'Tis the season...

Well, the handpicked, live tree is dying (I am vacuuming EVERYDAY!).  I am eating my own body weight in cookies, catered lunches and chocolate.  I'm staying up past my bed time putting all the last minute touches on Christmas, until my eyes go cross.

'Tis the season!

I have been such a bah-humbug this year.  I have barely taken any Christmas photos.  I had to force myself to make Christmas cards to post and also to give to family members (the ones who got gift cards or scratch offs).  And the gifts were bought by Hubby, and I just slapped as much wrapping paper on them as I could stomach.

And now for the card... :)

Next Year's Tree

This little girl's got the right idea.  There's less needles to vacuum up.

This is a digi stamp from... well, I don't know.  Someone was handing out the kit at a crop.  But the best parts of this card are the jacket and the lights on the tree.  Print the Digi Stamp first on plain paper.  Then either print it again on patterned paper or trace the jacket part using the original stamp.  Stick it over the jacket on the original Digi Stamp.  It gives some nice texture.  Add glitter glue to the tree for lights.

Only a few days left until Christmas.  Can't wait until it is over!

(Just kidding!)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year...

Second time is a charm...

OK, so THIS is the card I was trying to put together when I went up into my scrapbooking room last week:

LIGHTS

The string of lights is from the "3 Birds on Parade" Cricut Cartridge.  The front background is embossing and the back (back)ground is sparkle paper.

My other favorite Christmas memory is of Christmas Eve.  It is a tradition for our family to go to church for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  All the lights go out, everyone lights one candle, and we sing "Silent Night" softly.  Then my family piles in the van and heads to Dunkin Donuts for donuts and hot cocoa.  The rest of the night is spent driving around Central Jersey, looking for the best Christmas Light displays.  One family turns their garage into Sesame Street, and right across the street is a Disney wonderland.

I hope your holidays are magical and full of amazing memories.

O Christmas Tree...

Winter Wonderland...

Isn't it funny how you can go up to your scrapping room with the intention of making a very specific card, and you come down an hour later having made two cards that were nothing like the one you originally had in your head?

WINTER WONDERLAND

This card was made using a technique I learned at my last Saturday Morning Club.  I love the effect it gives the background of the card.

You take a white piece of matte card stock (this is very important, since you get a different effect with glossy paper).  Versamark the design you want on the background - I used two different types of snowflake stamps - and then emboss with white, or iridescent ice or whatever color tickles your fancy.  I used both white and iridescent ice for a duel effect.  Then you take a sponge and the ink colors of your choice, and stamp all around the page.  The ink will not stick to the embossed surfaces, leaving them white or clear.  Rub the excess ink of the embossed parts with a paper towel and you have a beautiful textural effect.

I plan on using this technique many a time in the future.  Thanks Julie!

I will save the card for another post.  I also hope to finish the card I originally went upstairs to complete.  When it is done, I will post it.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland....

Sparkling Memories.....

Ok, NOW it is time for Christmas... And winter/Christmas memories are my favorite ones!

Hubby and I are heading out to get our Christmas Tree today.

When I was a little girl, there were two Christmas traditions that I remember enjoying, and that I want to continue with my husband and and future offspring we may produce.  The first was going to a tree farm and picking out the perfect tree to put in our living room.

It couldn't be too tall (we had a low ceiling and Dad had to be able to reach the top) and it had to have a good width.  The branches had to be sturdy enough to hold my grandmother's homemade clay ornaments - which are now mine, by the way!  We would have the workers cut it down for us, then we would strap it to the roof of the car and bring it home.  Dad would set it up on the tree stand, Mom would vacuum up the fallen needles and the cat would try to get in the way as much as possible.  Then we would put on a Christmas CD, make a snack, and decorate!

THE SPARKLE OF SNOW
This card is simple (which, at this point, should be my middle name - no wait, I like "Joy", I think I will keep it) and inspiring at the same time.  It instantly invokes memories of bundling up and building snowmen, watching the snow fall out your window and grabbing your sleigh.

This card is so simple, I want to make 100 of them and send them out as my Christmas cards next year!  Take a rubber roller (called a brayer) and cover it in Versamark.  Then cover the paper with "iridescent ice" (StampinUp) and heat until you get a nice shine.  Add cute wintery creature and sentiment.  Tada!

What is your favorite Christmas memory?  Share it with the group!

Happy Holidays!