Christmas Card Time Again

I know it's making excuses, and that if I really wanted to, I suppose I could make it into the offudio more often to make cards, but the thing is, it's really REALLY hard to get in there with Ellie in the house.  She's just busy.  Really busy.  I mean a LOT.  I can't do it while she's awake because that is a disaster waiting to happen, and by the time nap time rolls around (hallelujah!) I have to clean up all the messes she has made while she was awake. 

Combine that with rolling into Christmas season and there are myriad things that must be done, such as, oh, I don't know, making all the Christmas candy and cookies for the family. Oh, and let's not forget, Christmas cards!  Ack!

How in the world did I get it all done when I was working? 

The thing is, I LOVE making cards.  I adore it, even.  It is a huge stress release for me to get in there and fiddle around with papers and stamps.  Methinks I just need to get in there and do it, and not stress about everything else so much.  I mean, the messes will still be there when I'm done, right? ;o)

Anyhow, enough rambling.  I typically make 20 cards each of four or five designs, thereby saving myself from the insanity of making 80-100 cards that are all the same.  I pulled out a couple of sets I've never used and decided to ink them up. 

See those lovely pieces of fleece up there?  I saw them next to each other in JoAnn and knew Miss Bean had to have a blanket made from them (Lil will be making it for her).   Inspired by the colors, I decided to make a retro-looking Christmas card.  Even better?  The Paper Players challenge this week is to create a Christmas card using non-traditional stamps and/or colors.  I do believe this fits the bill.

Isn't it fabulous?  I've been in love with Cherry Cobbler since it was released, and knew I wanted to use it on my cards this year.  It is such a deep, rich and luscious red I couldn't resist.  Then, there was Pool Party, my most favorite of the In Colors this year.  Paired with a funky stamp, my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig and a straight line, I was golden.  :o)  This is design one for the year.  I haven't done anything with the inside yet, but will.

My card making endeavors always include a number of mock-ups.  I play around until a design looks good to me.  Sometimes I wind up with more than one and others I have to scrap the entire idea. 

Well, yesterday I had another card come together using the same stamp sets and colors.  Score!  Card number two is a go.  :o)  I was worried I might become numb using the same colors over and over, but given my love of these two colors, I don't think that will be a problem at all. 

I still have at least two more designs to come up with, but hey, I'm half way there! 

These cards use:
Stamp Sets: "Snow Burst", "Four the Holidays"
Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Silver Glimmer
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party
Accessories: snowflake punch (non-SU!), Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

I suppose I had better be off to the offuido once more...
--Rach