Birthday Happiness!

Seems like our family has so many summer birthdays so I thought a birthday card was in the makings for this week!  This sweet image is from Bugaboo Stamps called Edward Elephant-Present.  You can find him here.  I love the fun sketch this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.  I used the Martha Stewart Balloon punch and added some birthday embellishments on top of them and added the colored floss for the balloon string.  I also added the pen stitching around the image!

We would love to have you play along at
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

This is the sketch we are using this week!

Be sure to follow the rules at SSW2.

As you might guess, Bugaboo Stamps is our sponsor this week.  They are offering 

7 free digis 

to the 

Grand Prize Winner 

at SSW2! 

How sweet it is!

Here is a little about Bugaboo!

Everything that you ever wanted to know about Bugaboo Stamps:  As if raising 5 children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the work of papercrafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. Bugaboo Stamps has become one of the leading companies in digital images. From seriously snarky to sugar sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects.  Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!!  If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps at Totally Stampilicious.  And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for the weekly Challenges at Catch the Bug.

Store www.bugaboostamps.com

Challenge Blog:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  I love when you come to visit! 

Hugs, Judi

Origami Necktie and Shirt Card for Father's Day

I have noticed during the past three months I have had a lot of visitors coming to view my origami necktie and shirt card for Father's Day posted June 16, 2012.  

This evening I was checking the link for the tutorial and realized that it has disappeared from Paper Craft Planet. Sorry I didn't notice it sooner.  I did some searching but didn't come up with the original tutorial.  However, I will link some other tutorials below.

Since I wasn't able to locate the original tutorial I decided to look for my personal pattern.

Begin with an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper.  Lightweight is easier than cardstock for the shirt. As you can see the folds are not very crisp with the cardstock. 

Fold into the center lengthwise

Make a crease starting at the bottom fold and fold out.

This will make the sleeve.

Turn paper over and fold top down about 1 inch. 

Turn back over and fold top toward center.

The collar and neck will appear.

Fold up so that the bottom of the shirt 

meets just under the collar

 Add sticky tape and your necktie

The neck tie is very simple. 

 Use a paper 4 X 4 inches.   

Follow the instructions in the following Tutorial.  

This tutorial is without sleeves if that is your preference.

Here is a smaller version of my shirt...way cute!  

Nice to add to the front of a card!

The following tutorial is a 

Money Origami Shirt and Tie Instructions 

It also includes photos of step by step paper folding instructions.  

What a fun way to give money to the man you love!

Hope this helps!

Please leave me a message with a link to your blog!  

I would love to see your creations!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Hugs,

Judi

"Frozen" Anticipation

For all you Frozen lovers...this is my 13 month old grandson anticipating the Tick-Tock in the movie,

Frozen.

He loves Frozen!

Also on YouTube!

http://youtu.be/GMGuvHaBlvY

A Sweet Thank You Teddy!

This sweet "Thank You Teddy" is from 

Meljen's Designs...such a precious image! 

 Melissa Jenkins creates so many lovely images. 

 I hope you will stop by and enjoy her artwork!

Sally Dube, the new owner of Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 

has created this remarkably lovely and simple sketch.  

It came together so quickly for me. 

 I know you will enjoy using it too this week.

I hope you will play along at SSW2 and have a 

chance to be our Grand Prize Winner for the week!  

Our winner will receive:

4 non-colored images.

  

This week's sketch!

Here is a little about Meljen's Designs:

 My name is Melissa Jenkins, and I am a homeschooling mommy and wife to my best friend. We have two children, two cats and three hermit crabs. When I'm not drawing, I love spending lots of time with my family cuddling on the couch, playing games, going for walks, fishing, visiting the park & the zoo, collecting postage stamps, or just plain watching movies.

I've been an artist as long as I can remember - and I am inspired by everything around me. All of my digital stamp designs are inspired by my children (and husband!) and things they do, our cats, things we see on nature walks and daily 'adventures', or memories I have of my childhood. Animals too - I love animals! Art is an uplifting thing for me, and I love designing cute tidbits of art that makes people smile.

I draw all of my little creations by hand. A lot of love goes into my art! Each of my designs is sketched in pencil, inked with a black Micron pen, then scanned in and lightly cleaned up so it will look crisp when you print it.

I LOVE inspiring crafters. I am not very talented at making cards myself, so I LOVE seeing all of the beautiful things that you make with my digital stamps. I couldn't ask for a better blessing!

Thanks for stopping by to see me!

Hugs,

Judi

Happy Easter to Ewe!!!

I am delighted to play along with the SSW2 DT again this week!  We are using a sketch from the past from SSW~Sketch 219!  This image is from Bugaboo, "Happy Easter to Ewe!"  It includes the sentiment too.  You can find this little Ewe here.

This is the sketch for the week!

This is the card I created last fall with this sketch!  

I used an image from Deidre Mosher Designs.

As you can tell, Bugaboo Stamps is our sponsor this week at 

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.  

If you would like to play along you will have the chance to 

win 7 free digis from Bugaboo.

Remember to follow the Challenge Rules under the tab on SSW2.

Hope to see you around this week!

Everything that you ever wanted to know about Bugaboo Stamps:  As if raising 5 children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the work of papercrafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. Bugaboo Stamps has become one of the leading companies in digital images. From seriously snarky to sugar sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects.  Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!!  If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps at Totally Stampilicious.  And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for the weekly Challenges at Catch the Bug.

Store www.bugaboostamps.com

Challenge Blog:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com

Prize:  7 Free Images

Happy a happy week crafting!

Hugs,

Judi

My Favorite Flower Pots

I do have to say that this "Favorite Flower Pots" image from A Day for Daisies is definitely one of my favorites. At the moment, it is a freebie at A Day for Daisies.  I enjoy gardening and watching my flowers grow.  However I do have to say that weeding is not one of my favorite things to do.  Needless to say, when I saw this image, it got me in the mood for gardening...so what did I do.  I started the process of cleaning up my flower beds in January.  Usually I don't get started until March but during January we had some incredibly warm and dry days that allowed me to do this.

I hope you enjoy my card.  This ribbon was one of the first ribbons I purchased for crafting.  It is amazing what I am finding in my craft room.   It is velvety and stretchy. I love the white gathers on the edge of the ribbon.  I decided to twist it to give my card some dimension.  I really like the look it produced!  Hope you do too!

This is the sketch we are using this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.  I hope you will take a few minutes to play along.  This sketch from Sally was quick and easy to create!  

Our sponsor at SSW2 is A Day for Daisies.  Tammy is the owner of ADFD and has the most unique style of drawing!  I just love all of her images.  They always color up so amazingly gorgeous.

Tammy is offering a $12 gift certificate to the grand prize winner at SSW2 to use in her store!

Just a little info from Tammy:
A Day For Daisies began as a small token to a constant need to create. Pairing a love of whimsical illustration, with a tidy graphic design background, Tammy S Thompson, produced her first stamp designs, introducing irresistibly sweet stamps to crafters around the globe. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful world around us, she strives to express the happiness and gratitude she feels in each stamp design she creates.

Presently, A Day For Daisies has grown to over 3,000 Digital Stamps with a quickly expanding line of Best Loved Clear Polymer. A Day For Daisies has been published and awarded over the years for innovative and unique designs created to inspire the crafting community. With a whole team behind her now, she remains passionate about illustration, obsessed with quality, and dedicated to her customers. A Day For Daisies thanks you for your ideas, comments, and creativity!

I am entering this in the the challenge at A Day for Daisies Blog.

Thanks for visiting my blog this week!  See you again real soon!
Hugs, Judi

A Heart Bouquet Just for You!

Well, it looks like the new year is moving right along...Valentine's Day is just around the corner!  I have created this Valentine card just for you!  This sweet image is from Bugaboo Stamps and is called "Valentine Baskets-Mouse."  Isn't he just sweet as can be!  Look at his ears...I kid you not...when I was finished coloring I looked and saw a heart in each ear from my shading!  Not sure how that happened...I even see a heart in the highlights of the bucket...none of this was planned!  It was a delight to be able to use my MS Heart punch that has never been used.

This is Sally's sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 this week.  I hope you will play along and have some fun with us.

Bugaboo Stamps is their sponsor and will offer 7 free digis of your choice to the Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 Winner.

Everything that you ever wanted to know about Bugaboo Stamps:  As if raising 5 children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the work of paper crafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. Bugaboo Stamps has become one of the leading companies in digital images. From seriously snarky to sugar sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects.  Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!!  If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo         Stamps at Totally Stampilicious.  And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for the weekly Challenges at Catch the Bug.

Thanks for stopping by.  I always enjoy hearing from you! 

Hugs, Judi 

Cute Polar Bear and 

Digi Stamp Boutique

Welcome back to my blog this week!  I seem to be getting my life back after a very busy fall and winter.  I am hoping to create a card for Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 at least once a month.  So I hope you will check back often and see what I create.

This image is call "Cute Polar Bear" and you can find him at Digi Stamp Boutique.  Sally Ann is our sponsor this week at SSW2 and I know you can find an image that will talk to you and make you want to use the SSW2 Sketch of the week. 

"All images/designs are created and copyright owned by Sally-Ann Hancock.  My work means the world to me - it allows my passion to draw and create, to fit with my family life too, often the inspiration for my designs.  Hope you enjoy my images as much as I enjoy creating them."

The Grand Prize winner for this week's challenge will win a £10 voucher at Digi Stamp Boutique. Sure hope you will play along.

Some of you may be getting tired of Christmas and winter cards but I haven't been able to create much in the last two years so I was motivated to find a winter image to go with my new snowflake corner by  Memory Box.  I also have the matching border and was going to try to use it with this sketch but it was too much and took away from the image.  I will use it another time.  A friend of mine, Lin, sent me a Christmas card using these two die cuts and I just had to have them.  

This is the front of Lin's card using the snowflake border die and the inside of her card is using the snowflake corner die.  It's an adorable pop-up card with the trees and the snowmen!  Lin, you are amazing!  I always look forward to receiving your Christmas card every year!

Now my craft room has been in a dormant stage for the last two years and I was amazed when I made my card and realized how many new items I haven't used that were still in their original packaging. Guess I had better get creating so I can use them.  Is anyone else in this predicament?

Hope you are enjoying your JanYOUary and doing things you want to do!

Hugs, Judi

Happy New Year to all of you!

I know I have been somewhat quiet the for the past year and a half.  Sweet Sketch Wednesday kept me rather occupied along with life in general.  But I want you to know I am still around and hope to create from time to time now that I have passed on my responsibilities to Sally at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.  It's been a little sad to let go of Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  It was Arlana's creation and it was so much fun for Nancy and I to help her with it.  We had 4 1/2 years of incredible sister time as we worked together to make SSW a place where you could come to get inspiration and positive comments.  We have appreciated all of you who have supported SSW whether you were with us from the beginning or just found us.  We especially appreciate your continued support at SSW2.  Sally is creating such a wonderful site and continuing on with Arlana's legacy but with her little flare!  We hope you will want to join in on her fun.  I know you will love her fresh new ideas!

Well, I am a little late taking down my Christmas decorations this year....as I was watching three of my grandchildren for a week.  I was really feeling my age this week...as I was having a hard time keeping up with the 18 month old runabout!!!  Well, I got some exercise anyway!  I had some great crafting time with the kids...they loved creating with Perler beads...  I'll have to take photos the next time.

This evening I have been gathering up my decorations to store them away for another year.  In doing do I am hoping that next Christmas doesn't come as fast as this one did.  Of course, a wedding for my son, a trip to Hong Kong, a wedding reception, Thanksgiving, Festival of the Nativities, a progressive dinner, a birthday celebration, a Scrooge play family activity hardly gave me enough time to get ready for Christmas.  But amazingly  I was ready by Christmas Eve morning...giving me time to make my last card for Sweet Sketch Wednesday!

Well, this evening I took this photo of my Christmas cards which I display on my front door.  I love displaying them where everyone can see them as they come and go.  This is one of my favorite Christmas memories....I love receiving cards and photos from my friends and family.  Looks like there are a few less cards this year.  However, I received two today and will probably receive 5-6 more cards before the week is over.  My cards are the last to stay up....usually through the middle of January.  I just enjoy looking at them a little longer!!!

Hope you are enjoying the New Year!  Thanks for stopping by!

Don't forget to visit 

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

Updated photo with a few more cards!

~Judi~

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 238-98 

and a 

Sweet Good-bye to Sweet Sketch Wednesday

The image is AKV Under the Tree, an old image I used about two years ago. You can find it here.

This is my last card for Sweet Sketch Wednesday!  I am stepping down as the SSW Coordinator.  Life seems to keep me way too busy lately and Arlana is not able to keep up due to her arm surgeries last year!  It's been a wonderful 4 1/2 years.  

We have loved all our Design Team members and have particularly appreciated the support of our many sponsors during this time.  

Sally Dube, our sketch coordinator who took over for Arlana last year has decided to keep Sweet Sketch Wednesday going.  It will now be 

http:sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com

We are so grateful to her for her dedication and desire to do this.  Most of our DT will still be the same.  However, Arlana and I will be stepping down.  I believe Jeannie is also stepping down.  Some of us may return from time to time...so it may just be a surprise.  

We are most grateful for all of our followers who have suppported us for the past 4 1/2 years.  We hope you will continue to support Sally at 

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

Our sketch this week is one from the past.  We hope you will enjoy using it again.

We also look forward to hearing from you this week or in the future.

Oh, by the way,  SSW will be left open for you to continue to view our sketches.  If you use them, please be sure to acknowledge Arlana or Sally for their work here at SSW and refer your friends to SSW2.

We hope you will play along this week.  The winner will be posted next week at SSW2

Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge rules for playing along:

1. Create a card using the sketch of the week.  If you have an image from Bugaboo Stamps, we'd love to see what you can do with it.  However, you may use any stamp or element you have to create your card.

2.  If you are posting to an online gallery, please use Sweet Sketch Wednesday # 238-98 as your label or tag.

3.  Add the sketch of the week to your blog and include a link back to Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

4.  Post your card on your blog along with the link to SSW.

5.  Sign in to Inlinkz and add a direct link back to your card on your site.

6.  Be sure to leave a comment here on this site and please remember that this is one of the rules to be considered for the Grand Prize. 

Note:  The challenge closes on Tuesday evening, 7:00 pm MST.

  Thank you to all of you and Merry Christmas!

 Cat and Her Brew!

What a delight to create a card this week for 

Sweet Sketch Wednesday!  

During the past year my life has been so busy trying to catch up on household responsibilities and also working as coordinator for Sweet Sketch Wednesday.    It just seems like there isn't enough time in a day!  

But I did have a fun time creating this card!  Hopefully this card will inspire someone.  I believe the best part was just using my craft supplies again.  They have been laying dormant for nearly a year.   My previous card was created in October of last year as I always like working ahead.

Our sponsor this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday is

Deidre Mosher Designs. 

The image that I used is "Cat and Her Brew." The sentiment and three other sentiments are also part of this image. 

These are the other sentiments:

"Eye if newt, wing of bat and toe of what??? 

'Ghoulia Childs' cooks here

Hang around for a spell!

At present this image is not in Deidre's shop but I assume she will be putting it back on soon.  You could also contact her at her shop if you are interested in purchasing it. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeidreMosherDesigns

Wildly Whimsical and Seriously Sassy Art is definitely a trademark of Deidre Mosher.

I have been in the business of art for over 25+ years. Starting out as a fashion illustrator, moving into Art Direction, where I did everything from print to TV...and eventually I found my way back to illustration. My art is just plain fun and my love of color is clearly evident in the designs I create. I'm currently licensed with a variety of companies...my designs are used on craft products, greeting cards/paper products, kitchenware, business products and such.
I am first and foremost an...Illustrator and Designer. I am inspired by seriously sassy & bold colors, but also love the 'wow factor' of classic black and white designs. I'm crazy for stripes and dots, and they are a repeated theme in my work.
As an Illustrator, I work in many mediums and styles, ranging from the line art to pastels...having fun adapting them to the latest project. I am inspired by some my favorite artists ...Matisse's use of bold color, Klimt's knowledge of figures and lavish attention to detail, and Gauguin's wild approach to his subjects. They are all so 'awe inspiring'! I'm happiest when I am in my studio and starting a new project...making a mess, experimenting...and even throwing paint. 
Any day in the studio is a great day! 
I usually get an idea when I least expect it...so when the 'light bulb' goes off...I sketch and sketch and sketch...(hence the reason I buy tracing paper in bulk). I always begin with a pencil and paper, and it evolves from there. My favorite part of the process?? EVERYTHING...from beginning to end.

Sweet Sketch 219

I hope you will play along at Sweet Sketch Wednesday with the sketch above.  If you do, you will have a chance at winner a $10 gift certificate at Deidre Mosher Designs.

I have always loved using Deidre's images.  Here are a few from the past.  

Thanks for visiting my blog and have a great week!
Hugs, Judi

Happy Easter

Bird's Nest Cupcakes

and 

Rice Krispy Treats

Just wanted to share my Easter Bird's Nest Cupcakes with you.  I spent the afternoon making these for our Easter family dinner.  

I'm sorry I haven't done many posts lately.  I have been busy with coordinating the the Sweet Sketch Wednesday sponsorships and trying to catch up on things on the homestead.  I've also been enjoying my grand daughter and new grand son.  Now I have five little munchkins to enjoy!  Each one is so fun!  Hoping they will enjoy the cupcakes tomorrow.  I still need to make some rice krispy bird's nest for one of my grand son as he is allergic to dairy, nuts and gluten.  I will make those this evening and add the picture below!

Well, here are the Rice Krispy treats for my grandson who has allergies.  I made the treats with 

10 oz of marshmellows

3 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil

Microwave for 2 plus minutes depending on your microwave wattage

Then add 6 cups Rice Krispy cereal

Mix together and spoon into paper muffin cups in a muffin pan.  I added coconut to a few of them but decided that I almost liked them better without the coconut.

If you are wanting to make a more defined shape, you almost need someone to help you as the treat begins to cool too quickly.  Enjoy!

Happy Easter to all!

Hugs, Judi

Frosty
Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sweet Sketch 184

Sponsor:  A Day for Daisies

Hello everyone!  It's wonderful to play along this week.  I had a friend phone me last week to ask why I hadn't posted anything since October.  Well, I'll be honest....I have been busy, busy, busy vacationing, watching my grand daughter and also working on the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Schedule.  I have also had a two week set back with a cold but I'm much better now and ready to enjoy the holiday season.

The image I used for today's sketch is "Frosty" from A Day for Daisies.  Doesn't it just flood your mind with memories of your childhood making snowmen with your siblings on a snowy wintry day?

This image also reminded me of a Utah Artist, Robert Duncan.  I'm sure you will  recognize his artwork at Robert Duncan Gallery.  These are four prints that I own and I just love them.  So that is why I chose "Frosty" at A Day for Daisies.  Hope you enjoy!

Here is Sketch 184 for this week's challenge.

Thank you, Tammy, for sponsoring us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday this week!  Your images are amazing and always touch that little emotional string in our hearts!

If you haven't seen or heard about A Day For Daisies, here is some info about Tammy's site.

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!

Website: www.adayfordaisies.com

Direct Store Link: http://adayfordaisies.com/stamps Join The Club

Link: http://adayfordaisies.com/statement

Subscribe to News Letter Link:http://adayfordaisies.com/subscribe

Blog: http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/adayfordaisies

Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Day-For-Daisies/142905905744876?ref=ts

If you are the lucky winner at 
Sweet Sketch Wednesday for this challenge, 
you will receive a

  $12 Gift Certificate to ADFD Shop.  

What a sweet shopping spree!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have an enjoyable Christmas!

Merry Christmas!