Scrap those pictures!!!

Most of my blog buddies are primarily cardmakers, like me. Some of them are stampy, and some scrappy, but we make cards. I've been making premade pages for my Etsy shop and I wanted to post a few to remind everyone how easy they really are. A few points:

1. They do not have to be masterpieces that have one of everything in your stamp room on them.
2. Your pictures should be the focus. (See #1)
3. Next, historical details and journaling. Historical details first, and journaling if you like.
4. Your family, for the most part, does not know and surely does not care if you used last year's product. This is not a competition to use the latest and greatest. It's a lovingly compiled record of the peeps you love.
5. In all likelihood, your albums will be closed most of the time. When they do get opened, what people love are the people and the memories in them. It's shocking to hear, I know, but your loved ones are less concerned with your brilliance as a papercrafter than they are about the pictures. Acknowledge that, and get on with it!

Robin's Egg Blues Giveaway!

Seriously, will you love me forever if you win this because you found out about it here? I love Julie forever just because I found this gorgeous blog through her!

Angel Tags/Ornaments

Merry Christmas, my friends!

These sweet chipboard angels are from Creative Cuts and More. They would make beautiful ornaments or tags. I was even thinking of adding a heart to them and using them for Valentine's Day. All I did here was add Platinum Stickles, and an eyelet and silver cord from SU!

If you felt unprepared for Christmas this year, get these now and make them, then set them aside for next year. I don't know about you, but I'd sure like to be more prepared next year than I was this year!

Sweet Baby Boy

This is from one of those My Mind's Eye card kits. I found it on sale a year or two ago, and finally got it out. I added some Basic Grey and the dotted paper, plus a bit of Waterfall Stickles. The Sweet Baby Boy sticker is from Crafty Secrets. I love their beautiful stickers, and they are often the perfect finishing touch for a project. This card has no stamping, and was super fast and easy.

I have been working with some Creative Cuts and More stuff for the Valentine's Blog Hop coming up in January. I am in love with the felt hearts I get there. I can never have too many. They are sweet and soft and pretty!

I hope all of you have the very Merriest of Christmases! I have missed visiting all of your beautiful and inspiring blogs and plan to stop by and see you all in the next day or two. I hope you haven't forgotten me!

Cricut Bookmarks

I made these bookmarks using my cricut. I have been using that little thing a lot lately. These were really quick to make. After I cut them, I added some Stardust pen work, and a few hot fix crystals. I get my hot fix crystals at Creative Cuts & More. I have the Rhinestone and Pearl wheel, and it is A LOT of bling, let me tell you!!

Sleigh Ornaments

I ordered these sleighs from Creative Cuts and More. They are cut from lightweight chipboard, and could not have been easier to do. They can be used as tags or ornaments, and I feel that the combination of chipboard and glitter makes them perfect for any style of holiday decor.

I used Brushed Pewter Distress and Candy Cane Stickles, plus SU! gold eyelets and ribbon. That's it!

Creative Play Stamps Snowflakes

Creative Play Stamps has this terrific set of assorted snowflakes, which I think I have mentioned before. It's a wonderful set to have on hand for Christmas and winter cards. You get 12 snowflakes for $10.95, AND they come with cling foam! I used my cricut, some cheap paper stack paper, Chestnut Roan ink, and Waterfall Stickles on these little guys.

Just For Mew Christmas Tags

I got a whole set of tag stamps like this in a big eBay haul a few years ago. I never used them because they are a little too country for me, but I kind of think they are cute again, don't you? One thing about SU!, is that their stamps do have staying power. They stay current without, for the most part, getting so trendy they are completely out of style in five years.

I used my cricut and a MS punch for these. I think the paper is one of those impossibly cheap DCWV Christmas stacks. I got rid of ALL my thin paper stacks except this one. I mean seriously, do you really want to make gift tags with paper that costs a dollar a sheet? Everything else, yes, go with the good stuff, but lots of Christmas stuff is so here today gone tomorrow, especially tags. I am one quarter Scotch, and it does show up now and then!

Joy Tags

Yes, I have made a lot of tags lately. I just finished and mailed an Etsy order for 150 of the little guys today, as a matter of fact. I mailed her an assortment of all the simpler tags in my shop, so at least I didn't have to make 150 of the same thing.

So, yes, I'm trying Etsy. It's pretty fun. There's A LOT of work involved, and the competition is fierce, but I have to do something with all the stuff I make. I can't quit playing with paper, and I can't store it all forever, and I can't inundate my peeps with paper, even though they love my stuff, I don't think they would love it as much if I sent ALL of it to them. So, I'm on Etsy.

Right now there are 26,580 listing for tags. I realize the odds here, I understand the chances of people buying from me are slim. Still, it will amuse me for a while. I have the attention span of a gnat, so I'm sure I'll be off to the next thing eventually, but for now, wish me luck!