Silent Night

Tonight is silent and tomorrow a new babe is born.  Jesus is the reason for the season!

Our home has been transformed into a winter wonderland.  Our nest is cozied up, the tree is up and the decorations are in place.  There are a few traditions we like to embrace at Christmastime and one of them is sending cards to our loved ones.

Tomorrow is Christmas.  OMGoodness.  I've been working on cards and gifts since September, all the while thinking "I've got lots of time!"  Well, time's up!!  Here are the ones you haven't seen yet.

If you've been following my posts, you'll notice that I just love the vintage images.  This card is one of my favorites.

Another favorite is this one.  It is a Joyeaux Noel, isn't it?

This card is a little bit vintage and a little bit modern.  I love the envelope especially!

How could I not use shocking pink to mirror the pink coat she is wearing?

Father Christmas in all his glory.  What's not to love here?

The snow sure has piled up on this barn and fence.  Be Merry!

Madonna and her Baby Jesus.  I wish you could see the sparkly-ness of the card.

I think I surprised the recipient of this card.  When I saw the image, I immediately thought of her!

The song that comes to mind when I see this image is "Angels We Have Heard On High."

One more Joyeaux Noel ... isn't that little angel sweet?

Oh yeah ... he's "making a list and checking it twice" don'tcha know!  Have you been naughty or nice?

Away in a manger ...

This card was dropped off on a doorstep the other day.

I think she'll stay plenty warm wrapped up like that.

This little girl certainly is a brave soul to feed that animal.

Doesn't look like that truck is going anywhere until Spring by the looks of all that snow.

This card was sent to a dear friend that used to cross-country ski with me.  I hope it brings back memories like it did for me.

Another one of those vintage images.  Love it!

This card was not one we sent but I just couldn't leave it out.  Ohhhhhhhhhh, how I wish you could see this card in person.  Julie's brother took this picture (in Minnesota) of snow on a blue spruce branch.  The card mirrors the blue spruce color perfectly.  I'm sure he'll be surprised when Julie sends him the card.

That about wraps it up for the 2014 Christmas cards.  May happy times decorate your holiday season and may the wonder of Christmas be with you forever.  Merry Christmas from our hearts to yours!!!!!!!!!!!

More Christmas

I'm going to start off with one that just makes my heart smile.  There's something about the snow nestled in those weeds!  I can almost hear the wind whistling through the field.

I told you this little girl was popular this year.  I would love to see her face and hair!

What's not to {heart} about this card?  Ohhhhhhhh, and those cinnamon sticks ... I can smell the delicious aroma just by looking at them!

 

What a beautiful place setting.  I just love using cloth napkins - always seems to make the food taste better and the meal a special celebration.

I told you you've not seen the end of that white truck.  Go ahead and look at yesterday's post and see how different the same image looks on two different cards.

This one is as soft in person as it looks here on the blog.  I guess you could say this angel has a heart of gold.

Father Christmas ... what's not to love!?!  The colors on the card blend beautifully with the image.  And it's not Christmas unless there's glitter!

When I found this animal print felt I shook my head and said "what would you ever use this for/on?"  And then I had an idea ...

Don't get nervous.  It's not Rudolph wearing the bling - she's a doe.  A female deer.

Keeping with 'saving the best for last,' I've done it again.  I was tired of creating with angels, trees, Santa, Father Christmas, snow and nature images.  As I dug through my collections, I saw this picture and really wanted to put it on a card.  But ... it just wasn't festive.  And then it dawned on me.  And now it's probably my favorite card of the season.

Thanks for looking at what's been keeping me so busy.  I'm winding down and now and I am ready to get my MERRY on.  Please leave a comment and tell me which of this collection is your favorite?

Countdown to Christmas

I just love it when all the "stuff" that goes into making a card actually makes it to the paper just like the visions in my head.  And sometimes even better than those visions!!  In light of that, behold the magic when the colors, image, embellishments, glitter, glue, ink, paint, and ribbon meet paper.  As simple as this card is, there were quite a few techniques and products used on this card.

Lucky Frosty - he's getting a ride!  Here's another one of those timeless images combined with the more modern day items.

Brrrrrrrrrrr ... this image just makes me cold.  Hopefully, all the animals are in the barn keeping warm.  My favorite part of this image is the snow stacked up on the fence.

Another timeless image.  I never had a doll baby like this, did you?  Timeless elegance.

This picture just makes me smile.  "Little maid smiles happily while angel guards the Christmas tree" ... so sweet.

Now that December is here, be sure to surround yourself and your loved ones with things that remind you of happy times.  Enjoy the season.  I'll be back to share more Christmas cards.

More Christmas

I am smitten with vintage images and just love the timeless and classic look.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I wish today's Santa would dress like this.

Joyeux Noel.  Look at this sweet little angel (no pun intended) ... now that is a classic look.

Another timeless image.  Pieces like this just seem to melt away the commercialism of Christmas.

Yes, here's the man of the season again.  Men don't refer to their clothing as "outfits" but I sure do like his!

Graceful.  There's no other word to describe this couple as they glide on the ice.  I tried to ice skate one. time.  That's all it took was one. time.  I had those skates off my feet quicker than you could say "ouch" ... never again.  Graceful?  I was not!

Best Wishes For Christmas.  Something tells me these little sweeties are going to have a steaming copy of cocoa (with marshmallows) when they go inside.

This next image reminds me of a Winter wedding.  Maybe because The Runner and I had a December wedding.  With lots and lots of snow.  And cold temperatures.  And cars that wouldn't start.  I wish they still made sleds like these rather than the plastic discs.

I remember having a little hand-warmer like her.  Of course, mine was not real fur - but it was toasty warm just the same.

This hare sure is getting his exercise in!!  I couldn't ice skate, but I sure loved to ski.  Cross-country ski, that is.  Oh, I tried downhill skiing a couple of times, but preferred to stay on the bunny slopes with all the children.  Those lifts?  Oh no.  Never.  I do not miss the cold and the ice but I sure miss skiing.  As a matter of fact, I still have my skis.  Yes.  In Texas.

My father worked part time at a nursery and when flocked trees were popular, he brought one home and this tree reminds me of that one.

Whoa ... this dude makes me cold just looking at him.  And, I must admit that I am just a little intimidated by his stature.

I leave you with this image; it's not vintage and doesn't really have a timeless or classic look but I think you'll agree with me that this child is having a good time.

See you next time with more Christmas cards.  We're coming down the wire now, aren't we?

Some quick matters of business

I feel like I'm making friends with my creative process lately - everything seems to just be clicking with my newly adapted crazy-busy fast pace.  I've been waking extra early these days and getting right to it.  If I keep it up, everybody will have their cards in plenty of time to be mailed to their loved ones.  I cannot believe how quickly time has flown by - faster than a hat on a windy day.

First out of the shoot this morning is a birthday card for a friend that's celebrating her special day today.  Happy birthday, Sandi - I hope you enjoy all the celebrations and festivities in your honor.  I know you'll be spoiled just the way you deserve to be.

Next up is this Christmas card from a cat lover and no doubt it'll be sent to a cat lover.

A daughter will be giving her mom this card showcasing a beautiful little angel and a soft poinsettia.  I hope they both enjoy the giving and the receiving.

There's lots more where these came from so stay tuned.  I'm anxious to share my ideas and the finished results as I go along.