Last weekend we went to Sunland.  I always forget how dark it is at night over there.  In Kent you don’t see the stars and the moon doesn’t look nearly as bright because of all the lights around the city.  Sunland is about 600 – 700 feet down at the bottom of a canyon on the Columbia River.  It was clear out and when the moon came up over the canyon wall it seemed bright as day.  I tried to get a good picture and this is what I came up with:

Since I had to pack up my “craft room” to get new carpeting installed, my “stuff” has been unavailable!  Now that my boxes are unpacked, I can finally get this card posted that I made for my father-in-law.  I found the design on one of the blogs I follow (sorry, now I can’t find the blog) and really liked it.  This card was made with all Close to My Heart products.

so how in the world would I have injured my achilles tendon?  It’s extremely inflammed and anti-inflammatories didn’t fix it.  The orthopedic guy put me in this stupid “boot” for two weeks (one week left).  If that doesn’t fix it, he’s going to order an MRI and said it could possibly require surgery.  YIKES – does he not realize I’m not an athlete?

I know – hard to believe.  And now that I’ve kinda got my creativity going again, I have to pack my craft room up.  We’re getting new carpeting in the townhouse in preparation for getting it ready to sell.  I’m going to leave a few projects in the hopes that I’ll have some time, and space, to work on them (yes, girls, I’m gonna finish the last few pages of my 2006 Italian vacation scrapbook then I need to start my 2009 Australia/South Pacific cruise scrapbooks and I don’t even know when I’ll have time to work on my Maui vacation in April).  Phew, that’s a lot, too!

Anyway, for these four cards I used CTMH’s Cocoa Cafe Collection, Primavera Rub-ons, Designer Ric-Rac, “Playful Flourishes”, “For Every Occasion” and “Say It In Style” stamp sets; as well as Stickles, Dew Drops and miscellaneous flowers and a button.  I used my Cuttlebug dies for some of the flowers and flourishes.

I can’t find the blog I “stole” these card ideas from – but I send huge thanks to her for the ideas!

I am finally getting my pictures downloaded from my camera.  The first picture off was my Mother’s Day gift from Tracy – a trifle bowl!  Love it and can’t wait to use it!  Thanks Tracy!

I liked the pink set so well, I made a blue set!    I thought I was  pretty clever until I decided to send one to my mom for Mother’s Day … then I realized they all say Happy Birthday!  Guess I wasn’t as clever as I thought! 

Not only did I knit another 100% cotton dishcloth, I actually made girlie birthday cards today!  Yep, I know … hard to believe.  Well, I have proof!  And if a certain person sees this post, she’ll know I totally copied her!  I used Close To My Heart’s “Between Friends” background & textured paper and cardstock.  I just had scraps that really couldn’t be used for much so decided this was a good way to use the little bits and pieces I had leftover.

So, this will be my third post in a week – I’m on a roll girls!

I have a “train buddy” on Link’s Light Rail.  After riding Link every afternoon we started visiting with each other and learned that we both like card-making!  Debbie is very motivated and makes cards for ever holiday.  Here are two of her cards:

1.  Thou shalt not covet … they neighbor’s jelly beans.

It’s hard to see on this Easter card, but there’s an embossed egg in the half-egg shaped cut out of the printed paper.  What a cute idea, huh?

2.  Wishing you – Lucky stars above you, Sunshine on your way, Many friends to love you, Joy in work and play.  Laughter to outweigh each care In your heart, a song and gladness waiting everywhere, All your whole life long.

This St. Patrick’s Day card is made with green cardstock that has a shiny sheen to it.  The printed lucky charm is layered over an inverted scalloped edge white cardstock.  She added a white bow on the side that also holds the vellum inside the card with the printed message.

Good job, Debbie … love the cards!  But don’t hold your breath waiting for a card from me – I’m trying to concentrate on scrapbooking (ok, don’t be laughing girls … I promise I’ll get my Italy scrapbook done – eventually)!  LOL

OKAY CIRCLE JOURNAL GIRLS – DON’T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE WHAT I’VE BEEN UP TO!

In November, we traded Circle Journals at our annual scrapbooking retreat.  We get a new CJ every four weeks.  Here’s what I’ve been working on since November:

Nicole’s topic was “A lifetime of firsts”.  My firsts include my first (& only) husband, first child, first house we built, first trip to Europe, first tattoo, and our first black President!

Jill’s topic was “These are a few of my favorite things”.  My favorite things include my kids, my grandparents, the pink quilt my mother-in-law made for herself but gave to me when she had alzheimers, my “people”, pink flamingos, shadow picture I took of Jim & I in Australia, Uluru, my favorite building in Seattle, my best friend & I, and Jim standing at Sydney Harbor with the Rhapsody of the Seas in the background.

Donna’s topic was “Celebrations”.  In 2009 we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary by traveling to Australia for two weeks then crusing from Australia to Hawaii.  My celebration pages include the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef from a helicopter, Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, a Polynesian lunch sitting at a table in a lagoon in Bora Bora and crossing the international dateline.

Sonja’s topic was “Cards for kids”.  She asked us to make four 5×7 cards and next November when we all get our CJ’s back, she’ll take all the cards to Children’s Hospital for the sick kids to give out.  Awesome idea, Sonja!

Sandy’s topic was “Top ten list”.  Her topics were: 10 things to grab if your house was on fire, 9 people (past, present, future) you’d like to have dinner & conversation with, 8 things to pack for a trip if you didn’t know where you were going, favorite things using each of the 7 colors of the rainbow, 6 places you’d like to visit in the U.S., favorite things using each of the 5 senses, 4 favorite scrapbook/crafting products you’re loving, 3 words to describe yourself, 2 favorite pics you’ve taken in the last two months and the 1 thing you never leave the house without.

By the time I get Sandy’s CJ to Jane (it was mailed to you Monday, Jane!!!), I’ll be almost a week late.  But since I already received April’s CJ, and I’m gonna be on vacation when it’s due, I decided to get it done and send it off to Jane 3 weeks early!

Michelle’s topic was “All about me A-Z”.  She didn’t use a typical scrapbook type layout but used a lidded tin with chipboard cards inside.  I really had to think about this topic.  It’s hard to come up with 26 works, using every letter of the alphabet, to describe yourself. 

Time sure flies when you’re having fun – oh wait, I haven’t been having fun since all I’ve been doing is working and enjoying it less. 

We’re RV owners again!  Once we retire (unfortunately, we don’t get to retire this summer as planned), we’re gonna head south to warm weather in the winters.  When my cousin decided to sell their travel trailer, Jim jumped on it.  We’re gonna make a few updates but for the most part, it’s perfect.  Plus it looks good behind the truck!  Just ask Jim; he’ll tell you!

Nicole, I got your Circle Journal package in the mail Friday!  Thanks for the mint cookies and chocolate to balance my diet!  I needed the sugar after the week from hell at work!

(P.S.  When I got my new computer, it came with Windows Vista.  I still haven’t figured out how to crop my pictures so you’ll have to excuse all the other stuff you see!)

I need to get a birthday card in the mail this week.  I decided to use one of the pre-made cards I have stashed away - and this is still one of my favorites. 

Last weekend was our first quad ride of the year.  Jim & I and Tracy were so sore Monday morning we could hardly get out of bed! 

We also got to use Jim’s birthday present the kids & I and my mom got him last November.  It’s the Camp Chef Pro 90 Grill.  We originally got it for our quad riding outings.  However, now that we have a travel trailer we’ll be using it when we travel, too.  Woohoo – can’t wait (to be able to travel, that is)!

Kevin offered to cook for the inaugural cookout!  We had sausage, hashbrown patties, scambled eggs and Texas toast.  The cast iron griddle covers two burners leaving us the third burner to put a skillet on.  It also has a fold-out shelf on each side of the grill so we don’t have to have a little table sitting there as well.  It worked out perfectly and we can’t wait for our next ride.  I think we’re having chili/bacon/cheese/avocado dogs (or something like that)!  That would be Kevin’s concoction so I guess he’ll be cooking again!

For Valentine’s (and all holidays), Jim “contracts” with Tracy, our daughter, to make all his cards so he doesn’t have to go buy them.  I don’t know what he pays her, but that’s between her and him!  The card on the left is “his card” and the the card on the right is the card I made for him (from a card kit).

I’ve rambled on long enough for this post!