Today's Card

Good morning stampers! Last year, I decided that I was going to start my Christmas cards early and make several a month so I wouldn't be so far behind by the time Christmas comes this year. For many years, I sent my cards out the day after Thanksgiving; however, once I became disabled, it was very difficult to get everything holiday related done (baking, decorating, shopping, present wrapping, etc) much less get cards NOT handmade signed, addressed, and mailed out in time for Christmas. Even though it's already March, I am proud to share with you my first Christmas card of the year below.

Card details... stamps - Elzybells sending winter wishes, AMuse enjoy the wonders MA; card stock - Hobby Lobby sea blue & mood blue, AMuse red kitchen dot, Georgia Pacific white, Neenah; ink pads - StazOn black, AMuse black dye, VersaMagic aspen mist; Copics - B91, B95, B97, C00, YR24, B0000; supplies - 1/4" light blue loopy edge ribbon, AMuse sheer red ribbon, 1mm "pearl" strand, frosted lace stickles, 05 Micron pen, pop dots, glue dots, adhesive; tools - EK Success snowflake edge punch, 3rd & 4th (from the smallest) classic scallop circle Nesties, 3rd (from the smallest) classic circle Nesties, Japanese drill punch, Sizzix Big Kick.

Envie details... stamps - AMuse enjoy the wonders MA, MB holiday bird; Copics - G05, G19, B00, YR16, R29, R59, Y11, Y17, 0, gold Spica.

I don't have tons of cards to make as everyone does not get a handmade card... especially if I know the person doesn't save it! That sounds awful, but I put a lot of time and effort into my cards so I like to know that the people who get them will cherish them. Last year the only card I got to make took me at least 1 hour to make each one. Needless to say, I only made 12. Plus, that's all the time I had anyway, hence, getting an early start this year. :-) I have to say that it was very relaxing once I got into it. Of course hubby thought I was out of my mind, which wasn't the first time and probably won't be the last. LOL Here's the card from last Christmas:

I love Great Impressions stamps and own a nice little collection of them (mostly Christmas) so you will be seeing more GI cards as I make my Christmas cards this year. This card was so much fun once I figured out how I wanted the elements to come together. The picture really doesn't do it justice.

Card details... stamps - Great Impressions Build a Snowman (from 11/04 collection), Savvy Merry Christmas; cardstock - Hobby Lobby (HL) dark grey, Stardream Chiara pink, HL ice, HL lavender, unknown shimmery pp with winter words in pale colors, Neenah; ink pads - AMuse black dye, StazOn black; pens - 05 Micron brown; Copics - B000, B01, B05, BV11, BV17, C1, C5, C7, E41, E44, E59, N4, N5, N7, N9, R20, RV13, RV17, W1, Y28, YR04, YR09; Spicas - silver, black, gold; supplies - Martha Stewart white craft seam binding, pop dots, glue dots, adhesive; tools - classic square Nestie, SU! scallop border punch.

My favorite dye ink to use with Copics is by AMuse. I've tried others, but do not get the same results. Usually I stamp the sentiments in StazOn just because it dries very quickly. As you can see, I love to decorate the envelopes when I can. Hero Arts came out with a bunch of cute little stamps last year that I could NOT resist. They are perfect "envelope stamps!"

This year I want to experiment with digital stamps. I've bought several already, but have yet to do anything with them. Once I get something done, you'll be the first to see. What I like about them is that they can be resized and layered together to make a sort of "scene". Something you really can't do with your regular stamps unless you stamp it, scan it into your computer, and then resize it. A little too much work for me right now. I can't wait to work with them though. Hmmm, maybe I'll surprise you with a card this weekend; no promises though!

Happy stamping til next time!