One of my favorite memories from each Christmas is receiving Christmas cards from friends and family.  I have always had the tradition of posting our Christmas cards on the inside of our front door... so I decided that I wanted to take a picture of it for you and also as a memory for me!  My cards are the last to go down.  I usually keep them up for a month after Christmas! Sounds crazy but I just love to enjoy them a little longer!  And sometimes there are a few more cards to add to the collage. The Tin Soldiers and the Mistletoe doll will be put away this week with the rest of the decorations.

Several weeks before Christmas I received this surprise package in the mail.  Inside was this gorgeous Christmas card from Linda, one of our dear DT members at Sweet Sketch Wedneday along with the Cuttlebug Sledding Embossing Folder that I had been wanting to purchase but couldn't find at any craft store.   Instead of the embossing being raised, it is indented.  I love the look it gives!

Thanks you, Linda, for your beautfiul card and your thoughtful gift!

Happy Undecorating!

A Kid's View Summer Rock Climb

Sweet Sketch 82

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Bugaboo Stamps

I do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you are looking forward to a new year and new memories to create.

This week Bugaboo Stamps is our sponsor at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Jodie's sweet prize for our lucky Weekly Grand Prize Winner is

7 free digis of your choice valued at $21.

What a prize that is...you will definitely want to have a chance for her incredibly fun images!

So be sure to play along at SSW!

This is Arlana's fabulous sketch for this week's challenge! Be sure to check out all of the inspiring DT cards at SSW.

Now I would like to tell you that I have been wanting to use this image at Bugaboo for over 6 months.  It is called "A Kid's View Summer Rock Climb" and reminds me of my two sons who love to mountain climb.  I had so much fun with the textures on this card!  I found the crinkle paper at JoAnns' and the Jute Netting at Hancocks fabric store.

Here they are on Top of Mt Rainier. 

My Recipe:

Image:  Bugaboo AKVS Rock Climb

Papers:  The Paper Co School Days Stripe, The Paper Co Cardstock Poppy,

The Paper Co Ecorce Autumn, SU Baja Breeze

Inks:  Copics and Promarkers, SU Soft Sky

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Classic Oval Large, EK Trees Border Punch,

Jute, Button, Jute Netting Verano Tan

Have a Happy New Year!

Snow Buddy

Sweet Sketch 81

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Fresh Brewed Designs

Wow, just a few more days until Christmas!  I do have to say this year has flown by for me.  The years are actually going faster and faster.  I do not think that I am imagining it!

I have tried to simplify a little more this year but I still need to learn, "How to Not Stress!"

This week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday our sponsor is Fresh Brewed Designs!  Oh how I love Heather's images!  Heather use to be on our SSW DT.  She is a fabulous lady who loves the Lord and promotes her products with that in mind!  She has even created some beautiful religous images...some of which I have happily loved using.  We also love her wintery images and for the second year in a row we are again showcasing her winter images...There are many more than our DT has used this week so please look around and enjoy Heather's site.

This is Arlana's new sketch for this week...an oval inside a circle!

This image is called "Snow Buddy." 

When you look at this little guy, you feel like he could actually give you a big hug for the holidays!

For our lucky weekly winner...Heather is offering

3 Free Digis

So relax a bit and create your own wonderful card with Arlana's sketch!

My Recipe:

Image:  Fresh Brewed Designs Snow Buddy

Papers: Three Bugs in a Rug Snow Day/Let It Snow, SU Cherry Cobbler and Baja Breeze

Inks:  Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments:   Nestabilities Classic Oval Large and Scallop Standard Circle Large,

 MS Circle Cutter, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot,  MS Glacial Snowflake, Snowflake Brads, Pearls, Ribbon, Stickles

Merry Christmas to all!

Connie Shopping

Sweet Sketch 80

Sweet Sketch Wedneday

Sponsor:  Digi Stamp Boutique

Good Morning!  It's Sweet Sketch Wednesday again. 

And I have choosen this darling image from

Digi Stamp Boutique called "Connie Shopping." 

It reminded me of my mother who would, could and did shop 'til she dropped.  She could find so many fun treasures...many times under $10.  Her children and grandchildren were often the recipients of her great finds!  She was nearly 83 when she passed away but she always dressed in style with outfits coordinated from head to toe!

Sure miss her!  I had better stop there as I am getting quite teary thinking about her!

Arlana has provided us with a great sketch this week! I know you will enjoy creating with it!

Our faithful monthly sponsor,

Digi Stamp Boutique,

 is here again to sponsor us!  We adore all of Sally Ann's images. Be sure to check out her site as she has lots of fun new images and is also offering a 20% discount on all of her Christmas images!  Go take a peak!

For our weekly winner this week,

Digi Stamp Boutique is offering

6 free digis of your choice! 

Now wouldn't you like to have those images! 

Your opportunity is waiting! 

Play along this week at SSW and you may be the lucky winner.

I hope you are all getting ready for Christmas.  If you are not ready yet, you will be running around trying to find those wonderful last minute sales!  Happy shopping!

My Recipe:

Image: Digi Stamp Boutique Connie Shopping

Papers:  Cosmo Crricket Pixie-Licious Fairy Rings,

Bo Bunny Back to Basics Pansy Purple,

SU Kiwi Kiss, Purple Cardstock?,

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Labels, Jewels, Pearls,

Flowers, Flower Button, Fiskars Gifts Border Punch, Rick Rack

In My Pretty Garden
the Flowers are Nodding and
Warm and Cozy Snowman

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sweet Sketch 79

Sponsor:  Tiddlyinks

As you already know, it is Wednesday and that means

Sweet Sketch Wednesday time! 

Our sponsor this week is Tiddlyinks! 

They have a sweet, sweet prize for our Weekly Winner at SSW. 

When you play along this week you will have the opportunity of winning a

$10 Gift Certificate

As you can see I had such a fun time creating my cards for Tiddlyinks!  When I came upon this image...."flowers"....I immediately thought of a Primary song that I use to sing in church....

The name of the song is "In the Leafy Treetops." This is the second verse.

"In my pretty garden, the flowers are nodding. 

 How do you do?, they say.  How do you do today?  

In my pretty garden the flowers are nodding."

Anyway!

Here is a close up of my flower garden!

Arlana's Sweet Sketch 79 (Circle)

This is my second card this week.

"Warm and Cozy Snowman."

Doesn't he make you want to have

a cup of hot cocoa with him?

My Flowers Recipe:

Image:  Tiddlyinks Flowers

Papers:  American Girl

Ink:  Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishment:  Nestabilities Classic Circle Large and Mini Scallop,

Ribbon, Jute, Button

My Warm and Cozy Snowman Recipe:

Image:  Tiddlyinks Warm and Cozy Snowman

Papers:  The Paper Studio A Heartwarming Holiday, SU Chocolate Chip

Ink:  Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments:  Sizzix Circle Scallops #2, Nestabilities Classic Circle Large,

Stickles, Crystal Effects, Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!

Shepherds' Delight

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sweet Sketch 78

Sponsor: Di's Digi Downloads

Wow, can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner!  This year has flown by for me and I think I am not ready for Christmas.  It feels like it should be in about 6 more months!  Remember when you were a kid and the days of the year passed so slowly....seemed like it was forever before Christmas arrived!

Well, I have been trying to get in the spirit with my Christmas cards!  I do have to say that it does help.  I loved this image from Di's Digi Downloads...such a precious image of the shepherds in their fields watching their flocks and viewing that bright star that foretold of the birth of Christ!   It is called Shepherds' Delight.

Oh, I have been wanting to use my Ribbon Tags and was happy when Nancy used her's a few weeks ago with the ribbon ends instead of running the ribbon across the card!  Thanks, Nancy! 

It makes a great sentiment!

Di's Digi Downloads

is our sponsor this week at

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

and our DT as created some awesome cards for you to enjoy! 

Di's Digi Download

is offering a very sweet, sweet prize of

5 free digis

So be sure to play along this week with Arlana's wonderful sketch!

All the rules are on the SSW site but be sure to follow the sketch and all the basic elements of it.  The three flowers do not have to be flowers...but just three elements that may go with your card!

Have fun creating! 

We love to see what you can do! 

 And just think you could be the lucky Weekly Winner!

This is a closeup of the Shepherds' Delight.

My Recipe:

Image:  Di's Digi Downloads: Shepherds' Delight,

Inkadinkado Holiday Rubber Stamps: Peace On Earth

Papers:  The Paper Studio A Heartwarming Holiday,

SU Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestibilites Classic Square Large, Shapebilities Ribbon Tags Trio,

Fiskars Tree Border Punch, Ribbon, Stars, Jute

Under the Tree

Sweet Sketch 77

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor: Bugaboo Stamps

Well, it is Thanksgiving Eve and I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!  What a wonderful time to share and enjoy family.  Lots of preparations for me today.  I will me making apple pie, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, cleaning the turkey and preparing the stuffing.  One year I bought Costco rolls and my family was so mad at me.  I just didn't know that it was a tradition!  We like pumpkin pie but they also prefer my apple pie over any pie. So that is a must too!  My daughter in law has a tradition of eating Chocolate Mousse Pie on Thanksgiving so she will bring the Chocolate Mousse. 
 Hope you have a delicious celebrations with your family!.

This is the fabulous sketch that my sister, Arlana, has for you this week at SSW!  I love the clean lines of this sketch and how it draws your eye to the focal point of your image!  I do hope you will take a few moments and look at what our DT has created for you this week at  SSW!

Bugaboo Stamps is our incredible sponsor this week!  I always have so much fun choosing a image from Jodie's store.  I love her style and the fun creations that she comes up with which are constantly being added to each month.  Jodie, the owner, at Bugaboo is offering

7 digi stamps valued at $21
to our Grand Prize Weekly Winner

The image I chose is called

A Kids View Under the Tree.

The one thing I want to share about my card is the embossing folder that I borrowed from Arlana.  It is called Cuttlebug Sledding.  I just love the look it gave.  If you will notice...the embossing is reversed.  Instead of being raised it is indented!  I just love the texture it gives.  I have looked at every craft store I have visited in the last two months...with no luck in finding it.  I will have to check the internet when I find a spare moment.  For my Christmas bulbs I used the Metal Dots...also one of my favorite embellishments!  The picture doesn't show it very well, but I also used puffy for his Santa Hat. Of course, the little star and button are from Arlana's Crafty Stash!

My Recipe:

Image: Bugaboo Stamps AKV Under the Tree
Papers: The Paper Co Vintage Red and Green, The Paper Studio Presents
Ink: Copics and Promarkers
Tools and Embellishments: Nestibilities Classic Square Large, Cuttlebug Sledding Embossing Folder, Red Metal Dots, Stickles, Puffy, Ribbon, Button and Star

Happy Thanksgiving Week and I hope you enjoy what we have to share with you today!

Cute Bride and Groom
Sweet Sketch 76
Sweet Sketch Wednesday
Sponsor: Digi Stamp Boutique
 
Hope you are enjoying this adorable image of the
"Cute Bride and Groom"
available at
Digi Stamp Boutique. 
 I am needing some more wedding cards and fell in love with this sweet image!

 Digi Stamp Boutique

has been a faithful monthly sponsor at SSW for over a year now. 
We just love all the fun digis that Sally Ann creates. 
Every month Sally Ann adds so many new digis making it so hard to choose the ones you would like. 
So go ahead and take a look yourself.
 
This week Digi Stamp Boutique is offering 
6 free digi images to our Grand Prize Winner
 for the week at
Sweet Sketch Wednesday.   
Also be sure to stop by SSW and check out all the sweet creations
 that the DT has created just for you.

This is the Sweet Sketch that Arlana has created for you to work with this week!

Close Up of Bride and Groom

My Recipe:

Image: Digi Stamp Boutique Cute Bride and Groom

Papers: Heidi Grace Garden Flowers Decor, Bohemia Bella "Pretty Little Girl Mini Harlequin, SU Bashful Blue, The Paper Company

Ink: Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments: Nestibilities Classic Oval Large and Scallop, Border Punch, Ribbons, Stickles

I just want to thank all of you for your sweet comments. 

I apologize for not commenting the past two weeks as I was involved in caring for some family matters!  Thanks so much for all your kind concerns for our family!

Sunflower Buggies
Sweet Sketch 75
Sweet Sketch Wednesday
Sponsor: Meljen's Designs


Meljen's Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and is steadily growing! Meljen's Designs has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Monday and a Guest Designer each month at the Meljen's Design's Blog. Please visit the Meljen's Designs line of stamps at the WHIMSY STAMP STORE to browse and enjoy Melissa's wonderful images!

My Recipe:

Image: Meljen's Designs Sunflower Buggies, SU Short 'n Sweet

Papers: Scenic Route Sonoma Napa Street, Bo Bunny Burnt Orange Dot,

SU Real Rust, So Saffron and Very Vanilla

Ink: Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments: Nestibilities Large Deckled Rectangle, SU Large Oval and Scallop, Stickles, Jewels and Ribbon

Peace On Earth
Sweet Sketch 74
Sweet Sketch Wednesday
Sponsor: Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More

Isn't this image just precious of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus? You can find this sweet image called Christmas Scene at Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More.

Yes, this is Sweet Sketch Wednesday again and Arlana, my sister, has created a wonderful sketch for you to play with this week!

Also Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More is our sponsor this week at

Sweet Sketch Wednesday and Robyn is offering a sweet prize of

5 free digis or 5 of her fun digital papers.

Go take a look!

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More is proud to sponsor this challenge.

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More, a division of I Did It Creations, was created and is owned by Robyn Weinrib. Robyn offers a wonderful variety of digital stamps and digital papers designed to meet the needs of all digital paper crafting addicts for every occasion.

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More is happy to offer the winner of this challenge

5 digital stamps or digital paper sets of their choice.

My Recipe:

Image: Robyn's Fetish Christmas Scene, Inkadinkado Holiday Rubber Stamp

Papers: SU Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip, Recollections Kraft, The Paper Loft Herb Garden/Annie's Apron and Hankie/Trellis

Ink: Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments: Nestibilities Classic Circle Large and Scallop and Petite Scallop Circle Large, Flower punches, SU Modern Label and Large Oval, Brads, Ribbon and flower.

Thanks for stopping by and please enjoy your week!

Good Morning everyone! Just a little bit of news! A former DT member and fabulous digi designer.....Heather Dennis of Fresh Brewed Designs has a DT CALL for her blog, Heather's Coffee Break. What a fabulous opportunity for you to show off your talent! Be sure to stop by her blog for all the details.

Boo!

Sweet Sketch 73

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor: Digi Doodle

Happy Halloween weekend! I just had to make a final Halloween card! It is one of my favorite holidays to decorate. When I saw this image at Digi Doodle I just knew that I had to create a card with it! Hope you like it! You can find this image, of course, at Digi Doodle! It is called Mummy Mouse. Digi Doodle is our sponsor this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and as you can see Arlana has another fabulous sketch for you to create with. Digi Doodle is offering a very sweet prize for our lucky winner. Just think you could win a $10 gift certificate to spend in their store! So why don't you go ahead and just look around and choose your favorite images!

Arlana's Sweet Sketch 73

A close up of Mummy Mouse!

My Recipe:

Image: Digi Doodle Mummy Mouse

Papers: My Mind's Eye Boo! To You!, Basic Grey Ambrosia Citrus, SU Black and Old Olive

Ink: Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments: Nestabilities Classic Square Large, Hot Off the Press Pumpkin Brads, Sheer Black Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments!

Have a spooky Halloween week!

Jack and Snowman

Sweet Sketch 72

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor: Digi Stamp Boutique

Today I need to show off my darling new little grand daughter. Last month I flew to Okinawa for my daughter's scheduled c-section which was scheduled four days after my arrival but my grand daughter was not going to wait. She knew that Grandma was coming and she wanted to come too. When no one was at the airport to greet me, I knew that my daughter was at the hospital. As I resigned myself to waiting in the airport, my daughter's friends arrived and rushed me to the hospital. We arrived five minutes after her birth...perfect timing for Grandma to enjoy all those special moments!

What a sweet surprise!

She definitely is a miracle baby! Mom is doing well too!

Well, today is another special day. It is Sweet Sketch Wednesday! Arlana has created another wonderful sketch for you to play with this week!

We also have a fabulously dedicated sponsor that has sponsored SSW for the past year every single month. I just want to personally thank Sally Ann, the owner and creator of

Digi Stamp Boutique for sponsoring Arlana's Sweet Sketch Wednesday site. We have loved using her fun images to create our cards with.

Below is Digi Stamp Boutique's Jack and Snowman.

Isn't this image just adorable!

Sally Ann creates so many new images every single month. I always have such a difficult time trying to decide which image I want to use. Right now I am just trying to enjoy her Christmas images. Every time I visit her blog she has added new images! You just need to take the time to visit her site and choose a few of your favorite images. Then be sure to stop by SSW and see all the fun DT cards that have been created for your enjoyment!

Play along this week and you will have the chance to

win 6 free digis of your choice at

Digi Stamp Boutique.

A close up of Jack and Snowman!

My Recipe:

Image: Digi Stamp Boutique Jack and Snowman

Papers: SU Cherry Cobbler, Turquoise cardstock,

Bo Bunny Tis The Season Snow Flakes and Dots

Ink: Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments: Nestibilities Small Labels, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot,

MS Snowflake, Marvy Snowflake, Ribbon, Stickles, Pearls