Lighting a candle with love

I have decided to post tonight although my heart and mind have been wrapped around the families and children in Connecticut.  It's hard to pretend things are normal when they are not normal at all.  I just put my Christmas decorations up yesterday.  I almost didn't.  But because I use a lot of soft lights inside our living room, I decided to put the decorations up and have the lights be symbols of love and hope for the children who are no longer with us, the children who have suffered so much trauma, the adults who left loving families and children behind and the grieving hearts of so many especially the parents.  My heart weeps.

I dedicate my Christmas blog to the Light of the World in whom we put so much trust - may our prayers be heard and solace be given to those who are in pain.  Peace and Grace my friends.

Sandy

Visions of Sugarplums Day Three

Did you know that the Poinsettia plant originated in Mexico?  It is the most popular Christmas plant used in our homes today.

These are library cards that I bought at the Funky Junkie Boutique.  Linda is closed right now but she will reopen January 20th.  The flowers were made using a clear plastic sheet that Linda carries in her store - I think it is by Wendy Vecchi - Art Parts. Thanks Linda for teaching me how to do these flowers!   I am sorry I forgot to take a picture of the card itself.  It pulls out of the sleeve where you can leave your message.

Please visit my friends below and don't forget, if you comment on each and every blog you might win a really nice prize.  Not to mention we all appreciate you comments!

Lori    
Lisa
Maria
Lauren M
Ira

Also, remember all the people who are still trying to recover from hurricane Sandy, the flooding in England and now in Northern California.  The world does seem topsy-turvy right now and it is hard to get my head around the festivities of Christmas when there are so many people in need.  Along with the gorgeous Christmas music I love, I hear the Salvation Army bells ringing loud and clear reminding me of what the true gift of Christmas is all about.  My heart weeps for the war torn areas of the world and I pray for peace.  I do hope you and your families are well and will carry the gift of love in your hearts all year long.

Thanks to all my followers old and new and thank you so much for taking the time to leave such lovely comments.  Peace and Grace -
Sandy

Here we go!!!!!

Sweet Lori asked me to join her and some of her friends for the second annual Visions of Sugarplums event.  Well of course I answered yes with a big smile on my face.  Now this is fun!!

As I reflect back on my life, I see how many traditions have changed especially now that all the kids are grown and have moved to far away places.  But one tradition that still remains the same, is hanging a Christmas wreath on the front door.  The wreath represents the unending circle of life and love and is a sign of welcome, inviting all to enter.

One of my favorite treats to offer guests are  roasted pecans.  Melt one stick of butter and blend in one teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce , one teaspoon soy sauce and a fourth of a teaspoon of garlic powder.  Mix well and then combine with four to six cups of pecan halves.  Put in a shallow pan and bake at 225 degrees for 45 minutes or until toasty brown.  Shake pan every fifteen minutes.  Marvelous with drinks!

My Christmas wreath card invites you to enter the following blogs.
Lori 
Lisa
Ira 
Lauren H.
Maria
Regina

So Santa tells me that if you leave a comment on each and everyone of our blogs today - you are eligible to win a prize.  And then - Lori will announce Monday's winner  Tuesday on her blog.  I can't wait to visit all the blogs.  You never can tell what tip or trick you have been waiting for all your life!!  Enjoy this fun week.  I know I will!!

Thanks for all your comments!!  Sandy Claus

It's That Time of Year

Isn't this the cutest image you have seen in you whole life - I love it!!!!!  What wonderful and happy news I have just for YOU - it's time for the second annual Visons of Sugarplums.  Hosted by sweet (and cute) Lori.
Over 17 blogs will be showcasing Christmas projects, recipes, and giveaways beginning December 3rd.

Go visit Miss Lori and catch all the details.  I dare say you will find some of  your favorite bloggers there.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all - HO! HO! HO!!
Sandy

Nicole's Birthday

Tomorrow is my granddaughter Nicole's thirteenth birthday.  One of her favorite books was THE HUNGER GAMES so I used one of  the Saturated Canary's images called The Games.  Or at least I think that is what Krista called it!! 

 The summer before last, we took Nicole on an adventure to the beautiful Southwest.  We gave her a digital camera and she had loads of fun taking gobs of pictures.  What a great trip that was!!!!

 Nicole called tonight to thank us for her birthday present and she loves her card.  By the way, the turtle on the front of the card is a bead purchased at a bead shop in New Mexico.

I hope you all have a good week.  Thanks for stopping in and leaving a little love!
Sandy

Family Portrait

Halloween is almost here and you know what that means!! Thanksgiving and Christmas is close behind.  I need to hire a card maker!!!!!  I made this card  to enter a challenge on Our Creative Corner but ran out of time - oh dear - so I continued on with a card for my daughter and her family.   I also included some doodling on this card thanks to my sweet friend Kelly.  Kelly sent me the best Halloween card and she had doodled all around her fence.  Turns out she copied the doodling from one of my favorite artists Chris Dark. Well here we go -   As  many of you know, Stacy has four kids and teaches 5th grade full time.  So I made a family portrait for her.  It has six pages and I sure hope you like it.

This gives you some idea of what the card looks like.

The front represents Stacy's three daughters from left to right Caroline, Nicole and Sarah.

The second page is Joe - the only boy in the family.  The Third page is my daughter.  Can you imagine all the running around she does! There is church choir practice, soccer, art lessons at the art museum, dancing lessons, acting lessons, piano lessons and yes, Karate lessons.  She is all over the place all the time.  No wonder she flies upside down.

I plead guilty - page four is me - the Nanny.  The grandmother who loves and loves and loves and is a complete fruitcake.

Page five is our home and page six is self-explanatory  - well I think it is!!!

I hope you have as much fun seeing my card as I had making it -- Halloween is so much fun!  Thanks to all my followers, I sure am flattered.  And you know how much I do love your comments!!!
Sandy


 

Le Petit Prince

Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery , became one of the best-selling books ever published.  I pay homage to this great novella.

After I broke my hip, Linda Coughlin from the Funkie Junkie
sent me a get well card that was made from a library envelope and insert where she left a sweet message .  I saw all kinds of possibilities!!  Since receiving this unique card, I have seen Linda post a Christmas card using this same idea.  I must say I thought it was grand!!

  


So this is my version, I dare say the first of many.  I hope you are as intrigued by it as I was and still am.

I am entering my card in the following challenge.

Our Creative Corner - Royal theme - Use a crown, castle or princess and the color yellow or gold embossing.

So here we go again -- I must say Linda and Company are giving me a run for my money!!!

Thanks to all my followers and for you lovely friends who stop in to visit and leave a little love!!
Sandy

Everyone Sing Along!

Christmas in Dixie - snow is falling on the ground
It's Christmas in Dixie ..............Merry Christmas Y'all!

I am entering this into the following  challenge -

Our Creative Corner  - Country or Western - must include a plaid or gingham

My rusted bells do not show up as well as I would like in this picture - and what Southern woman can't make a twig wreath.  I don't care where you go here in the South - you can always find something rusted somewhere!!!!

Now I ask you - what could be MORE country than Christmas in Dixie.  White lightning cocktails, fried chicken and cornbread, home made biscuits smothered in real butter, green beans cooked with fatback and pinto beans cooked with more fatback.  Then you have vinegar pie for dessert and if your Mama is in the mood, she might just make a buttermilk pie too!  Now don't forget the sweet tea!!!

I do hope that one day, y'all get to have a real Southern meal. You are welcome in my house anytime!!!!

Thanks for visiting and for all your sweet comments!
Sandy

Perfectly Lovely

I am trying out new things and thanks to Linda Coughlin who owns The Funkie Junkie I have bought lots of neat stuff.  Now I just have to figure out how to use all the neat stuff!!  This is a thank you card I have made for a special friend who does "perfectly lovely" art work.  I mean like her work is FANdangTASTIC!  I sure wish you would check her out - it's a secret but I will give you her blog address Scrap Affair.

Thar she blows!  I am entering my thank you card in the following challenge.

Our Creative Corner - There is a picture for inspiration - use at least three buttons and some polka dots.

It's hard to see but my polka dots are in the corner die on the left hand side and in the small blue flower on the right hand side.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying fair weather.  I really appreciate your visits and all the sweet comments!
Sandy

Captain Von Undervare

It's time to play "SEND A SMILE 4 KIDS CHALLENGE!" which you can find here.  You still have time to enter and send your card to a child who could use a smile.  For this challenge I have done another Halloween Card pictured below.

I am also entering my card in one more challenge.


Send A Smile 4 Kids  -  Anything goes 4 kids
Our Creative Corner  -  Make a card for a male and follow their sketch.

I hope you like Captain Von Undervare and he will be going in the mail really soon - like tomorrow.


Thanks for your visit and your comments do put a big smile on my face!
Sandy

Meow

Hey y'all.  It is getting cooler here and it feels delightful.  My husband is busy building his little barn so hopefully this time next year we will have our chickens and a couple of pygmy goats.  I think my cats will like that don't you?!  I am posting a Halloween Card that I made for "Send A Smile 4 Kids".  It is such a worthy cause and I sure wish you would take a look at their blog that you can find here .

Thanks for taking a peek see - as usual, my colors never show up true to form.  Oh well, what's a girl to do!
I am entering "MEOW" in the following challenge.

Send a Smile 4 Kids challenge blog

See y'all another day and thanks for any love you care to share (big smile) - Sandy

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday - 170

Everyone thinks I am so neat - ha!  This is the way my desk looked today after I finished my granddaughter's birthday card.  I have another area that I worked in as well that I completely wrecked but I am not going to show you that!!!!!!

 Funny - it does not look nearly as bad in the picture as it did in real life!!!!!
Sandy

If you like snooping and seeing what other people do - please go to http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com
You will have sooooo much fun!

Flowers for a Friend

It is a beautiful Saturday morning here in the mountains and no sign of that stinky bear!!!  I am a little late in posting my August card for the swap group I belong to but I think they will forgive me this time. 

 My sweet friend Lau who is very talented and so very French, sent me some pretty flowers and I decided to use some of them inside of my card.  Thanks Lau!!!

A short little post - life marches on and I have oodles to do.  So excited about learning some new techniques that promises to be fun and will share as I go along.  For right now I have to make a granddaughter a birthday card - time's a wastin'!

Thanks for visiting and I will probably see you on your blog!!!! Sandy

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday-#168

I am dedicating this post to Brenda Butler as not too very long ago, she dared me to post my work desk.  She knew all along that I am anal retentive and my work desk is rather boring.  After viewing other work areas, I knew my area looked a little sterile.  Well the good Lord stepped in and gave me ample opportunity to think about changing my way.  With a desk in front of my recliner holding a laptop - my faithful walker to my right and my cats to keep me company.  I asked myself - "Sandy what turns you on?"  And then I thought  about
Chris Dark.  Chris is one of the most talented artists I have ever know and she has been so gracious to give me some words of wisdom and lead me to some great art techniques.  I love her art journal pages and they excite me no end.  So, my journey into the art journal world will soon begin.  All these words is to say this first picture is the beginning.

These are some new goodies from Faber Castell that I plan to play with in my art journal. I won a couple of Faber Castell starter packages from a challenge on Simon Says Stamps.   I love Faber Castell colored pencils and think they make a really good product. 

So here is where I color and snoop - you can't see the big ole' computer screen in this.  Some of this is a little staged as I wanted to show Brenda that I too have a couple of  House Mouse Stamps.  And yes, that is a real little baby orchid -- I am getting ready to make some orchid cards. 

Now one last thing if you will please "BEAR" with me.  I will leave you with this - this is what you do when there is a bear within 10 feet of you glass door in your craft room  You open the door and look at the bear and you say
"Brown bear, brown bear what do you see?
I see a brown bear looking at me!
SHOOO"

I have really been missing you guys!!!!!!
Love to you all - Sandy

Bear of a Summer

Well I tell you friends and neighbors - it has been one bear of a summer!

Yep - here he comes and he knows where there is food!!

Well you might think he is doing a pole dance but I tell you he tore down two of my bird feeding poles.  Normally, bears come around in the evening when it is dark and we always have the feeders in.  But this is a teenager and he does not know the rules of the game.  So we eventually took down the feeders to discourage him from thinking there was free grub at the Dehon house.

Well this should have been my warning - after having such a good time at the beach with the grands it all fell apart in a hurry.  And I mean fell apart.  On the night of June 25 I fell on our deck and broke my left hip. I tell you, it did not really hurt - that is, as long as I did not move.  We are now on the mend.  I overdid it last week and am paying for it now --  I also managed to come down with bronchitis this weekend.  Now there is nothing more pathetic than a slightly older lady, limping around on a cane and coughing so hard she wets her pants. I am sure you senior citizens know what I mean. 

I want to thank all of you who have sent me the most gorgeous cards -- I really appreciate it more than you will ever know.  I also appreciate all of you who have e-mailed to say you missed me and asked me how I have been doing.  Well we are going to get back into the swing of things. So I have posted a card that I made for a challenge group I belong to on Splitcoast Stampers.

Twinkle, twinkle over glued.  With my naked eye I could not see the glue shine but that stupid camera does not lie!!!  It sure did cost a lot of money to be so stupid.

I am entering this card into the following challenge and then will send it on to the proper people who will send it to a Children's Hospital.  I understand that little boys love to smear glue!

Send A Smile 4 Kids - anything goes 4 kids

Well I did chatter a lot today didn't I -----I do appreciate your visit and you do know that all your comments but a big - really big smile on my face!!!!
Sandy

Friends

Hello sweet neighbors and friends!  As some of you know, I have been out of town for the last ten days and I certainly know exactly what Dorthy means, "there is no place like home"!  Grampa Art and Nanny (me) took my daughter's four kids to the beach for a week.  Oh what a riot that was.  Four kids in four different places on a beach!  The kids had a blast and I did too.  Grampa Art is still recovering!!

From left to right - Grampa Art age unknown, Caroline age 10, Joe age 8, Sarah age 5 and Nicole age 12.  Yes that is me age - just south of 70!

I really had a good time swimming with the kids.  This is me and grandson Joe - he is yelling help and Nicole is coming in for the kill.  I thought those varmints were gonna drown me.  But I showed them - LOL!

Every now and then kids seem to get into trouble and when they do, Grampa Art takes them to "time out".  You can tell by the looks and posture they are not too happy. 

After all that sun and sand it is time for some snow and I do love snow. 

I hope y'all have enjoyed my post and my Mr. Snowman and friend card.  I also wish everyone a very good summer and I am holding our friends in New Mexico and Northern Colorado in my prayers.  For those of you who do not know, the fires are raging in the Southwest and over 180 homes of been destroyed in Colorado.

My best to you and you know I love all your comments.
Sandy

Wedding Bells Ring!

A friend of ours is getting married in June so I thought I would make he and his soon to be bride a wedding card.

I do believe LOTV makes the sweetest images and I do love this little couple!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
The House That Stamps Built - Sketch
Delightful Challenges - Add Ribbon
Shelly's Images Blog - Show Us What You've Got
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - Let's Hear It For The Girls
DRS Designs - Weddings
Wish Craft - Waste Not Wednesday


I do so appreciate all your sweet comments.
Sandy

BEWARE

I really love my A COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES  book.  Lord Tim has all kinds of fun ideas to use and his methods are so creative and fun.  Here is a card I made using the Shattered Stains technique.

I freely admit - I love Halloween.  What a hoot and who else better to use for a spooky card than Tim Holtz.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Studio l3 Compendium of Curiosities 2 -    Shattered Stains
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog -   Clean and Simple
Totally Papercrafts Friday Challenge- -   No Pesky Girls Allowed
LEJ Challenge Blog -   Lots of Layers
Oldie But A Goodie Challenge -   Things with Wings
Fairy Tale Challenge Blog -  Things with Wings
Simon Says Stamp And Show -   Anything Goes

I hope you get a chance to try this technique, it sure is fun!  I appreciate all of your kind comments.
Sandy

A Plate Full of Goodies!

This is going to a group I belong to on Splitcoast  Stampers.  A delightful group of ladies that use the same image every month to see what we each come up with - Here we go .........

Too bad for me - I am on a diet!

I am entering my sweet goodies colored with Faber-Castell colored pencils into  the following challenges:

Skipping Stones Design -- Sketch
The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes
Simon Say Stamp Challenge Blog - Sweet Tooth

Hope you enjoyed my plate full of goodies  and thanks for all your sweet comments!!
Sandy

Home is Where Your Story Begins

Hey y'all I think it is time to post a card and maybe enter a few challenges!!  

And continuing to the inside . . .

Life is just a bowl of UPSIDE DOWN CHERRIES?

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges.

Cooking It Up With Katie - Make it happy, have something hanging and include a heart.
Totally Gorjuss - sketch
Just Tracys Crafts - Anything Goes
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes
 2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Butterflies, Ribbons and Punches


That's it for today - for those of you that can visit and leave a comment - thank you ever so much.  For those of you that are pressed for time, I sure do understand.  And I sure do appreciate all my new followers!!!!
Sandy
I

Sweets for the Sweet

One of my most very favorite companies is LOTV.  They have the cutest and sweetest images.  I have always loved little mice and have a collection of them called Wee Forest Folk.

I have so many "micey" friends out their in Blogland and I thank each and everyone of you for visiting me and leaving such nice comments.  I love visiting blogs and y'all do such fabulous work.  It is a complete joy to visit your blogs!!
Sandy

Tim Holtz April 2012

Well it has only taken me two weeks, six days, five hours and thirteen seconds to make this tag card to enter into Lord Tim's April 2012 tag challenge.  But I must tell you, I am having tons of fun.  I only wish the colors could be more true to form.

I have used all distressed inks, Tim Holtz tickets, A French script reflection that has been stamped on one of my own embossing folders and a Tim Holtz buttterfly stamp plus Ranger Embossing Powder which I love. Again, this was so much fun!!

I thank you for all your sweet comments.

I am entering this into Tags of 2012 - April
Sandy

Magical Friends

Hey all you magical friends out there in Blogland!  You have no idea how much I enjoy visiting you.  So much talent and so many creative beautiful cards.  This is a card I made for the latest challenge for the group I belong to in SCS.  Miss Tanja I hope I did it justice!!!!!

May you catch the stars of your dreams! 
Sandy
Once again, let me thank you for all your visits and your wonderful comments!!!!!

Lesson #8

As a lot of you know, I have been taking a techniques class with Tim Holtz.  Unfortunately I did not make it very clear and several people thought it was live and in person. But no . . . it is an on line course.  Here are the three tags I made from lesson #8.

Reading from left to right -  Paint Dabber Resist.  I had fun with this which is done on canvas (thanks Sandra).  My acrylic paint dabber was not light enough and my distress stains were all too dark.  I have ordered more distress stains and I will use white acrylic paint  the next time I do this.
  The second tag is Crackle Paint Resist and once again the distress stains are too dark  - I covered too much area with crackle paint and I did not have enough ink on my sentiment. Oh woe is me!!
  The third technique is my favorite and I will definitely do this again.  Shattered Stains technique. You guessed it, my small selection of distress stains are really on the dark side.  But this technique was so much fun and will make great embellishments on cards and tags.  Will definitely be doing this again. 

I am so glad I took this On Line class.  The neat thing is, I can keep these classes on my computer and refer back to them again and again.  I have several more classes to play with but they will have to wait until all grandchildren are safely home with their Mom Dad!

Thanks for visiting - if you don't have time to leave I comment I sure do understand.  If you do leave a comment -  I thank you!!!!!
Sandy

Now This is FUN!

I am taking my very first class with the Master himself Mr. Tim Holtz.  My sweet friend Sandra told me about this  class and if you ever get a chance to take one of his classes then do.  Class #2 --

Reading from left to right - tag one - Blended Distress/Spritz & Flick Technique.  Tag two - Brushless Watercolor Technique and tag three Wrinkle-Free Distress Technique.

Class #3

Again reading left to right --- tags one and two - Alcohol Ink Agates Technique.  Tag three - Archival Resist Technique.

While Mr. Tim is flying to the moon,  I am busy driving to the airport with ink stained hands and a big smile on my face!!!!  I need more product but I can tell you this - I love what I am doing - FUN!!!     In real life, the tags are brighter.
.
I  read all your sweet comments and do appreciate them so much!!!
Sandy

Celebrate

I was asked to join a delightful group of women who have a very interesting challenge.  Every month a different image is used and everyone uses that same image.  It is a lot of fun to see how many different styles and personalities make cards using the very same image.   This is the stamp for the month of March.  I will be sending this card to my niece who turns 50 soon.  Thought the black color would be ideal!

Thanks for visiting and I hope this cute couple make you smile.  They sure are having fun dancing in the dark!
I do read and appreciate all  your kind comments.
Sandy

Beware!

Beware of the " 'EYES' OF MARCH!"

The first image is from the very talented Lisa at You Made Me Ink! The second image I bought from  Dawn Collins who has a store on Etsy called LilyPinkScraps.    I  think the cats suit each other to a tea!!!  What do you think!!!
Sandy

St. Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Y'all!  I have made some tags for my daughter's kids in hopes that they will enjoy a little green come the 17th.  And yes, I put a little pocket on the back for a secret message and maybe a little something green for the luck of the Irish!!!

This is Nicole's book mark card - she had a purple streak put in her hair for Christmas  - I know she is glad that her Mama took her to a beauty parlor instead of having Nanny do it!!!!!! Nicole was just inducted into the National Honor Society - way to go Nicole!

This card is for Miss Caroline who has always preferred "boy" toys to girl things.  She recently was in a contest with 5 other kids - they had to write their own play, make all the props and backdrops and their own costumes.  It really was grand and her team won!

This is for Joe - happy Joe the only boy in the family!  He is so very sweet and there was a time he said he would marry me.  But now he has changed his mind because you are NOT supposed to marry someone in your family.  Besides, as he told me last week, he is just too  young to get married. 

And this is for Sweet Sarah - did I say sweet?  Sara is the youngest and believe me she plays second fiddle to no one.  She will be 5 this month and she love to prance and dance!!!!!

Okay gang -- I always get disappointed when I post because my colors never come out true to life no matter how hard I try.  I hope y'all have a Nanny that will stuff a little green in your pocket.
Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment!
Sandy