Bunny Bag

This was a project the project that Tammy brought for us to do. I love how easy and cute it was.

It's basically a brown paper bag and she had us cut out different components for the nose, teeth, feet and ears.  Then, we added googly eyes, twine for the whiskers and buttons for the toes.

I will definitely be making some of these around Easter time.

Have a great day,
Char

What a fun retreat!!!

 We left on Thursday, September 13th to go to my annual retreat in Salem, OR.

We could see the smoke from the Pole Creek Fire ahead of us in Sisters, OR.

 As we were driving through Sisters, the smoke was laying over the town.

 We took a drive through Camp Sherman, which is along the way, to take some photographs.

It was about 40º outside and a tad chilly but I just had to take a few photos of the Metolius River winding through the camp.







We had a great time at the retreat!!  I would post photos but I didn't get a group photo and don't want to post individual photos without permission.  I uploaded all the projects and have them scheduled to start posting, tomorrow.

We had a great weekend with LOTS of laughter, shopping, silly games (to earn prizes) projects and sharing of ideas among one another!!!  Each attendee received a gift bag with fun goodies inside.

But all too soon it came to an end!!  Boy how come the time FLIES when you are having FUN??? We had our traditional farewell breakfast and we were OFF to our own homes!!

This year, we had gals from Montana, Idaho, WA and Oregon.  A few of these gals, including me, have been to every WAG since 2003.  We started out as demonstrators for The Angel Company, but since it closed it's doors in August 2011, we have continued to gather as friends.

On our way home, we stopped along the highway at a campground and had lunch.

 Here is a picture I took of the Breitenbush River before we stopped at the campground.

After we ate, we had to climb down an embankment and over a huge tree that had fallen (easier for my hubby and 17 year old granddaughter) but we found a little sandy area where we could lay on a blanket while he put his line in the water.

The sun was hiding behind the trees.  It was the perfect time of day to lay down and look up at the sky and listen to the river rushing by.

The leaves on some of the trees were just starting to turn!!!  Fall IS on the way!!!

What a great weekend!!!!

Have a great day!

Char

Birthday FUN continues

My youngest Son took me out for a belated birthday gift.  We stopped at a wonderful deli called Pastrami Old World Deli and had their Reuben Tall Boy.  YUM!!!! Stacked HIGH with corned beef and all the usual fixings.  I chose the Cole slaw as the side and it came with pickles and a pickled tomato.  I could only eat half but saved the other half for later that night.

 Then, we drove over to the amphitheater and had a bit of a walk to get to the venue.  We got there about 45 minutes to an hour before the Huey Lewis and the News concert began.  Then, I heard it....the heart beat and KNEW that they were starting with my favorite song of theirs, "The Heart of Rock and Roll".  They started right on time, WHOOHOO!!!  

Here is a photo I took off their website that someone else had posted because mine were all dark and didn't turn out all that well.  

Most of mine came out pretty dark, but then I was using a brand new camera and wasn't used to the settings, yet and of course, it was dark!!  :-)

Had an AWESOME time!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me

 Since yesterday was my birthday, I decided that since I didn't have any cards to post...(except my birthday cards which I will probably post later), I would post the drive hubby took me on.

Here we are on our way to Lake Simtustus in Central Oregon.  It's not too far to drive but it's really windy but not a lot of traffic, which I liked.

I didn't take many shots of the drive there because it's just sort of drab and boring.


Here is the first part of the lake that we took a photo of and we were sort of surprised that this part of the lake looks green....we weren't sure why that is...because as you can see in the next photo...it's blue.  I am sure there IS an explanation, we just don't have one.

 And, here, you can see what I am talking about.  Maybe the sun/shade...???  I have no clue. It's all the same lake.

I didn't take photos of the actual RV camp but it was set on a high hill and some of the RV's were parked at the very edge.  I told hubby that our luck, I would get out in the middle of the night and forget which way I was supposed to go and step over the edge.  Beautiful view, though, on the edge.  Just not for me :-)

Then, we drove on up to Pelton Park Store and Marina/Roxy's Cafe.  We had a yummy burger and no, I was too busy eating it to take a photo.  Dang!!

On down the road, we stopped at Pelton Dam and looked over the edge at the water and I saw some Indian Ponies down by the water.  I put my camera on zoom....otherwise you wouldn't have been able to see them.   They look closer than they actually were.

Then, we drove out to the highway and came on home.   It was a nice day and a nice drive.  I was planning on taking more pictures than I did, but we just were enjoying the scenery and quiet.

Here is the birthday cake my hubby made me, German Chocolate cake with Coconut/Pecan Icing. My favorite!!!

He opted to only put one candle in it, for fear of burning down the house ;-)

Oh, I didn't mention, he bought me a new camera,  (purple) with all kinds of features on it....so I will be learning how to use it in the upcoming weeks and months.


Have a great day!!

Happy 4th, a little late

This was a card we made back in June for the 4th of July.  I fully intended to do just that.....like I said.....I intended.....but I didn't get a chance to make more....so I will save it for maybe next year!!

Such a bright and cheerful card and so patriotic!!  Love the glitter paper from SU.

I think we used a background stamp for the stripes.  Correct me if I am wrong.

I guess I need to start making more cards here at home so I KNOW what I am using. ;-)

One of my favorite patriotic cards!!

Have a fun day!!!
                                                                        Char

Lady bug, lady bug

A fun and cute card.  Simple to make too!!!  Basically all red and black and a little sentiment and you are done!!

I think you can probably figure it out just by looking at it......

Have a great day!!!

Char

Hamburgers anyone??

We did this same card the same day we did the pizza card.  I think this one was my favorite only because I prefer hamburgers over pizza.  Not that I don't like pizza, too.

We layered different pieces of punched elements to create the hamburger.

I just love how it looks like it's sitting on a picnic table.

I'll probably send this to someone but not before I get the directions to the elements.

I keep planning on writing down the directions when I am doing the class but it's so fast and furious and I am yakking too much to take time to write down anything.

Have a great day!!!!!
                                                                       Char

Angry Bird Card

 Now THIS was a fun card!!!  But, alas, I don't remember just exactly how we did it.

I'll have to ask my class demonstrator next month.

But, it made me smile!!!  I love making character cards and animal punched cards.

Oh and by the way, I took a cute critter punch class a couple of weekends ago and will have some of those to show you in the weeks ahead...when I get them finished :-)

I goobered up by his nose.....so can't send it off to anyone so I have to get the directions to make some more of these.

Have a great day,
Char

Happy Birthday

I feel this could be used as a masculine or feminine birthday card.  I loved the yellow and blue combination.

This is a very simple card to make and you could try different color combinations.

Love the chevron embossing folder!

Have a day!!!  :-)

Hugs,
Char

Happy Retirement

This card was supposed to go to a friend that retired from her job at school!!  I thought I had sent it and now I feel so badly that I found it still sitting on my desk in the craft room.

I still plan on sending it to her...maybe it will be even more of a surprise if she gets it now that school has started again??

This was a bright, cheerful card....we used a sponging technique to make the sunbursts.  I wasn't all that good at it as you can tell...LOL

Oh well, the thought was there when I was making it.

I know so many are so good at creating and sending cards out in a timely fashion but things just always seem to get in my way........and I know that is just an excuse.

Anyway, hopefully she doesn't check my blog out but if she does and she knows who she is....please tell me to send you that DANG CARD!!!! :-)

Hugs,
Char

Cute Strawberry Card

Isn't this just the cutest card??  It's been so long, now, that I can't even remember how we made it.  But, I think we used a red heart and embossed it and then topped it with Boho blossoms and leaves?

Anyway, it's so cute in person!!!  I wanted to recreate some of these, after the class,  but I got carried away with just enjoying summer and never got around to stamping any more of them.  Heck, I haven't stamped all summer except when I went to class.

It never ceases to amaze me just how simple and fun a card can be to make.  Just a few little embellishments and a stamp and you are done!!

Hope you have a great day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Happy Birthday, AGAIN to my dear hubby

What a gorgeous display!!!

Happy birthday, to my dear hubby!!!

Ok, I thought I was being clever and sending him his card via my blog before he got the actual card.  BUT,  I gooooofed!!!   He is 68 today, not 67!   He caught that and I didn't.

He is two years older than me and since my birthday is not till next week, I just added two years to my current age.  DUH!!!

Here is a gorgeous display of God's wondrous sky art.  My Granddaughter and I were at Bi Mart, last night, and as I was coming out of the store, this is the sight I saw.  She was sitting in the car and noticed it and jumped out and she started taking pictures and I got my phone out and started taking pictures and  we kept walking to different parts of the parking lot to get a better view.  People were looking at us like we were idiots.  But, I didn't see ONE person actually look up to see what we were taking pictures of.  Didn't they even notice this glorious display?

That is one thing my Granddaughter and I share....the love of taking pictures and we will stop along side the road and jump out just to take a picture of something that moves us.

We live in the great state of Oregon where the mountains are plentiful.  I NEVER get tired of taking photos of Mt Hood or of the other mountains that surround us.

We are going to take a day and just go around taking photos of different things.  Next up is a trip to WAG (an annual stamping get together...our 8th year) over in Salem, OR and along the way we will be taking photos of different things we see.

Then, comes a FALL trip to take photos of the changing of the leaves.  Can't WAIT!!!

Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!!

Hugs,
Char

Happy Birthday to my Dear Husband

Not sure if this is the card I will actually give him today, but since he likes pizza, I thought it was an appropriate one to share, today.

My hubby turns 67 today and he is still my favorite!! :-)

He has asked for hamburger cheese patties for dinner (two patties with a piece of cheddar cheese in the middle and then pinched all around and fried in a pan and then add tomato sauce) It was a dish my Mom created years ago and he just loves it!

Go figure....but hey, it's easy and he loves it....so that's what he's getting.  He also wants a berry pie for dessert.  He's not a cake person....so I'll see if I can find some berries in season or else....off to Costco I go :-)

This was such a fun card to make.....and it could be used for a teenager or just about anyone!!  It could even be made into a pizza party invite!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Hugs,
Char

So many candles, so little cake

This card could be used for a birthday card that is close to the 4th of July or it could be a 4th of July card by just changing the sentiment.

Fun, fun and EASY card...but it just is so colorful.  I really liked it.

This was another of our class cards we made a month or so ago.

I thought when TAC closed it's doors a year ago, this month, that I would miss having workshops and selling stamps and accessories.  Yes, I do miss it to some degree but I have found that it is SO FREEING to just stamp for the fun of it again and use whatever I wanted.  HOW FUN!!!!

Have a great day!!!!

Hugs,
Char

You're Amazing

What a fun card.  It is bright and just FUN!!  It reminds me of a circus!

We made this card in a SU card class a month or so ago.  I am just now getting around to sharing.

All papers and stamps are from SU.

Stay tuned, I'll have another share, tomorrow.

Hope you are enjoying the end of summer and getting ready for FALL...my favorite season of all!


Hugs,
Char

The secret of life is enjoying

I love this saying and I loved the technique on this card.

We cut pieces in a kind of long pie wedge shape.  Then, we layered them on the card one going one way and another going another way, all across the card.

Adding a little bling just kind of put that final little touch to the card.

All the papers and stamps used are SU.

I have more class cards to share and will be sharing them over the next few days.  I missed class this month but will have a lot to share next month after my yearly get together with a bunch of 'former' Angels from The Angel Company.  AND, I will have class again in September.

Have a great day!!

Char

Special Fold

Here is a card we made at stamp class a couple of months ago.  I thought this was a fun card and it really isn't as hard as it may look.

It is an unusual looking card yet fits into a regular card envie.

You can use any theme and any color.  I might just  make some more of these when I get back to stamping on my own  :-)

Messed up

So much for trying to get a bunch of posts scheduled ahead of time.  I messed up and forgot to click on September and they posted when they weren't supposed to post.....sigh

Oh well....looks like you got a bunch all on one day!!

Hugs,
Char

Been busy baking

I decided it was time to use up the last of the rhubarb.  So, on Saturday I baked (2) 9x13 rhubarb cakes and 5 rhubarb pies.

Sunday I made dog treats for our dog, Annie and my Grand dog, Raider.  The love their 'cookies'.  I break them up and put them into sandwich baggies and keep them either in the refrigerator or the freezer.  You should see their eyes when I get ready to give them one, they are like psycho eyes.  Too funny!!

Soon it will be fall and I will be doing a lot more baking!!   Haven't been making any cards or doing any crafting lately, it's just been too hot.

Next post will be a card, I promise :-)

Hugs,
Char

Summer is coming to an end...but what a busy summer!!

I have been pretty much MIA for most of the summer.  I have made quite a few cards at stamp club and another class I took and will eventually get them uploaded to share but thought I would share what has kept me so busy for the past couple of months.

In June, we went up and got our Granddaughter and she spent almost 2 months at our house.  We had a great time doing all sorts of fun things and just enjoying our time spent with her and our other Granddaughter who lives with us.

 We went bowling

Attended a parade in the next town and then had another BBQ at our Son's house where we played some outdoor games and just enjoyed the day.

We took a Surrey ride through the Old Mill and along the Deschutes River in Bend.

One of the drives we took, this summer, was to Shaniko to see some friends play in their family band.  Alas, I didn't get any photos with my camera that day except for the sheep shearing and also some falls we visited along the way.

Of course, what would summer be without a water balloon fight?  We all got into the mix, but I captured a photo of my hubby throwing to one of the granddaughters with our dog, Annie, trying to catch it.

The girls pitched in and helped unload rocks for the border around our lawn.

Of course, we did a ton of other things, but sometimes I just didn't think to take the camera along.  We took an early morning drive to Bend to watch Balloons over Bend....but they never got off the ground.  We had gotten up at 4am just to drive in there.  Oh well, maybe next year?

Last, but not least, before our Granddaughter went home, we attended the County Fair.

We had fun riding the rides and just enjoying the day!  We topped it off by going to a Chris Young concert.

And, just yesterday, my older Son, his daughter and I all went white water rafting.  It was on my bucket list, so now I can scratch that off.

 OK, here we go!!!!!

 NOT my favorite part of the rafting experience.  I liked the calm water with little ripples :-)

 More water!!

 A tad more water in the boat on MY side again!!!

 So glad I wasn't sitting at the front of the raft.

 My son riding the 'bull' as they call it.  Sitting on the front holding onto a rope.

Everyone giving a high five for getting through a rough rapid!!

Sorry for such a long post, today!!  But, now you know why I have been MIA!!
More to come once life slows down a little.
I am off to card class this afternoon and hopefully will get some more photos loaded up this coming week.
A couple more weeks till school starts and life will be back to a routine again.
Have a great weekend!!!!