Happy New Year 2009!

I don't have any cards to post, but wanted to wish everyone and Happy Healthy 2009! I'm making my first resolution right now, to do more crafting in 2009 (I have to keep up with Jessica!). Anyway, all the best to everyone.....

Merry Christmas to all and to all a snowy night!

Well, all that gearing up for 1 day... now it's over! Not quite up on my postings, but at least I can use the holidays as an excuse. I had a great time with family and of course watching Grant (my nephew) opening his gifts. My Dad dressed up as Santa and Grant wasn't quite sure about it. We got to have a skype chat with my sister and niece, Kira from New Zealand. It would be great to get us all together one year..... As much as I liked having a White Christmas, things are getting a little ridiculous. I shoveled the driveway TWICE today. It snowed 5 inches in 2 hours, and that's on top of everything we've gotten in the last 5 days. I stepped into the snow in the backyard and it's up to my knees! CRAZY! This may be the first year I LOSE weight at Christmas!

I got a Christmas bonus this year which was nice. Not used to that! I'm just trying to figure out what to do with it now... I'm thinking maybe Copic markers or the ones from Stampin' Up. Any thoughts????????? Or maybe an iTouch??? Hmm or a Wii??? Oh the choices....... Did anyone do any Boxing Day shopping?

I was going to craft today, but that hasn't happened. Maybe tomorrow. I'd like to make some Christmas Thank-you cards..... I'll try not to wait 3 weeks to update again. Oh and you'll notice that in New Zealand they DON'T have a White Christmas!

Get into the Groove.......

It's been my usual week or so since I posted anything, in that time we got our Christmas tree, decorated it and that's about it. I'm not sure why it's taking me so long to get into the holiday spirit. Gord's working tonight so I figured I better get started on cards....... I feel like I got alot accomplished since the cards I made are so easy.

The first one is something I saw on the Impress website. This was the first stamp company that got me addicted to crafting. I have to say that I've neglected their stamps a bit since I got into the Amuse ones (and I don't see a whole lot of them up here) but they have GREAT ideas. Maybe I'll have to go on a crafting weekend to Seattle in the New Year (after all the bills are paid!). Anyone else want to go???????? Anyway, back to the cards..... I used a small leaf punch for the antlers and a red embellishment for Rudolphs nose. I backed it onto a red scalloped rectangle and attached to the card with pop-dots. Not too much bling, but I like it that way. MUCH simpler than Jess' cards, but then I'M also much simpler than her!

The second card is a bit fancier. I saw this on an Amuse website and loved the colours. The original I saw had ribbon instead of "bling". I think the tape covered with glitter adds a little something extra and complements the stickles on the dove. Again, EASY (that should be my middle name, oh wait, that sounds bad, I mean I like EASY cards!). Enough of the blog, I better get some cards done before I get out of the groove.

Stamps by Amuse.

Punches by Punch Bunch and Marvy.

Blue Madeira paper by Amuse.

Stickles.

Thoughts?

Here are a couple cards I made tonight. I love the Hippie Snowchick from Amuse! I like it framed by the Label classic stamp from Stampin' Up, but again, wasn't sure where to go with it. I decided to use the colours of the flowers in her hair to "frame" the frame. It's not the usual Christmas colours but I like that.

My Dad wanted a "religious" type Christmas card to send a few people and thought it would be a good time to use my Amuse Bethlehem stamp. I bought it last year and although I must have seen a card made with it, I didn't know what to do. I used a tiny Amuse creative candy twinkle sticker star above the stable to add a little something. I also used pop dots on the matted design to add some dimension.

If you have any thoughts on these cards I'd appreciate the feedback. THANKS!


Stamps by Amuse.
Blue card by Memory Box.