It's Classic!

For a special guy's birthday, and for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. (TECC57)

Check out http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/ for the original challenge and instructions.

This card uses "River Rock" "Cranberry Crisp" and "Mellow Moss" cardstock. The image (can't remember the stamp set, I borrowed it from Jami a long time ago and stamped a bunch of images and saved them) is stamped with black craft ink and embossed. Then water colored with an aquapainter. There is also crystal effects on the windshield of the car, and silver pen on the bumper and hubcaps. The designer paper is from Chatterbox.
A few more details: buttons, stitching on the sewing machine, ticket corner punch and the "Happy Birthday" sentiment from All Holidays Stamp Set (SU!)
The inside of the card says.... "Timeless.... Ageless.... Classic... all the things you are, and all the things I love about you! Happy Birthday!"

Rub ons are so much fun!

Here are a few cards I made with some fun rub ons I got from Joy and Daisey at eclecticPaperie!

This first one is Rose Red and Coral paper from SU, accented with black of course, and Raspberry Twist DP.

The 2nd one is a unique combination of Pomegranite and Caribbean and Chocolate paper!

Enjoy these new cards!

Here are a few cards from recent days.

The 2 blue cards use the new SU set "Puns from the Past," the first set in the new caty that I just "had to have!"

Friendship and Cheesecake... Life Is Good!

This past Saturday I had lunch with 3 friends from High School. That may not sound very unusual to most people, but it is for me. We've been out of high school 32 years, and for the past 29 of those years, I have not kept up with any of the 3 ladies that I had lunch with. But the Lord reconnected us and I'm so glad He did. We had a class reunion 2 years ago, but 2 of these gals, Isabel and Laura weren't able to come, so I haven't seen them in a long time. I don't think I've seen Laura since High School, or maybe the 10 year reunion. Isn't is amazing that you can live relatively close to someone and not see them for that many years? We met at Cheesecake Factory in Brea because it was fairly central for all 4 of us... Rancho Cucamongo, Irvine, Norwalk, and me in Lakewood. Great food, yummy cheesecake, and wonderful laughter, tears, and a sweet time of reflecting on all God has done and is doing in our lives. My hope is that God continues to allow me to reconnect with the people from my past in order to be an encouragement to them, as they are to me.

From left to right that's me, Laura (Calderon) Isabel (Pina) and Cyndy (Porraz). 50 (or close to it for some of us!) and fabulous, don't you think???!!!!!

Answers to our Christmas Quiz!!

Some of you might have actually taken our "Christmas Quiz" in our Christmas letter and might want to know the answers! Well here they are!

• Took tap lessons to dance in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Emily: Millie show in Jan 09 just ending last week)
• Grew about 6 inches (Stephen)
• Got a job as a Day Camp Counselor (Emily)
• Went to San Francisco for birthday to see Phantom of the Opera with wonderful friends (Carol: December 08... thanks Jimmy and Jorge!)
• Took Driver's Ed (both Stephen and Emily)
• Got Driver's Permit (Emily)
• Bought a bike, a laptop computer, an I-touch, and loves anything and everything electronic! (Stephen)
• Moved into a new office (Carol.... just down the hall from my old office, but fun to have a chance to paint and redecorate!)
• Starred as "Marty Maraschino" in Grease! (Emily: May 08)
• Got a new Pastor and a new Boss (Carol.... our new pastor is Brent Eldridge, who I've known since he was in elementary school, and my new boss is Dave Friese, who I've known since 1982 when we were both "assistants" at Lakewood.)
• Got braces off (Emily)
• Champion WOW player (Stephen)
• Still serving at FBCOL as Children's Ministries Pastor (me!)
• Got a job making delicious salads at Paradise Bakery (Stephen)
• Tutors Math after school (Emily)
• Began the 11th grade (Both Stephen and Emily)
• Starred in Godspell and sang the amazing solo "Oh Bless the Lord My Soul." (Emily: Jan. 08)
• Made several 100 handmade cards (Carol)
• Had tonsils out a few days before Christmas (Emily... she's doing great... thanks to everyone who prayed for her)
• Getting braces off in a few weeks (Stephen... any day now hopefully!)
• Turned 16 (Emily)
• Turned 17 (Stephen)
• Growing and learning many things from God (all of us.... me for sure in a super big way!)
• Danced and sang in the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" (Emily: June 08)
• Moved to Indiana in March (Stephen)
• Joined Weight Watchers.... so far so good (Carol .... 15 pounds gone so far)
• Saw 7 movies in a 5 day period when cousin Andrew came to visit because it was cheap and about the only thing to do in Indiana (Stephen)
• Time to start thinking about colleges (Stephen and Emily)

God bless you this coming yea! We look forward to seeing what God has in store for all of us this year.