The Keepsake Studio spoke with Hallmark Artist Allie Robillard about her background and shared a glimpse of an ornament she created for 2025.
Sisters Share the Love will be available at Keepsake Ornament Premiere in July!
Sisters Share the Love
Allie Robillard
If Keepsake Artist Allie Robillard has a favorite ornament in her Sandal the Sandman series, this Special Edition is the one! She explains, “The main reason is because this ornament introduces us to our new seagull friend, Sammi! Anyone who has been to the beach is very aware that once the seagulls show up, they never leave, so you can expect to see more of them in the future.”
Inspired by her Florida upbringing, Allie thinks back to her own childhood when imagining what Sandal will do next. “The concepting process always starts with me asking myself what I loved about going to the beach and what favorite memories I’ve kept. Then it’s about translating that joy to Sandal’s experiences. How can I make a sandman do my favorite activities and make it believable? What friends can I invite to his fun? Finally, I like to look one last time and try to add that Hallmark touch—a little something extra that elevates the scene.”
Sandal the Sandman
Special Edition
When it comes to the scene Allie set for this ornament, she has a charming story to tell. “Every ornament has a story. I’ve built a world and made a friend in Sandal. The story I imagined for this design was that Sandal and Sammi found the paddleboard left at the beach. They had seen other beachgoers using these contraptions before, so when they discovered it, they looked at each other with big eyes and wide smiles as they realized that now was THEIR chance to go play in the waves.”
This sweet Sandal the Sandman Special Edition ornament (available at the ’Tis the Season event)—don’t miss YOUR chance to add it to your tree!
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Allie Robillard about her Sandal the Sandman Special Edition Ornament!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, December 3, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3816692741904055/
Allie Robillard’s love of drawing often got her in trouble in elementary school. “I was always doodling,” she admits. Allie hopes to inspire other young artists with her work in Keepsake Ornaments. “As I design, I think about all the kids out there doodling,” she says, “and I want to share the magic of art that I discovered as a child.“
HALLMARK KEEPSAKE ARTIST
3rd in the series.
Description
3rd in the series.
Enjoy sandy season's greetings with Sandal the Sandman! This cute Christmas tree ornament features Sandal, a snowman made of sand in a Bermuda hat and Santa coat, holding a fishnet sack of seashells for his sea turtle friend. Join in the fun each year as Sandal celebrates the holidays in his own tropical way.
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Alternate Versions
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HALLMARK KEEPSAKE ARTIST Allie Robillard’s love of drawing often got her in trouble in elementary school. “I was always doodling,” she admits. Allie hopes to inspire other young artists with her work in Keepsake Ornaments. “As I design, I think about all the kids out there doodling,” she says, “and I want to share the magic of art that I discovered as a child.“
Description
Limited Edition
Enjoy a white sand Christmas with Sandal the Sandman! This cute Christmas tree ornament features Sandal, a snowman made of sand, and his sea turtle friend as they decorate a palm tree with garland, seashell ornaments and a starfish topper. Join in the fun as Sandal celebrates the holidays in his own tropical way.
This ornament is a special edition repaint of the 2022 first-in-series Sandal the Sandman ornament. It was issued in limited quantities and first available at the 2024 Keepsake Ornament Premiere event.
Alternate Version
Sandal the Sandman
1st in the series.
Related Ornaments
Description
Limited Edition
Enjoy a white sand Christmas with Sandal the Sandman! This cute Christmas tree ornament features Sandal, a snowman made of sand, and his sea turtle friend as they decorate a palm tree with garland, seashell ornaments and a starfish topper. Join in the fun as Sandal celebrates the holidays in his own tropical way.
This ornament is a special edition repaint of the 2022 first-in-series Sandal the Sandman ornament. It was issued in limited quantities and first available at the 2024 Keepsake Ornament Premiere event.
Alternate Version
Sandal the Sandman
1st in the series.
Downloads
Related Ornaments
Allie Robillard’s love of drawing often got her in trouble in elementary school.”I was always doodling,” she admits. Allie hopes to inspire other young artists with her work in Keepsake Ornaments. “As I design, I think about all the kids out there doodling,” she says, “and I want to share the magic of art that I discovered as a child.” Allie Robillard
Description
Ride into holiday fun with the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe! Inspired by the classic ride-on toy that has delighted generations of toddlers, this Christmas tree ornament features the signature Cozy Coupe design—complete with bottlebrush tree attachment tied on top with a bow—and vibrant colors that encourage active play and imagination.
Alternate Versions
Cozy Coupe®
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Description
Ride into holiday fun with the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe! Inspired by the classic ride-on toy that has delighted generations of toddlers, this Christmas tree ornament features the signature Cozy Coupe design—complete with bottlebrush tree attachment tied on top with a bow—and vibrant colors that encourage active play and imagination.
Alternate Versions
Cozy Coupe®
Downloads
Related Ornaments
Allie Robillard’s love of drawing often got her in trouble in elementary school.”I was always doodling,” she admits. Allie hopes to inspire other young artists with her work in Keepsake Ornaments. “As I design, I think about all the kids out there doodling,” she says, “and I want to share the magic of art that I discovered as a child.” Allie Robillard
Magic (light)
Light string: 8.3″ l.;
snowflakes: 1.75″ w. x 2″ h. x 1″ d.
Description
Magic (light)
Features ten snowflake, white LED lights (spaced a foot apart), and clear covered wires.
Slide switch to "on" to illuminate light strand.
Slide to TIMER to start 6-hour timer.
BATTERY OPERATED. Batteries (three AA) not included.
Light string: 8.3″ l.;
snowflakes: 1.75″ w. x 2″ h. x 1″ d.
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Alternate Versions
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Allie Robillard’s love of drawing often got her in trouble in elementary school.”I was always doodling,” she admits. Allie hopes to inspire other young artists with her work in Keepsake Ornaments. “As I design, I think about all the kids out there doodling,” she says, “and I want to share the magic of art that I discovered as a child.” Allie Robillard
Description
Tee up some holiday fun and hit a ho-ho-hole in one with your favorite golfer. This Christmas tree ornament features a golf ball snowman donning a plaid hat and toting a festive golf bag as he hits the greens. Fore!
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Alternate Versions
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Allie Robillard’s love of drawing often got her in trouble in elementary school.”I was always doodling,” she admits. Allie hopes to inspire other young artists with her work in Keepsake Ornaments. “As I design, I think about all the kids out there doodling,” she says, “and I want to share the magic of art that I discovered as a child.” Allie Robillard
2nd in the series.
Description
2nd in the series.
Enjoy a white sand Christmas with Sandal the Sandman! This cute Christmas tree ornament features Sandal building a reindeer in the sand for his sea turtle friend to ride. Join in the fun each year as Sandal celebrates the holidays in his own tropical way.
Related Ornaments
Alternate Versions
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Sandal the Sandman is back this year with the second ornament in this fun series! Growing up in Florida, Allie Robillard never saw snow on Christmas. But she did see plenty of sand, which provided the inspiration for this series.
Allie Robillard
Allie explains, “Christmas just looks so different in Florida from the quintessential snowy Christmas we all think of. I go back every year for the holidays and that’s when I gather my inspiration.
Back in college, my school had a yearly Sand Arts Festival, where students would build sand sculptures. That festival gave me the idea to have Sandal build a sand reindeer, his new friend that appears on this year’s ornament.
“Sandal’s first friend, the turtle, also shows up to join the fun this year. Turtles are beloved and protected in Florida, and this one is a classic friend to Sandal. However, he won’t be part of every ornament—in fact, a new friend will be making its debut in the future.”
As for hints about who that new friend might be, Allie says, “When you go to the beach, these animals make sure you know they’re there, too. Good luck protecting your food!”
You can pick up the second ornament in the Sandal the Sandman series at Ornament Debut!
Sandal the Sandman
2nd in the series.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. “Behind the scenes with Allie Robillard about her Sandal the Sandman, 2nd in the series, that will be releasing at Ornament Debut!” Keepsake Ornament Club Facebook Page, August 2, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/groups/KOCMembers/posts/3466586856914647/
Allie Robillard’s love of drawing often got her in trouble in elementary school.”I was always doodling,” she admits. Allie hopes to inspire other young artists with her work in Keepsake Ornaments. “As I design, I think about all the kids out there doodling,” she says, “and I want to share the magic of art that I discovered as a child.” Allie Robillard
Description
A standing lamb covered in yellow stars with a ribbon tied around its neck. On ornament: GOD CHILD. Year-dated: 2023 on ribbon.
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