Hi Everyone.  Happy Saturday.

It's the fabulous Toni's turn to host our Addicted to CAS challenge this week and she has a code word that is completely and utterly up my alley:-)

As usual, the design team have created some fabulous inspiration for you - including our guest designer the wonderful Vicky Hayes

There were so many ways I could have gone with this challenge, but I decided to use my Stampin' Up! Christmas Toile set.  In fact, this was the first time that I had colored this image and, for those of you who follow my blog, you will know that my coloring of this image has come a long way :-) Having said that... I don't think it matters how you color this image - I think it's a fabulous image however you color it.

I hope you will play along with us and show us YOUR creature creations.

For this card, I went with simple coloring and a blended blue background.

Those of you have followed my blog for a while will know that I am a lover of all living creatures... from spiders to frogs to birds to mammals... mmm.. the only thing I am not fond of are ticks - and I can blame my bout of Lyme Disease for that!  Mind you... I can honestly say that I am not that fond of mosquitoes either!  :-)  Birds, on the other hand, are a special project.  We work really hard to create a welcoming environment for them.  Whether it is food, housing, water... we have really tried hard to create an environment where they can thrive.  Our neighbors across the road are amazed that we managed to get so many Orioles - and other birds - and think we are lucky.  Luck doesn't come into it! :-)  For our efforts, the birds give us so much more.  From their amazing sounds - to the delights of watching them feed their young - to the catching of the "unwanted" insects - they pay us back in so many different ways!

We are lucky that our cardinals stay around the whole year.  We especially appreciate them in winter, as they are a bright spot of color against a very white backdrop :-)

I hope you will join us this week and show us YOUR favorite creature.

On a personal note:

A couple of days ago, I received an email from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology talking about the fact that we have lost 1 in 4 birds from our skies.  It's a terrible statistic knowing that 25% of the world's birds have disappeared from our skies since 1970.  Instead of focusing on that, I wanted to share a post from them about what we can do to protect the remaining birds.  Over the last few years Lou and I have tried to do all of the things in their post and my hope is, that by sharing this, I can help others to do simple things to help our feathered friends.  Whether you have multiple acres, or a balcony, each one of us can do something to help the birds.  Here's the link to the Cornell article

Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds

I'll be back tomorrow with my Paper Players card.  In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe:

• Stamps:  Christmas Toile - Stampin' Up!
• Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White