Popping in

RIP Elvira

Would you believe I haven't put ink to paper since my last post?  I've been learning the ins and outs of Photoshop Elements 10 and I am really loving it, especially the Organizer. Speaking of organizing, I have organized my craft area again! I think I have finally gotten it to where I want it. Just a few final touches and I should be ready to post photos.

It hasn't been all fun and games unfortunately. Elvira, my Black Australorp hen, began laying her eggs internally, developed peritonitis and had to be put down. Didn't find a vet who treated chickens so had to do the deed myself. Not fun but I couldn't let her suffer. I ended up buying 2 baby chicks to cheer everyone up. OK, to cheer me up but I think Hazel and Penny are a little happier too. This is my first time raising chicks and I can tell you that I will never buy another chicken already raised. It is such a joy to watch them grow and develop.

Here is Wanda and Dotty at 4 1/2 weeks old. This is an awkward stage with their sleek grown up feathers coming in but their fluffy baby feathers still on. They are most likely Easter Eggers and should lay either blue or green eggs. When I bought them I didn't really care what breed I was getting. I picked the two who were the most people friendly. Wanda is darker in color and has the dramatic eyeliner.  Dotty is lighter in color and doesn't have any markings on her face but is more friendly.

Wanda

Dotty

They will need to be kept apart from Hazel and Penny until they are about 5 months old but I have them in a very large dog cage out in the chicken yard on warm days so they can all get used to each other. 

Hopefully I will get time to stamp in the near future but in the meantime I am having a blast learning new things and raising my chicks.


Til next time...

New Beginnings

That's the theme for todays Waltzingmouse Blog Hop but it applies to my life and this blog as well. I can't believe it has been nearly 5 months since my last post. Life has been a rollercoast, full of ups and downs and will take a few posts to get everyone up to speed.

The card I am showing today was made for one of the recent "ups" - my son and daughter-in-law's new home. They are just over the moon and we are all so thrilled for them.  I started with an old Stampendous cottage image, colored it with Copics then built the card around it. Not my usual method but it worked.

Stamps: WaltzingMouse - Cottage Home, Heirloom Patterns, Irish Blessings; Stampendous Cottage
Embossing Folders: StampinUp
Dies: Spellbinders, StampinUp
Cardstock: StampinUp
Other: Copic Markers & Air Brush System, Flowers handmade by me, Quickutz leaves, Martha Stewart fern

Til next time...

It's Mucksgiving Day!

Since oldest son is a Chef and he works his tush off on Thanksgiving Day we celebrate the holiday the day after. Thanksgiving is a day to be together as family and being grateful for each other as well as all the other blessings we enjoy so it really doesn't matter what day it's celebrated on. Our family consists of only 7 people but it is quality over quantity that is important and I have a fabulous family.  I also have an extended family of special friends that are the best in the world. So here is wishing all of you a very

Happy Mucksgiving Day

Til next time...

Day 3 Christmas Card

I saw a card similar to this in a magazine and I just knew I had to CASE it. I kept the design fairly close to the original except I used a stamped,colored and layered poinsettia instead of a silk flower and my sentiment is from StampinUp.

 

Stamps: PTI Poinsettia, Argyle; StampinUp Sentiment

Cardstock: StampinUp Crumb Cake; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Ink: StampinUp Garden Green, Real Red; Memento Tuxedo Black

Copic Markers:

2 in a Row!

Hot stuff! Another post in the same week. Try not to get too spoiled. LOL  Today's post showcases a Christmas card I made with stamps from WaltzingMouse. I have loved Claire's work even before she started designing her own stamp line and I just adore her designs. With this card I was able to combine 3 of my favorite things - WaltzingMouse Stamps, Copic Markers and watercolor crayons. I'm not sure if you can see it in the photo but I also added a bit of sparkle to the tree with Copic's  atyou Spica Glitter Pens.

Stamps: WaltzingMouse

Cardstock: StampinUp River Rock, Soft Suede; Neenah Classic Crest Natural White

Ink: SU Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede; Memento Tuxedo Black

Other: Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pens, StampinUp Embossing folder  & watercolor crayons, Papertrey Ink Jute Button Twine

Til next time...

1st Christmas Card of 2011

In the weeks since I last shared a project I have been busy trying to learn some new software and to become more proficient with many of the programs I already have. I've also designed far more Christmas cards than I will need but the ideas just kept coming. Well they were until this miserable sinus thingy turned my head to mush. Sunday I felt well enough to line up all the cards I made and at least get them photographed. Planned on getting a post up on Monday but oldest son came over to spend some time with me so the blog got pushed to the end of the line again. Now, finally, here is the first of this year's Christmas collection...

If something looks familiar it's because I used the same Verve sketch as I did in this post .  I really like the look of this sketch and I imagine I'll be using it again in the future.

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink, StampinUp

Cardstock: SU River Rock, Bravo Burgundy

Ink:  SU Handsome Hunter

Other:  Aleene's Paper Glaze, SU Grosgrain ribbon, Spellbinders tag die

Til next time...