Twitter-pated with Birds

For Challenge #9, click HERE.

Merry Christmas 2CCC friends,

This is Teresa, finally back in the swing at 2CCC and I have lots of Christmas goodies for you in this mid-month post.

About 2 years ago, my wonderful husband made me an enclosed aviary in our basement so my pet birds could fly free without risk to their safety. Since then, my handful of birds has grown to 19: 2 doves, 2 cockatiels, 4 budgies and 11 finches. With the exception of the finches and my 16-year-old white dove, Treasure, all of these have been birds that needed new homes. As for my Zebra finches, I have had to re-home a number of them because the little darlings keep reproducing. Otherwise, I would be completely overrun (over-flown?) by tiny beeping finches. (I was not beeping out a bad word; that is actually the sound they make. )

 Even though I have a variety of species, they all get along reasonably well. Most stick to their own, but my cockatiels - Sassafrass and Frannie - have taken a shine to the doves. Who can blame them?

Most of my birds are not hand-tame, except for the doves, but my finches like to land on my head and shoulders, tugging on my long silver hair. I suspect they think it is straw and will make good nest material.

Health issues with small birds can often be fatal. Usually by the time you notice something is wrong, the bird is too sick to recover. I always keep a small hospital cage in case I ever have a sick bird on my hands. That way I can keep the bird warm (with a heat source under one half of the cage) and quiet until (hopefully) she recovers. For anyone keeping more than two birds, I recommend having a small hospital cage or small animal carrier. Being prepared can make the difference between a sick bird surviving or not.

The best way to keep a healthy flock is to provide a nutritious diet, clean air & water, plenty of exercise, an area away from drafts, and a reasonably clean environment. Over the years, I have developed a recipe that I feed to my birds, which is high in protein and has lots of nutrition, including calcium, which all females need, especially if they are breeding. They also get fresh greens daily and I often add other fruits and veggies to their mix for more nutrition and because they like variety. My first Christmas gift to you is my recipe. If you don't have pet birds, perhaps you will consider making a batch of bird bread as a Christmas gift to the outside birds around your home. They will certainly appreciate it, especially if you live in a cold climate like I do.

Now, even if you don't love having real birds in your life, you might like having them on your cards and craft projects. So I am sharing some of my bird digis with you. Please do not share them directly, but feel free to send your friends here to pick up the images themselves. If you post a project, please give credit to Tickell Expressions. If you can't remember that, you can say Teresa from 2CCC and that will be fine. Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy these.

Challenge #9 Sponsored by Sasayaki Glitter

     Welcome to our 9th Challenge here at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  Please do not forget to check our rules. Thanks!

       OK, let's get right to what you all want to know - our winner of the prize offered by Sparkle n Sprinkle for our November challenge is:

#69 Nanaseaside (Christine)

with this fab card

Congratulations!  Please email us at 2craftycrittercrazies(at)gmail(dot)com  so that we can arrange to get your prize to you.

     In addition, we've chosen two ladies to be our Guest Designers in January.  We do hope they are available and would like to design with us.

Donna Mundinger
and
Donna R.

I hope you'll both contact us by email about designing in January.

     Before we get to our latest challenge, we want to introduce you to two new DT members who are joining us this month.  We'll have additional team members joining us in January!

Lori Kobular

I grew up in Brick, NJ and I have lived in Toms River, NJ with my wonderful and supportive husband, Wayne, since 2000.  We have two grown daughters, Julie and Jenna and two crazy rescued huskies.  I was introduced to Scrapbooking at a Creative Memories Home Class in 1988 where I fell in love with scrapping!  I was a Creative Memories Consultant for 11 years, and have enjoyed designing for many companies over the years.  I love scrapbooking and making cards. My blog is here: Lori's Kreations.

Lisa Furbush

I am so excited to be working with the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Design Team!  This is a wonderful group of designers with a passion for critters!  My blog is Don't Run With Scissors.  In November 2015 I was offered a dream job which relocated my fiancé and our three cats (Luna, MJ, and Stella) to Georgia from Connecticut.  I have been a paper crafter for over 20 years and love working with new techniques and mediums.    I have done many youtube videos on the techniques I have learned and look forward to starting my 'Technique Tuesdays' back up!  Thank you for joining us at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!  I look forward to seeing your creations!

 December Challenge

     We're sponsored this month by Sasayaki Glitter, (a new sponsor for us and we're thrilled!) and here's a little bit about them.

     Here's a little inspiration from our team to encourage you and, this month, we're delighted to welcome our Guest Designer, Edwina.  She's done 2 cards for us with the same darling image - one in red and green, and one in non-traditional Christmas colors. 

Edwina using "Christmas Dragoon"

Thanks, Edwina!  These are fantastic!

Angela using "Tea Mouse"

Donna using "Tea Mouse "

Helen using "Candy Cane Penguin "

 Lisa using Candy Cane Penguin

Lori using Tea Mouse

NanaConnie using "Christmas Dragoon"

Teresa (still on leave)

     You have until 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on December 30 to enter your project.

     If you'd like to be a future Guest Designer, don't forget to please tell us in a comment, or put GDT next to your name on your entry, or even send us an email (see sidebar for address.)  If you don't remember to do any of those, our DT will be choosing someone to invite from the entire list of those who participated.

     One last thing, be sure to come by on or after the 15th to see what we have in store for you in the mid-month post.  There may be some wonderful freebies available!

    If you have any problems with the Inlinkz, please leave us a comment or send an email and let us know.

An InLinkz Link-up

All Creatures Great and Small

For the November Challenge, click here.

"All things bright and beautiful"  is the first line of a favourite hymn, the next line, I am sure you all know is "all creatures great and small".  That's what our blog challenge is all about, all kinds of creatures as the main feature on your card.  Everybody has a favourite creature, I would have a houseful of different creatures if I could, going away with the caravan however, is not ideal if you can't take your pets with you.  The dogs come with us of course and I have seen people with cats and birds.   So what would be the smallest creature - not counting insects and micro organisms!

The Etruscan shrew weighs only 1.2 to 2.7g so could be considered the world's smallest mammal.   Slightly bigger is the Pygmy Marmoset, one of the smallest primates and the smallest true monkey, with a body length - not including tale - of 14 - 16 cm and a birth weight of 15g.

Or how about this tiny Bee Hummingbird who measure 5.7cm and weighs 1.8g 

My daughter's Miniature Poodle has just had puppies averaging 200g, which are huge compared to these tiny creatures.   Now I have nothing against small dogs, in fact I have always wanted a chihuahua, but I am against breeders trying to miniaturize further, like teacup puppies for example, as they can end up with all sorts of health problems.

Finally, Teresa did a bit of drawing while she's been on leave and she's offering this freebie of a Betta Fish for all who visit.  Right click the image and Save.

So over to you, show us your pets or favourite animals - great or small.

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge # 8 Sponsored by Sparkle n Sprinkle

     The DT Call has Closed and applicants will be notified within a day or two.  Thanks to all who applied.  :-D

     Before we get to this month's challenge, we want to announce a DT CALL!  We're looking for 3 or 4 (or 5?) new DT members to start in January.  Your commitments would be to do one card or other project per month using sponsor images or products, to comment on entries (10 to 20 entries per month), and to uphold our firm commitment to all artists by not ever sharing the images you receive from sponsors for our use.  We're really very absolute about this last one!  We support artists!!

     If you think you might be interested, please send an email to 2craftycrittercrazies@gmail.com, giving us a link to your blog, telling us a little bit about your DT experience (if any - none is required since we all started with no experience), and why you'd fit in with this wonderful bunch of critter-crazy ladies.  :-D  We can't wait to hear from you.

NOW, THIS MONTH'S CHALLENGE!

     Welcome to our 8th Challenge here at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  We're a monthly challenge; we have a sponsor each month and we choose a random winner on the last day of the month, then announce the winner at the same time as the next challenge goes live.   Anything Goes in our challenges:  cards, scrapbook pages, journals, fabric arts, mixed media, painting, needlepoint, tapestries, any other craft projects you might love!

     We start a new challenge on the 1st of each month and end the day before the last day of the month.  However, we have one requirement for every project submitted in our challenges -- they MUST feature a creature!  Whether Furry, Feathered, Fantasy, Fairytale, Fins, Scaly, or Insect, there must be a critter featured and not just a teeny, tiny bug hidden in a corner somewhere.  Sorry, if we can't see the critter as the obvious focus, it probably won't qualify as an entry.  :-D 

     You may enter as many other challenges as you like and you may enter our challenge up to 5 times per month but each entry must be a different project.  We have a sponsor each month and we choose a random winner on the last day of the month, then announce the winner at the same time as the next challenge goes live.

     We will also be inviting Guest Designers to join us each month so if you think you might be interested in being our Guest Designer in December, please add GD after your name or leave us a comment on this post saying you'd like to be a Guest Designer.  If you forget to do that, one or more of the DT members will be choosing possible Guest Designers.

     OK, let's get right to what you all want to know - our winner of the prize offered by MHK Designs for our October challenge is:

#64 Christi C

with these stunningly simple cards.

     Woohoo, Christi!  Congratulations!  Please email us at 2craftycrittercrazies(at)gmail(dot)com  

so that we can arrange to get your prize to you.

     In addition, we've chosen Edwina of Edwina's Creations to be our Guest Designer in December.  

     We're sponsored this month by Sparkle N Sprinkle and here's a little bit about them.

"Sparkle N Sprinkle has been in business for over 20 years, with a huge following.  Our popular YouTube channel features a new technique video every week!  In 2017, we initiated exciting changes to the company which have been well received.  In addition to an eclectic mix of digital and rubber stamps, we offer hundreds of other fine products for your crafting pleasure."  

     Here's a little inspiration from our team to encourage you and this month, we are delighted to welcome our Guest Designer, Lisa Furbush.  Here's her fantastic card. 

Lisa Furbush using "Hummingbirds & Flowers"

Now, from the team...

Angela using "Welcome Autumn"

Donna using "Birdhouse Friends "



Helen using "Milton Giraffe Catching Snowflakes"

NanaConnie using "A Puppy's Halloween"
(I know it's Nov. 1 and Halloween is over 
but I just had to share my last Halloween card. :-D)

Teresa  (still on leave)

     You have until 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on November 29 to enter your project.

     GUEST DESIGNER:  One or more of the DT Members are now selecting possible GDTs for the month after the announcement.  If you are chosen, please respond by sending us an email (see sidebar for address) to let us know if you are available.  Thank you.  :-D

    If you have any problems with the Inlinkz, please leave us a comment or send an email and let us know.

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #7 Sponsored by MHK Designs

     Welcome to our 7th Challenge here at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  We're a monthly challenge; we have a sponsor each month and we choose a random winner on the last day of the month, then announce the winner at the same time as the next challenge goes live.   Anything Goes in our challenges:  cards, scrapbook pages, journals, fabric arts, mixed media, painting, needlepoint, tapestries, any other craft projects you might love!

     We start a new challenge on the 1st of each month and end the day before the last day of the month.  However, we have one requirement for every project submitted in our challenges -- they MUST feature a creature!  Whether Furry, Feathered, Fantasy, Fairytale, Fins, Scaly, or Insect, there must be a critter featured and not just a teeny, tiny bug hidden in a corner somewhere.  Sorry, if we can't see the critter as the obvious focus, it probably won't qualifry as an entry.  :-D 

     You may enter as many other challenges as you like and you may enter our challenge up to 5 times per month but each entry must be a different project.  We have a sponsor each month and we choose a random winner on the last day of the month, then announce the winner at the same time as the next challenge goes live.

     We will also be inviting Guest Designers to join us each month so if you think you might be interested in being our Guest Designer in December, please add GD after your name or leave us a comment on this post saying you'd like to be a Guest Designer.

     OK, let's get right to what you all want to know - our winner of the prize offered by Fabrica Fantasy for our September challenge is: Nancy Brown

#77

with this fab card: 

     Congratulations, Nancy!  Please email us at 2craftycrittercrazies(at)gmail(dot)com  so that we can arrange to get your prize to you.

     In addition, we've chosen Lisa Furbush to be our Guest Designer in November.   She really does some great designs!  Check out her blog by clicking on her name.


     Before we go any further, we really want to welcome a new member to our team!  Helen Niles has joined us and here's a bit about her:

My name is Helen and my blog is Made by Helen which you can find here.  I live in the north west of Britain and work for a charity called Abbeyfield as an Activities Coordinator.  I also teach card making classes part time for Little Claire Designs.  I love stamping, using digi stamps, papers and my trusty Promarkers.


     We're sponsored this month by MHK Designs and here's a little bit about them.

MHK Designs is a shop filled with vintage and unique images plus

modern sentiments and digital papers.   MHK Designs also has a challenge blog 

and playing in the challenges will allow you the chance to win even more

MHK Designs sets.  A browse through the shop will give you an insight

into the genre and quality of everything available.

     MHK Designs gave this fun "Pet Puns" set to the DT and we all used images from it for our inspiration cards.   This fabulous set will also be the prize this month plus a set of digital papers chosen by the winner.

     

     

     Here's a little inspiration from our team to encourage you and, this month, we are delighted to welcome our Guest Designer, Lori Kobular.  Here's her fantastic card. 

Lori using "Jack Russell from Pet Puns"

Angela using "Fish Bowl from Pet Puns "

and "Jack Russell" from Pet Puns

Donna using "Fish Bowl from Pet Puns"
(Editor's Note:  All this creativity from Donna while she was hunkered down, seeking safety from the worst of Hurricane Irma!)

Helen using "Cat from Pet Puns "

NanaConnie using "Cat from Pet Puns"

Teresa (on leave)

     You have until 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on October 30 to enter your project.

     If you'd like to be a future Guest Designer, don't forget to please tell us in a comment, or put GDT next to your name on your entry, or even send us an email (see sidebar for address.)

    If you have any problems with the Inlinkz, please let us know by leaving a comment or sending us an email.

An InLinkz Link-up

Anxiety

If you're looking for the September Challenge, click HERE.

This is Holly, her mother was a cocker spaniel/collie cross and her father a terrier.  She is a strong determined lady and she is in her 13th year.  Unfortunately the last few years she has suffered from anxiety.  Some dogs are born anxious, but it is also common for them to start getting anxious in old age.  This type of anxiety generally gets worse each year.  Loud noises including thunder and fireworks  caused her to wreck things if we were not home.  We tried calming tablets which had some effect, but not entirely,  so we bought her a Thunder Jacket.   Designed to act similar to swaddling clothes on a baby, it wraps around the dog and has a high success rate.  Then, last year when we were away, Holly decided she would not be left in the caravan for longer than a minute!  She wrecked tea towels, towels, 2 quilt covers, and a mat before we got a cage for her.  We had one at home, but home was several hours away.  Once left in the cage Holly tried to wreck the cage.  She was so obviously distressed we decided that she had to come with us wherever we went, which made life a little difficult.  Our other three dogs were fine left in the caravan.   We consulted a vet and found  it was an old age/dementia problem.  Once back at home it was as if the behaviour had never happened.  

This year we were worried.  Before we left home we bought a calming collar and a calming spray.  We decided on the Adaptil make (very expensive), but it worked a treat.  We have been away for 3 months and have since tried a much cheaper make which works just as well, but smells horrible!  We still took her everywhere with us if we went out, which meant we didn't go many places, but she was happy.  I would encourage you to try these products if you have an anxious animal - not just for dogs!

Thunder Jacket

Calming collar.

 If you have an anxious pet, let us know.  We love to see your pictures too.

An InLinkz Link-up