.....these are a few of my favorite things.....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things......and then there are all of the wildly talented card making friends I have met along the way.

Not sure you all know this but, my birthday is actually ON Christmas.  Now, before you start thinking, oh that's awful, you get gypped.....let me just say I have never known anything different, but I do feel quite special in sharing this particular day.  I was born 3 weeks early, apparently being the youngest of four, I was NOT going to miss out on this Christmas oh so long ago (52 years to be exact!).  There happened to be a blizzard that day, babysitters were called in to help with my 3 siblings, as our neighbor George plowed a way down the grassy hill, walking, while my Dad piggy-backed my Mother to the waiting police car below.  At this point in the story my Mother likes to say, and the policeman driving said aloud, how thankful he was to have the 'added weight' in the backseat!  How's that for a story?  :)

Now back to present day.  As we all know the Holidays can be a stressful time of year, making lists, checking them twice, cleaning and cooking and baking, making cards, and writing cards, and actually sending them all out in a timely manner, never mind the endless shopping and gift wrapping.

I just have to say how touched and amazed I have felt over the past few days (well ALL year long really) at all the love I have been finding in my mailbox.  I have 'met' a wonderful bunch of ladies who took the time and effort and added me to their card giving list.  Not only for Christmas cards but for my birthday as well.  Beautifully handcrafted cards made with love.  I would like to share a few of them with you!  So grab a cup of your favorite beverage, kick your feet up, sit back and enjoy!

Beautiful Triple Stamping Technique by Gerry Morse

 

One of my very most favorite stamp sets,

especially with a Red Cardinal, by Angie Schmidt

 

 

Fabulous commemorative dated card, complete with music and a cupcake,

by my wonderful sister, Carol Tague

 

 A fun and festive celebration card

made by the one and only Nancy Leppek

 

 

 

Who puts the JOY (my most favorite word ever!) in every card she makes?

Why that would be Barbara Campbell

 

And last but not least.........

 

 

This completely over the moon adorable card by Judy Woodland

I dare you to count those layers, another favorite technique of mine

 

 

You have all made me feel so loved with your kindness and talent.  Each card is so different and yet all so beautiful.  I know the time and talent and the love that went into each and everyone of them.....for that I am thankful.....I am lucky to have met you and I am blessed to call you my friends.

 

Thank you all so very much!  May the love you have shown me follow you throughout your days.  I wish you peace and joy, love and laughter, health and prosperity to you all (and to all who are reading this as well) in the new year and for all of your days to come.

 

Thank you!

xoxo

Donna~~