Joyful Christmas

I have been very busy at work, not to mention I have been sick and coughing like a mad dog. I have been so exhausted. So, since it was my birthday weekend I made sure to rest and nap as much as my body needs. That was my gift to me. I stayed in my pajamas and watched sappy Christmas movies on Lifetime and Hallmark channels. It was very nice. I am not sure if I'd been taking too much Nyquil, but I've been having this recurring dream about me. In my dream, I see myself walking away and no matter how loud I called out my name, I never turned around. I had a similar dream twenty years ago when I was pregnant with my son. When I shared this with my grandma she casually said, "Well, it makes sense you are going to be a mother and the life you know now will change. So, it's you walking away from this life to a different one." She always had some kind of response to everything. I wish I could pick-up the phone and call her right now. To hear her voice once more, what a gift that will be. Oh well, so you can imagine why I'd been kind of wondering what change I am venturing in to now. My life has been hectic, but I am not anticipating anything life-altering happening anytime soon. So, here I am waiting for what the future holds. As another birthday comes and goes I am truly thankful for all my blessings. I cannot change the past...but then look at where it led me! I have a beautiful family and a life that I'm proud of. I am one lucky girl and grateful every single day.

I had so much fun making these cards. I was inspired by Tami White to use the cardstock vellum on the poinsettias. Putting together the parts were a bit time-consuming and laborious, but the result was so fulfilling. I made a dozen of these cards. I made and sent out 62 Christmas cards total in four designs. What an accomplishment! I hope that the people I sent them to realize how much they all mean to me.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Joyful Christmas (W131802 C 131805)
Paper: Cardstocks in Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold (102935), White Vellum Cardstock (101856)
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive, Metallic Encore pad in Gold (132141)
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing folder (132175), Apothecary Accents Frame Lits (127003), Heat Tool (129053), Stampin' Emboss Powder in Gold (109129), 1/2" Seam Binding ribbon in Cherry Cobbler (120992), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Large Pearl Basic Jewels (125577)

Oh well, that's all for now and happy birthday to me!