Merry "Belated" Christmas!

Hello Everyone! It seems like forever since I have shared with you on my blog. This month has been such a whirlwind of magic, excitement, memories & festivities. I hope yours has been just as wonderful!

Today I would like to share with you my Christmas Card creation for family & friends this year. It is a hybrid card if you will...both digital and hand created. The boys had a photo shoot back in September, and I knew right away this is the photo I wanted for the card. I have this overstuffed baroque frame and thought it would be fun to have them peeking through it. It is so fun and playful. As for the the beautiful imagery around the photo, that is from the uber talented Rhonna Farrer. I am absolutely obsessed with her designs...they are so full of details and intricate patterns. I used both the Christmas Junque Pieces Kit as well as the Christmas Word Art Brush Kit. I really hope that Rhonna comes out with this collection in paper /embellishment form like she did with the Daily Junque Collection this last year. That collection has to be one of my favorites. Ever.

As for the card, I basically took the electronic photograph and worked with the digital images to create the card. I printed on matte photo paper, and adhered kraft paper to the back for extra durability. I then printed extra birds with the hats as well as the "merry" flag. I fussy cut around the images and put foam dots under them to give the cards some extra dimension. I mailed them out in clear plastic envelopes. I am a fanatic when it comes to the clear envelopes....great for presentation and mailing....definitely will not go unnoticed! :)

Lastly, I wanted to share with you a picture of my "spooky" Santa as my son calls it. Everyone knows I am a nut for vintage anything, and my mom picked this dude up for me at a local antique store! He is from the early 1950's, from the Rushton Star Company. He looks to be from the same company that created Zippy monkeys. Did any of you ever have one of those sweet little guys? Talk about a blast from the past!

I will be back soon to share with you the calendar I created for Jack's teacher this year.
Have a safe & memorable New Years! May you create lots of wonderful memories! Love, Amy

PS, if you love the fluffy frame as much as I do, they are on sale over at Uncommon Goods! Regularly $50, they have them in purple and hot pink for $30!

I am a winner @ Two Peas & December Madness @ Paper Issues!!!

I am bursting with excitement! I have entered a few challenges in the past over at Two Peas & A Bucket and found out today that I have actually won for the Webster's Pages Challenge! :)

Not only will I receive $50 in Webster's Product, but this calendar is a custom order so that makes me even happier! My client had seen the "Out of Print" birdcage calendar I had done a few months back, and wanted one with more of a nature theme. After seeing Webster's "Botanical Christmas" Collection, I knew it would be perfect. The red bird on the right adds just the right touch I think. I fussy cut the bird out of one of my Cavallini Postcards and attached actual black/white polka dot feathers for extra dimension. There are lots of birdies and I particularly love the 2 little birds in a nest for the #2. :)

I used a wide variety of products to create......Webster's Pages paper, sparkler, bloomer...
Prima paper, lasercut felt...
Tim Holtz Bingo Texture Fade (to create the fab copper #22)... Martha Stewart's daisy fan punch...
American Crafts memento, rub ons, thickers...
Cosmo Cricket chipboard numbers...
Making Memories rub ons...
Maya Road bingo marker...
Girls' Paperie number...
Fancy Pants stamps...
In addition to loads of vintage ephemera...game pieces, rulers, etc...

Now onto the important news!
Paper Issues has a current theme running through Christmas titled "Holiday Madness." What does that mean to you? Please share your fabulous Christmas creations over at Paper Issues and while you are there, be sure to like us on Facebook for your chance to win a super giveaway of American Crafts goodies! Paper Issues is only shy 13 followers to reach the 700 mark on Facebook! Way to go Paper Issues!!!!!

I love you my wonderful friends! Happy December 1st, may the "Holiday Madness" begin! :)
Amy