Lots of Hugs...and Love!

    My all time favorite sentiment is "Hugs" and it's a sentiment I have always loved and one I used often, especially on the cards that I create for Operation Write Home.   Hugs and Love and also how I sign almost all my personal cards and both words to me, show that someone really cares.  That's extra special when it comes to Operation Write Home and one of reasons I became an OWH card-maker.

   Today, I'm back again with four new cards to share and much like yesterday, all of these cards were inspired by today's new Sketch from the Stars and Stamps blog.   I have been taking part in the Sunday Sketch challenge for the past couple of years and I truly LOVE it.   I want to also take a minute today to say a very special Thank You to Julie, who has been the sketch designer at OWH for the last two years.  Today is Julies last day in this position and after today's sketch she'll be handing reigns over to Marlene, who I look forward to meeting soon.

    And here is a copy of Sketch #153, which was the inspiration I used for each of the cards I created today.   I loved the sketch and also wanted to stick with a Hugs and Love theme, so I created cards that will work for any day as well as Valentine's Day too!

 And these are the cards I created with Julie's farewell Sketch! 

The first two are pretty much identical to the sketch.

 

And these cards were also inspired by the sketch,

but not so much as an exact match!! 

 

  As you can see I used up almost every last bit of my Pink and White paper from Echo Park - Dots and Striprs, which has long been one of my favorite EP paper sets.  I even bought the 12" set, after living these pattens in the 6" pads. 

  It's been a JOY to be back at my desk and now two days in a row!  Woohoo!  Feeling back to normal again and very much looking forward to a very creative week.  I'm so happy to be feeling much better and realizing just how HAPPY I am when I can create.   My next goal today is to work on a fun New Year's card for a CAS Challenge being hosted over at "The Outlawz".   For that card I already know I'll be using my Cameo and have already picked up a few cute designers from the Silhouette Store.  I will also be back to my LSS on Thursday for our the monthly Silhouette Group meeting, which is always fun and educational.  We learn some new hint or tip at every class and we have to cancel last week's class due to bad weather.  Oh, and speaking of "bad" weather, our rain did eventually turn to snow last night and we ended up with about 2-3" on the ground, which apparently is not enough to plow.  At least not on our little road, because the plow never came.  It actually looks really pretty today, everyone on our road has stayed home today so the road is covered with fresh clean white snow....no dirt, no mud and not even a tire track. ....just a few little foot and paw prints from Scout and me.

   I've also realized that putting little boots on Scout is quite a challenge, but he really doesn't like the cold ...and today with temps in the 20's it's the coldest day we've had since I have owned him.   He went out quickly with Hubby first thing this morning, but it's been tough to get him out.  I did put the boots on and he can't seem to walk well in them, but after that trip out, with his little fleece he quickly did his business and literally ran back up on the deck to get inside.   I dried his little cold paws and wrapped in a nice warm blanket.  We have our woodstove going today, so it's super warm and toasty inside and he was very happy to be warm in a matter of minutes.   I'm with Scout...I don't want or need this yukky cold snow and hope it all melts very fast!!   Having ...cold, wet snow on your little paws is NOT fun!    

    And lastly, I am not quite sure who to THANK, but I did get a nice email from a friend of one of my blog followers and the best part is that I have already found a great Dachshund Rescue in Rhode Island.  It's one I had already looked at and added to my bookmarks, but having now knowing a Volunteer there, makes me feel even better about all of this.   Now, I am in the process of filling out an application and think I will definitely plan to rescue a slightly older Dachshund or maybe even a Dachshund mix.   It makes a lot more sense for me to have a dog that is pretty much already house-trained and one who does not have the high energy that a puppy would have.  I have to remember that there are days I do not feel wonderful and I need to have dogs that won't require daily long walks, just in case.   A day like today, when it's so cold that I dont' want them them even be out, let alone be taking a long cold walk.    I do know I do not want to adopt a high energy or super active dog who needs to do a LOT of running.   I'm not confident in keeping up with a high energy dog or one who really needs to run.  I know that would also be too hard for me, but I do have a feeling there are plenty of older dogs who would be perfect for both me and Scout.    Wish me luck and to whomever referred  me -- Special Thanks!!