Thursday, December 15, 2016

Merry Christmas and some news...


Hello friends! 

Thank you so much for stopping by. Christmas is almost here, and this is probably one of the darkest seasons for me, and much of my family. It's been difficult to concentrate on so many levels. I am sincerely sorry for the challenge being so abandoned like this... but honestly, I have had nothing left at the end of each day to even think of logging on to my computer.

My grandmother passed away the Sunday before Thanksgiving, just when we thought things were looking up. She and my grandfather were married for 64 years. He is 91, and they were always together. I can't imagine the loss he feels. My mother was with her at the time, and her sadness is at a depth I've never seen. I try to help, and try to comfort, but I don't always feel I am. Telling the kids was the hardest thing I think I have ever done. 

My 15 year old bird, Kiwi, passed away the next Sunday. He was family, too! I will miss his crazy call of the Amazon, and his little chirping at the birds outside on the windchime hanger.

The very next Sunday, Jeff's father passed away unexpectedly. Jeff drove the 13 hours to Virginia to help clear his things and put him to rest without us. I was terrified he wouldn't make it back, but some of that could have been my delirium from strep, Yes, that's right, throughout all this the kids were sick a day or two each week for three weeks in a row, then Maisie got strep, and then I got it around the time Jeff left. Good news is he made it back yesterday (and made me go to the doctor today!). His dad had our Christmas card ready to go. And instead of signing his name, and a short message of love, he actually wrote a personal note to each of us. Like he knew.

So it's Christmas. I am trying to make it as normal as usual. But fighting the sadness not only for yourself, but your husband and kids and mom this time of year AND keep things normal is unreal. And I am So.Not.A.Superwoman. 

But Christmas is about our Savior's birth, family and love. And we're trying to concentrate on that. We are reminiscing and loving each other and trying to find simple joys this season. And we KNOW that's the gift of Christ's birth gives us assurance of being with these loved ones again. And that is a peace you can feel and hold onto.

I keep thinking about this verse. I shared it with the kids when trying to explain that when you love Jesus with all your heart, you rejoice in the day you can go home. Our real home in Heaven. And Meme and Jerry are rejoicing, and we should try to not be so sad.

For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away 
from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 NIV

Have the most blessed Christmas season! I hope you spend it with people you love, and if you aren't able, adopt someone! I will in the meantime get myself back together and see you back here in the New Year with new sketches!

Big hugs,

Sunday, December 4, 2016

retrosketches #241 - Extended...


Hello there! I would like to thank Sheri for adding the post last week. We lost my grandmother 2 weeks ago today, right before Thanksgiving. She'd had surgery and was seemingly on the mend and then she was gone. My mom was with her and it's been too sad for everyone. I'm almost ready to join the real world again, but not this week. So I am extending the sketch for another week, I hope that's okay.

Our sketch is based on this card by Sheri... SO gorgeous!


And here's Sheri's re-take... I love everything about it!

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Saturday, December 9th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!
 


Saturday, November 26, 2016

retrosketches #241...


Hello Everyone!  We apologize for the delay in getting last weeks sketch up.  We have extended the deadline to December 2nd. 

Our sketch  is based on this card by Sheri...


And here's Sheri's re-take...
 
Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Saturday, December 2nd, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!
 
 
***We are having a temporary issue with the InLinkz linkup...please add a direct link to your cards in the comments section.  Thank You! ***

Sunday, November 13, 2016

retrosketches #240...


Hey gang - I finally made it! This week has been "cra-cra" as my sweet Maisie would say. Both my g'mother and FIL are having surgery this coming week, we pulled off a successful bridal shower for my cousin's fiance and Alex was sick from school a few days this past week... but everyone is going to school tomorrow - woohoo!

Thank you all for playing with us last week! You ROCKed it!

I love how sweet and simple Jeni's card is - what a beautiful card for this week's sketch!

Sheri's really jumping right in with the Christmas spirit - what a gorgeous card!

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Saturday, November 19th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!


Sunday, November 6, 2016

retrosketches #239...


Good morning! We're battling internet outages again this weekend, the signal has been too weak to play Hulu! (The kids are freaking!) But this morning is better - but Jeff is convinced it's a conspiracy, I'm actually starting to think it myself!

THANK YOU for playing last week - you ROCKed it!

Our lovely sketch today is based on this fantastic card by Erin...


Erin's re-take is just beautiful - like a breath of spring!

Oh- this card by Sheri is so gorgeous!

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Saturday, November 12th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!


Sunday, October 30, 2016

retrosketches #238...


Hey gang! I am late - my apologies. My family has some kind of bug this weekend, well Alex doesn't... so he's using his powers of being the most obnoxious child on the planet to terrorize the rest of us...

Thank you so much for joining us last week - lottsa gorgeous inspiration!

Our sketch this week is based on this little card by me...


Sheri's adorable card is super spoooky cute!


Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, November 4th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!


Sunday, October 23, 2016

retrosketches #237...



Good morning! After a week of late nights - it caught up with me, and I fell asleep early! I am so sorry! Oh well, you probably weren't stamping late into the night anyway, right? This week promises to be slower... I hope so! Hope you're having a good weekend, we're off to a family reunion! I think this reunion has been going annually for almost 70 or 80 years.

Thank you! Your entries last week were amazing!

Our awesome sketch is based on this beautiful card by Sheri...


And here's Sheri's take two...


I'll have my card up later! Until then - have a wonderful afternoon!

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, October 21st, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!


Saturday, October 15, 2016

retrosketches #236...


Hello! Is it fall where you are? Our weather is teetering in the eighties... I want it to be cold! Or at least cool?Thank you for playing last week! You really ROCKED it!

Our sketch this week is based on this super adorable card by Jeni, she's still on hiatus...


And here's my take...

And please say a prayer for Sheri and her family, this week they a sad suffered a loss.

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, October 21st, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!


Sunday, October 9, 2016

retrosketches #235...


Hey there! How's your weekend?!? I am getting over some bug the kids drug home, and fell asleep yesterday afternoon and never got back up! Ever done that? I feel like I have missed a whole day! Thank you so much for playing with us last week - it's always fun to dig around in the older sketches!

Speaking of - our excellent CAS sketch this week is based on this amazing card by Erin...


Sheri's card is so spookin' cute... I love it!

And here's my little card...


Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, October 14th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!

Saturday, October 1, 2016

retrosketches #234 ~ Happy World Card Making Day and Digital Scrap Day!


Hello and Happy October and all the other "days" it is, too! My hubby and kids have been sick since Tuesday, so today was the first time I've even left the house to shop, etc... I need s vacation! Speaking of vacays, the other ladies have the weekend off, and I thought we'd have some fun and take a peek back in time.

The week - PICK ANY PREVIOUS SKETCH for the challenge! 

I based my very pink card roughly on RS #128...


Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, October 7th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!

Sunday, September 25, 2016

retrosketches #233...


Good morning! I started this post last night and then fell asleep before I could finish... ach! Now that I am ready for church, I can finish up! Anywho, thank you so much for playing last week, there were some amazing cards in the gallery!

Our fun sketch this week is based on this little card by me... I'll have my second up a little later!


 And here is Sheri's gorgeous take on the sketch...

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, September 30th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!

Saturday, September 17, 2016

retrosketches #232...


Hello and Happy Saturday! Our days here are still hot, but I am dreaming of autumn! Have your temps dropped yet? All of your entries last week were gorgeous! You really rocked that sketch!

Our lovely little sketch this week is based on this beautiful card by Sheri...


And here's Sheri's magnificent take two...

And here's a little digital hybrid card from me...

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, September 23rd, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!


Saturday, September 10, 2016

retrosketches #231...


Hello! Happy (late) Saturday! My Mom, who has been in desperate need of a break, and I went to a conference this past weekend and heard Lysa TerKeurst... she's such a great speaker for God! We really were blessed!

Our awesome little sketch this week is based on this wonderful card by Jeni... love the glitter!


I love the colors of Erin's card... so fun!

Eeek - Sheri's card is so boo~tiful!

Okay~ are you ready to ROCK it?!?

Things to remember:
  • The linky closes at 11:59pm Central on Friday, September 16th, 2016.
  • You MUST use the sketch. If we cannot see the main elements of the sketch, your project might be removed or at the least, not eligible for winning or getting a shout out!
  • Enter as often as you like with a different project each time.
  • You are welcome to combine challenges.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Hope you can join us this week!