Hope all of you have a fabulous and wonderful Happy New Year!!! I wanted to take a few minutes here and share some reflections of my year....in many ways it was a really challenging year, I was very ill for almost 2 weeks at the beginning of the year, went out of town to be a caretaker of my sister who was recovering from surgery, only a month later went out of town again, was a caretaker a second time for about 3 weeks immediately after returning home, began the long involved process of opening a website for my business, scaled down to only 1 vehicle, and had knee surgery. So many challenges...but yet within each one of those challenges was a bright spot that would spur me to continue on because so many wonderful things happened in 2016.

I got to see my first grandchild graduate from high school! What a highlight this year!

I opened a website for my business Scrapping for Less! This took many months of sweat, tears, and hard work but it finally opened in October and is thriving and growing!

And finally, the most thrilling and exciting moment of the year was the retirement of my husband from a long life of hard work and support for his family! We have spent the past two months just chilling and relaxing (at least as much as I can and still run this wonderful business that I have!) and getting used to retirement life!

I am looking forward to the wonderful things that 2017 can bring! And if there are challenges along the way as well...bring 'em on cause I know there will be something to learn along the way!

Christmas Cards!

Since I have been such a slacker at getting my Christmas Cards up for the 2016 series...I am just going to post several pics of my favorite cards I made this season. And believe it or not I ran out of cards and had to create more just this morning!

this is a layout I did for a Design Team submission I couldn't share earlier

but I love how it turned out!

And I learned my lesson this year...completeness is important. Next year's cards will be photographed, signed, and even addressed as they are made! 

Anyhow, hope you enjoy...

and don't forget to head to Sunshine, Smiles, and Cards to check out Kimberly's 2016 Christmas Card Series!

Design Team Christmas Traditions

The Russell family tradition I would like to share only started about 8 years ago. I invited the grandkids to come to grandma's house and help decorate the Christmas tree. Each year a different grandchild gets to put the angel on top of the tree...the highlight of decorating Grandma and Papa's tree is getting to use the ladder. We have a 9.5 ft tree and to reach the top we have to use the ladder! So, it is always and exciting time with all 7 grandkids here putting on various ornaments.

Lawn Fawn in December

Hello, fellow Lawn Fawn lovers! Today is the December release of Lawn Fawn! Oh, how we wish there were more of these! I absolutely adore Lawn Fawn just as much as all of the team! You will see all their great projects...hopping along! Our focus today is on the Facebook Scrapping for Less pre-order group. This is where you can pre-order many many items and where you will find new releases of certain companies..like Lawn Fawn, Avery Elle, Stamping Bella to name a few! Check out the new Lawn Fawn album where you can order all the new products...this order will be placed around Dec. 28th. There are also many Lawn Fawn items available on the website both stamps and dies. 

On the Facebook group you will only find the brand new Lawn Fawn release items, however, should you want to order anything else Lawn Fawn related just ask (either send Teresa a PM or email) and she will check to see if she can order it! 

Also, if you are not a current member of the Facebook group just ask to join and we will get you added super quick!

Of course, a blog hop isn't a hop without some blog candy! So, if you leave some love on each and every blog you will be entered in a drawing to receive the following brand new Lawn Fawn stamp! 

Here is what I have to share today:

Inside of card
Supplies used:
Lawn Fawn: Leafy Tree Backdrop
Lawn Fawn: Sprinkled with Joy Stamp
Lawn Fawn: Frosty Fairy Friends Stamp
Copic Markers
My Favorite Things: Wild Cherry Hybrid Ink
Ranger: Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder
Spectrum Noir: Clear Sparkle Marker

Supplies Used:

Lawn Fawn: Into the Woods Stamp/Die

Lawn Fawn: Perfectly Plaid Christmas 6x6 pad

Kraft Paper

Polychromos Pencils

Ranger: Super Fine Detail Embossing Paper

Stickles: Silver

Supplies Used: 

Lawn Fawn: Winter Unicorn Stamp

Copic Markers

Doodlebug: Sweet Things 6x6 Paper

Doodlebug: Enamel Dots

Gina Marie Dies: Large Snowflake

Blog Line Up:

Scrapping for Less

Yvonne: Adventure of the Creative Mind

Sandy: Scrapbook Blessings Club

Teresa: Fresh and Renewed

Kimberly: Sunshine, Smiles, and Cards

Stacy: Craft-A-holic Momma

Christmas Card Series 2016: Card #5

Sharing card #5 today...this has to be one of my most favorite cards I made during this season! I absolutely love making Christmas cards!!

Supplies Used

Penny Black: Christmas W/Mimi

Copic Markers

Twisted Citron Distress Ink

Embossing Paste

White Star Sequins w/gold glitter embossing powder

Red ribbon and gold cord were from my neverending Christmas box of embellishements!

My Favorite Things: Triangle Grid Stencil

And as always supplies can be purchased at Scrapping for Less Website...we have a Christmas product sale going on...enter the code CHRISTMAS to receive an extra 10% our already less than retail prices!

And if you are not part of our Facebook Group check us out!

Christmas Card Series 2016: Card #4

Welcome to Card #4...I have really had so much fun creating all of these great cards! I am participating today in a local event selling cards along with my friend Kim aka Sunshine, Smiles, and Cards. The event is the Christmas Tree lighting in Crystal River, FL called Grinchmas! We both will have cards to sell so if you are not a crafter head on out to see us and you can purchase some lovely hand-made, unique cards.

Here is a look at a card that will be available:

Supplies Used:

Cherry Red Cardstock (my stash)

Gina Marie Dies: Wreath Die Set, Merry Christmas word die

Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Marker

American Crafts Gold Glitter cardstock 

And of course all of my supplies were purchased at Scrapping for Less (this is the Facebook Group...just ask to join.) This portion of my business focuses on pre-order supplies! Lots of great Gina Marie Dies available for pre-order too!

And the second portion of the business...Scrapping for Less website. If you need something immediately order from here! There are several GM dies available here as well!