Cocoa Vanilla "Daydream" ~ Together

 Hello Scrappy Friends!!

I want to share a layout I made for Dotty About Flair's December 7th Challenge - the prompts are Banners, Stars, Cut File (or Die Cuts.) I made the BANNER using baker's twine and some paper embellishments.  

I used the beautiful Cocoa Vanilla "Daydream" Collection to scrapbook a photo of my hubby and I when we were in Massachusetts.  If you missed out on this beautiful collection, you can click on the link in the name above, to grab some before it is all gone!!

For the STARS I used the fun Vicki Boutin Flower Stencil along with her Creativefx Gold Glaze. I really think they look like Starbursts don't you?!

Here are some close ups for you:

Here is a close up of the Banner and the stenciled Stars - and some Die Cuts too! I also splattered some Ranger Distress Spray on the layout too!

I used lots of DIE CUTS from this beautiful collection.

and of course - I added the perfect colored piece of Dotty About Flair too!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope I've inspired you to create and play along!

Be Well, and Stay Safe!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Tequila! Challenge # 95 "Stamping" from the Challenge YOUrself Blog

Hello my friends - it has been a while since I have posted on my blog - and also a while since I scrapbooked - but I am back at it again!!

So sorry this update is going to be a long one - The Challenge YOUrself Blog's Scrapbook Challenge and Layout info is below it.

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On August 3rd, my husband  Phil had his right knee replaced at Hospital for Special Surgeries in NYC, and came home on August 4th.  He was doing really well with home PT visits, but on August 13th, at 1:30AM he woke up freezing cold, and I called the ambulance as he was complaining of left chest pain.  He ended up having a "Widowmaker" heart attack. They put 3 stents into the left side of his heart and had to insert an Impella device into his heart that helped it to pump.  While he was in CICU at Valley Hospital, he suffered a ventricular tachycardia "storm" where his heart rate was too high and they had to "Zap" him a total of 13 times - while he was awake!!! between Friday night and Saturday morning.  He called me at 6am on Saturday and he and the Dr. told me that they had to sedate him and put him on a ventilator. There wouldn't be enough time for me to get there before they did. It was terrible, but necessary.  They ended up putting him on life support, and ECMO machine, which is a heart lung machine.  Valley said they need to transfer him to NY Columbia Presbyterian to a Heart Failure Dr. there, as they couldn't do any more for him. The team from NYP came on Sunday Aug 15th around 11AM to pick him, the 2 life support machines and about 4 or 5 stands with a bunch of IVs on each and they told me to go home - sleep, eat and go to NYP after 3pm.  Phil's brother drove me in, and the nurses and doctors there were beyond amazing.  Phil had some hard days with lots of struggles and ups and downs, but thankful there were more ups. I drove into NYC everyday to be with him from @10am to 8:30pm.  He was in the CICU unit from 8/15 to 8/25 and the step down unit from 8/25 to 9/9.  They took him off the ECMO on 8/18, the vent on 8/19 and Impella on 8/21.  He then went to Kessler Rehab on 9/9,  and came home on 9/18!!!  He has Congestive Heart Failure with an Ejection Fraction of 25% - and it should be 50%.  He is wearing a Life Vest - that is a defibrillator 24/7 and is really getting better and feeling better everyday. Doing more and more, and getting stronger.  He starts a Cardiac Rehab program on Nov 4th and on Nov 22nd we go back to NYP for an echocardiogram to see if all of the medications he is on have improved his EF.  We will then learn if they are going to implant a pacemaker/defibrillator in the future. ALL in ALL - he is TRULY a MIRACLE - brought about by LOTS of SUPPORT, PRAYERS and LOVE!! - We are taking it one day at a time - and are THANKFUL and GRATEFUL for EVERY SINGLE DAY!! We celebrated our 39th Wedding Anniversary on Oct 16th with a dinner out with our family and it was delicious and a real BLESSING!

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Now onto SCRAPBOOKING!  - This month's Challenge from the CHALLENGE YOUrself Blog is  FUN one - and I really enjoyed STAMPING lots of flowers for my layout!!

Here is my Design Team Layout for your Inspiration!!

I decided to use a photo from our West Bound Panama Canal Cruise on the Disney Wonder from 2018.  I booked a private tour with a great local guide in Puerto Vallarta for our group and we visited a Tequila Factory - and enjoyed a very FUN tasting!!

All of the Yellow and Green Flowers were STAMPED using a stamp from Vicki Boutin's Color Study.  The other flowers were fussy cut from other papers in the same collection.

I also used the Clip Stamp from the same collection - and made the 2 yellow clips that I used a brown Wink of Stella pen to give them dimension and tied some string to the holes I punched out. I also used it on the the centers of the yellow flowers and the butterfly too!

The base is a piece of her Color Study Mixed Media paper pad, that I used one of the stencils from the same collection and made the small black dots with Black Soot Distress Stain. I also did some "doodling" with a fine point black marker all around the edges of the paper too.

There are also 3 pieces of beautiful FLAIR from Dotty About Flair - you can find them on Facebook - LOVE Adam and his great FLAIR!!

I uses some Ephemera and stickers for embellishments, along with some sequins and enamel hearts.

The yellow Thickers kind of blended in, so I want around them with a bright green marker and outlined them with a thin black marker to make them pop a bit!

I used Black, White and Yellow Nuvo Drops to add dots to some of the flower centers, some Pink Wink of Stella on the white flowers to add another color POP!, and some splatters of Distress Oxide Stains in Twisted Citron, Mustard Seed over all of the flowers and clips too!

Here are some close ups for you - 

As always, I added a pocket behind one of my photos, where I tucked a card with journaling about the photos and the fun time we had.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my DT Layout and that I've inspired you to get out your stamps and play along with us at the Challenge YOUrself BLOG!!

Be Safe - Stay Well - and COUNT EVERY DAY AS A BLESSING!!

((HUGS)) and Thanks! ~ Sherri

You are my SUNSHINE - My Little Scrapbook Store November Challenge

 Hi Everyone!  Come play along with the My Little Scrapbook Store and join in on our November Scrapbook Challenge!

Let's see your Sunshine projects. All projects must be new projects for this challenge and are due by December 5th. All entries will be eligible for a Random drawing for a $10 MLSS gift certificate.

You can enter your layout in the comments - here is the Facebook Link for the Challenge

I used Simple Stories Vintage Lemon Twist collection - using the "Happy Scrappy Bag" from from My Little Scrapbook Store.

I LOVE the colors and the depth of the printed patterns, the foam stickers and ephemera are so pretty! - It's a great collection, and I can't wait to play with it again!

Here is my layout for your inspiration:

I chose a photo (Selfie) that I took of my husband and I out in the SUNSHINE, while he was at the rehab center recovering for a massive heart attack he had in the middle of August!  He is truly a MIRACLE Man - and still with us because a great team of Doctors, and the amazing outpouring of prayers that were sent his way.

He is most definitely My Sunshine!

Here are some close ups:

I also adde some FUN Unicorn Pearls from Pink & Main

I painted a piece of Dusty Attic honeycomb chipboard black, and then sprayed it with Ranger Distress Oxide Spray in Salvaged Patina.

I love the sticker sheet that comes with collection too - the banner is already made for you - the center black frame was already cut out - and I added a piece of cardstock with journaling about the photo.  That "My Honey" Flair is so much fun too!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Please be sure to check out the My Little Scrapbook Store Scrapbook Layouts and More and the My Little Scrapbook Store Online Crops Facebook pages and play along with us!

Stay Safe and Be Well!

(((HUGS))~Sherri 

Back in the Day!

Hello Scrappy Friends - this is my Design Team Layout for the My Little Scrapbook Stores "Camp Scrap-a-lot" Online Crop - Challenge #17 - "Off Roading" - You have to use BROWN for your layout - Kraft or Brown Papers, Embellishments, anything brown on your project!

I couldn't wait to use the AWESOME Ciao Bella "The Seventies" Collection from My Little Scrapbook Store - and I thought it went perfectly for this BROWN Challenge and with these photos of my Mom, Brother and I from 1971! My Dad and his friends purchased this BROWN very "vintage" trailer in New York State, that we all used as a vacation get-a-way, and the Dads used it as a hunting "cabin." It was one of those metal trailers with the rounded ends. I'm not sure if it was an Airstream - but I do know it was really small! We made lots of fun memories there - that's for sure!

I started with a piece of Kraft paper for my base, and used 2 Vicki Boutin stencils and some Ranger Distress Vintage Photo Ink, and Ranger Distress Oxide Inks in Mustard Seed and Wild Honey.

I am also entering this into the Dotty About Flair Facebook Page Challenge #20 - Collaboration with the Scrap Squad Facebook Page,

and their DAF Scraplift Collaboration Challenge using this layout as inspiration - 

I used an awesome Dotty About Flair on my layout too!

Here are a few close ups for you:

Here is the base page after I finished stenciling, and where I started to add layers and build my layout.

Here is a close up of all the "FUN" stuff - can you spot the avocados? And how cute is that camera charm - and don't forget about that COOL orange DAF Flair with the hearts!

I loved the little Avocados in the Picket Fence Sequin Mix, and I fussy cut that Retro Toaster and popped it on the page!

No "70's" Layout would be complete without a PEACE sign -Right!?!
And can I just say - How COOL was I with that animal print coat, with the big buckle and those ponytails!! - I was 10 yrs old in this photo, and my little brother was 8.  My Beautiful Mom was just 28, with that cool wig and those big sunglasses!!

Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope I've encouraged you to play along with any of these challenges!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri
Take Care and Be Safe!
I'd LOVE for you to leave me a comment and follow along with my Blog!

Items Used:

Ciao Bella  - The Seventies Collection

Kraft Paper

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adage Tickets

Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Stickers

Vicki Boutin Color Study Bubble Stencils

7 Gypsies Tag 

Washi Tape

Little Birdie Beaded Micro Petals - Vintage and Burlap Beaded Fancies -Natural

Ranger Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Ranger Distress Oxide Inks - Mustard Seed, Wild Honey

Ranger Distress Oxide Spray - Vintage Photo

Ranger Distress Spray - Tarnished Brass

Dotty About Flair - Orange Flair

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Dirty Bronze

Picket Fence - Sands of Time Gem Mix

Picket Fence - Avocado Toast Sequin Mix

Sequins and Twine

60 Years of Love!

Hello Scrappy Friends,

Here is my take on 2 FUN Facebook Challenges -

First, I'm playing along with My Little Scrapbook Stores - Scrapbook Layouts and More - August "Rachel's Recipe" Challenge

I am also adding this layout to the Dotty About Flair's Challenge #4 "Let's Celebrate" Birthday Challenge:

Here is my take on the 2 challenges - I've scrapped 2 photos of my parents at a special dinner we had, while away on a wonderful weekend to celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

If you look closely at the photos, you can see the buttons I had made for them to wear with their wedding photo on them!

I love this beautiful Simple Stories Ancestry Collection and thought it worked perfectly for these photos!!

For the MLSS Recipe Challenge - I used: Nuvo Drops, Mixed Media, Floral Patterned Paper, Puffy Stickers and Inked Edges.

For the DAF #4 "Celebration" Challenge - I used a photo of my wonderful parent's Anniversary celebration, a yellow base page and yellow flowers and embellishments - and also 3 fun pieces of DAF FLAIR!

Here are a few photos showing how I created the base page:

I used a stencil from Little Birdie Studios with a script design

I sprayed it with 3 Ranger Distress Oxide Sprays - Vintage Photo, Speckled Egg, Crackling Campfire.  I wasn't happy with how it left the big rectangle, so I took the stencil that still had the wet spray on the top of it, spritzed it with a little water, and used the smoosh technique over the rectangle.

I also added a few more spritz of the Oxide sprays, and a few splatters too. I then cleaned the stencil and used Black Soot Ink and added the black script here and there.

Here is where I started to design the layout and see where I wanted to place the photos.  I distressed and inked the edges of the double mats on the base page and the smaller photo.

Here are some close ups for you:

I really appreciate you stopping by and am thankful if you've read this post to this point!  I hope I've inspired you to play along with both challenges and I'd love it if you would leave me a comment and let me know where you are from - and how you are doing!

((HUGS))  Take Care and Be Well ~ Sherri

Items used:

Simple Stories Ancestry Collection - papers, stickers, Thickers, ephemera

Ranger Distress Oxide Spray - Vintage Photo, Speckled Egg, Crackling Campfire

Picket Fence Gem Mix - Sands of Time and Day and Night

Dotty About Flair - Color Study Collection

Ranger Distress Ink - Black Soot and Vintage Photo

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Ebony Black, Honey Gold, English Mustard

Thread

Cardstock

Littly Birdie Stencil - Script Design

Challenge YOURself Challenge #92 “Girl’s Weekend”

Hi Scrappy Friends! 
I want to share a layout I created for the Challenge YOURself Blog. This month we are asking you to create a layout which a photo of YOU and something you do for self care. 

One of my favorite “treats” that I do for myself is to spend a weekend away scrapbooking with my friends!

I am using 2 photos from a "Roaring 20's" weekend scrapbook get-a-way with my friends Marianne and Tracey. The last big retreat we attended before Covid. It was at the end of January 2020. 

I was inspired by Challenge #22 for the My Little Scrapbook Store’s online crop and used this sketch, along with the very FUN Cute and Craft Collection from Doodlebug from MLSS's Website!!! 

and I am also entering this in the Dotty About Flair Facebook Page Challenge #5 - Sam's Tic Tac Toe Challenge - I used Ephemera/DAF Flair and Patterned Paper.

and here is my layout:

This is my FIRST ever Doodlebug product layout!  I am loving the colors and accessories for the Cute and Crafty Collection! I thought was perfect collection to use to document this FUN Scrappy Weekend with my friends! 

Here are some close ups for you:

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope I've inspired you to play along with all of these FUN challenges!!

Take care and be well!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

Doodlebug Design Cute and Crafty Collection:

7285 - Colorful Canvas, 7277 - Cute and Crafty, Odds and Ends Diecuts

DoodlePop - Crafty Caddy

Shape Sprinkles - "Love this!"

Ranger Distress Stains  - Black Soot, Picket Fence, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron, Picked Raspberry

Feathers, 

Thickers - "Honey"

Pink and Main Unicorn Pearls

You Color My World

Hello everyone!  I want to share a fun layout I made using Vicki Boutin’s BEAUTIFUL Color Study collection!   I was inspired by a layout I saw that Shemille made on one of her Monday night lives! 

I thought the photos that I took of my husband and sons at a cute poke restaurant we ate in while in Newburyport, MA on a trip we took in June, would be perfect! 

This is my Design Team inspiration layout for My Little Scrapbook Store’s Online Crop Facebook Group Challenge #16 - “Let’s Go CAMPing” - using something on your layout that begins with each of the letters in the word CAMP. 

I used: C - Cardstock, Camera, A- Arrow, Ant, M - Mushroom, P -Pear, Popsicle, Pineapple, Pencils 

*If you are loving this great collection - you can purchase yours at the My Little Scrapbook Store Website.

I’m also entertaining this layout into Challenge #10 - “Rainbow of Colours ” on the Dotty About Flair Facebook page - using a rainbow of colors and a long title.  Photo Op and LOLO POKE -that is the name of the restaurant we went to.   I also used 3 pieces of DAF Color Study collection flair! ( If you LOVE Flair - check out this page - so much FUN and inspiration there too!)

I had so much fun creating this layout and love all the bits and pieces that I added. I hope I’ve encouraged you to check out both fun Facebook groups and play along with the challenges! 

Here are some process photos and close ups for you- 

I cut up the Color Wheel page from the collection and inked all of the edges with Ranger Distress Stains

I then layered the on overlapping each other - and added a piece of the New Ideas page from the collection to the bottom right corner.

And then the FUN began - I was lucky to be at a weekend crop with some good friends, who helped and contributed to all the "stuff" I added - based on the color on that part of the wheel!

Here is  a little "Scavenger Hunt" for you - 

Can you find the following items?:

A Stamp, a Pear, a Fox, an Egg, an Avocado, a piece of Toast, 4 Cameras, an Ant, 2 Feathers, 13 Hearts, a Cardinal, a Pineapple, 3 Arrows, a Bow, a Lime, a #, a Cassette Tape, and a Lady Bug??

Comment below if you found them all!!

Thanks for stopping by! Take Care and Stay Safe

((HUGS)) ~Sherri