Happy New Year

Happy 2013 everyone.  I hope that all my friends had a wonderful Christmas and a safe and blessed New Year.  We were bombarded with about 8 inches of snow right around Christmas so we had a White Christmas.  My mother was afraid she was going to be trapped up here in NE PA until the Spring Thaw.  She went home on the 28th.  I am so thankful for her visit because it sure was a big help.  Being unable to lift over 5 pounds, no stretching, bending, reaching, and having to wear this neck brace sure puts a damper on things.  

I was a little depressed when I had to send out, "gulp", store bought cards this year.  Everyone totally understands the situation, but for the past four years I have made my cards for friends and family.  But, I was able to focus more on my family and the true meaning of Christmas this year instead of how many cards I needed to get done.  So, all in all,  it was good.

I have been able to get a card done for the first Teapot Tuesday of the new year.  I have to be careful about how long I sit at my scrap desk and the movements I make, but I finished it and I thought I would share it with you. 

This card is going to Erik and Andrea who, after 19 years of marriage and some miscarriages, welcomed their baby twins, Theo and Sopris, into this world on December 19.  What a blessing and a Christmas miracle this family experienced just a few short weeks ago.  Their story touched my heart and I knew I had to try to complete this card for them.

I made a gate fold card which I thought was appropriate considering we have two babies.  I used all DP from my stash.  The ribbon was white and I used Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks to color one blue and one pink.  I attached little diaper pins to the bottoms of the ribbon.  The embellishments are from Recollections and the pink one says BABY GIRL and the blue one says BABY BOY.  I added blue and pink pearls for a little bling.

 The inside is done with the colors on the opposite flap just for a little variations.  I fussy cut the bows and the stuffed animal border from a baby paper pack I got a few years ago on clearance at AC Moore.  I used Memento Inks to stamp the sentiments which are from SU and Recollections.  I inked all the DP and Card stock with DI Vintage Photo.  The middle DP background paper has both pink and blue letters to tie both colors together.  I sure hope is brings joy to Erik and Andrea when they open it.

I hope to try and post at least once a week until I am free of this collar.  I am going to try my best to try and make some cards to encourage and bring joy to people.  I did go through the stash of cards I already have from my own creating as well as swaps and I think I could get away with not crafting for a couple of months, but it's like breathing.  I have to do it.  It's in my blood and my soul and I consider the cards I make a talent that God has given me to bless other people.  When I am not able to do so, I feel like I am missing out on my own blessing.

Thank you so much for stopping in and taking a gander.  I hope that you will continue to keep up with me as I plug along.  Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers that have been said on my behalf.  I will also keep you posted on my progress.  God bless you all.