Busy, Busy, Busy!!

I'd like to share what I've been busy with this past week in trying to get my Christmas cards done as well as making a few gift orders.  As usual, I'm way behind on finishing up with holiday preparations.  I wonder if I'll be more organized and on top of things once I retire, which will be later this month (only 18 calendar days to go!)

I came across this beautiful Christmas card Kathy, aka CAKath, made and knew instantly that I wanted to case her idea for several of my Christmas cards.  I wanted to make about 30 of these, but after I made 15 of these wreaths, I realized they were going to take more time than I had.  I also didn't have the wood grain stamp that Kathy used, so I improvised with my embossing folders.  I used two Spellbinder circle dies to make a base to adhere the fern leaves to.

My next card was inspired by the website Stef chose  for this Saturday's inspiration challenge called Shabby Apple.  When I saw this black and silver bracelet on the Shabby Apple website, I was inspired to use silver embossing on black cardstock for my Christmas card.  The poinsettia and sentiment are both by Rubbnecker.   I stamped the image and sentiment in versamark and heat embossed with silver.  I attached the two red gemstones, and I was done!  I believe this is the quickest card I've ever made, and I love it's elegance.




I was asked to make a "simple but elegant" monogram gift card set that would be mailable and free of embellishments. I chose to do them in burgundy and not quite navy.  I used JustRite stamps for the monogram and a few Stampin' Up sets (Heartfelt Thanks, Peaceful Wishes).  I also used a variety of Spellbinder dies, border punches, embossing folders, as well as heat embossing and emboss resist techniques.

Well, I hope you're having a terrific weekend and are in better shape for the holidays than I am!!