Saturday, September 30, 2017

Animal Crackers - Chatting with the Kids

Howdy -

A few photographs from last week as I was out enjoying the weather and chatting with my "kids".


Now I had to have a long chat with Chloe... you see she got herself into a little jam. We have nice fencing around our goat pens, smaller square panels to protect the goats and make sure they are safe and do not get themselves stuck. Well somehow.. we have no idea how... Miss Chloe figured out how to get her head into a 4x4 hole! Not sure how with those gorgeous long horns, but once through the fence... yep those horns would not let her come back into the pen. Sigh... So she was stuck for just a little bit. Hubby or "Dad" went out early and got her loose, but seriously girl.. how did you do that? Those horns are really a problem sometimes! Ok.. useful at times too..


Yeah there are times that would be nice to scratch your own back like that!! LOL Seems to really feel good too...

Well a couple of weeks ago I showed you Malory... today I thought I would show off her sister Jennifer.


How can such a beautiful striking goat be such a skittish girl? Just like her sister she has never been overly friendly or even a little friendly. Still a good looking girl even if she won't let us scratch on her.

Speaking of scratching....


Our old man Black Jack was heading towards me... he is loves his scratches!!

Now not like you may be thinking...


All he needs is a beeping sound once he gets close to you... beep - beep - beep - beep... yep he prefers to come at you back end first!! He loves hiny scratches. Right there above his tail.. yes.. right there! Ha!

There will be no scratches, rubbing or touching from me to "Red". This is how I have chats with Red. Fence between us!


He is a riot. Smallest little rooster, but attitude like a bull elephant! He was so mad at me here... the noises and movements from him were hysterical. If you listen you might hear it.. "Move away from my pen and all my ladies!"

Then as I made my way back into the house this was the face I found just as I opened the back door... I am such a mean mommy....


I didn't let the doggies stay outside while I was out for so long. I am so sorry Autie.. but you had a bath and you are so soft and clean. No smells... I didn't really want you outside rolling in who knows what covering yourself in dead grass and "things"... so unless watched like a hawk outside for a few days you have to stay inside. Man those big brown eyes melt me...

Hope you have a blessed weekend planned - hug someone furry or feathered!
HUGS and

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

High Hopes Stamps - Birch Trees

Howdy -

Sympathy Cards are probably the toughest to make for many of us. But needed at times. I like to keep my Sympathy cards a bit more simple and focus on the image. The new High Hopes Stamps "Birch Trees" have so many uses. Fall... Halloween... Winter... and they worked well for this needed Sympathy card.


This is a large stamp - and fills my card nicely. I stamped out the image and colored with my Copics. Then found a piece of kraft card stock for the base and a piece of Prima pattern papers to use with it. I free hand cut the scroll side of the image and sewed it down with a zig zag stitch onto the pattern paper, then sewed around the entire piece with a straight stitch, then attached to the base. For my sentiment I used Whimsy Stamps dies Heartfelt Sympathy in a dark purple.  Really tough for me to do these simple non embellished cards, but important with this one.

Copic colors used -


I love this background stamp and as a stamp all on its own. To see all the new stamps at High Hopes Stamps click HERE lots of beautiful stamps and fun stamps!

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Animal Crackers - Hanging with the Boys

Howdy -

Last Sunday Hubby and I were Hanging with the Boys in the front pasture. They are such sweet men. Clowns... but sweet men.

Now they always think they are getting peppermints.. most of the time they are. Only one each though...


Miguel.. Now you have to look at Mom and the camera, .....smile,  but you don't want to get out of line and miss your mint!

Flavio got his mint and was enjoying the cool fresh feeling!


Such a handsome man... and he loves his peppermints!

My Boy Diego... a little slow to the group but he knows "Dad" will always save one for him.


Patricio "Pat Man" now he is just now learning to enjoy his mints. Still a bit cautious and WILL not get into the group and push and shove for them.


Just too good looking. It amazes me how much he looks like his Dad Black Jack.

Now the last three are all Rico. Leader of the group of Men - I couldn't choose just one photo of him this week. Such a Clown.

First make sure you get your mint and keep an eye on the camera... number one rule you know!


Smile... that mint is GOOOOOD!


 Love when my kids smile. They are so funny.

Then suddenly he was bored with us, there were no more mints so things were so over.


It was a long large yawn! Then I yawned.... You know how that works right? 

They are such great boys.. sorry men. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned. Some time with a furry or feathered friend - 

Have a blessed weekend - 
HUGS and

Friday, September 22, 2017

Whimsy Stamps - Reindeer Kitty

Howdy -

The new release at Whimsy Stamps is just too much fun to play with! And how can you not have fun coloring up this new image from Krista Heij-Barber called "Reindeer Kitty"


I know this look... happened to me the first time I but those same Reindeer horns on one of our dogs. Yep... they don't like them. LOL I colored with my  Copics and then tried something out of my box. I love how this image looks with the Clean and Simple look to it. HARD for me to do and pull off! But I tried. I doodled on the edges and placed with a piece of pattern paper from Paper Studio. I colored in the sentiment that comes with this great stamp and placed it on the top corner. So hard to not do more but I think I like it... I think. LOL

Inside more of the same pattern paper collection-


And my Copic colors used -


Now for a special announcement for Whimsy Stamps - Many may not know that Whimsy Stamps is located in Florida  and they are selling a stamp set from end of this year and all proceeds will benefit our their local community with hurricane relief efforts. Some of the areas around them were hit very hard and we want to do something to give back.


I think it is a great set to have and I am planning a few cards for those in the Texas area hit with Hurricane Harvey. Head over to the Whimsy Stamps Web Site HERE and grab yours!

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

High Hopes Stamps - Willy One Eye

Howdy -

Today for High Hopes Stamps I am using one of the older Halloween images. This guy and I have a special bond.... This is "Willy One Eye"


I don't make a lot of Halloween cards - but Willy One Eye just cracked me up when I saw him years ago. Still makes me laugh. I colored with my copics and then stamped out the sentiment that I love with him. For my background I just knew I wanted to use the brand new High Hopes Stamp "Spider Web Background" wonderful large background stamp. I stamped it directly onto the dark purple card stock with Memento White ink. Love how that white ink works on dark card stock so vibrant! I matted on a piece of Coredinations fiber paper.. fuzzy like paper that is fun to use. I sewed down the layers and used black card stock for the base. A few Enamel Dots just added a little more fun matching up with that bright green paper.

Inside more of the same papers with that wonderful "Spider Web Background"


My Copic colors used -


There are so many fall halloween images to play with at High Hopes Stamps - Take a few minutes and pop over HERE and see for yourself... LOL a few minutes...

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Animal Crackers - Munch Munch Munch

Howdy -

I went out to snap photographs... Hubby says... I threw out some hay to gather the girls up for your photographs. Wasn't that sweet? Uh but now I can't get any faces! They could care less about me and my photos... Dad put out hay!!


Wish I could add sound for you... munch munch munch... crunch crunch crunch. It was good hay...

Even Juliet wouldn't give me any attention! Now that is good hay! This girl is obnoxious friendly for attention.. usually.


Oh wait!!! Sonia is coming for some head rubs! Yea Sonia!!


Such a petite sweet little thing. Very cautious but when she loves and trust you her loving is perfect. Love this girl.

Goats were exactly the same... eating all faces down, but then I caught Abigail watching me!


Ok she was chewing at the same time, but she was looking at me too. A skittish goat for sure, but gorgeous! Love her fur -

The Guineas are doing pretty good. They seem happy and getting use to the pen. Ok so every morning Hubby has to put a couple back into the pen. They sleep up on the fence and then forget which way they are suppose to fly down.


 We all have mornings like that, right? They now are moving all around the pen, even around the goats! Doing good right?

Love this photo... Fraidy and Scaredy Cats.


A little Artsy huh? Almost like a shadow cat. They are nearly exact carbon copy brothers. Funny we still call them the boys... they have become old men though. That is a good thing for rescue outdoor kitties I would say. Their Momma is still with us too... although I don't think she is really much older than they are... Life as a stray, glad they have homes with us now. They think they are still "wild" cats but are protected here.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend - a blessed weekend!
HUGS and -

Friday, September 15, 2017

Whimsy Stamps - Caution Wagging Tail

Howdy -

This new image from Whimsy Stamps just makes me smile. It is too adorable and has so much fun built into the set! This is the new clear set from Whimsy and artist Deb Davis called "Caution Wagging Tail"



This set has so much with it! Look at all the goodies!


For my card I went more simple than normal. White card stock base, light blue card stock for the background and then three layers of green punched with my Martha Stewart Grass Punch. Then I used the Caution Wagging Tail Die Set and the stamps (click the photo of the stamps above to get there) I stamped the dog, his tail wagging, the bowl and the extra bone and added them to the card. Then I used the stamp "Happiness is a wagging tail" from the set. Love this set! Three enamel dots in the corner just cuz I had to add something more. LOL

Then for the inside simple.. but with the paw prints from the set.


Not too many Copic colors used -



Have you seen all the fun at Whimsy Stamps? There is so much too see! Click HERE to get to the web site!

Have a very blessed day -
HUGS and

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

High Hopes Stamps - Haunted House

Howdy  -

BOO! A little Haunted House for you today. This is the new Haunted House from High Hopes Stamps. How scary would it be to knock on that door and say "Trick or Treat"?


I had fun coloring this one! It can stand alone on your project or be a background stamp for others! I colored with my Copics and then inked the edges with Rangers Distress Ink Tea Dye. My card stock is an old piece of Coredinations Dark Blue with a piece Prima pattern black paper and then a black mat behind my image. All my layers are sewn down with a zig zag stitch. Not much room for too much with such a large image but I found a very old crafting wood fence that I just had to use with this one. I glued it to the bottom of the card, then found a spider button that said he wanted to be climbing on the fence. So he is! I used Whimsy's Die cut letters and spelled out "BOO"

My copic colors used... yes there were lots of colors used!


Such a fun image to color - and there are so many I PROMISE you will fall in love with at the High Hopes Stamps store! Check them all out HERE! You must! Boo!

Have a wonderfully blessed day -
HUGS and

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Animal Crackers - Movin' Out

Howdy -

Well this last week was the Guineas big move! Yep our Guineas have grown up and are now living in the goat pen with Old Lady Guinea.



Ok... mental image here.. it took us a little time and I mean "US" by Hubby, but I did hold gates and such for him, it took a little time to capture them from the small chicken coop and then move them across the yard to the goat pen. They were very loud in their discussing the move. But finally they were all in the goat pen! Whew. Hubby built them a special section of the pen that only they can get into. This was needed since they were not to sure about getting anywhere near the goats and they wouldn't come to eat their feed before the goats ate it! So now they have small little gates into their own private yard. They seem to have figured it out after a few tries and all is good. Ok.... good, but very chatty! OH and I forgot to say - Old Lady Guinea has no interest the the young guineas and they really have not wanted anything to do with her. Old Lady Guinea is sticking to her goat friends. Maybe she thinks she is a goat?

This week has also been a little worry about our home grown chick Bitsy -


She seemed to not be feeling well at all and got some special time in our private chicken get well pen. Some meds in her water, extra feed and some yogurt and we think she is feeling much better. Personally I think some of it was living with those loud Guineas! But now she is living quietly with her sister Isty in their own private pen. Hoping she is feeling much much better.

Snapped this one of the chickens, it amazes me how beautiful their feathers are. And the photo does not do it justice when shining in the light


Now I will say this chicken was looking at me like ... "IF she takes one more photograph of me....... " I snapped and moved on quickly.

Found Frankie enjoying a little of tree above his pen.


 I think he was on his tippy toes and stretched out as far as he could. But mmmmm it was so worth those yummy green leaves!

On my way through the goat pen Mallory said something to me.


Mallory is not the sweetest goat we have. Heck she is probably on the list of the most unfriendly. She wants to be like her 1/2 sisters and get head rubs and attention, but nope, has to be what she is I guess. But for some reason she said hello to me. I snapped the photo and then took a step towards her and bam - she was gone! Oh well at least she said hello -

Hope you all have a wonderfully blessed weekend - Stay safe those in all the many weather related dangers going on -

HUGS and

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

High Hopes Stamps - Fall Tee

Howdy -

Another new image from High Hopes Stamps - "Fall Tree". And lately the thoughts of of Fall and cooler weather give me "Happy Thoughts"



This image gives me hope of cooler weather coming. I colored up with lots of fall Copic colors. Then I cut out the bottom of the image with an oval Nestie, then the top part I cut out the leaves with a small border. The image and the sentiment are both inked on edges with Ranger Ink Tea Dye. The papers are from Papers Studios Beach collection.

Inside more of the same papers.


Copic colors used


So many cute images this month along with all the High Hopes Stamps!

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and