Los Angeles

I spent Friday in LA for a conference related to work. It was a quick trip flying down and back the same day and classes the entire time I was there so the only parts of LA I saw were on the shuttle between LAX and the hotel and from the plane. On the way home it was dark and the sight from the plane window was easily one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. After we had been in the air for about 30 minutes I looked out and it was pitch black with the lights below. It looked like someone had dropped a bottle of glitter onto black velvet. AMAZING!!! I spend a good amount of time yesterday trying to recreate the look for a spread in the altered book I am playing with, but I wish you could all see the picture captured in my brain!

Balloons and more balloons

Once a year the "Spirit of Boise" happens. This is a big gathering of hot air balloons and they launch for four mornings (weather conditions allowing) from a park in town. They let the public down in the launch area and it is AMAZING!!! In the past I have gotten the boys up and we have sat by the rim that surrounds the park and watched the balloons go up. This year we went into the park and were right next to the balloons as the inflaited and took off. So very, very cool. It was worth getting up super early and being exhausted now. The colors were breathtaking. I hope some of the pictures turn out. You can view photos from the event on the website. The 50th anniversary Mickey Mouse with the golden ears was there as well as the Energizer Bunny (HUGE!).

More cards!

I had a great time making these cards from a single sheet of double sided paper. I was so happy with how they turned out and the owner of the store where I purchased the paper had asked to see them when they were completed. She was pretty thrilled with how they turned out as well and asked me to create a set for store display. This exact paper was sold out, so we selected something similar and I had a ball playing with that paper as well :). Of course I forgot to take pictures of those as I was so excited to deliver them. She loved them and that did my creative soul good.



Now, to decide what pictures to trade out for the Trading Faces Swap. I am having a very hard time deciding which to either let someone do or ask for help with. Think anyone else wants to do some of my 47,000 Christmas photos? LOL!
Hmmmmmmmm, must decide soon, the deadline is looming!!!

Father's Day

This is a tough one for me. I am married to a wonderful man who is a fantastic father to our boys. I am so grateful for this and words can't express how blessed I feel. I try to make certain he knows this as well not just today, but everyday.
I also miss my own father a ton. April was 8 years since his death which was very sudden and unexpected. I am glad it was fast and there was no suffering involved. I do hate that I never got to say good-bye. I have many wonderful memories and I am in the process of trying to document some of them to share with my children and others, but it is a long and at times painful process.
So, today I combine my love of both my father and my children's father and try to make certain my husband knows how truly special he is.

"Fathering is the most masculine thing a man can do." Frank Pittman

gowns

These are two burial outfits that I mailed out to TLC today. It has taken me months to get them completed due to some pain issues in my wrist and joints as well as just how crazy life has been in general. I am excited to have them finally done and mailed. :)

ATC

I joined an ATC swap and the theme was birthstones. Basically, just use the color of your own birthstone. This was super fun!!! If you have any interest, I suggest giving ATCs a try. Remember, the only rule is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches and not so lumpy bumpy so that it wouldn't fit into a trading card holder (but dimension is fine). They also can not be sold, but only given away or traded. Pretty cool :).