Merry Christmas & Happy New Year (just a tad late!)

Wow!  What a crazy Christmas season it has been.  It flew by and I know I didn't spend enough time thanking God for his gift of Jesus to all of us. I even forgot to take a picture of the whole family!  Sorry, I haven't been able to post for the past four weeks, either.

I did get my Christmas cards out before Christmas (Al wasn't sure that was going to happen).  I keep telling myself to get them done early, but for some reason, I can't make it happen.  I'll try that goal again this year!   So here's the funny part about my Christmas cards...I participated in Merry Monday's Christmas Challenge blog almost every week during 2014...I didn't use one of the cards I made for any of those challenges.  Instead, I found inspiration from Jennifer McGuire and my good friend, Marcia Hill.

The first card, I used Flourishes' "Santa, I Believe" stamp set, which went out of business during 2014.  Which it so sad, as they had beautiful stamps.  I had to use two different kinds of designer paper as I didn't have enough of either.  I bought both of these last year and forgot to write down who the manufacture was of each.



The next card is one that was inspired by Marcia Hill.  Marcia and I have been friends since I girls started preschool together 22 years ago.  She got me hooked on stamping!  Be sure to check out her blog.  I linked her blog to her name above.  She makes amazingly beautiful cards!  She made this card as a swap card for a stamping group we started going to this year.  Here's a link to the card on her blog.  http://marciasstampinpad.blogspot.com/2014/11/o-holy-night.html.  I used a different stamps and an oval die cut, but overall the same card.  Thanks, Marcia!  Your card saved me! 

My last Christmas card I sent was inspired by Jennifer McGuire.  If you haven't checked out her blog, it is well worth many visits!  She did a "My Favorites" series in December that was just awesome.  She has done them in past year's, too.  You can go to her "My Favorites" page and look back to previous years.  I fell in love with this card the moment I saw her video and wasn't sure I would be able to reproduce it, because I am very ruler challenged.  I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, ever!  But she proved me wrong, as I was able to do it...on 30 cards, too!!!  Here's a link to her card, http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2014/10/video-stamping-patterns-giveaway.html.  I changed up the colors and used different snowflakes and Merry Christmas stamps, as I didn't have the stamps she used. 

I've been making cards throughout December, but forgot to take pictures of all of them.  That is how busy I've been.

I do hope that everyone had a beautiful Christmas and I wish all of you a very blessed New Year.  May 2015 bring us all good health, creative minds and a joyous spirit!