Week #49 with Elle's Studio

I LOVE doing my December Project Life pages.  This is the first week of December so we knee deep in decorating and wrapping.  Luckily we got all our shopping done in November this year.  I used 3 tags from Elle's Studio Good Cheer collection on the left hand page.

I used three 3x4 journaling cards, some paper and a strip that says "Documenting December" all from the Good Cheer collection.  Here are how the 2 pages look together:

 I am entering this in the the current issue at Paper Issues -- Making it Merry.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday and the upcoming new year is one of your best yet.

~~Sandi~~

Such a Beautiful Little Lady

This is my sweet little granddaughter Izzy wearing the Christmas outfit that my hubby and I sent her. She turned 3 in August and is growing up more and more.  She lives in the Midwest and we live in Florida so I am really missing her and my whole family....it is especially hard this time of year.  But scrapping their pictures and preserving their memories for them helps me feel closer to them.

I used this awesome sketch from My Mind's Eye and am entering it in their December Sketch challenge.

Everything on the page is My Mind's Eye ....except the 2 rhinestones and the alphas that spell out IZZY.  I mixed and matched from at least 3 collections -- Miss Caroline, Boy Crazy, and Fine and Dandy.  There are probably some other collections as well.  I have a big drawer full of MME goodies and I kept pulling out awesome stuff to use.

Thanks for stopping by my blog....I hope you are enjoying your holidays....I sure am.

~~Sandi~~

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas Eve!

Dave and I are spending a quiet day and evening by ourselves.  I realized yesterday that I had not made a card for my wonderful husband.  I have made nearly 50 Christmas cards this year but not a one of them for Dave.  Today is the last day to enter the Lawn Fawn Merry Christmas challenge and I had a brand new little Winter Penguin stamp and die set that I hadn't used yet.  So I spent a little time in my room while Dave was gaming and worked on this card.  

It is my first attempt at using a stencil and texture paste and I don't think it turned out too bad.  I love the little penguin and I die cut those snowy hills with my Lawn fawn dies and stamped the sentiment directly on them. You cannot really tell from the photo but I die cut a  fun "window" in the front of the card and the cute little winter scene is adhered to the inside of the card.  I gave it to Dave tonight a little bit ago when we were opening our gifts and he seemed impressed.

I am also entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge

and

The current issue at Paper Issues -- Making It Merry

Thanks for stopping by tonight....Merry Christmas!!

~~Sandi~~

My Favorite Hello

This past summer my husband and I visited with all my family up in the Midwest (Illinois and Indiana to be exact) When we left, we brought my grandsons Jake, age 12 and Cole, age 8 back to Florida for 6 days.  It was their first plane trip and first trip away from home without their parents. We had an incredible time and needless to say the hardest thing for me to do was to put them on that plane and and send them home.  When I saw this quote online recently I jotted it down and knew it would be the PERFECT title for a layout with this picture.  I used Bella Blvd's Max collection but the alphas are all from the Hello Autumn collection.

I used this sketch from Boys Rule Scrapbooking Kits:

I am entering it in their sketch challenge.  You can see all the details HERE.

Well today is Christmas Eve and Dave and I are alone today and tomorrow but it is all good.  We love being with each other and plan on doing a Christmas movie marathon later today on our new 3D Ultra HD TV and have a traditional seafood feast.  We will open gift after dinner and spend tomorrow talking to family on the phone and playing with our new toys. Friday is a workday for us....bah humbug.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and Merry Christmas!

~~Sandi~~

My Favorite Things Sketch #207

Just when I think I am done creating Christmas cards I think of someone else that I want to make one for.  This card is for my hairdresser. My husband made her a Chicago style stuffed pizza and I wanted to make a card to go along with it.  I used this sketch from My Favorite Things:

I also was inspired by this winter themed board at Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Winter Inspiration.  I was especially inspired to add the cute little red bird.  

And finally I am also entering this cute little card in the Curtain Call Candy Cane Inspiration challenge.  When I saw this candy cane wreath, I knew I had the perfect to create a card for this challenge. I also stuck completely to the red/white color scheme.

That is about it....so glad it is Friday night!  I cleaned up my scraproom tonight so I can work in a clean space the rest of the weekend.  I create much better when my room is clean and tidy.

~~Sandi~~

Sketch-n-Scrap card

All my Christmas cards have been mailed and probably even received by now.  It is a good feeling to be done with all the "must do's" and now I can do some crafting for fun....

I used this neat sketch from Sketch-n-Scrap for my card:

That is about it for tonight....tomorrow is Friday and this is the last 5 day work week in my schedule for awhile....so happy for that.

Thanks for stopping by.

~~Sandi~~

Our Hearts Belong to Daddy

My typical work day is 9.5-10 hours plus another 1.5-2 hours in commuting.  At my age, that is a LONG day.  So it is not surprising that most nights after work about all I do is sit and check out my emails and social media on the computer and then move to the couch for a little time with the hubs and the TV before hitting the sheets.  I am rarely "in the mood" to be creative.  I think about what I want to create all day at work but do not have the energy most nights to spend any real time in my scraproom.

The exception to this usual scenario is when I am REALLY inspired.  Many different things inspire me but most often it is a sketch.  That is what happened with this sketch.  I have had it on my mind to work with this awesome sketch from Paper Issues Sketchy Sketch.

So I started to work on it last night and finished it up this evening after work.  I took this picture last July when we were visiting my son, his beautiful wife (who, unfortunately did not get in this picture) and my 2 beautiful granddaughters.

There are a couple more days to play with this sketch and upload your creation to Paper Issues....AND there IS a prize....LOL  Check out all the details HERE.  I hope you get inspired to get creative also.  I am also entering this page in Simon Says Stamp's Monday Anything Goes Challenge;

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

~~Sandi~~

Gift Card Holder

I have THE BEST nail technician.  Her name is Sandra and I love her.  She is so sweet, gentle with my toesies and files my fingernails perfectly square.  She also does awesome nail art when I want it.  And wax my eyebrows??  I never knew my eyebrows even had an arch until she started waxing them.  So I wanted to give her a special gift this holiday season.  I finally decided on a gift card from Kohl's because after all, who doesn't love Kohl's? I made a special gift card holder for her gift card and was very happy with how it turned out.

I am entering this little project in the following challenges:

Scrap It Girl Wrap It Up challenge

and 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Anything Goes challenge

I am ALL caught up with my holiday TO DO list and everything I am doing now is to relax and enjoy the holiday.  How is your TO DO list coming???

~~Sandi~~

Ho Ho Ho....Believe

A couple of weeks ago I did not think I would be able to send out any Christmas cards this year but I buckled down and got busy.  Out of the 60 cards that I just finished sending out over 2/3 of them were handmade.  I needed to make 2 more this weekend and this is one of them that I knocked out on Sunday afternoon.  I used this great sketch from Paper Issues Sketchy Saturday:

I am also linking this up to the current Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge -- Anything Goes.

I used my Good Cheer collection from Elle's Studio which made it a snap to put this card together.  After a trip to the very busy post office today, this card is now on it it's way to a dear family member.  I am so glad I perservered and got my cards done.  How about you?  Are you sending out cards this year?

~~Sandi~~

Be Jolly

I was able to whip up my final 3 Christmas cards that I needed today in under an hour.  I used my Elle's Studio Good Cheer collection for all of them.  I just love how this one turned out.  I used this sketch from My Favorite Things:

I am entering this in the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #206

Edited to add: I am also  entering this card in Paper Issues current issue -- Making It Merry.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I love it when you leave me a comment.

~~Sandi~~

The Tree Chose Us

I was excited last Sunday night when my son posted this picture of my grandsons on Facebook and Instagram of their annual trip to cut down their Christmas tree.  This is what he wrote on Instagram...."you can't jus pick a tree, man. the christmas tree picks you.." So I used that for my title.  I also added a cute little shaker in the upper left part of the layout just for fun and some wood patterns and veneers just to reinforce the tree theme.  Everything on this page is from The Good Cheer collection by Elle's Studio.  I even used their December sketch:

 I love, love, love this collection and intend to use up every shred of it this year.  I hope my family in the Midwest posts lots of pictures from this holiday season for my to scrap.  It is going to be perfect for documenting my December weeks in my Project Life album.  

I am entering this page over at Elle's Studio.  You can see all the details HERE.  

There are some awesome prizes to be won.


Edited 1/7/2015 to add:
I am linking this up to the current issue at Paper Issues -- Popping the Cork With Elle's Studio 

Well today's To Do list is long and I have lingered on the computer long enough.  I may be back later in the day to post today's projects that I plan to do.  Thanks for stopping by.

~~Sandi~~

 

Bling It On

This style of card is called a "gap card" because there is a "gap" or an empty space right in the middle of the card.  I saw of couple examples of them on Pinterest and after the holidays when I have a little more time, I am going to play around with the design since I like the look.

I whipped this card up the other night in just a few minutes as I was also wrapping my son's family's gifts to get them shipped the next day.  I made this card for my granddaughters, Abby and Izzy.  I added rhinestones to the reindeers' collars and Rudolph's nose.  The little female deer got a pearl on her nose.

I am entering this in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Bling It On challenge.

How are you coming along with your Christmas To Do list?  I have one more box of gifts to ship on Monday but it is just going from Florida to North Carolina so I am not worried about it getting there on time.  My Christmas cards are 1/2 sent and the rest will go out on Monday.  So I am nearly at the point of being able to sit back, take a deep sign and enjoy the holiday season.  I hope you can enjoy the magic also.

~~Sandi~~

My Last Post on The Stick It Down DT

This is my last post as a member of the Stick it Down card sketch design team.  I have really enjoyed my 6 months and the wonderful sketches that I was given to work with and this sketch is no exception:

I decided to do an inlaid sentiment with my Law Fawn JOY die.....I just love it don't you?

  I used Doodlebug's Santa's Express papers which have to be the cutest and most fun papers out this Christmas season.  I hope you will get inspired to play with this sketch and link up a card....you can get all the details and link it up HERE.

I am entering this card in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Christmas/Holiday Projects.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and thank you to the wonderful ladies at Stick it Down challenges for asking me to be on their team.

~~Sandi~~

All Is Calm

I got a new stamp set a couple of days ago and could not wait to ink it up.  It is the Winter Wishes set from Neat & Tangled and I love it.  I paired it up with this pretty sketch from My Favorite Things:

I had some beautiful Snowflake Tinsel embossing powder from Ranger in my stash that I had never opened.  I used it on the trees and snowflakes and it is absolutely so lovely...I wish you could see how glimmery it is in real life.  The camera just doesn't catch the sparkle.  

In addition to the sketch challenge at My Favorite Things I am also entering my card in Little Tangles Embossing challenge.

Well it is back to work tomorrow after being off nearly all last week with bronchitis.  I am feeling a bit better but I tire easily so I better get a good night's rest tonight.  Thank you so much for dropping by and have a lovely week.

~~Sandi~~

Shaking it Up

I am really enjoying making interactive shaker cards this Christmas season.  I guess you could say that I am really "shaking it up" this year....LOL.  Yeah, yeah I know that's corny but I love silly puns.  When I saw the latest sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch I was stumped until I had an ah-ha moment -- I would use this sketch for a shaker card!!

I used a transparency for the front of the shaker and adhered the JOY die cut from Lawn Fawn right to the front of the acetate:

In addition to the sketch challenge at CTS, I am also entering this card in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Holiday Theme Challenge

I am finally starting to feel a bit better....this bronchitis and sinus infection kicked my booty.  Thank goodness for antibiotics!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

~~Sandi~~

Merry & Bright

One of my favorite holiday color combinations is blue/silver/white.  In fact, next year it is our plan to buy a 9 ft. white pencil Christmas tree and decorate it in white lights and silver/blue/white beach-inspired ornaments.

I was inspired by the blue, white and silver in this inspiration photo from Curtain Call Challenges:

I have never entered their challenges but I am thrilled to do so this time.

I used this beautiful sketch from Mojo Monday and I am entering it in their sketch challenge.

 I am also entering this card in Simon Says Stamp's Monday Holiday Card Challenge 

and 

My Craft Spot's challenge to Let Your Sentiment Be the Focal Point.

That's it for now.....I found out today that I have bronchitis and a sinus infection so I need to go lay on the couch and watch some Christmas programming.  I am hoping these drugs kick in soon.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

~~Sandi~~

Warm Wishes

I love this stamp set from Neat & Tangled.  Rarely have I had a stamp that creates an image so crisp and clean.  I just love embossing with it.  I used this sketch from Sugar Pea Designs for my card:

I am entering this card not only in the Sugar Pea sketch challenge but also Simon Says Stamp's Monday Holiday Card Challenge

and

My Craft Spot's Sentiment as the Focal Point Challenge

I have been home sick all week from work trying to kick this terrible head/chest thing.  But it is winning so I am breaking down and going to the doctor tomorrow for a z-pack as I think it has become an upper respiratory thing now.  AND my hubby came home from work sick tonight also.  Fun....I see a weekend coming up on the couch sharing a box of Kleenex.  Good thing all our Christmas decorating is done.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

~~Sandi~~

White on White

I love white on white cards at holiday time.  They just look so elegant.  So when the new Lawnscaping challenge was a White On White challenge I knew I would have to give it a shot. 

I broke out my brand new Scripty JOY die, my rarely used Martha Stewart glitter, a few sequins and a couple of embossing folders and got to work.  I like the final product but unfortunately a white on white card is NOT easy to photograph but I gave it my best shot.

I am entering this card not only at the Lawnscaping Challenge but also at the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Wednesday Challenge which features Lawn Fawn products.  Have I mentioned that Lawn Fawn is in my Top 3 favorite stamp companies?  I love their whimsical, sweet images and awesome funky fonts.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.....I would be thrilled if you left a comment.

~~Sandi~~

MFT Card -- Joy to the World

I love the card sketches from the My Favorite Things blog.  I also love their stamps and dies although I do not own any yet.  But I am hoping that if I keep entering their sketch challenges sooner or later I will win and then I can start to build my supply of MFT goodies.  I used this sketch on the above card:

I am also entering this card in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Anything Goes challenge.

Well I am home sick with a bad cold/upper respiratory thing from work today and need to get back on the couch with my pillow, blanket, box of Kleenex, bottle of water the tv remote and my Kindle.  Thanks for stopping by.  I would love it if you left me a comment.

~~Sandi~~

Photo Bomb

My grandsons have very different personalities.  Jake, the older one is quiet reserved and soft spoken.  Cole, the younger brother is the polar opposite.  This photo that my talented son took captures that.  I used this sketch from My Scraps and More Sketches:

Most of the supplies used are from October Afternoon.  The round sentiments are my Ali Edwards stampe and the alphas in the title are Bella Blvd.  (What ever am I going to do when I run out of white Bella Blvd alphas???)

In addition to the sketch challenge I am also entering this page in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Anything Goes challenge.

Thanks for stopping in to see my layout....I really appreciate any comments you leave me/

~~Sandi~~

Wish

I am not feeling very well today.  I feel like I am coming down with a bad chest cold.  That is very unusual for me.  In the late 80's I worked in a child care center and at that time I think I caught every cold known to man.  In the 13 years that I have known my husband this would only be the second time I got sick with a cold.  Sick or not, I wanted to create a card with this awesome sketch from Sketch-n-Scrap and today is the deadline.  So I got it done....and I like it.  

In addition to entering it over at Sketch-n-Scrap, I am also entering it at Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday.  The theme this month are holiday projects.

Well I am going to retire to the couch with my pillow, blankie and cold medicine.  Thanks for stopping by to check out my blog.

~~Sandi~~

Easy Bakin'

Another awesome sketch from Creative Scrappers that I just HAD to play with.  I used pictures of my granddaughter with her new Easy Bake oven that we gave her last Christmas.  I actually tried to scrap these photos once before and FAILED.  Has that ever happened to you?  I wasted 3 good sheets of patterned paper also in the process.  So I put the already matted photos aside and waited several months until this sketch came along and inspiration struck.

Please excuse the poor photography....it was very late last night when I was photographing this page.  In addition to entering it over at Creative Scrappers, I am also entering this page in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge Anything Goes.

Well I have to run....this is the last day of my 4 day Thanksgiving weekend and I have a bunch of projects (like finishing the Christmas decorating) left to do before going to back to work (ugh) tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

~~Sandi~~

Love These Girls

I found this picture on my computer a couple of weeks ago and could not believe that I had never scrapped it.  This is the first (and last) time my granddaughters ever went to a photographer to get their pictures taken.  My daughter-in-law said it was such a horrendous experience that she never did it again...LOL.  It seems that neither of the girls were very cooperative and there were only about 3 pictures for a 45 minute session that even somewhat turned out.  This was one of them and of course I think it is cute.  Thank goodness they both go to school now and get school pictures taken -- and I believe they are a bit more cooperative.

I used this sketch from Stuck? Sketches and an entering it on their blog with just minutes to spare.

I am also linking this page up to Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday Holiday Theme.

I am staying up late tonight creating in my scraproom so stay tuned....I will have more to share.

~~Sandi~~

Holly Jolly Shaker Card

I have really been enjoying making shaker cards.  I am watching loads of tutorials and finding the best way to make them that works for me. Here is another card I made using this sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch:

 I am also linking this page up to Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday Holiday Theme.

There is still time for you to link up your entry...I would love to see your take on this sketch.

Well back to my Christmas decorating......pictures coming soon!

~~Sandi~~