Holiday tinkering....

Okay not your average Christmas card, but a lot of fun. I love humorous card, and adore these stamps by Stampotique artists Daniel Torrente and Jill Penney. One flaw is that they are "long" which does not lend them to the smaller cards easily. this image (Noelle) is one I am using for my cards this year. They also had the phrase stamp. The problem was making it fit. I decided to make the words look like ornaments by punching each out with a circle punch and adding a stickles top to them. Now I am going to "tame" them down by changing the "d" word to "darn" for most of the ones I will send out. However those that truly know me, and can tolerate my dry, sometimes sarcastic humor will laugh and know right away who sent the card before they even open it. I told my friend Linda, I was in a "cranky" state of mind when I decided to make these cards, but that isn't really true. I think they are funny, and to be honest who doesn't occasionally feel a bit "Scrooge-like" running around for the holidays. I played with my sewing machine and added some stitching, they are distressed and made to look a bit battered. It matches the rough and gritty feel of these images. They are so neat, I have a wish list for more of them!

Inside I used a sentiment from Stampotique (bla bla) and one from Archivers ($1.99 stamp Merry Christmas). I love it, I think I will make some birthday and other cards like this. It made me chuckle, I am notorious for "skimming" sentiments when I get a card. They can be a bit syrupy for me at times. Being a "get to the point" kinda gal, I think this reflects that feeling as well as my sometime off-beat humor.

What else have i been doing? Well, I am still soldering away here. Have been lucky enough to have a few orders for some vintage Santa charms. Also playing with some ideas of my own. Feeling in a festive mood I sent a few out to some of my fellow "Bloggers" (you know who you are) who still visit my blog. I should have taken some pics of them to share with you here, but hopefully they will like them and perhaps share them with you. the truth is it doesn't matter as long as it brings a smile to their face. After all who doesn't like getting a nice surprise in the mail?

I will share the one charm I made for Suzi blu. She has been trying her hand at soldering. (I had also made her a bracelet a few years ago when her beloved cat "Pooh" past away). I decided I would include her in my list of people to surprise. Using a couple images(and for her charm only) of her work, I decided to make a shadowbox. I added some little glitter stars and dots that float around inside. Although I know I posted that these are a pain (and they are). I think I am starting to get the hang of them. It was fun, and I hope she likes it.

On the back I placed another of Suzi's artwork. I added a bit of "bling" with glitter and a beaded accent in pink and pearl.

After a rough Thanksgiving (our daughters car broke down the day before, in Kalamazoo. My husband and son had to drive up and tow the car home that night. then my husbands truck broke down while towing, and well from there it doesn't get better.... we are fine now, broke, but okay. I am ready for an "uneventful" Christmas.