I'm a Great-Auntie Again!

Oh Happy Day! My niece, Jennifer & NIL, Wade had their 3rd child on Aug. 7th, 2021 making my sister a grandma again and me a great-auntie. Welcome to the family Rylee June Weatherred, 7 lbs 4 ozs., 20 ins. and oh so cute!

My sister Melanie & Rylee

Happy 4th, Happy Birthday using June My Paper Pumpkin

Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my darling granddaughter, Bonnye!

 

 

The June MPP made up to 24 pinwheels and also included 24 cello bags. There have been many projects made using the kit: Wreaths, bows, boxes, cards, banners. I plan to make a wreath with them for next year and I also started a banner, but didn't get it finished. I also saved a couple to make bows. I'm so glad that since I am a subscriber to MPP, I have the opportunity to purchase a refill kit and plan to do so as I want to make more things with these. They were so much fun. The two on Bonnye's cake will be flattened and saved to use on a scrapbook page for her birthday pics.

LNS Stampers Challenge #158

This weeks challenge is to make a card that is black, white and one other color. I had made this one for my son and DIL when they got married in Aug. 2011. I didn't have a picture of it until now and I am glad I hadn't been able to share it before, as it is perfect for this challenge.

I used Tempting Turquoise as my other color. The Elegant Lines Embossing folder was used on the white decorated with some pearls. The words are from the stamp set called "Word Play".

Happy Mail Days Again

Boy, I wish I could always get mail like this. It is so nice to get something besides bills and junk mail. Yesterday and today held surprises. Yesterday, I got the blog candy I won on Alicia Schukar's blog. What I won was a mystery and I promised I would share when I received it, sooooo... here is what I got:

A beautiful card and a roll of the Chantilly ribbon - LOVE IT!

I'd been wanting to get some, but always found something else I wanted/needed more at the time, so now I have some and can't wait to play with it. I've seen some beautiful cards with it...have the DSP and now the ribbon, so time to start CASEing some more cards - LOL!

Today I received another package from my cousin Deb, with the payment for yet another order from her and these items as well. I had seen them on her blog and LOVED them and was so pleased to be a recipient of them. Isn't the penguin adorable and the card is soooo pretty. She loves layers and does them so well. She did the penquin bag this past week when she made things at her local Sr. Center. Hmmmm, may have to go and get some hot chocolate and candy canes and make these next month when I go to my Sr. Ctr.

We're Grandparents!!!!

My son, George and his wife Mandy had their baby on 7/16 at 5:50 am. I arrived just in time to be here for it (7/14). Carma and I stayed home while they went to the hospital as they had gone a few hrs. before and they sent her home, but her labor got more intense and was all back labor and was really getting hard on her so my son took her back and within an hr. or so after they got there, Brexton was born. Just like his daddy, once he decided it was time to make an appearance, that was it, he was coming(unlike his daddy he was 2 days early, George was 9 days late). He weighed in at 7 lbs. 15 ozs., 19.5 inches long. He has reddish (strawberry blonde) hair like his daddy and looks like him as well.

Me (Proud Grandma) & Brexton

Carma, Mandy & Brexton

George & Brexton

Father's Day Card for DH

Well, I did get a card made for DH for Father's Day. I was so excited about the new King of the Grill stamp set in the Summer Mini as my DH loves to grill and I knew that one of his presents was going to be the new grill cover he wanted for his gas grill (which he got some years back as a Father's Day present). I also used the metal sheets (silver not colored side) that I got from Monica.

Patrick's Memory Pail

Well, I finally put the finishing touches on my nephew's memory pail. It only took me almost a year - LOL! It kept getting put aside and then I'd forget that I hadn't finished it and then would come across it and do a little more. I'd only really needed to attach the train and put the ribbon on it, but could just never get myself to sit down and do it. I made myself do so last night and this afternoon I finally finished it. I am very pleased with how it came out. I had finished the one for his new little brother (see Aug. 30th, 2009 post for pics of it) and after awhile got started on his. He was the only nephew that did not have one as I started making them after he was born and I decided he needed to have his own. I didn't make him a gallon-sz. one, just the quart size pail, but I think that worked best with the size of the stamp set used. I used Stampin' Up's Choo Choo set, since he likes Thomas the Engine.

The poem I normally use for the Memory Cans wasn't quite right, so I wrote my own for his can. Thanks to Susan and Jan for their suggestions last year to fine tune it.

The ribbon is attached to a key for opening the lid (something I just started adding to them).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone had a very nice Valentine's Day!

For the last 3 years the Valentine's card I have made for DH has had a mouse on it, so I had to continue the new tradition, but didn't have a new mouse stamp. Then I remembered the adorable mouse that was being made at Christmas time and decided I had to use him. So out came the punches. One of the samples I cased was done by Emmy, not sure if she was the original creator or if she cased it. I think he came out really cute as he yells out "Happy Valentine's Day!"

I have had several inquiries as to what punches were used for this little guy, so here is the list. Hope it helps.

Head - ornament punch (cut off neck of the ornament)

Ears - Butterfly punch

Mouth , arms/hands - small oval

Body - Wide oval

Feet - 3/4" circle

Teeth and Tail were cut free hand

More Memories

Well, I got on a roll and kept going...here are a few more I did for the album (switched to an 8x8 vs the 12x12 starter attempt - the previous 2 pages were redone in 8x8, so I did not included them as I duplicated them exactly, just smaller now).

Memories

My personal "My Digital Studio" (MDS) arrived while I was gone and I finally got it uploaded a few days ago and started playing with it. Of course, with all the copies of old photos of mom that I brought home, I had to make something with them first and decided to make vintage-style scrapbook pages using her engagement photo and wedding photos and slipped in one of their 50th anniversary. Here are my first attempts at using the MDS program. It is easy once you get started.

Sad News!

As most of you know, my mother, Elizabeth Prather passed away on Jan. 1st. The time since then has been difficult and will for awhile, but I am getting by and am thankful that I have so many wonderful memories of my mother. She was a wonderful person. Thank you all for your support and condolences over the past month. I will be trying to get back to doing some stamping soon and post. Thank you for your patience!

I'm a MIL and Grandma Now!

Well, as I mentioned before I just returned from Texas, visiting my folks. Now the rest of the story. A week before I left, my oldest son, George called to advise me he was engaged and they would be getting married soon. Her name is Amanda (Mandy) and she has a 4-yr. old daughter named Carmelina (Carmen). Well, they got married on Sept. 17th. So before I left I quickly made a wedding card to send them. I love the way it came out. Hope they liked it. Now I am patiently waiting for him to send me some pictures that his friends took. They had a simple ceremony at the Justice of the Peace. I can't wait to see what my new DIL and Granddaughter (step) look like. Anyway, here is the card I made for them.




I used the Manhattan Flower Embossing folder. I then mixed alcohol with a little bit of the new Shimmerz Paint in a spritzer and sprayed the paper to give it some shimmer. Using a glue pin, I went along the raised edges of the roses and sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds. It was very shimmery in person.

I'm Baaaack!

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your patience while I have been away visiting my parents. My dad was moved to a phys. rehab./nursing home facility on approx. Sept. 18th and had a feeding tube put in as he was not eating and when he swallowed it went into his lungs. He is in constant pain and not doing any better. He has Dysphasia, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Leucocytosis, along with many other problems. I arrived there on the 19th and just returned home today. My mother also has some health issues (heart, and in her legs - arthritis, bursitis and fibromyalgia). She can barely get around due to her leg/knee problems. My sister and I spent the past few weeks rearranging my dad's bedroom - removed the huge CA King-size bed and put the full-size bed with the elec. controls for head and feet in his room and cleared out some of the papers and things he has collected/stashed away over time. We also took some excess furniture out of my mothers room as she has fallen several times and it is very hard to get her up as she can't help you much once she is down. We ordered a portable lift for her and now have room to use it in her room, when she goes down in the hallway or bathroom, we will have to figure that out when it happens as no room for the lift. We also got rid of some un-needed things in the living room and entryway to make things easier for her to get around. I am not in great shape, so my sister did most of the phys. labor, but I was there to back her up with my parents to say - this IS happening. With mom we met less resistance, it was usually dad that resisted us. We got a lot done, still a lot to do, but she can now get it accomplished overtime as we have the ball rolling on it now. Dad is not doing any better than he was when I got there, but not much worse, but based on the meeting we finally got with the director of nurses yesterday, before I left today and my sister met with the doctor today and got the same story, it is not looking good as he (my dad) is not cooperating with phys. therapy, because of the extreme pain he is in, so the therapy will stop and they are going to concentrate on pain control and then reevaluate him again in about 10days and keep doing that for awhile to see if they get any improvement. We did get to celebrate my dad's 77th birthday and all the local family were able to come to the nursing home at the same time and sing Happy Birthday, I even made a cake (which he unfortunately he couldn't eat). We each had some for him and gave the rest to the staff.

On the bright side, while I was home I was able to attend my HS reunion. It was for all of the 70's classes. DH came just a few days before hand to join me as we graduated together at the same school - Yep - HS sweeties. We had a great time and gave me a chance to relax. It was wonderful to see all my old friends and acquaintances from HS. We had a approx. 210 people attend and had a good turnout for each year (although I don't remember seeing anyone for 1970). We had a "Blast from the Past". I will have pics posted later on my personal blog, http://dragonsndragonflies.blogspot.com/

Well, enough talking (although it is good therapy for me - thanks for reading). After I have had some time to rest and get some things done here I will be posting some cards for you - I promise.

Get Well Card

Well, as you know my dad has been in the hospital for awhile now and I decided it was time to make him a card, so I just had to CASE a card made my Samantha Parisi with a few minor changes. You can see hers on her blog. The inside of the card reads "keep it closed!" "Get Well Soon! I wasn't sure exactly how she did hers, so I had to guess and my man came out a little larger that her man I think, but close enough.

Cole's Baby Memory Pail

Well, it has only taken me 9 months to finally get the Baby Memory Pail made for Risa's new little boy, Cole (Dec. 2008 post). She was doing the same theme her twin sister, Roxie had done for her little boy, Jake and I made him one (my first - April 2008 post) using the "Wild About You" and "Monkey Business"stamp sets. I was going to use that set again, but do something different and before I got started, Stampin' Up! came out with this new wonderful Designer Series Paper called "Tall Tales" and then Denise Jorgensen shared this bag she made with it on one of the LNS groups. I now had a completely new vision in my head and had to change everything and get the new paper. I finally got it and finally got a chance to sit down and get serious and make it.

First, here is the bag by Denise that inspired me:

And now, the pail I made for Cole...

I love the way it came out and can't wait to send it to her, but first I need to finish one I am working on for her first son, Patrick. He is 3 y.o. now. I wasn't making these when he came along, so I am going to make him a small one with his favorite theme - trains. I am using the Choo Choo stamp set. I also wrote a new little poem (with the help of some stamping friends) since he is older, I decided he needed a different poem on his. I will post a picture of it when I finish it, which should be within the week - I hope!

More Jeep troubles lead to a new car for George.

I just realized that I never posted about the adventures behind George getting a new car. Jacob has his Jeep down in NC using it while George was in training and we were going to go get it back for him to take to his new duty station, Ft. Riley, KS. Unfortunately, when Jacob went home the last time he had visited it started acting up when he got within about an hr. from Ft. Bragg. (now keep in mind before he came home on that trip he had to get a new alternator and battery). Well, it started making some strange noises in the front wheel area and he stopped and called us....his dad just told him to drive slower and try to get back to the base and take it in the next day. Well, he made it to the base, but then it started having problems when he tried to back up. It took him a few days to get it to Sears and when he described the problem they said it was possibly transmission and to take it to elsewhere as they did not do that, so he took it to Aamco. Turned out the front wheel hub assembly was bad (lucky it didn't fall apart on him as it was broke). Thank goodness he had just gotten his bonus, so he had the money to get that repaired, BUT it would not be done in time for George to take it to KS. Well, we contemplated letting him take my Explorer and I would then get the Jeep later from Jacob to use until we could go visit him and swap. But he decided to go car shopping and found a great deal on a 2008 Ford Focus 4-dr. with all the bells and whistles on it. After some fanagling to get them to finance him (his credit is lousy), he was able to get a good deal and get the Focus. He closed the deal on Fri. and he picked it up on Sunday, packed up and left. He had to meet up with a friend, that was also going to Ft. Riley and they were following each other out there, so they met up at George's girlfriend, Lyssa's home in Philly on Sun. and left on Mon., 6/8 as they had to report on 6/9. The trip went well and they got there around 5pm on Tues. Here are some pictures of his new Focus (next to Harold's 2000 Focus). It worked out and now Jacob has the Jeep to use until he deploys the end of Aug./Sept. and they it will come here until George can either get it or decides to sell it.

George in his new car (2008 Ford Focus)

Jacob in the Jeep (5/25 - the day he went back and it started having the problems)

A Day with Good Friends and then A Day with Family

Saturday was another busy day. Margarethe and I took a quick drive out to Dahlgren for our friend Anna's 50th Birthday BBQ Bash.

Margarethe & Anna

Anna & her grandson, Benjanin

Margarethe & Benjanin

We had to leave the party early as we had a previously planned dinner date with Mary and Gayle at Famous Dave's BBQ. Had a great time seeing them again. We rarely get the two of them available at the same time, due to travel. Gayle and Carl are usually away on pleasure on the weekends and Mary has been on a lot of business travel overseas here lately. Maragarethe has been on a lot of business travel as well, but hers is usually Mon. - Fri., so she is home on the weekends.

Jacob is home this weekend and until today, I really hadn't had a chance to see him. So today we (him, DH and I) went to the movies to see "UP! It was really good, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Then Jacob wanted to go to Sakura's Jap. Steakhouse for dinner (they went to Carlos O'Kelly's last night without me ;-( ), but since I love Sakura's too, I forgave them. Jacob will head back to NC tomorrow afternoon. He hasn't decided if he will come home for the 4th of July or stay in NC and go somewhere with friends down there.

Our Visit with Roxie, Ken & Jake

We had a GREAT time visiting Roxie, Ken & Jake. It was wonderful having them come down for George's graduation and I was so glad we could take the time to go up and visit them some more after that.

They took us out sightseeing on Sunday. Our first stop was the Indianapolis Speedway and as a surprise - we got to take a guided bus ride around the track. We got lucky and caught the last bus, as they were taking all the busses off for the rest of the day for a fundraiser "Ride for Riley (Hospital)". 10,000 motorcyclists had signed up to take a ride around the track on their bikes, so we got to see that afterwards as the track goes around the musuem that we toured after our bus ride. Here are some pictures taken from the bus and then of the motorcycles.

The Speedway was the brainchild of Carl Fisher and with the help of several others he created it for auto companies to test their vehicles. It opened in 1909, but the first Indy 500 wasn't held until 1911. He owned it from 1909 until 1927, when he sold it to Captain Eddie Rickenbacker (WWI flying "ace" and had also been an Indy 500 driver). He owned it until 1945, after that I can't remember anything. I do remember that the track was originally dirt and gravel, but that it was so uneven that it was quickly redone with brick by the end of the year and thus obtained the name "The Brickyard".

That is Harold, Roxie, Jake and Ken walking up to the museum.

This is the only section of the original brick track left and is at the starting line.

Jake really enjoyed the bus ride.

The lead motorcycle is driven by the Govenor of Indiana. This one was taken with my regular lens...the one below was taken with my high power lens. I love my new camera.

This was my favorite vehicle - I just thought it was neat looking - and it was huge compared to the others. Roxie & Ken liked the name of it, of course (below). It was tested at Indy Brickyard in 1938 and then was driven by Ab Jenkins (also one of the designers) in 1940 on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and set 49 world records for land speed and endurance, 12 of which still stand today.

After the Speedway, we headed downtown to see the sites and have some lunch at Jimmy John's - very good sandwiches.

This was a monument to all the Indiana Veterans from different wars. It was beautiful.

Then they took us to walk along the canal. It was beautiful. The first picture was heading the opposite direction from what we went and took you to the USS Indiana.

The first thing we saw was this painting under one of the walkways of the USS Indiana.

This is the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial along the walk.

This is the Indiana State Museum, which Harold, Roxie and Jake toured after the walk. I was sore from walking so I waited in the cafeteria and relaxed with a cool beverage. Ken had to go back along the walk as he had lost his glasses and was hoping they fell out of his pocket and he would find them. No luck.

This is looking back where we came from (see the Memorial on the right, the Museum is on the other side of the canal from where this was taken.

Just a little further and we rounded a corner to this view, we walked to the overpass and then to the right where we stopped in front of the Hall of Champions (Basketball) and the NCAA Headquarters.

This is where our walk ended and then we went back over the overpass picture in the pic before this and went to the museum.

Here is a mother duck and her little ducklings that were in this pond.

While we weren't sure what this was suppose to be, Jake and I just had to take a picture with it. The bench is between the pond and the NCAA Headquarters and the Hall of Champions.

I was very proud of myself for completing the walk, although we did not walk back, Harold and Ken went and got the car and picked Risa, Jake and I at the museum.

After we returned to the apartment, Ken, Jake and Harold went for a short walk along the trail that Ken walks on regularly (and loves to find snakes). They did not see any snakes this time, but a mother duck and her larger ducklings were there and Harold got this picture of them.

One last picture with Roxie and Jake before we left on Monday.