I have so much to share today!  First I’ll share my favorite Valentine so far this year.  Then, for family & friends who read, I’ll sharing several pics of yesterday’s rodeo. 

Here’s a new valentine creation using new papers from Making Memories.  (Thank you, Jessica!)  I knew as soon as I flipped through this set of papers that I ‘needed’ to use this page right away.  It’s just a little bit reminiscent of Valentines from earlier times.  The sweet little clown is cut-out & popped up on foam tape, along with a few layers cut from the designer paper and scalloped layers created with Spellbinders circles and scallop circle dies.  Honestly, this was so much fun to do!  The stamp colors so easily, and is also a snap to cut out.  The balloon and his eyes are plumped up & glazed with Glossy Accents, and Stickles can be spotted in many places adding some playful glitz!

Inside is another heart cut from the same paper, providing the sentiment.  Although it has a lace doily appearance, this paper makes it much easier to have the ‘look’ of a doily, without all the little eency paper dust-bits from pulling the doilies apart.  I hope you like it!

Card Recipe:  STAMP >>  ‘Heart Clown‘ (by Stamp Oasis)

PAPERS >>  Cryogen White (shimmery), Making Memories ‘Love Notes‘

INKS >>  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

ACCESSORIES >>  Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles and Scallop Circles, Ranger Glossy Accents, Stickles Diamond Glitter Glue (sale!), Paper Piercing Tool, foam tape.

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~~~ FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW RODEO …. February 8, 2009 ~~~

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I’m tickled to share some of my pics from yesterday’s excitement at the annual Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo!  The stock show covers several days of livestock showing, judging, and rodeo events.  There’s always a lot of fun and education for all, plus a carnival and those yummy Funnel Cakes, Corn Dogs, and Popcorn.  The weather was cloudy but warm (for winter) but that doesn’t matter at the rodeo.  This arena was actually the site of the first ‘indoor’ rodeo in the U.S.A.!   I hope you enjoy this little peek into part of our American heritage!  I’m saving the best picture for last! 

Every rodeo has its ‘clowns’.  In reality, while they can act pretty silly and entertain the crowd with their antics, they have the serious and often dangerous job of keeping the cowboys safe.  They distract bucking livestock while the rider moves to safety, and are right along the sides and ready for rescues.  Here they are on their ponies and a donkey, but they’ll be spotted on horses or on foot during their ‘real work’.  I noticed that whenever clowns or cowboys were close to the arena’s edge during non-action times, they were always willing to shake hands of the children who might be waiting behind the guard fence.

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Here’s a pic of the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse … I wish I could remember how many are in this long-time group, but their leather equipment was impressively tooled with the group name.   While we do have Sheriff’s in each Texas County, they are normally seen patroling in Sheriff’s cars rather than on horses.

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Trick Riding! 

Next is a pic of one of the awesome trick riders!  Not only were these girls beautiful, but they are very talented!  I wish my pics were sharper here, but I’m sharing one so you’ll get the idea anyway!

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BUCKING HORSES!!

Here’s some of the excitement of the bucking horses!  I’m always amazed at how these athletic riders come back time & again, risking shoulders, arms, hands, wrists, not to mention every other bone in their bodies when tossed off.  You’ve just got to cheer for these cowboys!  Yeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaww!

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Here’s a second peek.   We had front-row seating!  That’s why some of the pics include a bit of the bars, as I tried not to edit the pics too small. 

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Calf-roping!! 

Wow!  I used to try & try to figure out lassos as a little girl.  But true ropers have it down to a lightning-fast art form!  The ropers’ horses are trained as a true partner to their rider.  Once the rider is off the horse, wrangling the calf down to rope all four legs, the horse’s job is to keep the lead rope toght.  It’s impressive to watch the horse as well as the roper as it is definitely true team-work between man and his horse.

Even when the cowboy has finished roping the calf, his horse maintains the pull of the rope while his cowboys returns to the saddle.   There’s something very impressive and satisfying about witnessing this partnership.

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*** BARREL RACING!! ***  This is the event I was waiting to watch.  My excitement seemed to rise quickly as the three barrels were being set up.  I knew the rides would be quick, and I made the decision to simply watch and savor every second of the event.  So guess what!  I don’t have a picture of the barrel racing!!!   That’s okay though, as I have it all in my memory without looking through a camera lens.   My long-time friend, Lanita, was the eigth barrel racer … and she looked so smooth and polished on her horse, Waihini Cash.  They had the fastest time of the day, at 17.19 seconds!!  Yeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaww!!   After the barrel races, I left the arena to go out near the Equestrian Center to visit with Lanita for a while.  It was such a delight to have watched their awesome run, and then be able to go outside to visit.  Cash was cooling down, and as people would walk by, a few children were eager to get a picture by Lanita and Cash.  Of course, Lanita is great with kids, being a Nana to a darling granddaughter in her ‘at home’ life!  I’m still tickled over my weekend … can you tell?!   😉   Here’s my favorite picture of the day! 

Yaaaaaahoooooooooooooooo!!   Way to go, my friend!

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I was so blessed to share this day with my dear friends and neighbors, Cheryl & Van.  We had such a great day!  Special thanks to you, friends! 

And thanks to all of you for spending moments of your time here!  I hope you enjoyed the view!