Happy December, 2013!

Happy December to you all.  I always wonder where Fall disappears to.  This year is no different.  Although it is still technically Fall, everything seems to be focused on Christmas.  Before I slide into Christmas, I wanted to share with you a photo of my beloved pecan tree.  It's a huge tree that sits in my front yard.  Every year, it puts on a spectacular show of color just before closing down for the winter.  It's show was especially beautiful this year.

 

Seeing these colors and the beautiful glow given off makes me wonder what the world would like if God had chosen a different color palette for nature.  What if the sky was green?   Just one of the strange thoughts that pass through my mind! 

 

I think one of reasons Fall is so fleeting, is the early due dates put on us for Christmas.  The cut-off for Operation Write Home Christmas cards was Oct. 31st!  My holiday auction cards are due tomorrow.  Even the Salvation Army Angel Tree gifts are due by tomorrow - December 2nd!  I even saw a Facebook post with suggestions for "last minute stocking stuffers."  While I can understand the reasons for most of these due dates, the rest just make me feel rushed.  I want to savor the holiday season.  What are your thoughts on the matter?

 

I spent some time going through last year's Anna Griffin Ultimate Christmas Cardmaking Kit.  I got it in one of Anna's great Super Sales.  Which, btw, there's another one tomorrow - December 2nd.  If you're an Anna fan, these sales shouldn't be missed.  But I digress.  Last year's kit was not very aptly named.  I believe this year's kit is far better.  But I did manage to eek out three cards.  They're more retro than elegant.  But I think they're cute.

 

 

Anna Griffin Holiday Trimmings!

I am really loving the Anna Griffin Holiday Trimmings Cardmaking Kit.  Anna outdid herself with her designs on this one. 

 

As there is enough product to make 60 cards in this kit, I decided to just make this post a compilation of the cards as I make them.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm making these for a charity auction.  I'll bundle them in sets of four cards.  The initial cards follow very closely to the sample designs included with the kit.  I've added some embossing, bling, distressing and corner punching but these cards are pretty much all Anna - assembled by me. 

 

If you click on a photo, you will be taken to a better view of each card.  I hope you enjoy them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polar Pals Card Kit

One of the items that caught my eye in the Autumn / Winter 2013 Close to My Heart Idea Book was the My Originals Polar Pals Card Kit.  I got my set in the mail last week and put it all together last night while watching (or listening to) a movie.  They are so fun and cheerful!  The main icons are a penguin, a polar bear and a snowman.  The set comes with adhesive springs which make these icons come to life!  There are materials to make 12 cards - including a base, insert, shaker bubble, spring, icon, sentiment, envelope and accents for each card.  There is also an area to write a personalized message.  I'd really recommend this set more to hold gift cards than photos as the cards fold down to 4" x 4".  I think they'd be great for kids to give a little gift to their friends, or for big kids to let their coffee buddies or teammates know they're thinking of them.
 
Here's how I did mine.  If you want to see more ideas, check out page 128 of your Idea Book or click here.

New Poppy Stamps Dies!

I happened upon the Poppy Stamps Blog Blitz last weekend and fell in love with their new dies.  I've long been a fan of their dies but have been a bit afraid to use them.  As it worked out, my new Sizzix magnetic platform arrived the same day as my new dies.  It appeared to be kismet, so away I went.  I just made a few cuts on scrap paper at first.  They were beautiful!  My little brain was whirling away designing a card.  This is the result.  I've also included a close up so you get a better look at these exquisite dies. 

 

I used the Diamond Background, Brittany Ornament, Eddington Ornament and the Pine Sprigs dies.  The "Joy" is cut from the Anna Griffin Winter Wonderland Cricut cartridge.  The paper is SEI Christmas paper I found in my stash.  The collection was called Holly Lane.  The tiny pearls are from Stampin' Up.  And of course, I used my beloved Sakura Stardust pen. 

 

I cut two sets of the pine sprigs.  I glued two of each together in the center only.  That way I could "fluff" the branches to give it more dimension.   I was going for a more subtle card with a good bit of tone on tone.  I think the ornament should have had a bolder color for its base.  The ornament and sentiment seem to be in competition to be the focal point.  I'll shrink the sentiment down for the next card - although I'm afraid my cut won't be as clean.  Any suggestions for a new color scheme?  The Poppy Stamps web site has a turquoise and green combo that is gorgeous. 

 

I'd love to see your creations with these great dies.

Operation Write Home Challenge - Sketch #187

Wow, I made four cards today.  That's an achievement for me - the Queen of Slow Card Making. 

I entered another Operation Write Home challenge.  This is for Sketch #187.  The paper was printed on my Cricut Imagine with the Christmas Wish cartridge.  The sentiment is from the new Stamps of Life set, Lights4Christmas.  I even broke out my ancient Creative Memories corner rounder for this one!  What do you think?

I also attended a Stampin' Up Stamp Camp today hosted by Tracy Ray.  She designed three wonderful projects for us.  I'm partial to the "Thankful" card.  Which one is your favorite?