A Day in My Life

Had a really great day today! Larry and I went to the Chili Cook Off and Margarita Contest and saw lots of colorful things, heard great music, ate delicious food, and had lots of fun.

This first picture is of our friends Bob(back) and Sue (middle), Sue's sister JoAnne (right) and their friend Fred (left) who were winners of the 1st Annual Margarita contest last year! Unfortunately, they did not win this year -- we think it had to do with where their booth was located -- after tasting 8 different margaritas, most folks probably didn't remember who was at the first of the line!!!

Hubby Larry had a delicious BBQ ribs plate and I ate Chinese food. The folks who were selling the Chinese food have a restaurant in Chapala -- we're going to have to find out where it is!

There were lots of vendors selling their wares -- beautiful colors, exquisite workmanship!

And now, the last one -- I am standing beneath a ficus tree. We used to have one in a pot that sat in a bay window in our home in Vidalia, Louisiana. Can you even believe how big they grow here??????

Here is a link if you would like to go to my Picasa Web Album and see all the pictures that I took today. There are fewer than 30 of them so it won't take you forever!! If you can't click on the link, copy and paste into a new tab; that should get you there!

https://picasaweb.google.com/117097305471329563789/2013ChiliCookOffAndMargaritaContest?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGdxfjFs5KtFA#5847969558593326322

A Birthday Card

Here's my card for the latest challenge at Seize the Birthday. They are asking for a masculine card this week and the sketch follows:

My monochromatic card was made with papers by Martha Stewart and the bird and sentiment are (were) from Layers of Color. I purchased the die that automatically pierces as it cuts from Flourishes and the banner die is from Spellbinders.

Now, for a little color. We were walking in Ajijic yesterday and I thought I'd share some of the color we saw!

 This is a storefront. Old tree stumps painted to draw attention to their store sit outside on the street.

 Another tree stump (even bigger) inside the store, used to display their wares.

 A painting displayed at an art exhibit. I love this painting -- it would not be out of the ordinary to stumble across this actual sort of scene as you walk in the area.

This is a stunning mural painted on the outside wall of a school.

Just an ordinary house front, painted in bright colors.

Yes, we truly live in a colorful place and I love it!!
Betty

Girl with Watering Can

Here's another card made with a silhouette stamp from Flourishes Sweet Days of Summer. I do like these silhouette stamps -- I added a bit of pink to the flowers on this one. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink, Gracious Vases.

We enjoyed playing Mexican Train with friends last night. Out of 12 players, I had the 11th highest score. Now, in some games that would be a good thing, but in Mexican Train -- not so much!! Still, it was a fun evening and the food was extra good.

If you're snowed in, hoping you have electricity, and if not, soon. Take care all.

Betty

Oops -- I Goofed!

Okay, okay, I'm going to fess up -- I did not read the instructions carefully! And it's not the first time either!! This card was made for Flourishes Pick 1 Challenge. There were three different categories, each with three different offerings -- sketch, color combo and embellishments. I thought I was supposed to pick one category and run with it. Actually, had I read the instructions, I would have known that I was supposed to pick one from each category.

Soooooo, my card only uses the sketch portion. I ended up with a  pretty card but unfortunately, it is not challenge entry worthy! Oh well, maybe next time!

Betty

Aqua and Caramel Birthday

Here's another birthday card courtesy of the free digital images from Papertrey Ink; this one was designed by Heather Nichols. The card is free from lots of embellishments, but with all the patterns it is quite busy. I really like it though -- it will make a fine birthday card for one of our church members!

Betty

3 Candles

My card today was inspired by sketch # 72 from Freshly Made Sketches. The image is from Papertrey Ink, designed by Lizzie Jones; it is a freebie to celebrate their 6th anniversary. Check out the link; there's a page of wonderful images you can download and print.

Also, wanted to share a little "color" from the village of Ajijic here at Lakeside.....

Aren't the colors in those blankets gorgeous? And look at the size of that tree in the background!! That's me in the foreground; it was still a little chilly that day -- I had to have my jacket and long pants! Very nice, warm and sunny today, though -- I'm in my capris, short sleeve shirt, and sandals!

Adios,
Betty

Turquoise Butterfly

I've been working on the Make & Take that I'll share with our card making group the first Saturday of next month. I love this little card and I'm sure they'll all be excited about making it. I don't know the name of this card -- I had one that my daughter had given me and I got the measurements and all other particulars from it. If you know the name, please let me know. I'd like to share a link to a tutorial. By the way, it is a turquoise card -- (my camera always makes my turquoise look blue).

I may not know the name of this card but one thing I do know -- it's awfully hard to get a good picture of it unfolded!! The wind was blowing when I was trying to take the picture and the little guy just kept falling over!! Anyhoo, here are a couple of shots that I was able to get........

Have a blessed day,
Betty

Hinge Card

I made a hinge card this weekend for a friend's birthday. You can find the tutorial here on Paper Craft Planet.

The following picture shows how it looks when the hinge is open.

We got together with friends for the Super Bowl game last night. Those of us who don't follow football had fun playing Mexican Train and, of course, eating all the goodies that were there. Larry made seafood gumbo that was enjoyed heartily by everyone but we also had homemade submarine sandwiches, cole slaw, potato salad, different types of salmon appetizers, chips and salsa, banana bread, and pound cake.

Some of our friends entered the Margarita Contest at Lake Chapala's annual Chili Cook-Off last year and took home the honor of Lakeside's #1 Margarita. They will be entering again this year (later this month) and we previewed the new margarita "formula" -- I think it may be better than last year's! We'll have to wait and see if the rest of Lakeside agrees with me.

Hope you're having a great day; it's sunny and warm here today!

Betty