Christmas in May

Geez, I can't believe I've been away from blogland for over a week!  No one specific reason, just lots of other activities and tasks occupying my creative time.  The weather's been incredibly warm and bright - YAY! - and I tend to spend more time outside than in when it's nice.  'Nuff said....   Oh, and by the way, a belated

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

to all you mom's and daughters and grandma's out there!

So to "celebrate" my return to posting here, I thought I'd offer some Christmas eye candy.  You know, its never too early to work on Christmas cards!  I love making them and I know my far-flung friends and relatives really appreciate a handmade card, because that means some LOVE has been put into the object, not just the sentiment.  

I find that as I do a few cards here and there throughout the year, by the time December rolls around, I'm all set and don't have to stress out about having to do cards at the last minute.   I always make at least 4 cards of any one design, because once I've gone to the trouble of making it, I want to keep it!  And its always much quicker to do a few more at the same time, so then building up my collection is relatively painless.  

The funny thing is, because I make a lot of different Christmas cards throughout the year, when someone tells me they just love the card they received ("and how did you do that?"), I have to ask them which card they received.  I just can't bear to do 60 of the same card (I made that mistake that one year), can you spell B-O-R-I-N-G?!?!?

I always want to include a little texture and/or a little bling on these cards, because it is Christmas after all!  The second card is CASE'd from Ilona Crouse, and I'm sorry I just can't remember who I CASE'd the others from.  All supplies are from Stampin' Up.  Merry Christmas!