Welcome to AZ...

I made these for the incoming Homestretch Foundation Cyclists (Stretchies).  The Homestretch Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides temporary housing and other resources to professional or elite athletes- primarily female athletes- who face financial and economic discrepancies.  Kathryn Bertine hand selects the athletes that will stay at the Homestretch.  The "Stretchies" come each year from December-May to train.  They are required to give back to their community and volunteer during their stay here.  One way that they interact with and get to know the community is with a weekly "Spin with the Stretchies" ride.  A relaxed recovery ride that is open to everyone.  We have age ranges from 11-80+ year old's!!!

I used-
Stamps- Hero Arts Heroscapes Winding Road.  Woodware Craft Collection On Your Bike.

Ink- Stampin' Up-Yo Yo Yellow, Real Red, Melon Mambo, Perfect Plumb, Elegant Eggplant, Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, Copper Clay, Gable Green.  Hero Art's- Sand, Caramel, Pine.  My Favorite Things- Black Licorice.  Versamark.

Paper- Yo Yo Yellow, Neenah.

Accesories- Hero Arts Stencil, August 2022 Kit, Clear Embossing Powder, Wink of Stella.

Huge turnout (and there's more behind me!)

This group of Stretchies has been one of my favorite group of women that have come to stay at the Homestretch Foundation.  Regina, Camille, Mackenzie, Romina, Rebecca (Emma, not pictured).  I had such a great time with them this winter.

Thank You Friends...

Thank you cards for two very special people who are dear to my heart.

I used Honey Bee Maple leaf, blended with Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Melon Mambo, and Old Olive inks.  I overlaid the leaf with Honey Bee Maple Leaf in Pecan Pie.  My sentiment is from the My Favorite Things Something For Everyone Stamp Set.

Thanks for having a look at my blog!

 

Happy Dual Citizenship Day!!!

My sweet dear friend Kathryn Bertine's Dual Citizenship Birthday (Saint Kitts and Nevis) just happens to be on the same day that my hubs proposed to me!  I wanted to surprise her with a card in her Dual Country's Flag and bring her a treat to get her through the cycling event we were volunteering for, The Tucson Bicycle Classic.  What a beautiful day to celebrate...Dual Citizenship, 30 years ago my hubs proposed to me, a bicycle race, and I had the pleasure of riding shotgun with Kathryn in the lead car for the Women's Pro 1/2 Road Race.  It was such an incredible day, one for the memory books!  

I used Poppy Parade, Prickly Pear, Yo Yo Yellow, Black and White card stock and a star punch.

Kathryn getting ready to volunteer for the road race.

Me and Kathryn in the lead car for the Women's Pro 1/2 TBC RR.

My sweet puppy Jetta wanting to get in on reading Kathryn's book STAND.

Thank you for stopping by!

Sending Good Vibes...

In the cycling world we get to meet a lot of people from all around the world and all walks of life.  Here in Tucson, AZ we have a wonderful organization called The Homestretch Foundation.  It's a place where Pro and Elite Cyclist can apply to stay (for free) and train during the months of December-May.  It was created to bridge the pay gap for women (and much more).  During the athlete's stay they give back to the community by volunteering a couple of hours a week at various charities/groups that need help (or where they see a need within the community).  They also do a ride on Friday mornings called "Spinning with the Stretchies" where they ride with the community at 15mph for 15 miles then have coffee afterwards.  One rule during this ride is to ride with someone you don't know so you have the opportunity to meet new people and make new connections.  Last year Celine was one of those Stretchies.  She races gravel bikes so while many of the other residents were out of town for road races, Celine stayed back to lead the Friday Spinning with the Stretchies ride.  My husband and I were given the opportunity to host Celine for a week when she came back in town for a gravel race, but had no place to stay.  We enjoyed her so much that I made her a card to let her know our door is always open if/when she comes back to Tucson.

Celine designed her teams jersey (she's an artist as well!) and I took inspiration for my card from her jersey design (she gifted me with one of her team's jersey's too!).  I used the Ride the Wave die-namics from My Favorite Things in Shaded Spruce and Mint Macaroon.  I put them on a layer of white then ran it through the die cut machine with the A2 Rectangle Stitch die-namics from MFT.  I stamped my image from Stampin' Ups Here Together set, coloring it with copics and using Stickles on the heart.  I used oval dies to die cut and layer my image with pop dots on the main panel.  Mounted it all on a white card base and stamped my sentiment from the MFT Good Vibes Only set.

Celine's Team Jersey Design.

An extra for my for sale stash.

Celine suggested we go play miniature golf.

We had such a great time!

My hubs sewing Celine's patch on her jean vest she got from her gravel race.

Celine and our chihuahua Jetta.

Thank you for having a look at my blog!

 

Keep on Climbin' Kathryn...

For an incredibly amazing woman, Kathryn.  She set out to climb Denali just after her birthday.  Her story is fascinating and I'm so proud of all the things she's done for women's equality.  If you haven't had the opportunity to read her book (STAND), I highly suggest it!  

I used Stampin' Up Snowfront and Morning Meadow stamp sets.  Shaded Spruce, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Pistachio Pudding, Balmy Blue, and Pool Party inks.  Shaded Spruce, Crumb Cake, and White card stock.

 Kathryn and Me.

Have a great rest of your Saturday! 

Thank You Kellie...

For my sweet dear friend and cycling buddy, Kellie to thank her for the Prickly Pear Cactus she gave me.  On one of our rides I was telling her how much my hubs loves the purple prickly pear cactus.  She said she has some on her property and would bring me some at our next ride.  My hubs was surprised and loves it!

I kept it CAS, using My Favorite Things Sweet Succulents and Big Greetings Stamp Sets.  Highland Heather and Neenah card stock.  Stitched Rectangle Frames and Fishtail Foundations Die-namics from MFT.  
Copics used- BG75,BG72, BG70, B34, BV000, BV00, Y17, Y15, Y11, E37, E35, E33

Just put the Prickly Pear in the ground, look forward to watching it grow!

 Me and Kellie.

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy 80th Birthday Michael!!!

I've been attending a ride with Elite/Pro Cyclists from the Homestretch Foundation on Friday mornings for the last few years and have met some amazing people through that ride.  Some being the Elite/Pro Athletes themselves and some being the other riders that join the ride.  Michael is one of those amazing people I've met on the ride.  He turned 80 and for his birthday he wanted to cycle up Mt. Lemmon.  Mt. Lemmon is a very well known climb in the cycling world and one of the top difficult climbs to do.  Michael had lots of friends come in from out of town, many locals, and the Pro's from the Homestretch Foundation join him for his birthday climb.  Unfortunately I wasn't feeling up to doing the climb, but I was there for the ride the day before to give him his card and wish him a happy birthday!   

The colors for the Homestretch Foundation are Black and White, so I wanted to keep my colors for his card black and white to represent the great foundation we ride with and support.  I used My Favorite Things Distressed Patterns and Stampin' Up Morning Meadow stamps.  My Favorite Things Wonkly Stitch Rectangle Stax, and Impact Numbers die-namics.  Bike die-cut, stickles, and a glaze pen.

Me and Michael

Michael, Joe, and Becky

Some of the Pro's and some out of town riders.

Nick, my cycling buddy Warwick, and a Homestretch Alumni, Mia in the background.

Thank you for stopping by!