Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Again, please excuse the poor photography of my layout....this Florida weather (and most of the country's weather) has been difficult this winter.  Here we have had one dreary, chilly day after another.  I know it is better than the weather that most of the country is experiencing but it is out of the ordinary for us here.  So I have been forced to photograph my pages in my photo booth which frankly is much more suited to photographing cards than 12x12 pages.

I really like how this layout turned out.  Have you ever been working on a project and just not liking it until the very end when you step back and take a look?  That was how it was with this page.  When it was finally done, I looked at it and said "Hey, that's not so bad!! I rather like it"  My hubby and I have a real weakness for diner food.  It is our guilty pleasure.  We also like to take notes while watching Guy Fieri's show and visit some of the same places that he visits.  I decided to document all that with this retro diner inspired page.

I used this perfect sketch from Lasting Memories for my layout:

And I am entering it in their month long food themed challenge.  Details are HERE.

~~Sandi~~

A Day in the Sunshine

I loved the February 15th sketch from Stuck? Sketches this month and thought it would be perfect for a throwback picture from 31 years ago.....1984.  That is me with my two little boys who are not so little anymore!  Sorry for the awful picture....the Sunshine State has not been living up to it's name recently.

Here is the sketch I used:

The challenge is still open until the end of the month if you would like to use the sketch and link up an entry.  You can see all the details HERE.

~~Sandi~~

Lawnscaping's 100th Challenge

I love Lawn Fawn stamps and the Lawnscaping challenge blog.  When I saw they were celebrating their 100th challenge, I knew I had to play along.  My granddaughter Abby's 7th birthday is coming up and in addition to the TON of clothes I bought her (I just LOVE buying cute little girl clothes), Dave and I are giving her a Visa gift card and taking her out to breakfast and then shopping anywhere she wants to go for her birthday.  I am so excited that we will be able to share her birthday with her this year.  Living 1000 miles away, I miss many of the celebrations.

I used my Lawn Fawn gift bag die and all the papers, twine, sequins and even the little flair badge is from Lawn Fawn.  This bag is just the perfect size for come confetti and the gift card.

There are still a few more days to enter the Lawnscaping challenge the theme of which (naturally) is a Birthday Celebration.  You can see the details HERE.

I am also entering this project in Red Carpet Studios My Fair Lady Challenge which is to create a girly project with lots of layers.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my project....the weekend is over and now it is on to Monday....ugh.

~~Sandi~~

Surrounded by Love

I am almost done with my wedding album.....lol it will be 12 years this May that Dave and I got married but in my defense I have only been scrapping 7 of those years.  This is one of my favorite pages so far that I have created.  I used this awesome sketch from My Scraps and More Sketches:

I am entering it in their sketch #99 challenge....there is still time to enter.  You can see the detail HERE.

I am also entering this in Red Carpet Studios Casablanca Challenge...to use black/white and one other color.

Thanks for stopping by...hope your weekend was wonderful.  Mine was.

~~Sandi~~

With Sympathy

I have not made many sympathy cards....I think they are difficult to make given the emotion of the situation.  This past week however I decided to keep it simple and elegant.  I went with classic black and white with an embossed background and a simple heat embossed sentiment.

I am entering this in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -- Add a Little Texture

It's the weekend.  I hope you are not snowed in where you live and are able to get out and do something fun.  Dave and I are going out to breakfast in a couple of hours (I am up REALLY early this morning) in St. Augustine and then on to do some sightseeing, shopping and walking around a really cool area of Jacksonville Beach that we recently discovered.

I will be back to post more later....promise.

~~Sandi~~

So Happy Together

I am not much of a 2 page layout scrapper.  I rarely have enough photos to warrant a 2 pager.  But last summer while visiting with the family up in the midwest we all went blueberry picking and I got a number of decent pictures.  It was such a fun day that I wanted to document the day and a couple of collages and this awesome sketch were perfect for telling my story.  I used Elle's Studio Sycamore Lane which is a fall themed collection but it worked perfectly for my summer layout.  Here is the sketch by Laura Whittaker from Scrap Much?:

As you can see I stayed pretty true to the sketch which is also a little unusual for me.  I love the way the 2 pages flow together.  Here are some close ups of each page:

We got a TON of blueberries and the next morning I made blueberry pancakes but that is another possible 2 pager.  There is still time to work with this sketch and link yours up.  You can see the details HERE....and did I mention ....there is a prize!!  Woo hoo!

Thanks for dropping in and checking out my blog.

~~Sandi~~

Happy Bee-day

I recently bought February's Swag Bag from Paper Issues shop.  What is a swag bag, you ask? It is a bag of fun little embellishments and journal cards usually built loosely around a theme. In February there was lots of Valentines goodies and other little pretties.  Cassie Box, the owner of Paper Issues does an awesome job of putting them together all for the low price under $10.  

I used the card sketch from Paper Issues for this card for my niece's upcoming birthday.  Except for the enamel dots and blue bumblebee background paper everything is from my swag bag.  I used my Lawn Fawn alpha stamps to create the sentiment.

 

I am linking this card up to the Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday.

 

I have been creatively very productive this week so I have lots to share....I hope you will continue to check out my blog....I love visitors!!

~~Sandi~~

Happy Bird-Day

I live in Florida.  I love flamingos....they are a kitschy symbol of the Sunshine State and I fully embrace them.  I made this card for a friend's birthday.  She lives in the Midwest where it is currently cold and snowy but she and her hubby own a beach front condo not far from me here in Florida.  I wanted to make her homesick for her condo.  I love it when she and her hubby are in town because the 4 of us get along very well and laugh all the time.

I used my Reverse Confetti stamp and die set for this card.  It is currently my favorite set....I can make flamingos in every color of the rainbow!!  I also used their sketch to design this card:

I am entering this card in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday All Creatures Great and Small challenge.

Thanks for stopping by....my work week is 40% over....how is yours going?

~~Sandi~~

Our Blessings

I am working on filling up a scrapbook for Dave's brother and his wife Cheri of their family.  With 4 kids now and working full time, I know that my sister-in-law does not have the time to scrap.  She takes loads of pictures and every once in awhile I knock out a page with their beautiful children.  This was Christmas 2013 and since then little Rosie has come to complete their family...but that is another page.

I used the Elle's Studio collection Good Cheer and their February sketch:

I am entering this layout in Red Carpet Studio's Casablanca challenge to use black and white and one other color.

Thanks for joining me to check out what is new on my blog....I love reading your comments.

~~Sandi~~

Reliving the Memories

As I fill a scrapbook up for my sons or grandchildren, I send them up to them to enjoy and keep.  Recently I sent three filled books to my son Adam and here is a picture he sent back to me after they arrived....a picture of my grandson Cole on a Saturday afternoon looking at one of the scrapbooks and reliving the memories.  This picture warmed my heart.  This is why I scrapbook.  The heartfelt journaling was inspired by this writing by Lain Ehmann that I found on Pinterest:

I used Bella Blvd's All American collection & this awesome sketch from Paper Issues Sketchy Saturday 

There is still time for you to play with this great sketch.....link up your page and you could win a credit to the Paper Issues store.  Cassie has loads of new goodies coming in the store every week.

Thanks for checking in with me.  Aren't you glad Monday is nearly over?

~~Sandi~~

I (heart) Your Smile

Last summer my nearly 3 year old granddaughter Izzy did not want to have her picture taken AT ALL.  Well this is just unacceptable for the grandchild of a scrapbooker.  Plus I only get to see my grandchildren once or if I am REALLY lucky, twice a year so I needed to get some pictures of my youngest granddaughter.  Luckily I was able to get some candid shots when she had no idea I was taking her picture.  We will be making another trip out there in a few weeks and I am hoping she will be much more cooperative.

I used this PageMaps sketch for this page:

I am entering this page in Red Carpet Studios My Fair Lady challenge to make a girly project with lots of layers.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.....I hope your weekend was as wonderful as mine and now it is back to work tomorrow. Ugh.....

~~Sandi~~

Beautiful Smile

My granddaughter is getting ready to turn 7 and as most 1st graders do, she is finding that her baby teeth are falling out. On a recent snowy morning she yanked her very loose front tooth out herself and had mom take a picture "for Grandma".  Of course I had to scrap it. I used some vintage Bella Blvd papers and my new stamps and dies from Technique Tuesday along with some adorable teeth die cuts.  I layered the "teeth" on my banner that I punched with my Stampin' Up banner punch.  I was thinking of letting that punch go in a recent fit of destashing and I am so glad now that I didn't.  I do not often add banners to my pages but that handy little punch is perfect for when I do. I used lots of purple on this page also because that is Abby's favorite color (mine too when I was growing up).  I used this sketch from PageMaps for a sketch challenge at A Cherry On Top:

I am entering this layout in the Scrap Your Stash w-a-s-h-i challenge.

W- washi tape (the vertical stripes and florals strips across the middle of the page are washi tapes)

A- alpha stickers (the white Basic Gray mini-alphas) & arrow (pointing at her tooth)

S - square (polka dot paper is 10 inches square) & stamps (used smiley face & sentiment from Technique Tuesday)

H - heart on the journaling card

I - incisors (tooth die cuts on the banner) & ink for the stamping


I am also entering this layout in Clique Kits Anything Goes challenge.


Edited 8/13/15 to add:  I am linking this page up to Paper Issues current issue -- It's All About The Face.

Today I received this emailed picture:

Her other front tooth came out!!!!  Looks like I will be scrapping a companion page to this page!!!  Can't wait to see Abby and all the other grandkids and family in 3 more weeks!

Thanks for stopping by today....Happy Valentines Day!

~~Sandi~~

Sending You a Little Something

I am slipping this card in right under the wire for the sketch challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch.  I really loved it when I saw it last week and I am glad I got a few moments to create this card.   I used one of my Avery Elle stamp sets...."Sending You...."


I am also entering this card in Clique Kits February Anything Goes Challenge

Thanks for stopping by to check out my creation.  I love to read your comments.

~~Sandi~~

Water Coloring is a Challenge

I am a very lucky gal....my husband Dave completely supports my hobby.  For Christmas he gave me a couple of awesome sets of watercolors including a beautiful set of Japanese watercolors in the most wonderful, shimmery colors.  I am still learning the technique but each time I play with them I get a bit better.  I used an aqua shade from the Japanese set of water colors for this card and my favorite Neat & Tangled sentiment was stamped and heat embossed with silver embossing powder using the water color resist technique.  I also cut an oval frame with my dies and embossed that with silver embossing powder as well. It was fun and I really love the final result.

I am entering this card in:

Little Tangles Challenge #53 Watercolor

&

CAS-ual Fridays Must Love Watercolor Challenge
&
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday

Thank you for stopping by my blog and checking out my project.

~~Sandi~~

Happy 7th Birthday

I cannot believe that my sweet granddaughter Abby is going to be 7 years old next month.  And I am soooo excited that we are going to be able to go up to the midwest to celebrate her golden birthday on March 7th.  In anticipation, I made her card this past weekend when my new goodies that I ordered from JoAnns.com.

I used this DCWV February Stack-a-Holic card sketch:

I also used DCWV's Birthday Wishes Stack and their hot pink burlap card base (which I absolutely LOVE!!!) Besides the card sketch challenge, I am also entering this card in Seize the Birthday's Anything Goes challenge and also in Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday All Things Bright and Beautiful Challenge.

Well, Monday, my least favorite day of the week is nearly over.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I appreciate your encouraging comments.

~~Sandi~~

Another Goodie Bag With SugarPea Stamps!

I love my Classrooms Cupids stamp set from SugarPea stamps.  I used their stamps and sketch again for this goodie bag for my granddaughter Izzy.  I love that sweet little donut....don't you?  Here is their sketch #19 that I used again:

I just rotated the sketch on it's side for my goodie bag.  I finally finished all my Valentine's Day crafting today.  The boxes are all packed up and I take them to the post office tomorrow to be shipped up north 1000 miles to the cold and frozen midwest.  Four weeks from now we will be there celebrating Abby's 7th birthday....I am counting the days.  Sure hope it is springtime by then!

I am also entering this goodies bag in the Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday challenge....All Things Bright and Beautiful

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

~~Sandi~~

You're a Hoot Goodie Bag

I recently got a die to make little goodie bags.  The other night I broke it out and used it to make this adorable little goodies bag for my granddaughter Abby.  To embellish it I turned to my Classroom Cupids stamp set by Sugar Pea Designs.  I also used this awesome sketch of theirs:

I have a whole box full of Valentine's treats that will be on the way to Illinois on Monday.  Grandmas loves to spoil her girls!

I am also entering this project at the Wednesday Simon Says Stamp All Things Bright and Beautiful Challenge.

and

Clique Kits Anything Goes February Challenge

Thanks for stopping by my blog....I will be back tomorrow to share more Valentine's Day treats.

~~Sandi~~

I Adore You

I have a love affair currently with wood veneers....especially scripty word veneers.  This was one of my favorites so I painted it red and used it on a card for my very favorite person in the world....my husband.  I made a number of lovey-dovey Valentine cards in the last couple of weeks but I think this will be the one I give Dave this year.

I used this sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch:

I am also going to enter it at The Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge....Kissing Booth  Here is the inspiration photo:

I drew my inspiration from the black and white horizontal stripes and the overall color palette of black/white/red.

I am also entering this at Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by,,,,the work week is 40% complete for me.  I am looking forward to the weekend.  How about you?

~~Sandi~~

Sweet on You

I LOVE making Valentine's Day cards....partially I think because I love to tell my family and friends that I love them.  Here is a little quickie card that I whipped up this evening for my granddaughter.  I used just some odds and ends on my desk and this awesome sketch from MFT's card challenge blog:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog tonight and the good news is:  this Monday is over....now on to Tuesday.

~~Sandi~~

2015 Album Page 1

2015 will be my 3rd year that I am documenting our everyday life in pocket page albums.  Unfortunately neither of my previous years are completed yet.  I have about 6 weeks left to document in my 2013 album and about 5 months left to go in my 2014 album. But I am not discouraged.  It is actually fun for me to go back several months or more and document a week in our life.  It is like reliving the fun all over again.  However so I can catch up with the previous 2 years, in 2015 I am just doing a monthly spread.  It is just my hubby and I and for the most part our life is rather routine.  How many times can I document our Trader Joe's shopping trips or date night to our favorite Mexican restaurant?  I expect to add extra pages for vacations and special times and I think I will really like this process at least for this year.  After all, it IS my life and I can document it any way I choose, right?

Recently I was looking for inspiration for the first page of my 2015 album.  Cocoa Daisy is having a challenge to create a page documenting plans and dreams.  PERFECT!  So I included a card for each of these....our 2015 plans and our "someday" dreams.  I love the way it turned out.  If you want to see more information on this challenge, the details can be found HERE.

I am also entering this page in the Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

~~Sandi~~