Sharing the Season and Blessings from our family.

We have been Blessed in many ways. Times are tough with job lay offs and my illness being so severe this year. Still, I have nothing to complain about. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and a few gifts for family around the tree.

 We were able to enjoy a wonderful night with family and friends at the Zoo Lights. We also had a day at another friends with cookie exchanges and the grandson making his first ornament and reindeer food with other children. It's been a fun December. Weather has been wonderful enough for me to get out and do these things, that in it's self is a huge Blessing. 

I was able to get in my craft room earlier this week and do a little crafting for family and friends. Hope you enjoy the new cards and the Gift Card holders.  

Entered the cards into a few challenges. I have those listed below.

 

Can't share all my goodies I made... Some family and friends view my Blog...
They have to wait until later to see what is in store for them.
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I haven't gone all out this year on decorating. I have chosen to be less stressed and take more time to enjoy my grandson and family. Time passes fast and you do not get those years back. I think my daughters have enjoyed the less stressed me as well. Enjoy the pics from our outings. Most of all, I wish each of you a wonderful and blessed Christmas. 

 

 A very happy Grandpa!

 

Our elf got a little mischievous this year and Trevor helped his 

Mom & Dad decorate their tree.

Make a few memories and then pass those memories on with a scrap page or two. The joy of being able to look back at Christmas pasts and share the good, funny, and sometimes sad has put goosebumps, smiles, and giggles in my heart this month. Pass on Love, Peace, and Happiness to all you come in contact with. Never know what your kind word or simple smile may bring to another persons soul.  

Merry Christmas to all.

Happy with Santa. (a first)

Loving the train ride with mom & dad around the zoo.

 His absolute favorite...

Dragged me all the way to the entrance full speed ahead..LOL!

Dasher and Dancer

   

Looking at the Ferris Wheel

wearing Grandpa's Santa Hat!

 

May your New year bring many more Blessings and prosperity too!

Go by and check out all the wonderful challenges I entered 

my cards and Gift cards into tonight.

1) Totally Gorjuss

2) Simon Says

3) ATC's and Cards with Attitude

4) Pin & Tack

5) Ginger loft Challenges
6) Less is More

December ~ Crafts, Cards, and Caring.....

Busy as usual and playing catch up on the blog. Yes, I'm alive and kickin' still.

As I write this post, I know many of you are well into the beginning of the mad rushes of shopping, making those Christmas goodies for teachers and children's classmates along with another long list of things to get done. Do remember to pick one day to make a memory for you and your family. Something simple and non stressful. I have chosen Dec. 8th which coincides with my Virtual Scrapbook Gathering Day. (More information, check out here.)
We will hope to have all the kids home and the grand-baby too! We are going to hang out, make some cookies, attend a cookie swap, have a nice peaceful dinner, and check out the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. Then I will make my nice peppermint hot cocoa. Trevor will really enjoy the season this year. He's 2, so those who are well rounded with children, you know what I mean.

I wish each of my blogger friends a wonderful and joyful December. My thoughts go to many who are struggling this year. So, Please be mindful of those who are having tough times, weather it be the loss of loved ones, financial issues, or health.
We never know what a person is going through or how they got there. But, we as caring people do know how to help. Give a hand up (not a hand out), be kind rather than a grump when the lines are long, or just show that bright smile, it may lift a persons heart.
Give Joy, Love, Kindness, and on going Blessings and Prayers to all. May each of you be filled with the Spirit and I pray that you all have a beautiful Christmas.

First our cards for this year.

Trying to use up all my paper stash for the big bundle of cards. Keeping this years clean and simple.

Have a few more to finish that are for those very special people in my life.

(Can't show those-too many follow my blog..LOL!)

Used CTMH Stamp sets and Card Stock matched with various papers.

 Trying to use up all my paper stash for the big bundle of cards. Keeping this years clean and simple.

Hope you like my cards.

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Here's some information that is going on with Close To My Heart. 

Some really great items to take advantage of now.

National Papercrafting Month - Whooo’s Your Valentine

December 2012 - January 2013 Constant Campaign Celebrate National Paper crafting Month with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit (CC1022) for only $10!  Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines—perfect for classrooms and other group settings. This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch!

Spread the word and help us celebrate National Paper crafting Month in January with this exclusive Whooo’s Your Valentine kit promotion, perfect for gifts and classroom projects!

Dates: December 13, 2012 at 9 am (MST) – January 31 (11:59 MST), 2013. One per qualifying order.

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December 1 (9:00 am MST) – 31 (11:59 pm MST), 2012

When you place a minimum order of $50 or more on my website, you will receive a free Bonding Memories Glue Pen (Z553).

Dates: December 1 (9:00 am MST) – 31 (11:59 pm MST), 2012. 

One per qualifying order. While supplies last.

Look what I have on My Crafty Desk this week....

Can you say Busy? It's been a crazy week of last 

minute crafting for the 

Christmas Carousel in Desoto County and 

spending time with my grandson. Can't tell if I am 

coming or going...I am sure you know what I am talking about. 

Thought I'd share a few items I have made this week.

 Enjoy browsing around.!!!!

When time allows, I'll elaborate more on Tools & Supplies in 

My 3-D Arts & Mini Albums Tab above. 

Check back in about a week for the details.

 Tag Booklet

 November Calender Scrapbook Page

Gift Card Tree Hangers 

Looking for Suggestions or need to unblock your craftiness.......

  See information regarding  My Drawing, by Clicking Here

Make It From Your Heart® Volume 1

Do you ever get stuck an how to place a few photos in a layout or just crafty blocked on a card. This book has some some wonderful map suggestions. I am waiting on mine to arrive now. I had the opportunity to browse through one the other day and after seeing some of the suggestions, I knew I could use this book for many layouts to come. Also, It is light weight and I can take it to those Crops away from home with out taking up room or adding weight to my bag. Here are some details. If you are interested in ordering, just click the code below to get yours today. 

Thank you for stopping by and hope to see you browse by again.

This softbound, affordable how-to publication features 16 two-page layout patterns, 2 single-page patterns, as well as 12 different card patterns. Inspired by Jeanette Lynton's Let Me Show You How® philosophy, the patterns are the same as those found in the Workshops on the Go® card making and scrapbooking programs for 2012–2013. This publication highlights all-new artwork, technique ideas, and color palettes, conveniently bound in one volume for easy reference.  

You may get yours for $7.95 

Code 9035

The Christmas Carousel ~ Arts & Crafts Market

Checkout The November Blog Drawing By Clicking Here

Christmas is around the corner.

Are you ready to get your gifts for all 

those on your list. 

November 10, 2012 from 9 am to 4 pm is your chance!!

The Christmas Carousel looks to be the most anticipated Christmastime Arts and Craft Market bringing the most unique, handcrafted and one of a kind items to Olive Branch and the DeSoto County Area.

Close To My Heart 

will be there.

       

13662 Center Hill Rd, Olive Branch,

 Mississippi 38654-8632

Stop by my booth to register to win a free workshop for 

you and 4 of your friends. Also, I will have some Make-N-Takes so 

you can sample the papers, stamp sets and other goodies. 

 Sign Up for the Christmas Card class and/or the Crop Club.  

Ask about how you can earn Free Product or become a part of a great Team.

See the new Artiste Cricut Cartridge exclusive with 

Close To My Heart with Provo Craft. 

Also, I will have some hand made bundles of crafts for 

gift giving and stocking stuffing. 

Come and check out all the new crafting fun you could 

be enjoying and/or giving. 

If you order $35 from me out of the 2012 Fall/Winter Catalog at the Christmas Carousel, I will have a gift for you when your order arrives. ($10 retail value)

Hope to see you there.

Happy Halloween with Family and Friends

Hope everyone's Halloween was awesome. We enjoyed sharing time with Grandson Trevor, Terry, Nicole, Victoria, & Jonathan, and others as we went trick or treating through our neighborhood. It was fun watching Trevor discover the joy of saying Trick or Treat and seeing him in his costume. He did not want anything to do with his costume at first....Thought we would never get him in it.... but, once outside and seeing all the pumpkins and scarecrows he calmed down. Have a safe evening and hope you all had a fun evening.

 Our Grandson Trevor as Cookie Monster...He even had a 

Chocolate Chip cookie..

It is half eaten and at the bottom of his bucket.

What a cutie...I know I am bias, but he is a cutie with 

that sweet smile!

 Trevor & Grandpa Lee's Pumpkin Creation

Scarecrow with lighted Scarecrow as head.

Our neighbor and Trevor's friend Emmy with her mom.

 Victoria, Trevor, & Jonathan

Our neighbor, Trevor, & his other Grandpa Terry

I am done for the night...

...Time to get ready for my upcoming Craft Fair, 

Christmas Card Workshop, and other events before Thanksgiving. 

In the mean time enjoy browsing around my blog for crafts and other information. 

Happily Scrapbooking & Crafting My Memories~Sandra V.

Coffin' Makin' ghouls we are..... continues!!!

Click here---> for my October Workshops
Checkout the PJ Crafting TAB Above

Go by and check out all the awesome talent at Cardz TV. THe DT's have some really cute and inspirational projects.

Just click this link.

"FALL-O-WEEN FUN" CTV STAMPS DT CHALLENGE #17

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I am giggly excited because my New CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge is chalk full of 3-D projects for me to create. I have only played 
around with a few samples 
(wanting to make sure I could help my 

friend with her cute project). 

After making the first one, I couldn't stop with these cute little coffins.  My first two are going to some Special little peeps, so I put a little extra time into the finished look of these. Hope you like. My fun friend is now making 24 for her booing & office project and then our other friend wants 50 of these creations. Looks like we will be busy Coffin Makin'. 

 I am so glad my friend signed up for the GIRLS DAY OUT~12 HOUR CROP. We will have plenty of time to be "cricut cuttin' loons" that day.  For more information on future GIRLS DAY OUT CROPS go to:  http://memphisareascrapbookers.blogspot.com/

Here are the Coffins. 

They actually did not take that long to do...I just had to make up my silly mind on what I wanted to stamp & bling them with. Also, I had to choose what I wanted to cover the inside with, solid or B&T papers (background & texture). Once I got going, boom, they were done.
I have decided to share this with the H2H Challenges and a few others. Tools & Supplies used will be in the 3-D Arts TAB above .

                       

The last one is the smaller of the three. This one I will be Booing my neighbors with some added little goodies inside. (Thank goodness my neighbors don't visit my blog a lot....HE HE HA!).  

Thanks for stopping by, would love to get your crafty comments on these. Have a Cooky & Spooky October.

Here are some more great coffins by friends of my Crop Club...They were very busy as well. As soon as I finish my last group of coffins, I will share them here as well.

These are some of the ladies at our Huge Team Crop we had.

What fun and they were busy all day long.

I hope to get more pics of here fantastic Coffins before she gives them all out.

Wish answered...I love how she made everyone of her Coffins different. 

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Here, Our dear friend Kerry in Atlanta made some awesome invites to a party with her Coffin's. 

Can you say Creepy!!!!

Here is here invite she made to go inside the coffins!!

I am so glad I will not be opening one.. EEK!!!

This is how each invited person receives there coffin.

She made 50 of these!! Great work ladies.

Thanks for taking time to look at these.