SSW 238-98: Bugaboo

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I've got some good news some bad news and then some more good news.  The first part of the good news is that we have a fabulous sketch to work with and an even more fabulous-er (is that a word?) sponsor ... it's Jodi, from Bugaboo Stamps.   This week I used her Birthday Monkey.  I am so desperately low on birthday cards that I NEEDED to make a birthday card.  And heck, it IS Jesus' birthday today.  He deserves a card too.  Jodi is generously giving the winner 7 stamps.

OK, it's time for the bad news.  This is the last challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  SSW is closing it's doors with this last post.  Arlana, Judi and Nancy spend countless hours working on the blog.  Unfortunately Arlana has had some health issues and maintaining the blog was becoming so much harder.  They are all taking a much deserved rest.

But (here comes more good news) our own Sally Dube is starting a NEW sketch challenge blog called Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2,  on January 1st 2014.  Most of the Design Team from SSW are returning and you know that there will be PLENTY of great sketches, prizes and fun to be had.

I hope that you will join in the fun next year over at the NEW blog.

SSW237: DigiStamp Boutique

Wow, is it just me or is time FLYING by?!!  It's nearly Christmas ... Eek!  In a last push to finish all cards remotely related to Christmas, I spent an afternoon creating cards.  I don't know if it was the Christmas spirit or if I was punch-drunk tired, but I decided to get down the glitter for my sons and I to use on our projects.  This is me on glittery goodness:

Me: "Ooooh, so pretty.  I don't know why I don't use this stuff more often."  And then I look around at myself, my son, and the room ... and I remember.

But enough about me,  it's Wednesday and that means it's time for another challenge from the people over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

We are once again sponsored by Sally-Ann from DigiStamp Boutique.  I used her fantastic Christmas Edwin and Hetty set" this week.  There are 3 images in this set and they are ALL darling.  I love elephants so I knew I needed it as soon as I saw these cuties.

Sally-Ann is generously providing the winner with a £10 voucher to use in her store.  We'd sure love to see your work this week.  Don't forget to comment on the blog so you can WIN!

SSW 236: Patti's Creations

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.   Sally has cooked up an amazing sketch for us to work with this week. 

 Patti's Creations is our sponsor this week and she's offering up three digi-images from her shop to the winner of the challenge.

Patti is an Internet Technology Professional and an artist.  She uses her skills in Photoshop, Illustrator and Fireworks to create her amazing characters and sells them on her site.

SSW #235: Elisabeth Bell

Did everyone have a great holiday?  We sure did here.  We had lots of energetic kids running around, too much food and burnt (but still tasty) pies ... all in all, an utterly fantastic family-devoted event!  I must ask tho ... where DO toddlers get their energy?  Holli, the dog, was in heaven running and chasing them. 

I also wanted to share with you the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  This week we have another great sketch from our sketch genuis, Sally Dube.

Our sponsor is Elisabeth Bell.  The Elisabeth Bell Digital Collection features enchanting, whimsical digital stamps for all your paper-crafting projects.

Your prize this week is to choose 2 of the three images our design team used this week.  And speaking of the design team, be sure and stop by their blogs and leave some love; they did their usual AMAZING job this week.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #234: Eureka

 

I'm not lion ... my kids are driving me crazy.

OK, that is NOT what this card says inside but perhaps it should. It's day five of Thanksgiving Break (we have nine, yep count 'em 9 days off together) and they are ... a tad wild. We've had constant snow and icky weather and I think we are ALL ready for some time ... outside.

Today is also Wednesday so that means we have another challenge from SweetSketch Wednesday. It's a great one, lots of ovals and dots.

Our sponsor is Eureka Stamps. Here's a bit more about Eureka:

Finally, The Stamps You've been Looking for! Eureka stamps offers a large variety of images and sentiments in many different categories for all of your stamping needs. Our Paper Sculpting stamps add an extra dimension to your creations. Or, Mix and match our Balloons and Balloon Holders to celebrate every occasion. Our Stamps are available as unmounted, deep etched, natural red rubber stamps OR as digital stamps. If Eureka Stamps aren't exactly what you are looking for, Don't miss out on the sister companies: QKR Stampede, BiblicalImpressions Rubber Stamps, or the newest addition; AlluringImpressions.

The prize this week is 5 digital images of winner’s choice.  Yahoo.

Challenge #187: Black Out

 

This week the people over at the Meljen blog challenged us to use black as our base for a card.  It was definitely out of my comfort zone -- don't know why tho, the card looks fine.  This card is for my buddy.  I know, it's late.  Shocker!

I used Melissa's Penpal Mouse for my image.  She has some wonderfully cute images and don't forget, they are STILL on sale for half off through the end of the month.

TMS225

One of my friends is sooo pregnant that she looks like she is about to pop at any second.  Just two more weeks for her (hang in there doll!) and I needed to make a card to welcome baby R into town.  This little Meljen image isn't really specifically a baby image but it's so darn cute that it definitely fit the bill.

Tuesday Morning Sketches had a GREAT sketch and I managed to make the card so it satisfied the Twisted Tuesday challenge too (polka dots and pop dots - her little ears are popped.)

I saw this poem and it made me laugh out loud.  It is easily the way I feel about my kids.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I Learned to Swear

by Pam Vap

I learned to swear
twenty minutes before my first child was born.
Since then, it's been a handy habit
to have around, and I expect God
to turn his head. After all,
he owes me one. It's a trick
to make babies look so good.

The truth is they leak.
And of all horrors, they grow.

They only speak whine;
they cry and complain and wipe snot
on their sleeves. They spill dinner.
They stir pasta into their milk cups
and squish spinach between their teeth.
They eat crayons and toothpaste.

They call constantly. They call
constantly. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mo-om.

They inhale money, bang down stairs,
and store dirty socks and sandwich crusts
like hidden treasures in their closets.
They lipstick walls; they swallow marbles.
They break things.

Yet, God (no doubt in his wisdom) has ordained
that these crude creatures
should sleep incognito:
gentle
quiet
warm.

I am fooled easily.

Each night as I tuck covers around them
and bend to kiss their sweet, sleepy faces,
I don't care that they used
all the silverware in the garden.

Let's fill the house with angels,
I whisper to my husband
as I slip between the sheets.

SSW233-DSB

Real men don't eat quiche

Or at least real men whose wives go down to craft and forget to set a TIMER, don't eat quiche.  That little crispy critter went to the trash heap.  It was just a bit too crunchy for us, tho' the dog sniffed at it in an interested way so maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Regardless, I was "happy" to go down and pick up to-go dinner.  Talk about getting your cake (crafting) and eating it too (yummy, yummy goodness from Olive Garden)!!

It's Wednesday so I'm happy to say it's time for another challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Our resident sketch guru, Arlana, has been hard at work making something amazing for you.

This week we are sponsored by Sally-Ann from DigiStamp Boutique.  We are always happy to feature her darling designs.  For this week's card I am using her "Bobbi and the Christmas Tree."  Sally-Ann is generously providing the winner with a £10 voucher to use in her store.  We'd sure love to see your work this week.  Don't forget to comment on the blog so you can WIN!

SSW 232: A Day For Daisies

Happy Wednesday peeps.

I am busy trying to finish up the last of the Christmas cards.  Yeah, yeah, yeah ... I know.  Most of you crafters are done, I'm just not that organized.  Typically, I don't finish until a few weeks before the holiday.  {Sigh} I keep telling myself that some day, I'll be organized.  Prolly not 'gonna' be THIS year tho!!

And since it IS Wednesday, you know that it's time for another sketch challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  This week we are sponsored by the fabulous Tammy from A Day For Daisies.

A DAY FOR DAISIES provides themed categories of over 1000 fun and whimsical digital images, including fairy tales and magical mermaids, cutie kids, vintage illustrations, sentiments and lovely designs for all occasions!

Tammy's generous prize is a $12 gift certificate to her store! 

You can find the links to her store here: 

Website

Direct Store

Blog

Etsy

Facebook

 

From the Heart 41/SSMIS August

The Alice in Wonderland's White Rabbit and I have much in common.  I have a few white "hares" on  my head and I am consistently late, for a very important date.

This post is no exception.

This is the image from August's Mystery Image challenge ... and it's November.  But I am NEARLY caught up.  I think I have the July image left to complete but ... I'm nearly there.  If you want to see what the other ladies in the group did, click here

I loved the sketch from this week's "I {heart} sketches" blog so I used that to make my card.

 

Happy Wednesday!!

It's time for another sketch challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  This week we are sponsored by the wonderful Melissa Jenkins from Meljen's Designs.  I'm using her Christmas Buddy this week.  I like how he's gotten himself in a bit of a tangled mess (kinda reminds me of my kitty who tries to sleep INSIDE the tree each year and has actually found herself in this same position!)  This month Melissa has ALL of her digital images on sale for 50% off -- wahooo!!

Our sketch is a rewind from May of 2011.  It's always fun to see what the fabulous DT of THEN did with the sketch. 
We really DO hope that you join in the sketch challenge this week.  Don't forget to comment on the blog so that you are eligible to win the 4 non-colored images available as the prize!

SSW230: Stamp Fairy

 Hey All!

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another sketch challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.   

This week we are sponsored by the fabulous Gerda Burghardt.  Stamp Fairy was officially launched on November 5th 2010. Gerda, the artist and owner, creates cute and whimsical digital images for the young and old, inspired by her life, love and 4 cute cats.   Please visit the store and browse StampFairy’s wonderful images. We hope StampFairy’s images inspire YOUR creativity."

Since we are soo close to Halloween, I'm using Tommy Wizard.    I love Tommy but I do NOT love that I glued everything together ... upside-down.  Didja notice that the spiders are climbing the wrong way?  (Sigh)  Our prize for the winning entry is a $10 Gift Certificate in the Stamp Fairy store.

Don't forget to comment on the blog so that YOU are eligible for our fabulous prize!

SSW229: Bugaboo

Sometimes I feel like my dog is Glenn Close.  Not because she is an award-winning actress (I should be so lucky ... we'd be in the money with a talking dog) but because of the scene in the movie Fatal Attraction when Glenn Close says,

         "Well, what am I supposed to do?  ....  I'm not gonna be 
           ignored, Dan!"

We've just had an "I'm not going to be ignored" moment when she came into my craft room with the remainants of a turkey decoration in her mouth.  Apparently the only way she could get me to take her on a walk was to destroy a decoration that my eldest made when he was five.  "Get the leash lady or the scarecrow gets it next."  I'm taking a deep breath ... all the pieces from the turkey are still intact, minus a few buttons in her tummy no doubt.  And like the bionic man, we can rebuild him ... the best news of the day is this, Holli will NOT be a puppy forever.

In other news, it's Wednesday and that means the fun people over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday have another sketch challenge for you.  Arlana created this week's sketch and it's a fun one!

 Our sponsor is none other than the fabulous Jodi from Bugaboo Stamps.  I used her super fantastic "Mustache Guy".  I loved the Dr. Seuss look to him (plus I'm always late for things so I thought he was terribly appropriate for me!)  We'd love to see you play along with us the week.  Don't forget to comment on the blog so you are eligible for the prize this week: 7 digi stamps from her store - a prize that values $21 in free images!
 

SS281/Bugaboo Bingo

Is your day as "super" as mine?  I've got carpet cleaners steaming the footprints out of my white carpets and because of that, I am "forced" to stay in my uncarpeted art area and craft.  Gee darn!  And while we are on the subject, can I just ask who stupidly buys a house with white carpet when there are dogs, cats and kids?  Oh that's right ... me.

It's time for Bingo over at Bugaboo!  I used this super cute piggy to complete my Bingo rows
It's Jodi's "Super Pig."  I can tell I'm going to have to get all of these sweet pigs because I am so in love with them.  I did the vertical row: Black, Buttons and Sentiment to complete my board.

I also used the sketch from Sketch Saturday.  It was a fun one.

 
Challenges entered: 
Bugaboo: Monthly Bingo
Sketch Saturday: Sketch
JellyPark: Pinktober
That Craft Place: Pink

From the Heart 038

Happy Birthday Linda!

I'm trying to do a better job of sending out cards on time.  So far this year I've sent out 8 birthday cards ... late.  I am so terrible at being on time.  I really have no excuse either; my friend Imke lives in Germany and her cards are always on time.

I'm using the From the Heart sketch.  I actually sewed on the paper, but you can't see the stitches.  Then, to emphasize the sewing, I added teal sparkles ... but you can't see those either.  I'm giving up.

The sketch WAS fun tho!

SSW228: DigiStamp Boutique

Happy Hump Day!

It's been raining here all morning.  The look Holli the dog gave me when I elected to go to the Starbucks drive-thru instead of the doggy park was one of pure reproach (sorry friend, it is muddy and you ... are white).  Her pout didn't last long since Ian, the drive-thru man has a doggy crush on her and usually gives her "samples" of pumpkin bread.

It is also time for another sketch challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  This week Sally has cooked up a fantastic sketch for us to use.  Lots of places to put embellishments!

We are sponsored by Sally Ann from Digi-Stamp Boutique this week.  I'm using one of her new images, Cute Love Panda.  It's part of the set called Cute Pandas.  There are 8 images in the set and all of them are darling.  If you hurry over to Sally-Ann's store, the set is on sale!

We hope that you will join in the rectangular fun and link up your card over at SSW.  Sally Ann is generously providing the winner with a £10 voucher to use in her store.  We'd love to see your work.

SSSC195

As soon as I saw this JJ image, I made her mine!  All my friends know that Starbucks IS my best friend!  I once asked my friend, who was fasting because I was driving her to her surgery ... for cancer, if she minded if I swung through Starbucks on the way.

OK, it was tacky and I DID wait until she was in her surgery before I waddled across the street to find an caffeine IV injection, I mean a coffee beverage.

I liked the freedom that Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge provided so I wanted to play.