Pages

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas everyone!

2016 was the fastest year EVER - I truly can't believe it's Christmas already. I guess that means it was a fun, full year.

This was the first year in a long time that I wasn't too frazzled to "do" Christmas and Thanksgiving. This year, I enjoyed the real holiday season without feeling rushed or behind on life. I think Falliday Fest at Splitcoast really helped me enjoy the season in its own time. I made tons more holiday themed cards too, which I never get to do. It just has been a great fall and winter. The tree is up, the outside lights are twinkling. I hope I do it right next year too because this has been very fun.

Now, as is my custom on this day, I will show you my Christmas card. This year I made 200 of them, and I really enjoyed every one.

To start with, I created large backgrounds on watercolor paper with fluid acrylic paint, I did this in a marathon crafting session at my sister's house one day.

I really like to do backgrounds and cut them down for my cards. It ties them all together, but still each one is unique. Then I pick a size so that I 'm not wasting any of the background, and cut them into small, uniform panels for the cards.

Then, when I saw the November Paper Pumpkin kit - I knew how to finish them! I ordered enough refills to get 200 of the little tree die cuts, and I used the rest of the kits for my customer thank you cards for the year. So it was an incredible value and perfectly timed.

Over Thanksgiving and the weeks that followed, I assembled them during TV time after dinner - it was strange to watch Bates Motel while making holiday cards, but I love that creepy show. Right now we are also watching The Crown, of course Longmire, and Timeless and the Returned.

The fun part for me is that each card is different, so I oohed and aahed my way through the stacks of them during assembly. I love the way they turned out.

We will be doing this fluid acrylic technique at my June retreat so I can't spill the beans on exactly HOW I made them, but what I will tell you is that I used the same three colors the same way every time, and every one is completely different. (PS - I will open public registration for the retreat at the end of January, after the alumni registration closes.)

My favorites were the brights, like this one. The sentiment is from the Paper Pumpkin kit as well. Inside I stamped the "Merry Everything Happy Always" from Suite Seasons.

2016 Christmas Card by Understand Blue
links to all supplies used



Some came out very muted and beautiful.
2016 Christmas Card by Understand Blue
On some, some colors became more dominant.
2016 Christmas Card by Understand Blue
This is just a tiny sample of how unique they all were. Since it's acrylic paint, the watercolor paper became very thick, so it's a pretty sturdy card.
2016 Christmas Card by Understand Blue

Because of the size of the watercolor paper I used (link above in supplies), I was also left with little strips from each one, so I used those to make my team thank you cards for the year so I got nearly a hundred more from using up those leftovers. In the end, there was very little waste - and when the scraps are this pretty that's a good thing - and the cards were super economical, even though the paint was pretty expensive.

Thank You Cards - Fluid Acrylic Technique by Understand Blue


I cannot begin to tell you how much fun this was, and how much I enjoy sending out a little piece of happy mail every year.

To finish them off, I put them all in Audrey Blue envelopes, with round address stickers, and sealed with a piece of glitter washi tape. All that is linked above - and check out the labels - they are SO much cheaper than Avery, and they use the standard Avery templates built into Microsoft Word, or whatever label program you use.

In case you missed it, we did a Crafty Chat on holiday crafting and holiday cards and you can see that here.



Now it wouldn't be Christmas without gifts, right? Taheera Atchia was kind enough to include me in her fun Advent Calendar Extravaganza hop that has been going on all month - and my day is today!

Understand Blue Blog Hop
Each day (and you can go back through the other 24 days for a chance to win) there's a designated sponsor, and today's sponsor is My Sweet Petunia - YAY!! So she will be providing today's prize which is winner's choice of a mini or an original MISTI.

This is especially awesome because Christmas cards is really where the MISTI saves me. Prior to this tool - I threw away between 25 and 30 percent of my Christmas card attempts because of stamping issues - uneven inking, crooked sentiments, etc. Now I can not only stamp them quickly, but totally accurately. It has eliminated the waste I used to have - incredibly valuable.

Here's how you can win - leave a comment here on this post telling me your favorite thing about this time of year, and also a comment at Taheera's blog for a chance to win the My Sweet Petunia prize. Then, to win the other prizes, leave a comment on each blogger's post and also on Taheera's to win the previous prizes. How fun is that? There's a ton of amazing sponsor goodies - it's a really spectacular series of giveaways. and you have until 23:59 EST on December 31st to enter for all of them. Check back on Taheera's blog on January 1 for winner info!

I hope your holiday season has been fun, full of cookies, and restful. I am off work for the next week so I'm hoping to be back with some fun cards for you after the break!

Merry Christmas!

206 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful. That effect is sooo pretty!
    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow - those are fantastic coloured backgrounds - the white silhouette trees make a nice contrast

    ReplyDelete
  3. Merry Christmas, Lydia! My favorite thing about this time of year is the collective mindfulness and intention of honoring traditions, making new traditions, and spending time with people you value the most. I love the web of interconnectedness that is strengthened at this time of year. Love you XOXOXOX, Meg

    ReplyDelete
  4. My most favourite thing to do is spending time with family and friends. Joy, laughter and love!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful cards! I'm really intrigued by the process you're mentioning, hope to read more in late January! Happy Holidays, Lydia.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the bold colors to make the amazing tree line.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your beautiful backgrounds. Your strips made beautiful cards,as well..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love love love your cards!! My favorite thing about this time of year are all the Beautiful light displays and Décor. Our Church used PAPER chains for the stage decorations this year. The picture is on my blog today.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, these are all awesome! Love their uniqueness. And love the cards with the leftover strips.
    I, too, love the Bates Motel. Hubby thinks I'm strange. lol Oh well. I like what I like.
    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the beautiful backgrounds and how you used the leftover strips. My favorite thing about this time of year is being around my grandchildren.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fun technique. Hope you will share it after your retreat. These cards are beautiful. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those are super unique and beautiful! Thank you so much for such great ideas :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love getting up early on Christmas morning, turning on the lights on the Christmas tree, and relaxing with a cup of coffee. All the cards are made and sent, all the gifts are wrapped, and it's CALM!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love to see my mom's handmade ornaments. Love your cards! Merry Christmas dear Lydia!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your Christmas cards and Thank You cards are beautiful! I love all the different backgrounds you created with the paints.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fantastic cards! Love how you achieved different looks with the same colours!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your watercoloring always inspires me. I'm hoping to get the knack of it someday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  18. what amazing backgrounds you created - love that every card is so different and unique!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful backgrounds! Looks awesome with the white die cut!Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the crisp clean air, How the mountains look right after a snowstorm.. There's this blanket of snow every where. Being able to spend more time with my beautiful grandchildren and crafting with them!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lovely coloring!Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. the choral music is my favorite part of Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow, those are beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing and I'll have to go watch the crafty chat because I missed it. Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful cards and a wonderful idea about making large backgrounds and cutting them down. My favorite things is seeing all of the Christmas lights when we're out driving around in the evening.

    ReplyDelete
  25. My favorite thing is the calm after all the Christmas rush!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love that the cards are "the same" and yet unique. And using leftover scraps is a plus. Both card designs are beautiful and refreshing.
    Ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oooh this is gorgeous - the white trees really show off the wonderful background:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow this is cool! I love the contrast and how the background makes the tree scene pop and I love the thank you card idea very classy to just have the one line of color down the card. Beautiful! thank you and Merry Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  29. These are so beautiful! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  30. GORGEOUS cards, Lydia! Love the white trees and the colorful backgrounds.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Stunning Christmas and thank you cards; definitely infused with joy! My favourite part of the season: spending time with my mom (I'm at her place now!) and my family. My niece and nephew (6 and 4) are highlights of my life; love their wonder and awe over all-things Christmas! Thank you for being part of Taheerah's Extravaganza; you've sent my festive spirit soaring!
    ~carol

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the white trees against the colorful background!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm getting into this technique.
    Let the colors go where they want and enjoy
    the end product - don't be so uptight.
    Love the cards. Great to have pre-cut
    trees - really speeds up the process.
    thanks for sharing this year.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great idea for your cards and the use of the left overs! Mass producing 200 cards made easy, I would say and they are gorgeous! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  35. My favorite thing about this time of year is that so many of the holidays revolve around family. The cards look great. Love the jewel like tones of the background and what a great idea to use the pretty leftover strips. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Gorgeous cards! I love making backgrounds even more than the finished cards!! My favorite thing about Christmas is being with family and enjoying our time together.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love how even though people are rushing about they are, for the most part, in a cheerful mood looking forward to being together with family and friends. It's lovely to see more smiles. Great looking card.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Glorious backgrounds! Here's to hoping you'll share the technique with those of us not in your neck of the woods. My sister and I started a new tradition this year and really enjoyed it. Our mother died this summer, so we're spending time with her elderly friends. Since her death, several have scattered to foster homes, assisted living or gone to live with family. There are still many in the independent community where she lived, so we visit them, too. It's been fun. There are a lot of lonely older people out there. It's a great way to honor Mom and to help a senior. We'll be doing it not just at Christmas. Happiest of holidays to all!

    ReplyDelete
  39. What a fabulous idea! Love your amazing backgrounds!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Amazing cards! Love the how each card is unique, love when you see magic in a technique. My favorite part of the season is time with loved ones. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Lovely!! What a great way to create Christmas cards!! And matching Thank-You's to boot!! Awesome idea!! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Such beautiful and unique backgrounds! Beautiful cards - and I love that you use every piece! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Having my kids and grandkids at our house is my favorite part of the season! Thank you for sharing your beautiful cards. I get Paper Pumpkin, also, and was wanting to play with the parts separately.....now, I'm inspired!! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I've yet to assemble my Paper Pumpkin kit, but love the kit. Your cards turned out fantastic! I just got some yupo paper...I'm thinking that doing a similar background with that and alcohol ink would be a good facsimile. And I love the thank you cards! I keep thinking I should cut down my big sheets of watercolor...and then think about your technique of creating a full page. I'm so torn! lol And thank you (and Jennifer and Kristina) for Crafty Chat. I love that series!! Happy holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  45. 200 cards, WOW! They are beautiful. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Gorgeous backgrounds for your beautiful cards! I love that each one looks so different! The die cut trees are awesome! Pretty sentiment too!
    My favorite part of the season is that my daughter and her boyfriend will be coming later today! :) Looking forward to seeing them!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Lydia, Thank you for sharing your beautiful cards and the video was also fun to watch and be inspired for next year. I like your idea of either make it yourself or regifting. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Love these cards! They are beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Beautiful cards and I really like the technique you used on them.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Merry Christmas! And thank you for the beautiful cards and inspiration!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Gorgeous result and the technique sounds like so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Beautiful cards! I like the family time and the christmas music at this time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Beautiful backgrounds on your cards! Love spending time with family this time of year. Could not imagine making 200 cards...you are way more dedicated than I ever could be... Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Wow! Your cards are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your techniques!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love your wonderful cards and great technique. Love the Thank you cards too.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Your cards are amazing. I love that background and how you used the leftover strips.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Such a striking effect in your backgrounds. The rich colours and patterns make them a perfect contrast with the stark white silhouettes. Really beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  58. oh wow! such a cool effect!! LOVE them as backgrounds and as strips on the cards!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Very beautiful cards. I'm sure your receipents love them. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  60. wow! These backgrounds are gorgeous!!! My favorite thing is the magic!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Beautiful cards! love the backgrounds and it sounds like a lot of fun to do since they are all different. Magic.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Stunning cards, and I love how you used the leftovers for the thank you cards. 200 cards though?! WOW! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Looks like a cool technique! Great cards. I can't believe you made 200 of them!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Backgrounds are so much fun to make and I have a pile of them that need to be used! Your cards are lovely and that is a perfect use for your beautiful backgrounds! Thanks so much for sharing and Merry Christmas to you!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Your technique on the cards is really great because it's not only pretty but significantly different for each one. Even when I'm making the same card over and over, I always try to put something unique to each one. This technique would help accomplish that in new ways. I also like just the strip on the thank you cards. It is perfect! Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Wow what a gorgeous set of cards! I think I will have to try this technique and medium!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Wow! These are so unique and totally inspiring! I love this time of year because it brings out the best in humanity!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Beautiful background colors thanks for sharing your cards

    ReplyDelete
  69. Beautiful Christmas cards, love the backgrounds! One favorite part of the season I love is our Christmas tree: I love putting up the tree early and enjoying it while baking, cooking, crafting and hosting get togethers.

    ReplyDelete
  70. What beautiful backgrounds you created! I love that you had leftover strips that made another set of gorgeous cards! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Love your backgrounds and how different each one is.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Beautiful cards! I also really enjoyed the crafty chat and took the advice of you and Kristina and found come Butterkase cheese - delicious! My family had fun with our cheese tasting - maybe a new tradition for my family! :)

    ReplyDelete
  73. Looks like an interesting technique! Beautiful cards! My fave thing about this time of year is seeing the joy and magic on my little ones face every day as she counts down to the big day ;) Watching her track Santa online last night was so special, as it will probably be the last year she believes. Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. I adore all your cards! My favorite thing about this time of year is making homemade gifts for my grandchildren and my mother!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Beautiful cards. Love the colors you used and such a great idea creating more with the scraps!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Beautiful cards. Love the colors you used and such a great idea creating more with the scraps! Love decorating the tree and all the memories that come with each ornament.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Your cards are gorgeous! Love the white trees against the beautiful and colorful backgrounds!

    ReplyDelete
  78. The backgrounds of the cards are very beautiful!! Love the different color schemes you have used!! Stunning designs!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Awesome cards Lydia, can't wait to see a tutorial on that technique.
    Also I enjoyed the crafty chat. Its fun listening to the traditions/stories you ladies shared.
    I guess my most fav. thing about this time of year is having a few days to just hang out with loved ones and making memories. It seems that today we are all so busy we don't get to do that as often as we used to.

    ReplyDelete
  80. stunning cards! can't wait for you to spill the beans!

    ReplyDelete
  81. BEAUTIFUL LYDIA!!! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! ;) LOOOVE the bold colors & the design it made! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  82. The backgrounds are just stunning!!! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Great cards. Really like the use of color and how it makes a change for every card. Thanks for sharing your work.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Beautiful cards with lovely backgrounds!

    ReplyDelete
  85. Simply Stunning cards! thanks so much for sharing/

    ReplyDelete
  86. First of all your cards are beautiful! Love the look of that technique!
    My favorite thing about the holidays is catching up with family and friends through the letters and cards that we receive and send each year. I love the cards and letters especially when the sender has made the card!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Thank you, Lydia. I have never seen backgrounds that make a scene stand out brilliantly like yours. So cheerful. I love and thanks for the inspiration

    ReplyDelete
  88. These cards are beautiful and I love it when you can use pretty scraps in another card.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Your cards are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  90. What a great technique...the mix of colors are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  91. My favorite thing about Christmas is time with family and friends. It seems more people take the time to see their friends, family coming to visit during, or just sending a card... And the lights..love the lights.
    Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas. Dear Lydia.
    Love your cards, amazing how you used the same technique yet they all turned out different.
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations with us!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Such a beautiful array of cards awash with gorgeous colors of your acrylics! My fav' part is that every one of them is unique!! Simple elegance too!

    ReplyDelete
  93. I just love the usefulness of this technique. Your color choices are perfect! I think my favorite thing about Christmas is sending and receiving cards and making lots of phone calls to refresh friendships.

    ReplyDelete
  94. What lovely simple cards - I bet it was so much fun to do the large background pieces and see how unique they were all turning out. I love that part of creating backgrounds...Thanks so much for sharing these! I am certain whoever received these treasures them!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Wow! Your cards are striking and amazing and such an individualized gift. My favorite part of Christmas is getting together with my 2 kids, and their spouses, and my 6 grandchildren, and that all the grandkids went to Christmas eve church service with me this yer.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Love your commentary and the beautiful cards you made. I can't imagine making 200 cards. I make about 100 and vary the cards. Your cards all look beautiful with the variations in color. Watercoloring a large sheet of watercolor paper and cutting it down to card size makes so much sense. Many thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Wow! Awesome colors for the background. They kind of have a autumn feel to them. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Outstanding backgrounds and the simple white scene is perfect! WOW, great idea to make the backgrounds like that and then adding your die cuts!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Beautifully unique backgrounds. They really make the tree die cuts pop!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Wow, these are stunning. I love the way that you describe your process, and the way that everything fitted together with very little waste. My kind of crafting! But above all, I love the finished results!

    ReplyDelete
  101. I love everything about Christmas - the snow and the food, the rush to get presents wrapped, my son's excitement, and finally the quiet days at home - just us, catching up on reading and shows, hunting Pokemon in the cold, having indulgent dinners and treats... I am grateful for all of it.

    ReplyDelete
  102. These cards are amazingly beautiful!!! I LOVE that background!

    ReplyDelete
  103. What a lovely card! The backgrounds are stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  104. I love your backgrounds and that you used up your "leftovers!" Thank you for a lovely card example (well...multiples, actually!)..I could totally spend all my time making backgrounds! Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Awesome cards, thanks for sharing:-)
    My favorite part is cooking, can´t help it:-))

    ReplyDelete
  106. Wow, so pretty and I really love that you were able to use the scraps for thank you cards!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  107. Your cards are spectacular!!! LOVE that they are similar yet just a little bit different!
    My favorite thing about CHristmas is being with my grandchildren and sons! Without them around it wouldn't be Christmas! TFS!

    ReplyDelete
  108. Lydia so thoughtful and what a fab fab bunch of cards - really chilled and peaceful. I can't believe you made 200 - I was done at 40!! Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Very lovely! I used a similar technique with watercolors and rainbow colors and I liked how they were all similar but unique as well. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  110. My favorite part of Christmas is sharing it with my family & friends! I really love your card--the colors are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing! (Peg)

    ReplyDelete
  111. Your cards are beautiful!! One of my favorite things about this time of year is "allowing " myself to eat the cookies and other treats that I would normally avoid!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  112. Those are really interesting background strips!
    Elegant!

    ReplyDelete
  113. Gorgeous card!!! The effect is AWESOME

    ReplyDelete
  114. Your background painting is fantastic. Reminds me a bit of "starry starry night"/ You're an artist!

    ReplyDelete
  115. What fun cards. Great backgrounds.

    ReplyDelete
  116. These cards are so so beautiful! I LOVE the background and hope you'll let us in on some more details in the future (for us international folks who can't join the workshop *sniff sniff* ;))
    Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  117. The backgrounds are a work of art! I can think of lots of non-card uses for such beautiful paper.

    ReplyDelete
  118. My favorite thing about this time of year is getting to spend time with family!!! Your cards are so unique! So pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  119. Beautiful card! My favorite thing about this time of year is a house full of friends and family.

    ReplyDelete
  120. Gorgeous cards, love
    the colors on all. My
    fave things is seeing
    the sparkle of fresh
    snow in the moonlight.
    Carla from Utah

    ReplyDelete
  121. Love the gorgeous backgrounds......and I love that they are all different!

    ReplyDelete
  122. There could be no greater thrill than to have your post be the final one . I read for the Advent Extravaganza. Gorgeous cards, as ever. Thanks for the inspired design.

    ReplyDelete
  123. Great cards. Amazing that you used the same colours for such different results.

    ReplyDelete
  124. The back grounds are very interesting and I am sure were great fun to create.

    ReplyDelete
  125. This card is so different and so appealing.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Gorgeous cards! Those background are great and I like how you used the stripes of background to create matching Thank you cards.

    ReplyDelete
  127. These are amazing! Love the effect of the paint.

    ReplyDelete
  128. These cards are fabulous! Love them, Lydia! Amazing the variety you have achieved with the same colours!

    ReplyDelete
  129. Gorgeous! I love that some are muted, some bold, some.... Perfect! And then using the cut strip onto the Thank Yous? Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  130. Beautiful backgrounds to your cards and the white tree silhouettes are a lovely contrast! My favourite thing of this time of year is time with family and friends and all the special baking that people do!

    ReplyDelete
  131. Wow! Wonderful technique and great idea! Love your cards! I was reading your blog from the previous post and laughing...you got it!

    ReplyDelete
  132. Oooh, fun backgrounds and using every last scrap...I love it! My favorite thing about this time of year is staying inside where it's warm and cozy, and having every excuse to craft my heart out!

    ReplyDelete
  133. These are lovely - I think I like the leftover scraps the best!

    ReplyDelete
  134. What awesome backgrounds. Love seeing family and friends at this time of year

    ReplyDelete
  135. Love your artsy backgrounds with the white die cuts. I like spending Christmas with my husband and pets. No obligations, just time to relax. This year, we had a friend coming over for a coffee and after she had walked her dog, she came back for dinner. Loved every minute of it.

    ReplyDelete
  136. Wow, what amazing backgrounds, Lydia ... such cool effects ... gorgeous with all that glorious white! My favourite thing for this time of year ... celebrating the most important event of all ... the birth of Jesus Christ, Our Saviour. Anita :)

    ReplyDelete
  137. Very cool cards! It's fun how each one is the same, but so unique :)

    ReplyDelete
  138. love gatherings with friends and family and the general holiday spirit!

    ReplyDelete
  139. Wow! Those backgrounds are stunning! I love the wat you used the strips to make your thank you cards! It gives them just thd pop they need! Also, thank you for your informative card video!

    ReplyDelete
  140. Wow!! Beautiful cards!!! I love fall colors on Everything!!!

    ReplyDelete
  141. Your cards are beautiful! And I love that each one turned out different. My favorite thing about this time of year are the twinkling lights and the time spent with family and friends!

    ReplyDelete
  142. The background color technique sounds fantastic and can't wait to see how it was done. The card layout is simple and is perfect for for your background. Using the extra strip of the background o make thank you cards is a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  143. Those backgrounds are simply amazing! Such gorgeous rich colours & every one looks different! Lovely CAS design for the thank you cards. Such a great way to use off-cuts.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Very pretty. Love how you did the background.

    ReplyDelete
  145. Interesting & pretty background for your card.

    ReplyDelete
  146. The backgrounds are beautiful. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  147. These are stunning cards with amazing backgrounds. My favourite thing about this time of year is seeing the sparkle in everyone's eye as they get into the festive mood.
    DebbieC

    ReplyDelete
  148. What great card ideas, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  149. Those backgrounds are just spectacular....can't wait to see how you accomplished those!

    ReplyDelete
  150. Wish I had gotten that kit, I vet seen so many great cards made with it. Yours are really pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  151. love your use of the leftover strips!

    ReplyDelete
  152. Lovely cards. My favorite thing of this time of year is the togetherness this brings and the realization of how important family is.

    ReplyDelete
  153. Wow I like the combination of your backgrounds.

    ReplyDelete
  154. What fabulously gorgeous backgrounds and strips!!

    ReplyDelete
  155. Wow, wow, wow! Your backgrounds are outstanding! I LOVE the colors you achieved with your top secret technique. So impressive! I love seeing all the beautiful decorations and lights this time of year. Everything looks so sparkly and pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  156. Love this look and technique, the cards are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  157. I hope you had spent a beautiful Xmas! These cards are really amazing!!! My favorite things of this time of year are decorations and spending more time with my family!

    ReplyDelete
  158. Oh wow these are gorgeous and I'm so curious about this technique now! Also love how you used those extra strips - they're way too pretty to go to waste. :)

    ReplyDelete
  159. Ooooh so cool! I love how you created the background and how you used even just a strip which had such great visual impact!

    ReplyDelete
  160. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  161. What an incredible technique - can't wait to hear more about it when you can share!! Love how you used the extra strips too - so resourceful!!! My favorite thing about this time of the year is spending time with family, making cards since I seem to work best under pressure (LOL), and being surrounded by twinkle lights. :)

    ReplyDelete
  162. Gorgeous backgrounds! Love this technique!

    ReplyDelete
  163. Gorgeous and unique looks on these cards. My favourite thing about Christmas time is the cheerfulness and festive songs and attitude.

    ReplyDelete
  164. Wonderful cards!! Can't wait to know how you achieved this effect.

    ReplyDelete
  165. Wow such a pretty card. Favorite thing about this time of year is how festive the air gets!

    ReplyDelete
  166. Ooohhhh, aahhhhh is right - these are so very beautiful! Pleased you found a way to enjoy the holiday and accomplish so much, that's no easy feat! If you can figure out that recipe, I'd love to have a copy lol (but seriously) 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  167. Your cards are so pretty! I love to make my Christmas cards and to chose gifts for my family and friends - it makes me happy!

    ReplyDelete
  168. Beautiful and unique cards. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  169. Very unique cards, love them, the decorations and lights are one of the best things of this time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  170. Great backgrounds wonderful cards.

    ReplyDelete
  171. Pretty cards! Great technique! 🙂

    ReplyDelete
  172. Very pretty! I love the stark white against the colors. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  173. Great idea to make lots of backgrounds in advance. I like the way you used the "scraps". They were much to pretty to discard. Thanks

    ReplyDelete

Every time you leave a comment, a new LOLcat is born. ALSO - don't panic if you don't see your comment right away - I moderate my comments to keep those spammers out, so your comment will show up in short order. Unless you're linking me to Russian brides or Nigerian princes.