Welcome Christmas

I know it is only the first week of Autumn, but that is a sign that Christmas is coming!! And I love Christmas even more than I love the change of colors that autumn brings to mid-Michigan. I have to admit that is one thing I missed last year when I was in San Diego. But, now I miss the ocean so I guess my world will never be perfect unless I can figure out how to get them both in the same place :)

This is also the time of year to start thinking about making Christmas cards to send out in December. I love the variety of products Stampin' Up offers for just such an endeavor. The new embossing folder and beautiful Designer Series Paper offered in the Holiday Mini Catalog are just the icing on the cake. I used them along with one of the awesome stamp sets in the Idea Book & Catalog to make this:





Since I used a darker cardstock for the base, I added a layer of Whisper White to the inside and repeated the image of the family to dress the card up a bit:





I apologize for the blurriness (is that even a word?) of the next photo but I was trying to give you an "up close and personal" view of the new Snow Burst embossing folder. I love this!! Someday when I can afford my dream camera, this won't be such a problem :) Until then, we will just have to suffer through together :( But, don't you just love the texture added with this folder?






The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Welcome Christmas

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist

Accessories: Big Shot with Snow Burst Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding, Stampin' Dimensionals

I actually made this for a swap at the last RubberQueen meeting I attended with Ronda Wade. But, I liked it so much that I thought I would make a full card and add it to the list of cards for my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack coming up in October.

This stamp set reminds of the times my family decorated our Christmas tree when I was a kid. We all worked together and no matter how close we hung the ornaments together or how we globbed on those tinsel "icecicles" my mom always thought we had a beautiful tree. And I remember the excitement we all felt when the lights were turned on when we finished. I had many moments like that when my son was growing up and I still get that feeling every year when I light my tree. There is just something about Christmas that puts magic in my life and in my heart. And it is my intention to NEVER let that feeling go away.

I sold my Christmas tree in our yard sale and I will be in a much smaller place this year so I don't know that I will get to have a tree to decorate. But, that won't stop me from celebrating the birth of Jesus. With all we have been through this past year and the battle we are having now with Jim's cancer, the season gives me hope - hope that next year will bring good things to us. We still have more to go through with his treatment and the stem-cell transplant but at least we know it will get better. And I hang on to that hope everyday and thank God for supportive family, friends, and the medical staffs we work with. I have met some wonderful people who are an inspiration to me - proof that even good things can come from tough times.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and allowing me to share both my card and my thoughts with you. I am so grateful to all of you who visit my blog. You keep me inspired to keep going and to keep creating and sharing. 'Til next time...............................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

My Friend

Before I left California, I signed up for a swap using products from the new 2011-2012 catalog. The stamp set I chose is called My Friend. This set is perfect for cute and simple cards. So, that it what I decided to do for a swap card. I also love the new scallop-edge ribbon so I added a little strip of that to dress it up a bit and came up with this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: My Friend

Cardstock: Confetti Cream, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Scallop Dotted Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch

This card is very simple but fun. These are the cards the ladies in my card class love to make :) I love this stamp set because it is great to use as a background for so many of our sets that have simple words to add to a card front. This image would also be great as a silhoutte on a sponged card........another project for another day (lol!)

It won't be long now until I can get back to stamping. We may be moving in the next couple of weeks - just waiting for the place we are looking at to be ready. But I will get a chance to stamp today because I need to make swap cards for Ronda Wade's meeting tonight. I can't wait to see all of my stamping friends. It has been quite some time since I have seen them. I am really looking forward to spending some time with them and sharing ideas. With the new Holiday Mini Catalog that started on September 1st, I am sure to get see some awesome projects and get some great swaps :)

The weather here in mid-Michigan today is very fall-like :) I love this time of the year. The leaves are starting to turn orange and red so I know it won't be long. We are just getting a taste of it as our temps will be closer to 80 by the weekend. But, I am enjoying it while it lasts and looking forward to cooler days. Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy your day! 'Til next time................................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!