Have a very Mice Day -

This was a fun image to color. I worked on it for a long time. Lots to color with my Copics. And I used my Blender pen more than I ever have on this one! It was fun watching the ink fade.

I did this card for this weeks House Mouse Challenge, it actually is their holiday break challenge, I am just now getting to it. Better a bit late than not at all. They asked for embossing. Well I did two types of embossing on this card. HA! But as I finished up the card you can only see one.

Ok, so I started with my image, it is a very large image as you can tell. The finished card measures 6x6 inches. I used a deep turquoise blue card stock for the base and to mat the image. The pattern paper is Basic Grey, Periphery. Now for one of the embossed pieces there is a really cute green strip running up the right side of the card that has Cuttlebug embossed buttons... image was so large it covered the bottom, and then I added the flowers and liked them so much I ended up covering up the top too. But it is there in between the flowers in person you can see just a bit of it. My second embossing is the sentiment that is also Stampendous House Mouse, I heat embossed it with detail black embossing powder. Love how it pops.. why don't I use that more often? Back to those flowers they are Prima and Heidi Grace, with Martha Stewart leaves, jewelery spacers, and mini brads. The top left corner seemed empty so I stamped a corner bracket from Clear Art Stamps. Wish I had embossed it too, but too late. I found a scrap of fancy ribbon and created a band across the bottom corner and then added the flower charm. Don't know why... just wanted to use it as it was sitting on my desk begging. I then gel pen stitched the edges of all the card stock.

Well Hubby is off today, we are hoping to move some of the Donkeys around and SHOCK... it is time to wean Gloria... so Mom and her will both be sad today, but she will be in the youth pen so lots of girls for her to play with.

Hope you have some fun planned, time to get inky I hope!

HUGS and-

Special Delivery

I just love this image. Helene at Alota Rubber Stamps has been really adding some fabulous images. You know what I love most about her... ok one of the things I love most cuz she is just the sweetest person you would ever want to meet. She listens to her customers. You need a certain image... she really tries to go out and add that image to her enormous catalog of images. Example... furniture for our Tilda's and friends ..done - more backgrounds for scene's... done - romantic valentine ... done - DONKEY'S... done! And wait until you see the brand new wagon set coming out! Oh my I love this set, can't wait to ink it all up! I see so many possibilities with it.

This card is made with one of Helene's old favorites re-done and added to the Internet! And I love it! So fun to color! The ARK, don't you love it. It even has two donkeys on it!!!! Now this is a larger image, so planning the card doesn't take much cuz there isn't a lot of room to play with. I colored with my Copic's and used my air compressor to do the sky, grass and water. Man I need some practice with this thing. I don't get even smooth mist like it says. I get more spirts and nothing then big spirt... I need help!!! Any words of wisdom for anyone that uses the Copic system.

Ok back to the card. Now as soon as I saw the image I knew I wanted to use the JoAnn's Debbie Mum Noah's Ark papers stack with it. Love these papers, all of the animals sparkle! I used a blue card stock for base, one of the simpler papers for the back ground, matted the animal print and the image with the same blue and zig-zag stitched everything... just love that!

I found this fun piece of fringe ribbon in my stash and used it at the bottom of the card. The arrow photo holder is from 7-gypsies, with a Making Memories mini button brad. My sentiment Special Delivery is from Papertrey Ink and is punched with the Stampin Up Window Word punch.

I had a few pieces of scraps and decided to not waste a thing, so I used them to decorate the inside just a bit.

Feel so good to get back into the groove of making cards again. And having some new images don't hurt right?

Well better get going... I haven't said anything here before... but I started the Wii Fit on December 26th (Christmas Gift LOL) ... yep it is what the 7th of January and I still even thru being sick, have done it every day. Some days more than others but I have done it every day! I hope this will actually help shed some very unwanted and unhealthy pounds. So gotta go and do my time before I will allow myself some blog surfing.. that is my reward!

Hope you have some fun planned for the day!

HUGS
MichelleO

OH And I just have to share one more thing! Lim at The Voices in my Head has some unbelievable candy up for grabs!!!! all I have to say is one word and I guarantee you will fly from here to go and sign up..... ( HANGLARS!!!) see told you! While there see her wonderful work, she is really wonderful!

MMMM back to a Spoon full of Sugar and a bit of Sugar Bowl!

Lots of Sugar today! Yes! I have my card for today's Spoon Full of Sugar and then for just a bit more Sugar I have a card for the new Sugar Bowl Challenge!

First my DT card for Spoon Full of Sugar -

This week is a FABULOUS sketch by Nikki! I love this sketch really a fun one to work with. And to also let you know to make you want to play even more there are some yummy stamps up for grabs from Alota Rubber Stamps!

For my card I used one of the new Stampavie stamps from Lelo Designs. Loving these new images there are so many fun ones to choose from! This is Little Susie, isn't she cute?

Now I wasn't a great organized person while making this card. I am going to blame all the cold medicine I was taking. I did not write down who the paper was from. And I think the maker is on one of these pieces sewed down. So it is real pretty...love the purples, but sorry no name. I used a purple card stock for the base, sewed down all of the pieces with a blanket stitch. My image is colored with my Copics then I cut her to give the appearance like she is sitting in a window. The sentiment is from Hero Arts. Love the ribbon it is from Heidi Grace and is layered on top of a satin ribbon. I stacked lots of Prima Flowers topped with jewelry spacers and mini brads.

It is a wonder sketch this week, with great prizes so why not jump in and give it a try this week! Hope you do!

Now for just a bit more sugar....

There is a new challenge site The Sugar Bowl Challenge, to use any Sugar Nellie Stamp! Well about time they have a challenge for all of these wonderful images!

For the first challenge they have a sketch - I used one of my favorite Sugar Nellie images and my favorite papers, DCWV Glitter Girls Nursery Stack. I followed the sketch as close as possible, sewed down things trying to make it flat... wow this was a tall stack of papers. My image again is colored with my Copics. The flowers are a gift from a sweet friend and are from Close to my Heart and are like paper clips, I broke it in half and used glue dots to put them down to make them go farther... thrifty huh!

Really wonderful new challenge I hope to take part as often as I can!

Well better get my day going. I actually feel almost human today I think I am on my way to breaking free from what ever sickness has had me all week. I actually may leave the house and do a couple of errands today... like finding some food to bring in as the fridge has nothing good to eat in it! Hope you have a wonderful day and have some time to take part in a few challenges and get inky!

HUGS and-

Back to the routine of challenges!

I have to say I am soooo happy that the challenges are starting back up this week. It is really funny, I had a hard time knowing what day of the week it was with out the routine of challenges to keep me going! LOL!

It is Sunday... Magnolia Vs. Stampavie Challenge!!! YEAH! And this week is a great sketch! With a request of making it a Thank You card.

This week I was thrilled to use one of the brand new Stampavie stamps from Lelo Designs. It was so much fun to color this guy. This is one is called "Dragon Flower", isn't he cute?

Colored with my Copics and high lighted with white gel pen, I just figured that most dragons were green and orange right? And the only color the flower could be was purple and that was the only color that would match both green and orange. Then I had to figure out what paper would match him... uh oh.

But then I found a piece of plaid paper in my new DCWV Animal Crackers stack that did! I put it with a dark green American Crafts Card Base, orange card stock and light blueish purple card stock and yea! Ok the sketch showed a scalloped mat behind the image. Well Scallops just didn't seem to match this guy, so I used my Martha Stewart border check punch on all four sides. Actually made a pretty neat mat don't you think?

I didn't want to use another pattern paper, so much was going on with the plaid and that checked mat, I just took the light blueish paper and ran it through my Cuttlebug and embossed it with the simple flower pattern. The Sentiment is cut with a Cuttlebug Die, love that the word is all together, I high lighted it with white gel pen, and then doodled the edge with white gel pen as well. I stacked felt flowers with a glittered orange brad for the flowers. Now that empty space above the tail was really bothering me... it needed something, so I added three buttons, and then doodled the edges of the image with Copic orange multi-liner. I think this one is fun. It is a great sketch I hope you will join in this week!

Oh and I also need to spread the word about some wonderful Yummy blog candy! You just must stop over and see Papercrafts by Rach... Oh how I love her stuff, she has so much talent, I look forward to seeing her beautiful art each day. And now she is giving away some fabulous candy. Take a look and see you'll agree. While there spend some time drooling on her work too!

Well better get a move on, breakfast with the locals at the cafe. And then home to get some house work done. I hope. I haven't done much of anything the past two days. Haven't had the energy with this "crud" illness that is trying to attack me. I feel a bit better today, so here is hoping it will just go away! Have a wonderful Sunday, I know for many it is the last day before real world work and school starts after the holidays.

HUGS and-

Lets Review the Babies of 2008!

I didn't get out to take Donkey photos this morning. I am just a bit under the weather. So I got to thinking... it is the first Saturday Donkey Day of the New Year, lets look back at all the Baby Blessings of 2008! This was our first real big baby year here, we were very blessed!

Our first Baby of the Year the first part of April, is Rosie. She is my Girl. Poor thing has been sickly her entire life. She started out that way, she wasn't getting enough milk from her Mom the first few days. But then Lacey got the hang of things and did a much better job. Then she got some type of worm, that has effected her. It comes and goes, and today is one of those sick days for her. I feel so bad for her, once we get a dose of meds in her she bounces back. I just wish we could kick it all together. She is such a pretty girl.

Two days later we lost Vicky's baby. We don't know what the problem was, but we were lucky that it didn't damage Vicky and she is now again VERY pregnant. You can guarantee that with this birth I will probably sleep in the barn with her when things get close for her.

Then just a week later Macey went into labor and Angelina was born. "Lina" is a carbon copy of her Momma. From her beautiful eyes to her size and tummy. Macey is like me short and wide... A big boned girl we will say. Lina is just like her. You can tell out in the pasture which one is her... short and wide. She is a pretty little girl. Daddy tells her to not tell anyone but she is his favorite.

Lola came three weeks later, in May. Cheyenne's daughter. And again she is a exact copy of her Mom. Tall, skinnier, dark nose, long ears. She is pushy friendly and one of the first to greet you in the pen. Once there no one else is going to come between you and her. Daddy thought it was cute as a baby to let her raise up on him and they danced.... not so funny now as she has knocked him over more than once. We have now taught her this is a no no. Lola and Lina are NEVER apart, they are great 1/2 sisters.

The end of July we had our very first Spot Baby. Patti gave birth to Irene. She is one funny girl. She is a lot like her Mom in size and shape, but not in personality. Patti is calm and sweet and very gentle. Irene is super friendly, pushy, and got the nick name "Shark" real fast. It has been almost impossible to teach her to not bite. She doesn't usually hurt, most of the time it is clothing she bites and pulls, but once in a while she gets "meat". She is buddies with Rosie. And Rosie is a calm, laid back Donkey... some of it is rubbing off on Irene, I have seen a big difference in her the last month.

Little bitty Gloria, Jazz's second baby for us, was born July 31st.. just 4 days after Irene. She stole the heart of many of you. She is our first "black" donkey, and is really small. She is a sweet natured donkey and loved attention. She is ready to be weaned and will be put in the youth pen this week. She has gotten the nick name Orangutan... as she has lots of long furry hair except on her face. And yes she looks like and Orangutan. She is just adorable.

We had a wait for our next baby. Fernando came the first part of November. We had more stress and trauma with him than with any baby in a long time. Mom really had a tough birth, was in full labor, then stopped it due to a wild cow running through our property, then went into birth the next night, was a long panic birth, once he was born she would have nothing to do with him and kicked and ran from him. Finally after some time and tying Mom up they bonded and she has become a wonderful Momma. Fernando is my Zonkey... I just love all of his stripes. But the name Fernando is just way to formal for this hysterical little guy. "Freddie" is perfect. He is really a super friendly guy and loved to go under you, yes between your legs and as he is growing and I am so short this is not so funny, I have nearly fallen on my rear end more than once.

Then on Thanksgiving Darlene gave us one Turkey Dinner... "Pavo" yes that in Spanish translate to Turkey Dinner. LOL he is a timid quiet shy guy. That is just beautiful with his dark nose. He is just now getting to where he will leave Mom's side and come for hugs and petting. It is funny to watch him in the pen. The only other "young" donkey in that pen is Gloria right now. She has been very use to being the baby, the fastest. Since Pavo has gotten a bit braver, he has been running more freely and trying to get Gloria to play with him. She does but gets frustrated that she can't turn on a dime like he does, and just can't whip in and out of the bales like him. It is really funny to watch. Then he will get a snort from Mom and she freezes, and stops everything and goes right back to Mom's side. He is a very well behaved boy and does exactly what Mom tells him.

We honestly thought that Pavo was it for the year. But Jolene decided she wanted to surprise us. On December 6th with out any signs or warning she gave birth to Josephine "Josie". We did not think that she was due to give birth until the end of January or well into February. But guess we were wrong huh? Josie is sooooo tiny, even now she is still smaller than most new born babies we have had. I question whether she was a bit pre-mature and really should have not been born till later. I was so excited this last week as Josie as I was coming out the back door to feed welcomed me with her first real Hee Haw... very high pitched and was 5 or 6 hee's and haws. Simply adorable. We should have released her and Jolene into the main pasture by now, but I have been putting it off, she is just so small. We decided to wait at least through this next cold front to make sure they had their own barn... then I will see if I am brave enough to let her loose.

Blessed or what? I have felt so lucky to have all of these babies, and before them I loved going out and loving on all of my Donkeys, but now it is even more of a pleasure. Fun, with more laughing. Next year should be in the business since "profitable" as well. But we will have to sell some to make it so. We will keep many of these, as we are trying to increase our heard size, and well we are just really attached at this point. Sadly all the boys will have to go - no questions asked. Just can't keep them at all.

If you would like more donkey photos to "review" or would like to see any of these babies through the year and how they have grown up, just click the Donkey label on my side bar.

Ok I know this was really long today - I actually had a card to show too, but I will hold it for another day. But I do have one more Donkey to show you. I, despite being sick today, have been so excited about this new Donkey!!!!!!! Have you seen the new releases from Whiff of Joy????

I knew this was coming but seeing it on the web site and seeing what Katharina named her.... I have been over joyed and like a little kid giggling about it!!!!

This is "Michelle Celebrating Donkey" ... yes you read that right! Katharina thank you so much!!! It means so much to me that you not only included a Donkey in your new Animal collection but when I saw you named it after me... well... I just really wish I could HUG YOU!!!! Thanks so much!

If you haven't seen the new collection ... you must run and take a look they are all Adorable and so fun. But I will say the Donkey is the best and my favorite! HA LOL!

Well I will stop now. This has been long enough! Thanks so much for following the Donkey Day Saturday post, they have meant so much to me that you all enjoy them so much - my Donkeys are such a huge part of me. And I love sharing them will all of you!

HUGS and-

Oops forgot to show this one -

While tidying up last night I found one more image I forgot to show. And I worked really hard on coloring this one, so I don't want to wait until next December to show it. LOL

This one I used my Ranger Distressing Inks, that takes me forever! I so wish I could get a hang of using them....

The card papers are lots of brands. Red pattern is from Basic Grey Wassail pad I think, the mat behind the Hanglar is from the brand new DCWV Green stack. And the "book" pattern paper is from a kit I got years ago... I think it was a Bolin paper... but I am not sure as it wasn't marked. I inked the edges of everything with brown ink. The sentiment is from Hero Arts and I smudged ink all over it to "age" it some. Then used a Making Memories frame for it. I stacked to ribbons for the bottom band, and the flowers are just yummy aren't they. The glitter flowers are Heidi Grace, and the red poinsettia is Prima, put together with jewelry spacers and mini brads.

Well now I can move on to my January and February cards! Hope you had a wonderful New Years Day, we watched movies, Hubby's brother and his family came out later, went out to dinner then came home and played Wii... funny stuff!

Today we are going to do some Donkey business, and a few things around the house. Have a great Friday (man that sounds weird my days are all mixed up!) anyway have a great day and get inky!

HUGS and-

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to pop on and wish everyone a wonderful Happy New Year!! Hubby is home from his trip today... boy I missed him! A week was a long time without him. We have spent the morning loving on the donkeys, talking about his trip and playing the Wii.... I will have a card for tomorrow - but just had to say Hi and Happy New Year to my friends
HUGS and-