HOOT, HOOT OWLS

Well another year is almost coming to a close, and even worse tax time is almost upon us!!  I don't know why, but as soon as New Year's Eve is upon us, I start fretting about paying taxes again on money that I already paid taxes on when I was working.  Something about that just doesn't seem right.  Hindsight, I should have taken everything in cash when I was working, put it in my canning jars, and buried it in my back yard.  Most people would say:  "Oh no, Sandi, you need to invest it to make more with interest."  Well, have you looked at how much interest you are getting on your savings lately, or checked out your 401K to see how much you are making on your investments???  Trust me, the government is double-dipping on my money with more in taxes than any interest I am receiving on my investments.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer about saving your money.  It's just that instead of canning my vegetables all those years (to put money in savings), I should have just put my money in the jars (and of course, I would have sealed the jars because we all know that money gets really dirty if you just put it in a box).

Oh my gosh, here I go showing my age again by rambling on about a subject that has nothing to do with what you came here for -- but at least it is good advice!!  Tomorrow is my husband's birthday, and of course I waited until the last minute to make his card, but it's done.  YES, YES, YES -- I hate doing masculine cards (doesn't everybody????).  So this is the best I could come up with:


I used the "Eastern Blooms" stamp set and the "Owl Punch" to create this card, using the Direct to Paper technique.  I have to say it was rather difficult to create the sunset without having my "Bordering Blue" classic ink, but I was bound and determined to use only current product.  I ended up using "Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, and Pacific Point Classic Inks" for the sunset and a little "Basic Gray Classic Ink" for the snow drifts.  I also used "My Digital Studio" to do a personal sentiment on the outside and inside.

 

No, I don't have another project to share so I thought I would show you a Christmas Day picture at my daughter's (Tricia's) house for dinner and gifts.  Most of my children were not able to be here this year for Christmas, but Tricia made it very special for all 19 of us attending.  So here are the names of three of my loves in my life (from left to right):  Emily who just bought her first house at the age of 20 and moved into it that week; her sister Holly who turns 16 in February, Gary, my birthday boy husband; and Tricia my daughter who is in every picture she can pop into before the shutter clicks.

Well it's time for me to figure out what I'm going to fix for dinner (let's see, hot dogs or egg sandwich?) so I leave you with these words:  May your New Year bring you many blessings and peace for ALL!!
Sandi
"I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old."
 -- Psalm 77:11

MORE GIFT BAGS WITH STAMPIN' UP PRODUCT

Merry Christmas Everybody!!

Just a quick posting to wish all of you a beautiful day and to share my last Christmas project with you.  I'm so sad because tomorrow I will be packing all my beautiful Christmas Stampin' Up product in a box to, hopefully, use most of it again next year.  I can honestly say that I did not get to use all of my Christmas stamps this year (I even have one set that did not get mounted -- I know, I can't believe I am admitting to that, but it is a set I won and did not get a chance to use).  I will keep a few stamps out to use with Winter birthday cards and for a few scrapbooking pages for my Christmas pictures.  I do have to say, the company (Stampin' Up) created some of the most gorgeous stamp sets this year I have ever seen (anywhere).  Along with the fabric and other accessories, they really came through with the very best product on the market.

Here is the last of my gift bags I made -- as you can see, they are very simple and really took about 10 minutes to finish.


Using the Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper, Jolly Old Saint Nick Stamp Set, and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding.



Close up so you can see Santa's chunky glitter.



Okay just one more picture, as I think they are so cute -- LOL

Merry Christmas,
Sandi
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." -- John 14:37

GIFT BAGS & POUCHES

Okay, I am in "panic" mode right now!!!  I'm suppose to be at the grocery store getting supplies to start baking tomorrow -- and that is just "NOT" going to happen today.  Why?  Well I am still making gifts and wrapping -- stop laughing Tamie, I know what you are saying!!  All my stamping friends know me well enough to know how SLOW I am (so does all my family).  But hey, a girl can't have everything (but, I sure wish I was Ms. Speedy like Tamie, have Ronda's patience, and my daughter's body).  So I just have to work with what God blessed me with (please, somebody tell me what that is????).

So here is some of the gift packaging I have done so far (still have more gift bags to make).  I am having so much fun, but I'm going to pay for it as I look at my laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc., which hasn't been done for two days.  Instead, this is what I've been doing:


Can you tell I'm in love with the Candy Cane Designer Paper, Fabric, and Rub-Ons which go with the stamp set "A Cute Christmas."  

 

Lot's of sparkle with the Silver Glass Glitter, Basic Rhinestones, and "Iridescent Ice
Embossing Powder."

 

Don't forget to click on these pictures to enlarge (actually maybe you shouldn't because my "oopsies" show up more.





I know this is out of focus, but was trying to show you how much they sparkle.

  

And here are some more of my paper-sack pouch bags, using the same product as my gift bags along with the fabulous "Candy Cane Fabric" and a little bit of "Champagne Mist" on my tissue-paper roses.

 

A close-up of one of the pouches.  I just loved how these turned out.  You can actually enlarge this and check my sewing -- I'm getting better!!


If I get time before Christmas, I will post the rest of my projects/gift bags.  Yep, I do wait until the last minute but feel pretty good being as I was gone the whole month of November and didn't really start until about ten days ago.

Peace to all,
Sandi
"[Love] believes all things, hopes all things."  -- 1 Corinthians 13
"Love looks beyond what people are, to what they can become."

A LITTLE MORE CHRISTMAS!!

And a "Crispy" good morning to all!!

Is it cold out?  Heck Yes!!  Is the sun out?  Heck Yes!!  Am I ready for Christmas?  Heck NO!!  Do I really care about all this?  HECK NO!!  Aah, the joys of being old, there are just so many perks that come with age.  I now have an excuse for dressing funny, forgetting everything, driving erratically, saying inappropriate things, wearing glasses after 40 years of wearing contacts (yes, you loose a lot of your vanity when you get old -- but I still have a little more than "normal" hidden back in my brain), loosing control once in a while (and I'm not talking about THAT KIND of control ladies), and finally my very favorite:  when I choose to be vain, people don't get jealous anymore (I don't want to brag or make anybody jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.)  So for all you women out there that are collecting Social Security -- isn't LIFE GRAND???

Oh my gosh, I was having so much fun telling you how wonderful life is that I forgot this is my Stampin' Up blog -- E X C U S E    ME!!  So let's get on with it and show you some pics of my last Christmas cards I made yesterday.  But first, here is a special treat (some more of that "vain" stuff coming out).  Below is a video of my older grandchildren wishing you a Merry Christmas.

Featuring (from oldest to youngest):  Blake (black hair), Emily (strawberry hair), Zachary (blond hair with dimples), Holly (brown hair), and Nicholas (another blond).



All three of these cards are a little different (couldn't make my mind up on which I liked), and were my version of a card originally created by  Jill Hilliard (thank you Jill!!).  Click on the cards to enlarge for details.



You probably can't tell by these pictures but I used SU's awesome Candy Cane Designer Fabric for the top half of the Top Note die, which was embossed with the Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder.  And of course to go with the fabric I used the awesome A Cute Christmas stamp set and the Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons.



I think I liked the Baha Breeze colored button better (see above).

Okay, I need to get started wrapping gifts.  I hope you enjoyed my post today and my video -- I'd love to hear your comments.

Sandi
"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading." - - Chambers 

SHOE BOX SWAP

Good Morning America!!

Gosh it's been a long time since I have said that!!  But I feel pretty good as I have gotten a lot accomplished since I last posted.  I think I have completed all my Christmas shopping, but won't know for sure until I have my gifts wrapped (that is a whole story all by itself).  Picked up Avery Labels so I can address my cards, but still have to create them (LOL -- saving the best to last).  Got up and made cookies this morning, then made a Christmas cookie plate with my Decor Elements (if you remember, I already posted 3 of these I made this year but somehow those disappeared when my daughters and grand-daughter where here).  Then, I put together my stuff for Ronda Wade's RubberQueen shoebox swap tonight and created a paper sack pocket pouch for a gift (and that is a whole story of its own too, but suffice it to say I hope my next 4 pocket pouches will turn out better in the sewing department).

Even tho I did a crapy job, I'm going to show you what they look like.  I do like my swap card, but would have liked it better if I would have done more with it.  However, after my 1st shoebox swap, I was instructed to KISS (keep it simple stupid -- I think that is what it stands for???).  Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep something simple -- I bet most of you have this same problem.  Anyway, here they are:


Our theme for the shoebox swap was either Valentine's Day or Birthday cards.  This card can actually be used for Valentine's Day, Sweetheart Day, Anniversary, or just about anything -- very versatile!!  I used Pretty in Pink Craft Ink on the "Lots of Love" Letterpress Plate (debossed on Melon Mambo) and the Rose Pink Fine "Cosmo Glitter" for edging around the embossed punched heart.  My personal goal for the card was to use product that I have never used before that was still current but sitting in my cabinet gathering dust -- for shame!!  I loved working with the fine glitter -- it had been a long time.



And here is my FIRST attempt at making a paper sack pocket pouch.  Hey what can I say, my sewing maching if almost 50 years old and it does crazy things!!  I did think my wrapped gift turned out nice using SU's beautiful "Deck the Hall" designer fabric.  So much easier than using paper!!


Okay, now if I hurry and clean up my mess I will still have time to take a short nap!!!  My reward for staying focused this morning.

Until next time,
Sandi
"I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on God, your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you." -- Source Unknown (but I agree).

IT'S DECEMBER 1st EVERYONE!!!

HEY EVERYBODY -- IT'S TIME TO GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!!!

Here it is 24 more days before Christmas and I haven't gotten one Christmas card done, only a few presents, and no stockings hung. I'm back home and ready to get my fingers inky, so don't expect to hear from me for a couple of days while I create!! But just to get you and me into the Christmas spirit, here is a little film from last year that I thought was cute and wanted to share:

Okay, now I'm getting into the Christmas spirit. First things first: start writing up a list of things to do and then I will be off running!!

Wish me luck.

Blessings to all,
Sandi

VINTAGE #7

Actually, this is VINTAGE #8, in my series of posts showing my brother's heritage album pages I made for him.  But who's counting!!  By now you are probably saying to yourself:  "Is she ever going to run out of these vintage pages?!?!"  Well, if I had my way I would keep on doing them forever -- I have boxes of pictures of my ancestors, and it is really hard trying to decide which ones to use for my own album.  But alas, I still have to create my personal Christmas cards that nobody has seen; so this is on the top of my list of things to do when I get home.

No, I'm still not home -- but left Jerome, Arizona yesterday morning and heading home.  We have actually had warmer weather since we left (outside of the blizzard we went through in Flagstaff).  Yesterday and today it got to almost 70 degrees -- a heat wave!!!  Still gets very cold at night.  God willing, I will be sitting in my own home tomorrow night thinking about getting a month's worth of mail the next day to open.  I will get to look at the new Occasions and Sale-A-Bration mini catalogs -- WooHoo!!  I downloaded a PDF of both mini catalogs, but it is not the same as holding it in my hands and deciding what I HAVE TO HAVE, what I WANT TO HAVE, and what I WON'T GET.  My first glance at the PDF indicated I might have 2 things I won't get (and that is going to be hard), and all the other things fall into the "have to" and "want to" have categories (typical).  I am so excited Sale-A-Bration is coming as it means lots of free stuff, and who can resist that???  I can't tell you what is in the Occasions Mini, but I can tell you it is loaded with awesome new products.

Okay, let's get down to business.  Here are a couple more page layouts (I'm thinking these might be the last):



Another of my favorite double-page spreads, using a lot of Big Shot dies.  You can click on all of my pictures to enlarge.

 

Close-up of right-side page.

 

Close-up of left-side page.

 

This is the last page spread in my brother's album.


The following pictures were taken of our trip to Jerome, Arizona.  We had a condo for the week about 10 miles from Jerome (nine of those miles were going up to the top of the mountain).



On the way to Jerome, Arizona -- fantastic views.

 

This picture is not in order, but it is a view from side of road going DOWN the mountain.

 

Yes, we are pretty far up!!

 

A little history and background on Jerome, Arizona



And here is Jerome!!  The big building up towards top, in middle, is the Grand Hotel.  Note the initial "J" on the side of the mountain.

 

I was trying to get the beautiful colors of the mountains when we were leaving Jerome as it was late afternoon when the sun was setting.  It didn't show up in picture but the colors were beautiful (try enlarging picture).

Another picture from Jerome.

Some of the stores in Jerome.

 

Goodbye Jerome -- but I will be back for sure!!

You will be pleased to know that I am running out of pictures from my trip (well, I might have a few good shots of our trip to Sedona -- LOL.)  So stay tuned for my next post, as I'm sure it will be interesting because I don't even know what it will be.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Blessed are you who hunger now,  for you shall be filled.  Blessed are you who weep now,  for you shall laugh." -- Luke 6:21

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!

Hello All!!
Today was a beautiful day, we drove up from Prescott, Arizona to Jerome (about 35 miles).  Jerome city clings to the side of Cleopatra Hill, on the side of Mingus Mountain, with a population of under 400.  Prior to 1953 it had a population of about 15,000, then the copper mines closed, and it became a virtual ghost town.  Since then shops, galleries, museums, and studios (some housed in former brothels and saloons) have been established in the restored town.  It is known for its artists and very unique gift shops.  We only stopped for a minute so I could buy some wine for Thanksgiving, but will be going back tomorrow to spend the day -- such a unique town, with very narrow and winding roads as it literally sits on the side of a vertical mountain (houses on stilts of course).  Come back in my next post to see some pictures.

Today I am posting a few more page layouts created for my brother's heritage album (no it never stops) and pictures I took while at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.  These caverns are over 30 miles long (largest in the Western Hemisphere), and tours are geared for any age or physical strength (even for old people like us).  We took the Big Room tour because we didn't feel like taking ropes and ladders (with head light gear) down 830 feet.  All we had to do was jump into an elevator to go down 75 stories to the Big Room (my kind of rock climbing!!).  These caves really should be one of the 7 wonders of the world -- words and pictures do not describe the beauty, vastness, and majesty of these caverns.  My pictures aren't the best because there wasn't enough light, but better than no pictures. 

Here are a couple of two-page spreads I did for my brother's heritage album:

I used a discontinued die (I believe) to create the bird and branches -- this was one of my favorite pages.

 

Another discontinued SU die I bought last month when SU was having their clearance sales, paper flowers, and distressing kit (inks and files).  It is so hard to remember my product when I have had 3 weeks off from stamping -- so please forgive me.  Everything used is Stampin' Up product!!



My hubby at the beginning of our 1.4 mile walk in the Big Room of Carlsbad Caverns.

And here he is again, still with a smile on his face (that is because he had probably only walked one-tenth of a mile at this point).

And he's still walking -- tried to take picture looking into cavern so you could see some of the rooms.

Make sure you enlarge these pictures by double clicking on them -- wish you could have seen this in person!!



Back of my brother -- still walking!!



Isn't this beautiful -- enlarge it!!

This room is called the "Hall of Giants" because of the size of the stalagmites, with the largest being 83 feet tall.

Trying to get a picture that would depict the vastness, but failed!!

Sorry I was not able to get a picture of what my husband looked like after walking 1.4 miles; but the paramedics would not give me time to take a picture.  Just kidding, I was so proud of him because he made it -- he never walks!!  I couldn't get a picture because my camera battery died.  That gives you a clue how many pictures I took, as I had charged my battery before we left that morning!

As you can tell, we are having a blast.  We have seen a lot and experienced a lot, and God has blessed us with safe travels and wonderful experiences.  Come back soon for another day of our travels.

Blessings to all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

Sandi
"When will you ever have more time than you have now?"

VINTAGE #6

Hello All!!

Well, I'm done traveling for a couple of days.  Told my brother we needed to stay at his place for a couple of days before taking off to Arizona.  And today, of course, is God's day (day of rest) so thought I would spend time to share a few photos with you.

First I want to share a couple of more pages I did for my brother's heritage album (I know, you are getting sick to death of this -- but I have a few more yet to post).  Don't forget to click on the photos to enlarge as the pictures are small and hard to see details.

Two-page spread using discontinued SU Scrapbook Kit and currents stamps and accessories.

Close-up of right page, showing my great-grandmother and her children.

Close-up of left page, showing great-grandmother and great-grandfather.

The following pictures were taken at Holloman Air Force Base on Veteran's Day (where we stayed for 3 nights while taking in the sights in the area).  This is a fighter-training base (49th Tactical Fighter Wing) for airman from all over the country (including Germany).  This display shows various fighter jets, etc., used throughout the years.  I found it very interesting and beautifully displayed.  So today you will get a history lesson -- LOL.  These pictures are just of few of the fighter jets on display (didn't want to bore you with all of them).  The sun was going down, as you will see in the lighting of the pictures toward the end. 

This is the F-80 Shooting Star.  It was the first USAF aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, the first American jet airplane to be manufactured in large quantities, and the first USAF jet to be used in combat.  It was manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft and delivered to the USAF on March 1950.  Starting December 1950, Aircraft 853 flew combat missions during the Korean War with the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing from Taegu Air Base, Korea, and Tsuki Air Base, Japan.  It is on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

In 1951, Republic Aviation began a project to develop a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber to replace the F-84F.  The result was the F-105 Thunderchief, affectionately nicknamed the "Thud," delivered to the Air Force on April 27, 1962 by the Republic, this F-105 served with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing from July 8, 1962 to December 1966 at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.  Nicknamed "Kordel-Eden," to recognize the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing Commander's aircraft.

The F-15A Eagle is a twin-engine, high-performance, all-weather air superiority fighter.  Manufactured by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in 1977, this particular aircraft flew with the various units in Tactical Air Command and United States Air Forces Europe until being dropped from the inventory in June 1993.  The 49th Tactical Fighter Wing flew the F-15A from 1977 to 1992, including some of the first air superiority missions over the Southern Iraqi no-fly zone during Operation Southern Watch.

This aircraft was the world's first Stealth aircraft to employ ordinance in combat in both operations Just Cause and Desert Storm.  On both occasions, the aircraft was piloted by Major Gregory "Beast" Feest.  It also saw combat action in Operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom.  The F-117A served under the Flag of the 49 FW from 1992 through it's retirement in 2008.

Here is a shot of the other side of the Stealth Bomber -- these pictures really don't depict the size and how awesome it looks in person.  What a machine!!

It was completely dark by the time I took this picture (I know, should have taken it first because it would have been beautiful).  After staying 3 nights and 4 days on base you really appreciate all those men and women who are keeping us safe.

 I hope you enjoyed your history lesson today and of course even more important my album pages.  I have some truly awesome pictures to show you on my next post -- our trip to Carlsbad Caves (30 miles of cave!!).

Blessings to all, Sandi