This week I'm doing something kinda "new". We aren't having the My Time Challenges anymore so the girls made a group and our new name is "JUGS". Kristin and Pam have worked very hard on getting this all put together and have even created a website to house everyone's projects and the weekly challenges. We'll all be hosting at different points throughout the year. Take a look at the JUGS site.
The challenge this week was Paper Piecing. I got out the good old "Cowboy Ethan", now for sale as Cowboy Billy, but he will always be Ethan to me. I LOVE how this turned out, almost enough to change my baby announcement design "again"! I knew this would happen. Take a look at the other gals creations too! Be sure to give this challenge a try and add your link to "Mr. Linky" on the JUGS BLOG. This week there will be some blog candy too - full deets are on the Just Us Girls blog but I will tell you that this week to KICK OFF the JUST US GIRLS challenge blog, we are giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to either Gina K Designs or PaperTrey Ink (winner's choice) to one lucky winner! To enter you need to participate in our Week 2 challenge by creating a new card with the Paper Piecing technique, post it DIRECTLY to your blog or online gallery, then link it to the Mr. Linky on the Just Us Girls Challenge site. Deadline to post to Mr. Linky is Thursday, October 15, 9:00 PM EST. We will post the winner on the Just Us Girls blog on Friday along with our very special "top pick" stamper called our "Chic of the Week".
Just a few thoughts on my little boy. It's now been almost 4 months since we lost our Ethan, but it seems like it was just yesterday. I can still picture him running up to me in the morning with the best hugs and kisses ever. I was usually up before him and would be downstairs on the computer and he would come running in with the biggest smile on his face. Then we would head to the living room and turn on cartoons, usually Boomerang that had all of the old cartoons....his favorite was Duck Dogers in Space....and he would always get excited when this was on and yell for his Daddy to watch it with him. We would snuggle on the couch until Ava girl woke up and then I would sit between them to keep the fighting to a minimum. That is how we started most of our days. Oh how I wish I could have those back. I had to go to the clinic today for flu shots for myself and Ava girl and it just brought back so many memories of bringing our Ethan in for his labs. He hated to do that, but was such a trooper through all of it. He'd always be dressed to the hilt with his button down shirt, black cowboy hat, boots, seat belt and jeans. I may be "a lot" biased, but he was the most adorable little boy there! Just missing my Ethan a lot lately. So hold your kids tight because life is often just too too short!
12 comments:
Great job on the challenge. I love Cowboy Ethan! You are right that image will always be Cowboy Ethan! All the best and big hugs to you!
Think of you a lot even though you don't know me. I have 2 little boys & can't imagine what you're going thru. I truly admire you & how you keep it together for your little Ava girl! You're truly an inspiration, both you & your husband!
This is so cute, Alicia! I just love this little guy and will always call him Cowboy Ethan as well. Those thoughts of Ethan are so precious...I think everytime you use that image, he's right next to you bringing you all those precious moments. Keep them close!
{{{Big hugs}}}
Lisa
Alicia, I love your lil' cowboy Ethan! Great job with the JUGS paper piecing challenge :) I will keep you & your family in my thoughts & prayers. I feel so fortunate to be on a team with you & all the other JUGS girls. :)
Alicia, fanatastic card. I think Cowboy Ethan came out fabulous. Your paper piecing is perfect.
Well now, I know this sweet cowboy Ethan! He looks fantastic perched on top his trusty pony and your cardmaking is exquisitely detailed as always.
Big hugs to you Alicia!
Alicia I love your heartwarming stories that you share on your posts and isn't that what we all love about the papercrafting community - the fact that we can share our personal lives and that we care about each other. Your memories of sweet Ethan brought tears to my eyes. I Love this digital stamp and no matter how they sell him he will always be "cowboy Ethan" to me. This card is just adorable with the plaid paper pieced shirt and would, in fact, be an adorable announcement, too. Good luck with THAT decision :-) Hugs to you.
Sending you some HUGE {{{HUGS}}} from NY. What a huge range of emotions for you right now... I ♥ your card -- great job with the challenge :)
Thinking of you and saying a prayer for you and your family. Take care of yourself and that precious little girl!
OMG Alicia...I can't believe I'm just now getting around to commenting. I seriously thought I already commented on your card. SO, my apologies friend.
I adore your card! LOVE your colors with that light kraft paper and the light blue patterned paper you used for Cowboy Ethan's shirt, the panels and the tag over the star (which was such a clever way to display your sentiment :) Your coloring is amazing as usual and I LOVE that lasso!!! TOOO cute :O)
Thank you for reminiscing about Ethan with all of us readers. I love reading about his personality and how much he loved his mama (and snuggling with her :). I hope Kale is a love bug like Ethan was...
You continue to be in my prayers girl. I pray you get MORE comfortable during the last month of your pregnancy (is that physically possible?!) and that you get some GOOD sleep before Kale is born!!
I just said a prayer for you and your family. You are in my thoughts and can only imagine how you are missing your little cowboy. God bless you. Love your Cowboy Ethan card. {{{hugs}}}
Oh, Alicia! This is such a special card! Your coloring talents are shining, the paper piecing is divine and your tribute to your dear boy is the most beautiful icing on your sweet creation... You are the definition of poise and raw emotion - I'm so glad. I wish you comfort in those extraordinary memories, the little things. I'm so glad that you are involved with the JUGS challenges - the blog, the TEAM... You guys rock! Take care, sweet gal! I hope you always feel the freedom to share your feelings here in blogland and I hope you feel the awesome force of it's unconditional love right back!
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