...a lot like Christmas

It was supposed to be a quick operation, really.  I was supposed to choose ONE type of Christmas card to make to send to friends and family.  Choose a relatively simple design that was quick to make so that I could just quickly whip up a bunch of these suckers and be done with it.  But I'm a bit "extra", so I should have know this plan was doomed from the start.  I've known myself for 45 years.  I should have known better.

I chose this card that I learned to make at a Stampin' Up gathering at Laurie's house using the "Wishing You Well" stamp set:

Picture from stampedgreetings.com

This card was easy because all the images are done with stamps that could be loaded on my Tim Holtz Stamping Platform to quickly stamp images for multiple cards. 

Image panels drying.  They just need the flowers stamped.

It was originally a birthday card, but I changed the sentiment for Christmas.  Here's my version:

My colors were a little different because I used what I had on hand, but the effect is the same.  I had about 5 of these cards. I made more, actually, but there was a "smearing incident" with an ink that took days to dry and I ruined a few. 

But I couldn't stop there.  I'd recently taken a trip to Betty's Creative Studio and picked up a cool Christmas die, so I had to use it.  Betty's had a sample card on display (the one on the left) and I used it as inspiration to make my card.

Then there was Pinterest, and more cards came:

Many of the cards were inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.  I might not have had the exact dies/colors used, but there are elements of my cards from the inspiration cards.  Many of them were literally made on the fly by me throwing a bunch of Christmas related stamps/dies/papers on my craft table and picking things I thought would go well together.  Some of them have sparkle and shiny stuff because I believe that Christmas should blind you.  Sight is overrated.

But wait, there's more:

So much for being simple.  I'm having so much fun making these, though, that I don't mind putting in the extra work.  I see them as my gifts to the recipients.  I just hope that they don't toss these bitches in the trash so soon after the holidays are over.   

I met a woman a couple of years ago that I had to train to use a lab technique that allows you to analyze DNA.  After spending a few hours with someone, you're bound to discover things about them.  I found out she is crafty and that her craft of choice is card making.  We are now very good friends.   

This obsession is all her fault.  And I love her for it. 

I'm sure I'm going to make more Christmas cards.  Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with my shenanigans.