Sassy & Sweet Notes

Welcome, April!

What's that saying ... April SHOWERS bring May flowers!?  Well alright then, let's have us some RAIN!! The wildflowers are trying to bloom and grow, but they're lookin' pretty sparse so far. I honestly cannot remember the last time it rained here. It's dreadful. Alan and I were out in the pastures this evening, and could see that the ground is cracked and dry. If you have any rain to spare, send it our way.

We separated the rest of the calves from their mama's this evening. Now we get to listen to bawling babies and mothers for a few *more* days while they mooooo about being divided by a simple fence. Moooooooo, all night long. And since the barnyard is literally across the driveway from the house (and our bedroom windows), imagine how well we'll sleep! *grin* Mooooo! Moooooo. MOOOOO! Time to get some current photos taken, and get the babies SOLD!

Question for you: Do you like sprouts? Sprouts on your sandwiches? Sprouts on your salads? Sprouts for sprouts sake? Alfalfa, bean, broccoli, and more! I happen to LOVE sprouts, but they are not readily available in local markets here, and if I do manage to find them, they are outrageously priced, or not exactly what I would call "fresh"! Did you know that you can grow your OWN sprouts?! It's easy! Would you like me to show you how?

Sweet Wonderful You

There's a challenge being hosted on the High Hopes Stamps blog ... check it out! *grin*

Another Birthday Card! Quack!

Told you I had a lot of birthday cards to make for upcoming dates ... here's another! This image is my own "Drake's Birthday", from Whipper Snapper.

The sentiment is from my cling set called "All Things With Love", and the present image I used on the base of the card is from the cling set called "Party Animal". All can be found at Whipper Snapper, here.

I should also mention that I made this card to fit with today's color challenge on SplitCoastStampers. Want to play along? Check it out here!

Weekend Update: Part 2

In yesterday's post I mentioned some used lumber we picked up at a local lumber yard for making the new garden beds. Here is Alan, unloading the boards yesterday morning. There was a bit of a chilly breeze, so he was wearing what he calls his "bald head hat". *grin*  There are various lengths of 2x8 and 2x10s, and a couple of LONG 2x6s, so we'll be doing some cutting while we assemble the new garden beds. It's exciting to have the lumber actually on the property - it feels like progress! Now if the dirt would arrive, we'd really be in business!

After unloading the lumber, Alan did some yard work and I got busy on THE CURRENT MESS of the garden.

By the end of the day, I had the three small raised beds and the big aluminum wash tub all prepped for planting, and the flowerbed along the front of the coop is ready for planting as well. I had to cover the freshly dug beds with all kinds of fencing, wire cages and garden decor (pretty much anything I could find to lay down) to keep the roosters from kicking out all of the freshly turned dirt! Sometimes, they're just TOO helpful.

In the flowerbed in front of the chicken house, I plan to plant tall flowers to the left of the door (below the window), and SHORT plants in the section of the bed where the door needs to swing shut. Last year I planted too tall of plants in front of the door and it was nearly impossible to get the door shut during late summer storms. Oops! *grin* The soil got forked, turned, and composted chicken house cleanings mixed in for LOTS of growing power!

Most of the large baskets I used last year for growing various plants won't make it another season. But they worked GREAT for 1 season in the garden, and were affordable at about $2 each (on sale). Actually, many of them were nest baskets in the chicken coop before I installed the vintage aluminum nest boxes, so they really have served double-duty here on the farm. They were well worth the price even if most of them are being retired this year. (Some of them are just fine and will be used this year, maybe for potted flowers!) The baskets are being replaced by the new larger raised beds we'll be assembling with the lumber we picked up.

The soil that's in them now will be added to raised beds, once built, if the roosters don't kick it all out first!

This area at the side of the chicken house is where I planted pumpkin, some squash, tomatoes and peppers last year. We will put new 4'x8' beds here. The roosters have been busy scratching around in this area too, hunting for bugs.

It was so nice to have normal "spring" weather to work in, instead of more "summer" heat like we had Saturday. It was actually chilly when the breeze picked up!

Oh, and if you're wondering why all of these roosters are running about .... it's because there were TOO MANY roosters in with the hens, and it was starting to get a little brutal for the ladies. So when they can't be NICE, out they go! When they're not kicking things around in the garden, they make laps around the chicken yard talking to the ladies. Much better than the alternative, and I think they'd agree. *grin*

Weekend Update

Phweew! Yesterday was a scorcher! The hottest day of the year so far, having hit 93* degrees. Thankfully, a front blew in last night and cooled the air down to the mid 40s overnight, and today we have a perfectly cool and slightly breezy day. I'm going to ENJOY it while I can!

Yesterday, Alan and I ran some errands and noticed that the bluebonnets and red indian paint brush flowers are starting to bloom along the roadways. It's such a pretty time of year ... well, the prettiest it ever is in Texas, if you ask me! Last night I was inspired by those lovely little blue flowers and thought I would add them to this colored image of Annika. All colored up, she's ready to be added to a card or other paper project. But I haven't gotten that far yet.

While on our errands yesterday, we stopped at a small town hardware and lumber yard to see what kind of prices they had on wood for the new raised garden beds I want us to build for the garden. They carry a small supply of newly cut lumber, and I noticed some "aged" lumber in the rafters and asked about it. We told the guy what we wanted to build, and he took us out to where he had "used" lumber stacked. Various lengths of 2x6, 2x10, and 2x12 boards taken out of an old barn. And the price? $2 each. That sounded better than $7-$12...

...more to come...

2011 Garden Planning

(Click on the image for a MUCH larger view!)

I took some time to put the 2011 garden plan on paper. I'm excited at the prospect of all the home grown produce we'll enjoy this year! We are still enjoying canned goods (relish, pickles, jam) I put up last year, and we even have a few loaves of frozen zucchini and patty pan bread in the freezer (not to mention all the frozen shreaded zucchini and patty pan I have left!)

The 2011 garden is going to take a little (ok, a lot) of prep work, though. The 4'x8' raised beds you see on the plan don't actually exist. We need to build them. But we're having a load of topsoil delivered, and putting the beds together can be done over a weekend. Filling them with topsoil will be done using primarily the tractor/bucket once the soil arrives. I will add lots of from-the-farm-poo for extra growing power.

I took a brief tour through photos and posts of last year's garden (you'll have to scroll past this post), and it really got me in the mood for putting this year's garden in place. You'll find last year's garden "map" HERE, on a post about the JUNGLE we had! Hard to imagine it looking like that again this year... let's hope! *grin*

We really do need some rain. The soil out there is dry as can be. Already.

Must Head-Butt You!

Alan moved a couple of the calves into the barnyard this afternoon to wean them from their mothers. They get to share the barnyard with the goats ... and Callio-Pea wanted to let them know that SHE is BOSS. (...or she just wanted to play...)

Over and over, she'd stand up on her hind legs and want to crack heads with the calves, with every hair on her body standing straight up! Alan's mother, Sue, stopped by just in time for the show! That's her pretty gold Dodge van in our driveway.

On the other hand, Baaaaad Boxcar Betty wanted NOTHING to do with the calves!

Betty spent most of her time either at Alan's side, or bellied up to the hay bale. Honestly Betty... this is a family show!

..."cookies?"... (You'll notice Callio-Pea's hair is still standing on end!)

After a while, Callio-Pea decided Alan needed some supervision while he added a few more staples to the fencing. Such a good helper, that Callio-Pea!

Meanwhile, Toad supervised from 6' up, from the top of the cattle chute. The animals work hard around here... can't you tell!?

too hot, too soon...

While it seems that everyone else is having chilly weather and even snow, WE ARE NOT! The temp gauge on the porch this afternoon hit 88. And would you look at the expected temps for Saturday! In March!?! We are already almost 5" below average for rainfall this year, and temps are 15-20 degrees above average...

I THINK I MIGHT MELT!

We need RAIN! Please send rain...

Sweet Pete

Thank you for all of your condolences about Dee. Though small in size, she always made her presence in the coop known. She was clearly a favorite, and was even featured on our 2010 holiday card wearing a Santa hat. There's something about the small Dutch and English Bantams that makes them very special... they overflow with personality. I'd raise them exclusively if they laid eggs larger than a robin! It takes a lot of Dutch Bantam eggs to make an omelet! *grin*

Enough sadness... how about something crafty, and springy, like Sweet Pete! Easter isn't too far off. I was reminded of this when Alan and I were at the grocery store over the weekend. He zipped to the Easter isle... "chocolate, chooocoooolate, mmmmm!" He picked out a couple milk chocolate bunnies for himself, and a white chocolate cookies'n cream bunny for me. Mmmmm!

The flowers on this card are blossoms I pulled from some silk flower stems I picked up years ago during a spring clearance. I added some paper punched leaves, accented with some faux stitching down the center and glitter on the edges. I also added a bit of glitter to the flower centers, and tucked a pink button alongside to secure the sentiment tag.

Happy Wednesday!

Dee.

Rest in peace, sweet little Dee. I wish I had known that you weren't feeling well... I would have brought you in and given you all the extra TLC you needed, but you didn't even let me know you weren't well! You didn't have permission to go....

Alan and I buried her in the middle of the chicken yard, where she will always be surrounded by her friends.

...you didn't have permission to go...

I am having a very sad day.

Bee Happy!

Over the weekend, when I wasn't zonked unconcious from meds, I did some crafting. (And oh by the way, I'm not taking any more meds... you get my usual loopy self back!) I put the finishing touches on a few projects, and even started (and FINISHED!) some new ones! I made this card for my sister ... she likes bees. And I like lavender. It's a good combination. I wonder how long it will take me to mail it to her ... ?

The pot of lavender is a recently released Whipper Snapper stamp called Lavender, and the bees I used on the background (along with the sentiment) are from my cling set called Bee-Lieve in a Cure.

Look out Tuesday, here we come!

Happy 40th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

March 20, 1970 (wait ... doesn't that make it your 41st?) ... or maybe I have the wrong year! Haa! HOUSTON, we have a PROBLEM! *grin*

March 20, 1971!

I was going to post a photo of you two on your wedding day, but I can't find one! I thought for SURE I had one of you two, standing in Grandma's dining room cutting cake, with the mule deer mount looking over your shoulders!

Must .... Keep .... Looking!

OK ... here's the best I can do!

Here is a photo of an 8x8 scrapbook page I made for Mom in 2005! And the mule deer mount I was remembering was actually an antelope! Notice I put the wrong YEAR on the tag... OOPS! I wasn't even alive ... how am I supposed to remember!! *GRIN*

Flowery Birthday Cards

I've had quite a few reasons to send birthday cards recently, and thought I would share a couple of the cards I've made. This flower image from Hero Arts is an oldie, but a goodie. I keep it in my stash for special occasions, like birthdays! I colored the image with markers and then added colored stickles to the blossoms and leaves for lots of sparkle. I even added a bit of glitter to the "birthday smiles" sentiment, too!

Here is another version of the card, using different ribbon, background stamp, different paper matting, and a different sentiment. I think they're both cheery, and hope they're enjoyed!

Another birthday card I made recently using my own "Three Flower Friend" stamp, from Whipper Snapper. I love this image, and it was one of the wood mounted images I ordered after the latest release. I'm happy to have it in my stash! The butterfly I used on the background is from my cling set called "Love At Home", a personal favorite of mine.

I'll be making more birthday cards this weekend... lots of springtime birthdays to be had!

Are you making anything special this weekend?

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Irish Dexter, that is! Happy St Patty's day, from the farm!

The photo of Dixie above taken in May 2010... hopefully that means wildflowers are on their way for this spring! Oh, and if you don't know, the cattle we raise are Irish Dexters. You can learn all about them HERE. Moooo!

Country Bumpkin

The appointment with the oral surgeon this morning went well! They got me hooked up to blood pressure monitors, heart monitors, and got an IV run, and the doc twilighted me.

The last thing I remember saying was "is it supposed to be getting foggy in here?" I guess the answer was yes, because before I knew it, I was being escorted to the recovery lounge, chatting it up with the nurses as best as I could with a wad of gauze in my mouth. I don't imagine I was saying anything useful, but I certainly was chatty.

The tooth gave the surgeon a bit of trouble, but he was able to get it pulled and get the titanium post put in place. I feel like I have little antennae in my mouth where the sutures are ... maybe they're alien transmitters!

Fortunately for me, and for Alan!, recovery from the twilight was a snap! I didn't experience any of the "grossness" I experienced when I had my wisdom teeth pulled.

I was inspired to draw this evening... on pain meds, no less! And, as you can see, I was inspired by teeth! *grin* And even though the tooth I had to have pulled was a molar and can't really be seen when I smile, I chose to draw this little gal with a missing front tooth. She's a little bit country, and a lot hillbilly! The sentiment on the tag is from All Things with Love, and it works perfectly for this image!

Perhaps this little country bumpkin will be "adopted" by Whipper Snapper and made into a rubber stamp! Wouldn't that be fun! Her big toothy/less grin would be fun for tooth fairy themed cards. What do you think ... should she be made into a rubber stamp?

Toothy... err, toothLESS!

At 8:15am I'll be in an oral surgeon's office getting my broken molar pulled and an implant post put in place... AGHHHH!!!!!

Gnome in a Birch Forest

The Fox Friends cling set released today, and I love that the images in the set work so well with previously released cling sets! Like with the gnome, from Garden Gnome for example! I have a feeling Fox Friends is going to be on my desk for a long, long while... The sentiment on this card is from All Things with Love. *swoon*

PS: I've noticed that Typepad has reduced the image quality of photos again, regardless of the size or quality I post - argh! For a clearer look at any of the images I post here on the blog, click on the photos. You'll get a larger, CLEARER image to view.

Introducing Feelin' Fishy, Fox Friends, All Things with Love, and Cupcakes & Sprinkles

It's time for another Whipper Snapper Designs cling set release! We've got four new sets releasing today, and an amazing line-up of Featured Designers to inspire! I've got a lot of info to share, so let's get to it!

(Click on images for a larger view.)

Feelin' Fishy is a set that was inspired by my Dad. He is an avid fisherman, and (don't tell him I told you this, but....) he is quite goofy. It seemed a perfect combination... goofy fishes! A few "punny" sentiments are included in the set as well.

I included a crab in the set (yes, I know, crabs aren't fish), and the "sorry I was crabby" sentiment. I won't say just how often this combination of image and sentiment will come in handy for me.....  *grin* On the cream colored background paper, I stamped the crab in a random pattern and colored the space AROUND the crab (instead of coloring the crabs) to create a different kind of patterned paper. Not only did coloring the space around the crabs give a subtle effect, but it sure saved a lot of time, too! *grin*

Feelin' Fishy

Fox Friends is a set I'm going to enjoy using for lots of projects. Not only are there two cute foxes, but the birch trees, flowers, and birds are perfect companion images to many of the other cling sets already released! I love using the new October Afternoon "Campfire" patterned paper with this set. (This paper will also be perfect for summertime projects using Hooked on Fishing, Beware of Bears, Great Outdoors, and Woodland Critters!)

I pulled out some white flock to add a bit of fuzzy wuzzy to the white patches on each fox. The she-fox even has a sparkly bow!

Fox Friends

All Things with Love proves to be a true go-to set for cute and versatile sentiments, packed with 20 different expressions! I used the background sentiment block on the base of this card, and on several cupcake projects I've made recently. The background text block is 4.5" wide and 1" tall, sized perfectly for stamping across the entire width of an A2 card. You will find the font in many other cling sets, making it a perfect companion background image to sets you already have in your collection. I hope you find the set as fun and enjoyable to use as I have!

All Things with Love

Cupcakes & Sprinkles was created when I received a special request for a cupcake and birthday themed set, and has already come in quite handy for recent birthday projects I've made! There is a nice variety of images, including solid and open line, to allow for lots of paper piecing and stamping options.

I used October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker paper to create this cute cupcake and scalloped garland. A Tip: If you dampen the paper strip prior to creating the pleats, you will find the paper much easier to work with. Just do your pleating with a gentle hand as damp paper does tear rather easily. I use a couple spritzes of stamp cleaner to dampen the paper, since it is always on my desk. And it leaves a nice scent on my projects, too!

You might remember this cupcake topper I made for Alan's mother's birthday celebration... pretty stinkin' cute, I say! *grin*  The "enjoy" sentiment I used on the little banner is from the All Things with Love set.

Cupcakes & Sprinkles

 

You are going to want to check out the blogs and galleries of the Featured Designers we've lined up for this release, as they share projects throughout the month. They are amazing stampers sure to impress and inspire!

The Who's Who of March/April Featured Designers:
Shellie Daniel
SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/ShellieD

Beth Matson
SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/ematson
Blog: http://nevertoooldtocolor.blogspot.com

Dawn Burnworth
SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/flowergal36
Blog: http://mystampingthyme.blogspot.com

Peggy Marsh
SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/PMarsh5
Blog: http://thewiredangel.blogspot.com

Shelly Mercado
SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/3_Little_Love_Bugs
Blog: http://www.shellypop.com

Jennifer Woodward
SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/Thimbles
Blog: http://thimblesbobbinspaperandink.blogspot.com

and Me! Anna Wight
SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/sweetmissdaisy
Blog: http://sweetmissdaisy.typepad.com

 

You can see all of the projects current and past Featured Designers have uploaded to their SplitCoast galleries by viewing the Whipper Snapper Featured Designer Gallery. Have a look -- it's a great place to find all KINDS of great inspiration!

Have fun!

New Stamps and Mystery Chick Update

After each Whipper Snapper release, I order a few wood mounted stamps of some of my favorite images from the release. My order arrived yesterday, and I thought I'd share a photo! I absolutely LOVE getting the stamps in the mail. Sure, I draw the image and color the images for the labels, but actually having the product in my hands is most excellent. Whipper Snapper does such a wonderful job making the stamps; it is an honor to be able to work with them.

If you're not familiar, I am an artist for Whipper Snapper Designs, a rubber stamp company. They turn my illustrations into rubber stamps, like those above, for crafters. They are sold worldwide, and the complete collection can be found on their website. The stamps are available from Whipper Snapper as wood mount, cling mount, and as bare rubber, depending on the preference of the stamper. When I order my own stamps, I always order wood mounted; I love having the colored label and having the wood mounted stamps on display is something I truly enjoy.

On another topic, I've been asked about our "mystery chick". Here is a photo I took just a few minutes ago. This photo really shows the progress of feather growth. I still don't know what breed this little one is... and I'm REALLY hoping it's not a little roo!!

Go Green with High Hopes

There's a challenge on the High Hopes Stamps blog, and I'm the hostess... check it out!

I made a pillow box that will come in handy next time I need to send a small gift to a friend. I used the Hoppy Single Flower and Hoppy Flower Border stamps to decorate the box and the center of the bow. The sentiment is from my upcoming *new* cling set from Whipper Snapper called All Things with Love.

Hope you're enjoying this fine Saturday!

Happy FRIDAY!

I'm sooooo glad it's Friday...  how about a baby mosh pit!? I took this photo earlier this week. Not much has changed, except their wing feathers are a bit longer, and their tail feathers are a wee bit longer. Other than that, they're still cute fluff balls. Cheep cheep!!

Sneak Peek!

On March 14th Whipper Snapper is releasing four new cling sets, by ME! We've got some amazing featured designers lined up for the release; can't wait to see their projects! Here's a sneak peek at one of my projects for the release... feelin' crabby? This little guy is sure to put a smile on your face!

We're one day closer to the weekend!

Happy Thursday!

Springtime Flowers

 
I was talking with my Dad this evening and he mentioned that it snowed all DAY at their house (in northeastern Washington). Snow, snow, and MORE snow! How's weather here in Texas? Well, let's just say that we won't be having snowfall anytime soon. Here are some springtime flowers to cheer you up, if you've got snow in your neighborhood this week!

The stamp used on this card is my recently released Thank You Display, at Whipper Snapper.

Birthday Cupcakes

Now that I've given Sue (Alan's mother) her birthday card, I can share it with you and not spoil the surprise! Oh, and by the way, don't tell anyone but you just MIGHT be seeing a SNEAK PEEK of one of my new cling sets for Whipper Snapper that's releasing next Monday. *grin*

I've been inspired by the doily craze in paper crafts, and for some reason I find myself using PINK again! Of course, I did make pink icing for the birthday cupcakes, so pink on Sue's birthday card seemed fitting.

I stamped the cupcake, rose, and banner images in brown ink and colored them with markers. I used paper snips to carefully cut them out, added fine crystal glitter for lots of sugary sparkle, and layered them on a tag.

In addition to the card, I made a cute cupcake topper! Again, the images were stamped in brown ink, colored with markers, cut out and layered together. I added glitter for shine, and adhered the entire ensemble to a toothpick.

The sentiment was adhered to a large sewing pin (which had a pearl colored head). The sharp end of the pin was then adhered to the backside of the paper cupcake beneath a piece of cardstock for safety. Cute! And the cupcakes sure were tasty!

This and That...

Meet Lola! She's one of my recently released Whipper Snapper stamps.

I noticed the other day that people in town have daffodils blooming in their yards. And I noticed that we don't have ANY early spring blooming flowers here on the farm. I must remedy this, don't you agree? I have a stack of plant and seed catalogs on the end table in the living room, and they are getting corners folded down, notes penciled in, and ideas are brewing for the summer garden.

Today is Alan's mother's birthday -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE! We're having her and John (Alan's Dad), and Alan's nephew over for dinner Sunday night. Should be a nice evening. I even made cupcakes! YUM!

The chicks are doing super, eatting well, and getting stronger each day. CHEEP!

Hope you're enjoying the weekend... I sure am!

Cheep cheep CHEEP!

Alan had to make a trip to town yesterday to pick up some feed, and some other odds and ends. When he got home, he walked into the house and surprised me with six BABY CHICKENS! Six little babies for me to call my very own! *grin* It's been a long while since we've had babies on the farm, and their little peep peep peeps are music to my ears! He brought home four Golden Comet chicks, two of which are shown in the above photo series. We love Golden Comets for their incredible egg laying abilities, and for their sweet dispositions. And we love that Golden Comets are easily gender identifiable as chicks. The light golden chicks w/ subtle stripes on their backs are girls. Easy pickin's!

He brought home THIS little cutie, who is as tiny as can be, and I am guessing is a white Dutch bantam. (Though I reserve the right to change that opinion later! Haa!)  This is the chick that prompted the purchase. Alan said that this TINY little thing was in the same area as the store's order of meat birds! There is NO WAY this little pip is a meat bird. Poor little thing was being trompled by the bigger babies; Alan to the rescue! This is also the chick that prompted the Stickles bottle photos. I was trying to show just how tiny this chick is.

In comparison, this is one of the Golden Comet chicks with the same bottle of Stickles. Golden Comets are considered a "standard" sized bird.

And he brought home THIS darling little one, who has the prettiest coloring! This chick isn't as large as the Golden Comets, but isn't nearly as little as the little white chick. I haven't had time to research a breed... expect an update later!

And would you look at HER (optimism at its finest) EYES! Beaut-eee-ful!

Welcome HOME, babies! Cheep, cheep, CHEEP!

And THANK YOU, Alan... I have a feeling these little delights were just what I needed! *Smooches*

Give this Photo a Title!

(Click on image for larger view.)

Boop in Pink!

I'm settling in for a long week this week. The appointment I was scheduled for this coming Thursday to have my broken molar pulled and the implant post put in has moved to March 16. You'll have to wait a bit longer for the update on how Alan manages with me after the appointment and "the drugs". Haa!

So with that , how about another Whipper Snapper card! This is Boop, giving a little springtime friendship cheer. The sentiment is from the Sending Happy Thoughts cling set.

There sure is lots of pink on this card ... maybe I have a fever?!

Springfever that is! *giggle*