Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Now this is a tea party!!

If you don't know Stephanie by now perhaps it is time you should!  Check out her blog
The Enchanting Rose and  take a leisurely tour.  She also has the most delightful Etsy Shop.  I should know, I am one of her customers.

Stephanie is the hostess of The Tea Cup Exchange held twice a year.  This is my very first year and I am already looking forward to the next party!  There were 192 participants this year from all over the world.  My partner was a very sweet lady in California.  Her name is Nora and you can find her at Tales of the Teacup.  This is the gift I sent her.

A homemade card is always fun to make and receive.

Lynn in Indiana had my name and boy is she some kind of artist!!  I can't believe she wrapped all of the gifts!!!

I could not get all of  Lynn's gifts in one picture!!  A lovely tea cup with matching tea pot.  Also a water color journal which  I can try my best to fill!
Next  tea and a delightful letter from Lynn.  She sent me a set of Our Gang coasters - what fun.  On my last post for Art Journal Journey my theme was Our Gang.
Now for Lynn's art work and it indeed is a work of art.  Hand painted and designed by Lynn on fabric with a lace trim.  A tapestry extraordinaire!  It took my breath away!!!   You can find Lynne at Quaker Home Cottage.

I know this is a long post but believe me it is well worth the journey.  The fun for me - searching for goodies that will go perfectly in my next gift box.  And then the mad search to find something special just for that person!!

Happy Halloween

It has been a while since I have posted but I think I have a good one for you today.
Some  time ago, my friend Lisa Minckler and I agreed to swap Halloween pocket letters.  I really had fun doing this but it did take some time.  Lisa has this in her hot little hands now and from her thank you letter I think she really likes it!!!!

It is really quite bejeweled - every where I could I stuck some blitz.  I got my inspiration from the Mexican Day of the Dead and jeweled ornamentation crafts that they do so well.

If you haven't seen any of Anne's Halloween Makes or Sara Emily's haunted house  you really should take a peek - I promise you that you will not be disappointed!

Our Gang

When I was very young, I watched  television every afternoon after school.  It was the funniest and cutest show - Little Rascals.  Or maybe you may know it as Our Gang.

I am posting this to AJJ where the theme is going back to school and was chosen by Elizabeth.  I am also linking this to Try it on Tuesday where it was suggested we use coffee and cream colors and if not that then two other colors of your choice.  I chose coffee and cream.  It just sounds good doesn't it.

Tomorrow is Monday and my computer goes to the computer hospital for a while.  Don't you just hate it when you have to call in a specialist!  So I will be out of the loop for a few days.  Thank you so much for your visit and all comments are like frosting on a cake to me!  Thanks again!!

It's Back to School!

I made a little journal spread for Art Journal Journey and the theme this month is "Back to School".
Thank you Elizabeth, this ought to be a fun month.

Well some of us have better memories than others!!

I must say I am very disappointed - something happened to my Adobe Photoshop and I cannot get it to work.  I was hoping to be able to show both sides so you could read the print.  Oh well - another day.

Goodness gracious, have you seen Valerie's post?  Her husband was soooo handsome.  Valerie you must have been a real cutie pie not to mention a live wire! Well you still are a live wire and I think cute as a button.  I love your smile.

I hope you all are well and I do so appreciate you stopping in to visit.  Feel free to have a little chat - I do love hearing from you!!

It's Been A Long Time!

Now don't you go and faint on me Valerie - I am indeed posting a journal spread.

I have been following Valerie at Bastelmania  for some time where she has the most delightful art journal spreads full of color and creativity plus wonderful pictures of Germany.  Anther friend, Patty at Magpie's Nest,  has fantastic spreads (so romantic) and her images of France send my heart swooning.    I want to recommend one other friend, Jane at Jane's Journal .  Such a fun blog to visit (you should see her grand dog - he is beautiful!) and I an really enjoyed watching her grand daughter growing up.  What a cutie! I think Daisy is three years old. 

I am entering my journal spread into Art Journal Journey.  I think it is high time I tried to fly with the big birds!!!!   The theme for this month is 'Nature's Wonders'.  So please visit Art Journal Journey and join in the fun or enjoy the talented people who post there.

Okay kids, it's time for me to close and try to get this house cleaned up!!

I do appreciate your visits and comments of encouragement.  Please feel free to leave suggestions.  I need all the help I can get.  This is a real learning adventure for me.
Sandy xx

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Oh dear I did let time get away from me again.  You would think that since this Christmas Card Club let me join that at least I could be on time.

The theme is Christmas Carols and was chosen by Rita. I don't think my card is what Rita had in mind but I had to continue my mouse theme.  I am bound and determined to use all of my sweet babies!

Such wonderful Christmas music!  That is ky my cat Tink and the other cutie?  Well I think he might be Maxwell the Great.  He has to be great to have the courage to teach a cat how to sing!!  But then again, Tink is so very loving.  At 20 pounds, he is my baby boy.

Of all my little mice, this is the smallest in the collection.  Oh I wish you could see her for real!  Amazing and so beautiful!  She measures 2 and 3/4 inches (7cm) wide and exactly one inch (2.5 cm) high.

I want to thank everyone who stops in for a visit and your comments are always appreciated.  I do hope that everyone is well and that life is treating you kindly.
Sandy

By the way - I have also linked my card to Try It on Tuesday!  Do go and check it all out!

Brrr - Snowy Trees

It is once again time to post a card for my Christmas Card Club.   Christine has challenged us to make a card with the theme 'Snowy Trees'.  I have challenged my self to make as many mice cards I can that fit into the challenge.  So far so good.  I also like showing off my wee mice collection.  I do love my little"mices" ever so much.

"Brrrr Mama - it is cold out here but I sure appreciate my blanket!"

After spending the night out in the cold night up a tree, little Artie made it  home safe and sound.  And guess what?  Mama Mouse had a nice plateful of hot pancakes for him with homemade syrup.
I wish I could make little mice like this.  Annette Peterson who started all this wonderful fantasy world by making her little critters out of baker's dough.  Now I think she makes them out of clay and then makes a mold for them.  The detail is incredible.  This one is 2 and 1/4 inches wide (6 cm) and 2 inches high (5cm).  I love miniatures but I imagine most people do.

I am also sure that most of you follow the very talented Alison.  Her mother has her own doll house museum that is wonderful.  I think if you go to Alison's blog you can find a way to her Mum's doll houses full of wonderful miniatures.  Alison makes a lot of the goodies inside the houses herself.  It is a real treat to see!

 I really want those of you who follow me to know how much I appreciate your kind words.  I must admit, one of my most favorite things to do is seeing what y'all are creating out there in 'Blogland' - Dang you are so good!!!!!

Sandy xx

Pretty Poinsettias

It is time to post my card for my Christmas Card Club challenge #9.  Our theme, Poinsettias, was chosen by Mary. 

More computer problems coming my way.  My wonderful husband wants to try to fix it himself so he does have a program working where I can get my mail and post but I have to go around the yard and through the kitchen door to post!  I do hope he gets my original program to work!  There was a day when I would have become quite upset but I have learned to say "whatever" - it's called going with the flow.  Now the keeper of the flame, The Duchess, kindly helped me out once again.  Thank you Margaret!

This is an image from a House Mouse CD.  I saw several people who had previously used colored images and then colored over the image .  As I did not have this stamp I told myself "Sandy just do it!"  To be honest with you, it is the hardest one to color I have done yet.  I used a combination of  Derwent Inktense , Faber Castell and Prismacolor  colored pencils.  So far, my choice of product to use for coloring is colored pencils.  I have a lot to learn using them but for once I can honestly say I really enjoy coloring.

Isn't she sweet - she is only one and a half (4cm) high and one and a half inch (4cm) wide!


Are you getting ready for Christmas -- I am!!!!!  If you want to see some great ideas using Poinsettias then look on the right side of my blog for the members of my Christmas Club and click on their name!

Thanks for your visit and all the love and encouragement you give me!
Sandy

The Holly and The Ivy

It is the 25th of April and that means Rudolph Day.  Anything goes as long as it is a Christmas Card.

At the Dehon home it is the year of the Mouse.  Let us not forget our little friends out in the wood.  They do collect little pieces of this and that to make their little homes more comfortable.

These little babies are always so grateful!

Another one of my Wee Forest Folk.  This one measures two and one half inches wide (6.5 cm) by
one and a quarter inches high (three cm).

You can find my card and many others at April Rudolph Challenge.  Please join us and make a Christmas Card.  It could be your first card for 2016!

Once again I do thank you for all of your comments - there are so many sweet and thoughtful people out there in Blogland and so many sites to visit.  Thank you again.
Sandy xx

One for you and one for me!

It is time for my Christmas Card Challenge #8.  Our talented hostess wants us to make a card using red berries.  Okay Valery this card is for you!!  Valery has a thing for red berries and I have a thing for little mice.  They go together right - especially when you throw in a little bird.   Ta Da ....

I do love Chickadees!

I have another little Wee Forest Folk from my collection to show you -- I have had her for well over twenty five years.

I know it is hard to tell from the picture but this little sculpture is an inch and a half high around 4 centimeters high.  And it is one and three quarters inch or about four and half centimeters wide.

I do hope everyone is well.  Sending out good wishes to Maureen  
who has been taking care of her Mother and now taking care of her daughter who had to have ankle surgery.

I hope you have enjoyed my post.   I think I like this card!!!
Thanks for visiting!!
Sandy

Over The River And Through The Woods

My Christmas Card Club Challenge number 7 is to use a stencil and/or an embossing folder.  I am so glad Carol picked this for us because I am weak in both techniques.  This was my first time to use a stencil.

 I used an embossing folder on the card  then embossed the sleigh.

This is the inside of the card ..

My first journey into using a stencil .. oh my - I have a lot to learn.

The lamp post has been embossed.

My apologies to the ladies in my CCC - I am three days late in posting.   My daughter and her four kids were here for a week and we even went to Disney in Orlando for two days.  At least it wasn't hot - a lot of walking - a lot of people - a lot of junk food.  But it was a lot of fun being with my daughter and watching her kids.  I think I am still recuperating!!

This looks like a mighty dark card but is much lighter in real life.  I think I learned a lot from this - I do like to experiment and I have to remember to really check before I put something down with my double sided tape.  I tend to go down on the right hand side and do not notice it until it is done.  I am learning and I am having fun!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog and look at my pictures! (leaving a comment is very much appreciated)
Sandy xx

You lite up my life!

Here we are again - It's Rudolph time and I have decided to add more of my little mice to the Frey.   I really do appreciate Maureen taking charge of this challenge previously run by Sarn.  Special people do special things don't you think?

I have one more picture for you -- I told you bout my wee mouse collection.  This is one of those wee babies that I love!

The sentiment on the front of my card says "Remember this December, that love weighs more than gold".

I am entering my card into March Rudolph Days challenge 

Thanks for all of your encouraging words.  This year, I WILL have some homemade cards to send to friends!!
Sandy xx

Christmas Quilt

Where did these last two weeks go -- I think I lost them.    Once again it is time to post to my Christmas Card Club where our hostess is Margret.  She sets the rules this go around and she has asked us to make a Christmas Card using two or more patterned papers.  I thought I came up with a pretty good idea and then I saw Christine's card and flipped out.  Her card is really wonderful - my idea but better.  Okay Christine - that is all the plugs you get from me!!!!!

I made a Christmas Quilt - not nearly as grand as what Annie can make.  She even quilts postcards - can you imagine that!!!

I'm getting ready for Christmas - ding dong the bells are going to ring!!

Thank you for taking the time to visit and leave a little love.
Sandy 

You Are So Special

You are really special to me -- Our Christmas Card Club asked that we make a card for someone special.  I love this club - now I know that I will have some Christmas cards for 2016!

You know I do appreciate your kind comments (notice I said kind)!
sandy xx

In The Meadow

It is time for me to high tail it over to Mo's for the Rudolph Challenge.  I started not to post this card as I am not pleased with it but what the heck.

In the meadow we can build a snowman - la te da  ......

I collect these tiny little mice called Wee Forest Folk which you can find here.

This little sculpture is a little over an inch high and the mice are around 1/2 of an inch tall!  One of my very favorites. 

So it is not surprising to know that I really do like the House Mouse stamps and have several.  Some of them are so big  I really don't know what to do for cards using them.
But I do love little mice - always have and always will.

I am entering my card into the Rudolph Challenge here.

I hope I am leaving you with a smile on your face and love in your heart!
sandy xx

Paloma - Dove of Peace

"After the shock, the anger, the nausea .... what to say ... what to do?  I have only weapons of paper and words .... Freedom and Peace are the ones I wish to give today.
So this is Paloma, my simple paper dove.  For her I make a wish: could she take flight and give all around the world her Freedom and Peace message." ....... Lys


Written after the horrid attacks in Paris last November,  Lys of Impression Scrap has made a pretty paper dove that she has sent out into the world with a wish for Freedom and Peace.  Lys asked that each recipient post some pictures of Paloma at your home and then send her out into the world.  Paloma arrives with her own travel itinerary so you will know where to send her.  She also arrives with an introduction letter from Lys and a note from Alison of Words and Pictures.

Do you see her?  She is cuddled up to the rear of my sweet Tom and he is looking down at
at her.  He just cannot believe I put a paper bird on his tail.  And I really did too!!


 

While visiting us, Paloma went with us to a local nursery and helped us pick out flowers for our garden.


Paloma was sent to me from Sara Emily of  Sarascloset .   My word, everyone must know how much I love Halloween so Sara Emily sent me this fantastic tag along with some neat Halloween gifts.  Thanks Sugar!

This is the card I made for Paloma's new hostess in the United Kingdom.  In the package I also placed a few housewarming gifts.

We would all love to see more Peace in the world today --
Sandy

From the Heart

It is with sadness I say goodbye to a great man.  Justice Antonin Scalia.   May you rest in peace Sir and I know you will be remember and loved for years and years to come.



It is time for another card for the Christmas Card Club.  The theme was chosen by Kate.  It seems as if she has a thing for icicles - they are pretty aren't they!?!

I love this Santa -- he is definitely sweet and charming.   A right jolly old elf if I say so myself.

Thank you for visiting and as always your comments are appreciated. Sandy

Glass-Fastic Christmas Flower

Good Morning or afternoon depending on where you live - I am late in posting this.  I did not get a picture of my card last night as planned so waited until this morning.  I am happy to report the picture looks great thanks to my picture taking and computer whiz husband.


This card is for a Christmas Card Club I belong to -- Thanks Kate for asking me and all of your help Margret and Mary!!!  I don't know many techniques but the ones I do know I really like.  Here I made a Poinsettia  out of plastic packaging and alcohol ink.  Our challenge was to use texture. 

I hope this note finds you all well and having a wonderful Super Bowl Sunday.  Go North Carolina Panthers! I know that those of you in the UK do not know American football.  Let's just say it's a couple of hours with 22 men in really tight pants running around on a big field making each other fall while trying to get a ball over the goal line.  Gosh those pants are tight!  This is one of the best days of the year - Super Bowl Sunday.

Thanks for taking time to visit me and as always I appreciate you leaving some love. 
Sandy

Hey Little Fella

I cannot believe it -- I have made two Christmas cards - only 455 to go!

I made this card for the Rudolph Challenge that sweet Maureen took over from super busy Sarn! 

Lets go boys - right over to the Rudolph Challenge.    -  Anything goes as long as it is Christmas!

Thanks for you visit.  I do smile real big when I read your comments!!!
Sandy xx

Sleigh Bell Ring

It will be a miracle if I don't chop my computer into little pieces tonight.  I joined a Christmas Card Club and the instructions for me to post might as well be in Greek.  What Margaret sees on her computer and what I see on mine are worlds apart.  But Margaret is such a sweet lady that I will follow her directions to a T.

This is challenge #2 and the theme "Sleigh" was chosen by Maureen.

Now I have to tell you - my filing system stinks.  I keep redoing it but I could not tell you a single product  used on this except the sentiment is computer generated.

I would like to enter in the following challenges - hot dog, I don't do this very often.

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'  -  Bows

Crafty Time Challenges  -  Make it Sparkle

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge   - Anything Goes as long as it is Christmas

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog  -  Anything Goes

Creative Fingers -  Anything Goes


I seem to like the theme "Anything Goes" - so much easier than something like Blue Elephants.  Although I am fond of elephants.

I do hope you will come a visit me -  I do appreciate all of your comments (don't we all?)
Sandy

On "Colden" Pond

One of my favorite movies is ON GOLDEN POND.    I must tell you the truth - I made an art journal page but what I wanted did not turned out but when I turned it up side down I found something different.  Oh lucky me!!

http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.de/

What am I doing?  Does somebody know --- all comments are a vote that tell me I am at the right place!!!
Sandy!!