Life is about creating yourself ~ SOUS Blog Hop

WELCOME TO STUCK ON U SKETCHES 100th SKETCH BLOG HOP

Hi everyone and happy Friday!!!!!

I'm so glad to see you today because over at Stuck On U Sketches we are having a "mile marker" event!!

Today's post marks our 100th sketch!

And here it is created by Co-Leader Leah Schaeffer .....

And to celebrate in a big way we have put together this awesome BLOG HOP and invited our entire Design Team to join in this weeks sketch challenge!  

Now you should have arrived here from our very talented Holly Hudspeth's blog... and if you didn't you will want to head on over to Stuck On U Sketches and get all of the yummy details....

We've also changed it up a bit for the Blog Hop only, whereas you can either do a layout and/or a card using this sketch!!

Here are a few close ups of my layout I created using the sketch...

TOP LEFT--Distressed edges and fussy cut birdcages and lilies...

TOP RIGHT---Distressed edges, Bird chipboard, Martha Stewart Punched Strip, Lace/Ribbon with Rhinestones..

BOTTOM RIGHT--Distressed Edges, Rhinestones and Pearls..  and my beautiful GD Savannah...

BOTTOM LEFT--Distressed Edges, Pearls, Vellum Envelope with Decorative Brad and Decorative Stickers..

Stuck On U Sketch sponsors providing prizes for the hop are:

Lisa Norris of Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

Regina Easter of The Cutting Cafe

 Stephanie of Whimsical Designs

SOUS will be drawing 3 lucky winners on Friday, Feb 8th, for the prizes they are giving away. 

I am also giving away a  RAK to one lucky person...

  I just have a couple requirements...

1)  Leave me a comment....

2) Be sure you are following me...

The winners of all prizes... SOUS and my RAK will be drawn on Friday, Feb. 8th..

  The winner of my RAK will have until Feb. 13th to contact me with their address..

We hope that you can play along with us this week ~ We would love to see your interpretation of our sketch.

WOW was that a mouthful or in this instance a page full!!!:o)

Hang in there...  You're almost done.....

Your next stop will be Erica Ortiz's Amazing Blog...

Thanks for hopping/dropping by today!!!

Have a GREAT week!!

Hugs to you all!!!

Love is .... ~ Stuck On U Sketches "Wreath" Die Cut Challenge

Hi everyone!!!  Happy Friday!!  I have some exciting news to share with you...  Along with being on the Stuck On U Sketches Sketch Team, I am now on the Die Cut Team as well.  Today's Die Cut Challenge is to use a "wreath" around your photo/image....

I have used the Cricut lite cartridge Lovely Floral for the Circles and the Decorative Frame..  The photo is of me and my husband on our wedding day back in 1977.  This is actually a shelf setting I have in my bedroom....

Here are a few close ups.....

CENTER ~  Cricut lite cartridge Lovely Floral for the Circles (which I distressed) and the Decorative Frame..  

TOP RIGHT ~  Martha Stewart ~ Floral Crochet Border/Corner Punches, Prima Vine, Prima Flowers, Netting Picks, and Prima Say It In Pearls...

BOTTOM  RIGHT ~  This is a plaque that is hanging on my bedroom wall above the shelf..  Martha Stewart ~ Floral Crochet Border/Corner Punches, Prima Vine, and Prima Flowers..

BOTTOM  LEFT ~  Martha Stewart ~ Floral Crochet Border/Corner Punches, Prima Flowers, and Webster's Pages Netting...

This layout will qualify for the following challenges...

Stuck On U Sketches ~ Die Cut (Wreath)

 Moving Along With The Times ~ Bling It On

Crafty Ribbons Challenge ~ Love/Romance/Anniversary 

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge ~ Valentines Day OR Love 

Charisma Cardz ~ Hearts and Flowers (The hearts are on the netting under lower left flower)

Crafts and Me Challenge ~ Vintage

Creative Inspirations ~ Anything Goes + An Option of Flowers

Fussy and Fancy Friday ~ Circles

Here is the list of scrappy things I used on this layout....

Stampin' Up Black Cardstock

FabScraps ~ Classic Black Lace

Cricut lite ~ Lovely Floral

Martha Stewart ~ Floral Crochet Border/Corner Punches

Prima Flowers

Prima Vine

Webster's Pages Netting

Netting Picks from Hobby Lobby

For more inspiration check out SOUS, you won't be disappointed!!!!!  We would love for you to play long with us. 

 I also want to remind you of our BLOG HOP next Friday..  

Thanks for dropping by today!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Hugs!!!

Blake at 3 1/2 months....

Hi everyone!!! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far....  Today I have a layout of my little GS Blake to share with you.  I used the January sketch from C'est Magnifique shown below....

For this sketch I scrapped little GS Blake at 3.5 months..  Photo was taken right before Christmas...  He is such a good little baby and just as sweet as can be...

Here are a few close ups....

TOP RIGHT --- Martha Stewart Deco Fan Punched Edges/Corner Distressed Edges, Little Yellow Bicycle Chipboard Banner, Small Wooden Clothespins, Twine, Martha Stewart Punched Butterfly, Small Pearls, Misc Glitter Foam Letters, and Masking....

BOTTOM  RIGHT --- Martha Stewart Deco Fan Punched Edges/Corner Distressed Edges,  Martha Stewart Garden Trellis Punch, Basic Grey Chipboard, and  Misc. Metal Art...

BOTTOM  LEFT --- Martha Stewart Deco Fan Punched Edges/Corner Distressed Edges,  Martha Stewart Garden Trellis Punch, Prima Vine, Petaloo Paper Flowers, Little Yellow Bicycle Chipboard, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Little Pearls, Tickets, Button and Bow...

This layout will qualify for the following challenges...

C'est Magnifique ~ Sketch

Inkido ~ Black and White Photo Challenge

The Paper Girls Challenge ~ Wood Elements (wooden clothespins)

Here is a list of scrappy things I used on this layout...

Stampin' Up Cardstock

Authentique ~ Genuine Collection

Little Yellow Bicycle ~ Blue Reverie

Little Yellow Bicycle ~ Chipboard

Graphic 45 ~ Renaissance Faire Collection

Martha Stewart ~ Garden Trellis Punch

Martha Stewart ~ Deco Fan Border and Corner Punches

Martha Stewart ~ Butterfly Punch

Doily

Petaloo Paper Flowers

Small Wooden Clothespins

Twine

Ribbon

Button

Ticket stubs

Small Pearls

Basic Grey Chipboard

Misc Metal Art

Misc Glitter Foam Letters

Thanks so much for dropping by today!!

Have a GREAT day!!!

Hugs!!!

STUCK ON U SKETCHES BLOG HOP!!

Please join us over at Stuck On U Sketches on February 1st...  This will be our 100th Sketch and that calls for a celebration...or in this instance a BLOG HOP! We will have the sketch, prizes (from SOUS and most of the Design Team), lots of inspiration, and LOADS OF FUN!!!! We hope you will join us but please don't keep the good news to yourself,  share it with all your scrappy friends because the more we have to play the merrier it will be!!!!!!

Stay tuned, more info coming soon!

Colten's New Overalls ~ Stuck On U Sketches

 

Hi everyone!!!!  Today's Friday and that means another sketch reveal over at Stuck On U Sketches!!  And this one was created by one of our very talented Co-Leaders - Nanne......

 

So here is our current Layout Sketch....

 

Don't let the pink through you off...  :o)  You can make this into any kind of layout you want...  Just be sure we can still see the "bones" when we come to visit...

 

As you can see I made a very "guy" layout using this sketch...  The photo is of little GS Colten taken right after Christmas....  a couple of weeks ago....  My husband and I got him a couple of pair of overalls for Christmas along with a few other things..:o)  So now when he comes over he's wearing 'em...  Oh yeah, he calls himself Farmer Riley Oliver Tractor!!!!!  How cute is that!!

 

 

Here are a few close ups...

TOP---- Here you can see Distressed Edges, a few fussy cut leaves, and Tim Holtz Alpha Cards.....

 

 

BOTTOM RIGHT----Here you can see Distressed Edges, Fussy Cut Leaves, Wooden Fence with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink, and Tim Holtz Timepiece.....

 

 

BOTTOM RIGHT-----More Distressed Edges, Fussy Cut Leaves, Wooden Fence stained with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Oval Frame, Martha Stewart Punched Leaves, Prima Flower, Prima Say It In Crystals, and Tag from Little Yellow Bicycle....

 

 

Here are a few challenges this layout will qualify for...

 

Stuck On U Sketches ~ Sketch

Crafty Catz ~ Anything But A Card 

Simply To Create Too ~ Anything Goes

For Your Inspiration ~ Photo Inspiration

Make My Monday Challenge ~ Die Cuts/Punches

 

 

 

Here is the list of scrappy things I used on this layout....

 

Bazzill Cardstock

Paper Best ~ Realtree

The Paper Studio ~ Wood Fence

Prima Flower

Tim Holtz Timepiece

Tim Holtz Alpha Cards

Wood Fence from Hobby Lobby

Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink

Little Yellow Bicycle Fabric Tag

Prima Say It In Crystals

Martha Stewart Leaf Punch 

 

 

For more inspiration and to see what the other girls did go over to SOUS!!!  We would love for you to play along with us and upload your layout so we can come by and visit you....

 

We are also having a "BLOG HOP" Feb. 1st... so keep checking back about that as well!

 

Thanks so much for dropping by!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs!!!

Savannah ~ It's the little moments..... -- Stuck On U Sketches

 Hi everyone!!!!  I wish you all the very best in 2013 and hope you find lots of time to create/scrap!!  To help you along we have another beautiful sketch over at Stuck On U Sketches and this one was created by Co-Leader Nanne...

   

Here's the sketch.....

BUT, for this challenge we also have a twist...  Use some of your scraps!!  Although you don't have to do the twist if you don't want too....  but why not?  I know most of us have plenty of scraps laying around so here's a chance to use some of 'em!!!  ;o) 

 

Here are some of the scraps I used....

I wound up not using a couple of these, but then I also used up some of my black cardstock scraps to mat the photo and for the 4 Sizzix flourishes in the corners!!!

 For this challenge I decided to do a "girly" page....  With 3 little grandsons and only 1 granddaughter I find myself doing more and more "boy" layouts..... 

The photo is of GD Savannah at 6 years, and was taken September 25, 2011... 

Here are a few close ups!!!

TOP RIGHT -----  Here you can see Martha Stewart Wild Flowers Border/Corner Punched Edges, Sizzix Flourish #2 Big Die Cut, Prima Ameruse Pastel Flower, Prima Vine, Doily, and icons Paisley Rhinestone. 

BOTTOM RIGHT -----Here you can see Martha Stewart Wild Flowers Border/Corner Punched Edges, Sizzix Flourish #2 Big Die Cut, Prima Ameruse Pastel Flower, Prima Vine, Fussy Cut Oval, Seam Binding Ribbon with Jewel Center, and icons Paisley Rhinestone.

BOTTOM LEFT -----Here you can see Martha Stewart Wild Flowers Border/Corner Punched Edges, Sizzix Flourish #2 Big Die Cut, Prima Ameruse Pastel Flower, Prima Vine, Doily, and Webster's Butterfly.

Here are a few challenges this layout will qualify for....

SOUS ~ Layout

Charisma Cardz Challenge ~ Monochrome

4 Crafty Chicks ~ Ribbons and Bows

 Crafty Creations ~ Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge ~ Use your favorite embellishments..(Prima Vines & Doilies)

By The Cute and Girly ~ Cute and Girly

Natalie and Amy Challenge ~ Use your favorite thing(s) (Prima Vines and Flowers, Doily, Martha Stewart Wild Flowers Border/Corner Punches, Sizzix Flourishes Big Die)

Crafty Catz ~ Anything Goes

Here is the list of scrappy things I used on this layout.....

Stampin' Up Basic Black CS

My Mind's Eye ~ Lost & Found Collection

Prima Marketing ~ Flights of Fancy Collection

Kaisercraft ~ The Lake House Collection

Doily

Sizzix Flourish #2 Big Die

Prima Flower Vine

Prima Ameruse Pastel Flowers

Webster's Butterfly

Martha Stewart Wild Flowers Border/Corner Punches

icons Paisley Rhinestones

Seam Binding Ribbon

Decorative Jewel

For more inspiration be sure and check out SOUS to see what beautiful creations the other ladies came up with!!!

We would love for you to play along with us.... if you do be sure and share with us....

Thanks so much for dropping by!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Hugs!!!

Zach ~ Christmas 2010 ~~ Stuck On U Sketch Challenge

 

 

 

Hi everyone!!!  I hope you are all ready for Christmas because you don't have many days left if you're not!!!  I am soooo ready to see the happy little faces of my grand babies on Christmas day!! 

But for now we have another fabulous sketch designed by Sandi Clarkson over at Stuck On U Sketches..

 

 

Here's our new sketch....

 

 

 

Isn't it a beauty?!!  For this one I decided to do a Christmas layout using photos of my little Grandson Zach.  Photos were taken on his 1st Christmas...  Such a cutie....

 

Here are a few close ups....

 

 

 

Top Right.......Red Glitter edges, Stickles added to the berries and leaves, and I've also added 3-D Stickers to the top of the ornaments....

 

 

 

 

Bottom Right.........Red Glitter Edges, Martha Stewart Floral Crochet punched border, 3-D Stickers, Alphabet Stickers, and Bazzill Cardstock Swirl.....

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom Left.........Red Glitter Edges, Martha Stewart Floral Crochet punched borders, 3-D Stickers, Stickles, Zva Pearls, and Bazzill Cardstock Swirl.....

 

 

Here are a few challenges this layout will qualify for.....

 

Stuck On U Sketches (SOUS) ~ Sketch

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge ~ Merry Christmas 

Do You Stack Up Challenge (Their last one :o( ) ~ Anything Goes 

Simon Says Challenge ~ Something Christmassy 

Divas By Design ~ Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations ~ Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday ~ Anything Christmas

ABC Challenge ~ D - Deck The Halls (Christmas Decorations)

 

 

 

Here is the list of scrappy things I used on this layout...

 

The Paper Studio ~ Solid Glitter Red

BoBunny ~ Noel Ornaments

Basic Grey ??

 Velvet ~ Clover

QuicKutz Eyelet Circle Die Cut

Bazzill Cardstock Strip

MS Floral Crochet Border/Corner Punches

Zva Swirls

K&Company Stickers

Stickles

 

For more inspiration please go to SOUS...  We would love for you to play along with us...

 

Thanks for dropping by!!!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

Hugs!!!  

Zach (October, 2012) ~ Stuck On U Sketches

 

Hi everyone!!!   First of all I want to thank you for dropping by.... I know for most of us, it's a very busy time of year...  But I hope that you can squeeze in a little fun and will check out the new  sketch challenge over at Stuck On U Sketches.    It runs for 2 weeks, and while you're there check out the Card Sketch and Die Cut Challenges also going on...  Today's amazing sketch was created by Co-leader Sandi Clarkson, and as you can see she embellished it with Christmas designs, but you can use any kind you like.....

 

 

Here's the sketch...

 

 

 I will probably use this sketch again with Christmas photos, but for the challenge I decided to use a photo of little GS Zach taken at daycare a couple of months ago.....   Look at that smile and those little toes!!!!  Too cute!!!

 

 

Here are a few close ups....

  

 

 Top Left....   Distressed Edges, Masking, Recollections Tan Cork....

 

 

 

 

 

Top Right....  Distressed Edges,  Jenni Bowlin Calendar, Sizzix Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes Die Cut in Recollections Tan Cork, and Feltable Birdcage..... 

 

 

 

 

 

Right Bottom......   Distressed Edges, Masking, Thickers, and Misc numbers.....

 

 

 

 

 

 Left Bottom..........  Distressed Edges, Recollections Tan Cork, Ribbon, and Handmade Button...

 

 

 

This layout will qualify for the following challenges.......

 

Stuck On U Sketches ~ Sketch

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Try It On Tuesday ~ Let's Get Inky

The Crazy Challenge ~ Fall Colors 

 

 

Here is a list of scrappy things I used on this layout....

 

Stampin' Up Basic Black CS

Basic Grey ~ Oxford Collection

Dream Street Papers ~ Father Knows Best/Rough Buff

BoBunny ~ Razzitabloid

Recollections ~ Tan Cork

Sizzix ~ Tim Holtz -- Elegant Flourishes

Feltable ~ Birdcage

Thickers

Ribbon

Jenni Bowlin Calendar

Handmade Button

Tim Holtz Distress Ink

 

For more inspiration please go here....   We also have a few new members joining our team and we would love for you to meet them...

 

Thanks again for stopping by!!!

Have a great day!!!

Hugs!!!!

Well, shiver me timbers...... ~ Stuck On U Sketch Challenge

 

Hi everyone!!  I hope my American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!  

Today over at Stuck On U Sketches we have a great sketch from Co-Leader Leah!!  We hope you have some time to play along!! 

 

 

 

For this sketch I decided to scrap this years Halloween photo of Savannah and Colten.  And instead of using 2 photos as shown on the sketch, I decided to use just 1.   Remember, the sketch is for inspiration....  follow it exactly or use it to inspire your own creations!!!

 

 

Here are a few close ups!!

 

 

Here you can see some Distressing, Webster's Pages Netting, Webster's Pages Designer Trim, Prima Say It In Pearls, Stick Pin, and Some Burlap...

 

 

 

 

More Distressing, Spare Parts Paper Flower with Gem Center over Chipboard, and Basic Decorative Brad...

 

 

 

 

Distressing, Spare Parts Paper Flowers, and Gem....

 

 

 

 

Distressing, Spellbinders Large Deckled Rectangles, Spellbounders Fleur De Lis Rectangles, Spare Parts Paper Flowers, Burlap, Prima Say It In Pearls, Stick Pin, and Webster's Pages Netting...

 

 

 

Here are a few challenges this layout will qualify for:

Stuck On U Sketches ~ Sketch

Pause, Dream, Enjoy Challenge ~ Anything Goes

4 Crafty Chicks ~ Tropical Destination..  (I think this layout has a tropical feel to it!)

Crafts and Me Challenge ~ Circles

Divas by Design ~ Use at least 2 patterned papers.  

 

 

 

Here is a list of the scrappy things I used on this layout...

 

Bazzill Cardstock

BoBunny Serenity

My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas

Webster's Pages Designer Trim

Webster's Pages Netting

Basic Grey Decorative Brad

Prima Say It In Pearls

Spare Parts (The Paper Studio) Paper Flowers

Gemstones

Burlap

Spellbounders Large Deckled Rectangles Die

Spellbounders Fleur De Lis Rectangles Die

Tim Holtz Distress Ink

  

 

 

For more inspiration be sure and check out Stuck On U Sketches!!  We would love for you to join us!!

 

Thanks for dropping by!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Hugs!!

 

A Cowgirls final ride!!!

 

 

 I know I've been absent the last month, but my older brother and his wife lost their youngest daughter and it's been very hard for us..  I just needed a little time off....

 

This is my beautiful niece, Corie (23), doing what she loved to do.... She was a real "Cowgirl" in every way...  She was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 5 years and was a true fighter.

 

 

 

 

 

This year she's been on oxygen pretty much full time... But did she let that slow her down?... Not at all. If you look closely you will see that she has her oxygen bottle behind her saddle... Sort of an oxygen saddle bag... Here she is at one of the many rodeos she attended....

Actually, it was at her last rodeo that a gentleman rode up to her and started talking to her and asking a few personal questions about her sickness. Her response was, "Sir, I don't know you and therefore don't feel comfortable in answering your questions". The gentleman introduced himself, and told her that he provided the livestock to many of the rodeos in the Texas panhandle and in Oklahoma. After that they talked in great length about her illness and he kept telling her how much he couldn't get over her being so active riding and being so happy...  and that he figured most people in her shoes would be home in bed and feeling very bitter... 

It was just a couple weeks later, the dear Lord wrapped his gentle arms around Corie and took her  "home".

And the gentleman that I mentioned.... After he heard of her death, I asked around and got my brother's phone number and called him.. He told my brother he knew a man south of Lubbock, Texas who had a horse drawn hearse.... He proceeded to say that it would be a great honor if they could take Corie to her final resting place here on earth!!!!!

So here are a few photos of our beautiful cowgirl's final ride!! It was perfect!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's taken me 3 weeks to post this, and it still brings me to tears.... 

 

 

  My youngest brother writes Cowboy Poetry and wrote this poem....

 

To Corie.
When I saddle that ole pony and I see that horse left in his stall
And there is a saddle left in the tack room and a bridal on the wall,
I will think of you. 

 When I hear the creek of saddle leather on a cool, damp spring morn
Or see the steam slowly rising from a calf that’s just been born,
I will think of you.

  As the sun rises on the horizon and clears that distant hill
And I take in all the beauty that God has made and is making still,
I will think of you.

  If I’m riding slow and easy pushing momma cows up to the lot
And I am just rocking in the saddle as my ole horse goes on in an easy trot,
I will think of you.

  As the sun it starts to heat up like it does here in the spring
As the bugs they start a buzzing and the birds begin to sing,
I will think of you.

  When the days work is over and there’s nothing more that’s needin done
The horses are hot and tired, that is all but one,
I will think of you.

  Every time some young cowgirl on her horse comes passing by
And I turn my head away so no one sees the tears there in my eyes,
I will think of you.

 I look up to the Heavens and think of days gone by
The passing of one so special nearly always makes me cry,
I will think of you.

  When I need strength to continue forward and to make that extra mile
My mind brings forward thoughts of you and that always makes me smile,
Because I will think of you.

Written for Corie by Guy Koch

 

 

Thank you all for stopping by today...

I want to wish all of my American friends a happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hugs to you all!!!!