Out of this World

I made a Dozen cards today.... although they did take me all day long to make as I'm not feeling 100%, hopefully that feeling won't last long



Operation Write Home Sketch #205 was absolutely perfect for this Unity Stamp Co. stamp "Out of this World" that I hadn't inked up yet!  can you believe brand spankin' new stamps sit around for weeks at my house before I use them?!  unacceptable!

Another Challenge - HidingInMyCraftRoom#130 "Anything but Holiday"

Printed Papers - Recollections Monsters & Robots

Electric Blue Cardstock - Recollections

Metallic Silver Cardstock -  Paper-Papers Galvanised

Yellow Cradstock - Creative Memories

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black colored with Copic Markers

Sentiment Ink - Tim Holtz Barn Door

having it all

It's FRIDAY!  and the very last Friday of the year, which makes me just a little sad but mostly I'm looking forward to the New Year.  2013 brought me much happiness, due to my sons and husband, but also much sadness with the loss of my job and having to "find myself" career wise. It's been an emotional journey to say the least with many many days of self-doubt, conflicts with my oldest friend due to my very changed financial situation and then the realization that I am so much happier NOT making as much money but having time to do things that bring my soul joy, like working with the youth at my church and volunteering at a food bank!  I love having the time to help my fellow people who need help. Plus I have learned just how much my boys and husband like having me home where I have the freedom to do things for them as well as myself, really frees up the weekend for us to just enjoy life instead of doing chores and working all weekend.  It is an amazing feeling!

Oh back to Friday... Friends with Flair from Unity Stamp Company which I combined with Unity's Color Combo Challenge and Pals Paper Arts #185 Sketch.... I made 5 of the darker pink ones & 3 of the lighter

Dot Paper - Canvas Corp

Vanilla Cardstock - CloseToMyHeart, edge punched with Martha Stewart punch

Blush & Cranberry Cardstock - CloseToMyHeart, embossed using a Cuttlebut folder in my Big Shot

Twine from The Twinery

Amazing Chippies  - UmWow Studio Heart Confetti

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. The Right Words

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Chocolate

Here comes Peter CottonTail

When I was very little, I received a Velveteen Peter Rabbit, baby blue was his fur with a black velvet jacket... he was so very dapper and I loved him my whole life!  I still have him with those few precious toys I cherish from my childhood

Printed Paper - misc

Rabbit & Grass Stamps - Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Spring Sprung

Black Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black & Colored with Blue Copic Marker

Green Ink - Tim Holtz Peeled Paint

Mulberry Paper in Cream

Ribbon - Making Memories Celery

Eggs - using CTMH Cartridge Art Philosophy with CTMH Cardstock and CTMH Inks in Amethyst, Key Lime & Blush

Stamps on Eggs - Unity Stamp Co. Bee Happy Hexagons


oh so many Challenges to do and Thankfully lots of them are "Anything Goes" this time so I get to play along with several at once... which is really good because these cards (I made a dozen of 'em) took a several days to get finished!

Sketch - Operation Write Home #204
Anything Goes - Inkspirational Challenges #46, Tuesday Morning Sketches #130, Ribbon Carousel RCC88

Christmas gifts in use

We have to split up family for Christmas, this year we went to Missouri for Saturday & Sunday to spend with my dad & mom and to also see my younger brother & his daughter!  What a great visit we had, plus gifts!  wahooo... my brother & niece chose some stamps for me so today I put them to ink & played
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sketch Frenzy Friday 122013 with zero printed paper!

Cardstock - CloseToMyHeart Indian Corn Blue & Sweet Leaf

Background & Bird Stamps - gifts from my brother & niece but no packaging

Inks - CloseToMyHeart Indian Corn Blue, Sweet Leaf & Juniper

Sentiment Stamp - Dear Lizzy Whistle

thanks sew much

Freshly Made Sketches #117 is a fantastic CAS sketch!  I combined it with my facebook group "You've Been Challenged" current challenge of sewing on any crafty project to create this



Kraft - Canvas Corp.

Fabric - Riley Blake Verona

Brads & Flower - Making Memories

Sentiment - Unity Stamp Co. KOTM the Vintage Touch

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Chocolate

hearts have it

I've already sent my Valentine's day cards to Operation Write Home BUT I know soldiers are always needing Love cards, because they have loved ones year round, don't ya know!  So this current Unity Stamp Co. Card Sketch #11 is PERFECT!!!

I also entered this in Unity's weekly Friends with Flair

Printed Papers - Echo Park Be Mine & Summer Days

Grey Cardstock - DieCutWithAView

Stamps - Unity Stamp Co. Dinged Dots & "Love" from a grab bag

Inks - Tim Holtz Black Soot & CloseToMyHeart Watermelon

Heart Ribbon - Making Memories

Brads - The Paper Studio

and my metal edge ripper from Fiskars

story of a butterfly (stamp)

I fell in love with this Stamp when it was first introduced but I couldn't swing the funds at full price to buy it... bummer for me. And I was sad. Very sad.

Then about two weeks ago, Unity was running a special and it included some of their Artistsa's including some of their line in celebration of 14,000 Facebook friends (of course, one of those is me)... WAHOO!  I'm a lucky girl :-)

Then it came in the mail and when I got it, I was just blown away at it's beauty.  I KNEW what I wanted to do with it for it's virgin run... Vellum!  and boy did I use it.

I also knew instantly when I saw this Freshly Made Sketches #116 that it would be PERFECT for this stamp!


Image Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Written in the Wings

Vellum - misc stash

Ink - Color Box in Black & embossed in Clear

Colored - Copic markers on the back side, then detailed on the front

Paper Strips - PaperTreyInk Friends 'Til The End & In Bloom

Fabric Strips - Snug Hug (don't know the manufacturer)

General Love takes flight

ok ok that was a hokey post title, but I'm not that good at writing & I try to contain my "imagination" for the paper crafts... HA!  Yes, I'm living in lameville today, probably because I've been watching massive amounts of 30 Rock so expect more {I'm sorry}

So on to the real post, today is Midweek Throwdown from Operation Write Home: General Love Theme





Here's the deal.... I made 21 of these, crazy I know... 21 fussy cut airplanes...  great plan Paula

Printed Papers - Misc stash from oh so long ago

Red Cardstock - Creative Memories

Heart Punch - Emagination

Image Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Go.See.Do.

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Cranberry

Airplane smoke trail - Creative Memories Silver Pen

making it... just under the wire!

Unity Stamp Co.'s November/December Challenges are due in 1 day, 2 hours, 36 minutes & I JUST finished!  big WHEW right now  AND I combined the Color Combo with the Card Sketch... muhahahahaha

Look at me, NO printed paper!

Colored Cardstock - Stampin' Up

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Unity Stamp Images - Bee Happy Hexagons

Unity Stamp Sentiment - Kindness Matters (wit & wisdom)

Inks - Tim Holtz Worn Lipstick, Rusty Hinge, Dried Marigold,  Evergreen Bough & Black Soot

Twine - The Twinery

I Miss Your Beauty

I see all these sketches, day after day after day, that I really want to do but don't have time or the attention span for.  This one, from The Sweetest Thing called Sweet Sunday Sketch #99, I actually found myself making time for!  Because I knew instantly what paper I wanted to use and what NEW Unity Stamp Set!!!

Printed Papers - Authentique Fresh 6x6 pad

Cardstock - DieCutWithAView

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz Faded Jeans

Dressform & "Beauty" - Unity Stamp Co. Mind & Beauty (dressform)

Stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, Red potion fussy cut from Authentique paper, Gray portion is two pieces of Vellum bottom layer is black and top layer is clear embossed with Black Embossing Powder

"I Miss Your" Sentiment - Unity Stamp Co. KOTM Love In An Instant

Ink - Tim Holtz Black Soot

Embellies - Candi Fix

I miss you face... around the world

today's card is brought to you by the sketch over on 365 Cards from Day 342, ok I'm a few days behind


Printed Paper - Teresa Collins World Traveler 6x6 pad
Cardstock - DieCutWithAView
Silver Trim - Doodlebug Designs paper frills
Image Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Very Small Stamps Masquerade
Stamped in Top Boss & Embossed using Zing in Silver
Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. KOTM Love in an Instant
Stamp & Distress Ink - Tim Holtz Black Soot

Miss You Circle

ahhhh Operation Write Home... how I love your sketches!  week after week... this week is no exception with OWH #202

Cardbase - Stampin' Up

Printed Paper - My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Breeze

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz Dried Marigold

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Miss You So Much

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Pacifica

Circle Stamps - CloseToMyHeart Connections

Inks - CloseToMyHeart Sunset, Sweet Leaf & Chocolate

Chipboard Circles - UmWow Studio Circle Confetti & Layered Circles

Ribbons - misc

Masculine Miss You

Once a month, Our Daily Bread sponsors a challenge on Operation Write Home and depending on the number of entries, they will pay the postage on a box (or more!)... it's really great of ODB to be so generous!  ODB's challenge is "It's All About Him - Masculine Themed cards" which I combined with Just Us Girls #218 Sketch

Printed Papers - misc "outdoors" stash

Cardstock - DieCutWithAView

Truck Stamp - Stamper's Best Rusty Truck

Flourish Stamp - Stamper's Best Small Fauna Flourish

Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa plus Tim Holtz in Gathered Twigs, Forest Moss, Stormy Sky, Fired Brick, and Antique Linen

Semtiment - Unity Stamp Co. Miss You So Much

Ink - Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

Distressing Ink - Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs & Walnut Stain

Bling - iCandi

Greatest Gift

Every time I see this image, I just get that feeling of peacefulness and love. It might be silly but it's true.  I combined several challenges for this one:
Freshly Made Sketches #115 - sketch
Pals Paper Arts #182 - color combo
Scrapping Everyday Miracles - Christmas Theme



Cardstock - Elegant Eggplant & Very Vanilla from Stampin' Up and the Gray is from DieCutWithAView
Stamp Set - Unity Stamp Co. Remember YOU Baby Jesus
Ink - Memento London Fog with Copic Markers
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug
Edge Punch - Martha Stewart
Pearls - Basic Grey Opaline
Distress Ink - Tim Holtz Dusty Concord

notebook of miss you

a while back I was digging thru my "attic" aka former craft room aka bonus room I came across these papers in what we use to call the "free trade" boxes that I now deem as usable... so well, I used them!

Operation Write Home Sketch #201


Printed Paper - Fancy Pants The Daily Grind
Cardstocks - misc
Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Heartfelt Sentiments
Inks - Tim Holtz Fired Brick, Wild Honey & Peeled Paint
Twine - The Twinery

Ten Cards for OWH!

Johnny Cash is TIMELESS

I loved him as a kid and I loved watching him from the steps of the Capitol building in D.C. on our honeymoon and yes, I was very sad when he passed.  But he will always live on, thru his music.  Music that my son got to perform with his school choir last year before Thanksgiving.  And I wasn't the only one in the audience having a great time.  For my son, the Tim Holtz Word Slide says it all...  "encourage your hopes, not your fears"



I combined a couple of challenges for this one... a Closed Facebook group called You've Been Challenged currently have Clocks & Gears (at least one of each) and another Challenge group on Facebook called Jingle Hells is doing a kinda tongue in cheek version of December Daily, crazy daily themes and Day 2 was numbers.  I also used UmWowStudio's December Sketch. And entered this into Unity's Friends with Flair.

on to my list of supplies used:
*Background Paper - DieCutWithAView Tattered Time
*Distressed Purple Paper - DieCutWithAView textures & finishes
*Black Spray Ink - Tattered Angels Chalkboard in Charcoal
*Purple Spray - Tim Holtz Color Wash in Purple Twilight
*Alpha Stickers - Making Memories tiny alphas colored with Copic Marker
*Cardstock Gears - Coredinations Kraft using Tim Holtz Alterations Steampunk
*Chipboard Gears - UmWow Studio Gear Mash
*PocketWatch Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Day & Night
*Ink - Tim Holtz Black Soot
*Metal Clock & Small Gear on Clock - Tim Holtz idea-ology
*Metal Gear & Clock base - misc.
*Washi Tape (yellow dot & kraft music)
*Chipboard Arrow - UmWow Studio Layered Arrows partially colored with Copic Marker
*Tim Holtz word slide tied to page using Leather Jewelry rope
*Black Cardstock for TIMELESS - CloseToMyHeart cut on Cricut using Plantin SchoolBook on the Tall Ball Setting (which I then stretched to be twice as tall with the same width) with a single line drawn along each letter using Sakura GellyRoll in StarDust Pen

miss you... bird

for Sketch Frenzy Friday 112913, I had to dust off my Cricut to cut a whole page of those Sentiment blocks with the fun edges. I cut 6 different ones, but filled up an entire 12x12 sheet... for future projects.

I apologize for my pics being wonky colors, the sky is kinda weird looking right now and making everything look different (all three of these cards were made with the same green paper! ack)

Printed Papers - My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy Girl

Sentiment - Unity Stamp Co. Heartfelt Sentiments

Distress & Sentiment Ink - Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

Image Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Grab Bag

Image Ink - Tim Holtz Dried Marigold (one of my least used ink colors from TH)



on Facebook today, Operation Write Home challenged us to post a "selfie" with whatever cards we are working on... so here I am, no makeup & hair in ponytail whit my favorite two of these five cards.  Now you know my crafting face ;-) LOL

i miss you so much... Chevrons

this might just be my favorite Pals Paper Arts Sketch PPA 181... I really like the details they added to it, like the two chevrons and the arrow tabby thingy.

I'm also submitting this to Unity Stamp Co.'s Friends with Flair

For both cards I used Printed Paper from Authentique Geniune 6x6 pad

Chevron Mask & Chippies from UmWow Studio

Distress & Stamp Ink - Tim Holtz Chipped Sapphire

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Miss You So Much

the First card I also added the butterfly from Unity Stamp Co.'s Here Today, Here Tomorrow set (which does have a beautiful sentiment as well but I chose not to use it this time)

the Second card I didn't feel needed the butterfly as it has plenty going on with the printed Chevrons

both cards also have this little metallic looking square thingy called Mosaic Mosaique from Crystal Stickers

i miss you... stars

Ya know how you start out as creating one thing then end up taking a turn, could be better and could be worse? well, this card took a turn... for the better!  Just Add Ink #193 is a photo inspiration (see bottom of this post) which I combined with TipTopTuesday's Challenge #115 for Kraft

Cardstock - Canvas Corp Kraft

Star Mask & Star Chippies - UmWow Studio

With Mask, I used CloseToMyHeart White Pigment ink & allowed to semi-dry overnight, then topped with Zing Embossing powder in Silver

On the Star Chippies, I painted them using KaiserColour Paints in Red & Marine Blue

Twine - The Twinery

Star Punch - Creative Memories

Sentiment - Basic Grey

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Cranberry

missing you

I really REALLY like 365 Cards Day 328 Sketch but when I went to put all my pieces together, they just made more sense to me to be moved around a bit... what can I say, I'm bad at following instructions... when people talk about thinking outside the box, I can't even FIND the box; it's true, ask my kids.  I also combined it with Tip Top Tuesday's Challenge #115... use Kraft

So here's what I came up with.... and I like it!

Printed Papers - My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Breeze

Cardstock - DieCutWithAView

Sizzix embossing folder

Ribbon (isn't it pretty?!) from the Robert Stanley Collection (aka Hobby Lobby)

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Missing You So Much

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Pacifica

Ink Dots - Smooch Ocean Soul

i miss you {airplanes}

I have really been looking forward to Operation Write Home's 200th Sketch and this weekend, it finally arrived!  yay  I actually took the papers to church with me last night to get all the pieces for 8 cards cut but then sat taking with a friend of our family, 16 year old Derik... he is such a great guy, I really enjoy his personality. I claim him as one of my boys :-)

Printed Papers - Cosmo Cricket Little Boys

Airplane Stamp - Imaginisce

Inks - Memento Tuxdeo Black & Copic Markers

Sentiment - Unity Stamp Co. Miss You So Much

Ink - Tim Holtz Barn Door

Dotted Line Flourish - Creative Memories Metallic Silver Pen (I hand drew them all at the advise of my 15 year old son)

sending Christmas blessings

the instant I saw Sketch Frenzy Friday's SFF112213, I knew exactly which stamps I wanted to use & what paper....new stamps in the mail today!



Background Paper (flocked) - Chatter Box artsy.liciousFire Flocked Paper in Ruby

Kraft cardstock - Canvas Corp

Red Cardstock - Stampin' Up

Image Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. All Samta's Reindeer

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Sending Christmas Blessings

Ink - Memento in Rich Cocoa

Star - UmWowStudio Star Confetti

Filled with Stickles in Christmas Red

Ribbon - Misc.

for distressing I used Prima's Distressing Tool - this thing is honestly amazing

i miss you

I watch Netflix so much, it's insane... sometimes I actually run out of stuff to watch, lately I've been into Indie movies.  ya know, kinda quirky and off beat... I really like them

Today's cards are brought to you by the sketch over on Pals Paper Arts PPA180

and a paper pack I won at a retreat I went to this fall - Simple Stories Fab{U}lous 6x6

plus don't forget today is Unity's Friends with Flair!

Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Present in my Heart

Ink (for stamping & distressing) - Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

candi (brown embelly)

Butterfly cut using Graphically Speaking from CloseToMyHeart cardstock in Lagoon (both sides)



You may have noticed "hey, this chick really uses miss you stamps A LOT" but since Operation Write Home showed how short they run of them, I'm trying to help out as much as possible by bulking up.  I could use some new Miss You Sentiments tho ;-)

missing you butterfly

I don't know if you've noticed but I very rarely do color challenge, they are... well challenging.  I think it's because I don't have the manufacture that the people are using and I'm pretty OCD about colors being just so, but this time I forced myself to do it anyway.... I substituted CloseToMyHeart's Sorbet & Lagoon for Stampin' Up's Island Indigo & Tangerine Tango for this challenge from Just Add Ink #192

Another thing I don't do is stamp ON my card bases... just because I'm a nervous nellie about messing up, which I do A LOT.  Took my chances and I think it paid off this time ;-)

Butterfly Stamp - CloseToMyHeart Butterfly Wings

Twine - The Twinery

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Miss You So Much

I created the watery effect by smearing my inks on my Gelli Pad then spritzing it lightly with water before inking up my stamp. Then once it dried, I added just a touch directly from the ink pads to the tip of the wing and the body/antenna to give it all the color variations I could.

I made 4 of these, all will be heading to Operation Write Home when I hit 250 for my box again

banner miss you

I have this friend, she lives up north, she gets to go to the October Afternoon warehouse sales, she is crazy and sweet and funny.... not to mention generous!  This week I got a crafty care package from her... Thank You Laura Beth!!!  Of course, I need to make something ASAP with the paper she sent so today I finally got time to play in my craft room.

Sketch - Freshly Made Sketches FMS113

Printed Papers - October Afternoon Farhouse 8x8 paper pad

Twine - The Twinery

Alpha Stamps - CloseToMyHeart Atomic Lower Case

Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa

Chipboard Banners - UmWowStudio

Distress Inkn - Tim Holtz Walnut Stain

Distressing Tool - Prima (LOVE THIS THING!)

Flowers - misc

Bradss - Paper Studios

out of this world Miss You

I was doing a little cleaning in my bonus room (aka former craft room) and happened across a paper stash that I'd long since forgotten all about... add that to Operation Write Home Sketch #199 and this is what I got.. I think it's super fun



Printed Paper - mystery origin, could have been gifted to me... alas it had no label

Image Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Solar Elem.

Stamped using Memento in Tuxedo Black & color with Copic Markers

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Miss You So Much

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Cranberry

a friendly hello

it's Friday!  wahooo.... and yes I FINALLY just now got finished creating my card(s) for Unity's Friends with Flair. And being the slacker that I am of late, I've been in my jammies all day long!


I was checking out the awesome creations of those I follow and found a new-to-me challenge blog... Just Add Ink, loving it!  This is sketch JAI#191


Printed Papers - October Afternoon Midway (fun isn't it?!)
Green Cardstock - Stampin Up
Blue Cardstock - CloseToMyHeart
Card base - DieCutWithAView
Circle Dies - Lifestyles Crafts Flower Nesting Dies
Ribbon - Offrey
Hot & Pale Pink Tissue Paper used with Spellbinders Carnation Creations Die
Image & Sentiment Stamps - Unity Stamp Co. KOTM July 2012 Ol' Bag of Fun
Inks - Tim Holtz Black Soot, Pickled Raspberry, Evergreen Bough & Spiced Marmalade
Brad - The Paper Studio


while I only took a pic of 2 cards, I actually made 4 and they'll all be going to Operation Write Home!

Robot Birthday

Robots are so much fun!  My boys were never really into them, now dinosaurs were a different story. But still, I really loved this paper when I got it so I kinda tend to hoard it... not to mention that I just didn't have much use for it.



Sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches #112

Printed Papers - Pebbles Lil Robot

Misc colored cardstock

Image - Free Dearie Dolls Digi Stamps

Sentiment - Unity Stamp Co. KOTM July 2012 Ol' Bag of Fun

Ink - Tim Holtz Black Soot

many birthday wishes

this morning as I was scrolling thru all the blogs I follow, I ran across a really cute card on Bellalistona's blog
and wanted to make one myself, so I used the linky to find Crazy for CAS and I'm loving their sketch!



Washi Tapes

Image from Free Dearie Dolls Digis (she does colored or just outlines for you to color and she has a shop too!)

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. KOTM July 2012 Ol' Bag of Fun

Ink - Tim Holtz Black Soot



I only made two of these but they will both be sent to Operation Write Home as soon as I have another box full!

little kid's Miss You

it would be so difficult to be a soldier away from home but especially so if you had little ones so when I finally decided upon which stamped image to use, the paper came as a no-brainer



Sketch - Tuesday Morning Sketches #224

Image Stamp - Magnolia

Colored with Copic Markers

Dot Papers - DieCutWithAView Kids

Solid Purple Cardstock - Recollections

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co. Miss You So Much

Ink - CloseToMyHeart Black

Ribbons - misc



Although I don't normally do little kid cards, I think this turned out kinda cute

hello

I have fallen in love with black & white cards... sometimes color is over-rated and with the image I used, I really think B/W was THE way to go!

Sketch - Operation Write Home #198

Silver Cardstock - PaperPapers.com

embossed using Big Shot & Cuttlebug folder

Image Stamps - Tim Holtz Roadtrip

Sentiment Stamp - Unity Stamp Co Heartfelt Sentiments

Ink - Tim Holtz Black Soot

Twine - The Twiner

Circle Punches - Creative Memories

Hole Punch - Crop-A-Dile

and yes, I did make an even Dozen of this card!  GREAT sketch OWH

Share Your Smile

Operation Write Home Sketch #197 says:     This design is a pretty common layout – but it’s here with all kinds of delicious numbers for you to layer it up! We get LOTS of cards with this basic idea – two papers and an image or sentiment. But oh man. Add layers and it becomes amazing!and it's true... such a basic sketch but you add they layers and you add that WOW factor!

I have a pretty big stack of black & white papers that I really don't use that often, you see they are thin and that makes it pretty hard for me to use but when you layer it up like this, well that makes it a different story.



Papers - Making Memories

I really love dressforms, even though I am not a girly girl... I just find them so much fun to work with.



Stamp Set - Unity Stamp Co. Share Your Smile

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Ribbon - CloseToMyHeart Organdy in Cranberry

Speaking of black & white... here's my little "sneaky" helper... Checkers!  she is such a mess, I love her little furriness