Let Heaven and Nature Sing!

I hope each of you had the Christmas you were dreaming of this year and that it was indeed, "merry and bright." We enjoyed a quiet day spent with friends, as we usually do. Lots and lots of good food, fun chatting, and a most anticipated relaxing day. Our decorations are still up here in the Attic, and I suppose they should come down by the weekend. At least that's the plan. But if not, we'll just enjoy them a bit longer. 

Santa is still standing in his usual place next to the tree

and the candles on the mantel continue to burn most every night.

The tree is still lit and the ornaments continue to bring smiles while sitting nightly on the floor with the girls, looking up, remembering bits and pieces about each delightful ornament. The cheerful little snowman brings an instant smile and was a new addition this year when we ventured to the garden center for our poinsettia. Charlie Brown and Snoopy, a gift from a dear friend a few years ago, and of course, Pooh and Eeyore who are always on our tree.

  

I so enjoy this time of year when I can be inside and the soft glow from candles or Christmas lights warm the evening's chill. I have been longing for some quiet time since before Thanksgiving, without responsibilities or obligations, days to be still and to do some photo projects. "Jammie days," I call them. Even the last couple of weeks have been filled with appointments and errands that needed tending. I have double checked the calendar and the rest of January looks to be completely clear, so far. I am hoping to keep it that way. There's a new crochet project I'm anxious to start with some brand new Christmas present yarn (I will share once it is on its way) as well as Jan Karon's book, "Someplace Safe with Somebody Good" that I've been reading. I've also been organizing my dies and embossing folders and then will begin the task of going through bags and boxes in the Attic. Good projects for cold wintry days, indeed.

It has been a long time since I've had a card to share. Lots of ideas, but very little time for creating. I had the idea for this card around the beginning of December, and I completed it just in time for a friend who lives a long distance away. I was happy she received it a couple of days before Christmas. I embossed Hero Arts, "Tiny Ink Spots " in white on a Papertrey Ink Soft Stone card base. This cardstock has become a new favorite this year, such a soft gray color, wonderful for snow scenes or as an accent with silver. I embossed the same stamp in Hero Arts, "Sparkle" embossing powder on the white card base. I then stamped the "Silhouette Fern" stamp three times with Versamark and embossed with the "Sparkle" embossing powder. I was surprised that the white snowflakes showed through the fern's leaves giving them such an icy appearance, a happy surprise indeed. I thought "sparkle" would be similar to glitter and was a bit disappointed at first. I like that it is more subdued, a bit holographic, and that it changes color as it is tilted in the light. We had many dark and cloudy days in a row before Christmas making photos difficult. The white background, the branch and the bird are indeed quite sparkly. 

The Poppystamps, "Peaceful Bird" and Memory Box, "Woodland Branch" were cut from DCWV glitter paper. I cut three of the birds from cardstock and glued the glitter one on top for added dimension. Finally, some Simon Says Stamp irridescent sequins add a bit more icy sparkle to this Christmas wish. When I finished the card, I decided to make a second one since the supplies were still on the desk. I didn't realize it at the time, but after looking at it for a few days, it became dh's Christmas card this year.

The inside was finished with a Penny Black stamp from the set, "Season's Wishes." I can always count on my Penny Black stamps to find just the sentiment I desire in the beautiful fonts they use.

I am hoping to be back later this week with another Christmas card to share. Until then, may peace and blessings be yours as we begin a brand new year filled with hope and possibility.

Materials Used:

Stamps: Hero Arts S5637 (Tiny Ink Spots); K5314 (Silhouette Fern); Penny Black "Season's Wishes"

Dies: Memory Box Woodland Branch; Poppystamps Peaceful Bird

Cardstock: Neenah Solar White; PTI Soft Stone; Shimmer - Galvan; DCWV Glitter Silver, Holiday Glitzy Glitter

Other: Versamark Ink; Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Sparkle Embossing Powder; SSS Sequins