We had the time of our lives recently at a pre-season Bronco's game. Ye-ha...there were more events to catch that are never seen on TV. To begin with we were with our best friends, who no less provided the free tickets! The Mascot, horse rider, Junior teams, band, cheerleaders, fireworks and...oh yeah the food! GO BRONCO'S!

Invesco Stadium is beautiful. We had a great view to catch all the fun stuff happening on the field too. The cow girl on the horse invoked a big response from the crowed...during one gallop around the field she carried a giant flag.  My hubby really enjoyed the game and I was snapping pictures all evening.  The mascot even climbed up to our level to give a big thrill and get pictures with the crowd. Several of us made our way over and handed our cameras to folks standing nearby....he's a cutie of horse! Then, every time we scored, fire works blasted overhead. The game was close all the way but we lost by five points!!!  I was so busy keeping up with fun stuff, and there was a lot, that I kept missing the  fireworks.                                                                                                        Finally, I got the timing just right to capture the explosion.

Mascot...pretending to be shy!

       Wendy is my SIL, and her birthday is just around the corner. She is the QUEEN of card making in my book (check out her site with the link)! This card used a new Martha Stewart matching corner & edge punch. I played around to see some of the special effects when this idea came together. The glitter paper in the center added a nice diminsion to the dark blue background, and the brads have a slight glitter as well.                                                                                                                                                                                     HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY 

Ink: Autumn Rainbow blue by Stampcraft

Paper: Christmas Cardstock matstack dark blue, Best Occasions Glitter Pack white, white cardstock

Accessories: White glitter brads, scallop edge & corner punch from Martha Stewart

My cousin Sheila Mae brings a new meaning to "horse lover". She has raised horses just about all her life, and now she competes in "cutting". That is awesome! She recently checked out this site and asked where her card is. So, here it is! I just found this great horse stamp at Michael's on sale...that always makes a great deal even better! The trees are embossed, then highlighted with a Stampin' write pen. The horse is cut out & raised with foam dots.
Ink: Close to Cocoa by Stampin' Up, Que Sera Tera by K&Co.
Paper: Tango Fashion Colors, Botanicals
Stamps: Horse, Lovely as a Tree, Thoughts & Prayers 
Accessories: Chocolate Chip writer, Gold embossing powder, twine

We have truly enjoyed our two companions, Clyde & Penny. From the beginning, they have added a lot of "unconditional love" into our lives...forgiving and always ready to lavish us with their love. Like Jesus.
I've learned to trim them at home...not an easy task since both move at the sound of the wind!  Here they are all shinned up and ready for a walk, or a game, or both. If you decide to take up shaving your loved four legged pet, get the metal attachments. They are worth the investment!

I had never heard about the anticipation of waiting for a brown truck till my creative sister in law Wendy told me...now I know! That wonderful brown truck came just as I received the announcement of baby Olivia arriving into this world. Olivia Ninetta is beautiful and inspired this card, the first use of my new Cricut cartridge A Child's Year. The black shadowing adds a lot of depth--don't you think! And Fotoflexer is very fun...that's where the glitter for "Baby Olivia" was added.

Ink: Pretty in Pink from Stampin' Write
Paper: White, Botanical Fashion Colors, Black
Stamps: Warmest Regards,  French Script, Seasons of the Heart
Accessories: Cricut A Child's Year, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Nestabilities Scalloped Square, white ribbon

Card Making with Children Idea

My two grandaughters love to make cards when they visit. I have a box that stores all my duplicate and left over cut outs....very fun stuff!
Here's an idea...Have ready some pre-cut images to choose from with cards, cordinating color schemes and a few accessories like ribbon, tags or brads. For this project, I picked dragonflys and a theme of "giving".

 The black background makes the white and yellow pop with definition. Use the extra cut outs for additional cards with a slightly different look, like this one. Even make use of the punch-out portions of the designs for embellishments on the inside of the cards and envelopes. This saves a lot of time and money while adding a very coordinated look!                                                            

Paper: Black, White & yellow 

Accessories: Cricut George & Basic Shapes for the wording and Gypsy Wanderings for Dragonflys, Cuddlebug Tiny Mosaic, Fastenater Staple bar, Ribbon

Sometimes through others we see how to be content with the journey we are on. Instead of struggleing to be in control or take control of life, there is a peacefulness we can have that replaces fear, anxiety or disappointments (all pride based per the Bible). I was privilaged to know Julie Harper who lived a content life, with true joy, all inspite of cancer. She cound not change her circumstance, nor did God. What she did was choose to walk with Him in obedience, trust and a thankful heart for all He has done for her. This card was made with her in mind. Her funeral was today.


Stamps  Stampin Up Inspirational
Paper    Botanical green, Golden rod yellow (Joanns)
Ink        Creamy Carmel Stampin Up
Pencils   Colored pencils from Spectra
Chalk     Pastels from Stampin Up
Embosser  Owl florish from Cuttlebug
                                                                Accessories Brads from K & Company & gold ribbon

Family Reunion

Every year my hubby's family expresses their care and love for each other by getting together for a family reunion. And this year was no exception. The weather was perfect, the company was fabulous and the setting was spectacular! I should just say that Paula's house oversees a picturesque setting ideal for family gatherings. Trees and walkways, flowers, family and friends ... what more could we ask for??