Sketchy Wednesday

I think my brain has shut down - it's in hibernating mode, like computers go into, only mine has shut down because of too much use, instead of non-use. I'm sitting here trying to think of something to say and nothing is coming to mind. Nope. Nothing. Not sure if it's because shipping was yesterday -- you all should be getting your kits by probably Friday at the earliest. Maybe it's the "Great Car Search." Yep, still looking. Maybe my mind is plugged with the numerous items that need to be done, or the clutter of Christmas stuff floating around me. Who knows. So we had our first week of challenges and I know Linda R. loves winning goodies (who doesn't) - and uses them - Lady you are cranking out the pages! But let's make it a little exciting with a few more layouts to scraplift. A little challenge tossed out there - get a double entry if you've never linked a layout to a challenge here -- and this week, I'll award two prizes. So come on, however are you going to get those New Year's cropping goals met if you don't scrapbook? Here's today's sketch, provided by our lovely Bessie. Thanks loads Bessie, you're the best. :)

Alrighty, I'm off to do some low-level-brain-required activities. Enjoy your day and you can officially start stalking your mailmen! ;D

Monday Challenge - Ribbons, ribbons, and more ribbons

Hello ladies! I'm sorry for the lateness of this post...my Internet is acting up since yesterday and I'm having difficulties with it. Anyway, how was your weekend? Are you staying warm? Here in New York its been freezing....and I'm having a hard time staying warm. I'm so ready for Spring, I tell ya.

So on to this week's challenge....we all have lots and lots of ribbons....and if you are like me, sometimes we have a hard time to use it in our LO's. In card its easier to use, but in LO's is kind of challenging at times. So the challenge this time around is to use at least 5 different ribbons on your LO or card. Let's get those creative juices flowing and show me what you come up with and link here.

Remember that you have until Saturday evening to upload your creation...and that you have to complete the Wednesday sketch and the five on Friday as well to be eligible to win a cookie jar treat.

Here's my take:

Enjoy your week and see ya' next Monday. Thanks for your patience, everyone!

Bessie

5 on Friday

Any of you looked for a new car? It's been 8 years since we had to buy a car - DH gets a new car every two years through work and the last car we bought, we purchased from his work when they rolled their fleet, so we didn't have much to do other than pick it off the list of available cars and go get it. We are in that process now.The amount of time consumed search, researching and searching some more is insane! We need a people mover, there are six of us, and we need towing capabilities, so we're looking at Expeditions and are leaning toward the EL version, with some serious reservations on my part because the thing is stinkin' huge! They are a tough cookie to find around here, but we, or rather DH is leaving no stone unturned. At this point I'd take just the regular Expedition (I mean I wake up thinking about all the cars we've looked at for crying out loud), but then I see the extra room in the back, perfect for overly large baby strollers (why do they need to be that big??) and overstuffed athletic bags, and resign myself that the quest will continue. (sigh) So, it's Friday - back the regular work week and school. How was it? Probably thankful it's Friday and ready to take a little time to do some scrapbooking, right? Good thing I've got your 5 on Friday right here:

• 1 sheet cardstock
• 1 sheet patterned paper with purple in it
• 1 alphabet
• 1 oversized element
• 1 border element

Remember outside of a title and journaling, these are the only items you can include on your layout. Also, this layout, and the other two from this week are due by Saturday evening to be eligible for a Cookie Jar Treat.

I'm off to try and do the million things that were pushed aside as we traversed the state looking at any and all available cars that fit our checklist; sorting one last kit, pulling a couple orders, starting to dismantle the Christmas decorations, a few chores and maybe, just maybe, in there I'll get the chance to breath. :)

Have a great weekend.

25 Days of Sketches Winners and More

I feel like I've spent all night on the computer - probably have. I recall snapping at my kids who were doing their homework, which is a sure fire sign that I'm trying to read and reply with kids who have too many questions. But, they're in bed now, the temperature is dropping like a rock, snow is falling and I'm semi warm and cozy - too late for coffee, maybe I need a cup of hot chocolate. mmm . . . hang on. Decided for a glass of water and a Hershey's Caramel kiss instead. Won't warm me up, but chocolate is chocolate and tomorrow I start the rounding up and putting away of the Christmas decorations. Ick. I'll need more than chocolate. So, how was your holiday? Here it was quiet, very nice and a white Christmas! Santa treated me to a new point-and-shoot digi camera; a Sony Cybershot. I have taken it out of the box and used it but have yet to read the manual to find out all about it. I also need to drop it in my purse, which is the reason I asked for one - I keep missing opportunities! DH got me the Cricut Expression and the Gypsy - other than registering and syncing the Gypsy I haven't had a chance to play - year-end wrap up stuff combined with upcoming shipping and trying to find a new car isn't giving me a lot of "me" time at the moment. So, there were an incredible amount of layouts completed during December - holy cow! Three of you completed all 25 days - amazing! Fabulous layouts and a lot of Apron Strings kits were floating in my head. I'm so happy that you were inspired. Because of that, Sketch Wednesday is added to the weekly line-up of challenges. Just a small change from last year's weekly challenges -- complete all three weekly challenges; Monday Challenge, Sketch Wednesday and 5 on Friday, link them up by Saturday evening and you'll be eligible for a Cookie Jar Treat. Speaking of winners - I have a few to catch up on from 25 Days of Sketches. Since you've hung on this long, I won't wait:

• Week 2 winner: Rebecca K. -- I loved seeing your kids in your layouts - such cuties! You'll get your Treat in your next shipment.
• Week 3 winner: Linda R. -- wonderful layouts all around - did you finish your Disney album? Loved seeing the non-traditional way of celebrating a WDW trip. Your treat will also be in your next shipment.
• Week 4 winner: Nitasha -- great job on the layouts and challenging yourself on doing some new things. Please send me your address again so I can get something out to you.
• and FINALLY the winner of the Christmas Cookie Treat . . . Nitasha!! Congrats.

Enjoy your goodies, your well-deserved goodies, ladies!

I hope your New Year's is starting off well and that the coming year brings you great joy and prosperity and many completed pages.

Getting On the Ball Would Be Good About Now

Yes, it would be good to re-engage about now, since I've apparently missed posting the sketch for today. It's like teaching a dog a new trick -- takes him a while to catch on.

I'll get back into the swing soon -- and post about the holidays and the winners from 25 Days of Sketches.

For now, here's today's sketch, from our little Bessie :).

As Bessie mentioned on Monday, you'll get three challenges per week, complete each of the challenges and get them linked up by Saturday evening of that week and you'll be eligible for a Cookie Jar Treat.

Stay warm!

First Monday Challenge of 2010

Hello ladies, can't believe that we are already 4 days into the year. Time is sure flying. My kids are back in school today...and we go back to the normal routine. I know a lot of us are still winding down from the Holidays, so lets make this challenge a simple one. The challenge for this week is to scrap your Christmas pictures - ideally this past Christmas ( so they don't wait months or perhaps years to be scrapped) but not necessarily....scrap any Christmas pictures you like . Here's my take on the challenge...can't wait to see what you create... Ok, not read carefully because the rules have changed a little bit. Starting this week we are going to have 3 challenges a week: the Monday challenge, a sketch challenge on Wednesday, and the amazing five on Friday...so here's the deal. In order to be eligible for a cookie jar treat, you need to complete the 3 challenges and link your creations on or before each Saturday evening. If you have any questions post them on the comment section here and me or Lori will happily answer 'em. So cheers for a new year and lots of scrapping. See ya' next week, Bessie

Happy New Year!

Hello ladies, Bessie here to wish you all a happy and healthy new year full of much love, many blessings, and lots of inspiration and creativity. Do you have any resolutions set already? Are you that type of person? How about scrappy goals? I don't set resolutions nor scrappy goals either....I can't resist the pressure, lol. I take it day by day and enjoy the process. I would love to gain a bit of weight (shocking I know, lol) but trust me with two kids and only weighing 95 lbs. is not easy. No, no, I don't suffer from none of those eating disorders, lol, I actually eat as much as I can and as much as I want...it just runs in the genes...lots of skinny people in my family. The reason I mention this is because that used to be my resolution for a few years, but since it never happened I gave up. ;-) Anyway, enough about me, lol. Just stopped quickly to say that this Monday will be the first Monday challenge of this year. :-) So get your scrappy place all clear up and tidy for this Monday so you can come and play a bit. See ya' then, Bessie