Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays Everyone!  This is my last post for 2012.  I'm headed North (still South for a lot of people, lol) to spend Christmas with my children, sisters, and Dad.  Best wishes to all for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Enjoy your holiday traditions with family and friends!  Speaking of friends...I know the blog world can be a complete virtual reality for some, and friendships can be tenuous at best, but I want to say thank you to Miss Amy Young for being a friend (even though we've never met in person).  She's encouraged me with her cheerful comments, helped me improve my coloring skills with her videos, and even gave me the opportunity to show my work to a wider audience by allowing me to be one of her "guest gals".  And for the past few years, she has sent me beautiful Christmas cards, all of which I cherish!  This year's card was my favorite of the ones she posted on her blog.  Imagine my delight when I received it in the mail!

Thank you Amy!  Also, thank you to my 17 followers, and especially those who regularly visit and leave comments.  I count you among my blessings.  See you in 2013!

Card for Sandy Hook Elementary School

Needed to take the time to make a card for the Sandy Hook Elementary School.  Like everyone else, I cannot fathom the grief the families who lost a loved one and the community of Newtown are experiencing.  While our prayers, sympathies, and cards cannot erase such a senseless and heart-wrenching tragedy, maybe they can bring a ray of light.  This beautiful angel image was graciously drawn and given, to any who emailed her, by the talented Betty of Simply Betty Stamps.  So, this card is heading to Sandy Hook Elementary where I hope it will bring a bit of solace.

The inside of the card reads..."As you deal with this tragic loss, let yourself cry knowing each tear is a note of love rising to the heavens."

Paper Crafting

Was at my mom's house a couple of days ago, and she showed me an ornament she'd recently been taught how to make out of two fabrics fused together, cut into strips, woven, and hot glued.  After examining her ornament, I thought why not scale the ornament down and make it out of double sided designer paper.  Yes, it works just as nicely out of paper!  These little gems can be used on a tree or as an extra touch on a present.  I'm hooked!  I made about a dozen last evening.  The picture is of 6 of them.

They are fun to make, and a good way to use up extra bits of paper!  These still need the cording attached to the tops to hang them, and I might glue the insides together and add a gem to the middle on each side.  So many possibilities!

Just One More

So, I squeezed in a little time to complete just one more Christmas card.  I've been wanting to color these little sweeties for ages, but hadn't been in the right frame of mind.  Now with the Christmas tree and house decorated, the presents all bought and wrapped, the ladies luncheon hosted, and our company returned home, I can breathe a sigh of satisfaction and enjoy the holidays.  Yes, we still have parties to attend, and a couple of dinners to host, and I haven't begun my cookie baking, but I don't feel rushed.  Anyone else feeling the Christmas Crush, or are you on the relaxing side of the holiday now?

Anyway, back to the card.  This is All in a Row from Lili of the Valley.  Yep, it's a real stamp, not a digi!  When I saw these cute little girls last year, I knew I had to have this stamp.  It's taken me nearly a year to get them inked up and colored.  However, I am tickled with the result!  Definitely going to color these girls up again.

 
Thank you for stopping by, and have a great rest of your week!

Exciting News!

I made the top 3 at the Sweet Stamping Pixies Challenge!  Whoo Hoo!  I'm so thrilled!  Thank you ladies for making my day!  This is my first time ever placing in any challenge!  My card was Snowflake Lizzie.  Truthfully this honor came at the perfect time.  I'd gotten a bit discouraged lately.  It can be disheartening to enter challenge after challenge and never win or place.  This honor has boosted my spirits!  Thank you again to the ladies at the Sweet Stamping Pixies Challenge.

Ho Ho Ho Santa

Look at that jolly face!  A quick and easy card to speed the process of completing my Christmas cards for this year.  Only three more to go!  Still have my mother's, daughter's, and one of my husband's sister's to go.  And sorry to say ladies, but I will not be able to post them on the blog...sob...sniffle.  But don't be too sad, I'll take pictures, and in the middle of summer I'll post them!  So, unless I decide to make a few "extras", this Santa ends my Christmas cards for the season.

Thank you to the ladies who've been so supportive and leaving nice comments on my blog.  I truly appreciate you taking the time to not only visit, but to also leave comments.  Hugs to you all!