Be My Valentine Card Challenge #3

My final entry into the Cards in Envy Card Challenge.

This is the card I made for Korin. The paper is an old Bo Bunny Valentine Collection. The image is from Unity's January Kit of the Month called "When You Smile". I just love this rabbit and I thought it was perfect for Korin. The sentiment is also from that kit.

I colored the image with my Copic Markers. I used glossy accents on the roses on the rabbit. I chose to just cut out the sentiment and put some foam tape behind to give it dimension.









This is not part of the challenge but I wanted to share the card I made for Kashton.

Because Kashton is more into Super Heroes I cheated a bit and googled an image of Captain America Valentines. I found one! I printed it on card stock then cut out and attached to the front of the card. For the background I took white card stock and used an embossing folder of hearts. Kashton liked his card but was mostly interested in the other stuff!

Thanks for taking a look!

Have a good one!

Be My Valentine Card Challenge #2

The card challenge over at Cards in Envy is a Valentine Card. Since I made cards for the kids anyway, I thought I would enter another one into the challenge. Up to 3 entries are allowed. I may just enter one more 😉.

This is the card I made for Kennedy.

The background paper is from Fancy Pants "Love Note" Collection called "Love Struck". The image is a stamp from Unity's January Kit of the Month "When You Smile".  The sentiment was a stamp I purchased at Michael's.

I stamped the image and colored with my Copic Markers. I then inked with Distress Ink Antique Linen to coordinate with the other paper. I put glossy accents on the roses although it doesn't show well in this picture and used dots of liquid pearl to give interest.

Thanks for taking a look!

Have a good one!

Father-Daughter Dance 2-9-2017

Every year Palo Pinto County Children's Alliance Center has sponsored a Father/Daughter (K-6th Clark Gardens.
grade) dance in the Mineral Wells area. The ticket sales for the dance benefit this agency. This year's dance was held at

The kids had just moved to their new house but not all their stuff just yet so I got a chance to see Kennedy and her Dad before the dance and took a few pictures.

Using the reflection in our storm door to check herself out.

Off to the dance.


They had a great time!

There was a pretty sunset that night too!

Have a good one!

Be My Valentine Card Challenge

I loved Cards in Envy's challenge since it fell during the time for Valentine's Day. I needed to make the kids cards anyway. Since I had to make Remi's early enough to get in the mail. I decided to use her card for the challenge.

I love how it turned out. I guess it's a bit "grown up" for an 8 yo but I think she will like it.

The background paper is Fancy Pants Designs from the collection Love Note. This paper was called "Love Struck". The image and sentiment are from Unity's December Kit of the Month "Always Been You". I couldn't wait to ink up this girl and color her.

I used my Copic Markers. The hearts I used a Pearl Pen "red" I also used Liquid Pearls for the white dots around the image and on the girl's bracelet.

The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon "Ribbon Club Assortment."

I will post the other Valentine Cards another day.

Thanks for taking a look.

Have a good one!

A Politician in the Family?

It's official....Doyle has decided to run for City Council. He's wanted to do this for sometime but he couldn't as long as he was a city employee. Now he's retired, that's not an issue anymore.

In his words "I've served the city for 30 years and I'm not done."

I'm proud of him. He will be a great councilman.

I went with him on Friday, February 10th to file.

He notified the family but otherwise he was being low key about it. He thought he had a little more time before the news went public but it was in the paper Saturday.

The newspaper called him on Monday for a phone interview. You can see that article here.

He is working on a campaign page on Facebook and designing a postcard for mailing.

Elections will be in May.

I like the way he worded his stance on running for this city council seat. "I don't like to say I'm running against incumbent Wayne Johnson. Wayne has done a good job and if re-elected will serve the city well. I believe the people are best served when they have a choice."

I'll keep you updated 😉

Have a good one!

Kids New House

I have made a few subtle references to the kids buying a new house.

They closed on January 13th.

This picture was taken February 11th and you can see the "sold" sign is still in the yard.

It is a 4 bedroom 2 bath.



The back of the house. The portion that has all the windows was a former patio that the previous owner enclosed.

View from the other side of the backyard.











The house used to include this 5 acres behind it but it was sold.

Nothing is very pretty right now since it is winter time.

As you enter the house there is a small entry way which opens up to this area. there is a huge fireplace to my right where the blue box is setting. The French doors open to the enclosed patio area.

This is looking back toward the entry way and a view of the fireplace. As you can see the kids plan to use it as a dining room. The kitchen is to the left of the fireplace.

The kitchen. If you look closely you can see the top of one of the dining chairs in the bottom left of this photo. You go to the right to go to the bedrooms which are all along one end of the house.

They just started moving last week and spent their first night there on Wed Feb 8th so things are scattered everywhere.

This room is off of the room with the fireplace. and next to the garage. As you can see the kids plan to use it as a family room.

Each of the kids have their own room. Even little Korin understands having her "own space".

This little area is in between Korin's room and the hall way leading to the other bedrooms and bathroom. Vanessa plans to use this as a play area for the kids.

The hallway leading to the other rooms. The area above is just to the right of this photo.

Kashton's room

Kennedy's room which is across the hall from her parents. I think there are plans to get Kennedy a new bed. You might remember when they were in the other house they had a queen size bed with a playhouse under it. I'm not sure if the plan is the same but Vanessa had said something about giving Kashton that bed and making it look like a fort for him.

I'll try to get pictures again when they have had a chance to get things a little more organized.

Have a good one!

Reconnecting with a Former Riding Buddy

I was on my way to hook up the trailer and catch a horse to ride with Joelle when I got a text message from a former riding buddy, Mary, inviting me to ride with her at the State Park the next day. I said yes! It worked out for me as it gave me a chance to ride two horses that way.

So Tuesday, February 7th I met Mary at the Park bringing Diamond as my mount.

Mary and I met 20 years ago when we first got our horses. She lived across the road from where we were keeping ours. I learned she was training her horse for endurance. I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. We rode together many times conditioning our horses for distance riding. We also competed together in some rides. Our lives went different directions a few years after meeting. We had moved our horses to a different location,  I quick working and didn't have the extra money to compete plus I had gotten very active in my church and didn't want to be gone every weekend.

We have stayed in touch but we hadn't ridden together in years. At the age of 74 she is still doing endurance and has a new young horse (3 yo) she is training. She wanted someone along with her to help keep him calm and to keep her company. I was thrilled to reconnect with her. It was like old times.

We got off to a bit of a rough start. I was putting on Diamond's bridle. Mary was standing nearby with her horse Sparks, waiting on us. I guess a new horse got Diamond excited and stepped on my foot. I fell with my foot still pinned under his. It came out when I fell. It smarted too! The scuff marks on my boot are from his horse shoe!

I still managed to ride.

Sparks spots something scary.

Mary says "Come on, Sparks, let's check it out".

Oh, it's not a horse eating monster, it's just a log!

 We both took turns leading.

Sparks and Mary are doing really good. No big blow ups! We even crossed the low water crossing with water and debris over it!

Mary is telling me how proud she is of Sparks.

Me and my boy! I love him even if he did smash my foot!

Me and Mary with our horses Diamond and Sparks. We had a great ride and wonderful time! We've already planned to go again soon!

After I load Diamond in the trailer and have been walking around a bit, my foot begins to throb. It didn't bother me too much while we were riding but now it's really screaming at me.

I get home and survey the damage to my foot. My toes aren't very pretty to begin with but they sure aren't now! My big toe and second to got the worst of it.

Needless to say I've been limping a bit. I really am much better. I received prayer that night at leadership meeting and I haven't had to have anything for pain since then. 

I haven't tried putting my boots back on just yet. I think I'll give it a few more days 😉

Have a good one!