For this card I wanted to create a background with dies cuts.  Loving the blue/brown combo these days so I thought I'd play around with that.  The brown is the same paper but photographed a bit odd.  You get the idea!

Supplies:  Hero Arts note card, layering paper, greeting and butterfly;  Tim Holtz dies for blue piece and scroll background; Clear embossing powder; white embossing powder; Memory Box Minuet paper (butterfly stamped on it)

I was inspired by a monochromatic card that Jennifer did where she created elements that look like chipboard.   She used a die cut but I used an EK Success butterfly punch.  The punches were done with white paper and one with color on top.  I used 6 of the white ones to create dimension.  Easy!

Supplies:  Hero Arts notecard and patterned paper, Good Friends clear stamp set;  Ranger white embossing powder

A card on Joy Taylor's blog reminded me of a fun technique I haven't done in awhile.  You apply distress ink to a stamp in random patches.  Then spray it with Perfect Pearl water and stamp on white cardstock.  What's fun about it beyond the fact that it is shimmery is that you have know idea what it's going to look like until you lift it off the paper.

Supplies:  Hero Arts Floral Brocade cling stamp, Hero Arts Say It All clear stamp set,  Distress Ink (Broken China, Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs)

I have a number of people to thank for Christmas gifts and kindnesses so I needed to design a card I could do alot of very quickly.   These Hero stamps were perfect for the job.  I colored the tree in with Prismacolor colored pencil and put a few dots of Ranger Diamond Glossy Accents on to add a little bling.

Merry Christmas Trees Hero Arts stamp set, Sending Smiles Hero Arts Stamp set

A while ago I purchased some photos from an Etsy artist and it has taken quite awhile for them to make it to the wall.  This is the long wall above the counter/table in my studio.  Love them!

While there were many blessings in 2011 (including the arrival of my sweet great nephew, Bradley) I must admit that I am happy to move on to a new year.   Many of you prayed and sent cards for my Mom with many health issues that she endured last year.  I am happy to say that she has reached a stability for which we are very grateful.   She will continue to have health issues but every day that she is home is a blessing.  We are also looking forward to the arrival of my brother and SIL's twins this year.  Alot to be thankful for.

I have seen several bloggers who posted their favorite cards from 2011.  I thought I would do the same.  It was fun looking back on them (it appears it was the year of the die!) :

What a wonderful drive this was - with 3800 cards received.  Jennifer announced the winners here.  Check it out and see if you won!

Is anyone else racing around at the last minute like I am?  I will mail the last batch of Christmas cards tomorrow.  Isn't that ridiculous?  It's not like Christmas is a surprise.  How do I get myself into this spot every year?  Horrors of all horrors -- I had to sprinkle in a few store bought cards this year!   I can't tell you how many years it has been since I sent one of those out. 

The other thing that happens every year is that I buy all kinds of Christmas products (stamps and paper), get way behind and most of them never get used because I end up doing quick production cards.  And then I feel guilty that I didn't use them.  So here's a novel idea - what if I made next year's Christmas cards now?  Imagine entering the Christmas season knowing they are already done!  They would not use the new products out then but I think it would be worth it to be stress free about it - and who really cares but me.  Hmmm....  may just do that. 

I am moving on soon to wrapping and baking so no time to post or make new cards before Christmas.  I'll be back soon.

Merry Christmas and may God bless you abundantly in 2012.

I found these Hero Arts paper flowers in my stash and wanted to use them.  And the Holly Flourish stamp is one I've had for a long time -- classic!   I embossed it (badly I am afraid) with white embossing powder then applied Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters Distress Inks (my faves)

I loved this Hero Arts set the minute I saw it. I have found it hard to find faith based Christmas sets that I like.  LOVE the greetings on this too.

I stamped the image on a die cut of Neenah cardstock with Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder.  I covered the paper in Faded Jeans Distress Ink using the ink applicator tool and then used Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink around the edges.   I sprayed Smooch Vanilla Shimmer spritz from about a foot away.  It creates a gorgeous shimmer and spots.  Love the effect.

The card drive cards are mailed out so the mad dash to get my own cards done begins!   :-)   I never do this but I ended up making cards like Lucy Abrams did.   She used a digital kit from 2Peas here.   I just grabbed some random Christmas papers to make these.  And used various Stickles and Liquid Pearls.  Fun and easy!