Thinking of You Card

---pictures to come---
This card turned out so cute and the lady who received it just loved it! She has been homebound for several weeks recupperating from medical problems. We've all missed her and the card gave me momentum to get over and visit for a bit.

Mamma's Mia

---picture to come---
Like her older sister, Mia loves to sing...and she gets into it, too!

Do Redo

Those little links to past posts have caused me to take note that it was just one year ago that I went for a pretty severe hair cut. Severe as in short, at least for me. My hair has grown a bunch since then! It's probably six inches longer in this past year.



Oh, and now it is darker, too. :)



That first pic was taken March 1st and it was probably just a day or two after that I went darker. I know it was dark when I went to the Valley on March 7th for Daphne's blessing - surprised everyone.

St. Paddy's Meal

Okay, so it was a typical Irish meal...corned beef and cabbage...but not eaten on St. Paddy's Day. Last Wednesday Mike and I went to Concho and had dinner and a program hosted by Concho Branch Relief Society in honor of the RS's anniversary. It was really nice, the program included readings from Letters from Emma and posole and fresh vegetables kept us all nourished.

The corned beef and cabbage was yesterday's dinner and it was yummy!

Cards and More Cards

I send out a lot of cards each month. Sometimes I make cards...especially those going to people in hospitals or otherwise unable to come to church where many people may be adding messages onto the pages of the card. It is sometimes hard to find a suitable card with enough blank space for thirty or more to add personal messages. I enjoy making cards. I enjoy sending cards. I know I'll enjoy adding unique shapes to some of my cards using Cricut. :)

I had fun trying several new card layouts, too. I figured I'd give them a try so I could let Zena know which patterns are doable in a reasonable timeframe. This is a tri-shutter card and the card has a lot of movement as the recipient opens the card. It is a fun card!



These cards are gate-fold and there are two sizes. They are quick and easy to make and look very nice when completed. That front icon will have a stamped image suitable to whatever occasion the card is being used for...most likely thank you.


There is a large space inside the card for a personal message.


These little two pocket cards can be made up quickly and they are versatile. The one card had been tucked into my purse with notes when I went to church Sunday and I also used a blank page to take notes during class. These will be especially nice to send out when I want to include something special - like a bookmark - with the card.


And, birthday cards! I send a lot of birthday cards each month. These little cards will be so sweet to send! They'll have "celebrate" hand-lettered across the front, around the cupcake, and then there is plenty of room for a personal message inside the card. I love them and I'm sure the recipients will appreciate them, too. :)

Mini Album

The Cricut allows me to add a bit more "cuteness" to some things I make for others. Routinely, I have made little mini-albums for people after their baptism. (An earlier mini album.) These little gifts have always been well-received and I have always enjoyed making them although they were typically rectangular in shape. Now, there is a bit of flair to the pages...


I include quotes from Church leaders from messages for new members.






And, I try to include a picture or two that captures those moments for them.

Ring Around the Rosey

One of the first projects I worked on with my new Cricut. Each month women in our church visit with other women, Sisters, at their home and share a message from Church leaders. The program is called Visiting Teaching and not only provides an opportunity to "teach" one another but to friendship and check on the well-being of Sisters in their own environment. I love Visiting Teaching and enjoy that time with others. Usually, I try to take something with me to give to the Sister while visiting. This month, Cricut arrived in time to make a little fridge note. :)

I cut a tabletop of flower pieces, hence the Rosey title. :)


Then assembled the pieces into little "posies" to mix the colors...


I used a quote by Pres. Monson from this month's lesson...


The handouts were great and I had so much fun exploring with the Cricut to make them. :)

Cricut

Okay, so I have been a bit pre-occupied and distracted in recent days. It's all Z's fault. Seriously. Last Thursday was her birthday. She celebrated by sending me a gift. It arrived the day before and it took every bit of my fiber to avoid opening that box the same day it arrived. I had other committments. I had to go to Concho. That would have been out the window if that box had been opened.

I waited.

The box with my new Cricut was opened on Thursday. On Zena's birthday. And, the Cricut came out and found its place on the table where it has fascinated me in the days since. It has been so much fun playing around with all the different options and I've worked on several projects. I'll post pics in other posts-this post belongs to Cricut...and saying thanks to Zena. I love you!

Sounds Good

Even though it is so late, lemon merengue pie sounds good right about now. Sure wish I had some!

Teaser Revealed

Remember this picture from an earlier post?


Well, once she saw the post there wasn't much doubt in her mind who the recipient would be. Zena loved the mini album I sent to her. And I enjoyed making it for her.






Zena and I talked after she received the mini album and she joked around about not using her Cricut very often and how much she enjoyed receiving, creating, and sending crafted projects. I kidded that she could send her cutter to me and I would make little kits for her to assemble. :) She went one better...she got me my own Cricut cutter and had it delivered to my house. What a thrill it was to receive that gift! You are the best!

Snapshots

My little grandchildren love to play around for or with my camera and it is a good distraction for getting them quieted or doing something constructive. Snapshots work pretty well for other little ones, too. The little girl in pink kept me busy walking her around in the hallways at church this past Sunday so her mommy could have a break and listen ot the speakers during sacrament.



At the end of sacrament, the other kids (one not there) joined us in the foyer and asked if I had my camera. I sometimes use my camera to entertain them while their mom visits with the missionaries. I took a couple pictures and talked them into attending primary classes. The little girl in pink went to nursery. Good thing they stayed for class...with them in attendance, there were five kids in primary this week. Wow, spring break sure does a number on us. :)

Happy Birthday To You

Happy birthday dear Zena...happy birthday to you!

You never cease to amaze and surprise me and your latest surprise was something so totally unexpected...not even a clue. Thank you for being you and for loving me. I love you so very much and hope that today is all you want it to be. Enjoy!

Tweet, Tweet

TJei could see the reds and pinks and purples coloring the skyline as the sun began peeking over the horizon. She wanted to go out and watch the sunrise so she wrapped in a blanket and went out onto the steps. After a couple minutes, I could hear her "talking" out there and went to check on her.

"Tweet, tweet" she repeated.

"I'm talking to the birds to see if their mommy will let them play."

Okay, A Teaser

Any guesses what this may be or who the recipient may be?