Happy Birthday, Vista Ysleta United Methodist Church

Today we celebrated the 100th birthday of our church, Vista Ysleta United Methodist Church in El Paso, Texas. We enjoyed a yummy catered bbq lunch...shared fond memories...recognized our "old" members...and had fun with skits and special music.

The Ladies Aid Society presents a skit remembering the good ol' days of the church. (That's me with the white hat on the far right.)

"Oh, my. Those bygone days were hot with no air conditioners in our little church."

We were treated to beautiful music by a string quartet during our lunch.

Our oldest member is 101 years old and has been a member of the congregation for 69 years. Wow! Many other "old timers" we recognized as well.

Happy Birthday, Vista Ysleta UMC. May God bless us for another 100 years and more. May we always be in His service.

Teaching Tim's Talent...

I had the opportunity to teach my first ever stamping/scrapbooking class yesterday at The Stamp Act in El Paso, Texas. (Thanks, Polly!) Our morning class was the Tim Holtz Journey Journal from Creative Escape 2009. Polly and I picked some lovely brown and blue papers with flocking for our version of the book. In the afternoon, I taught a version of the Tim journal that I designed entitled "Home For The Holidays". It used cute paper with houses, another with presents, and another with trees. All nestled in one of those cute lil' suitcases. Polly had some wonderful poinsettias for the pages to add that warm Christmas feel.

Some of the ladies in the afternoon class show off their finished books. Thanks, Gals!
Adding the finishing touches...lots of wonderful idealogy goodies and Tim hardware.
Having fun distressing...and de-stressing. Lots of stuff to distress in this lil' book.

More distressing..Totally Tim!

I'm Teaching a Tim Holtz Inspired Class

Here I am with the Terrific Tim Holtz at Creative Escape 2009 where I had the opportunity to make this too cute journey journal in a mini-suitcase. Luv it...and Tim!

Now I will be teaching this class to other wonderful women. Thanks, Tim!

So I then made a "Home For The Holidays" Christmas Memory Book...

...complete with poinsettas (dusted with Rock Candy Stickles) and Christmas gifts paper.

...and pockets to place those treasured photos.

Check it out at The Stamp Act in El Paso, Texas. If you're in the area, we'd love to have you join us! The more...the merrier!

Hugs and Kisses to you all...especially Tim!

Relaxing and Refeshing Ruidoso

In the mountains of Ruidoso, New Mexico during the Aspenfest Weekend...

Meet my new friend! :D He was visiting outside our cabin...with his fish to share!

The splendor of the aspens as they change colors...brilliant and breath-taking beauty.

Saturday morning along the Ruidoso River. Cool, clear mountain water. Blessings...

Little cabin in the woods...Forest Home Cabins in Ruidoso, New Mexico. So cozy.

My boyfriend/significant other and I spent a wonderful relaxing and refreshing weekend in the mountains of New Mexico this past weekend. We drove up Friday evening and stayed in a wonderful cabin on the Ruidoso River.

Then on Saturday we had a delicious breakfast while waiting for the Aspenfest parade to pass through town. Went to the wonderful store of DeCarol Jewelry. Of course I couldn't resist taking home one of her gorgeous rings. :D Love the cross on the side...

Next we went to the Aspenfest Arts and Crafts Show in the park. Cool and rainy, but such fun. Had hot chocolate...with extra whipping cream...and pistochio carmel popcorn from a local pistachio farm. Yum! Bought some wonderful cashmere and silk shawls.

Then we drove the beautiful winding mountain road over to Cloudcroft, New Mexico were we went to another arts and crafts show...and visited more little shops full of unique finds. More awesome handmade arts from people with like passions - giving of their hearts through their hands.

God's glory was everywhere. Thanks, mi amor, for sharing it with me. :D

Look who's a winner!...

Congrats to the four lucky ladies: Margie, Shannon, Shermala, and Sandy! I couldn't pick just one of you and let the other three be sad. :( So each of you will receive a bag/box of goodies. :) Send me your address at deex355@aol.com.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Hugs, denise