PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR

I've begun preparing for the New Year. My first workshop is scheduled for the 3rd and we are leaving Christmas and Winter behind. If only it were THAT easy to leave Winter - but at least we can in our cards.

This is one of the cards that I will be demo'ing on Saturday. It is a CASE of a card on Splitcoaststampers. I loved the layout and the beautiful colors Ibirus used - but I changed it up by changing the papers, stamp sets, ribbon and bow placement.

All products used are Stampin'Up! DP is Bella Rose, Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Pirouette Pink, Old Olive. Ribbon: Old Olive Grosgrain. Stamp Set: Bloomin' Beautiful. I also used the Top Notes Bigz Die with my Big Shot and trimmed around the scored area to achieve the double layer.

I received so many beautiful handmade cards for Christmas that it would be impossible to share them all - so I picked the first 5 I received to share here.

The first one I received is from my niece, Alanna Weishaupt. The inside featured a photo of her two beautiful daughters, Annabelle and Aubrey.

The next is from my friend, Sarah Johnson. I love that she put the verse on the FRONT of her card to make it the focus of the card. The antiqued parchment look really makes this a favorite for me.

My nephew, Joseph, and his wife, Katie, welcomed their own Christmas Blessing this year: Layla Ann Hersemann. The addition of their family photo next to the Holy Family reinforces to me that Jesus, while 100% divine, was also 100% human and that his birth was a joyous event then and now.

Isn't this the cutest little snowman???? I am a snowman FANATIC and this guy looks so happy - and a bit mischeivious. Doesn't it look like he's throwing snow everywhere???

This card was made by my newest friend, Gloria Williams.

And last but certainly not least is this card created by my oldest (not in age but in time) friend, Cindy Christensen - who may NOT be speaking to me as I convinced her to stamp and CUT-OUT all the cross/baby combinations for each of her cards. She only makes A HUNDRED so I don't know what all the fuss is about!!!! LOL!

Thank you to all who sent Christmas Greetings - whether handmade or storebought. I appreciated the thoughtfulness of the sentiment in each and every one.

Have a good day today and be careful if you are out and about tonight.

Jill