Remember the Moment

I am so happy to create this card for our incredibly talented sponsor, Tammy, who is the owner and creator of all the lovely images at A Day for Daisies.  This image is called "Music for Me."

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!

At Sweet Sketch Wednesday,

Arlana has created another wonderful sketch for you to play with this week. 

Play along and have a chance to win a

$12 Gift Certificate at A Day For Daisies

What a sweet gift!  Who wouldn't want Tammy's lovely images?

Hope you are able to enjoy the remaining days of 2011! 

Thanks for stopping by and always remember those special moments in your life!

Hugs, Judi

Traditions! Traditions! Traditions!

Well, it's been some time since I have posted. Today as I was preparing for our holiday festivities, I decided that I would share some of my tradtions with you.

For years I never really knew what to do with all the Christmas cards that would arrive.  Some people have Christmas card hangers or pockets to put their cards in. But even with that a person is not able to have full view of the cards.  Eighteen years ago I got the idea to tape them to my front door....that way I can enjoy them through the season and vistors can see photos of old friends as they come to visit.

This is what my door looks like this year.  During the next week I will be adding about 10 more cards that will arrive after Christmas.  This is the last of the Christmas decorations to come down.  I usually keep my cards up through most of January.

At our household the best holiday dessert is a homemade deep dish apple pie. My mother was a fabulous cook and loved to bake pies of all kinds. Everything I ever learned about pie making I learned from my mother!  Below is a photo of our holiday apple pie which I baked this evening to be devoured tomorrow evening on Christmas Eve.  If you are intested in my recipe, you can find it here.

Years ago I use to prepare a full turkey dinner for Christmas but  about 12 years I realize that I was the only one that wasn't having fun on Christmas...so I changed the Christmas menu to the traditional ham and potato casserole that practically cooked itself while I watched the glow in our children's eyes as they enjoyed their presents.  Sometimes traditions have to be changed! 

Then again sometimes you don't even know that things are traditions until your family speaks up when you don't do them.  My homemade rolls are like that. I used Costco rolls one year and I've never lived it down.

Of course, the best tradition of all is just being together with family!

Whatever your traditions are

enjoy them with your family and have

 a very Merry Christmas!

Babe Basket

Sweet Sketch 112

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor: A Day for Daisies

Good Morning!  It is another Sweet Sketch Wednesday and we are so pleased to have

A Day for Daisies

as our sponsor this week.  If you have not been to Tammy's site you will be in awe at her creations!  Her style is so unique.  If you have a favorite photo, she will even create a digital photo stamp for you!

The image I have used today is called "Babe Basket."  Arlana has provided such a fun sketch this week.  I first created the card below and then decided that I wanted to see what this image would look like with the blanket hanging over the oval so I created the card above.   I always love the added dimension.  The ribbon is from Walmart and has been in my stash for a while but I believe Walmart still carries this ribbon.  I added stickles to the little flowers and a brad on the center of the large flower.  If I make this card again, I will use the jewel as the center of the large flower to give the contrast in color as the stickles lightened the brad.

Be sure to check out our DT lineup at SSW.  You will love their fabulous creations!

If you are the lucky weekly winner at SSW for this sketch, you will win a

$12 Gift Certificate

from A Day for Daisies! 

Remember to grab this sketch and begin your creation!

Now I have some news that is difficult for me to write.

About six weeks ago I decided that I would stepdown from my DT position.  However, I will still be very busy behind the scenes helping Arlana as the DT and Sponsor Coordinator.  I kind of feel like a duck out of water but as you can see I will still have one foot in the pond.  There is a tremendous amount of effort that goes into a blog of this nature.  Arlana, Nancy and I are constantly communicating and working on it.  The SSW DT will still be hearing from me and I will continue to do my best to keep them organized.  As for blogging, I will be stepping away for awhile.  But I am sure that I will be peeking around!  You may even see an occasional card!  Next Wednesday I will be doing the SSW post as my final DT responsibility.   Now why am I stepping down?  Just too many things to catch up on.

I have loved working with the SSW Design Team and will greatly miss creating with them....they seem just like family...even the DT members that have come and gone.  Thanks so much for all of your inspiration and your sweet thoughts!

Now I want to thank Arlana and Nancy for the confidence they gave to me in being on the DT in the first place.    This goes back to the inception of SSW!   Arlana was recruiting her sisters as her DT.  Now you need to know that Arlana and Nancy are the Crafty and Artist ones in the family.  I have always loved crafts but if I cannot quite get it right I will always have Arlana do it for me.  When Arlana asked me to be on the DT I was really hestitant because at that point I had just learned how to use the paper cutters.  In fact I didn't commit to being on the DT until SSW #2.  Well, the rest is history and I have truly enjoyed creating cards and even amazing myself at times. 
Thanks to my wonderful sisters for all their encouragement!

To all of my followers: Thanks for being there for me too.  I appreciate all of your sweet comments and support.

My Recipe:

Image:  A Day For Daisies Babe Basket

Papers:  Design Originals Pink with Hearts, Imaginisce Baby Powder, SU Certainly Celery

Ink: Copics

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Ovals Large and Classic Ovals Large,

SU Scallop Edge Border, SU Eyelet Border, MS Frond,  Ribbon, Flowers, Brad, Jewels, Stickles





Welcome Baby

Sweet Sketch 111

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Digi Stamp Boutique

Happy Sweet Sketch Wednesday!I always enjoy making baby cards so when Sally Ann from Digi Stamp Boutique created this adorable little giraffe I knew it would make into a darling baby card!.  A new baby is always the star of the show so that is why I added the stars for embellishments.  I added the circles underneath the stars to give them more dimension.  My green paper doesn't show the hexagon pattern as well as I would like it too but hopefully you can see it or that you already know this paper!  Bo Bunny papers are some of my most favorite.  I loved working with Arlana's sketch this week.  It was was quick and easy to put together but has enough layers to make it interesting.

Be sure to grab this sketch!

Digi Stamp Boutique is our sponsor this week.  The owner, Sally Ann, has been such a faithful sponsor at SSW  for two years now....She sponsors us every month and we love her never ending supply of digis which she is constantly creating. 

 Be sure to take some time to look around her site.

For this week's challenge at SSW, she is offering

 6 free digis of your choice

if your are our lucky

Grand Prize Winner!

Now for some fab inspiration, be sure to check out our DT Lineup at SSW!

Thanks for visiting my blog this week

and leaving me a sweet message!

My Recipe:

Image:  Digi Stamp Boutique Baby Giraffe;  SU Short and Sweet

Papers:  Bo Bunny Double Dots, SU Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie

Inks:  Copics, SU Chocolate Chip

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Large Deckled Rectangle,

Cuttlebug Stars Embossing Folder,

Marvy 1" cirlce punch, SU Modern Label, SU Large Oval,

Ribbon, Jewels,

Party Hearty

Sweet Sketch 110-32

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Stamp Fairy

Happy Sweet Sketch Wednesday!  Today I am showing off  Lenny Memorial from Stamp Fairy.  I knew he would make a wonderful birthday card for my SIL.  Well,  this card is long gone....out of my possession so I only have these photos to show for it.  It's always a challenge to create a guy card as it is so easy to create something girly.  I don't think I added too much fuss to this one! My favorite part of the card is probably the hearts made from the Cuttlebug embossing folder along with the EK Starry Night border punch!  I guess if you take those two things away there isn't much left!  However, Lenny is a great little soldier! I also glossed his little night goggles but didn't color them too dark.  I probably could have gone a shade or two darker in the grey tones.

This is Arlana's Sweet Sketch 110-32. 

 A sketch from the past...fun and easy and shows off the image to the tee!

Stamp Fairy is sponsoring SSW this week and has added some wonderful new images since the last time they sponsored us.  You will love looking around.  A few days ago they added some fun images that will work well for Halloween which by the way, is just around the corner.  If you are the Lucky Weekly Winner at SSW  this week you will win 4 digis of your choice from the Stamp Fairy Shop!  Grab the sketch and start creating!

My Recipe:

Image:  Stamp Fairy Lennie Memorial Day, SU Party Hearty

Papers:  Chatter Box Mini Sandbox Stripe, Scrapbook Walls Great Olive Stripes,

SU Red Riding Hood and Brilliant Blue

Inks:  Copics and Promarker

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Standard Circles Large and Small, EK Starry Night, Nestabilites Ribbon Tags Trio, Cuttlebug Stars Embossing Folder, Ribbon, Jewels, Glossy Accents

Sail Boat

Sweet Sketch 109

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Meljen's Designs

For my card this week I am using an image from Meljen's Design!  It is called Sail Boat.  Isn't it just the happiest little boat you have ever seen!    I had so much fun creating with this image.  I used a new nesti that I purchased a few months ago, added an anchor button on top of another button. Then finished the sails off with some little golden pearls.  I also added glossy accents on the water.

Meljen's Designs has been a wonderful support to SSW!  Meljen's is sponsoring us again this week at SSW with a sweet prize of 4 free digis to our Grand Prize Winner!  Wouldn't you love to be the one choosing those 4 free images?  Hop on over to SSW and play along for  a chance to win!  You will also want to look at the inspiring eye candy that our DT has displayed for you!

I loved this little boat so much that I decided to make a second card!  I added a button for the sun and stickles on the water.  I also found this fun seagull button from Arlana's button stash that she shared with me a year ago!

My Recipe

Image:  Meljen's Designs Sail Boat

Papers:  Scenic Route Liberty, The Paper Studio Sail Boats, SU Real Red

Inks:  Copics

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Classic Squares Small and Labels Fifteen, Ribbon, Stickles, Glossy Effects, Buttons, Pearls

My Recipe:

Image:  Meljen's Designs Sail Boat

Papers:  The Paper Studio Sketchy Beach Icons, Swirls from Citrus Pack?, SU Pacific Point

Inks:  Copics

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Classic Squares Small and Labels Fifteen, Ribbon, Stickles, Buttons, Pearls, scrappers floss

Thanks for stopping by!

Wish Big

Sweet Sketch 108

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Bugaboo Stamps

Well, I forget to complete my post by midnight.  Arlana and I went awol from SSW the past two days.  We have been so immersed in making mini albums that we totally forgot about SSW!  But here it is Wednesday morning at 2 a.m.  We are trying to complete our eleven albums before I return home. 

Wish us luck!!!

I've had a wonderful week with Arlana and Nancy.  Sisters are meant to spend time together and boy did we have fun this time!  Thanks Arlana and Nancy!  You're the best!

Well, you will love the sketch this week!

Bugaboo is our sponsor at SSW!   Yes, we love Jodi's images!  I would love to get inside her mind to see how she works!  I am always amazed at her creations and they never seem to end!  Jodi is offering 7 free digis to our lucky Grand Prize Winner at Sweet Sketch Wednesday this week!  Wouldn't you love to choose 7 free images?  Just play along and  you will have a chance to win!

Be sure to stop by SSW to see the fabulous creations my team mates have created for you!

My Recipe:

Image:  Bugaboo Stamps  AKV Birthday Party, SU Short and Sweet

Papers:  Best Creations California, SEI Bright Blossom, Recollections Cape Cod

Inks:  Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Classic Ovals Large and Ribbon Tags Trio,

SU Scallop Circle Punch, Cupcake Medallion, Ribbon, Stickles, Glossy Accents, Puffy

You Brighten My Day

Sweet Sketch 107

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor: Amber Ink

It's Sweet Sketch Wednesday again and I hope we can brighten your day!   Maybe my card will send a little sunshine your way! 

 Our sponsor this week is Amber Ink!  Do take some time to look around the Amber Ink site.  You will love the fun images Pam has created!  Remember to play along this week at SSW so that you will have a sweet chance at winning a

$15 Gift Certificate to spend

at

Amber Ink.

This is the skech you will use this week to play along at SSW!

This image is called Wee Bee Pollination.

My Recipe:

Image:  Amber Ink Wee Bee Pollination & You Brighten My Day

Papers:  Bo Bunny Sun Kissed and Sun Kissed Summer, The Paper Co. Bright Lights

Inks: Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Large and Small Deckled Rectangles, MS Daisy Punch, SU Word Window and Modern Label,  Quickutz photo corner, Ribbon, Stickles, Brads

Olivia

Sweet Sketch 106

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Digi Stamp Boutique

This image is sweet "Olivia" from Digi Stamp Boutique.  Isn't she adorable?
 Sally Ann, the owner of Digi Stamp Boutique is constantly creating new images. 
You will love her creations!
Digi Stamp Boutique is our sponsor this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. 
Sally Ann is offering
6 free digis to our Grand Prize Winner
 of this week's challenge.  So why not play along!

This is the sketch that Arlana has created for you for this week's challenge.

A closer view of Olivia!

For some more inspiration, stop by Sweet Sketch Wednesday to see what our DT has created!  We also have a new DT member, Patti.  This is her first week so be sure to welcome here.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

My Recipe:

Image:  Digi Stamp Boutique  Olivia

Papers:  American Crafts City Park, Nikki Sivils It's Raining It's Pouring May Flowers,
The Paper Co. Heritage, Color Mates Light Terrific Teal

Inks:  Copics

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Lacey Circles & Standard Circles Small,
Ribbon, Flowers, Jewels

Celebrating Chloe

Sweet Sketch 105-44

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps

This week for Sweet Sketch Wednesday I am using Celebrating Chloe from
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps.  Isn't Chloe just too precious?
This week is my grand daughter's sixth birthday and we celebrating her special day last weekend.
 So this card is already in her hands.

What a fun sketch to create with this week!  You will love it!  Here it is!
Oh, in case you didn't know, once a month we are highlighting a sketch from the past. 
This is actually Sketch 44. 
Don't you just love that we can still enjoy some of Arlana's past sketches.

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps is graciously sponsoring us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. 

 You will want to check out their site at

http://sparklecreationsrubberstamps.com/

Now Sparkle Creations is offering these two adorable rubber stamps to our

Grand Prize Winner at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. 

Sounds like you had better play along!

Wouldn't you just love to have these two stamps!

Check out all the details at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and while you are at it you will want to check out the wonderful eye candy from our SSW Design Team!

Close up of Celebrating Chloe 

My Recipe:

Image:  Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Celebrating Chloe

Papers:  SEI Conture Chintz & Tabaret, SU Kiwi Kiss

Inks:  Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Classic Squares Large, MS Cherry Blossom, Pearls, Ribbon, Stickles

Queen of the Castle

Sweet Sketch 104

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Tiddlyinks

Whoooo Hoooo!  It is Sweet Sketch Wednesday again!  This week our sponsor is Tiddlyinks.  They are offering a $10 gift certificate to their store for our Sweet Sketch Wednesday winner so you should play along for a chance to win.  When I came across this image it reminded me so much of my daughter when we would go to Cannon Beach.  This sweet image is called "Queen of the Castle."  You can find her here!

What a fun sketch to play with this week!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a message!

My Recipe:

Image:  Tiddlinks  Queen of the Castle

Papers:  Karen Foster Flip Flops & Flowers, Karen Foster Summer Sun, 
 American Crafts Peachy Keen,

Color Mates Light Terrific Teal, SU Real Rust & Summer Sun

Inks:  Copics and Promarkers

Tools and Embellishments:  Nestabilities Classic Square Large, MS Sand Dollar, Pearls