Monthly Archives: December 2010

Happy New Year & A Little Something for You

Have you been to pinterest.com? If not, go! No really, I’ll wait.

It’s the amazing site where you “pin” photos of things that inspire you – home decorating, do it yourself projects, photography, fashion, recipes, things to buy – it’s all there. And it’s beautiful. If you’d like an invitation, please email me (amy@ amysandovalphotography.com – take out the space). I have a few invitations left. Otherwise you can request to join – it takes a while for them to send invitations.

One of the things I love most is all of the wonderful quotes – new fonts, great designs, etc. and these inspirational quotes. Many of the items can be purchased if you click on the item to learn more about where it was originally posted. Also – many of them are on etsy.com. I decided to take a stab at creating my own little inspirational sign for a new project I’m working on (which was also inspired by pinterest.com – will share more details when I get hung up!). I made it in Photoshop and printed it at my photo lab. I just got it in the mail and it’s wonderful. I actually made two copies – one for my office.

Here is the original 11×14 file - it’s a jpg – so just click on it and right-click to save it to your computer. Then have it printed as an 11×14 photo.

View full post »

AngieDecember 29, 2010 - 12:01 am

Thanks! Love it!

Merry Christmas!

Our family card this year. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to sharing some fun Christmas photos with you soon. I will be out of the office through January 2 and hope you have a nice long break, too!

View full post »

Merry Christmas Eve!

View full post »

Sort-of Detail Friday!: New take on Advent calendars

A few years ago I made Advent boxes (and a few small bags) and my daughter loves them. Each year I pull them back out and put little treats and notes in them for her. They’re not huge boxes so I fill them with little trinkets from the Dollar Store, candy, etc. When she was younger, even a quarter was a major thrill!

Many of the boxes are filled with notes instead of gifts. Some of the notes are fun things to do as a family…watch holiday movies, have hot chocolate, bake cookies, etc. And some of the notes are “giving back” activities we do as a family. We bake cookies for the local firehouse, collect toys from Olivia’s room to donate, collect canned food, etc.

The older Olivia gets, the more the notes are geared towards things to do together and ways to give back. During the week of Chanukah we focus on giving back activities and we light a candle every night to honor that holiday even though we don’t celebrate it from a religious perspective. (I bought this manzanita candelabra from West Elm a few years ago and it’s perfect as it has the right number of candles on it.) One of the things I’ve tried to provide for Olivia is an appreciation and education about all religions regardless of what she herself chooses to practice.

The Advent boxes are made of plain boxes I bought at Michaels and decorated with brown wrapping paper and scrapbooking-type supplies. The tags are hand-numbered one for each day from December 1 through Christmas. The boxes sit in the bookshelves on either side of our fireplace and also serve as decorations!

View full post »

LizetDecember 18, 2010 - 10:33 am

what a lovely idea!!
it’s nice fo you to also give back to the people… The firemans are probably enjoying the cookies, right? :D

fun!

It’s beginning to look a lot like…well, you know!

I started collecting vintage cameras a while ago but stalled out on the collection and restarted again recently. I get them on eBay and Etsy and lately I’ve gotten some great deals. I’ve finally got enough vintage cameras to include them in the Christmas mantel!


One of my favorite new additions.

All of our cats love this particular spot by the fireplace. Meet Savannah!

Love this reproduction vintage Christmas card.

Gratuitous extra cat shot. Savannah is our oldest cat, clocking in at about 11 years old. When she was younger, she’d jump up on doorknobs and turn them with her paws, thereby opening them and escaping. She looks a little grumpy but she’s very sweet. She also has several nicknames. Let’s see, there’s Dark Bobo, Boo Boo, Grumpy Bumpy (she bumps against us when she’s hungry).

Come back tomorrow for a post about our advent calendar/boxes!

View full post »

tiffani sunshineDecember 16, 2010 - 8:25 pm

love it! so festive and fun!!! the wreath is awesome.;-)

JenniferDecember 16, 2010 - 9:52 pm

I think this deserves to be pinned;) Love the cameras, red, silver and feathers!

LizetDecember 17, 2010 - 6:17 am

Ohh so pretty!! Love all the decorations! :D

F i n d   m e   o n   F a c e b o o k