Still Scrapbooking

It's been so long since I've posted any of my creations I bet you thought I wasn't crafting. Well, you would have been wrong! I have managed to do some! I've made a few scrapbook pages and a few cards.

The page layouts I got done mostly because Cathy of Cat's Creations Scrapbooks wanted samples for the new product she was unveiling at NSD (National Scrapbook Day) Weekend Retreat held at Mitchell Resort and RV Park the first weekend in May. I worked at the Store with Ray but did go out for a visit to see the ladies on Friday night.

This 2 page layout was created using Kaisercraft's Honey Chai collection. Although vintage in look I managed to make a "western" themed layout. This is the left side. This paper is called "Tarragon". I trimmed it down and used a 12x12 dark brown card stock for my base. I cut a piece of burlap and pulled threads on all 4 sides to create a frayed look. Because the colors were so muted I printed my photos in Sepia. I believe this really made the page.

The orange strip at the bottom is from the paper "Sage".  I cut a piece either 1 1/2 or 2 then using scissors made the points on the end. The little strip at the bottom of the banner is from the paper "Nutmeg". Using a We R Doily 2 Edge Punch I punched one edge of the paper then cut a strip to add underneath the banner. The journal block is from the paper "Tumeric" It had a pattern around it but I cut out the block and added twine. The letters are from Thickers from American Crafts that are corrugated. I inked them with Tim Holtz Distress Walnut to match the page.

The second page I used "Star Anise" and like the other page I trimmed it down and used dark brown cardstock as my base. As you can see I used burlap again on this page too. To adhere the burlap to the paper, I used liquid glue. My usual tape adhesive didn't work well attaching photos to the burlap so I used score tape which seem to do the trick. As a final touch I typed my journaling on vellum. I usually had write my journaling but I had much to say about these pictures and I couldn't write that small. I attached the vellum using brads.

Another layout I made for NSD Weekend was created using the collection Summer Bliss by Echo Park. The dotted background is the back of "Summer Floral". The paper on the left side under the photo is the back of "Flip Flops" and was what was left over after I fussy cut the flip flops for the banner across both pages. The strip at the bottom is the back of  "Summer Memories" which also had the journal block I used on this layout. The stickers came from the Alpha sticker sheet from that collection. These pictures were from last summer the first time Doyle took the kids out in the boat.

Have a good one.

End of Year Program

Tuesday morning Vanessa called. She had forgotten to tell me that Kennedy's "End of School Year" (Mother's Day Out) program was that day in about 45 mins! It was slow at the office so I went.

I didn't have my camera so I tried to get a few pics with my phone. I didn't get there early enough to get a close seat either so these pictures aren't the best.

Kids are playing "guitars".

Kennedy playing a little "keyboard"!

Playing "drums" with a Folgers Coffee container.

She's getting so big. She still likes me to carry her but her legs hang down past my knees! It won't be long before she will be too heavy! That will be a sad day for me!


Have a good one!

I Love That Boy

I haven't had the interaction with Kashton that I did with Kennedy. I was afraid that he wouldn't bond with me like she did. Well, my fears were unfounded. Over the last several months he is reaching for me every time he sees me, wants me to hold him and when I do I just lays his head on my shoulder for a few seconds then looks up at me, smiles and lays his head down again. MELTS MY HEART! Such a little snuggler! When I get on to him he just falls apart!

Vanessa has gotten a part-time job to help with finances for a bit. Last Tuesday I kept Kashton. He loves to be outside. He loves to ride in the little red wagon that I have. I had taken the dogs outside and was throwing the frisbee for Kaidence when I noticed that Kashton had walked to the gate to the backyard. He grabbed a hold of it shaking it and spouting baby gibberish. I suspected what he wanted and decided to video it. (Unfortunately....Blogger will not let me upload this video for some reason. Keeps giving me an error message. I'll keep trying). I posted it on Facebook so if you saw it there its the same video.

I don't know if he would ever get tired of my pulling him around!

Sister joined him after Daddy went to pick her up from Mother's Day Out. Aren't they just the cutest?!

Thanks to Pintrest the guys are building a play/house bed frame for the girls that Vanessa saw. Kennedy is helping them figure out how high the windows need to be.

Kashton wants to do everything sister does. Kennedy was hungry when she got to the house so I made her a sandwich. She wanted to sit at my desk and watch TV. Kashton wanted to do the same although he didn't stay as long! This picture just cracks me up! What am I going to do when there is 4?! Lord, help me!

Rodeo Week Part 2

Rode lasts for 3 nights beginning on Thursday and ends on Saturday. Friday night Kennedy had a T-ball game so neither of us rode in the Grand Entry as there wasn't time to get them ready...and hardly worth it for 10 minutes in the arena!

My little cowgirl!











As much as she likes the rodeo like any 4 yo she got tired of being in one place so we made our way to the pony rides and bounce house. Yes, I paid to let her ride a pony...she did want to ride the tallest one!

Kashton and Granddad.

He was fascinated by the activity. I think they're watching bull riding here.

Kennedy went home with us from the rodeo and spent the night. She spent the day with us. Vanessa had other plans and Keannon had to work but Kennedy wanted to go to the rodeo Saturday night. Vanessa brought a couple of  outfits for Kennedy to choose from to wear to the rodeo. One was a western shirt and jeans, the other a really cute dress made by a family friend. She chose the dress!

I love this picture. She was laughing at the Rodeo clown.

Two nights of the Rodeo, Kennedy talked me into taking her to the pony rides and the bounce house but on Saturday night she discovered the face painting booth.


Kennedy wanted a butterfly face. The one painting Kennedy's face is just a young girl herself.

Kennedy was happy....and that's all that matters!



Have a good one!

Rodeo Week in Mineral Wells

Last week was Rodeo. I've had fun posting some old photos on Facebook of when we as a family first participated in Rodeo in 1995. This is me on Blue (gray horse) and Vanessa behind me on Valentine (black horse) riding in the Rodeo Trail ride from Weatherford to Mineral Wells. It's about an 18 mile ride. We stopped about halfway in the small town of Millsap for lunch and to rest. We bought Valentine in February 1995, Blue in March and Doyle's horse Clyde after the Rodeo as the man who owned him was a Sheriff's Posse member and needed him for Rodeo.

Vanessa on Valentine. She is 9 (turned 10 in September of that year.

The young lady on the left is a girl we became friends with. She was a neighbor to the people where we kept our horses. Her mother wasn't a horse person and she was only 4 years older than Vanessa so I took her riding with us on many occasions. Doyle is riding a borrowed horse.







Me and Vanessa warming up our horses before the Grand Entry. Valentine was used to this type of activity but Blue had never been exposed so I was a bit nervous of how he would do. (That might explain my serious face!)

Me and Vanessa during the Grand Entry.












Blue died the week of Rodeo in 2007. Needless to say I didn't ride that year and didn't ride in the Rodeo again until last year. Some of it was because of grief but some of it was because we only had one horse and 2 of us that wanted to ride. I let Vanessa ride most of the time.

Now I have Diamond and I was ready to participate again. Although he's not a young horse he's not been exposed to any of these types of activities. I figured the best way was to just do it starting with the trail ride which was last Thursday. At least he would be worn down so that maybe he wouldn't get too bent out of shape if he got scared during the parade or grand entry. I didn't try to do the whole ride. Neither he nor I were in shape for that. We did however join the ride at Millsap. Historically this trail ride has had as many as 400 riders but this year there were only 60-70 riders. It could have been the weather as it rained earlier that day with the threat of storms that afternoon. I looked for anyone I might know to ride with but didn't find anyone. Just as well as Diamond wanted to be in the front...very front!

Do you know how hard it is to take a selfie while riding a horse that's nervous? Well, I managed to get a couple to prove I was there!

Our leaders Palo Pinto County Sheriff Possee members Sam Hickey (owner of North Oak Dairy Queen) and Sam Singleton. Because the trail ride was over roadways we had law enforcement escort.









Pretty wildflowers and trash :( .

Going up Patterson Hill. This is a long stretch of hill. Our escorts had traffic stopped in both directions until we reached the top.

Looking back at the rest of the riders.

Once at the top several took advantage of the opportunity for a break while the rest of the riders gathered before we crossed the highway.

At the edge of town I peel off and ride to where we keep horses to get Clyde and pick up Doyle for the parade. I loved the reflection of the clouds I saw in this small tank.

I also saw this beautiful hay field. Although there are rain clouds in this photo they were already past us and we didn't get any additional rain from this. If we don't get more rain there won't be anymore hay!

We saw some calves too! They were very curious of us but also afraid.

Not knowing how Diamond would react during the parade I thought it best to ride with Doyle. At least he's familiar with Clyde. Doyle is a Palo Pinto Sheriff's Posse member so I rode toward the front of the parade with the posse.

Looking behind us. Many riding clubs and individuals lined up for the parade.

Looking to the front and the parade has begun!

This photo was taken by the Mineral Wells Index (our local newspaper). The only picture I have of me in the parade. I'm wearing the blue shirt on the black and white horse.

Mr. Parade himself! This is the first time in YEARS Doyle has ridden a horse!

Last leg of the parade. It was all over in 25 minutes! So glad I rode earlier that day...hardly worth the work for 25 minutes!











Gathered for the Grand Entry.

Waiting to begin our "10 minute" ride!

This photo was taken by a friend. Doyle looks good! You can see my blue shirt! I got separated from Doyle coming into the arena and got behind another nervous horse. I was trying to catch up when this photo was taken so I wasn't riding the rail like everyone else.


This was Diamond's 1st trail ride, 1st parade and 1st grand entry. He did extremely well! He was a bit nervous in the grand entry but I expected that. The fact that he trusted me and didn't freak out is what I am thrilled about! I am very proud of him!

Have a good one!

Playing in the Dirt

Vanessa is working part-time to help catch up financially. That means I get to spend more time with Kennedy and Kashton. Vanessa had asked me if I could watch the kids for a few hours last Saturday. It was a very pleasant morning so we played outside in the back yard.

Kashton loves to swing and Kennedy loves to swing him although she tries to swing him as high as he will go!

Kashton LOVES the girls Barbie car. He hadn't quite figured out how to make it go yet...

until today!

As you can see he didn't know how to stop. Sister came to the rescue and tried to show him how.

Kennedy is so good with her brother. I really warms my heart!

Now for the "dirt" part! Kennedy reminds me of myself when I was little. I was always playing in dirt or mud. My Great Aunt Betty nicknamed me "mud dobber".

Brother joins in the fun!

I don't know what I was thinking as now I had to give both of them a bath. Kennedy had a birthday party to go too!

I did get both kids bathed, dressed and Kennedy to her party. Even though we were about 5 minutes late she was the first guest to arrive! Score! Kashton fell asleep in the truck on the way to the party so I took him to my house and waited for Vanessa to come pick him up.


Have a good one!