Simply Sandy

YUM

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:15:00 +0000

I am really quite amazed at the comments I receive and want you to know that you have made this senior citizen very happy. Welcome to my new followers. I feel as if I have my very own private art museum when I visit your blogs. Thanks for all the fun!!

This is going to be a quick post. I made a couple of dictionary pages for an Alpha challenge at the Craft Barn and missed the deadline . What better time to post then right now! I will give you three guesses what word I used -- the first two guesses don't count!

I will let my pages speak for themselves - the proposal is worth the read!!!!

Thanks for your visit and I am so appreciative of your wonderful and encouraging comments.
Sandy

Female

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Tue, 28 May 2013 19:13:00 +0000

I want to thank all of y'all who have left such wonderful comments. I love following you and seeing such wonderful posts. You make my heart smile!!!!
Time for another challenge at The Craft Barn. This time it is the letter Fe through Fr.
I have chosen the word FEMALE - how appropriate since I am a female!!!!!

I am having so much fun with this challenge and will have a wonderful gift for my daughter - she loves this and I know she will treasure it always and pass it on to one of my granddaughters!

One of my favorite things to do is visit art museums and since we live so far back in the mountains, I do not get the chance as often as I would like. But I have to tell you, visiting all of your blogs has given me more pleasure than you will ever know. You guys are so talented -- I do love you!!!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such wonderful comments!!
Sandy

From Russia with Love

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:36:00 +0000

The letter from the latest Alpha Challenge at the Craft Barn found here
is the letter 'K'. I have chosen the world Kremlin. Such an exciting adventure for one Mom and her talented daughter.

My smart and talented daughter Stacy. Behind her is St. Basil's Cathedral and to the right is the Kremlin.

What wonderful memories - Stacy and Mom in Red Square.

A little explanation is in order. Some twenty years ago, my daughter taught English to high school students in Poland while serving in the Peace Corps. At the end of her two years, I went and stayed with her in Ulanow, the village she taught in. We then spent several weeks touring Poland and other Eastern European countries. For two women alone, we had one exciting adventure!!! I will never forget it. Thanks Stacy.

I appreciate your visit and love your comments!!!!!
Sandy

I Believe .. Do You?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Mon, 06 May 2013 00:45:00 +0000

Beneath my kitchen window at the woods edge, there is a village of magic mushrooms.

The Alpha Challenge at the Craft Barn is the letter 'A'. I have chosen the word AGARIC which is the name of various fungi. Many of the species are edible like the common mushroom, wile others are deleterious and even poisonous. You can find the details of this super fun dictionary challenge here.

Fairies always pick the most beautiful mushrooms for their homes. Not only that, but they are always poisonous mushrooms. You don't eat your house, do you think fairies eat theirs!?! Besides, living in apoisonous fungi is a means of protection. How clever these fairies are!!

Thanks for your visit and your sweet comments. Doing this dictionary is sooooo much fun!
Sandy

Warbler

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:40:00 +0000

By the hair of my chiny chin chin -- I have entered The Craft Barn's Alpha challenge - the letter 'W' with circles in the background. You can find this delightful challenge here. I have chosen the word Warbler.

I have taken artistic license - I don't think that a Hummingbird is a warbler. I should ask Alison at Words and Pictures - don't you think?

Thanks for your visit and as everyone knows - comments bring me so much pleasure and for all my followers, a sincere thank you. Sandy

News from my wee farm

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:41:00 +0000

So many of you have asked about my wee goats Flip and Flop -- thank you for your interest!!

First we got 16 baby chicks in the mail the Wednesday before Easter - all 16 are well and doing fine. Growing like weeds and now live in their room in the barn. Mind you, we only wanted five. Long story.

Are you my Mommy???

Nicole, my 13 year old grand-daughter and I take our new Maremma Sheepdog puppy home with us. We name her Sam.

Sam looks over her new domain.

Sam starts learning her new job to watch over the goats.

Nanny, Nicole and Caroline my 11 year old grand-daughter. We are introducing Flip to Sam.

Look Mom!!! I have a lap goat. Nicole is holding Flip while Flop looks for food.

The goats have been poorly - it seems that they are OCD and overeat. Do you think they take after me?
Our problem is too much rich spring grass. Art is getting it all cut back now and I know more about goat poop then I should. The goats are well now but we have kept them up and eating mostly hay and oats. They might be able to go out a little while this afternoon.

I had my daughter's four kids during their Easter break and needless to say it was a zoo here. Two cats, two goats, 16 chicks, a new puppy and 4 children between the age of 6 and 13. This has been one crazy adventure.

Thanks for you interest in my world and I so enjoy reading your comments. Welcome to my new followers - y'all make me smile!!
Sandy

Rainforest

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:14:00 +0000

The letter for the current alpha challenge at the The Craft Barn Blog is "R"

I have chosen the word Rainforest for my R word.

This is a special post for me because my 13 year old granddaughter Nicole designed the left hand page. It was her idea to do "Rainforest" This was a practice page because she wanted to do her own dictionary. I turned her lose with my PanPastels and away she went. I stole her practice page to go in my dictionary. Now aren't I smart!!!!! Unfortunately the picture does not show the glass beads I used to make dew drops or the vintage glass glitter on the butterflies. As the sunlight filters through the forest luscious flowers bloom.

Thanks for your visit and once again I thank you for your lovely comments - they do mean a lot to me!!
Sandy

Flip and Flop

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:40:00 +0000

My life has been forever changed. Last Saturday my husband and I drove down to South Carolina to pick up our to new babies Flip and Flop who are now in the neighborhood of ten weeks old.

Here is PaPa Art with Floppy - he is carrying her to the cage he built for our SUV for the trip back to the mountains of Western North Carolina. What a long trip for such a wee baby. Flip and Flop all settled in for their first cart trip.

Oh Mama!! Is this my very own "The grass is greener of the other side of the fence" pasture!??!!!!!!

Oh thank you Mama - thank you! I want to give you a big kiss!!

At last Flip (the white male) and Flop ( the little one behind Flip) are home with Art and me. It really leaves me with a huge smile on my face. They are just like babies -- all they do is eat and poop and the minute Art or I leave them alone they start crying like you would not believe. And they are loud too. When the little male cries, it sounds like he is saying "Pa,Pa!" So I run up and down the mountain all day to keep them company while they eat and poop.

My love to you all and I hope you enjoyed this post!!!!!
Sandy

Mask

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:24:00 +0000

It is time to post another another dictionary page. The Craft Barn has chosen the letter M but with a twist. This time it is "Ma through Me". I chose the word MASK.

The dictionary I am using is so old that the paper is very fragile -- I have to be careful and they really want to curl up thus the clothes pins on the four corners. I tried a metal clip but they tend to tear the paper.

I used a digital stamp called MIDNIGHT WARRIOR by the artist Sara Burrier. I think she is gorgeous. So she became the inspiration for my work mask. Please visit the Craft Barn to see all the wonderful dictionary pages.

Challenge entered - The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge - the letter M - Ma through M

I have to admit I love these pages - learned a lot and especially what not to do ! I really appreciate you taking the time to visit my creative endeavors and all your comments make my heart smile (well as long as they are nice!)
Sandy

The Letter H

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:09:00 +0000

The current letter for the alpha challenge is H. The word I picked out is Hollyhock.

This is so much fun and when you get through (or I get through) what a neat dictionary to have as a fun art book.

I have entered this into The Alpha Challenge at the Craft Barn - Letter H

Thanks for visiting and why not give this challenge a try!!!
Sandy

One Stamp Three Ways

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:42:00 +0000

Good afternoon all my creative friends out there in Blogland!! All of you that have elected to follow me, I sure do appreciate it!
A couple of weeks ago I was chatting with Danielle and she told me that she was making a Christmas card every month and would I like to join her. I said yes - that would give me more incentive to get some Christmas cards done.
I am calling this post One Stamp Three Ways --

This was the hardest card to take a picture of -- my husband (he is my assistant) only took 436 pictures of this one card. The card itself is forest green and you cannot see the holly in the corners. But no matter what he did, the silver sparkle spray I used would not come out in the right way -- this was the best of the lot.

This is my canvas done with the same stamp and a similar design. This canvas is completely black.

And finally a tag. Once again done with the same stamp!

So my Christmas cards have begun - onward ho!! I sure do thank you for all your sweet comments and stopping in for a visit.

Sandy

The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge - Letter 'E'

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:55:00 +0000

I am so sorry the letter wasn't 'B' because this is a beginning. But I am happy that the letter is 'E' because I am excited to give this challenge a go!

As I said - the letter is 'E" and I choose the word educate.

Below is a closer view of the left side page with my word 'EDUCATE'.

Here is the right hand side of my rather large dictionary page.

I found my dictionary in an antique and junk store and paid all of five dollars for it! There was no date when it was published but the pages are yellowed and a little on the thin side. It measures eight inches by eleven inches and weighs somewhat over six pounds.

To be quite honest, I am not over thrilled with this but the way I see it is that I have no where to go but up!

This is such a fun challenge that the Craft Barn is sponsoring and I will have a pretty neat book when done!

Hope you can play along!!!!

Challenge entered - The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge - The Letter 'E'

I hope you get a chance to visit and leave some love. Thanks to all that do and I sure do understand when you can't!

Sandy

A Valentine from Me to You!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:39:00 +0000

It will soon be Valentine's Day and everyone is full of love - well at least I hope so!!! I could not help myself - I made a Valentine Canvas - I sure hope you like it!!!!

I edged all four sides

A usual - the real thing looks so much better than my pictures -- help!!!!

I would like to enter my canvas in the following challenge: Corrosive Challenge #167
Hearts and Flowers

Thanks for visiting y'all!
Sandy

I'm addicted!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:59:00 +0000

I freely admit that Chris has set me free from the ties that bind me! After making a canvas for her I went on to make a canvas for my very sweet friend Kelly Neis! You probably know her best from The Beauty of Paper.
Before I show you my canvas there are a few things I want you to know about Kelly. Kelly lives on a large farm in Minnesota with her husband Tom and five of her seven children. They also have cattle, horses, chickens, pigs, goats dogs, cats and three Llamas. They have had a particularly cold winter. When she called this morning I think she said it was ten degrees - brrrrrrrrrr. They are always covered in snow!
Bunches of snow!

I hope you can enlarge this to see some of the details. If not, got to Kelly's blog because she went crazy with her pictures. What a great idea, I need to learn to do that!!!

Now where in the world Kelly thinks I am a fancy lady I will never know. It's all I can do to remember to put on lipstick!!!! Here is Kelly's canvas to me!!!! Isn't it gorgeous!!

In my best day I was never this purty or dressed up!

Oh my goodness - I wish you could see all the pretty teeny tiny beads in her hair. Kelly very graciously not only made me thin but took away all my grey too!

This flower is gorgeous - of course I don't think this model lady can walk but what the heck - who needs to walk when you can be beautiful!! Thanks Kelly - I love your canvas.

Sure would like to know what you think of my new fantasy world - really, this is so much fun!!
Thanks for all your comments - come round to see me anytime!
Sandy

We're Expecting!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 01:23:00 +0000

At long last my husband and I are expecting two new babies that should arrive here mid to late March. One boy named Flip and one girl named Flop (we will call her Floppy)!! I am so excited I could just spit!!

Yesterday we went to South Carolina to visit Mr. Phil who raises mini Nubian goats. This is the very first time I have ever held a mini goat that is all of three weeks old!

See that precious white baby boy? That is Flip - isn't he cute!!!!

This is Farmer Phil holding two of the babies. The one on the left that is black and grey is Flop our little girl. She is so sweet and smaller than Flip!

I got to help bottle feed these little tykes. Do I look happy or what! Our new children are too young to come live with us but when we get them I will just have post again. This is Simply Sandy reporting from her soon to be mini farm!!!

What do you think of my new babies!?!

Dans le Jardin

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:27:00 +0000

I have followed the art work of Chris Dark for sometime now. Most of us are familiar with Chris's gorgeous Magnolia cards with her hand painted flowers and doodling. Then one magical day, Chris posted a couple of pages from her art journal and I knew then what I wanted to do. I wrote Chris and she told me about Andy Skinner and Christy Tomilson. So I kept following Chris and ended up taking a She Girl class on line.
Well Chris challenged me --- she said "Sandy I will make you a She Girl canvas if you make me one." Well Honey Child I want y'all to know that I would walk a mile barefoot in the rain for one of Chris's canvases. So of course I said YES!!! Then after I pledged to do it I said to myself "OMG Sandy what have you done - you have never made a canvas!"

This is the canvas that Chris sent me.

I love it !! If only you could see it for real. Beautiful colors and wonderful texture. She has all the things in it I love. The woods I live in and all the creatures around me. She personalized it even more by printing ever so small around the trees and the deer. To have this canvas in my hot little hands really helped me get going. I studied every jot and tittle and low and behold found that cat in the bottom left hand corner. To my amazement, Chris said it was really created from negative space - it's a miracle I say!!!!

Well I finally finished my canvas and off to England it went. I did not want to post it until Chris received it as I wanted it to be a surprise. So in the style of Christy Tomilson and Christine Dark here is my canvas.

I want to thank Chris for nudging me on to be better than I thought I could be - for being a friend and a wonderful mentor. You can see all of Chris's art work here and here . If you have not been to one of Chris's blogs before, I highly recommend it - you are in for a real treat!!!

Well kids, it's time to get on with my day. Thanks to all my followers and all of you out there in Blogland who left me some very sweet comments. As you know, your comments make my heart smile and I do appreciate them.
Love,
Sandy

Lighting a candle with love

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:02:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:03:00 +0000

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!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 04:08:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:57:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 02:17:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 01:51:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:25:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:02:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:51:00 +0000

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