Animal Crackers - Enjoying the breeze

Howdy -

Enjoying a little break in the rain and the cooler breeze in the air.

I LOVE the look on Olive Oyl's face. That is true enjoyment don't you think? She is really loving that breeze. Even a little bit of smile there. LOL Paintbrush is Olive Oyl's mom. The two are always together. Adorable.

Speaking of here are our two "babies" they have learned how to jump on the top of their hut and the two had laid back and decided to rest on the roof and enjoy the breeze themselves.

These two crack me up. Thelma is the friendliest of the two and first to come up and get a head scratch. Louise though is the talker. Hubby always rolls his eyes when I carry on conversations with Louise. Oh yes we have long talks. I talk... She talks....I talk...She talks... and yes we know just what we are talking about. LOL

Chickens - well we have had some stress with the chickens. You see the number of eggs went WAY down a couple of weeks ago. Like one to nothing. Now Elenore was my steady regular gal. She went through her molting and as you can see she all beautiful again but still no eggs from her. Not sure why. 

Now the Australorp's  pen - we found one very large issue was found and taken care of. A 6 foot chicken snake. But still no number of eggs. They are beautiful as well, really stunning black chickens aren't they? But now I need my eggs...

Hopefully things will pick up again soon.

And then I thought you would like to see that Libbie is doing a little better.

 A little. She seems to be coping and learning how to get around. Her eyes don't seem to be nearly as cloudy as they were. That could be wishful thinking, but as long as she is getting around and still barking and my Libbie Lou... Love this girl!

Have a blessed weekend -
HUGS and -

Whimsy Stamps - Holiday Holly Giving

Howdy -

I adore Elizabeth Bell images don't you? Well guess what... there are some great new holiday images at Whimsy for you to play with! The Little Cottage Cuties Collection from Elizabeth Bell are always fun.

This is "Holiday Holly Giving" 

She is beautiful isn't she? I colored her with my Copics (colors below) I went with a bit darker red and green colors to match up with the K&Company Christmas Papers. I sewed the bottom pattern paper with a straight stitch. I think I am insane sometimes. I just can't NOT sew my layers together, I twitch if I don't sew on a card! ... LOL Yes nuts. I matted her with a Spellbinders shaped nestie and then a red card stock. Then all of that is matted with the Whimsy Shapeology  Double Scallop Doily Die. Now I know you are looking at it and saying "Uh that is a rectangle not a square..." Yes it is. Don't let the square hold you back for matting your rectangle images. I cut it in half.... then I over lapped it to make it the needed size.  One of my favorite Whimsy dies has SO many more uses! I added a silk ribbon around the middle. A couple of pearls for some bling, then I found a few poinsettia flowers and leaves in my flower stash.

Inside more of the same papers with the Whimsy the Sentimentables Die "Holiday Set" Merry Christmas.

Copic colors used -

Really enjoyed making this one - Hope you enjoyed seeing it. Now make sure to visit the Whimsy Stamps New Products page and see all the great new images for the holiday season!

Have a great one! Doing a little outdoor clean up here... getting ready for more rain this coming weekend. We were lucky last weekend the Hurricane gave us nearly 3 inches of very much needed rain but spared us to much to create flooding. Already seeing some grass popping up all over the property well... if you can see it before the animals munch it! LOL

HUGS and -

High Hopes Stamps - Winking Snowman

Howdy -

Today for High Hopes Stamps I used the new image "Winking Snowman"... isn't he just too cute!

How can you not smile when a snowman winks at you? I colored with my Copics (colors below) and then cut him out and placed him on a blue pattern paper to have him pop a bit more. All the papers are from BoBunny's Blitzen collection. Love the darker colors with this collection. I chose a few of the pattern papers and then sewed on card stock mats and placed it all on a red card stock base. I used the fun sentiment "Have and Ice Day" A great sentiment from a winking snowman don't you agree? I added a off white ribbon and three buttons for embellishments.

Inside more of the same pattern papers -

And the Copic colors used -

Fun Winter Christmas image as are all the new release images !! You can find all of the new release HERE. Fall Halloween Christmas Winter all kinds of fun!

The release is now available for purchase...have you gotten it yet?

High Hopes Website

 

Have a blessed day - 

HUGS and 

Animal Crackers - rain and shine

Howdy -

A mix of some new and some photos from last week. Hurricane Patricia is suppose to be giving us some really nice rain this weekend, had a little bit yesterday but much more predicted for today. Could use very much needed rain, but as usual it is all at once or nothing at all. LOL gotta love Texas.

So first up today - Juliet and Gabby

These two have become BFFs when Lydia was sold I worried about Juliet and her loosing her best friend. But Lyida's little sister Gabby stepped right up and filled her shoes. Now Juliet is just fine and loves her new BFF Gabby. And since Juliet will never be sold... and Gabby will never be sold either. We should be fine now and no one has to loose their buddy this time.

Speaking of Buddies... my buddy Diego - my first baby

He is such big boy. He is always first to head to you for loving. They boy loves to have his head scratched... heck he loves his rear end scratched too and everything in between!!

Found this great one of Patti, Irene and Pepita... Patti is Irene's Mom. Patti is so much darker than Irene. Irene gets her lighter spots from her Daddy Raffie. And Pepita... she gets that really dark black coloring from her Daddy Black Jack.

 Lacey... such a pretty girl. Love these shots when the sun was setting...

She is such a pretty girl. She is also a funny girl. Love her personality! Always looking to be center of attention and some way to make you laugh! My original shoestring untying funny girl.

Rico... He is loving the new pen. Lots more space, new hut.... but more importantly.... it is right up close to all the girls pen. Now Rico is a gelding and really shouldn't have interest in the girls. But well... he seems to have lots those Manly interest still..... Such a Guy...

Seems Ted has had lots of photo time recently. He has just really wanted to pose and be handsome for the camera. I mean look at that face, handsome isn't he?

 

Libbie update - for those that have asked, she has been getting meds for her eyes. Not sure if they are working yet. But she seems to be doing ok. Still not seeing well, but holding steady. Leg is much better unless she is ran over by Chica and Autie who still haven't figured out they need to watch out for her. I have been reading about how other pets will take up the slack and watch and care for those that are going blind. I just wonder if Chica and Autie will stop playing long enough to notice. Those two are always on 100% play mode.

Hope you got a smile again this week. We will all be watching the rain, knowing it will help with some green growth later.

Have a blessed weekend. 

HUGS and

Whimsy Stamps - Christmas Giraffe

Howdy -

Today for Whimsy Stamps I wanted to share a card I made that I made with instructions for the newsletter and facebook.

Just love this cute little Christmas Giraffe by Crissy Armstrong!

You can find all the details at the Whimsy Stamps Facebook Files - If you haven't joined the group you just must there are so many great inspirational things going on there! 

Here is the link to the PDF file for the card - CHRISTMAS GIRAFFE

 Great fun image! Then again is there a Crissy Armstrong image that isn't fabulous? LOL ... Pretty much have fun with all the Whimsy images. You can see all the newest images HERE -

Hope you have a wonderfully blessed day -
HUGS and -

High Hopes Stamps - Penguin Surprise

Howdy -


Today for my High Hopes Stamps card I had a little fun with the new image "Penguin Surprise"... Love this little guy ... there are lots of great little penguins in this new release!!

I colored with my Copics (colors below) and then found some perfect papers from Debbie Mumm's Harvest and Holiday collection. Great little penguins to match up with my image. Found some ribbon to use behind some of the pattern paper for a scallop, then sewed down all the layers with straight stitches. For my sentiment I used "Small Merry Christmas". Love this script sentiment on my Christmas cards. Then I just had to add some Rangers Stickles, Diamond on his hat and light green on the tissue paper.

Inside I used the same papers.

And Copic colors used -

The release is now available for purchase...have you gotten it yet?

High Hopes Website

Hope you enjoyed -
HUGS and -

Animal Crackers - Treats no Tricks!

Howdy -

This week I thought I might snap a few photos of the three stooges (the standard donkeys) that have started begging for peppermints lately. Last week I showed you how Ted will stand where we park the truck and won't move until he is bribed to do so. Well one evening this week they were all three "grazing" right out by the front gate. I think they were guarding to make sure they didn't miss us coming in and not get any treats. They don't get treats every night but once in a while they need spoiling right?

Ted is ALWAYS first... and then tries for second and third as well.

 

 Love how Ted always keeps his eye on the camera, he is such a ham!

Then Valentine... he is a little slower and cautious like his Mom Cocoa, but speeds up when he sees that Ted is approaching to steal it away.  And look close here comes Ted's big head!!

 

Then Cocoa...

 Her photo came out a little grainy sorry about that. Sun was going down. You have to approach slowly and make sure she feels good about it... then very slowly she will reach out for the peppermint. Cocoa is a rescue donkey and we think she was not treated very nice in her early years as she is very very very cautious. And Spooks easily and will run off if she doesn't feel all is safe. 

Then once parked and ready to head in Hubby decided that it was a good night to feed the goats some feed. They only get fed pellets once or twice a week to make sure they don't get too big to fit in their huts... LOL

Since I had my iPhone out I thought I might get a video of dinner time in the goat pen for you. They are all so calm and wait in lines for their dinner . No pushing or shoving or loud talking here... nope we wait so nicely..... NOT

Hope this works for you... 

Hope this week gave you some smiles.  We are really praying for some rain around here as things are drying up and we really could use some winter grass here for everyone. Speaking of praying... say a little prayer for Miss Libbie will you? Libbie has had a really rough week. She has been having eye sight issues for a few weeks now. Just in one eye... this week the other eye has starting clouding over as well and now she is not seeing well at all in dark areas and her depth perception is going. I just pray that it slows down and she can still have some vision for a while longer. Hasn't slowed her down too much so far, other than when she missed a back step and sprained her back leg. But after a few days that was much better and she was running to bark at everything outside again. I can handle her having some sight issues and like I keep telling her she can live perfectly fine with the no depth perception I do right? But I just want her to be able to get around like she is use to for as long as she can. We will do all that we can to help her and work with her for sure. She is our baby so no questions about making sure she is all that she can be.

Have a blessed weekend -
HUGS and

Whimsy Stamps Oct. Blog Hop Day 3

Howdy -

Welcome to Day 3, the final day, of our ...
October Rubber Stamp and Die Release

Over the last 2 days we have showcased 18*BRAND NEW* red rubber stamps/stamp sets, 3 new Clearly Whimsy clear sets, and 2 Shapeology Die Sets. All of these new products are available to buy from the Whimsy Stamps store and from selected Whimsy Stamps retailers.
Our design team members have created amazing cards and projects featuring these new goodies, we hope you have enjoyed the hops over the last 2 days. Today, we have more inspiration to share and we hope you will hop along with us for the last chance to win a Whimsy Gift Voucher during our October release.


PRIZE ALERT ... We have hidden a fabulous prize of a $15 GIFT CERTIFICATE at two of the stops on today’s hop! We will draw the lucky winners from the comments left here and on today’s design team posts (listed below), so be sure to visit everyone and leave a comment at every stop to be entered into the draw.

The winners from each of our 3 release day hops will be drawn and posted on Monday, October 19th. Be sure to join us and leave your comments by 8am ET on Monday for a chance to win!

For my project today I used the fun new image "Fairy Noelle" 

I colored with my Copics (colors below) Went with the deep dark red for her. Pattern papers from Authentique Believe Bundle. Love the Whimsy Shapeology Double  Scallop Doily Die for matting behind Fairy Noelle. I sewed down all the layers and then added Rangers Stickles Lace for her dress and Diamond for the snowflakes. And Speaking of snowflakes I cut out three Layered Snowflakes Dies. Added to the top corner with lots of stickles on them as well.

Inside the same papers and then added the Whimsy Shapeology Die "Merry Christmas from the Sentiments Holiday Die"

Copics used -

Make sure to hop on to the next DT member Kristie Goulet

 And leave those comments for the chances to win!

Thanks for dropping by. Happy hopping!

HUGS and - 

Whimsy Stamps Oct. New Release Blog HOP!

Howdy -

Welcome to Day 2 of our ...
October Rubber Stamp and Die Release

Over the next 2 days we will showcase 18*BRAND NEW* red rubber stamps/stamp sets, 3 new Clearly Whimsy clear sets, and 2 Shapeology Die Sets. All of these new products are available to buy from the Whimsy Stamps store and from selected Whimsy Stamps retailers.
Our design team members have been working hard on their creations featuring these new goodies. We hope you will hop along with us for a chance to win a Whimsy Gift Voucher. Each day, for the next 2 days, we will have a new blog hop, showcasing more of the new release items along with a new chance to win.


PRIZE ALERT ... We have hidden a fabulous prize of a $15 GIFT CERTIFICATE at one of the stops on today’s hop! We will draw the lucky winner from the comments left here and on today’s design team posts (listed below), so be sure to visit everyone and leave a comment at every stop to be entered into the draw.

 For my project today I chose to work with one of the cutest new Winter/Christmas images from The Crissy Armstrong Collection "2 Christmas Tales at the North Pole!"

Love this pair! And the "North Pole" is just too fun... I colored with my Copics (colors below) I went with papers from Authentique Believe Bundle - love the country feel of these Christmas papers. Matted with some bright red card stock and the same for the card base. Sewing down all my layers with a zig zag and/or straight stitch. I added Rangers Diamond stickles for all the snow. Snow at the North Pole has to sparkle right??

I added the gorgeous Whimsy Shapeology Die cut "Christmas Large Word Die"  and the cute little "Bow Die" (you might want to run over and grab that one it is on sale 50% right now!)

Close up -

Inside the card more of the same papers -

Copic colors used -

Now you should have arrived here straight from the Whimsy Blog - now it is time for you to hop on to the next DT member on the list - Iris Wiechmann

See you again tomorrow for our final day of new release festivities!

HUGS and -

High Hopes Stamps Frightfully Delightful Mummy

Howdy,

A cute little Halloween card to with High Hopes Stamps "Mummy"... not a scary mummy, this one is adorable.

I colored up our little trick or treat monster with my Copics (colors below) then I found some papers from Debbie Mum's Halloween papers. I sewed all the layers down and added an orange dot ribbon bow. The sentiment is also a great one from High Hopes "Frightfully Delightful".

The inside were the scraps from the front.

The copic colors used -

I hope that you enjoyed my little Halloween Card today - there are so many wonderful Fall and Winter images now available!!

High Hopes Website

 

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day!
HUGS and-

Animal Crackers - No Parking!

Howdy -

No place to park when we arrived home the other night. Nope... you see Teddy had decided that was where he wanted to stand. And when he has decided... he doesn't move. Well unless you bribe him with a peppermint... yes then he will move.

 Took a quick photo through the windshield before I got out and went into bribe mode. I think he has this figured out that if he stands firm and won't move then we will get out and give him peppermint. Hope our local favorite cafe doesn't mind that this is why we take our mint at the end of the meal... have to make sure we always have "funds" to pay off the big guy to park in our normal place.

Zoomed across the pasture to the far pen to snap a shot of Fanci, Miguel and Rico enjoying their new pen on the neighbors property. No need for grass to go to waste! Moving lawn mowers to the rescue.

Of course with the lack of rain and the end of summer there isn't as much grass as there was. But they are still enjoying the larger space. Oh and being closer to the ladies... Rico hasn't quite accepted that he is a gelding and he loves to chase down the fence and talk to the ladies.

 Speaking of ladies... keeping a close eye on Gracie. She has spent the last few months living in Peso's bachelors pad. This is her second attempt to getting her pregnant. I will be so upset if this one didn't take.

Should know something for sure soon. She isn't real big, and Dwarf goats sometimes have big tummy's anyway, but I am so hoping that there is a little bun in that oven!

And speaking of big tummy's....

Macie is my "big girl" that I talk about often. And she more than once has fooled us making us think she is pregnant and she really isn't. But things are getting pretty wide.... now she was not purposely bred this year and so the only chance she is will be that one day in March that Black Jack's fence for a "oops" party. I am SO hoping that she did get pregnant. I know she looks huge and you think I am nuts for even questioning it. But she really is a fat girl normally... so she can fool ya! I know if she isn't we are going to look into weight watchers for donkeys!

Patti came to me in a quick trot while I was out napping the other day. This girl is slow and usually last in the group, but when she is wanting attention she can move quick. She got lots of ear rubs, she LOVES ear rubs.

Pepita was really interested in keeping a watch on the goats. They were being quite noisy and she wanted to make sure all was ok before she let down her guard and came for attention.

 And other than a few of the boy goats being loud showing of for the ladies.. all was ok and she also got her share of snuggles.

This one was funny... I adore the trains that come through the pens.

They always walk one after another. Doesn't matter how wide the path is... They have a little Tusken Raiders "Sand People" from Star Wars in them. Walking in a line hides their numbers.. you never know how many are coming to attack! LOL

Hope you got a smile from this week. They always give me a giggle!
HUGS and -