lottsa cards

here are a bunch of cards I've done for my craft show in August.

2 trips and a funeral

We've been busy, busy. Getting ready to go to the mountains for the weekend and got a call from our dear sweet friend, Kathy, that her husband, John, died. We had been to see him at the hospital a week before and although he wasn't good, he was getting along. Of course, it's never good news when there's cancer involved. Tom had been John's Chief of Staff at the Shrine when John was Potentate in 2003 and we traveled with them for 3 years, having one great big blast. John was 68. We had always talked about traveling together and doing fun stuff when we all retired. Just wasn't meant to be.
We went on to the mountains with heavy hearts but there was really nothing we could do since their family was all here anyway. And we did have a good time. It was a social get-together of one of the Shrine groups...John was a member and we had a little memorial to him.
Tuesday was the viewing and Wednesday was the funeral. It was hard, but his family made it a celebration of his life and it was a great send off and memorial for John. He will be missed.
This weekend past we went to Payson again but just for the day...to another Shrine party. It was cooler than our 116 that we've been having...there was a breeze and if you stayed in the shade it wasn't bad. Certainly couldn't have been outside if you'd been here in the Valley!!!!!
Now we are getting ready to go further on north towards Flagstaff to Munds Park for this weekend. Should be a little cooler there than Payson. We are staying with friends there and their cabin has the most wonderful back porch that looks out on to the forest and gets the best breezes I've ever had. Our bedroom there has cross ventilation and with the doors open at night it makes for wonderful sleeping. Before we leave on Friday we are going to a birthday celebration for the mother of one of our friends. She is turning 100. Isn't that just amazing. She is very alert and active, although she is in a wheel chair now. Her favorite color is purple so I made her a card with a purple flower on it. I've got lots of cards I will be downloading so be watching. See ya.

I made this card today...had 7 thinking of you cards to do for ailing friends. Another cute cowboy...guess I just have a thing for guys in denim jeans and boots. Now, at 70, hubby isn't that guy anymore, but he still has a cute butt; well, at least I think so.

I've been making cards for a craft show in August and this is one of the "guy" ones I came up with. Isn't he cute. A friend gave me the stamp and I just love it; reminds me of my youngest grandson who's a little 4 year-old cowboy.

Here is the card I made for our son's in-laws for their 50th wedding anniversary today. Congratulations Art and JoAnne.

Well, lookie here...I'm back and it's not been a month yet! Thanks for the nice comments on my cards...I just have so much fun with them and it's neat to share. Yesterday was Father's Day. So, per tradition, DH did the cooking. : ) We had grilled chicken, salad, baked potato and corn on the cob. He does a good job, bless his heart. And all that after just coming back from Denver. The kids all called him for Father's Day so I got to talk longer. Of course. Found out that my two youngest granddaughters, age 13, have gone to camp...one to Girl Scout camp and the other to roping camp. Yes, there's a real honest go goodness cowgirl in the family. She just completed the state hs rodeo the first of June and didn't do too bad. Not as well as we always wish for but we're really proud of her. Lots don't even make it to the state finals and she did, in 3 catagories: barrels, poles and calf tying. Can't wait to see how our girl does at Girl Scout camp. I think this might be her first year to attend. But she does enjoy being in Scouts. Going out tomorrow to lunch with a friend. She got married recently and I made her a scrapbook with the pictures I took so she will have a surprise tomorrow. I thought it turned out really cute. She makes jewelry and it is just beautiful and she does really well. She will be leaving next week for San Antonio for Shrine Imperial. She has good sales among the Shrine women all over the US. Well, summer has made it to Arizona. It didn't just move in gently either...it jumped out, slapped us in the face, laughing hysterically, saying "Gotcha!" as it went from 97 yesterday to 105 today. Yuck, yuck, yuck!! Think we've seen the last of the 90's for awhile. But Spring lasted a long time this year. After our 2 weeks of 100 + in May, June has been wonderful, breezy and Spring-like. It's over. Gotta go. Dishes, then supper, then play with cards. Or maybe: play with cards, dishes, play, supper, play...hmmm.

This turned in to my favorite. I pieced her robe, from scraps. The background is scraps I had from a wedding card. The green ribbon matches her cup which matches a design in her robe. This is me in the morning, sans coffee.

Goodluckabella. I made 2. I need all the luck I can get.

Ah, jammybella; such a cutie with her teddy bear. My bear is golden and I got him when I was 3 and had to have my tonsils out in the hospital...at Christmas time. My daddy said Santa sent him to me for being so good. And I could see Santa on the street corner from my hospital bed. That teddy bear went thru college with me!

In honor of Father's Day I used a swap image and hoped he would stay in the greens, not get into the sand trap!

Butterflyabella using
scraps of paper. I like the colors.

This is the image I posted to the Stampilicious

Red, White and Blue challange. Daisy Bella

dropped the flower and picked up the flag.

The paper is from a book I got at Michaels

especially for the Navy.

Wow. I didn't realize it had been well over a month since I signed on to my own blog. Oops. Much has happened since May 4...Mother's Day...I helped decorate the Shrine Audtiorium for the Mother's Day Brunch, which was wonderful. We have such a good chef and help. And we had about 250 show up to enjoy. I went to Kansas to attend my 50th high school class reunion. I graduated HS in 1959 in a class of 26...and we had 12 in attendance; but we've lost 7 already too. It was good to see everyone. My best friend from 4th grade was there. I got to the hotel about 3pm, called her room at 3:30 and we talked until 6:30 when her husband decided it was time for dinner. We talked thru dinner and back at the hotel we sat in the lobby until 11:30 still talking. Saturday morning we drove to Belle Plaine, still talking, went to the cemetery (it was Memorial Day weekend), had lunch at the cafe where we added 4 classmates to our visiting. That evening we attended the banquet at the high school and retired back to the cafe for more visiting and photos of all of us. Sunday I drove out to visit with my cousins; they had been at the reunion, but with their classmates. Then I drove to Wellington to spend some time with my brother. We had a wonderful visit catching up and laughing. I didn't leave his house until about 9 pm. It was good and I'm glad I went, but I don't imagine I will make the trip again. June came to Arizona with nice weather. We had our 2 weeks of 100 plus in May but June has been nice. We are staying in the high 90's. Yesterday was wonderful...mid 80's, overcast, breezy. But of course it didn't last and we didn't even get any rain out of it. The big news for June is my first great-grandson was born on June 6. A cutie pie, of course. Granddaughter is doing wonderful. She was at our stamp camp today but without the baby as his daddy took him to see his grandmother on the paternal side. It's a sticky issue but I hope it will all be resolved and no one is wounded. That baby is the most important and everyone needs to keep that at the top of the list. I'm making cards and trying to get stuff done for the craft show in August. Thank goodness it's not until the end of the month and gives me extra time. I broke out some of my Bellas for the first time and I got out my scrap bin to try to use up some paper. I'm a really bad saver of stuff. So I hope you will look and enjoy some of my playing. My cousin in Texas complimented me on the card I sent to her and I said well, it's like going back to my childhood...I'm coloring again! And one of the cards I'm adding I've also put on the Stampilicous site in the Red, White and Blue challenge.

Busy week

Last week was soooo busy.....I didn't fix supper all week! I went shopping...baby stuff for the shower; material for an Indian costume; material for curtains...everywhere but the grocery store. : ) Since they don't have but one single Indian costume in all four of the pattern books I had to buy the only one they have then cut down the men's extra-small to make what I wanted for a 13-y-0 girl. Tuesday was shopping day; Wednesday was cutting out day; and Thursday was marathon sewing. But I got it done and it turned out beautifully. I can't wait for her to get it and try it on. I even sent my beaded Indian jewelry along for her to wear with it. The jewelry is about 35 years old; my Mom took my 3 kids to the reservation and they picked it out for my birthday one year. There is a choker, earrings and a medallion necklace. So I took the choker and handstitched it on a piece of cloth to make a headband...awesome, even if I do say so myself. Then Friday it was more shopping because I didn't get done the first time I went out to buy baby stuff for the shower on Saturday. BabiesRUs is awesome, but you sure need bucks to spend any kind of time in there. Such neat stuff. I got what I wanted; raced home so I could get ready to go out with the girls that night. Saturday was busy from the moment I opened my eyes and because of that I really didn't want to get out of bed. I hadn't had time to make baby cards (of course, I'd only known about the shower for 2 months) so I sat down immediately and knocked out 6 different cards after I'd hunted down and wrapped all the presents I'd bought. Then a quick re-dressing so I could leave. And I actually got there on time. She had a wonderful shower and got so many great things...he's going to be the best dressed baby on the planet, that's for sure. Courtney was so happy that she just sparkled. She was so sweet and I just wanted to hug her. Then Sunday was the Cinco de Mayo party at the Shrine. Ole! I had La Fonda Mexican food on Thursday, Chinese food on Friday, Rosita's on Saturday and Fernando the Chef Mexican food on Sunday. I think I'm good for awhile. School is nearly over. My music teacher friend, Jackie, had a program for 1/2nd graders today, 4th graders tomorrow and she's counting down the days for school to be out. Got a graduation announcement from a young man whos mother I used to work with. He was just so little when I started to work at ASU and now he's graduating from high school. Time does fly. So now I'll need to make a graduation card for something besides a swap. I finally went grocery shopping today and so am being forced to fix supper tonight. But Tom has meetings tomorrow and Wednesday evening so I'm good until Thursday. Maybe I can come up with something different with 2 days to think about it...or not. Well, it is finally that time...to start supper...so I'll sign off today. Hope you all had a good Monday and that your week goes smoothly. Take care.

Wedding card

This is a wedding card using the bride's colors and a nice wedding sentiment on velum on the inside.

Another Bunny Card

the 3 bunny cards are from a set of 6 I did for a friend who loves bunnies.

Bunny cards

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hey, all. Glad to see you stopped by again. Sorry it's been a week since I last posted, but I guess I've been busy. But I have been thinking about all of you. Went shopping for my granddaughter's baby shower; still want to get out to Babies R Us before Saturday. Had to clean house. There's always that but I've been really, really delinquent about it. And when a friend wanted to come over so I could help make her wedding bouquet I decided I'd better do something. We had a good time making the bridal bouquet and matron of honor's bouquet along with the groomsmen and dads boutinieres. My Texas granddaughter called the other night and asked if I would make her an Indian costume for Grand Entry for the Texas State High School/Jr. High rodeo. I was very excited. It's not often anymore that I get to do things for the grandkids, they're growing up so quickly. Shopped till I dropped yesterday but found everything I was looking for. Cut out today and sew tomorrow. I'm also making a curtain swag for her room....all hot pink with zebra stripe on one edge. Can't wait for pictures when they're up. I've also been making cards and scrapbook pages...mostly for swaps but I just like doing that no matter what. Recently received an invitation to a bridal shower for the granddaughter of a friend. They were neighbors across the street when the mom was growing up. Since they live in Massachusets now I haven't seen Amanda since she was about 2 so it will be nice to visit with the grandparents, the parents and meet the bride. Spent the evening at the Shrine Friday night. They had the Bash before the Clash, the Clash being the big Shrine sponsored golf tournament. All of it is a fundraiser for the Shrine. The Bash is a social evening with food from several restaurants and bars around town, plus our own Fernando. The Ox Bar was represented, the Tilted Kilt, some liquor distributor was on hand with wine tasting, and of course, there was the raffle with a grand prize of a 52 inch flat screen tv. Well, I did win, just not the tv. I won golf for 4 at some country club. Since Tom can't play golf anymore and I don't play golf at all I sold it so I could shop. You know my hostess turn is coming up soon for SU. Saturday night granddaughter Courtney held her Relay for Life event. It was a walkathon at a local high school from 6pm to 6am. My friend Julie and I went down about 9:30 for awhile. They had lots of booths and there were lots of participants. I was very impressed by the luminaries. A really good idea. Buy a white paper bag with candle and sand and dedicate the light to someone by writing their name on the bag. The bags are set out around the track. I saw thank you's to doctors, memorials to loved ones and some "yea you's". Courtney's group sold beads. For $2.00 you get a long cord, then every lap you make you can stop and add a bead to your cord. For every 5 laps you complete you add a smiley face to your name on a board and the first person to make 50 laps gets a prize. They were also selling greeting cards (yes, it seems that crafting is a real family affair here). I helped. We also made nice folders for photos. The folders commemorated the Relay for Life. Well, I guess I have been busy! But now it's time to post some cards to prove I'm doing something responsible. Have a great day.

Weather Report

Hello. My house is finally cooling down (it's 11pm). Had to keep everything closed up today as it did get warm out. I think it got up in the high 90's today and the forecast for tomorrow is 100. Oh yea! Not. Just can't think about turning on the a/c yet but if it stays like this there won't be a choice. We had a nice weekend. Saturday I went to a stamp camp and we made some fun cards. DH went to a parade with the Shriners. Came home and got ready to go out again. We were invited to attend a play and all of us went to dinner first. The food at Romeo's Euro Cafe was terrific. And the play was Charlie's Aunt, which is a very funny story. The theater is small and it is played in the round. I didn't even know this place existed and it was so much fun. There were about 20-25 people who went from the Shrine. Afterward some of us went to one of the couple's home for dessert. They have a very beautiful home (we'd not been there before), almost big enough to get lost in. But Mark and Brenda are wonderful people and great hosts. We had a super evening. Thanks Mark and Brenda!!! Sunday we went to a nearby park to attend a picnic. It's on a lake and under a pavillion so we had nice breezes off the water and it wasn't so bad to be out. Good food and good company. Came home and took naps (poor old souls). Today I was supposed to start cleaning. I finally found the paint color I want on the walls and I am determined to do one room a day and do everything that needs to be done before I start another project, and have all this done before I go back to Kansas the end of May so I could possibly think about painting some of the rooms this summer. But I got sidetracked. Granddaughter called and she and her other grandma were trying to figure out a stamping project and it just wasn't coming together...so I couldn't just leave them alone; I had to help, didn't I? I mean, this is family after all...and is housecleaning realllllllly more important than family????? So okay, I'll start at a later date...I have to go back tomorrow to help complete their project now. The dirt will wait, you know. It never goes away....never, never, never. I finally got my thank you cards done for all the helpers at the Easter Brunch...23 of them. They went out today. Now maybe I can get back on track with making some cards to put on here. I sold 4 of my wedding cards, that was exciting. And I think this is probably the end of my notes for today. I'm really too hot and sticky to think there could be more that I could talk about. See you later. Stay cool wherever you are.

"Food" for Thought

Hope everyone had a happy Easter and got their fill of boiled eggs and candy. We spent Easter day at the Shine with about 200 Shrine friends and had a wonderful brunch. I'll tell you, Fernando, our chef, is spot on with his cooking. If you aren't full for the rest of the day you've only yourself to blame. Fernando has the omlet station, working 5 skillets at a time. Awesome. I always look forward to my omlet filled with mushrooms, bell pepper, ham, shrimp, onion, jalepenos and covered in his special salsa. Yummmmmm. Then there's your choice of bacon, sausage, fried potatoes, scrambled eggs (if you don't have the omlet) to go with it. Breakfast not your choice? Try the salad bar, four long tables filled with salads of all kinds. Then there's the carving station with the beautiful ham and roast beef. And for all those other sides try the chicken marsella, mashed potatoes, mixed rice, carrots, biscuits and sausage gravy, with some others I can't remember. Not full yet? Don't forget the fresh fruit table and then the dessert table...pies and cakes. Now you've had your fill and can't move? It's okay, just sit around talking for a couple of hours then you can help pick up all the centerpieces and box them up for storage. And even help reset the auditorium for the next event tomorrow if you really really ate too much. Since I was in charge of the decorations I had to stay and I can't say I really minded too much. But we sure came home and took naps! I need to get busy and get all my thank you cards done and in the mail before the week is out.
Got a postcard from Jana from Paris...oh la la! Can you imagine...April in Paris. Well, she sends pictures so I can dream.
DD in Texas says Cole had a wonderful birthday and he was so happy all day long. How fun to be able to be so excited about a birthday (well, he's 4). She sent cupcakes to daycare then they went to Memaw's for dinner and presents later. Mackenzie is heading for her teen years, oh my where does the time go. She's remodeling her room into hot pink and zebra print. Her horses are still there but they are no longer the focal point in her room. Maybe the "zebra" is just another look for the horses. :)
Having a baby shower for granddaughter Courtney in a couple of weeks. Still having a "moment" thinking about becoming a great grandparent. She's excited so that builds my excitement too. She's having a boy so I won't have a chance to sit down to the sewing machine like I used to for the girls. But I can shop!
Going to a play in Chandler Saturday night with a group of Shriners. We're seeing "Charlie's Aunt". I have to go back and look one of these days, but I think that I was a part of that same play when I was about 3 or 4. Back in those olden days a producer/director would come into a small town to put on a play. All the actors were townspeople and tried out for parts; worked really hard on the play, sold tickets, made the scenery and did the costumes. Of course, the only person to be paid was the producer/director. Oh my, does this sound like something from Little House on the Prairie or The Waltons????? Okay, so I'll say it would have been back in the mid-1940's...I don't want you all to think I'm older than I really am.
Better wind this up today as I'm invited to go to the Shrine for lunch again today with DH. They have a lovely chicken salad sandwich that I'm drooling for today. Then I have to go to SAS Fabrics to see if they have zebra print fabric for curtains. And then come home and make the promised Swiss Steak and scalloped potatoes for dinner. Wow, this kind of turned in to a foodie fest didn't it. Sorry. You'd think after Sunday I wouldn't even want to think of food again for a while. Have a great day and a beautiful rest of the week.

Little Cat Feet

It's 2am and I can't sleep. About an hour ago, when I really did go to bed, the cats were running across the roof in whatever games they seem to play at night. As I listened to their races from one end to the other it certainly didn't sound like the cute little cat feet that pad so silently from room to room or place to place. It sounded like 40 pounders galomping across my roof. Then I began to wonder what kind of party I might be missing...was this like the horse races, one against the others; were they betting on who would win? Are they drinkers, or just fun loving? Or was this a 50's style grudge match...my cat can beat your cat...wanna race for pinks? Or were these races more like a 10 year old boy running for all he's worth, running against the wind or with the wind or just for the pure joy of running a race with himself. Were two cats racing? Did the others sit up there like an audience? Did they do the wave? Was there betting? Did cat food or bird feathers change paws? And I wished I could watch without them knowing I was there to see what fun they must be having...since they do this every night when the days are warm and the nights are cool. Maybe now I know why they sleep all day. Hmmmmm.

Easter Cards

Here are some of my Easter cards for this year. They were all rushed, but I still like them.

Chit Chat

Here we are already a week into April; time is flying and I don't think I've accomplished much of anything so far this year. Tomorrow is a day of celebration for me...my beautiful daughter, Shelley has a birthday. I won't tell her age but I think she might be catching up with me! And tomorrow is also the birthday of my precious grandson, Cole. He's 4; it's okay to tell his age. Will make phone calls tomorrow to give them love.
Sunday is Easter and I'm in charge of decorating the Shrine auditorium for the annual Easter Brunch. Went out today to find "stuff" since the "stuff" at the Shrine is being used for their Easter Egg Hunt and there's not enough for 40 tables and however many baskets. A group of wonderful helpers, including DH, will be there on Saturday evening to get it all together. We have to wait until evening because there is a karate tournament in the auditorium all day. But we'll all have fun getting it together.
Made my hotel and plane reservations yesterday for Kansas. I'm going back the end of May for my high school class reunion....50 years ago I graduated from high school. Who lives this long???? There were 26 in my graduating class (it is a small town). The town is thriving, the school has grown, they changed the look of our school mascot (of course, I don't like it nearly as much). I'm looking forward to seeing everyone who can come. Sadly we've lost 6 or 7 of our classmates since graduation. I'll get to see my very best friend since 4th grade, Karen. And I don't know if I will ever get the opportunity to attend another one.
Tom came home from his trip to Reno with a new title...I can't spell it or pronounce it but he's now on the line for the Western Q Association. He was so happy and excited. It will mean a couple extra trips a year for him....not me. But I always enjoy my down time when he's gone. I may get to go a place or two, if I have something I really want to do. Time will tell.
Time to get busy. I need to address my Easter cards so they can be mailed out tomorrow. I'm late the way it is. Have a Happy Easter, everyone. God bless you.

Here's a quick card I did for a masculine birthday the other day. Done with ink pads only. I like how it turned out.

Birthday Cards

Been busy doing nothing. DH left town on Wednesday and I've taken every advantage of him being gone. Took naps, didn't do housework, read and read and read, slept in, didn't make the bed, ate out (it's Mexican food tonight!) and finally did some cards. Hmmmm, maybe I didn't take advantage...that sounds normal. Here's a couple of cards I made for birthdays....our oldest daughter and our youngest grandson who just happen to share the same birthday, April 8. So I need to hurry and get them in the mail. [Didn't mean for the cards to come before the text and wanted the train card to be horizontal but still don't always know what I'm doing so if anyone sees this and can tell me how to fix the problem I will be forever grateful.] Thanks for looking.

Lamb Weather

The last day of March...and it really is going out like a lamb...wonderful spring sunshine and a slight breeze today, the front door is open, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. And here I am at the computer. Go figure. I've been cleaning out the junk stuff and getting rid of tons of stuff. My hubby is soooo happy. Now if I could only get him to clean the computer room since it's all his stuff and it's full of dust! Went to the wedding shower on Saturday and had a really good time. The bride looks so pretty and so very excited and I got to see her dress. It's not the traditional white or ivory; it's kind of a toast color (or maybe I should call it Close to Cocoa)and just beautiful. Her Matron of Honor is wearing a medium light blue dress from the same designer. Sunday I didn't do anything spectacular....well, I guess I didn't really do anything at all. How nice is that! I cleaned part of the house on Monday and fixed a wonderful pot roast in the crock pot. Courtney, our oldest granddaughter, soon to be a mommy, came over for dinner...and to help Grandpa with a computer problem. We called our oldest grandson, Matt, for his 22nd birthday. He was on his way to his parents house for dinner and birthday cake. He says its just another day but he sounded pleased to be going for dinner. But that's how Moms are, they don't forget their babies birthdays no matter how old that baby gets to be. Got to get my desk cleaned off today so I can start my Easter cards and I have half dozen birthday cards to do for April as well. And that doesn't even count the swap stuff I'd better get done soon. {oops} So happy last day of March and don't get caught in too many April Fools jokes tomorrow.

A Little Bit of Me

For all of my new friends out there let me give you a little bit of personal background. My husband, Tom, is a Shriner and we are very active participants in Shrine activities, raising money to support the Shriners Childrens Hospitals throughout the United States. You will see a lot of references to the Shrine and the things we do with our Shriner friends. Yes, he does wear the funny red fez with the black tassel; yes, he does participate in parades...he has a dune buggy and belongs to that group calling themselves the Desert Chariots. They provide parade transportation for the Divan (aka pres., vp, etc.). He also belongs to the Sandbaggers (golfers), the Director's Staff (the workers who prepare for events), the CIF committee (they raise money to support the building), and a few other things I can't even remember. We travel quite a bit and have been fortunate over the years to go on wonderful outings to Vancouver, Cancun, Spain, Jamaica, and many places within the US. I get to go along without having to do all the work.
For myself, I'm having angst this year. My husband turned 70, my baby turned 40, I'm getting ready to go to my 50th high school class reunion, and I'm going to be a great-grandmother. So what the hell happened!!!!! But life is good and I'm actually laughing at my angst. I have wonderful kids and grandkids. I get to do the things I enjoy best. I have terrific friends; and I have the best husband/friend in the whole world (celebrated our 47th anniversary this year).
I grew up in a small Kansas farming community and now live and survive in the large urban desert of Arizona. I hate freeways, you miss seeing "stuff". And people get on freeways and get crazy. But don't think I could ever go back to live in the midwest...too much humidity and cold weather for these bones now. I miss the trees and the rivers and am always amazed by them when we go back.
I have tried pretty much every craft style that has come along, and given up on most of them. Hated knitting, but love counted cross stitch. Can't draw a straight line with a ruler but I'm a "mad stamper"! Couldn't paint a picture but I know how to use markers and watercolor crayons. Love to read, write stories, talk too much, give unsolicited advice (and I try really hard not to do that). Hate talking on the phone, but love hearing from my kids and grandkids....thank goodness for emails now. Tried my hand at flower arranging; I'm okay, but I get bored. Did the whole plastic canvas thing but then couldn't figure out what to do with that stuff. Well, you get the idea. So I cleaned out the garage, donated nearly everything to a Senior Citizen Center and let my new love (paper stuff) take over. That's me.

Get Well Card

inside of card


Card front

This card was done with scraps a long time ago and I just love it. Then I couldn't find the bubble paper for the longest time.

Workshop cards

Here are three cards we did at a workshop. Two, of course, for Valentine's day and one just because it was fun.

This is one of 20 that I'm doing for the bride to give to her at the shower. Used the cuttlebug folders for the hearts, the thanks and the flower.

My First Bella

This is my first Bella to add to my blog. Yea me!!! This card is for a wedding shower on Saturday. Turquoise and brown are her colors, but I didn't think brown flowers would be pretty so I added pink instead, and this was from an image swap. Haven't a clue where the paper came from as I am in "paper overload" around here. The vellum behind the image is fancy glitter and I love glitter and Stickles. This is my first time to add a card by myself...I'm so proud of me. Maybe I'll actually get the hang of it. Hope you enjoy the card. Thanks for looking.

A quiet week so far. Hubby invited me to meet him for lunch yesterday. We went to the Shrine, of course, but lots of friends so we had a fun time. I won't go down there unless he asks me to meet him and all the ladies think it's funny, but we both need our own time and I won't interfere. I'm working on cards and I finally have some to share. Then when I was cleaning I found some from a workshop so I'll share those too. Went to granddaughter's basketball game (7th graders) Tuesday. It was fun. Don't think I've been to a basketball game for 20 years, since my youngest got out of high school.

Had a busy weekend. Got to play with stamps at a friend's house on Saturday. That's always fun. Made some cute cards but I used them before I made a copy...oops! Sunday we went to another friends house for a party. The weather was beautiful but the wind was blowing a million miles per hour. (So today I'm so stuffy I can't breathe). They put tent awnings up for shade and twice the one I was sitting under tried to blow down. The third time a metal pole simply broke and we all moved! But you can't keep a good party down and we just all enjoyed the company, the food, the drinks, and even the gale force winds. Guess the wind is better than having the party rained out. Today I'm going to my granddaughter, Caitlyn, basket ball game at her school. She is a 7th grader and this is her 2nd game so I'm excited to watch her. Of course, Gramma is taking her camera. When Caitlyn comes over we have to scrapbook so I take pictures whenever I can so we have something fun to scrapbook. I've got card and recipe swaps to get done...guess I'll try to finish up some of those while I watch American Idol and the DWTS elimination tonight. DH is going out of town next week and I have to have everything caught up so I can clean the carpet while he's gone. Got an email from my ex-SIL (who is like the sister I never had). She sent pictures...she is in France until June with her husband...who is working over there. Sure wish I could go to France....for any reason. They are living in the wine country and don't have to deal with any big city Paris issues. But they are planning a trip to Paris soon. Some of the photos reminded me of areas of Spain I visited a few years ago. Brought back some nice memories.

New Blog

Just want everyone to know that my granddaughter, Courtney, has opened a new blog and we would like for everyone to stop by for a look see. www.cards4acure.blogspot.com It is also a work in progress, but Courtney is my computer savior so when it's complete it should be nice.

It's Friday

Got my hair done today. Always feel so good when it is done up....that new survey asked what your original hair color is...my answer: same as it always was, I just didn't use bottle color then. Going out tonight with the girls from work...most of us are retired and we try to get together every couple of months. I don't always make it with all the Shrine functions we attend so it will be good to see everyone and find out what's new and what horrible new changes have been made at the office. Sure glad I don't have to be there anymore. I made a list this morning and I should be at my desk cutting, punching, clipping, gluing, stamping, coloring. But this darn blog stuff is getting to me. I'm actually having fun boring everyone to tears. Today is beautiful, 85 when I came home but everything is blooming and looks so beautiful. My rock landscape is a riot of purple, yellow, orange and greens. The cactus is blooming...I'll have to take a photo to share when the blooms open up.

Depressing Thursday

This turned out to be a rather depressing day. We had a funeral to attend this afternoon, but it seems my DH made an appointment for some lady to come sell us funeral arrangements. Not really the thing I wanted to think about since I was actually going to a funeral. Well, it's all food for thought so we'll think about it all. Then on top of that I had to go with DH on the afternoon portion of his job (sitting in the car, UGH) since we didn't want to drive 2 cars to the funeral. So here I am, bored out of my mind, wishing I could be home at my desk playing with paper, but I'm sitting in the car with the airconditioner on because it's already 90 degrees out here. Don't plan on going with (the no longer DH) if I can possibly avoid it. I have, however, decided what the payback is going to be....Bella! Will order next week. Now I have to go play so I will have something to post next time. Have a good one.

I've signed back in now just to see if I could remember what I'm supposed to do. All this modern technology is just amazing to me, although I do love emailing. The weather is changing and that's not a good thing. I really dread for the heat to come. The sun is definitely getting closer to my part of this good earth. Now that I have a blog I know my daughters are going to expect me to post pictures or something. Boy, they just don't know how far I have to go to do this stuff. I think this will be lots of fun after I get over my weirdness about it. It's one thing to type up a nice long letter or email and mail it off to someone personally, but this is open and very new. Enough playing for today. So everyone have a nice evening and please check back.

Wedding Cards

A friend is getting married in May and I'm playing with cards. Some don't have the words yet; I'm still looking for the right words for the space. Take a look and let me know what you think. This blog stuff is getting to be more and more fun. : )

Mother's Day Card

Made this card for a swap. Used SU paper, generic ribbon and brads. Inside says "Thanks....for everything.

Building a blog, oh my!

Granddaughters Courtney and Caitlyn came over today to help me work on my blog. Found a pretty picture and now I don't know what else to put. So will put in another evening of contemplation and hunting down other blogs to see what I want. Don't know if I can do it all by myself yet, but this old lady is willing to try...at least once.

Today is a banner day...I just created my very own blog. Well, we'll see how this goes!