Everything is better with COFFEE - as long as it's Starbucks!

 Hi Scrappy Peeps - I decided to play along with my good friends at the Scrap Our Stash Blog - and enter their "April Wheel of Challenges - Tick Tac Toe"  I was on the DT for this awesome group for a few years and am so happy I had a chance to play along with them this month!!
I decided to follow the top row of the board - selecting Stripped Paper / Fussy Cutting/ Any Page Maps Sketch - 

and here is my take on the challenge: 

I just LOVE this Coffee and Friends Collection from Echo Park! I thought it would work great for this photo I took looking outside of my husband's hospital room at New York Presbyterian Hospital this past December, overlooking the George Washington Bridge!

There is a Starbucks in the lobby of the hospital and let me tell you - it was a great treat to help get me through the last 8 months as we have been in and out of there, while battling his heart failure after a massive heart attack last August. I am so thankful he is doing well now, and we treat every day as a blessing!

Here are some close ups for you:

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek! I had lots of fun creating this layout and I hope you like it!

Take care and ((HUG)) your loved ones every single day!

((HUGS)) to you too! ~ Sherri

SOS August Challenge "Summer's Biggest Fan"

Happy August everyone!  It's time for the first challenge of the month from the Scrap Our Stash Blog!

I hope you and yours are keeping cool - and we would like to see how you are doing that!

Your challenge is to create a layout showing a summer activity where you or someone else is trying to keep cool! - ALSO - you must include a Sun Embellishment - or Sun Patterned paper!

I hope you can play along with us!

Here is my Design Team inspiration layout for you -

I used Echo Park's "Good Day Sunshine" collection to document how our 8 yr old Portuguese Water Dog - "Princess Magdalena of the Sea" - AKA - Maggie - keeps cool in the summer heat!

She loves hanging outside and snoozing in her favorite spot on the sofa - while the fan is blowing in her direction to keep her cool!

Here are some close ups for you:

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you and yours are well and safe, and that you get some YOU time to scrap and play along with us at the Scrap Our Stash Blog - Please visit that blog for complete challenge rules, prize info, and more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

London Calling - My Little Scrapbook Store May On-line Crop Live!

Hi everyone!  I hope you are all doing well! - I'm on the Design Team for the My Little Scrapbook Store, and this weekend, we held a FUN On-line Virtual Crop on Facebook  - filled with lots of challenges!

I was asked to create a challenge and do a Facebook Live video, showing some fun techniques - and I'll post a link below.

I showed to "water distress," how to mix patterns from different manufacturers, how to Gut your paper, and create a 3D pocket to tuck a journaling card in.

Here is the finished layout:

I used a photo of my hubby and I in front of Westminster Abbey, while on our first trip to London, in October 2018.

This is the journaling tag ( front ) and you can also the arrows pointing to the little star where I marked London on the map!

Here is the back of the journaling tag that I tucked behind the photo. You can also see the feathery edges created by using the water distressing technique to tear the edges.

I love this cluster of embellishments!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and thanks to all who attended my Facebook Live!  I hope I've inspired you to try these techniques and play along with the My Little Scrapbook Store's May On-line Crop!  If you weren't able to watch me "live" - here is the link for the video that was recorded -

https://www.facebook.com/sherri.deknightcaramico/videos/10221523441302806/

Thanks so much for stopping by - 

For more layouts that I used the "water distressing" technique on - 

CLICK HERE!

Items used:

PhotoPlay - Boarding Pass Collection - Ephemera Die Cuts, 12x12 Papers - Jet Set and Fly with Me

Echo Park - Go See Explore Collection - 12x12 Paper - A view of the World, Enamel Shapes, Chipboard Stickers

Simple Stories - Urban Traveler -12x12 Papers - Quote and Photo Mat, Chevron

Shimelle Puffy Heart stickers

Enamel Dots - CartaBella Floral and Pebbles

Ranger Distress Stains - Barn Door, Picket Fence, Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans

Twine and Flair

Simple Stories Green Thickers

Challenge YOUrself's April Black and White Challenge - "Hashtag Awesome"

Hello everyone!  WOW - what a difference one month makes!!  Who would have thought so many of us would be staying at home and tying to stay safe from COVID-19.  I am so happy to have my scrappy crafty outlet where I can try to escape from the crazy reality - I hope none of you are directly affected and that you and your families are and stay safe!

This month the Challenge YOUrself Blog is challenging you to use a Black and White Photo - with YOU in it!  I love this challenge - Black and White photos give you so many options - you can either go with any or all colors, or, like I did - stick to black and white and one or 2 complimentary colors.  I chose to add different teals  - papers, washi tape, cardstock, alphas, brads and ink.

I decided to use a photo of my friends and I when we went to NYC last January.  One of our stops was Ground Zero and we took a selfie in front of the Oculus.  I love these ladies, and cherish the fun times we have together! 

Here are some close ups for you - can you see the glossy accents that I used on some of the camera lenses?

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I really hope you and your family are doing well, and staying safe, and that you can find some time to destress from the worries of the world these days.
Please give yourself some YOU time and join us at the Challenge YOUrself Blog - stop by the Blog and check out all of the wonderful inspiration layouts from the rest of the Design Team along with Prize info and Challenge Rules!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

October Afternoon  - Camera Bag

Echo Park - Capture Life - Good Times

Simple Stories - "Heart" Element #1, I Love You

Washi Tapes

Ranger Distress Stains - Picket Fence, Tarnished Brass, Evergreen Bough, Black Soot

Studio Calico - Chipboard Cameras

Heidi Swapp - Alphas

Selfie Brads

My Mind's Eye - Cut and Paste -Enamel Shapes and Decorative Brads

CartaBella - Snow Fun -Enamel Dots

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Alpha Parts

American Crafts Thickers "Skyler"

Ranger Glossy Accents

"Traditions" SOS January Sketch Plus Challenge

Hello Everyone!  I hope 2020 has treated you well so far!  Half of the month is over already and that means it is time for the 2nd challenge from the Scrap Our Stash Blog for January!  Today we are bringing you this FUN sketch - and have added 2 addition challenges for you.  

In addition to using this sketch as inspiration, 

you need to use CHEVRON patterned paper and something GOLD.

Here is my Design Team Inspiration Layout for you - I used photos from our 2017 Thanksgiving Dinner.  I love hosting Thanksgiving every year, and spending time with our family. This year we were blessed to have some friends join us too!  Besides time together, one of the thing I treasure most about Thanksgiving is carrying on Family TRADITIONS.  

I decided to highlight 3 of them in this layout 

by placing them in the film strip element of the sketch.

The first photo shows our tradition of enjoying Bloody Mary's when everyone arrives, and serving them in an antique cut glass pitcher that was my Great Great Aunt Ethel's.  She passed away at 98 years old, and this year it will be 30 years since she left us!  

Wow, I can't believe that!

The second photo shows the centerpiece of the day - the Turkey stuffed with Aunt Ethel's Stuffing recipe.  The memories this brings back are wonderful.  

We are actually blessed to be living in Aunt Ethel's house and enjoyed many Thanksgiving dinners that she cooked for us here.

The third photo is of the delicious Apple Mutzens and pumpkin pie that my Mom makes. Our son Jake has been helping her make these for the last few years on Thanksgiving morning.  The recipe is from my Great Grandmother Bess, who was Aunt Ethel's sister. 

That platter of Mutzens is always the first thing to disappear!

Here are some more close ups for you:

Thanks for stopping by! I hope the sketch and my layout inspire you to play along with us at the Scrap Our Stash Blog this month - head on over there for Challenge Rules, Prize info and lots more inspiration from our Design Team!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri  

Items used:

Echo Park - "I Love Candy" Candy Stripe (chevron)

PhotoPlay - "We are Family" - from the My Little Scrapbook Store

  Element Stickers, Forever, Traditions, Thankful, Cardstock Ephemera

Thickers - Kacie

My Minds Eye -"Yes Please" Gold enamel shapes

Close to My Heart - resin flowers

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher 

Paper Twine

Ranger Distress Stains - Picket Fence, Blue Print Sketch, Fossilized Amber, Barn Door

Challenge YOUrself Blog #68 -What I like about SUMMER!

Happy Summer everyone!   Let's see your favorite summer photos or memories when you play along with us this month at the Challenge YOUrself Blog! That's right - this month's challenge is to tell us what YOU like about SUMMER. Just create a SUMMER Layout - and make sure YOU are in one of the photos you use!

Here is my take on the challenge for the Design Team at the Challenge YOUrself Blog - please visit the CY Blog to see more inspiration from out great Design Team Members, and there you will find all the rules and prize info along with the link up for your layout entry!

My favorite SUMMER "thing" is Iced Coffee - and it HAS to be from Starbucks! 

Make mine a Venti !
Be sure it is a Dark Roast with 2 Splenda's and a splash of Half and Half please! LOL!

Please visit the Challenge YOUrself Blog to see more inspiration from our great Design Team Members, and there you will find all the rules and prize info along with the link up for your layout entry!

I can't wait to see what you love most about SUMMER!

(((HUGS))) ~ Sherri

Items Used:

Echo Park Good Day Sunshine Collection - 4x4 Journaling Cards, Frames and Tags, 6x6 Paper Pad, Ephemera, Element Stickers, Chipboard Phrases and Accents
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Ebony Black, Midnight Blue, Bottle Green
Ranger Distress Stains - Vintage Photo, Evergreen Bough, Blueprint Sketch, Barn Door, Peeled Paint, Picket Fence
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist

SOS May Pick Your Side Sketch Challenge "Celebrate!"

Hi my scrappy friends -  It is time for the May Pick Your Side Sketch Challenge from the 
Scrap Our Stash Blog -
 Below are your sketch prompts, 
and also be sure to include a TAG in your layout too!

I used the Sketch on the LEFT as my inspiration - my Tag is tucked behind the top of the photo on the left - and the pineapple is how you pull it out of the little pocket I made with 3D Foam Tape - I love to include journaling on my layouts on little hidden Tags!  I LOVE the clouds i the photos from our Disney Magic Cruise and can't believe this was over a year ago!  There are 3 "not so hidden Mickeys"  - Can you find them?? I hope you like it!

October 15, 2017 - Our son Nick and his partner Rob got engaged on one of the sea days on our Disney Cruise - It was a beautiful day and we are so happy for them. 
Love them and their Happy Smiles!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you find some time to play along with us at the 

SCRAP OUR STASH BLOG this month!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items Used:
Bazzill Cardstock
Echo Park - Through the Year - Rainy Day
American Crafts - The color of Memories
Lilybee Designs - Turtleneck and Pumpkin Seed
Paperhouse - Colorways - Atlantis Collection
Enamel Hearts and dots, Puffy heart stickers
Mickey Gems
Ranger Distress Stains - Salty Ocean, Peeled Paint, Fossilized Amber
Washi Tape
Jolee Drink Sticker

Challenge YOUrself March #63 -Black and White + RED!

It's time for our March Challenge over at the Challenge YOUrself Blog!  This one appears easy, but for some reason it scared me a bit!  Be sure to include YOU in one of the photos you use!

I thought that being limited to only 3 colors would be difficult for me - BUT - I had so much FUN going through my stash and finding "stuff" with those colors!  I used scraps of papers I saved and I may have gone a bit crazy with embellishments - although I do love how it came out!

This is a selfie of our family just before we set sail on our October 2017 Disney Magic Cruise from New York to Disney in Florida and back - with a stop at Disney's Private Island Castaway Cay too!  We had a blast and made lots of "Magical Memories."  I am happy with the way that I capture our sail-away in this layout, and really enjoyed this challenge!

 Here are some close-ups for you:

I ended up using lots of "stuff" from my stash - I hope I've inspired you to play along - Please check out all the challenge rules and prize info - along with lots more Design Team Layout's for your inspiration -HERE: at the CHALLENGE YOUself Blog !
I can't see what you come up with!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

Queen and Co. - Magic Circles and Magic Gloves

Moxie - Magical Memories - Dots

Echo Park - Capture Life

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Ebony Black, Simple White, Ruby Slippers

Eyelet Outlet - Mickey Gem

Simple Stories - Say Cheese 2 - Stickers and Chipboard Frames

Simple Stories - Say Cheese 3 - Decorative Brads

Ranger Distress Stains - Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Picket Fence, Fired Brick