Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas ~ Saturday Sketch Challenge

Good Morning and a Very Merry Christmas from my family to yours...

I would just like to take a few moments and thank you for your encouragement and kind thoughts and comments that you leave for me, making me smile, all year long. It really does fuel the fire and keeps me motivated to create new projects for your inspiration.
Please read on to find out about the operator blog candy this week.

I decided to keep this week's card VERY simple. Sometimes, less is more and I'm really in love with the clean and simple style lately.

Here's a cool little tip for you... If you follow my posts over on stamping411, you already know that a 4 1/4" square card can be mailed in a medium envelope for no extra postage, and just the fact the the card is square would mean you would pay an extra .20 cents in postage at the post office...

Well here's another tip... When I mail a card with a brad, or a bow or some other object that is sticking up (like the card below). I flip the card inside out before I mail it. With an object sticking out, they get caught in the postal machines and make the letters non machinable. Just turning the card inside out, gives your card a little insulation, without adding weight. :D

So how about some measurements:

Base: 8 1/2" x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4" (I used a corner rounder on two sides)
Layer 2: 3 1/4" square
Layer 3: 3 1/8" Square

On top of layer 3, I added some tombo, multipurpose adhesive, (the one that comes in the green tube) to add the chunky glass glitter.

I tied some seam binding on around the card and tied a bow. (i used the bunny ears method)

Layer 4: Then I stamped "merry" on some scraps, and punched the heart shape below.. Less really is more!
I'm so very thankful for the abundance of friendships that I have made since becoming a demonstrator almost five years ago. When looking through my "stash" to find something to give as blog candy for this week, I saw this stamp set with the very appropriate quote

"Thank you for touching my life."

and I knew that this was the set I was going to give for blog candy.
The whole reason that I decided to start my own stamping business was to be there for my daughter when she gets out of school, or for her class party, or for ANYTHING that she needs. Many times my family has gone without to make that all happen, but when I look at my beautiful little girl, I know in my heart that it is what I was meant to do.

I am with the right company, at the right time, doing EXACTLY what I am supposed to be doing. I thank God for the blessings in my life, those wonderful friendships, and for the opportunity to do what I LOVE for my job, while being RIGHT HERE for my little one.

I have started a few traditions in my house that are different from the ones that I did as a child. Every year, my daughter and I create a gingerbread house together. This is time that I cherish and I KNOW that my daughter will always remember. If you have time, please leave me a comment and share your favorite Christmas/Holiday tradition to be entered into my drawing for this gorgeous stamp set next week.

Please check out the other operators posts and leave a comment for them.. You may win some candy! I can't wait to read about your family traditions.. Peace and joy to you all. Thank you again for everything...
Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

130 comments:

Deb B (Debadoo) said...

Absolutely stunning card! We don't have much in the way of traditions, and it really bothers me. It's difficult since I can't get out much in the cold. I think about it every year and wish we had something that we did each year.

Karen AKA Soccerboyzmom said...

I would say as my boys got older the tradition of filling the stocking happened. I did theirs and they did mine. I trained them well.

Debby said...

Stunning card. Our tradition has kind of changed since my Dad passed away January 18th. But we used to have just my parents over on Christmas Eve and it was very special for my family as they got a special time with Grandma and Grandpa. We have Grandma living with us so we still get Grandma on Christmas Eve also. But we always watch their favorite movies which is Ma and Pa Kettle after our meal and opening gifts with them. Then on Christmas Day my whole family comes over (over 20 people) and we eat, open gifts and play games.
angel hugs
Debby
This year is dedicated to my Dad. Love ya Dad.

Stef Perry said...

Gorgeous card, I love the sentiment on the tiny heart punch!! Our tradition is for the family to gather on Christmas Eve, which we did today, so fun!! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!!

Babe O'Mara said...

I love making gingerbread men with my granddaughters. We've been doing it for years, and now that they are in their late teens, I especially like it when they call me and drive over with all the ingredients. Such wonderful memories we're making.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Babe

Sharon Wheet said...

I understand about the time we spend with our children. But, now that my children are grown and have children of their own, my granddaughter and I bake together. She loves making brownies with me. But, my favorite holiday tradition is decorating the Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. The children (and grandchildren) each have some of their 'own' Christmas ornaments that still go on the tree year after year. We spend the whole day decorating. I hope that they understand that not all 'gifts' can be opened.
Merry Christmas!

Linda Anderson said...

What a beautiful card. You are so right, less is more. One of my holiday traditions...baking a boat load of cookies!!! Now mind you, some of these cookies I only make at Christmas time, and why is that?! Guess that's what makes this a Christmas tradition. Speaking of tradition, hope you have a Merry one.

Linda

Amanda Harbison said...

Thank you for sharing your story- it is beautiful. I love your simple card - striking.

My favorite tradition has become one we made as a family with our own children. On Christmas eve as a child we always had a little program to share our 'gifts' with each other - I have fought for 23 years to do that with my own family. They aren't so willing - but we have begun to make Cookie houses each Christmas eve. It has become a great tradition and we love to invite friends too!

Dee Simpson said...

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to play an exchange gift game. Each person contributes a wrapped gift and chooses a number. You may choose a gift from the pile or "steal" an already revealed gift chosen by someone who went before you. If someone steals your gift you get to choose again. You may not take the gift just taken from you. Each gift may have 3 "owners" before it is off limits. Lots of fun and laughs--- especially with lots of people.

Kathy said...

Love your card and thanks for the mailng tips!! Tradition in our house is they can't look at the tree or go in the living room until they get us up! Then it's stockings first (I wrap EVERYTHING in them) Stretches out the Christmas Morning.

Kathy C.
kjcummings63@gmail.com

ThreadCatcher said...

A simple thing we do is to make sure and get a family picture in front of the tree. Great to see how we have all changed over the years. Thanks for sharing and for a chance to win some fun blog candy. jmniffer

Dorene said...

Merry Christmas to you and all your readers. My favorite part of Christmas is the many events we attend as friends and family. The progressive dinner in early December, the Church dessert theater, the drive around town to see the lights, and the general kindness of those you meet on a day to day basis.

Kris Sobolik said...

Beautiful card!
We have always gone to Christmas Eve church services and then gathered for a meal and settled in to share gifts.

Kris Sobolik
ksobolik@hotmail.com

zgrandmakaren said...

Love the card. Our tradition is going to the candlelight service on Christmas Eve.

Bev Farmer said...

Love your card.
Our family Christmas tradition is to take naval oranges and roll them back and forth to each other until they are soft (great job for the little ones).
Then we cut a hole in the top and stick a soft peppermint stick in the hole.
It is so delicious to suck the orange juice up through the peppermint stick. And then eat the peppermint stick after all the juice is gone.

Lee T. said...

Very nice card, enjoyed your ideas & traditions

lisa808 said...

Beautiful card. That is a wonderful holiday tradition that you and your daughter share each year. Something we have always done at the Christmas table is put a small gift at each person's place that includes scratch tickets and chocolate.

Merry Christmas!

Kathy S. said...

I love your card! We have Christmas traditions that I hope my children remember and pass onto their children. Enjoy the season!

Carey said...

I love the card and that stamp set. My new tradition is we also have a present that we let the dog open. DH and I have our Christmas with the children then come home and have our special time that also includes the dog. I swear he is just as excited as when we were young. Merry Christmas.

Carey Rogers
aka Roscoe's mommy

§hawnie® said...

Stunning card Selene! I am so glad that you are able to create such beautiful creations AND be there for your daughter and her needs at the same time.

Elsa L said...

Love the glitter on your card. Thanks for the helpful mailing tips.
We always take our girls to grandmas house and she lets them decorate her tree.
Thanks for sharing. Love your family Disney picture.

ktstamps said...

I love your work....beautiful!

I love putting up the lights...when you turn them on...it's like you are lighting the world.

I love testing the niece and nephews....instant contact.

Merry Christmas! Kt

Holly said...

I love the clean simple look of your card. It is really beautiful. Thank you for the mailing tips as well. My favorie holiday tradition is spending time with my family. My kids are grown and gone their separate ways and it's nice when we all get together.

Anna said...

My favorite tradition is making sugar cookies with my mom and kids. My grandmother started the tradition with my brothers when I was born and we have continued it each year.

Mary said...

Your card is so pretty, just love that dsp! Merry Christmas! Mary

stampingrandma said...

What a wonderful card. We don't really have any traditions anymore since my mom died a few years back.

Unknown said...

Your card is beautiful, gf - as always! So glad to call you friend!

We have several Christmas Traditions - Emma always gets special pj's on Christmas Eve, we always make Broiled Grapefruit halves with Brown Sugar for Christmas breakfast and we make a special dessert to celebrate Jesus' birthday. My favorite one of these ever was the big heart shaped chocolate chip cookie that Emma wrote "Happy Birthday Jesus" on with icing.

Kathleen said...

Merry Christmas! One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to buy "funny" inexpensive gifts as stocking stuffers. The receiver has to try and guess what's inside before opening. When my children were young we made gingerbread houses a few years. It truly did make for great memories!

Kim Innis said...

Beautiful card. Our tradition is to go to church then have my husband's family come to our house for presents and a light dinner buffet.

Janny said...

Very nice card. I just love this DSP. I will hate to see it go with the Holiday Mini!

Kimberly S. said...

Love this size card!! And the simplicity, yet elegnace of it!! Our family tradition is pretty simple....for right now, while my boys are small, we stay at home for Christmas morning so Santa knows where we are! I'm sure we have other "traditions", but I just can't think of any right now. I'm sick and could stand to go to bed!! LOL

Billie A said...

Very pretty card.
My mom who passed on three years ago was the glue to hold the family together. She always had the holidays at her home as she was the center home for everyone. We live all in different directions but since she has passed on so has the get togethers, different members have moved to another state or too far for travel to come or go. It's sad. I hope you holidays are filled with love and family and you have a great new year. hugs

Stamper Shirley said...

Beautiful card ... as always! With my children grown, I am so happy they are carrying on some of our traditions - for one, always getting new jammies on Christmas Eve - the one gift they get to open then because everyone knows we sleep better in new jammies! Thanx for sharing your creativity with us and for offering blog candy.

Lorilovestampin said...

Selene- Love your card and the inspiration I get from the sketch challenges!! Our tradition is that on Cristmas Eve we just make and eat snacky foods all night!!Merry christmas to you and yours !! Lori

irishgalkelly said...

I like to make homemade Christmas ornaments with my kids for every teacher and family member. It is a great way to spend time with them, get out the glitter and glue, and to let others know we are thinking of them.

Love your simple style on this card. So pretty!

Unknown said...

Just beautiful Selene!!! And so are you!! I am so happy to be able to call you one of my friends!! Love ya!!

Jenni Turnbull said...

Hi. Your holly card really reminds me of Christmas.
We always have the same traditional meats and vegetables for our Christmas lunctime meal, it has remained a tradition through the generations.

Michelle J. said...

Gorgeous card, Selene and thanks for your kind posting today. Our annual traditions include hosting my family's annual holiday cookie swap, decorating gingerbread cookies with my kids and spending as much time as possible with family.

Sandi said...

Oh my gosh Selene, I love your card -- design is awesome. And I would love, love, love to win this stamp set (one I do no have). Up until 2 yrs. ago our main tradition was everybody at my house for Xmas dinner and sledding. But my kids are taking over the tradition now and I am so happy that they want to keep it going by opening their door to all the family and those who don't have family to share Christmas Day. The more the merrier is what I have always practiced.
Sandi Dailey
gdailey@concentric.net

Shar W said...

Thanks for sharing this simple, yet beautiful card with us. Even though we really don't have a specific tradition, one that we did have when I was younger was being able to open one gift on Christmas Eve. It was even better if the one gift we opened was PART of another gift- then we had to wait until Christmas morning to open the rest of the gifts :)
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Shar W

Sherry said...

Beings I have to work almost all of the holidays we usually have our Christmas celebration a few days before. But I still do the stockings for my boys even tho one is married. It's fun for me to now include stockings for the grandkids which I have made matching ones for all of them.

DebbieG said...

Beautiful card... One of my favorite traditions is to bake Christmas cookies with all of the Grandkids.

Deborah345 said...

thank you for all the creative inspiration though the year and blessings for the coming year.

Pat Gasko said...

Your card is so simple and so elegant. Love it! My tradition of putting up all my Christmas Decorations starting on Friday (Black Friday) after Thanksgiving gives me about six weeks to enjoy the beauty of the season.

Anonymous said...

Pretty card! My daughter & I always decorate the tree together! We have so much fun together! Thanks for the chance to win an awesome giveaway!

Jonia said...

Beautiful Card! My family always gets together on Christmas Eve. Daughters, soninlaws, grandkids. That is our Christmas together. Then on Christmas day, my husband and I head about 2 hours west of us to see our mothers for Christmas day and will continue to do that as long as they live. We are blessed to have them with us.

Debra said...

Gorgeous card! I am a new follower! I hope to play along with the Challenges this year as well. I guess my tradition is corney a bit but every year we watch It's a Wonderful Life. Thanks for the chance to win!

xdebrax@yahoo.com

DEBBEE said...

Love the cared! The heart with MERRY on it just is the best. Glitter is the greatest invention. It's makes me smile with the shimmer and glit. You should see me room when I'm designing. Glitter everywhere.

DEBBEE said...

Beautiful card. Glitter makes me smile and the heart on the bow is a sweet touch of HAPPINESS.

clements_diane said...

Thanks for a chance to win. A tradition we love is our annual Christmas picture after the presents have all been opened.

Michelle Joy Wecksler said...

Love that glitter on the card - it is gorgeous!!!!! I love baking during the holidays...and eating what others bake for us :) thanks for the chance to win and happy holidays!!!!

Rene said...

I love that designer paper! Even though Xmas is past I intend to make some "late" cards with it today.

Lori Mueller said...

Lovely card, Selene! And, I love your Christmas tradition. Our family tradition is every 1st Saturday in December, we cut down a fresh tree and decorate it together. We started this when our little girls were 1 and 3 years old. It's something we look forward to each year....in, rain, sleet, snow, and coldest of days.

Ilene B. said...

Your card as usual is gorgeous! You are a very talented stamper and thank you for sharing your ideas!

Theresa said...

Your card is very pretty.
This year, on the second week end in Dec all my kids and grandkids gathered at my house and we had a cookie decortating party. We had so much fun that I think we will do this every year.
Thank you for offering blog candy.
All the best to you in 2011.
Theresa in Kitimat
tfredric at citywest dot ca

designbydonna said...

Beautiful card. You are right. Sometimes less is more! Our favorite tradition on Christmas Eve is fondue for dinner, ride around looking at light displays, and ending with a beautiful candle light service at church.

Knuppe Family said...

WOW! This card is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

Paulette S said...

Selene,
I'm going to have to get some of that chunky glass glitter, it looks like too much fun. I added some little tags to my large Christmas tags this year using the little tag punch like you did here with your little heart. I love all of the little extras like the glitter and little tags. My kids are grown, and we go for Chinese after opening gifts, it's fun and relaxing.

Barbara Dykhouse said...

Selene, this is a beautiful card! Simple yet elegant! I agree with you about the blessings of the friendships formed through Stampin' Up! As for traditions, when our children were little, after my husband had all the lights on the tree, it was time for everyone to help with the ornaments. We always watched "White Christmas" as we decorated the tree. I still need to watch that movie every year. Sometimes it is while I am baking, but this year it was while my husband and I put the ornaments on the tree. (And I would love to win this stamp set!)

Lynn Hunt-Fones said...

Beautiful Card!!!! Not many traditions with children all grown and new little children to share with.

Joni Kelly said...

Selene, this card is gorgeous and uses one of my favorite DSP papers! Our tradition started the year my mom died. I wanted a new way to celebrate that would give us all a fresh outlook and chose Christmas Breakfast with Little Grandma (that's me.) Everyone comes over in pajamas and we all join in fixing our favorite breakfast foods. Then after eating together we take turns opening presents. Its easy in the kitchen and fun together!

Val W said...

Lovely card! I really have been liking the clean and simple style myself lately, especially at this busy time of year.
A tradition we've started just since two of our daughters were married three years ago, centers around our family get together for Christmas. Because there are in-laws to share our girls with now, we can't always get together right on the holiday, so we choose a date around the holiday, usually a weekend or two before Christmas, to celebrate our family Christmas. We always choose a food theme--this year was Southern cooking--and everyone brings/prepares a dish or two to contribute to the meal. It's always a day of good food and good fun with those we love.

Anonymous said...

My favorite tradition is going to the Candlelight service on Christmas eve. The peace of those moments is a true gift.
Thanks for sharing your creativity. i look forward to 2011!
Christmas blessings to you and your family.
Martha L.

Diane - oliver.mdiane@comcast.net said...

Beautiful card and I just love that DSP. So pretty.
Best tradition is family gatherings and games. So fun.

Stacy H. said...

My favorite Christmas tradition is the special sweets we make each year, like sugar cookies made from a recipe passed down from my Grandmother.

Nick said...

Very pretty card. Simple, but elegant!

The MadStamper said...

Beautiful card! Love our tradition of staying in our PJ's on Christmas day!

Mary Grace said...

Onoe of our family traditions is that the week before Christmas my husband and hos sisters and all of their children get together at their time share at Shawnee on the Delaware in PA and we eat, drink, and laugh they have been doing this every year for at least 40 years I have been involved the last 26 years or so-Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Debbie Harris said...

Selene, your work is beautiful! May your future be richly blessed!

JKB said...

Selene, what a cute card and what fun your family must be having. Merry Christmas.

Carrie said...

Love the card!! It's so beautiful! Our holiday tradition is picking out a new ornament each year as a family! =)

Cookie said...

love this paper and the seam binding

Tanya P said...

Love the car. Love that dsp.

Anonymous said...

My husband reads Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve to our daughters. He has been doing it for 23 years! Thanks for the chance to win.
GaleSmith at earthlink dot net

Linda Callahan said...

DSP is the best invention ever! I love using it and dressing it up like you did! Pretty card! Even though my kids are grown and gone we still gather every Christmas morning to empty our stockings together!

JustCrazy4Scrapen said...

Beautiful card, thanks for the blog candy too.

Lisa

Rose Mary Smalley said...

Thank you Selene for sharing your story...and a lovely card also. I love this dsp. I used it on my holiday cards this year..so pretty.
We have several great family traditions...one I already shared on another blog...Another is..when we sit down to enjoy our Christmas meal, we take time to each...go around the table and give thanks openly for our blessings. It is a great time of reflection. We love each other, and are Blessed to be enjoying family, friends and great food. We are truly blessed.
God Bless you and yours...happy holidays
Rose Mary Smalley
rostamps4fun@aol.com

terhare said...

Our tradition is to eat Danish rice pudding for dessert after dinner--whoever fids the single whole almond wins a small prize.

creations by jackie said...

Your card is amazing simple, clean and elegant. We don't have a family tradition anymore, but when my girls were young I started giving them ornaments on Thanksgiving so they would have thier own when they had thier own home. Your prize is awesome and I love the saying.

Rose said...

I love the chunky glitter on your card and that rich red ribbon. Quick but elegant too. One of my favorite rituals is to gather the kids, friends and neighbors and stroll down our town's version of Candy Cane Lane. We enjoy looking at the decorated houses, someone is always playing Christmas music and we always tote thermos' of hot chocolate. Lots of laughter and Santa Claus sits on his throne at the end so a visit with Santa. Just love it, Happy New 2011.

Anonymous said...

merry christmas, I LOVE your Disney photo, that is my favorite place to be. :)
Our tradition is simple and I'm sure many people do it but we do onaments that are personal to each child for Christmas then I wrap them up in boxes for the boys.

Unknown said...

Love this card - reminds me of my childhood and Christmas.

Laura said...

Christmas traditions are so important, and we are all about them at our house including eating Swedish meatballs on Christmas Eve, attending the annual Holidazzle Parade in downtown Minneapolis, and baking cookies together. Thanks for offering blog candy. That is a beautiful set.

Yvonne S said...

Great Card Selene. We get a new board game at Christmas and we play the game on Christmas Day. It is really nice to share that time with our children.

Kathy Mc said...

The simplicity of your card and plan to CASE using other DSPs. Hmmm ~ ongoing tradition for me is baking special cookies & candies made only at Christmas. Not sure why we save these recipes until then, but it just seems to happen that way. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and the best in 2011. Enjoy your time with your daughter as I miss my parents so very much but cherish the memories!
bdlakebum at yahoo dot com

Ann G. said...

Gorgeous card - very regal looking. Thanks for sharing so many ideas. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas

Stampin' Mom of Four said...

Love the simplicity of your card! Thanks for the tips, too. I never thought about folding a card inside out.

A tradition that we have in our house is simple - we turn of Christmas music and sing as we decorate the tree. We also decorate sugar cookies.

Lynda said...

Great card and thank you for sharing the mailing tip! One of our traditions is opening extended family gifts on Christmas Eve and immediate family on Christmas Day. Of course, then there is the Christmas Day Brunch and light supper for kids and grandkids. We extend Christmas for as long as we can!! LOL

Phyllis Jachowski said...

411 is such a great boost. Thanks for sharing your creations!
One special tradition is soup on Christmas Eve...this year it was butternut squash with saffron creme & braised scallops!
Phyllis
Ramstein AFB, Germany

Beth Tappen said...

Selene, so simple and elegant. The tinsel embellishment really sets off the DSP.

Lori K said...

That is a beautiful card! I guess I would have to say one of my traditions would be to make all my Christmas card. I love all the great comments from family and friends when they receive them.

Unknown said...

Our "new" tradition started as we are getting older and I have broken my back. On Christmas eve we get a pizza that we bake on Christmas day. We both can enjoy friends and family. Your card is stunning. I like the diagional corners rounded and the bling! Yummm.
Sharon L

shari said...

Love your card, the idea is great. It really speaks to one when looking at it. Our tradition now is for my older son to hold Christmas, with me bringing the goodies that have been on the table extra for over the last 40+ years. Love it, Love Christmas and the way people share here. I am trying to get up and running like you did to be able to enjoy my enforced retirement, so that stamp set would be a welcome addition as well. Thanks again for sharing with us all.

SGilley said...

What touching information. And, yes, God will put you where you belong :-) even in the valleys, such as when your family does without for you to be home, God IS good! Blessings to you and yours and my favorite family tradition is watching the kids (17-25 now) still decorate the tree and us riding around all over our pasture hunting that perfect tree. Trust me, this years tree reminded me of the story about the sad little tree no one ever picked...ours wilted early and looked sad so is now on deck to be "undecorated". However sad it looked all of us still got sad when it left the room. Blessings to you and yours for the new year!

Julie Gearinger said...

Selene- this card is wonderful! Love the use of the DSP and the seam binding ribbon! Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us:-) Traditions change in our family as parents pass away and relatives move away, but my husband and I love the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church- it allows us to take a moment to reflect on Christ's birth and the true reason for the season! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas- Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

ms selene like always, beautiful cards, and you inspire me always, thank you!
you have a happy new years,

hug's frenchie hum.

mary.schultz said...

Your card is beautiful!
Baking christmas cookies together is one of my favorite traditions - the whole family gets together, and we each get to pick one recipe to make and split between us all. It's quite chaotic, but a lot of fun and yummy stuff!

Patrice H said...

We have a family tradition that started way back when I was a child that my Grandmother started. My sister and I now trade off doing this yearly. You get 1 brown lunch sack fill it with 1 large navel orange, a chocolate bar, whole nuts, loose hard candy and (used to be a dollar bill now it is $5.00 for inflation :)tied with a little bow. The bags are placed around the bottom of the tree and everyone can't wait to get their bag. My daughter will pass this tradition on to her family when times comes.

Kerin said...

Selene this card is so beautiful! I love the rounded corners, the gorgeous bow, and the glitter too! I am so thankful for meeting you through SU!, becoming friends and being asked to join the Operators :)

Chris said...

Our best tradition is having dinner with my parents on Christmas Eve with my family and as many of my siblings and their families as can make it home. It is so much fun-noise and love everywhere!

candjpalmer at wyoming dot com

Cathie said...

This year was "year 21" of our annual open house. Since going into the ministry we have inviteed our church family to our house for refreshments and fellowship and a small token when they leave. We average around 50 people each year and although I get stressed at times it is all very worth it!

Cathy from Illinois said...

Love your Christmas card!! Our tradition for Christmas is that Santa always give socks to us. Even when someone extra shows up, Santa finds them too!! :)

PS Love the Glitter around the card too!!

Mary Bauer said...

Gorgeous card. I love the chunky glitter on the edges of the design. One of our traditions is an Advent calendar that we add a piece to each day of December. It is one that I made (Counted Cross stitch). We have been using it for about 15 years, since my son was about 3 years old.

Hi, I'm Lee Conrey! said...

Simple, Elegant and so beautiful!!! I just love it. You amaze me gf!!!
How is Alexis doing? I hope she is feeling better.

Chas said...

Great card!! We recently started a secret santa on my mother's side of the family-so we don't have to buy for everyone. Some do their best to keep it a secret. The presents can be very interesting!

Andrea L - EnchantINK said...

Thanks for the card tips ... very helpful.
One of our Christmas Traditions is prawns, fondue & apple cider on Christmas Eve with JUST my kids and us! We watch the Carols ... play cards & just relax before the busy-ness of Christmas hits!
I loved reading about your SU! life. It is a good time of the year to be reflecting on God's blessings! TFS! Hugs xxaxx

Amy Phelps said...

Thanks Selene. Your card is fabulous. I love the black/red combo. I think one of my favorite traditions is that we drive around and look at Christmas lights after we go to church on Christmas eve. Just so pretty and quiet that time of night.

Janet Swofford said...

Gorgeous card. Love the glitter around the edges!We have lots of Christmas traditions. My favorite is listening to my mother read the Christmas story from the book of Luke in the Bible before we open our presents. So sweet!
Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win the awesome candy:-)
Inky hugs,
Janet
janet@swofford.com

Sugar Cookie said...

Your cards are always amazing! I visit your blog often. My favorite Christmas tradition is decorating our tree with all the handmade ornaments made by our children years ago and now those made by our grandchildren. The memories are the only gift I will ever need.

Karen said...

Nice simple card. Wish I had your tip earlier about turning card inside out ha! Hoping to start new traditions now that I have a grandchild. Always love baking cookies and making candy every year - my daughter who married last year starting doing them with me - hope this continues for a nice tradition. Karen

Denise Bryant said...

Gorgeous card!
My tradition is to bake. I have 4 or 5 cookie recipes that everybody seems to really like, so I make those. Then on Christmas Eve my hubby and I go out to a few neighbors and friends and deliver them.
DeniseB

A Touch of SOL said...

LOVE YOUR CARD...One of my favorite traditions is that my hubby and I and his two brothers and their wives do a White Elephant...It is so fun as we try to keep thieving our desired gift...One year I bought a chia pet and my BIL ended up with it...It was SO FUNNY! This year I bought lottery tickets and I had to steal it back...

Debi said...

Beautiful card...just love it

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

My favorite tradition is the Christmas Eve Eve dinner with all my relatives that have made the journey to my Mom's hometown!

GG Judy Jackson said...

Thank you for the handy tips about mailing cards. My favorite tradition is the NEW tradition of meeting at a neice's home for pot luck and white elephant exchange.

Dawn said...

Love the simplicity of your card it really shows off the dsp! We have many family traditions, but one of my favorites is spending a day or two baking all the Christmas goodies with my daughter! Especially now that she's all grown up and only home once a year.

latricia said...

love the simplicity of your card may have to case it.. lol.. and have yet to ever make a gingerbread house.. we allways read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve.. thanks for a chance at Blog Candy !!

Kyla said...

Beautiful card. Our holiday tradition is traveling from one house to another to make sure we get to visit all family!

Janet L. said...

Gorgeous card, Selene. My favorite tradition of Christmas is attending the Christmas Eve Communion service. I'm the organist and it's my favorite service of the year. Just discovered your blog today and am soooo enjoying your talents!

Nanc said...

Hi Selene,

I love the cleanness of your card...very elegant! As for my favorite tradition, I have to say that just being with family at this special time of the year is what comes to mind first.

Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Nanc

Sharon Steinwand said...

I love the way you rounded 2 corners - very effective! The glitter really looks impressive, too.
We have lots of traditions-best to me is our Children's Program, Candlelight Service, and a music night we join with another Church in town to enjoy. These keep the real reason for Christmas in our minds.
Blessings to your family!
Sharon
sharons@digitalweb.net

CarolG said...

My daughter and I just love exploring New Orleans at Christmastime. We are always on the look out for something new to see or do during the holiday season.

Thanks for the chance to win!

Robin Gregor said...

Simple is simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing your wonderful tallents with us all year!

Every year since my children were born I buy matching Christmas PJ's. I started at my husband, daughter and myself, and now I am up to 12 pairs a year sizes 2T to 2xlg. They are getting harder and harder to find, but it is so worth the struggle!
rmg816@comcast.net

Kaye W. said...

Beautiful card! One tradition in our family is the night before Christmas our kids open a gift from me. I always buy them an ornament that represents something special for them that year. When they are grown and on their own they will get these ornaments to give them a start on their own tree.

Donna Thames said...

Love the card. Mailing Christmas cards. Making cookies, fudge, butterscotch cookies, and having Christmas brunch with the whole family to see what Santa has brought. This year we all went to church on Christmas Eve. I used to go at Midnight after our guests left but this year the family joined me early. Donna Thames

Christina Dowty said...

I love the rounded corners on your card! One of our family traditions is to make Irish Cream Truffles together. Then my kids love to eat them! It's a fun time together. Merry Christmas!

veronica1230 said...

Love the card. Sometimes simple is just better.
Our only tradition is not too different than alot of others, we always put up the Chistmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year My daughter wanted to put up and decorate it with her Boyfriend(FIRST LOVES). They were so cute to watch. It reminded me of when I was their age(15) and doing these type of things together for the first time and how it felt. Nice memories. Thanks. veronica1230@comcast.net

Patti Chesky said...

Ooooohhhh! I LOVE that glass glitter border and the rounded corners. So pretty!!!

Can't wait to see you....in LESS than two weeks!!! Fun times ahead, gf!

Carey said...

I don't post very often on your blog but I read it just about every day. Thank you for all the fun and inspiration you have given me in 2010. I am looking forward to 2011.

Carey Rogers
aka Roscoe's mommy

Carey said...

I don't post very often on your blog but I read it just about every day. Thank you for all the fun and inspiration you have given me in 2010. I am looking forward to 2011.

Carey Rogers
aka Roscoe's mommy