In Memory of Lucy

Our Sweet Lucy September 5, 2003 - October 22, 2012

Picked from a litter of purebred Aussie pups, Lucy was the only redhead in the group. From a tiny puppy she grew into the most beautiful, most intelligent and loyal companion we've ever known. 

We were blessed to have 9 wonderful years with Lucy, before she swiftly succombed to a

hemangiosarcoma in her liver and/or spleen.

Lucy at around 8 weeks

From age 4-5 months, Lucy was our devoted fishing partner on the Hoh River, which quickly became one of her favorite places to play and explore. On each sunny day we went fishing, she would run up and down those gravel river bars, chasing the shadows of the birds which taunted her from above.
Her excitement grew each time one of us hooked a steelhead, jumping into the river to try to herd the fish to shore.She quickly earned the nickname of "Hoh Dog".
Our last trip out there was just this past September.

We are so happy we had that time with her while she still seemed a healthy dog.

Lucy herding a steelhead, sporting her spring puppy-cut

I miss her so much, 

my heart aches to hear her bark, 

or her little whine when she wanted a treat, 

to feel her silky coat beneath my hand 

as she greeted me at my car when I returned home.

You are missed Sweet Lucy. I know you'll be waiting for me.

So Thankful

I made this card to send to my best friend, my sweet younger sister. She and I are leaving on a girls trip in a couple of weeks  (which she organized). We live about 1-1/2 hours from each other, but with our busy lives, we just don't get to hang out together that often. So we really value our time when we get together. This year we will be hanging in Cabo San Lucas!  I can hear the mariachi band playing from here.

All products used are from PTI, except the flower, (which is pre-made from unidentified source.)

Spooktacular Halloween!

I just love these little guys from Tremendous Treats: Halloween by PTI.  They are so simple to stamp and color, then fussy cut - just like the old days before we even dreamed of home die cutting machines. 15 years ago we would purchase card stock at the corner stamp store in Seattle and pay the store so much per sheet to use their Ellison  die cut machine - mostly small boxes and such that we decorated with stamps. Look at us now - a die cut machine in every crafter's home!

Stamps: PTI Tremendous Treats: Halloween, Ann-ticipations
Cardstock and dot paper: PTI -  Melon Berry, Stamper's Select White, New Leaf
Scallop Die: PTI
Estate Fence Die: Memory Box
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Marker
Googlie Eye: Darcie

ColourQ Challenge #158, Mojo Monday #262

I've been receiving the ColourQ Challenge email for a few weeks now - it's about time I actually entered a challenge. I love this color palette for Halloween. But the thing that really attracted me is the Jim Shore Witches hat hinged box. Isn't this awesome!

It did cause me a little distress to not use green on the tops of the pumpkins - but somehow I live through it! :-)

I am also entering this design in Mojo Monday #262. 

Lavender Card Base: GinaK Pure Luxury cardstock
Orange cardstock: Stampin Up!
White cardstock: PTI
Designer paper: PTI
All die cuts: PTI dies
Stamps: Stamps by Judith, Savvy
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ancient Page Foxglove, Copics
Other: Black Stickles, Glossy Accents, hand punched stars