Cafty Crafty Time

It has been a long time since I've updated my blog, and that will happen in another post. This one is all about some of the crafts I have made recently.

The Valentine's Day Paper Garland I made
(like mini scrapbook-style hearts)

I am really proud of this one...the Squiggly Wreath is made of more than
200 felt circles, all cut out by hand! Turned out cool!

As a project for my friend and bride-to-be, I made a flower hair comb.
Here is the finished product. The button is from her fiance's shirt
and will match some of her wedding accessories.


With the bridal flower project, I started to get really into
making fabric flowers. Here are some of my favorites so far...
If you want one, let me know!
This next one isn't a craft, but it is my another favorite
hobby of mine...baking.These are a homemade
(and more delicious in my opinion) version of
Tagalong Girl Scout Cookies! Thanks for the recipe Andi!

Weekend in Albuquerque

Last weekend , Jeremy, Chris and I headed to Albuquerque for a little visit and hike with Chuck and Amy. Here is our weekend in photos:

One of the Piechota's Dachshunds, Kiwi, wishing a bird would fall off the feeder.
I call it determination...

Chuck's idea of clearing out room in the fridge...finish off the wine...in a huge glass!

Hanging out at Chuck and Amy's house...

Setting up croquet...with help from the dogs.

The moving wicket, Kiwi...

Jeremy...

Chuck...

Amy...

It's hot out...

The boys...

Chuck and Amy...

Chris and me...

Saturday hike to the top of Sandia Peak.
This photo shows where we were headed, long way from the trail head.

Hiking...


Getting close to the top and checking out the awesome view of Albuquerque...

All 5 of us...
We made it! 7.6 miles...mostly uphill.

Chuck and Amy finishing...

On top of Sandia Peak...


Chuck and Amy...

The Boys...the longest hike (so far) to get to a bar.

The bar on top of Sandia Peak and ...BEER (and food)!

Looking out. We started hiking over there to the left somewhere.

Yep, a one way hike...we took the World's Longest Tram down...

After showers and naps, we were ready for some New Mexican food and margaritas!
Here are the roundtable photos...

Chris

Jeremy

Chuck

Me (not sure what was so funny)

Amy

Front Yard Transformation...

Since the day we moved into our house, we have wanted to purge some of the overgrown bushes, shrubs and trees from the front yard. Well, we finally did it...took out some trees and re-landscaped a lot of the front yard. I think it looks great, and I am proud because Chris and I did all (with a little help on demo from Jeremy and Dave). We did it in about 4 days (really hot ones).

The before photo...

Playing with the chainsaw...

Almost done with demo...

Yay, no more overgrown mess...

Getting supplies...that's a lot to fit into one car!
Putting down the edging...

Placing the plants before I dig (and supervisor Uber)...

Laying the landscaping fabric...

All the plants are in the ground, just mulch to go...

Done!

Close-up of DONE!