At the end of June we took a destination vacation to Gallup, NM. Not normally a city I'd choose to visit for a week. But our granddaughter (the beauty in the photo) qualified for the National Finals Junior High School Rodeo that was held there and since we are only 5 hours away...there ain't no way this Memaw is gonna miss seeing her, our daughter, her husband and that cutie pie boy in the picture. The handsome young man in the picture belongs to our other daughter in Wyoming and they surprised me big time by making the trip to Gallup too. I haven't had both my daughters together for 10 years and it was so special for me. I hate to say it but I totally did not recognize Shelley when she came thru the door...but I immediately knew Matthew and my eyes quickly shifted back to Shelley...then I started crying. We had such a good time and it seems like it was over in about a minute, although we were there nearly a week. I can't tell you how proud I am of my girls. They have turned in to such beautiful ladies, wives and moms and have terrific kids to boot. Our son and his family weren't there but I would be remiss if I didn't say how proud I am of him and his beautiful family too. Can't believe my beautiful baby boy is going to be a grandpa for the 2nd time in October. So sorry he's getting so old. :( Anyway, the granddaughter and her partner didn't make it all the way to the finals, but they placed 3rd in the daily go rounds for the ribbon roping. We are very proud of their accomplishment.

Western Wedding

This weekend Shrine friends of ours are getting married in the mountains up by Flagstaff. They found a beautiful meadow and will be married on horseback. So I was commissioned to make appropriate cards. Too much fun. The cake is made from Flourishes "Cake" set; Pacific Point ink; a horse punch and rider stamp that I've had around for awhile. The background is actually a suede piece that I had. The cute little horsey bride and groom are the Charlie Horse series stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps (I just love these cute little horses and so does my rodeo granddaughter). The blue and pink smudges represent the flowers in the meadow. See Charlie's bow tie and Charliene's veil, and notice that she had her hooves done for the ceremony in pink! Last but my favorite is the cowboy and cowgirl. I ordered the set online but can't remember from who. Well, it was fun and I hope you've enjoyed looking. Thanks.

A New Day

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who left comments on my valentines. Didn't realize how much it means until I read my own. So thanks for taking the time. I've been busy since my last post...busy being sick. This is the first of two times a year I suffer from sinuses and this has been a hard one. Thank God for antibotics and rest! I finally got my desk area cleaned off, then can't find a thing I want. Getting ready to start making cards again as I have a booth in April. I have some ideas I'd like to work with but my time is really limited since I'm taking a trip to Nashville the week before my marketplace and my husband seems to think I should be spending weekends with him (don't know what his problem is). And he is traveling on weekends with the Shriners to be in the parades. I had an interesting evening this past Friday. I belong to a group of Shrine ladies that meet once a month for dinner (they are who I'm going to Nashville with) and since our dinner was at Macayo's in downtown Phoenix, seven of us who live in the Mesa/Tempe area decided to meet and ride the new light rail -the Metro- new experience for us all. We researched on line and made visual trips to make sure we could walk the difference. Friday at 5pm, work lets out; but we were okay getting on and during the ride it was full but not crowded. We had a grand time at dinner and nearly everyone in the group was able to be there. We leave about 9:30, walk our two blocks and get on the Metro. It's crowded but there are open seats and one young man got up and that gave us enough for our 7. The next stop and people get on; the following stop more people get on (no one got off) and the next stop filled us up, standing room only, all college (or maybe not so college)students, all going back to Tempe, all having fun, loud, noisy, laughing fun, and not so sturdy on their feet sometimes. Then more people get on. My God, I had no idea that there were actually so many people using the Metro. But how wonderful that they are and enjoying the heck out of it and life. We ALL get off at the same stop in Tempe...the kids head north toward the college and us old folk head south to the parking garage. Someone said "wonder if Mama knows what's happening." My first thought (and this is from experience) "what Mama don't know won't hurt her." Gotta go.

I need to figure out how to get my first information to be first on the day here. I have a note at the end of my valentines but it seems to me it should be first in line. Whatever. At least I did remember how to post a note and scan and post the cards...and after 6 months that's amazing!!! Now my next step will be to learn to post a card to an email to tantalize you all to come look at my blog. Have a happy day today. We are overcast and rainy off and on. But we should be grateful for all this moisture since what we get now usually has to last us the whole year. But we will have to be careful about fires. With all the rain the desert will burst into bloom and be absolutely joyous to see...but when it dries out...that's trouble. Thanks again for looking.

Still alive and stamping

OMG. I couldn't believe it when I found I haven't visited my own blog since July! I've been really busy with so many other projects and all the holidays. But what kind of excuse is that to not post to your own blog. I'm so ashamed (bowing head right now and wringing my hands!). And the computer is in such shock that I not only had to change the batteries in the mouse right now, I had to change the batteries in the keyboard too. Shock and trauma. But I have been crafting and stamping right along all this time so it hasn't been wasted. I made some really lovely Christmas cards (about 100) but sent them all out. They were nice though. Now I'm making Valentine's Day cards and I wanted to share with everyone before selling and mailing. I've used all varieties of stamps from Stampin' Up, Magnolia, Alotta Stamps, Fluffles, Elizabeth Bell and I had so much fun. I think they turned out nice and I hope that you will be inspired. Thanks for stopping by. I promise I won't wait so long to post again.