Hi there!

Again, my postings have become erratic.  Sometimes life's challenges can become overwhelming and right now is no exception.  However, I have a few moments I'd love to share with you right now, so I'd like to present one of the cards I designed for a Christmas Card class I conducted in early November.

(click on card to see larger image)

This is the first card I designed for the class and of the five cards that were made, this one is my favorite.  I love how just one piece of the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper can create a such a distinct mood for this very simple card.  The card base is Crumb Cake randomly stamped with the holly branch from the Bells & Boughs stamp set using Always Artichoke ink.  The edges of the card front were sponged with Always Artichoke, too.  A mat of Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler were assembled (the edges of these pieces of cardstock sponged with their corresponding ink colors).  Then a piece of Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper was placed on top of the mat (the edges sponged with Always Artichoke ink).  A large scallop circle was punched from Cherry Cobbler cardstock to mat a smaller scallop circle of Always Artichoke that was stamped with a Joyful message from the Perfect Punches stamp set using Versamark and heat embossed with Gold Stampin' Emboss powder.  Two holes were punched (top and bottom) of the Cherry Cobbler scallop circle to thread a piece of Real Red Taffeta ribbon; the ends of the ribbon were folded over the top and bottom of the mat and adhered in place on the back of the Always Artichoke mat.  Then the entire focal point was adhered to the center of the card front.  A large button was adhered at the top of the focal point and a knot of Real Red Taffeta ribbon was placed on top of the button.  The Joyful message from Perfect Punches was stamped again, this time using Cherry Cobbler ink on scrap of Crumb Cake cardstock.  The center of the image was cut out and placed on top of the center of the gold embossed image with Stampin' Dimensionals. 

(click on card to see larger image)

The inside of the card features a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock with the edges sponged with Always Artichoke ink.  The holly branch from Bells & Boughs was stamped at the lower right corner and upper left corner with Always Artichoke ink and a lovely vintage holiday message was stamped at the bottom center with Cherry Cobbler ink.

(click on envelopes to see larger images)

The envelope front features the Joyful holiday image from Perfect Punches stamped with Cherry Cobbler ink in the lower left front corner.  And the holly branch from Bells & Boughs is stamped randomly on the envelope flap (and also the edges of the envelope flap sponged) with Always Artichoke ink.

I hope to be back in a day or two with another card from the class.  Please be patient with me as these last few weeks have presented some significant family events that have captured my undivided attention.  The most significant is the recent health failure of my father.  In a span of days he transitioned from the picture of robust health to become engaged in a desperate struggle for life.  We go from day to day on a rollercoaster of emotion with each change (both positive and negative) in his status.  I am so thankful for the unwavering support we have received from family and friends both near and far.  My father has touched so many lives during his lifetime and we (my family and I) feel an outpouring of love; in recognition of a life well lived, wrapped in gratitude and thanksgiving for the many acts of kindness and generosity he bestowed upon all that he met.  I can't help but believe that with so many prayers on his behalf that the Lord will protect my father at this difficult time.

Thanks so much for your visit!

Stamps:  Bells & Boughs, Perfect Punches; Inks:  Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Versamark; Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla; Designer Series Paper:  Deck the Halls (all over pattern of holly branch with Crumb Cake background); Embellishments:  Real Red 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Deck the Halls Big Designer Button Assortment (small Always Artichoke); Adhesives:  SNAIL, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals; Tools:  Paper Cutter/Scorer, Paper Snips, Bone Folder, Sponge, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch; 1 3/4" scallop circle punch; Crop-A-Dile (1/8" hole punch), Gold Stampin' Emboss powder, Heat Tool; Other:  Medium Crumb Cake Envelope