Spiral pop-up Birthday Card

Soon we will celebrate the first of the "kids" to turn 18 in our family this year.  I wanted to make something memorable for this occasion, and decided upon the spiral pop-up card.  You can find directions here  www.splitcoaststampers.com 

Cutting the circle into a spiral was a little challenging, but once I stopped being so picky, it actually came out really cute.  I attached numbers from the old "Family Treasures" punches, in the middle of the spiral circle so they would jump right out when the card was opened.

Here is the card opened!  I hope she likes it!  I can't believe that these two kids will be 18 soon.  Time has gone so fast.  Looking back I still remember my sister-in-law and I comparing our big bellies!  

Recipe:  Crazy for cupcakes from Stampin' Up!  Ink:  Black stazon  Markers: from SU! Cardstock:  Whisper White and Pacific Point from SU! Birthday paper from my scrap stash. Punches: Eyelet border;  1 3/4 circle and triple flower from SU; numbers from Family Treasures.  Flowers: Making Memories.  Ribbon from my ribbon stash.

Stampin' Up! promotion!!

Look what arrived in the mail today!  A promotion certificate from Stampin' up!  I have had so much fun being my own boss, letting my creative side soar and meeting so many new people along they way!  A HUGE thank you to all of my friends, (and my husband) who have supported me, and helped out along the way.   Yea!!  I am super excited.

Spring

The first day of spring has finally arrived!  Not that we have all that long winter days here in southern california!  Hee Hee.  I went to Trader Joe's yesterday and the daffodils had arrived.  I thought that in celebration of the arrival of spring I would pick up a couple of bundles and we all would celebrate.  They look so colorful on my kitchen table.

Oh will, oh will the orange tree grow?

Two years ago we totally re-landscaped our yard and created this huge beautiful side yard, and have been searching for the perfect trees to incorporate into it.  Yesterday at Costco, we found the perfect specimen - a Cara Cara Navel Orange tree!

This is where we started from. Just a nice green lawn.

We like the look of the pavers we have used in our retaining walls, planting beds and borders.  So we designed a border for the tree.  

- Oh my dwarf is right -

This poor little thing looks overwhelmed by the size of this wheelbarrow!

Chester, Grace and Isabelle come to check out any new thing that enters the back yard.  Hey - dirt - even better.  Notice Isabelle rolling in the dirt!  She loves dirt.  

The finished project.  It looks great, even if I do say so myself!  Now grow little tree grow!  Grow into a "big" little orange tree! 

Greeting Cards

Who would have thought that you could make such a cute card from one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper!  These were the cards that we made in our Tuesday class.  After some ink and embellishments this is the finished product, all I  need to do is write my messages and mail them.  Such great fun - such a talented teacher - such fabulous women.  This class has been such a blessing to  me.  I can't wait for it each week! Well - I am off to mail my creations to some very special people!