In a Christmas (Card) Mood

Thursday was a creative day, as I set to work trying to use up some of the scrapbook and card making materials overflowing my storage bins. I have trouble walking out of a craft or scrapbook supply store empty handed, and for years bought patterned paper, diecuts, and stickers indiscriminately. If I liked it, I bought it, whether I had a current use for it or not. Well, it's getting away from me, and I have so much stuff I don't even know what all I have. So, when I felt like working on some cards today, I set myself the task of using up some of the supplies taking up space. I ended up with about 20 cards in all.

Most of the diecuts are either "Precious Moments" or "Bradley & Brice," though there were a few in the container whose source I've no idea about. I let Mom choose a few of today's masterpieces to send to grandkids, and the rest went in a box I have to send Sue, who will then send them to troops overseas to send back to their families, since they don't have the option of walking into a Hallmark or American Greetings store. The troops love to get them (they go fast!), and families love them even more, since it means hearing from a loved one overseas.

Some of the patterned paper is from Hot of the Press. I have TONS of books of paper by them, including several just for Christmas. A few years ago, I used up a bunch of the Christmas paper I had on that year's Christmas cards (see below), but it hardly seemed to make a dint in my supply. And I made about 100 cards! Guess I'd better catch up on my scrapbooks and use up a bunch more of it!

This image is kind of difficult to see, but it's a good sampling of all the cards made that year -- how different they all were using the same basic supplies. I used the wreath and tree from the "Thanks Snow Much" set by Stampin' Up (another really BAD habit as far as my checkbook is concerned, LOL) and used red, green and yellow ZIG pens for the holly berries, ribbon and tree lights. I'll post a few individual cards later for a closer look.