Celebrating Big Birthdays...

Mr. C and I have been celebrating big birthdays for the past couple of weeks and will be for another couple of weeks.  One of our good friends turned 50.  He wanted to celebrate with go-kart racing and Hooters...so we did.  Then my sister turned 60 (actually today is the official day) and we celebrated with a day of shopping and dining.  Happy Birthday Marie!  This is a card I made her.  Thankfully I got the idea from Gentleman Crafter from his hinged card video.   Thank you Jim for sharing your creative talents.
My card is not quite the same but similar.  I used the domino to represent 60 for her age.

Here is the inside before I added my heartfelt sentiments.  My sister did not know Washi tape so that was fun to introduce her to it while we were shopping.

I added the seed beads to my string just because I liked the added sparkle.  The string just felt lonely until I added the beads.

I used vintage wrapping paper that I have had in my stash for over 20 years.  I love the colors and the illusion of the Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass look.  It also has just a hint of Art Deco which we both love.
This was a fun card to make and I know my sister will keep it and enjoy it for many years.

While I had the paper out I was inclined to decorate a gift bag for Mr. C and his birthday celebration.  I used my favorite dsw.com shoe bag.  That reminds me today is Tuesday Shoesday!  I covered the dsw logo and dressed up the bag with a strip of paper on both sides.  Now the bag looks properly manly.

Here I have added his card to the bag.  He did enjoy the upcycle of my shopping bag.  (Of course I had to explain why I have such a new bag from my favorite shoe store.)  We had a lovely dinner at a small French Bistro in Old Town Folsom.  Chef Christophe and his wife Claudine were charming.  The food was superb.
Our weather is very cold...the kind that chills to the bone.  The sun is shining but the wind is blowing and the threat of rain comes in late afternoon with no results to quench the earth.  It has been snowing higher up in the ski resorts so that is good.  Spring is here but the Winter chill is freezing me and my plants.
I am so saddened by the recent attacks in Boston.  I just cannot comprehend how humans can treat fellow humans with such random violence and bodily harm.  My prayers are with all who are affected by this senseless tragedy.
I am hoping my creative muse can get warm and find her passion soon.  Until then you will find me celebrating more birthdays for friends and family this month of April.  Yes...Happy Birthday Dogwood my very bestest pen pal.
Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts.  May you have Springtime Sunshine Smiles...