The Importance Of Gratitude

Despite my professed and undying love of cards, how beautifully they warm the heart of your loved ones, how effectively they put forth the positive energy so deeply needed in our world, and how well the act of making one nourishes the cardmaker's soul, I have a rather contrary confession to make.

Cardmaking for Christmas is one "helluva" task for this papercrafter, and not in a good way.  As you card hobbyists are aware, each card (even the simplest ones) takes a nice chunk of time to make.  And as I'm sure it is for you, what with preparations and the upcoming CHA for some of us, there isn't much time to spare at this time of year!

Last year, I was so ambitious in the types of cards I intended to send out, that truthfully, only half got done.  Well, I'm happy to share with you that this year, I was able to hand-craft cards for all my immediate family plus a few more, as well as my most intimate friends and I got them sent out before Christmas!  So I'm going to give myself a pat on the back and consider this year's endeavors a success!

I hope you had a peaceful, rejuvenating holiday, whichever holiday it is that you celebrate.  For today's post, I wanted to share with you a few gratitude cards.  I've come to realize for myself that it is so important to let loved ones know how much you appreciate them, not just after the exchange of gifts, but throughout the year.

 I used pretty, understated "Indigo Bleu" papers from Pink Paislee to make this pair of cards.

For the card above I also incorporated a bit of washi from My Mind's Eye that happened to coordinate nicely, and a pretty Inkadinkado sentiment stamp.

Utilizing a Sizzix "Flowers and Butterflies" Framelit and Die-Cut Set, I was able to craft a lotus shape, which I then pierced with a decorative brad from Teresa Collins.

I just love the delicate floral patterns in this collection.  I decided on a really simple composition which allowed me to cover most of this card front with this delightful patterned paper.  For the focal image, I used a Sizzix Flower 3-D Fringed die, placing a beautiful button from La Mode in the center.  The sentiment was stamped from my well-used Hampton Art "You Said It" Clear Stamp Set.  This stamp set covers a wide range of sentiments and is a practical buy in my book.

I wrapped the card with a solid grey twine and embellished the bottom with a few Kaisercraft pearls.  Both embellishments are available from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I won't see you again here until 2013 is well underway.  So Happy New Year, folks!