Piney Greetings

Well, I finally feel like I'm starting to get a bit of a grip on the Christmas season! The tree, lights and decorations are FINALLY up (the boxes were all over the place as I had started to put it up the day after Thanksgiving - which was the day Mom went into the hospital)!

A little update ... Mom came home last Wednesday, but she is gonna be wiped out for about a month (hopefully it won't be longer than that). I also ended up in the ER with my brother last Tuesday night (he had blood pressure through the roof!)!! Also, my husband had a small car accident on Thursday night and had some sinus surgery on Friday!!! I think I have had more than my share of hospitals and doctors this year!! I am SURE next year will be better!! (At least I plan on willing it to be that way!) Thanks so much for all the lovely comments, e-mails and well wishes! I really appreciate you!!

Sooooo, this is the first card I have been able to do "just for fun" in AGES!! I needed to do something to unwind and get myself in a Christmas-y mood! I also have about a bazillion Christmas cards to make (I am part-way done working on them, but I don't expect to be done 'til at least next weekend ... or later ... I really am not stressing about it this year!).

I got inspired to do this card from my good friend, Kathy Ostvig. You can see her beautiful works of art here. It also just, oddly enough, happens to fit in with this week's color challenge over on SCS (CC248). I hadn't even SEEN it ... in fact I added this comment the day AFTER I originally posted this card here ... WEIRD!!

I am TOTALLY LOVING the new Scallop Trim Corner punch from Stampin' Up (this is a bit of a sneaky peek ... these will be available in the Occasions Mini on January 5th!!). It also incorporates the Scallop Trim Border punch, which will be available for FREE if ya earn it during Sale-a-Bration!! I got my new stuff last Friday, but haven't had much time to play with anything ... yet!! I'm hoping to change that this week!!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Sincere Salutations, Yuletide Christmas
Paper: Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Ink: Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Petals a Plenty impressions folder, Whisper White satin/organza ribbon, Martha Stewart branch punch, pop-up glue dots

Ta-ta for now!!