Christmas Countdown!

"Christmas countdown; digital or paper?"

This is a 3x3 gift card that I received in a convention swap. I do not have the creator's info...but if it is yours and would like credit...just let me know!

I just realized that we only have 25 more days until Christmas! Thanksgiving was late this year and the implications of that have just now hit me! While I love playing in the digital world (think mobile apps, software, etc.) I am still a big fan of retaining old traditions like handmade with love and paper, etc.

The following project is from the Stampin' Up Blog and is an easy way to honor an old tradition:

If you need your digital fix...there is an app for that, too! There are a plethera of Christmas Countdown apps to help keep you on track for Christmas (although I don't think it would be as fun as the one above)! 

Do you have a special way you’ll be counting down the days to Christmas? 

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life."

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -Melody Beattie

I love all the Thanksgiving traditions; setting aside time to reflect and count our blessings, and the family gatherings where we feast on great food! It is so easy to fall into the bad habit of taking all of these things for granted in the daily grind of life! May the spirit of Thanksgiving be in your life everyday and your heart filled with gratitude! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

This flip card was created by yours truly and one of the cards we did in my Harvest of Thanks class! I am in love with the extended flip cards! The top photo is with the card closed and the belly band on, the bottom photo is with the card flipped open and the belly band off.

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	HARVEST OF THANKS CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 131739
	SWEATER WEATHER DESIGNER SERIES PAPER Item: 132184
	SAHARA SAND 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 121043
	EARLY ESPRESSO 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 119686
	EARLY ESPRESSO STAMPIN WRITE MARKER Item: 119680
	SAHARA SAND CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126976
	BRIGHTS STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS Item: 131259
	TANGERINE TANGO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126946
	EARLY ESPRESSO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126974
	EPIC DAY THIS AND THAT DESIGNER WASHI TAPE Item: 131269
	TANGERINE TANGO 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 111349
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	LABEL CARD THINLITS DIE Item: 133479
	1-3/4 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119850
	1-3/8 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 119860
	SMALL OVAL PUNCH Item: 120908
	BITTY BANNERS FRAMELITS DIE Item: 129267
	NEUTRALS DESIGNER BUTTONS Item: 130031
	STYLISH STRIPES TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 132174

Greetings of the Season

"Greetings of the Season."

This lovely swap card was created by Kendra Richardson. It has a quite a few layers and yet each layer is simple keeping the layout unfussy and classy.
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	EVERGREEN CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 127973
	GREETINGS OF THE SEASON CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 128033
	CRUMB CAKE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 120953
	OLD OLIVE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100702
	CHOCOLATE CHIP 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 102128
	NATURALS IVORY 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 101849
	SEASON OF STYLE DESIGNER SERIES PAPER STACK Item: 132181
	CHERRY COBBLER CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126966
	ALWAYS ARTICHOKE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126972
	DAZZLING DETAILS Item: 124117
	OVALS COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Item: 129381

The Christmas Cardinal

"A card of legends."

The Cardinal is called the “Christmas Bird” for its spectacular red color. Legend says that the Cardinal is the symbol of beauty and warmth of the holiday season. A glimpse of this brilliant bird brings cheer, hope and inspiration on a gray, cold, snowy, wintry day. This is nature’s reminder for us to focus on our faith; the Cardinal’s scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of mankind. This lovely swap card created by Olive Barnes is a wonderful representation of the legend on paper.

Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	BIRD PUNCH Item: 117191
	MODERN MEDLEY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER Item: 126926
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	CHERRY COBBLER 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 119685
	RED GLIMMER PAPER Item: 121790
	SILVER GLIMMER PAPER Item: 124005
	BOHO BLOSSOMS PUNCH Item: 119858
	LACY BROCADE TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 127819
	BASIC PEARLS JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119247

Peace on Earth

"Soothing color combo evokes the feeling of peace."

This gorgeous card is a convention swap created by Renee Thompson.  The color combo of Pool Party and Smokey Slate is very soothing and evokes a feeling of peacefulness and calm.
Supplies used on this project are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	FESTIVE FLURRY CLEAR-MOUNT BUNDLE Item: 133285
	GREETINGS OF THE SEASON CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 128033
	POOL PARTY 8-1/2 X 11 CARD STOCK Item: 122924
	POOL PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126982
	SMOKY SLATE 8-1/2" X 11" CARDSTOCK Item: 131202
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730			$8.50	REMOVE	$8.50
	VERSAMARK PAD Item: 102283
	SILVER STAMPIN' EMBOSS POWDER Item: 109131
	LARGE RHINESTONE BASIC JEWELS Item: 129324
	EXTRA-LARGE OVAL PUNCH Item: 119859
	PERFECT POLKA DOTS TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER DIE Item: 117335
	WHISPER WHITE 3/8 INCH TAFFETA RIBBON Item: 109070