On the Mend...

It seems I have been away from my crafting and blogging for the better part of the summer...but it feels good to be back. As most of you know, I became ill in mid-August and needed somewhat emergency surgery. After 5 days in the hospital, followed by two weeks staying with my mom and dad (receiving lots of TLC), I was able to re-join the world. I have been steadily regaining strength, and feeling like myself again. This is due in part to so many wonderful co-workers, friends and family sending well wishes, cards, flowers and plants. I am so grateful to know such fabulous people. Thanks to all of you.

Happy Birthday Billie

Thursday was Billie's birthday. Mom made dinner for her, and mud pie for dessert. This is the first card I made for her.

Then last night, Kim, Jodi, Billie and I went out to the Roxy Wine Bar to celebrate. Even though we gave her cards and gifts on her birthday, I wanted to have a little something to give her last night, so I altered this clothespin, and made her a this Hello Kitty card - which she had requested.










I think Billie's birthday week might officially be over now...Happy Birthday Billie - hope you enjoyed your days!

Happy Birthday Christy

Tomorrow is Christy's Birthday. I finished her card last night, which is pretty on top of things for me!! This is going out in the mail today...hopefully it arrives on time. Hope you have great birthday Christy!

Happy Anniversary

July 6 was my mom and dad's 35th Wedding Anniversary. I thought that marked a pretty special day, but they seemed to just take it in stride.

This is the card I made for them (sorry it's kind of dark a bit blurred!), using my new Cuttlebug 'With Love' border emobssing set. Inside was a gift card for dinner to one of their favorite places - Bonefish Grill. Happy Anniversay Mom and Dad...here's to many more years to come!

4th of July

The last week or so just got away from me. So here I am trying to play catch-up with my posting. Seems like there has been so much going on - car shows, celebrations, parades, bbq's, and camping - I don't know where to start, so I guess I'll start with the 4th.

Jay, Kathy, Fred, Christy and Ms. Kennedy were all in town for the weekend. We started off a very hot day with a trip to the Farmer's Market, followed by Pasco's Grand Ol' Fourth parade. Here's our sweetie pie enjoying her first 4th of July parade.



After a bit of a break - and some time inside with air conditioning - we all headed over to Sharlyn's for what has become our annual 4th of July BBQ. I was directed to bring the cupcakes for the event. I wanted to try out a festive recipe from my Crazy About Cupcakes cookbook, so I made Blueberry / Raspberry Cupcakes, with fresh blueberries and raspberries baked inside and cream cheese frosting. I wasn't sure how they were going to taste, but they turned out to be pretty darned good! I decorated them up with red and blue sprinkles and flags for the occasion.

That was not the end, however, of my baking. Billie requested chocolate cupcakes as well. When asked if she wanted chocolate cake or chocolate frosting - she said BOTH. So, I made another 2 dozen Triple Chocolate Fudge cupcakes with choclate-cream cheese frosting. I thought they were delicious too - even from a non-chocolate lover like myself.

And finally, I had been working on a 4th of July project for over a week or so. I was inspired by a project from Leigh Ann Baird that she entered as a guest on Papertrey Ink's site. I loved the idea, so started out making a template, adding my own twist. I made a dozen, essentially one for each of the gals at the BBQ. Rather than making a greeting card, I decided on these fans, that looked and felt like a card, with a practical element - keeping cool in the 100 degree heat!

Happy Father's Day

Well, for someone who is always running late, I actually finished my dad's Father's Day card earlier this week! Now, what to get the man who has everything???

I love this new Life is a Beach cartridge, and I was so excited when I found out last Saturday that they finally created an update for the Design Studio software so I could do a shape card with it. I hope my dad likes it too!

Belated Birthday

This is a card I made for my brother's birthday that I missed. Well, I didn't so much miss his birthday, as I just didn't get a card made and sent off. Always late...that's me!

Also, I received my first PaperTrey Ink order yesterday, and this Kraft cardstock and Happy Belated Birthday stamp just happen to part of the order!!

Baby Face

This past weekend, Christy and Kennedy came to town for a quick visit while Fred was stuck in Vail, CO. The paparazzi came out, and I managed to get a couple very cute shots of this girl who is getting so big, so fast. This one is my favorite!


As she's learning to walk (right before our eyes), she is also developing quite a little personality. She has learned to 'appreciate' herself and when she does something she knows is worthy of applause - she claps for herself. What a little sweetheart!!


A girly-girl already...one of her favorite things is her phone!!

40th Birthday Layouts

Here are two layouts I finished a couple weeks ago and never posted.

In December 2007, a large group of my friends all headed to Troutdale, OR to McMenamin's Edgefield to celebrate Fred and Troy both turning 40 (within about a month of each other).

Happy Birthday Jodi

Tomorrow is my friend Jodi's birthday. Last night we had a bit a celebration over at the Butler's, including a tasty BBQ with all the sides, and birthday cake for dessert. We also had a bit of a planning meeting to try to get the details of the upcoming camping trip to La Wis Wis all lined out. I love summer!!

Oldies But Goodies...

I was going through my digital photos, sending a few off for developing and I ran across these pics of some cards I made back when I was first learning the in's and out's of my Cricut. They are kind of basic, but cute none the less...not sure why I never posted these??

Happy Birthday Shauna

Friday was my friend (and co-worker) Shauna's 40th Birthday. I think she had a pretty good day...however, for those of us who helped her celebrate, it may be another story. On the way to Cedars for celebratory Rum Barrels, two individuals in our party *who shall remain nameless* were pulled over and ticked for speeding as part of what I'm sure was dubbed the 'Clover Island Sting Operation'!! Yikes!! All in all, we were able to put the bad vibes aside and still have a pretty good night, with lots of snacking, chatting and tons of laughing!!