Sunday, December 11, 2011

The December Sketch at MSW and a challenge:

This is my take on  the December layout sketch at My Sketch World


and this is my take on Nik's Grid Challenge.


Saturday, December 10, 2011

December
In December I will be
A baubled bangled Christmas tree
With soup bowls draped all over me
Merry once, merry twice,
Merry chicken soup with rice.
- Maurice Sendak





Thanks to all those who participated in the My Sketch World Blog Hop and thank you for all your kind and encouraging comments!
The winner of the RAK form me (selected randomly) is:
Karen AKA Soccerboyzmom


I used to like Christmas . . . but I’m thinking I like it less every year. I remember the first time I missed Christmas . . . 1991, the year my mother died. It’s difficult loosing someone, especially during the holidays. Christmas - it’s not about what it should be anymore. Actually it’s turned into something that people cry and get upset over. I’ve always loved tradition. But it seems to be getting in the way these days. Randy and I are not exchanging gifts this year. We decided that if we wanted something . . . we could get it ourselves . . . and do we really need any more?
So there is no Christmas tree at our house, no Christmas cookie exchange, and I have not even mailed the few Christmas cards that I made and/or bought. The only thing I have done is bought the grandchildren’s presents and made their teacher’s gifts. Am I grinching out about the whole affair?!


 Teacher's gifts for December:




Sunday, December 4, 2011

I found these and they were meant to be humorous but I found them to be . . . well . . . true.

You may be anal-retentive if:
* you eat the M&Ms in color order.
* you fold your dirty clothes before putting them in the hamper.
* you have to have all boxes in the kitchen cabinets facing the same way and in order by size.
* you have all your canned goods organized by type, flavor, and use.
* you alphabetize your spices.
* you organize your closet by color, season, and fabric.
* every e-mail reply that you send has been through a grammar check . . . and you correct the original message.

The term anal-retentive (commonly abbreviated to anal) describes a person who pays such attention to detail that the obsession becomes an annoyance to others. People who are said to be anal-retentive can also be obsessive compulsive . . . and I thought I was just a little over organized!
I would like to believe this is just my nature and that my anal-retentive behavior . . . I mean my over organized tendencies are just ingrained in me . . . but I think they rubbed off on my children.
We were in Florida over Thanksgiving visiting our daughter Jessica and her family. While we were there I noticed that she is very well organized (she has to be with five little boys) and these anal-retentive tendencies have become more apparent. I noticed little things . . . the way the clothes are hung in the closet (very familiar), certain toys are in certain organizational bins, the toilet paper has to be on a certain way . . . you get the picture. I told my oldest grandson Jacob that I was going to make him some tags for his mother to use to help him be more organized . . . he announced that he hated to be organized. Is this really my grandson talking?
Getting five little boys ready for the week is no easy task. To help Jessica out I made these adorable animal tags labeled Monday through Sunday.  Each boy has his own set of tags. Jessica will be able to get their clothes ready and labeled for what day of the week each set of clothes is for. You can never be too organized!




cardstock - The Paper Company
brads - Making Memories
string - hardware
These oh so cute animals were cut using the Cricut Create a Critter cartridge.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Calling all layout sketch lovers! We’ve asked our designers to choose their favourite layout sketch and challenge their partner to show you ways to create fabulous layouts, each with their very own a twist!  Our international designers on this hop are:


The details:
1. Visit each blog and leave a comment. Read carefully, there may be individual requirements as some designers are offering little prizes of their own!
2. After you have visited each Designer's blog come back to My Sketch World blog and let us know what you thought. Part One of the hop ends Monday, December 5th, 11:59 EST.
3. Everyone who posts a comment on each blog will be entered to win! Winners will be randomly chosen.
4. To receive an additional entry, scraplift a layout and link it back to the My Sketch World blog (in your comment) and tell us what inspired you!
5. Have fun! Be inspired! Part Two of this hop begins December 10,2011.

I use sketches when I’m experiencing scrappers block, need a little inspiration or just want to get my creative Mojo on. You’ll find an abundance of fabulous sketches created by Lucy Chesna at My Sketch World.

I was really excited when my Blog Hop challenge partner Christa picked the following sketch for me to use.


I turned the sketch upside down and made it my own.



And even more primed by Christa’s twist for me, which was to channel my shabby chic fashion to the style of Gabrielle Pollaco (check out her amazing blog). This is what I came up with:







Cardstock - Core’dinations
Patterned paper - BoBunny; Snowfall
Chipboard - My Mind’s Eye and Fancy Pants
Ink - Ranger
Embossing powder - Stampendous
Embellishment card - Fancy Pants
Embossing folder - Tim Holtz
Brads - Making Memories
String - Hardware

To sweeten the Hop, I’ll be offering a RAK, so make sure to leave a comment and I’ll pick a random winner.