Summer was here

For the past few days we had what felt like summer. Temperatures didn't rise above 65, but the sun was out, clear blue skies and no wind! It has been cold, cloudy and windy all summer. Marissa and I were outside most of the day.

A dear friend that I used to work with stopped by. It is always such a good time when she is around. She brought Marissa some super cute outfits that her daughter has outgrown. One of those is a bright pink dance leotard complete with a sparkly tutu. Marissa has been dancing around admiring herdelf in any reflective surface and saying 'ballet' with her arms up over her head. I'll try and take some photos. I have to be stealth or she will stop the performance. ;)

My mom had both of her knees replaced yesterday morning and is doing very well. I will be visiting with her today at the hospital. She will be home on monday or tuesday. Then I will be helping my dad with the 'nursing' duties. I spoke to her last night before my dad left for the night, she sounded really good. She will be up and walking today. WOW!! Hopefully pain free soon. She had bone spurs and bone on bone in her kneecaps. Ouch!

The progress on my new space, oh, and the garage, is moving along very well. However, it means that most of my 'stuff' is in boxes and baskets and stored in the basement. The guest room is overflowing and I have moved some to the wine room. So my posts may be limited on projects until my room is finished. I am so trying to stay focused and share as much as possible, but chaos is not very inspiring. :)

The upper floor is my new space. The existing window will be removed and an arched doorway installed.

Now for the winner of the blog candy: Tammi Lynn!!! Thank you so much to everyone who left birthday wishes. Tammi, make sure to leave me your mailing address or email and I will send your goodies to you. :)

39 today!

I want to share some of my birthday fun with all of you that visit my blog. I have some blog candy to giveaway. A cute Maya Road tin and matching chipboard book, Daisy D's & Basic Grey Rubons, miscellaneous embellishments, ribbons and a sweet Maya Road trinket (peridot, acrylic heart charm). Leave me a comment and I will draw a winner on friday (Aug. 8th). :)

It is really special that so many friends and family called me today. It was pretty uneventful. We signed Cody up for his junior year at Dimond High School. Then, during lunch, he reminded me that he needed his 'real' driver's license. The 6-month provisionals on his temp license had expired. :) Well, guess what, my license expired today also. So, off to the DMV we went. A very quick 30 minutes later we were done. We headed home late this afternoon after a few more errands and had a yummy chocolate cake with my parents. Marissa finished the icing on her piece and then tried to eat grandma's as well. :) My hubby surprised me with a pile of new clothes and a great Coach travel bag. We are heading to a resort in Arizona in October and he knows that I need hot weather clothes. He has great taste and only three items have to be exchanged. Not bad considering he bought six complete outfits. Plus, I received lots of other cool gifts and cards from friends and family. It has been a really great day! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to have a project up for you tomorrow. :)

Home from the Brickyard

My brother and I planned a trip to Illinois to take our dad to see the Brickyard 400. That's a Nascar race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, of Indy 500 fame. ;) Our hometown in IL is only an hour from the track and we grew up going to the Indy 500 so this was a very special thing for us to do together.

The bad news, our dad came down with an upper respiratory infection the week before and was to weak to make the race.

The good news, my aunt Dinea and uncle Ronnie were able to join us on short notice and we had a BLAST!!!

It was like going to a rock concert. We were hot, sweaty, our ears were ringing and I have no voice left. :) Does it get any better? My dad and my friend Becky are big Dale Jr fans so I took many photos and cheered him on for them. And, we had to call them on our cell phones so they could hear just how loud it was. Too fun! Just being back at the Brickyard with my brother and getting to spend so much time with him was the best part of the entire trip. He ROCKS!!!

I stayed at my aunt Linda and uncle Dan's house and had a great time swimming, visiting and antique shopping. ;) I love my family! They are all so welcoming and laid back. :)

Turn 1, the Pagoda tower and the cars getting ready to fire up.

Turn 4 from our seats. (Which could not have been any better!)

Me, uncle Ronnie, aunt Dinea and Rob after we got back to my aunt & uncle's house. (Which was just rebuilt after they lost everything in a fire last year.)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway from the airplane.

Pit stop action across from us. #88 is Dale Jr. in case you don't know. ;)

A little thank you

This goody box is for my aunt & uncle I will be staying with this weekend. I am going to put some yummy chocolate truffles inside. This small, clear, gable box is from Emma's Paperie. If you have not checked out this online store you must. There is a FABULOUS selection of products and an AMAZING blog full of great designers and inspiration!! I cut paper to line the inside and then paper pieced stamped images on the outside. My aunt loves vintage style and lavender. :) This was an easy, yet beautiful way to deliver a little thank you.





Recipe~ Paper: Memorybox; Clear Box: Emma's Paperie; Ribbon: Martha Stewart; Stamps & Ink: SU!; Adhesive: Glue Arts.

My NEW Riley the Moose stamps

I just had to use this stamp for Taylor's Cupcake Challenege this week. Is it not the cutest? :) I have four more new Riley the Moose stamps (from Hanna Stamps) to share. I am working on a few more cards before I leave this week on my trip.

Side view so you can see the dimension. :)

Recipe ~ Pattern Paper: We R Memory Keepers; Cardstock: SU!; Ink: SU!; Markers: Copic; Embellishments: WRMK, K&Co., Tulip, Doodlebug, Bazzill, Creative Cafe; Stamps: Hanna Stamps & Stampendous.

Spreading Joy!

I love this image. It is a Penny Black stamp. These hedgehogs are so darn cute! My ggod friend Becky was kind enough to let me ink up a bunch of her stamps. I stamped out a bunch and then can color them in as I have time and need for them. I added a bit of Judikins Diamond Glaze to the balloons and colored the images with my copics. Have I mentioned that the copics work beautifully with the Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up! Noe smearing or bleeding of ink or marker. I am in love with the chocolate and vanilla combo. Just a bit softer and warmer than black and white. Plus, it just sounds yummier! ;) Well, I am off this afternoon for a very long and very overdue appointment to have my hair done. It needs color and cut. My mom is so good to come over and hang out with her granddaughter for a few hours. What would I do with out my mom? Have really bad hair!! :0

Recipe ~ Pattern Paper: My Minds Eye; Cardstock: Stampin' Up!; Ink: Stampin' Up!; Stamp: Penny Black; Markers: Copic; Judikins Diamond Glaze; Ribbon: Doodlebug; Rhinestones: My Mind's Eye; Die Cuts: Xyron XPCS Basic Shape Book; Adhesive: Xyron.

Skiing anyone?

Yes, we have skiing in July in AK. Maybe not here in Anchorage, but a short, small plane ride can get you to the slopes. My brother has been heliskiing recently. Anyway that and Amuse's new release of their winter stamps is where my inspiration came from. This is a little tag size card. But, perfect for all of my skiing girlfriends to receive. I had so much fun coloring this with my copics, glazing the windows and adding a touch of frost. I think this little card will be going to my brother's girlfriend. :)

Recipe ~ Card & Ink: Stampin' Up!; Cardstock: Taupe Metallic; Stamp: Papertey (sentiment) & Amuse (Alpine Hut); Ribbon: Michael's, Markers: Copic, Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug, Die Cut Circle: Spellbinders Large Circle Nesting Set; Rhinestones: Creative Cafe; Adhesive: Glue Arts; Glitter: Martha Stewart; Glaze: Judikins.

Lazy 'Dog Days' of Summer

This is my dog Max. He is a 90+ pound, 6 1/2 yr. old German Shepherd. He was playing so hard outside yesterday and the next time I looked out the window he was snoozing away. I couldn't resist getting few shots of him. Usually he will sleep sitting up outside. Always on alert! But, I guess he figured no one was around so he could catch a few zzzz's in the cool, soft grass. What you can't see in the photos are the crazy swallows zooming around the yard. They were flying right over the top of Max.

My first CHA!

Well, for my projects anyway. I will be in southern Illinois five days after CHA ends. :( Maybe next time I can accompany my projects. ;) Here are some sneak peeks of three albums I designed for Glue Arts. They will be on display in their booth. They have great adhesives. Their vellum sheets are amazing! You truly can't see where th adhesive is thru the vellum. AND, you can apply it to your vellum (or transparency) and then run it thru your die cut machine and presto! It is really my privelage to be designing for them.

SIBLINGS ALBUM

Cover

Cody & Marissa

(Mykids!)

My mom & her sister

Left: My hubby & siblings

Right: My dad & siblings

Me & my brother

A little pretty on the inside cover page

Pink Lemonade anyone?

My first blog award!

Bestowed upon me by my sweet friend and fellow designer Shirley Pando! :) Thank you so much. You must check out her blog and see what she is up to. She teaches, she designs, she has her own business and.... You get the picture. She is AMAZING!!

I am now to select six more bloggers to receive this award. The hard part will be narrowing down the choices. I love so many.

Oh, and here are the rules for playing along.

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link to the person you received the award from.
3. Nominate at least six other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the guys/gals you've nominated.

Here are my selections:

1. Denise
2. Kayla
3. Jenn
4. Jessica
5. Sonja