Happy Birthday America

We are going to a block party for the 4th of July. They are predicting rain so we will see what happens. I can't even remember the last time we had rain on the 4th. I do remember many years ago when the girls were little, it was so cold we went to the fireworks display in winter coats and then came home and had hot chocolate. Another 4th that stands out is when we were in Jackson Hole WY. and the fireworks display was to be right behind our cabin. Again it was very cold that night so we stayed outside until we couldn't feel our toes and then went inside and three of us were huddled in the bathroom trying to look out a very tiny window. Michelle was with us that time and we still occasionally talk about that time. Do any 4th of July celebrations stand out in your mind? God Bless America!

My card is an adorable stamp set made for Archivers by Stampendous called Summer Cuties, the fireworks is a sticker from my stash as is the USA and stars sticker. The paper is from Archivers and called Huckleberry. I added some stripes from PTI's Distressed Stripes in the background. Oh and of course I used my Copics to color it and then went over the sunglasses with a clear Spicka pen for glitter. Easy peasy!

Until next time, Happy Trails to you...

Sheri

Taylored Expressions Challenge #118

When I was waiting to be off work for the summer, one of the things I wanted to do was to participate in some challenges. Well, I have been off for almost a month and the time has flown by and I had not had a chance to enter any challenges. When Taylor put this one up the other day I knew I could do it so I put my thinking cap on and started working on it. Now it took me a couple of days working a little here and a little there. It seems I can't sit down and start and complete a card in one sitting lately. This is my completed card. I do like the sketch and it was fun to do. I used Taylor's set called Oh the Places You'll Go (http://www.tayloredexpressions.com/). I love her stamps. They are very deeply etched and they stamp so nicely. Anyway, I love this set as I love to give that book for graduations so to make a card that matches is just wonderful! I have also used it for birthday cards and encouragement cards. I colored with my Copic markers, the paper is a mix from PTI and SU. The used a Martha Stewart punch on the bottom and of course my Nesties to cut with. I am looking forward to doing more of her challenges.

Until next time... Happy trails to you

Sheri

When I was in Des Moines I saw some cards made with stickers and I thought they were beautiful. I had to try my hand at them when I got home. They were very quick and easy to make and I must say I was impressed with the way they turned out. I used paper from Archivers and I am sorry to say I don't know who made it. The flat stickers are from Penny Black and the three D stickers are from K and CO. I added some stickles to the flowers on the flat stickers.

It is really very hot here. After about 5 days and nights of violent storms (no tornado) where we had limbs down and flooding, we are now experiencing heat and humidity. Today was 97 degrees but I haven't heard the heat index. Tomorrow they are saying a heat index of over 105 degrees. Yikes! I think I will stay inside. They are calling for storms tomorrow night but I hope they are wrong.

Until next time... Happy trails to you

Sheri

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of the dad's out there. Here in Omaha, it is a gray gloomy rainy day but perhaps that is keeping the dad's inside and not working in the yards. It is a good day to snuggle up and read. Here is the card my husband got. It is the new Gone Fishing set from Gina K. I had the patterned paper in my stash and popped the image up with pop dots. I also popped the fins of the fish up with small pop dots.

Until next time... Happy trails to you....

Iowa

Our Yahoo group trip was just as wonderful as I knew it would be. When we first arrived we lunched then shopped at Heirlooms in Valley Junction and then went to the motel. We got settled and then had a gabfest that lasted til about midnight with a break for dinner at the Machine Shed. When I say break, that does not mean a break in gabbing, just in location! The next day, Lynette, Harriet and I always start by a 30 minute walk and then we can begin our adventure for that day. The first day we went to Archivers when they opened and stayed all day until closing time. We did some stamp exchanges, some tutorials, of course lots of talking, eating and shopping! Annie, who could not be with us sent an amazing package of card parts for us to make into cards. Thanks Annie! And Char could not come either so she sent Flat Char so she could participate! You will see her in the picture of Taylor, Taylor's mom Linda, and me. On Tuesday, we went to Taylor's house - yes, that Taylor of Taylored Expressions! www.tayloredexpressions.com. Are we lucky or what??? Harriet had arranged this for us and I was so excited as I have purchased from her and love her things. I also read her blog daily and have for a long time so I felt like I knew her a little bit. When we arrived, we each made a card that she had set out parts for, (see the card above) then she showed us how she used some stencils and then we shopped and shopped and shopped! It was so fun to see how her business works and to meet her very young mother, Linda and Taylor's fabulous husband, Jon. Linda helped wherever she could and Jon checked us out and added up our totals. To top it all off, Taylor had a cupcake for each of us along with lemonade and a goodie bag. She is just the sweetest lady! We then all went as a group to lunch for our farewell and then some shopped a little more at Michaels. All good things have to come to an end and now we have wonderful memories and we are looking forward to next year when we get to do it all again.

Until next time... Happy Trails to you.....

Sheri

BLOG CANDY!

My friend over at Cards, Cards, and More Cards is offering some wonderful blog candy. Go over and tell her I said hi and sign up for a chance to win! http://eulandasilvey.blogspot.com/

I am off to DesMoines IA. for my Yahoo Group reunion. Can't wait to see everyone. I will post some pictures when I get back.

Until next time... Happy Trails to you

Sheri

Summer Time Fun

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize it had been so long since I have posted. A lot has happened in that time. School is out for the summer and I get 8 weeks off. One of them is already gone. Boy the time goes quickly when I am home! I have been trying to clean out some stuff that should have been gone a very long time ago. Several trips to the Goodwill store and I am beginning to feel a little lighter. We are getting a new furnace and air conditioner later on this month and my storage is across from the furnace. I had to clean it out so the guys could work there. On Sunday I am going to meet my stamping friends for our annual get together. We will meet on Sunday, stamp all day on Monday and then on Tuesday we will go to Taylor Van Bruggen's house of the famous Taylored Expressions for a make and take. I have several of her stamp sets and love her blog. I have been a fan for a very long time so I am really excited to meet her in person! It will be a great time. I look forward to this trip from the time we say goodbye and it is a whole year away.

My card today reminds me of a nice summer day with my grandsons. We need to take them fishing this summer. The little guy on the card was colored with Copics and mounted on Paper Trey Ink paper. The sun is a die I found in my stash. The grass was cut using my MS grass punch and I used Bazzill paper for the grass.

Tell me what you think.

Until next time, Happy trails to you....