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.