Merry Christmas!

Tis the season, right? I hope you're having an enjoyable season, despite all the chaos and busyness. Stop right now and breathe - deeply.

Labels to Love clear mount stamps. Old Olive cardstock. Gold ribbon.
Merry Little Christmas DSP. Basic Black Archival stamp pad.
Foil snowflakes. Everyday label punch.

Did you? Deep breathing really helps calm you and allows you to get re-centered so you can focus better.

I make cards to help me relax and focus better. Do you? What makes you most happy about the process? The designing? The assembling? The sending? Tell me what you love best!

Night in Bethlehem cling mount stamp and die bundle. Night of Navy ink pad. Night of Navy cardstock. Whisper White cardstock. Smokey Slate ink pad. MISTI tool.

In my frantic pace, the sending sometimes doesn't happen. It's so very important to send though. Just picture the look on your recipients face when they open something personal among the bills.

The card front used the eclipse technique.

A little tip I want to share with you. It's about physics. Did I just hear you groan? Didn't think so. Lots of people have trouble with intricate dies - there are special die platforms for intricate dies, but I've never found a need for one because of physics.

When your platen (the roller part of your Big Shot) moves across your sandwich of plates, it causes the top plate to curve because the platen is curved. The bottom plate does NOT move because it isn't in contact with the platen. If you flip your sandwich, placing your uncut plate on the platform and the plate you use for cutting on top, you'll find you get a clean cut every time. Make sure the die blade is facing up. Like this:

I made and mailed 120 cards this year. You know what I learned? I didn't start early enough! My last batch went in the mail on the 20th. Also, I didn't make enough Hanukkah cards. Yikes!! What was your favorite card you received this season?

Another tip: I couldn't make all those cards without the MISTI tool. Seriously - that thing has been a wonder that has extended all my card making work! I don't have to worry about crooked sentiments, partial stamping, or suffer through one card at a time. This allows you to put your rubber or photo-polymer stamps in place and they stamp repeatedly exactly where you want them. Buy them. Trust me. They pay for themselves in unwasted cardstock and ink. You'll thank me. I have 5 and really need one more.

Ok, 3 more. For classes... you know. So my students can be perfect right out of the gate. I want my students to be successful. Yes. I do.

To help you make the most of this season of giving, I'm offering a host code for orders on Stampin' Up! products. Whomever orders the largest pre-tax dollar amount gets the host goodies! So tell your friends! Have them order under your name! Steal Christmas like a Grinch! Ok. Not really, but, you know. Right?

The host code (R4STMXED) will remain open until January 2, and you can shop my SU! online store immediately. Product will ship directly to you from Stampin' Up! Merry Christmas!!

Looking for some great deals for Santa? Check these out:
(These are affiliate links - I get a small return, you get the great deals. I use these funds to travel to Africa to provide free medical clinics to the villagers. Win:Win.)