Bah humbug!

Well, not really, I suppose. But then again, maybe ...

Christmas is always a time fraught with danger for GB and I. Oh and before you ask or roll your eyes (LOL), there are plenty of good reasons. Yet despite how much we try to avoid it, and having even in the past attempted a 'John Grisham' (skipping Christmas!) we've never fully succeeded in avoiding it altogether. I remember one year we studiously, but gratefully, declined any and all invitations to attend Christmas celebrations, only to have GB's brother turn up on our doorstep, unexpectedly, presents in hand, for lunch, just as (get this LOL) we were about to sit down to pancakes for brunch!!! We had so much fun and my BIL so enjoyed his Christmas 'with a difference' that year, it's become something of a tradition!!!

So anyways, Christmas is only, I don't know how many weeks away, and my my attention has accordingly turned to Christmas cards. Oh that we had children we could take cute photos of and print our cards at a photo kiosk!!! Oh that our friends and family didn't know about my paper crafting addiction and so didn't expect a handmade card! LOL I must confess, despite all the bah humbug-ing and whinging and whining I really do rather enjoy making our Christmas cards each year; and this year I get to bore you senseless with each of the designs. Ha ha ... the Scrooge has the last laugh! So without further ado, here's the first instalment ...

Christmas Robin

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory, Always Artichoke

colours - Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Soft Suede, More Mustard

stamps - Beautiful Season

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper; Archival Ink Jet Black; United Ribbons seam binding; Inkssentials Glossy Accents

O' Christmas Tree

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler

colours - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, Basic Gray

stamps - En Francais, Lovely As a Tree, Many Merry Messages

other - Crochet Trim Victoria 5/8", Basic Pearl Jewels, Modern Label punch, Scallop Trim Border punch

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper

Bauble of Joy

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory

colours - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake

stamps - Delightful Decorations, French Foliage, French Filigree, Baroque Border standard roller

other - Ornament punch, Eyelet Border punch, Designer Frames embossing folder

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper; United Ribbons seam binding; VersaMark stamp pad; Artee Clear Detail embossing powder; metallic embroidery cotton

All these cards were made using the following sketch from PageMaps (check them out HERE) ...

September 2011

I'll be back with more Christmas cards to dazzle you (ha ha) in just a few days so stay tuned!  :)

PS: Liking much the gorgeous text paper in the background of my photos??? It's from Stampin' Up! (yes I know LOL!!!) and is there new "lighter-weight" patterned paper "First Edition Specialty". Now not a lot gets past me (okay yes it does LOL!) but for the princely sum of $24.95 I had no idea I was receiving 24 sheets of this scrumptious paper and that it was double-sided ... four each of the six designs. Talk about good value. I highly recommend you get your hands on some. I mean at about $1.00 a sheet for divine patterned paper ...