Festive Family 2015

My sister-in-law posted these awesome pictures of her beautiful family a couple of weeks ago on Facebook.  I was able to grab them, print them and scrap them.  I had just filled a scrapbook for them and gave it to them this Christmas so this page starts a new scrapbook that I will work on in 2016 for them.

I am entering this page in the December Anything Goes Challenge at Clique Kits.

We are having a very low key New Year's Eve at home.  We will be drinking coffee and Crystal Light and watching hockey.  We are so exciting we probably will not even stay up to usher in the new year.  But my wishes for you are for a prosperous and happy new year filled with everything good.  Thank you for visiting my blog this year.

~~Sandi~~

Sketches in Thyme Project Life Sketch #8

I only recently started using sketches for my pocket pages cards and I really like it.  I used the above sketch from Sketches in Thyme PL (which WAS a bit challenging for me) for this card:

And here is the page documenting this past June that I used the card on:

I just finished my June pages....today I hope to print my July pictures and knock that out today and tomorrow.  What are you working on?

~~Sandi~~

Merry and Bright

I love creating Christmas layouts with the Christmas cards that my sister-in-law sends me of her beautiful family.  This page came together very quickly today using this awesome sketch by Laura Whitaker for Scrap Much?

I am also entering this page in Clique Kits December Anything Goes Challenge

and linking it up to Paper Issues Current Issue....Owl I want for Christmas

Thank you for stopping by tonight....I appreciate your interest in my projects.

~~Sandi~~

Thinking of You.....

Right before Christmas, a dear friend of mine and my husband's had a tragic event happen in her family. She and her children have begun the healing process but I want to continue to let them know that we are thinking of them and available for anything that they might need.  I chose this little girl on the bench from My Favorite Things because the image just seemed appropriate for the sentiment which is from Simon Says Stamp.  I used this awesome sketch 260 from My Favorite Things:

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

Because I added some sparkle from my clear Wink of Stella glitter pen to some of the clouds, I am going to also enter this card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Make it Sparkle Challenge

Thank you for checking out my blog....this is day #6 of our 12 day Christmas break and with nothing much on the agenda except for date night dinner out and then a late night hockey game on TV, I am thinking I should be able to accomplish a great deal of crafting.  So as Arnold would say...."I'll be baaaaack"

~~Sandi~~

Game 5 -- One to Go

If you read my blog with any regularity at all, you know that my hubby and I are BIG hockey fans.  Our team --the Chicago Blackhawks -- won the Stanley Cup this year.  This is the week in my June pocket page documenting that I relived that moment.  For the above card, I used this sketch #5 from Sketches in Thyme Project Life:

And here is the full page that I used the card on:

Yes, I am a bit behind on my pages as I am just finishing up June but I am enjoying reliving one of the most exciting months of my life.  Thanks for stopping by.

~~Sandi~~

Happy Bird-day Alina!

Our niece Alina has a birthday the first part of December that I ALWAYS forget.  And I feel terrible about that.  Alina, who just turned 11 doesn't seem to mind however....she says it gives her something to look forward to once Christmas is over.  I made her this card using Reverse Confetti's Fabulous Flamingos stamp set and matching die.  This is one of my FAVORITE stamp sets and the sentiments are fabulous as well.  I also used the December Sketch For You To Try from Reverse Confetti which is pictured here:

In addition to the sketch challenge I am also entering this card at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- Make it Sparkle.  I used my clear Wink of Stella glitter pen on the flamingo, the narrow lime green panel and the oval sentiment because every girl likes a little sparkle in her life.

Thanks for stopping by on this winter night.  I appreciate your comments.

~~Sandi~~

June Pocket Page

Yes, I am still working on my June pocket pages but I am enjoying myself.  June was a BIG, BUSY month for us and it may take a number of pages and a long time to document it but I do not want to leave anything out.  I do not limit myself to two pages per week because sometimes it takes more than 8 pages to fully document a month.  And quite often since it is just my hubby and I it does not take anywhere near 8 pages.  But this is my album for the year and I make the rules!  Thant is the beauty of this hobby -- there is no right or wrong way to do it.  I used this sketch #6 from Sketches in Thyme Project Life for one of my cards:

Here is the card I created with it:

And here is the page that I used it on:

I am working on some more June pages and some cards so I will be back shortly for more to share.  Thanks for stopping by.

~~Sandi~~

Giveaway Winner!

Random.org chose the winner of my Starbucks Gift card from the Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  And the winner is:

Simplybren

Please contact me as soon as you can so I can send you your gift card!

Congratulations!

~~Sandi~~

Just a Touch.....

For this card I used just a touch of silver on it.  The die cut word MERRY is heat embossed in silver embossing powder.  I looks great in real life but unfortunately the embossing powder did not photograph too well.  I just  LOVE the die cut frame which is from the Simon Says Stamp die set Holiday Frames.

I am entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Just a Pinch of.... Challenge

and

Die Cuttin' Divas Christmas Anything Goes Challenge

Thanks for checking out my card....Merry Christmas to you and yours.

~~Sandi~~

Die Crazy

I finished up the last few Christmas cards that I had to make and this was one of them.  The frame and those snowflakes are from the exclusive Simon Says Stamp die set called Holiday Frames.  I love it and used it a LOT this year.  This is one of my favorite cards with it and it was quick and easy.

I am entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Die Crazy Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.

~~Sandi~~

An Elfin' Merry Christmas

This little Elf is from the Paper Dolls Cricut cartridge and the frame is a Simon Says Stamp exclusive die from a set called Holiday Frames.  It is one of my favorites and I have used it a bunch of times already this Christmas season.  It is so versatile however because it looks different every time I use it.

I am entering this card in these challenges:

Die Cuttin' Divas Christmas Anything Goes Challenge #246

and Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge -- Die Crazy 

Thanks for stopping by tonight. I hope most of your holiday preparations are complete and you can now rest, relax and enjoy the season.

~~Sandi~~

Giveaway!! Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop #6

Welcome to my 6th card for the Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop and a Giveaway!! I will be using Random.org to chose a random comment for a $10 Starbucks gift card.  Yay!  How fun is that?

I whipped this card up tonight as I still had 3 more cards to make to complete sending out my Christmas cards for this year.  I used the sketch from My Favorite Things:

 Those adorable travel mugs are Cottage Cutz dies and the frame is a die from the exclusive Simon Says Stamp Holiday Frames set.  I am entering this card in their Wednesday Die Crazy Challenge. 

Don't forget to leave my a comment to have a chance at a Starbucks gift card....I love reading your comments. I will announce the winner Sunday night so please check back to see the winner.

~~Sandi~~

Merry Christmas

I am just finishing up my last few Christmas cards and savoring the process.  I think that Christmas cards are my favorite cards to produce but then again in another month I will probably be saying that about Valentine's Day cards.  I just love making cards lately.  For the above card I was going for a clean and simple look and used this sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch:

Isn't that Lawn Fawn Winter Penguin absolutely adorable?  I just love him to death....he has appeared on more than one or two of my cards this season because he makes me smile.  I hope he brings a smile to my cousin Colleen in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee......that is where is headed to tomorrow.

I am almost done with my Christmas cards....4 more to go!  How are you doing?

~~Sandi~~

Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop #5

Welcome to Day #5 of the Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  After working a 10 hour day I was able to come home and create a card tonight  so I am pretty proud of myself!  I was greatly inspired by this sketch from the December Stack-a-holic challenge at DCWV:

And here is my card:

The red patterned paper is from the DCWV Seaside Yacht Stack, the solid green and black cardstock is from the Chalkboard Stack and the red corrugated banner from (obviously) the Corrugate Stack. The sentiment "Winter Wishes" is a freebie download from Julee Tilman on the Verve website and is only available until December 25th.  Click HERE to get your own copy.  I have used sentiments and images from that awesome freebie on several of my cards for this bloghop.

Thanks for stopping by tonight...I hope you are linking up some coffee, tea or cocoa themed projects in this fun bloghop.

~~Sandi~~

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop #4

Here is another coffee themed card that I made for the Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop  I really loved the sketch from Mojo Monday and so I decided to use it again this time instead of with a snowflake theme I used the free digital download that Julee Tilman was offering on the Verve blog for my coffee cup images and sentiment.  The download is available only for a limited time so you will want to go HERE as soon as possible to download your freebie.  Here is my card:

This is the sketch I used from Mojo Monday:

Thank you for stopping by my blog and I hope you will continue to stop in all week for more projects and (I hope) inspiration!

~~Sandi~~

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Day 3

I am back with my Day 3 card for the Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  I hope you are linking up your projects also because there is not only loads of inspiration there are also some awesome prizes.  For this card I used Corri Garza's sketch for Paper Issues:

The sentiment was another freebie from Julee Tilman on the Verve website.  It is only available for a limited time so go HERE if you would like your own digital copy....there are some awesome coffee cup images as well as some other wonderful sentiments.  Julee really outdid herself when designing these and then she is generously giving them away.  I think I need to print myself off another sheet because I really like them. That adorable coffee mug paper is from Echo Park.  I {might} have bought several sheets of it....lol

I am also entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday holiday card challenge.

Thanks for stopping by my blog....I really am enjoying this Holiday Blog Hop and all the traffic it is bringing to my blog.  I will try to visit you blog too if you tell me that you are also participating.

~~Sandi~~

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

I am on a roll making cards today and this is one of my favorite ones that I have cranked out so far.  For the sentiment I used a freebie digital from Julee Tilman on the Verve website.  Click HERE to get it for yourself but hurry, it is only available for a limited time. I used the Mojo Monday sketch #427 for this card:

I am entering this card in their sketch challenge and also in the CAS-ual Chic Snowflake challenge.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I really appreciate you taking the time to check out my creations.

~~Sandi~~

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Take 2

Here is my second card for the Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  I actually had this card done yesterday which was Day 2 of the hop but we were out a good part of the afternoon and evening so I did not get to do this blog post until now.  But we had an awesome time last night at the St. Augustine Yacht Club Holiday Regatta.  A regatta is basically a parade on water with decorated boats instead of floats.  It started after dark and was absolutely breathtaking.  I had a touch of the holiday blues earlier in the day but the night in St. Augustine brought back that holly jolly feeling.  Here is the card I created for day #2:

I used this awesome sketch from My Favorite Things:

I am entering this card in the MFT sketch challenge, and the Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday Holiday themed card challenge.

The sentiment is a freebie from Julee Tilman on the Verve website (click HERE to get this limited time freebie for yourself) and the die cut coffee cup is from Cottage Cutz.  The snowflake die is from Spellbinders.

Well, I just poured myself my 3rd cup of coffee and I am going to do some more blogging. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

~~Sandi~~

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Welcome to Day #1 of the Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop!  Right off the bat I want to thank Amy Tsurunta for putting together this blog hop.  This is the 6th time she has done this and each time it has gotten bigger and better.  There are loads of Super Sponsors offering prizes, free downloads, and gorgeous coffee, tea and hot cocoa themed projects for inspiration. I hope to have several projects to share with you over the next week.  Here is my first project.  

I heat embossed my Avery Elle sentiment and steamy squiggles with white embossing powder on a lovely dark woodgrain paper.  I wanted to keep my card rather clean and simple so I just added some awesome wood veneers that I won on the last blog hop.  If you want to enter a project, or comment on the lovely entries or even win an awesome prize, go HERE.

The hop runs for a week and there will be some flash prizes given away during the week.....if you enter a project, please come back here and tell me what entry # you are so I can visit your blog and be inspired.

~~Sandi~~

Winter Owl Tag

Even though I have had this Lawn Fawn Winter Owl stamp for a couple of years now, it is one of my favorites. Here I stamped it, colored it with Copic markers and used the coordinating Lawn Cut to cut it out.  Then I placed the little owl on a tag that I had cut from some paper that I had been playing on with some of Tim Holtz' distress inks.  I added some heat embossed snowflakes from the Lawn Fawn Winter Penguin stamp set and just part of the Love You Tons sentiment and this tag was finished.

I am entering this in the Lawnscaping Challenge #119 -- Tag It

I am also entering this sweet little tag in the Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Tag It Challenge

I am not sure if I am going to use this tag on a gift or put it on a card or just look at it for awhile.  What do you usually do with your tags?

~~Sandi~~

When You Stop Believing......

I have been waiting for a couple of years to make this fun card for my grandsons.  I wanted to let Cole enjoy believing in Santa for as long as possible.  But at the age of 10 my son said that Cole only playfully believes so I thought this year would be fun to make a couple of cards for Cole and his older brother Jacob.  Of course I am attaching this to a gift of....you guessed it....UNDERWEAR!  I wish I was there for the fun on Christmas but if I know my son, he will take pictures and the boys will call me.  

I bought the large sentiment stamp at Michael's a couple of years ago and the underwear image is from Unity Stamps. I am entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp's Monday Holly Jolly Stamping Challenge

Thanks for stopping by my blog....I hope your visit was pleasant.

~~Sandi~~

Season's Tweetings Tag Card

Does anyone have a few extra hours in their day that they can loan me?  I promise I will make good use of them.  Boy, oh boy, am I a busy woman these days.  My shopping is done but since the vast majority of our family is out of town I have to ship all the gifts from Florida to the Midwest.  I say every year that next year everyone is getting gifts cards but I just love picking out some fun and special gifts for the ones I love.  I got about halfway through the wrapping today and will finish tomorrow.  I will probably haul it all to UPS on Tuesday after work with my hubby's help.  I expect to spend nearly $100 in shipping. Whew!

Anyway I made this above card for the Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge #244 which is to pick out and use my favorite sketch of theirs from this year.  I love their September sketch and used it to make my card.  Here is the awesome sketch:

I used these die-cuts:

The Lawn Fawn die is called Forest Border.  This Technique Tuesday tag die I use continually.  So much, in fact I do not even put it away.  It is permanently on my desk.  I use it a lot to cut banners for my layouts.

I am also entering this card in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Let it Snow Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope to be back tomorrow with another crafty project to share.

~~Sandi~~

June 2015 Part 1

Please excuse the really crappy photo of my first page documenting this past June.  I worked on this page until after dark last night and had to take it to work to photograph it.  I leave for work in the dark and come home in the dark this time of year....it seriously sucks. So I had to take this picture in the parking lot (can you see the asphalt? lol) and it was windy so I could not take the cards out of the pockets.  I will take a better picture over the weekend but for now since the challenge deadline is only 3 hours away, this will have to do.  I used this sketch from Sketches in Thyme Project Life for the left side of my title card in the upper left hand corner.   

Here is a photo of just that card:

I have never used sketches for any of my Project Life cards before and now that I have done it 3 times, I rather like it.

Thanks for stopping by tonight.  I don't know about you, but I am REALLY glad Monday is over.

~~Sandi~~