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!

Ghost Peeker

Sweet Sketch 177

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Bugaboo

Can you believe that the holidays are upon us?  Where did this year go?  Is it just me?  Life seems to be spinning by faster and faster!  But in spite of the year's fast passing....I love Halloween!  I love to decorate and enjoy the fall transitioning before Thanksgiving and Christmas arrive!

This week our fabulous sponsor at Sweet Sketch Wednesday is Bugaboo.  Jodie has sponsored us since our  early beginnings.  She was just getting her blog going and had so many fun images and such a unique style!  Now she has so many more images I cannot begin to keep up with them all!  That is what makes it so fun to look around her shop.  There's a lot of creativity in that brain of hers.  And I love that it just keeps flowing!  Thanks, Jodie, for sharing your talent with the world!
  

Now at Sweet Sketch Wednesday we love to have you play along and use Arlana sketch of the week.  Remember to follow the rules.  If you are the lucky Grand Prize Winner, you will win 

7 free digis of your choice from Bugaboo.

Everything That You Ever Wanted to Know About Bugaboo Stamps: As if raising five 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 world of papercrafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. That was two years ago. Today Bugaboo Stamps is one of the leading companies in digital images, and we're still growing! From seriously snarky to sugary 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 stamps at Totally Stampalicious. And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for weekly challenges at Catch the Bug.

Our links are:
Store : http://www.bugaboostamps.com/
Catch the bug Challenge blog: http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/

SSW Sketch 177

I made this card while I was in Utah visiting Arlana!  In her stash I found this die cut that looked like bats.  I had to do a little trimming but I think it worked!  I wanted to use the Bat brads and the Swirls with this card so I brought them from home!  You don't see these swirls much any more but I always liked them and have plenty in my stash...thanks to Arlana!!!!

Happy Halloween!

Googly Eyed Bats

Yesterday in my email I received a tutorial on how to make these cute bats. 

 Click on the picture above

 and it will take you to the video.  

Right away I went to Krispy Kreme to get the chocolate donut holes but no luck.  They only carry the glazed  donut holes.  I thought I could make albino bats but chose to stick with the black bat.  I came across the Hostess Mini Cakes and thought they might do in a pinch!  So here is my version.

Happy Halloween!

A Sweet Gift from Kathie

About three weeks ago I received a sweet gift from Kathie, one of our DT at SSW!  My boys were wondering who I knew from New Zealand and what I was receiving!  Well, inside was this gorgeous card, note pad and lovely shaker box!  Did you notice how all of Kathie's creations coordinate with the note pad?  Take note of all the layering, trim, flowers, stick pin, lace, glossy accents, pearls and liquid pearls.  I was just blown away with all the detail.  The inside of Kathie's card is just as beautiful!

Inside the note card for the shaker box, it reads:

This is a very magic gift,
it's just for you from me.
The reason it's so special
Is the magic you cannot see?
When ever you feel lost or lonely
or even say and down,
You only have to shake this litte
box to know I'm around.

Just hold this magic gift and
shake it near your heart
You must never open it so that
we won't ever part.
Please keep the lid down tightly
so the magic will always last and
you can hear its magic sound of
good things from the past.


Thank you so much, Kathie!  This really means a lot to mean.  Arlana, Nancy and I always say that we feel like the Sweet Sketch Wednesday DT is part of our extended family.  And now you all know why! 

It was so fun to actually receive and hold one of Kathie'z Kardz as the quality is just unbelieveable.
Thanks again, Kathie!  Such a thoughtful jesture!

Mums in Basket

Sweet Sketch 171-103

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sponsor:  Pattie's Creations

What a delight to create with this lovely image from

Pattie's Creations called Mums in Basket.    I first chose to do a little photo-shopping 

and changed the black ink lines to chocolate brown to 

add an earthy tone to my card.

Arlana's sketch is quick and easy....one from the past.  I love those!

Here is a little about Pattie's Creations!  Pattie's Creations is our sponsor this week and I know you will adore Pattie's images!

I am an Internet Technology Professional and an Artist. I always dreamed of being an artist, but I found out quickly that I needed another field to support my family so I pursued a Degree in Information Technology. I love to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Fireworks to enhance my work.

I created a character called Pattieboop and her cat named Allie. I have had so much fun coming up with different images so I also created a site to sell them. You can go to my store to find out more about Pattieboop & Allie. I know you will just love them when you see them.

My store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pattiescreations

Pattieboop is an 11 year old girl who is very opinionated. She was created by me, Pattie Gomez on September 7, 2009. Pattieboop is an average 11 year old and she loves dressing up. She is very petite in nature but stands tall because her mother always told her that “If you stand tall you will one day become someone important”. Pattieboop always remembers her mother’s words and makes sure she is noticed.
Pattieboop has a favorite pet named Allie. Allie is a slender black cat and loves playing and spending time with Pattieboop. Allie spends most of her days napping and her nights are spent getting in to mischief…

Be sure to grab the sketch for this week and play along!  You will have a chance to win the grand prize at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Pattie's Creations is offering 3 digis from her shop.  How fun!  Remember to follow all of the rules!

Happy Crafting!

A Thankful Heart

Sweet Sketch 165-58

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 

Sponsor:  A Day For Daisies

It's been a  year since I saw this beauty on ADFD.  She is called
A Thankful Heart and you can find her here.  I cannot tell you how excited I have been to finally color her up!  In July I found a Tim Holtz embossing folder at Michael's called Rays and knew that I wanted to use this element with A Thankful Heart.   I also used this Quickut's maple leaf die, added a little acorn that was in my stash from Arlana.  The Nestabilites I used were Picot Edge Circles, Standard Circles Large and Deckled Edge Classic Ovals Large.  What would we do if we didn't have our trusty little SU ovals especially for our sentiments?

A Day for Daisies is our incredible sponsor this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  If you are new to Tammy's images, you will be blown away with her creativity and wonder.  Her style is so unique and not anything like any other artist.  Enjoy your look around her site!  

We would love to have you play along with us at SSW this week!
If you are our lucky Grand Prize Winner you could
  win a $12 Gift Certificate
 to spend at A Day for Daisies. 
Grab Arlana's Sketch below and have some fun!

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!

Here is ADFD banner:

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo34/snappystamper/adfd_banner_694x

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

Be sure to grab this sketch and play along at SSW!

An Oval inside a circle!!!!

Now this sketch is a sketch from the past so I wanted to show you the card I made using Sketch 58.

This image is from Digi Stamp Characters

These are various cards I have made in the past using A Day For Daisies images!

Enjoy!
Hugs, Judi