Hello! Can you believe we are at 300 sketches?!? What a crazy and amazing journey this sketch challenge has been. When I posted my very first sketch, I remember thinking that I'd be lucky to have one person join in on the fun. Boy was I wrong!
This challenge has meant so much to me - it has brought me good friends; some I've met in real life and others have blossomed through the internet, which sounds weird and perfect all at the same time. What stamping has taught me is that there are some generous, kind, happy, thoughtful people out there, who love to share what brings them joy. I've loved every minute of it.
You might be asking yourself why I'm so sappy all of a sudden. Welp... I have come to a time in my life where my stamping hobby has taken a back burner (for quite a while, actually. You may have noticed my absence), and I've needed to focus on family. The kids have all found hobbies and activities they love, which has taken up more of my time driving them to and fro, (which is fantastic!), but I've had to let go of other things to compensate. I also found a full time job, which has been wonderful! But life changing.
So, that said, this is the 300th sketch and it seems like the perfect time to ride off into the watercolored sunset and say adieu.
I couldn't have made it to 300 sketches without this wonderful design team. You girls mean the world to me and I will miss all the behind the scenes banter and craziness! Thank you for bringing your A game week after week and putting up with my procrastination (right Barbara??). You all make this challenge one of the very best and I will miss seeing your pretty pictures here.
Thank you to all that have participated week after week and have left beautiful comments for all of our team. You are my favorite people! I do hope you'll make this week's challenge the best yet. You can always find all of the sketches HERE, and maybe start from the beginning - that's just about a card a day! Wouldn't that be quite the challenge...
OK - time to dry up some tears and get to it! Please take a look at what our design team has created this week, for the final time. Sniff, sniff...
Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Jill Dewey Hawkins - Fastest Turtle
Jodi Collins - Stamping A Latte
Lisa Henke-My Little Creative Escape
Sarah-Jane Kalé - Janeybell Designs
Lynn Put - The Queen's Scene
Tracy Clemente - Eat Sleep Stamp
Dana White - Dana's House of Cards
Awww I'm so sorry to hear you're closing this challenge blog ... it was the one guaranteed spot where I knew I'd love the sketch every week! think I'll take you up on the offer to start again from the beginning;) Best of luck for the future :)
ReplyDeleteOh Karen, I'm sad to see SSSC go but I totally understand. I was lucky enough to participate with you and the girls and will miss it. I had to put my stamping on the back burner when I went back to work full time several years ago. Family does need to come first and with the commitment of DT's it's hard to create "just for fun" sometimes. I do hope to still see your creations out there when you can! Big hugs!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the wonderful sketches you have provided for us and for all the inspiration the team has given. Even though I rarely posted any cards, I refer to the sketches often for inspiration and I really appreciate them! Enjoy all your new adventures!
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad day, indeed! SSSC are my go to sketches, and although I didn't participate alot, I always find inspiration going through the past sketches. You will be missed, but family definitely comes first. Enjoy running around after your kids, they grow up so fast! Good luck with your job, and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad day, indeed! SSSC are my go to sketches, and although I didn't participate alot, I always find inspiration going through the past sketches. You will be missed, but family definitely comes first. Enjoy running around after your kids, they grow up so fast! Good luck with your job, and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteI am really sad. I love, yes LOVE your sketches. I nevernever really got time to post my cards because I was usually too late, but I play along almost every week. Good luck to you and thank you so much for youryour hard work and beautiful creations.
ReplyDeleteI am sad too. I just discovered you in the last couple of months! I made my first cards this week from 299. I will go back and use your sketches. Thank you
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you so much for the inspiration and your amazing sketches! I have so many sketches of yours saved, time has not always allowed me to play along; but hey I may take you up on the starting from #1 and doing it all over again. I wish you lots of success and happiness.
ReplyDeleteadd a little glimmer to your life....sparkle & shine, kindness *~*
I am so very sad to read this but completely understand. Thank you for many years of awesome sketches!
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you for the years and years of fantastic sketches! As many others have said, yours have definitely been "go to" sketches and I loved to play along when time allowed. I will miss visiting every Sunday morning and seeing all the beautiful inspiration from the fabulous DT, but life is nothing but filled with change. All the best to you and enjoy your new venture and time devoted to family!!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this challenge. There was always such great sketches and awesome inspiration. Take care and thank you again, Kathy
ReplyDeleteYou are wise to make the necessary changes to simplify your life and free up a little more time for the new adventures that lie ahead! Happy trails to you and the rest of the SSSC talented team! Jolly holidays to you ^_^
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ReplyDeleteI am so sad. I completely understand though. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LEAVING THE SKETCH ARCHIVE AVAILABLE! I love the idea of starting at the beginning and just going through. I may just have to do that!!!! Big hugs to you. I wish you all the best, and hopefully one day you will post.... WE'RE BACK!!! I refer to your sketches a lot, but I work so far ahead on my blog, I don't always get to link up while the sketch is still active. Even though you don't see me linking up a lot, I do use and love your sketches and have linked up when I can. Hugs, Smiles, and blessings to you and the team. You will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteSmiles! Janis
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PDE Linky Party, Owner & DT Member
Sad to see Sweet Sunday Sketches go! You've done a fabulous job! Enjoy your family and this season in life. Robin
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see this awesome challenge close up but totally understand...thanks for all of the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteKaren, the SSSC holds a special place in my crafty heart as it's the very first challenge that I ever participated in. I wish you lots of joy and happiness, and I hope you find a little time to indulge in the hobby once in awhile. Thanks for all the inspiration and sketches over the years. Enjoy the holidays!
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteI've loved your sketches, your cards, your posting and this challenge! Thanks for always being an inspiration, and for the archive of sketches and fun you've given us in completing them. Please know that you've weekly given something important and special to us, and we appreciate you sharing yourself and your time over the years. You will be missed in the stamping world.
This is defntly not a news any one would wanna hear abt... :(
ReplyDeleteI am sad to hear that Karen - but well done on making tough work life balance decisions. The design team and your sketches are wonderful, thank you for all that you have done to help me be more creative. All the best with the future.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I've always enjoyed your sketches and all the beautiful and inspiring weekly samples! Thank you for hosting a fun place for us all to share our creativity! I completely understand! Hugs, Mona
ReplyDeleteoh I will miss your sketches!! I might not have always been able to play in the challenges but I have a book with your sketches in it and it is definitely a go-to for inspiration. I know life changes and this is one of those times so I wish you the best. And if you ever come back to sketches I hope I find you again. Thanks again and best wishes!
ReplyDeleteSorry to read you are closing your blog... will miss seeing the new sketches and inspiration from the team... have only entered several of your challenges, but have used your previous sketches often... good luck for your future and also for the DT as well... shame the other DT members are not able to continue the challenge blog, there are not many sketch challenge blogs here in blogland.
ReplyDeleteHugs Diane Louise xx
Karen, I'm so sad there will be no more SSSC. I loved using them and am happy you have them still for us to refer back to. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into these sketches. Family and life are the most important, so enjoy and I wish you all the best for 2016. Thanks again from someone who couldn't make a card with a sketch, and now because of you, can't make a card without one! LOL. Take care. Hugs....Leslie
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the inspiration and your creative ideas and tutorials over the years, Karen. Your work and cards have helped me develop my card making skills and coloring abilities. I am appreciative of your gifts and talents. All the best as your life takes on a different chapter.
ReplyDeleteI will miss this challenge, but good for you for taking time for what matters most! Thank you for all your hard work, and blessing to you on your new venture!
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