons, Embroidery Thread

Tilda's gone to the beach!

Tilda is at the beach celebrating Memorial Day. This weeks challenge at Tilda & Co. Challenge Blog is "Torn It". To tear your paper somehow on your card. Well this is one of my new Tilda's I ordered for summer, and she told me she wanted to go to the beach. What Tilda wants she gets! I started the card with a white card stock base. I used a piece of scrap blue card stock and scrap kraft brown card stock and tore piece and layered to create the ocean and the sandy beach. To high light the tears I inked with a cream color Color box catseye ink pad. Tilda is colored with my Copic Markers, white gel pen and stickled wings. The umbrella is a stamp from Stampourri! Inc. I stamped on a scrap piece of pattern paper, I think it is Conffetti paper. I stuck the handle of the umbrella into the "sand" and colored in the handle with a brown Copic Marker. The Chair and the plane are both from Rubbernecker. I stamped the chair with my Coffee Bean Brilliance ink then colored in and highlighted with Copic Markers. The plane I colored in with Spica Glitter Pens, it really sparkles in person. I love the banner that the plane is pulling. "Hope your day is full of Sunshine". Hubby said it needed some sea shells, so I found some Cloud Nine Rain Dots in white and drew on a sand dollar shape on them. I think it turned out pretty funny. Although the waves might be just a bit scary for Tilda to go to deep! Hope they like it at the challenge and Tilda arrived just in time to create this summer beach scene.

I still keep giggling at my new blog, Sara you really are fantastic! Don't forget my blog candy... you can find it HERE

I do hope that you have a chance to spend the Memorial day holiday with family, and take time to think of those that holiday is meant for. Those that have served their country and are currently serving. Have a great Monday!

Here is my SURPRIZE I hinted about... WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY NEW BLOG?!!

Ok, I am so excited about my new blog I hardly even know where to start! First is it not the coolest, cutest ever! I love it!

Now ALL OF THE CREDIT goes to Sara from Tweaks and Designs!!! I ran across her blog from a few others that have used her to do everything from full tweaks to siggies and watermarks. (I had the full queen treatment, the siggie and soon you will see the watermark!) I just had to check it out for myself. Well one simple email to her and then I answered some questions and a few emails and LOOK WHAT SHE MADE FOR ME! It is so me, and I really don't know what I want to show off first. Ok the wider format, the larger banner, the side bar titles art, the little Raffie smiling at the start of each post.... BUT WHAT ABOUT MY SIGGIE!!!! I swear it makes me giggle each time I see it! I just sit and watch him over and over! I cannot give near the amount of Thanks and Hugs to Sarah for all of the hard work she put into this, I am nearly in tears I am so happy with how it turned out. You really must go check out her blog and see others that she has done... including her daughter Lillian who has blog candy now! So click HERE now to visit Sarah's blog, Tweaks and Designs by Sara. And let her know how much you like mine! And make sure to leave a comment here too and let me know what you think. I think it ROCKS!

Sweet Gretchen arrived in perfect time!

Just as I sat down to work on the Friday Sketchers Challenge Blog card, hubby came in with the mail. And in it was two packages for me! First was Sweet Gretchen from Sweet n' Sassy. I was super lucky to be drawn for the first challenge prize on Friday Sketchers and man did it arrive fast and in perfect time to be used on this weeks sketch. The second package was my order from Papertrey Ink. I ordered more of their white card stock (this stuff is wonderful!) and while I was ordering that I added a few more things, might as well right? One was the pink pattern paper stack, oh such pretty colors and patterns. So I just had to use the two new things together!

The sketch for this week is a great one, and perfect to use coordinating pattern papers. The base for the card is Bazzill in a light celery green color. I then picked three pattern papers from my new papers. I stamped Gretchen and colored in her body parts, hair, socks and shoes. I then re-stamped her onto a piece of the pattern paper and cut out her dress. I cut the top part as a whole and then on my card stock image I cut her hair and lifted it up to slide the dress under. Does that make sense? It gives the appearance that her hair is laying over the dress instead of cutting the tiny sleeves and center of the dress. I left the ribbon, collar and lace edges white to pull the dots from her dress. The circle and the scallop is cut with my Nestibilities and doodled. And the "ribbon" is actually a piece of the pattern paper. The sentiment is from the Sweet Gretchen set. I doodled the edges of everything else with Sakura Glaze pens. I also highlighted Gretchen with white gel pen. Her eyes were bothering me.... they stamped out as black, so I took my blue Spica Glitter pen and added some color. She really looks to have a blue sparkle in her eyes now! I can see I am really going to love this Sweet Gretchen set and THANK YOU so much to the Friday Sketchers for the prize! Hope they like how I used her with their challenge this week!

Well today is Saturday, I have a Fiskars Certification Training to give today, and spend some time with my little Sister, who helps me with most all of my classes. THANKS SIS! And just because I need one little thing for the class we will take a trip by Hobby Lobby together, because we must! =) Oh and Sunday is my nieces Hermann Son's Dance recital. I love to see them at their dance recitals their costumes are so cute! Have a great Weekend!

And don't forget to check out my blog candy if you haven't yet! It is HERE.

Card Info:

Stamps: Sweet n' Sassy

Papers: Papertrey Ink, Bazzill

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura Glaze Pens, Spica Glitter Pen, Pop Dots, Spellbinders Nestibilities.

Thank Ewe!

Ok, I made this for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge which is a sketch by Katharina. But while making I thought I might as well use it as a big shout out to "Thank Ewe!" for visiting my blog! Just a few days ago I posted my Blog Candy (see it here) to help push me over the 5000 mark, well I am now approaching the 6000 mark! WOW! Thank you all for all of your links and the goodies will be drawn for on July 2nd!

Ok now to the card, I really like how this turned out. One it is a fabulous sketch by Katharina, love it! And two I like the country feel of it. I used the High Hopes Sheep stamp, with the matching sentiment. Colored with my Copic Markers. I cut the oval and the scallop oval with my Nestibilites. I doodled the edges of both with Sakura Glaze pens. The base of the card is a real red Bazzill card stock. The pattern paper is Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie Collection. I found a scrap piece of sage green card stock that matched for the bottom. It is scalloped with the Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch. I used a Michael's Ribbon for the band across the middle and made the buckle with a spellbinders die and white doodles. A pretty fast card, with a great layout.

Well its Friday - I have to get ready to teach a Fiskar's training tomorrow afternoon. Its gonna be really hot here today so I am staying inside! Hope you all have a great Friday and have some fun plans for the weekend!

Card Info:

Stamps: High Hopes

Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Bazzill

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Spellbinders Nestibilities, Sakura Glaze Pens, Ribbon, Pop Dots

Having some fun with my stash!

Reminder - - - don't forget my blog candy found HERE.

I really had fun "playing" last night. I just had fun with my stuff and really enjoyed my time with my favorite things, besides my donkeys of course.

First I worked on my ATC (artist trading card) for Tilda and Friends ATC challenge. I really did not end up anywhere close to where I thought I was going. I started out to use Tilda with her watering can and a bird with her. Oh the challenge this week was Birds of a feather, to use a bird or feathers somewhere on the ATC. Anyway... I somehow came up with a clothes line. Maybe it was my subconscious telling me I should be doing laundry. HA! So I cut out Tilda's shirt and created two country clothes line post all colored with Copics. The line is a piece of brown silk cording, that I tied to the post. All of this was placed on a scrap piece of Daisy D's Cloud paper. Now I needed some clothes pins and I had a great idea of those cute pink and blue plastic ones that are really tiny. I knew I had some in my stash somewhere.... found them! Then put them on top of the card and started cracking up. These Tiny clothes pins... were 1/2 the size of the card! Ok, can't use them - so I just made some with little slips of paper copic markers and a gold gel pen. The bird is from Magnolia's Spring Stamp Club. It is the smaller bird, and I cut his legs off to have him sit on the line. He too is colored with Copics and then highlighted with Sakura Glitter pens. The grass is a Rubber Tapestry grass stump. I then matted the little piece of "art" on a dark blue scrap of card stock and dotted the edges with white gel pen. Just too funny I think! Hope they like it!

Then I just made a card because I was really dying to use the image. This is one of the images that I was sent a couple of weeks back from the Tilda and Friends drawing, I colored it with Copics and white gel pen. Then I went thru my pile of scraps and pulled out anything that had the same shades in it. Ok I have a lot of pink and brown papers... then picked what went well together. I think these two papers are Basic Grey, but not for sure. I matted everything, The image I added one side of matting... don't know why it just seemed to work with only one side of the light matting. I then found a piece of pink scrap and punched it through a Martha Steward border punch. The sentiment is from Stampendous that I cut in half. Ribbon is a scrap of satin ribbon from my stash as well. I love it! And hope that the someone I send it to does to. I had FUN making it!

Have a great Thursday! I have some time today I am hoping to catch up on reading some blogs!

Round and Round and a BIG THANKS!

WOW! Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and commenting! I really am blown away at the hits from the candy! Keep them coming, I plan on visiting each one of you that have linked me! So if you haven't visited that post to see the candy make sure and see Monday's post.

And I just can't stand it anymore... I have something exciting in the works or at least to me it is exciting, some changes are coming to my blog! Stay tuned I don't know what date it will be happening, but just had to give a teaser! =)

Ismaki Sketch Challenge #20 has gone Round and Round! And was it a hard challenge for me. I have not made many round cards, and then it had the added option to not use any pattern papers. Wow that is like a double whammy! But I did it... and really like how it turned out. I used a chocolate brown Bazzill card stock and cut the circle. Now I know I have a circle cutter somewhere, but after looking for 30 minutes I just traced a CD and hand cut it. Ok you are asking about the flowers on the card stock. It was killing me to not have patterned paper, so I made my own design with a stamp from Papertrey Ink and Versamark Ink. Love that stuff! I then used my Fiskars extra large Squeeze punch for the pink circle, and did tiny white gel pen stitching around the edge. I knew I needed a small image to stamp. I then remembered this tiny little House Mouse stamps that I purchase a couple of months back at a garage sale, for $1.00! I colored him with my Copic Markers and then used a Fiskar's corner rounder for the corners of the image. I found some pink prima flowers in two shade of pink and centered them with Copper Stickles. The sentiment is from House Mouse as well, and I used a Copic Marker to darken the edges of it to appear to be matting. Now I the cording is not on the sketch, but for two reasons it is there. 1- I just got it yesterday and really wanted to use it, 2- I smudged the card =) Oops hated to trash the whole card. I like how it turned out. Hope they like it at the challenge site.

A Weird Card????

That is what hubby called my card last night when I showed it to him. Weird?

Here is the conversation:

Hubby: "The stamp is odd" then he looks and says "IS that a Tail???"

Me: "Yes dear, that it why it says "Have a tail wagging day""

Hubby: "Why does that kid have a tail?"

Me: "He is a Goblin"

Hubby looks at me oddly, then hands me the card back and says " Your color combo is really weird too..." and walks off.

Ok, now he is my best critique, and he does help me a lot with improvements, but is this card Weird? I did push the edge a bit, I really have been doing that a lot lately. Trying new things. But did I go to far into Weird? Let me know... what do you think?

I did this card for the Papertake Weekly Challenge. This weeks challenge is another of Katharina's sketches and it's another great one! I loved it as soon as I saw it. When I sat down to decide what stamp to use, I realized that I have had Magnolia's Goblin William and have never inked him. Guess he scared me a bit. So I inked him up and colored him in with my Copic Marker and highlighted with Sakura Glaze Pens. I used DCWV Nana's Nursery Boys for all of the pattern papers and followed the sketch. I then added some Cloud Nine Gel Stitches, and doodling with the Sakura Glaze Pen and Buttons. The sentiment is from Hanna's Stamps. Ok so really what do you think? Over the top? I may have another go at this challenge.....

And I have to SHOUT OUT A BIG THANK YOU!!!! Wow you are all so fabulous you really shot me over the 5000 mark! Thank you so much and keep it up I plan to visit each person's blog that links me. And for those that don't have a blog. I am trying to come up with something, never thought that part thru, I'll work on it.

If you haven't seen the blog candy see yesterdays post- and please do leave a comment.

Have a great Tuesday - it is MIL day for me. For those that don't know, one day a week I take my Mother in Law and we run all of our errands, hit the mall and where ever else is having a sale. Our shopping day. So I must go get ready. I have a couple of craft stores on my list! Thanks again!

5000 Mark Blog Candy!

And to celebrate I think it is time for some Blog Candy! I can not believe I am already hitting the 5000 mark on my counter. So I have pulled together some items to throw a little party. We have to have some confetti for the party so I going to share some of my new favorite flowers, the Bridal flower confetti I have been using so much of lately, in creme, pink and blue. Then I have a new Fiskars Squeeze Punch... bling bling. Love these squeeze punches! I also found a set of Fiskars Clear Stamps Odle of Doodles, they are fun fun fun! I then added three packages of Cloud Nine Rain Dots and one package of ColorBox Metal Adhesive Dots. Then I stamped and stamped on my Papertrey Ink Cardstock with Brilliance Graphite Black Ink. You will see lots of Tilda's, some of my favorite House Mouse stamps, a couple of Whipper Snappers too... and of course my favorite new Donkey Stamp!

So what do you need to do to get these goodies... help me get over the mark. Link my blog and the candy to your blog, and then post a comment here and let me know so I can visit you too!

I will draw a random winner on June 2nd! Thank You for making my blog!

Hello with a few Beads!

Ok, this card popped into my head as soon as I read the challenge this week at Tilda & Co. Blog. I love this Tilda with the jump rope, I have added the wire jump rope with flowers in the past, you can see that here. When I made that card I had thought of putting beads on the jump rope, and didn't. So it was the first thing that I thought of when I read the word BEADS. Now the Red, White and Black... well what can I say, I got a new paper pad last week on clearance at Target. A Making Memories 6x6 pad. It was on the desk, and so that is the direction I went. May be a little strong. But matched the beads well. I paper pieced the dress on Tilda, then colored her with my Copics, highlighted with white gel pen and stickles. The base is a scrap piece of red card stock, then I layered the two pattern papers on scraps as well. Everything was stitched down with Sakura Glaze Pens. The flowers are Micheal's Bridal Confetti flowers in creme and black, centers are mini red brads. Now the jump rope is red wire, with some of my Grandma's vintage beads. The pearl colored beads for the handles of the jump rope and mini glass beads for the rope itself. I love how it came out. Grandma use to make those Christmas ornaments with the beads and the pins on Styrofoam. I have a bunch of them that I cherish dearly. I also have the box of beads that she had for many years that she worked out of. It makes me smile thinking she would love that I am using them. Ok, back to the card. The sentiment is from Fiskars Odle of Doodles set, I like that it is just a bit larger. I almost forgot the metal dots going down the left side. Those are really just too cool. I found those at JoAnns a few weeks ago, and have used them a couple of times now, but each time I am more impressed with them. They are in the card making section and are metal adhesive dots. They really stick down! And are so easy to use. They come in a bunch of colors and I think I may have to go and get more of them. I do like the way this card turned out, and I really like that the rope is not attached at the top and when you shake the card the beads rattle. Hope you like it!

Ok and I had to show you this photo I took of Gato this weekend. We are now thinking that Gato is a boy... it is so hard to tell when they are so little, so for now "it" is just adorable and I can't get anything done cuz I HAVE to hold him... now common could you say no to this face... with that little tiny "MEOW"? And how perfect is it that hubby was wearing a red shirt when I took this, matches todays card! And Gato just pops on the red!

Card Info:

Stamps: Magnolia, Fiskars

Papers: Bazzill, Making Memories

Ink: Graphite Brilliance Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura Glaze Pen, Wire, Vintage Beads, Micheals Bridal Confetti Flowers, Brads, Uniball White Gel Pen, JoAnns Adhesive Metal Dots

A Freaky Tiki Saturday!

Ok, now this card has to make you smile! I loved this image as soon as I saw it at Rubbernecker Stamps. The sketch is from Friday's Sketchers Blog. Well basically... I had to move a few things around just a bit the wording "Have A Freaky Tiki Birthday" was just a little larger than the sketch had drawn in. So I had to do some rearranging to get it all on the card. I love the bright colors, I colored the image in with my Copic Markers first, then went back and highlighted with the Spica Glitter pens, and a white gel pen for th centers of the flowers and his teeth. I also high lighted the wording with the gold Spica Glitter Pen. Wish you could see all of that in the photo. It is so hard to capture with a photograph. The base of the card is dark brown Bazzill. The pattern papers are K&Company Amy Butler papers. I used ribbon up the sides and then the ric-rak for the border on the top and bottom. The image and the sentiment are matted in scrap dark purple card stock. Prima Flowers on the corner with a button and brads for their centers. I think it is pretty darn funny! I hope they like it at Friday Sketchers! And I must say a huge thank you, for being drawn as the winner of last weeks challenge!! Was exciting news and I have been wanting to order Gretchen... yee haw! Thanks!

Ok, I have had a few ask about the baby donkeys. They are doing great. Rosita is growing like a weed, and sticks close to Mom most of the time but likes to wander off with the other girls in that pen and pretend she is just as big as they are. She has learned quick to stay away from Dad, especially when he is chasing one of the girls....... oh and Rosita has learned she has a voice and has shown off a few really good heee haaawwws.

Angelina (Lina) and Lola are both in the other large pen. I would have loved to have them all together, but to breed with the best Jacks we had to pen the apart. So Lina and Lola are in the other pen and they are getting to know each other. I actually caught them yesterday running together and playing. It is pretty funny to watch, their Mom's stand off to the side and if you listen really close you can hear them talking about their children and how hard it is to raise young ones these days. The photos are from a few days ago, I am hoping to get some this weekend of them playing together. They are just too cute to watch. I think Lola is going to be a talker too, she is trying hard to get a Hee Haw out... just hasn't quite got it going yet.

The first photo is Angelina and her Mom, Macey. Second photo is Lola and her Mom, Cheyenne. Oh and Hubby =)

Well hope you have great plans for this Saturday! Me, I am hoping to catch up on a few projects and do laundry, some fun and some necessities =)

Heidi has some wonderful blog candy!

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up... Heidi at Heidi's papir Verden is giving away a wonderful blog candy. If you like Hanglar & Stanglar stamps you really will want to go and take a look! =)

She is also listed in my favorite blogs!

Wouldn't a beach holiday be fun!

Yes, a beach vacation would be wonderful... but as I can't go. I will make a card with little Turtles enjoying the surf instead. This fits perfect for the Cute Card Thursday challenge this week. Vacations and/or Travel ... cards that show fun and vacation scenes. Well these little guys are definitely having some vacation fun! Me I would be the one kicked back relaxing, that is what my perfect vacation would be.....

Ok I will stop day dreaming and get to the details of the card. This card just fell together. In fact I really didn't think about any of the papers or embellishments. Now please don't tell me that shows =). I colored this adorable new Cornish Heritage Farms stamp with my copic markers and highlighted with my white gel pen. I then pulled out a package of Cloud Nine Travel papers and embellishments. It all went together. The papers matched, I matted each pattern paper with the coordinating solid papers. I layered them on a Bazzill Card stock. I double matted the image. Now I have to tell you about all of the stitching. Those are something new to me, they are from Cloud Nine as well. The are called 3-D Gel Stitch, they have adhesive on them so you just cut to size and stick them down. They are different, and come in lots of styles and colors. I won't use them all the time, but they are fun once in a while. I then added some Prima Flowers that seemed to magically be the perfect colors. The words are both chipboard and card stock stickers that are made to match the papers. It is a lot I know, but I was watching baseball, and it all went down and bam it was there. I hope you like it.

Well it is Friday, lots of things to get done... if I can quit picking up Gato and listening to that loud purring noise. Just too cute to not stop and play with and love on! Darn Cat! =) Have a great Friday!

Card Info:

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms

Papers: Bazzill, Cloud Nine Travel

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Prima Flowers, Brads, Uniball Gel Pen, Cloud Nine Embellishments, Pop dots.

Glorious Green and a Miracle

Today I have a glorious green ATC for the Tilda and Friends ATC Challenge and a very small miracle. We will handle business first.

This week the challenge was to use lots of green, well that was done! I used a scrap of DCWV glitter card stock as the background. Seemed a little like sparkling grass to me, so I pulled out my Tilda stretched out enjoying a day in the grass. I colored her with Copics and highlighted with white gel pen, I thought the grass needed some flowers so I used the smallest primas I have. They are a bit large for her, but it is art. Then I just had to use my favorite ribbon, I just love the saying "All things grow with Love" and on this green checked ribbon it was perfect for this ATC. Hope you like it!

Now to our Miracle. I would like to you to meet GATO (Spanish for Cat). Hubby brought Gato home yesterday and she is the newest member of our home. Now why is she a miracle? Well she survived a day in the engine and frame of our delivery van. Hubby and his brother (who works with us) heard him early in the day. After numerous attempt to retrieve her from the engine, and then her running into the frame they could not get her. They left the van hoping she would climb out on her own. After not hearing her later in the day deliveries were made all around the area, my BIL took the truck home for night. Well guess what was under the battery? It got loose and after they captured her with taunting of food, they saved her. She is tiny, and very dirty and very very thirsty. Can you imagine how hot it was riding around in the engine? It was in the 90's here!! Poor little thing. Hubby wanted her really bad, he has been pressuring me for a cat for awhile. We have always had multiple cats, our last died a couple years ago and was over 18 years old. I have really enjoyed the no cat box, no climbing of no cats. But I do love cats. And Gato is adorable and very sweet. When you hold her, the motor turns on and you can hear her purring across the room. We don't know how old she is, I am guessing 4 or 5 weeks old. But she has a home here now. Oh and I know the name GATO isn't the sweetest and cutest... I voted for Gracie as it was God's Grace she lived through her travels. But Hubby has always wanted a Calico cat named Gato... so oh well Gato it is.

Hope you have a great Thursday and the weekend is almost here again!

A little Lilac, Lime and a Hee Haw Card!

Two of my favorite colors! Purple and Green, ok I also love the color combo pink and brown. But I also really love purple and green, and that is the challenge for Papertake Weekly this week. Actually it is lilac and lime, but hey that is just names of shades right? Well I decided first off that I really wanted to pull out an older stamp. Something that I haven't used in a while and don't go to right off. I found this Stampin Up Friends stamp. I don't know the real name of it as I purchased it mounted at a sale. I think it is a wonderful, sweet image. I colored it in with my Copics and highlighted with white gel pen and stickles for the rain. I matted it with pop dots on top of DCWV Embossed Nanna's Kids, and then again on a scrap of lime green card stock. The base of the card is a light lilac purple Bazzill, I

used a piece of Diane's Daughters Lime Rickey pattern paper. I wanted it to have a large ribbon, but all I had in may stash was this light weight thin green, I attached a piece of light purple dot on top of it, but it still upset me that when I attached it that it seems so flimsy... (note to self, get some Fancy ribbons! 1000+ ribbon and nothing like I wanted) I added a piece of dark purple card stock that I cut with a spellbinders buckle die, and then embellished with two light green gems. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things. Stitched the edge with my white gel pen.

My second card is just fun! I made it with the Ismaki Sketch, a fun sketch, and knew I needed a birthday card for my step-father. Ok, so I had to pull out a donkey stamp... just for some added fun. I used a white card stock for the base, I layered a piece of grey with a bright red pattern paper, sorry I don't know the maker, it came out of my scraps. I put the card on its point for something a little different, don't know if it works, but that is what I did =) The Donkey is from Whipper Snapper Designs. I collect donkey stamps, purchase everyone I find. This one just really makes me laugh so it is perfect for this card. He is colored with my Copics, and then layered on the same gray card stock. I hand wrote the "Hee Haw", then dotted the edges for a doodle like look. I used some new adhesive metal dots I got at JoAnn's last week, they are pretty neat, might have to get more of them. On the inside I wrote "that is how we say Happy Birthday" I was going to put some kind of donkey pun, but then just went for simple.

Card Info:

"I'm Here For You"

Stamps: Stampin Up, My Favorite Things

Paper: Bazzill, Diane's Designs, DCWV Nana's Kids

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Uniball Gel Pen, Stickles, Pop Dots, Spellbinders Wizard Die, gems, Ribbon

"Hee Haw"

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs

Paper: Bazzill, unknown pattern paper

Ink: Brilliance Graphite black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura Glaze Pen, Metal Adhesive Dots

Do Not Adjust Your Monitors...

No, do not adjust your monitors... Tilda has gone Black and White! This weeks challenge at Tilda & Co. Challenge Blog is to use Only Black and White. Well, I wasn't sure about what I was going to do, but after a few minutes of laying out everything I owned that was black and white.... I came up with this and I kind of like it! I found in my stash some Black Martha Stewart Halloween stationery cards, that I bought on clearance last year... really cheap! I then layered it with a piece of Deja Views Wedding Gray Paisley (gray is a shade of black right?). The frame around Tilda is a scrap piece of K&Co. Amy Butler paper matted with black card stock. Then I stitched around it with a Sakura silver glitter pen. Tilda was colored with Copic Markers, then high lighted with white gel pen. She is sitting, or pop dotted, on something new for me. I found these 12 inch border strips from Bazzill... oh these are really cool a package of different borders in Bazzill card stock! I purchased I think 9 different colors and they are going to be addicting. The flowers are Micheals Bridal Flowers in black with pearl iron on beads. I didn't put a sentiment on it. Thought I would use it as a note card or add something later. A challenge I didn't know how to tackle at first and I love the way it turned out. That is the great thing about doing these challenges, I try things I never would have on my own!

Ok and as promised I got a photograph of Patti for you. She is an unbelievable sweet donkey, very gentle, even with two crazy babies like Angelina and Lola running around her. Her mane is cut, that is how many keep them. I will let it grow out as I love seeing it blow in the wind. She is VERY pregnant, and should have her baby July or August (you should see her from the back!). The daddy is a wonderful stud that is also a spot. So we are hoping for a spot baby... but you never know what you will get =)

We are hoping for rain here tonight. The hay fields around here really could use it. Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Card Info:
Stamps: Magnolia
Papers: Bazzill, Martha Stewart, Deja Views, K&Company Amy Butler
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura glitter pen, Micheals Bridal flowers, Pearl Iron Beads, Pop Dots.

Baby Birds...

I hope your Sunday was a nice one... mine was busy and on the go all day. But late yesterday afternoon hubby was picking up plants that had blown over in the yard. (It was really windy here in the morning) Anyway, one of our tree roses was not quite blown over, but leaning really bad... we left it that way. We did not want to disturb what was found inside the round top of this rose bush. A newly hatched little family. I think this is a wren? I couldn't get a photo of Mom sitting on the nest yesterday, but went out early this morning and found her keeping her babies warm. I could sit and watch them forever... But she was nervous so I left her with her new family.

One reason my day was so busy is we got to make a trip to see another Donkey farm. I love going to Lola's place... she has way over a 100 miniature donkeys. It is so exciting to pull thru her gate and see all those donkeys roaming all around! It is just soooo much fun! We came home with two geldings to resale. And what wasn't planned was Patti. We came home with a sweet spot jenny that is due to have a baby this summer!!!! I will try and get some photographs this evening. She is beautiful.

I did one other thing I have needed to do for a while. I dug out my sewing machine. I purchased it over a year ago, basically to sew on scrapbook pages, I have wanted to use it a million times on cards, and just didn't want to take the time to pull it out. This was my practice card. I had this image, thanks to the ladies at the Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge blog, I colored her with my copics and high lighted with white gel pen and stickles all ready to go... So I got a few scrap pieces of the Amy Butler K&Company paper and did a few stitches with my machine. I need some practice! Had some issues with the corners, but over all was ok. I added Tilda and some prima flowers and the sentiment Thanks. Oh and the centers of the flowers are different. I found them on the clearance isle at Micheal's they are iron on beads for denim! They are really pretty in real life, a brilliant pearled color. I think if needs something else, I am dying to use my white gel pen and stitch the edges but I am trying to break myself of doing that on every card I make. Well better go out and check on my new donkeys and get the day going!

Hope you have a great Monday!

Thank you Claudia!

First off I want to shout out a big Thank you to Claudia. She sent me a little Rak... how exciting! A adorable High Hopes Flamingo Stamp! And then she also added a bunch of stamped images from both High Hopes and Magnolia! Well I just had to color one in for the first challenge at Friday Sketchers, which happened to be a sketch from Claudia. It is so exciting to be joining in at the 1st challenge! You still have plenty of time to jump over and join in too. The sketch was a simple one this week, but because I was determined to use the image I had colored... which was vertical.. and the sketch showed a horizontal it was a struggle. So I matted it with a more horizontal mat, I think it works ok. The base of my card is Bazzill, I then used a piece of my new K&Company Amy Butler paper, and matted it on the same green as Tilda is on. Due to the small amount of lilac color in the pattern paper I colored the tulips the same shades. And that is why I chose the light purple for the ribbon. I don't know if these colors go together well. But they are all in the Butler paper... so I guess they are ok if she did it. I doodled on the edges, and highlighted Tilda and her clothes with my Uniball white gel pen. Stickled her wings.

I think I may use this as one of my Mother's Day cards. I know I am running a little late in making them... hopefully today I can get them done and not be up late doing them!

I don't think I will be able to post in the morning, Sunday. Busy day planned, so I want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day! Hope you get to spend some time with loved ones and enjoy the day.

Cute Card with lots of Bling!

Oh I am loving the Cute Card Thursday Challenge this week. Gems and Jewels.. that means bling to me! Well I pulled out one of my new Magnolias... (he he he got another order in this week!) I have seen this pretty little Tilda on so many cards and just had to have her, and she seemed so perfect to dress up with some Gems and Jewels. I colored her with my Copics, her belt buckle is done with the Spica gold glitter pen and a mini green gem for a button. The base for my card is Bazzill Bling in Pink, perfect! I then used some of the new K&Company Amy Butler papers... oh this stuff it really pretty! I picked up two different pads of it at Michael's yesterday, it is soooo wonderful and it was on sale! I chose the glittered flower and the pink and white dot and matted them both with a dark pink. I matted Tilda with the same dark pink and then a light green to match her hair bow and belt. I layered them all on the card and added a frilly ribbon. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things.. I think. I stitched and doodled the edges with my Uniball White Gel pen. I added 5 more gems down the right side, just cuz they are so pretty. I think it is pretty and definitely has lots of Bling of Gems and Jewels! Wish you could really see it, the photographs just do not sparkle like it does in real life!

I cannot believe it is already Friday! I have not accomplished near what I had planned this week. I hope you have a great Friday and a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Card Info:

Stamps: Magnolia, MFT

Paper: Bazzill, K&Company Amy Butler

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Making Memories Gems, Uniball White Gel Pen, Ribbon

Just Buggy - and a little Lola

This weeks challenge at the Tilda and Friends ATC Challenge Blog is Bugs... yep Bugs. You need to include at least one bug. I decided that it was time I used my Heart Tree, and fence stamp together. So I stamped the tree first then masked it and stamped the fence, need 1 1/2 times to fill the card. I used some new stamps I just got for the bugs. Fiskars has released a new line and it is just adorable, Tricia Santry Studio has some wonderful images. These bugs are from the Happy Days set, which is mainly frogs, but had a few really cute bugs as well. I colored everything with my Copics then recolored the bugs with my Spica Glitter Pens. Love those! They add so much, but are hard to photograph! I then matted with a green piece of scrap card stock and of course stitched the edge. I really need to try and not do that from time to time... It just feels better to finish it off. I think it is cute and love the tree and fence together.

Now how cute it this! Ok hubby is pretty cute too... but I am talking about Lola. I thought you might enjoy a photo of her all dry and see how beautiful her color is. She is a smokey grey with really dark markings. Her dark face (a first for us!) is so beautiful. But then how could she not... with Cheyenne, Mommy and

Black Jack, Daddy!

They both have the dark face and are pretty good looking too.

Well it is MIL shopping day, so I had better get going, she is probably tapping her toe waiting for me! Have a great Thursday!