Happy Birthday and Happy Dance!!... TAWS BE Inspired #24 and Retrosketches #56

I've been in a happy dance mood all day, because tomorrow, my husband and I are travelling south of the border to one of my favourite places EVER:  Bend, OR.  I. LOVE. BEND!  This will be a new excursion for us, as for the last four summers (time flies!), Bend has been a summer destination where my husband competes in the Cascade Classic road cycling stage race.  Because of his racing, we've seen the most lovely of places: the stunning scenery of the 'back roads' route that leads to Mt. Bachelor; the lovely forested enveloped road that heads outside of the city from Summit High School; the quaint and charming downtown that becomes the hub of the criterium race, populated with major crowds when the pro riders are on course; and the gorgeous rolling (and steep!) hills of Aubrey Butte.

Just thinking about Bend has me smiling...Trader Joe's (please, no laughing, but I do love Charles Shaw wine!!)...Old Mill District...the Deschutes River...the Cascade Mountains...Gossamer yarn store...sighhhh...Did I mention that I. LOVE. BEND??  Even though it's a two day drive from home - Kenniwick WA is the first stop on the way to Bend; Kelowna, BC on the return trip (where we spend time with my husband's family)- and a whirlwind week's time frame for travel, it's all wonderful.  Just plain wonderful!

Anyway, in and amongst the happy dancing, house cleaning, laundry and 'pondering' what to pack (not done yet - I tend to over-pack if I do so too early), I focused (well, tried!) on making cards, to keep the buzzing anticipation at bay.  Now I'm wondering...did I get those challenges straight??

Today's card is a combined entry to TAWS BE Inspired #24, based on this delightful  'points of many entries' photo that was mightily challenging (lots of stretching with this one!) and  Retrosketches #56:                                                                               
                                                     

              

Here's my card:  TAWS freebie Happy Birthday sentiment, nestled inside the doodly frame, (and popped up) from the No Peeking set, and papers from Carta Bella's So Noted collection.  Such pretty patterns; hopefully, the colours do justice to the inspiration photo.  Lori's sketch is great and one I'll definitely use again.  Because my button stash is quite (ummm...extremely!) meagre, I opted for hearts.

Thanks for dropping by!  Wishes for a Happy Easter and a safe, blessed, relaxing and rejuvenating weekend!  

Did I mention that I. LOVE. BEND??  Yes...I thought so, but just in case...and, oh my,a 'little' card-making package has made its way into my suitcase!  I wonder how that happened...

This card received 'shout out' status:  I am sooooo honoured! Thank you:  http://retrosketches.blogspot.ca/2013/04/retrosketches-56-rockstar-shoutouts.html