February Sketch Challenge

It started with my Personal Scrapper buddy, Lynnette. She posted a gorgeous layout on her blog and referenced The Scrappiest Sketch Challenge. So, of course, I had to go take a peak. That peak took me to Sweet Peach Crop Shop where I found the February Ketch Challenge going on. Phew! I'm all worn out! Here is my take on the challenge. I really had fun with this one!

I Love Sketches

As I was flitting around the blog world, I came across StuckOnUSketches. The sketch they have highlighted this month was from Scrapbooks, Etc. I promised myself that I would finish off my pictures from 2006 rather than jumping all over the place. This layout is my oldest son at the Championship swim meet. We couldn't remember what place the white ribbon represented. After some heavy-duty searching in my cob webbed noggin', I remembered his relay placed 3rd. An amazing feat ... not only for the boys, but for me actually recalling that detail!

Luck of the Irish, I say ...

Now that I've become obsessed with "following" blogs, I find I am up for the many challenges these creative ladies suggest I try. Today, I decided to put together a gate card for the challenge on The Cuttlebug Spot. Since St. Patty's Day is about a month away, I thought a card for the occasion was apropos. I embossed the clover on the front ... still deciding if I like the way it looks. I may also add some emerald bling to the eyes of "Paddy" inside the card. What do you think? I'm always wanting to change things after a couple of hours of the project sitting there ... saying, "Dontcha wanna do this? Or add this? Or rip it up and start over?"

And, they called it Puppy Love

Do you remember that song? Paul Anka wrote that sweet ballad for Annette Funicello in 1960! However, I remember Donna Osmond singing it in the 70's. I was going to marry him, ya know! He was one of my many childhood crushes. I also adopted his favorite color, purple. Purple is still my favorite color to this day. Additionally, I was infatuated with Dennis Weaver from McCloud, David Cassidy, Leif Garrett, and Barry Manilow. What a crew! Those were more innocent days.

My son, Clay, is currently infatuated with his friend, Michelle. They've known each other since they were 2. Things started to heat up over the summer ... atleast for Clay. Being 11 and all, he considered himself to be in the fast lane. They have gotten together at Michelle's house for rounds of GameCube and movies. But that is the extent of it. Coincidentally, Michelle's mom and I are great friends, and have discussed this topic ad nauseum. Although it's sweet and innocent enough, they are closely monitored. Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner and the cat gate card I made for her birthday was a big hit, he asked me to create a special Valentine's Day card for her. This is what I came up with:

Tri-Fold Valentine's Day Card

Okay, so I feel a little clueless when it comes to the craft world. I had no idea what a tri-fold card was ... of course, I had seen them, but didn't know the card had an actual name. After studying what the DT put together on The Cuttle Bug Spot Blog, I decided to create my own. I did what several of the DT bloggers did and googled "tri-fold card". And, of course, there are a million ways to put together a tri-fold card. I also looked at what Audrey Frelix posted. I saw the thumbnail of her adorable card, and just HAD to see how she made hers! Gorgeous! I pulled out my Gypsy and went to work. This is what I came up with:

She's a Sassy Lady Gate Card

I am always excited when Sheila from She's a Sassy Lady posts a tutorial for the Gypsy. Saturday's challenge was creating a gate card. It was a bit of challenge for me because my image on the Gypsy wouldn't stay put at .21. It kept creeping off the page. I ended up cutting the card before I realized this was happening. I made a few adjustments while making creases on the card. I played with it a bit more today, and believe I have it corrected. Nevertheless, I liked the way it turned out. My son is going to a birthday party this Friday for a girl he has a crush on. She has a couple of cats as pets so he requested I put a cat on the card. Also, in lieu of gifts, his friend asked the kids to bring donations for "Little Bit of Snuggles Animal Rescue". I will be replacing the Bath & Body gift card with a PetSmart card. Sweet idea!

Waiting, waiting, waiting

Here I sit in the car dealer's showroom, waiting once again. What pray tell am I waiting for? Well, my car radio is acting up again! I cannot believe it! I had the car in for service not even two weeks ago. Apparently, all went well with the new radio set up. Yeah, sure! One of the features I have on the radio is the XM service. Couldn't live without XM radio ... as I couldn't live without my heated seats, my remote starter, and my sun/moon roof! I'm not spoiled, really! Now that I am accustomed to these little luxuries, I am holding on to them with clenched fists. I went to hit my weather tab last week while driving ... well, slip sliding, in the snow. No weather tab to be found! Where did it go? I promptly contacted XM. While they were very nice about downloading the weather information three times while I sat in various and remote parking lots with the car running so the download would take, my tab was still no where to be found. Ugh! I called the dealership, and of course, didn't get a phone call back. In my desperation, and since I was actually paying for this little added benefit, I contacted XM again. Boy are they a patient bunch! I lost my normally sweet and calm cool! We decided that it was not an XM problem, because the feature was successfully downloaded. I just didn't have access to it! Now, I'm back a the dealer. Please, please let the whole radio work this time. An hour has passed, and I am trying to be patient. I'll keep you posted.