#24 No Christmas cards, but a few gifts

Despite the fact that I continue to buy wonderful Christmas stamps, I don't make my Christmas cards. I'm not sure why, other than the fact that there are so many exquisite cards for purchase at holiday time, I've never felt I could do better.

I did make a few small gifts this year, more by chance than design. Louise at KardKrazy (http://kardkrazy.blogspot.com/) had a wonderful idea to make a personalized stocking stuffer with a Post-It note pad she found for $1.00. I agreed that they were pretty neat and shuffled off to buy some, myself.

I decided that it was about time I did something creative with the stack of coasters I've been hoarding and ended up making little notepads for my sister, Deb and my daughter, Beth. (Please note, however that Beth's pad says "Liz." Her real name is Elizabeth Clare, and our family calls her Beth. Somewhere in middle school she was nicknamed Liz and it stuck. It gets a bit confusing at times...)

Anyway, I covered the coaster with patterned paper, measured the width of the pad and the height in order to score it. I then attached a back coaster to extend beyond the pad and attached a golf pencil with one of those great pen/pencil holders that Sue Nelson so kindly ordered for us a few months ago.

I liked how the pad holders went together; Deb and Beth/Liz like the way they look. I know I'm driving myself crazy being anal, but I think I put the "Z" in Liz upside down! (I used the Sizzix Lollipop Alphabet to cut out the vinyl adhesive letters for the names and it's sometimes hard to tell.)

#23: Cover-Up

Back in July (Sunday, July 8th-- post #11 to be exact), I was lamenting the fact that I am brayer-challenged. I absolutely adore the wonderful effects so many talented stampers accomplish with a brayer... but I am not one of them!

I had some lovely comments and e-mails from fellow Gingerwoodies, who either commiserated, empathized or offered suggestions. All made me smile, and I stuffed my ugly card in the bottom of a drawer and decided not to let it bother me. Until now!

I really do hate to "waste" a card-- even an ugly one. So here's my fix: To tone down the garish colors, I added an overlay of blush pink vellum and a small oval transparency. It still isn't going to win me any prizes, but at least it isn't embarrassing me any more!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

#22: I'm so busy at other people's blogs, I ignore my own

Especially at this time of year, there is just so much wonderful sharing going on that I seem to spend all my blog time oogling the talent of others. Also, my stamping desk is covered with wrapping paper, ribbon and cats-- which makes it difficult to create!

Since I don't make my own Christmas cards (gasp! I know, I know-- I should be ashamed), I'll share with you a recent trifold creation, made for a friend who became a grandma for the first time. It's a combination of Versamark background stamping, heat embossing, Sizzix die cuts and my first attempt at making do-it-yourself rub-ons with an inkjet printer and transparencies.

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Bunny Stamp: 79¢ no-name purchased in 2001 at Big Lots
It's A Boy Stamp: unknown
Sizziz Original Bunny Die
Plaid Printed Paper: Spring Gingham by Remember When™
Sentiment: Computer generated

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#21: Kleenex Kards

I wish the people who design Kleenex boxes would come out with a line of cardstock!

Here's another card I made using the side of one of their boxes. My uncle passed away a few months ago, and I've tried to send a "Thinking of You" card to my aunt every few weeks, just to stay in touch. I think this floral design, matted on black, is so pretty without being too cheerful, if you know what I mean.

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"Just a note" Stamp from PSX (E-510)

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#20: " The Kitchen Sink" Style Card

Birthday card for a dear co-worker that incorporates a lot of stuff I really liked and wanted to use. Somehow, I pulled it together!

The pretty background "paper" is from the side of a Kleenex tissue box, outlined with a turquoise Glaze pen. Hatpin is from Making Memories scrapbooking supplies. The sentiment ("Eat cake") was stamped with one of those multi-image stamps that looks like a date stamp. This one is from Leisure Arts.

Luckily, I could hand-deliver this one. I can't imagine there's any way I could mail it and have it survive!

#19: The card that wouldn't upload Monday

I have no idea why my photo wouldn't upload on Monday, but will today.

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"Make A Wish" stamp by Gina K. Designs (purchase of the set benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, too!)
"Princess Chick" by Stampendous
Embossed background done with Cuttlebug's D'Vine Swirls folder
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#18: "Life is what happens while you're making other plans..."

I find that this wonderful quote sums things up very nicely, right now. If there is anyone, at all, still following my blog, all I can say is "Bless your heart!"

At the end of August, I had some knee surgery and despite the time off work, found my days didn't allow much computer time. Now, my family has just been told that my Mom has lung cancer.

Since my blog is more about the creative side of me, rather than a personal dialogue, it's been difficult to balance what to say vs. just not saying anything at all. However, I know an oft-repeated pet peeve of bloggers and blog surfers is how frustrating it is when something just seems to dribble off. I certainly fit that definition!

But, life goes on and I find I have missed my blogging very much. I'll need to get myself re-organized and grab the pleasures in life where I may, even if they're just for me.

Thanks for listening and may each of you enjoy all the little things in life, not the least of which is good health.

PS: I'm trying to upload a recent card, but either the site is grumpy or it's been so long I've forgotten how! I'll try again later.