Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 Thoughts & Looking forward to 2016

Hi, everyone!
I hope 2015 was a great year for you all, and that 2016 is an even better one!
I just wanted to take a few minutes to chat with you about my 2015.

2015


Where We Lived

We moved twice this year - to the lake and then back to North.
We are currently getting things ready to move again in February / March time frame back to Alaska. I can't wait! 

What I Read

I didn't read nearly as much as I have in years past, but still enjoyed several good books and several audio books. I actually, for the first time in my life, read the Bible all the way through instead of just bits and pieces. I'm sure at some point I have covered it all, but in 2015, I know I read every page, chapter, and book. I'm pretty happy about that.

I read a couple of odd books including The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. It started off much better than the rest of the book. Just sayin'.

I'm currently reading Beth Moore's Children of the Day Bible Study.

I discovered The Message Bible. I love the easy language and flow of it.

I threw in some Sci-fy and Mysteries too. Always good choices.

Tom & I have bought the first three Harry Potter books on audio so far. We plan on getting the rest of that series and then listening to that in the car on the drive to Alaska. That will be entertaining. We've both read the books already, and Tom has read them 2 or 3 times. LOL But having an audio book or six on such a long drive should help with those times when we are bored after being in the car for several days.

Scrapbooking

In 2015 (okay, really December 2014), I started using the Project Life scrapbooking system. Oh why did I wait so long to start this? I actually STAYED caught up all year!

 

 

Most of the pages are by the week, but let's face it, sometimes there is nothing noteworthy to scrapbook, so there was a month here and there where I did "monthly recaps" and combined several weeks into one small scrapbooking page or two. The point is, I LOVE USING PROJECT LIFE!

 
I use the Digi Files, the App, AND the physical cards and pages. I have 2 albums for 2015! Yesterday, Tom & I placed an Amazon order, (I LOVE AMAZON PRIME!) and I ordered 2 more Project Life Albums for 2016 plus a couple of Core Kits and extra mini sets of cards. 

Weight Watchers in 2015

Join me at Weight Watchers HERE
Thank you all SO MUCH for your encouragement and support for my Weight Watchers lifestyle in 2015.  I will admit I took "off" a few months not being diligent. I'm still pleased to announce I lost over 30 pounds this year!
Woo-Hoo!

Our Babies

Mary Ann & Ginger (our Pit Bulls) turned 2 in November this year. They bring so much joy to our lives. Both of them have heart murmurs, and Mary Ann has several health issues. Her arthritis has bothered her more than usual these past several weeks. I'll need to take her to the vet before we move and find out what meds she can start taking to help relieve some of her stiffness. I can't wait to see how they like the snow. I know they are going to love the new scenery and hikes in the mountains. Mary Ann will probably have to start wearing doggie clothes in the winter. Ginger is going to go crazy wanting to go on hikes with Tom all the time.

Carolina to Alaska

Tom & I will be updating our Carolina To Alaska blog regularly starting this weekend with a video testing snow chains on my car. LOL I hope that you guys will hop over to that blog and become a Follower. You can scroll through posts from the last 2 times we lived there and see our adventures from then.  Tom plans on posting lots of videos too. It's fun to share our experiences with you all. Alaska is an amazing place. We've wanted to get back there ever since we left. 


The YouTube channel is not really "ready" yet. But still, go ahead and subscribe. I'll work on getting some of the videos uploaded from when we lived there before, and we'll be posting videos regularly starting this weekend with preparing snow chains on tires. There's going to be lots of fun stuff going on over there even before we start the actual driving for the move. Exciting News! We will have DASH CAMS this go round! You are not going to believe some of the things we see on the way. For instance, I will never forget the Bison who were moseying along the Alaskan Highway. We had to go real slow and wait for them to decide to move on along. They were just doing their thing in the road! AND THEY SMELL! Just in case you ever have wondered about that, now you know. You're welcome.
From August 2011...


From December 2011.... Santa's Reindeer! They were jogging at 20mph along side us.


My 2016 Design Teams

I am VERY excited about the new and continuing Design Teams I'm a part of for 2016. I am so honored to be able to work alongside very talented ladies!
PDE Linky Party (Owner & Design Team Member)
{PIN}spirational
Die Cuttin' Divas
2 Creative Chicks
Silhouette Showcase
Miss Kate Cuttables (Guest Designing now and them)

Thank You

Thank you so much to everyone who has been a regular visitor and commenter on my blog. You have no idea how much I appreciate that! My blog will be BUSY with various crafts and links to challenge sites for you in 2016 again. I hope you'll continue to visit and comment! If you own a challenge blog, feel FREE to comment with the link. I like to keep a challenge blog list on my sidebar and am always looking to discover new challenge sites. 

Enjoy the rest of your day! Don't forget to go FOLLOW our blog and SUBSCRIBE to our new YouTube channel!!

Enjoy your New Year's Eve out or in. Be safe wherever you are.
So long 2015!
Hello 2016!



Happy New Year's Eve!

Hi, everyone! Happy New Year's Eve. If you go out today, please be safe and assume everyone else on the road is NOT paying attention. :)




Submitted:
Pals Paper Arts Sketch #281
Mod Squad - anything goes +at least one die cut
Crafty Gals Corner - anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Worry Less; Giggle More

Hi, everyone! I think this week has been just as busy as last week so far, but it's a great week!

My project for today:



Fiskars Cloud Punch
Lawn Fawn Stitched Landscape Dies
Paper Smoochies Uplifters Stamp Set
Penny Black, Beau Jardin, 6x6 pad
Sizzix Pocket with Scallop Edge Die
Dot Runner, Foam Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by today!

Submitted:
Creatalicious - something old, something new (old - Fiskars cloud punch; new - 6x6 paper pad for Christmas!)


Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Miss You




Submitted:
Little Scrap Pieces - show it off Saturday
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes
Creative Card Crew - anything goes
Allsorts - anything but Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's Pattern Paper Chs - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Happy Birthday!

Hi, everyone! Is it your birthday? If so, Happy Birthday!!





Submitted:
Sketch Saturday #392
Seize the Birthday - anything goes
That Craft Place - anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Happy Sunday

Hi, everyone! I hope you are enjoying your weekend!


Submitted:
Match the Sketch #104


Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Card using Freshly Made Sketches

Hi, everyone! I hope you all had a very nice Christmas Day yesterday. The kids came over and we played and played and played. It's nice that we live close enough to do that. When we move back to Alaska in about 8 weeks, we won't have that little blessing anymore. But we do plan on flying the kids up now and then and flying back to the South now and then for visits.


Submitted:

Freshly Made Sketches #217

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Friday, December 25, 2015

Ch# 102 @ PDE Linky Party



Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope Santa was good to you.  PDE Linky Party is still up and running awaiting all your crafty link ups in our linky party. I know some of you will spend all day and weekend with your families, and some of you have been looking forward to spending some time in your craftroom. So however you spend this special time, remember you can link up your projects and show us what you've been up to lately. All types of crafting are welcome, not just paper crafts! Come show off your skills!


  • Glitter papers from Hobby Lobby's Pixey Stix 12x12 stack
  • Penguin print 'n cut - Miss Kate Cuttables 
    • Wonder why my penguin is wearing a blue scarf and the file has him wearing a green one? That would be because as I was printing a sheet of cut files, I ran out of yellow ink. Which would also explain why his feet are pink and not yellow. But hey, I thought he was still adorable!
  • Pink & Main - Scarlett stamp set for sentiment
  • Foam tape (Amazon)
  • Sweet Sunday Sketch #297 (past sketch) 

Submitted:
(coming soon)


Thanks for stopping by today. See you tomorrow!!


Thursday, December 24, 2015

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

 Hi, everyone! Merry Christmas!



Enjoy your day and your weekend.


Submitted:
Pile It On - anything Christmas / Winter
The Paper Girls - celebrate
Holly Jolly Christmas - anything goes Christmas
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes
Creative Knockouts - Christmas
Creative Card Crew - anything goes
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Extra (Monthly)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas (every Saturday)
Crafty Gals - anything goes
Crafty Creations - anything goes
Christmas Cards All Year Long

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Gift Card Holders

Hi, everyone! It's Christmas Eve Eve!!  Today I have a couple of Apple Gift Card Holders. I think the kids will enjoy these.




  • Rounded Gift Card Holder
  • All pattern papers - Doodlebug Design, Sugar Shoppe
  • Scrappy Moms, Merry and Bright stamp set 


Submitted:
Crafty Creations - anything goes
Creative Card Crew - anything goes


Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Joy to the World

Hi, everyone! Are you ready for Christmas? Just a few more days!!!!




Submitted:
Color Throwdown - any Christmas Creation any colors
Crafty Gals- anything goes
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Ch (Saturdays) - anything Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Ch Extra (Monthly) - anything Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's Pattern Paper Ch
Creative Card Crew - anything goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Ch - anything goes
Little Scrap Pieces - show it off Sunday
Pile it On - anything Christmas / Winter
Pretty Cute Stamps - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!



Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Christmas Packaging

Hi, everyone! Oh my gosh, it's less than a week until Christmas! Yay! I've been making some Christmas Packaging - boxes & tags. Simple, simple (they are just going to get ripped open and thrown away. LOL)

These packages are from the Silhouette Store # 41611.


These tags are also from the Silhouette Store # 36433.


Scrappy Moms Stamps - Christmas Cheer and also the Merry & Bright set.

I'll add some ribbon to the tags when it's time to adhere to the package.

Submitted:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch (Saturdays)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch Extra (Monthly)

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Reindeer Rule!

Hi, everyone! I saw this cute sketch file in the Silhouette store today and wanted to play with it on a mini card. I'm a little disappointed in the Silhouette pens I purchased a while back. The ink is not consistent so that some times while it's "sketching" in the Cameo the ink is coming out, and sometimes it's not. I finally found a dark gray pen that worked for the entire drawing, but I think I'm going to toss these pens and get the pen adapter so I can use pens I know work ALL the time. Hey, just my review and opinion.


  • 3x3 Mini Card
  • Chalks and colored pencils for coloring
  • Silhouette file Reindeer Sketch
  • Scrappy Moms Christmas Cheer stamp set
    • for the Fa la la la la sentiment, I curved it around the snowbank
  • Lawn Fawn stitched landscapes



Thanks for stopping by today! As soon as I order and receive that pen adapter I'll be doing a lot more sketch cards. Especially since I went and already bought a bunch of the files in the Silhouette store. So many styles and choices!


Submitted:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch (Saturdays)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch Extra (Monthly)

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Merry Christmas Accordion Fold Card

Hi, everyone! Ready for another super simple Christmas card?


Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!

Submitted:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch (Saturdays)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch Extra (Monthly)




Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately. 

Friday, December 18, 2015

Happy Sweet 16 Blog Hop

Hi, everyone! Welcome to Emily's Sweet 16 Birthday Blog hop!



I know she is going to love seeing all the projects we made in her honor, and I think you are also going to be inspired by what we have to share with you on our blogs today. 

You should be arriving from Ellen's blog. If so, GREAT!  If not, you can start at the beginning at Beth's Blog and get all the details about her blog candy!

For my project I decided to package up some "Pamper Me" items.

What is a blog without candy? If you are a follower of The Crafty Scrap Yard just leave a comment here along with the other blogs in today's hop and you'll be entered to win two sets of Cardz TV stamp sets! "Make A Wish" and "Girl Talk" both sets that will help you celebrate a birthday celebration or a girl in your life!


 


Your next stop is Jennifer.

Remember some of the other designers are also giving away blog candy too, so don't forget to visit everyone, read carefully and become a follower of all blogs, and leave some comment love!

Beth use random.org to pick a winner and announce the winner on Monday, May 25th. So grab your favorite beverage, and join us for lots of fun and inspiration! 

Here's the line-up for "Emily's Surprise 16th Birthday" Blog Hop! If you get lost while hopping come back here to check the list and find your way again!
  1. Beth ~http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com
  2. Mary - http://cardztv.blogspot.com
  3. Shawnee - http://sunshinycards.blogspot.com
  4. Thia - http://bluemooncreation.blogspot.com
  5. Ellen- http://www.cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com
  6. Janis-http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com
  7. Jennifer R- http://www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com
  8. Rachelle-http://rachellescreativeplace.blogspot.com
  9. Krystal - http://krystalklearcreations.blogspot.com
  10. Cathy-http://mimiscraftcorner.blogspot.com
  11. Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
  12. Maria - http://maria-linacreativedesigns.blogspot.com
  13. Jessica D. - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
  14. Georgia- http://www.geritolgal2.blogspot.com
  15. Julie - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com
  16. Barbara - http://www.spotofsanity.blogspot.com
  17. Jessica P - http://www.kissinkrafts.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for hopping with us today and wishing my daughter a Happy Birthday.  We hope you had lots of fun and I'll see you Wednesday the 23rd when I announce the Blog Candy winner!

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you tomorrow!!


Hey, before you go, don't forget to come link up the projects you are working on over at my linky party blog, PDE Linky Party, and see what our Design Team has been crafting lately.