Holly's Card Class-July

These are all from Holly's last card class. I had to change up this first one. I had done it wrong at Holly's, so I tore it apart and mounted it to some ivory cardstock. The rest are as she had designed them. The natural lighting at dusk makes some of the colors look duller than real life. Sorry.

This card opens to reveal the die-cut shape inside. It's hard to tell here that it is inside the card and not part of the outside detail. Make sense?

On this one, she had us punch out three butterflies, then layer them in a way that it makes a flower. How clever!

My newest adventure? Well, hmm...I have been getting up at the CRACK of dawn (aka before 6am) to walk/jog in the neighborhood. I have been trying to exercise twice daily in order to jump start my metabolism again and try to get off these last 13 pounds. I usually do the second workout at the Y where the weights are and their treadmills rock! I WANT that 50 pound award at WW bad! REAL BAD! I just feel like the scale is sitting still. I am going to keep tracking what I eat, keep movin' this body and surely it will pay off soon. So, better get some shut eye. I have a date with the sunrise tomorrow. God keeps me moving! Here's a great song from Natalie Grant called You Move Me. Click HERE. The music starts at about 17 seconds into the video. Enjoy! It reminds me that with Him I can do this! He moves me!

Brooke's 22nd Birthday

As a surprise to Brooke, we all met at Jake's restaurant in Ashland on Wednesday to celebrate her 22nd b-day. On her actual birthday, July 22nd, she and Abdul took a trip to Myrtle Beach. Fun! He kept the GPS covered and she never knew where the secret final destination was until she woke up in front of the motel in Myrtle. hee hee

Me with Julie & Brooke....I love these girls more than life itself! I am so proud to be their aunt!

She received money, clothes and some of her fav cookies....Archway Frosty Lemon!

This is the card I made for her. I tucked some cash inside. That way she could use it on her trip or buy something she likes. I ran the base cardstock through the Cuttlebug using an embossing folder. I inked the pattern in brown to make it stand out more and inked the edges in pink. This card also uses another die-cut from Creative Memories. I added some hot pink Stickles, a die-cut butterfly, two bling stones, a bit of linen thread and some vintage-style trim. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sympathy and Sweat

I know...what a weird title. But, that's what this post really is about. ha ha
I made this sympathy card for a friend whose mom passed away. The base cardstock is Sahara Sand and I stamped the circles using Whisper White ink. The die-cut was from a sheet of die-cuts I received from Creative Memories at a crop I attended. I simply added some Stickles for sparkle and sanded the edges. Lastly, I added a white grommet from Stampin' Up!, some Old Olive ribbon and a small die-cut butterfly. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

This is typical of Riley after I return from a good workout...sweaty and all. He LOVES...well, let's say he's OBSESSED with sweat! I know, gross to some and quite frankly, it's kind of gross when I am getting licked....but, he's so hilarious! He acts like he's so excited that I am all sweaty. He climbs all over me, making sure to get my face, my arms, behind my neck and sometimes IN MY EAR! Talk about a wake-up call! Yowzer! Whew! These two pictures were taken after my walk this morning. It was so stinkin' hot, but by God's grace I survived. I have been trying to jog some in my workouts. Thus, more sweat. Yay! I have to whittle off 13 more pounds (for a total of 50) before September 18th. That's my goal! That's also the day of my 20-year high school class reunion in Kentucky. That's why I am super motivated.

I sat down to cool off in front of the a/c with Gatorade in-hand. I got bombarded with EIGHT paws and one serious tongue in overdrive. Check it out! HA HA HA

Easter 2010 Layout

Slowly but surely I am sharing various layouts I've done. Here's the one from Easter. Thanks for stopping by!

WW Update: Well, I had hit a road block on the weight loss (aka plateau!!!)....only because I lost my mojo a bit. I was teetering between the same two pounds and am jump-started again (mentally and physically). I have 13 more to reach my goal of 50 pounds. I started this week with a great workout at the Y Monday night and then....get this....I GOT UP AT 6AM TO WALK/RUN ON TUESDAY, PLUS DID ZUMBA THAT NIGHT! Oh, yeah. My muscles are feeling it. However, I have 59 days from today until my 20-year class reunion and I am determined to be 13 pounds lighter. I will be crackin' the whip again today. Gotta kick butt on those last 13 pounds. If I can do this, anyone can. Man is it hard, but it will all be worth it. *sigh* Ok, now off to kick some calories' butts! :)

Meeting Charlie

This layout is about Riley(left) and Charlie(right). Charlie was born to the same mom and dad, but the litter after Riley and Tucker. He was a year old in May 2010 and Riley and Tucker will turn 2 in September 2010. He lives just a few streets from us and when his "mommy" was walking him, they stopped by to meet face to face. I still have to put some sort of journaling on this page, plus the date. Gotta love Riley's expression in the top picture...looks like he's saying "PUT ME DOWN!". How cute....another brother in the bunch. :)

Beloved

This isn't about me. Well, yes, the picture is of me. But, this layout is about so much more. It's about what He has done for me. It's so hard sometimes to fathom just how much God loves us, isn't it? Flaws and all, moods and all, thoughts and all....He is there through it all. Thank you, Lord, that I am Your beloved. I am so grateful that in Your eyes, I am priceless!

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,

for he shields him all day long,

and the one the Lord loves

rests between his shoulders."

Deuteronomy 33:12

Birthday Bliss

Another card from Holly's. You see why I go? She has awesome ideas! Love that she used the heart punch to make "petals" on the flower. Of course, her signature white gel pen dots are included! I'm going to her next class this coming Saturday and can't wait as we'll use some new products from the latest catalog.

Well-Behaved...

The saying on this card CRACKS ME UP! Another card made at Holly's. I gave it to my co-worker Vickie today. I told her to "make history" today by being ornery. ha ha Happy Birthday, Vic! I told her to cook supper for her hubby in her "birthday suit". I know, I'm bad. Funny though, isn't it!?!? :)

Priceless Friend

Made this card at Holly's Card Day in June. Mailed it to my true blue friend, Christie, in Tennessee. Can't wait to see her in September! :)

Fun in Akron

I went to Akron on Wednesday to spend the night with Brooke. We ate dinner at Rockne's (holy cow, yum!), then went to the movies. I never go to the movies, so it was nice to see one on the big screen. Knight and Day with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. It kind of left us all scratching our heads, but it was still nice to go to the movies. Here are some highlights from my trip:
The Queens of Goofy Faces....just before the movie began in the theater. Not sure why, but we are always compelled to make goofy faces, then laugh. :) You know me, I've always got my camera with me for silly shots and photo ops.

After the movie, doing our best "ladies with guns" pose. We are proud to be weirdos! The expression on Brooke's face cracks me up. hee hee You'll have to click on the picture for a close up.

It's been so long since I've been to the theater that this sign just cracked me up. These were all over the theater, plus they asked everyone to turn off cell phones about 4 times during the previews. Why are people so rude that they have to be told 80 times to turn off their phones? Geesh. Kinda sad.

Luqi---(pronounced Luke-ey). He was adopted from a family that was moving into an apartment where dogs aren't allowed. He's an American Eskimo/Chow mix. He is a goofy, dopey, fun-loving, and very energetic boy! He became my buddy pretty fast. I love his white stripe on his head and chest. He also has four white paws...little mittens! :)

Here's Brooke with Brodie. He is a Chihuahua/Corgi mix. Brooke adopted him from a family that didn't want him...literally. He was the last of the litter and considered a "less than optimal" dog. Whatever! It is so obvious that he was abused and he is terrified of everyone and everything...except Brooke now. He is on Prozac, but is still having major fear issues. Bless his heart. He was hiding here to get away from Luqi who wanted to play too much. I hope he comes out of his shell eventually. He is a cutie patootie! And, shame on his previous owners who harmed his little soul. He and Luqi are buddies and it was neat to see them play together. I just don't understand how anyone could hurt a pup like that. Grrr....

On Thursday, we went to the Monroe Falls Metro Park after eating breakfast at Waffle House (yummo!). It has a man-made lake and areas for grilling, picnic tables, etc. It was a hot, sunny day and we slathered on the suncreen. Brooke is a gorgeous warm tan color and I am, well...a mixture of albino and pink I guess. ha ha I really am just one big freckle farm now. I don't tan, I burn....and freckle. *sigh*

Guess the lake water made us goofy. Like my potato chip? We kept taking several of these and just laughing at our hairdos. Lots of laughs with my beautiful niece! Warmed my heart.

Brooke and her boyfriend, Abdul. I thought this was a cute picture of them together. He was a gentleman and paid for our breakfast and admission to the park. :) Sweet!

A view of the lake from our picnic table. The lake has a sandy bottom so it wasn't too gross under our feet. If we thought we "felt" something in the water, we'd squeal. It was probably just a leaf, but there are fish in there, too. Eww! Next time, I'm taking my tube to float in. This was a very nice place and it was refreshing to see so many families spending quality time together.

We grilled hot dogs and had a little picnic. The heat and fun in the water left us happily exhausted. After we got back home, I took a shower then headed out. I stopped by Michael's and Archivers for some scrapbook retail therapy before heading home. I had such a fun trip to Akron! :)

Birthday Cake

We celebrated Mom and Josh's birthdays together again this year. Mom's fell on Easter Sunday, April 4th and Josh's was April 1st. They each ordered cakes from their fav bakeries. We had LOTS of cake. :) The rainbow dots paper came as a 12x12. I simply traced another sheet of shaped cardstock and cut it out. Notice the border punch on the green mat is punched using a similar edge. Sorry for the glare on the upper left corner embellishments. The words are shiny dimensional words from a large pack of stickers with birthday-themed words. Click the pic if you want a closer look. Thanks for stopping by!

47th Anniversary

My parents were married on July 6, 1963. I made this card for them yesterday for their anniversary. Wow, 47 years! What a blessing to have such loving parents. :)

I am heading north to Akron today to spend the night with my niece Brooke. We plan to go swimming, have a picnic and who knows what else....just some wonderful "girl" time. :) I'm taking my camera, so I'll probably have pics to share later. Thanks for stopping by!

Woodgrain

I love the Woodgrain background stamp from Stampin' Up!. I can't wait to order it! I made this card at Holly's, too. The bird, wing and branch are all one punch. We stamped a pattern on the body of the bird before assembling it. See, another small detail that makes a big difference. :)

Mohican Wilderness Campground

This past weekend, I visited Mohican Wilderness Campground. My sister and Phil were camping there with part of Phil's family. Here are the highlights:
Tom and Phil....two crazy brothers! Notice who went tubing and who didn't....the redder of the two! Phil was hurting that night, but the nut didn't use sunscreen! Duh!

I was there on Saturday and in the evening we just hung out by the fire while Phil cooked dinner and we watched the sun go down. So very peaceful!

Earlier that afternoon, we went tubing on the Mohican River. Our journey was about 5 miles and so much fun! Gotta love that you can get the River Rat tubes at Wal-Mart for only $9! Kevin had to work, so he will go tubing with Rhonda, Phil and I another time.

This is the food stash! Some things were kept cold on ice and the largest tub was filled with homebaked cookies, rice krispie treats and lots of other yummy campsite foods.

Their site was along the bank of the river. I've never camped, but would love to join them next time.

This is the "natural clothesline". ha ha Bathing suits and wash cloths. Whatever works!

Phil's brother brought his dog, Harley. He is a good camper and kept getting in the river to get cooled off.

Phil's daughter, Chelsea and her friend Felicia. Both such beautiful girls! Oh, to be 15 years old again and have the skin of a baby! :)

Phil's nephew, Brandon and Phil's son, Philip. They are both 18. They both made me laugh several times. Such cute young men!

Rhonda and Philip

Phil chopping onions. He is quite the chef, I must say! He seasons most things with a gallon of butter and boy does everything taste yummy. He has worked in the food/catering business for years and sure knows his stuff! He and Rhonda were so generous to let me stay for supper and eat marinated chicken breast, sauteed squash and baked potatoes. Yum!!!!

Phil's brother and sister-in-law....George and Teri. Teri is building the kebabs here.

Rhonda and I after a day of tubing on the river, then showers at the shower house. We were both happily exhausted and a bit sunburned. Worth it!

The boys' tent. This one is so primitive-looking and just kind of cracked me up.

Kebabs on the campfire. George, Teri, Tom and Brandon ate these. Phil cooked everyone's food. Phil's family has camped at Mohican Wilderness since 1974 so he knows the place like the back of his hand. It was so nice seeing all the families there, enjoying time together. They were biking, hiking, tubing, grilling, playing games and soaking up the sun. Camping might just be a great adventure I try out next summer. :)