I'm still alive!

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post. For the past six months, since our holiday in Scotland, I've not felt well and although I kept trying to pick myself up and get on with things it didn't work. Finally I went to the doctor and after several comprehensive blood tests I can now state categorically that there is nothing the matter with me; possibly I have had a virus which has gone, and apart from monitoring my blood pressure for a couple of weeks I shall not need to visit the doctor again (I hope). I certainly feel very much better than I have done for months and have been trying to make up for lost time, especially in the Christmas card department!

The card shown here is not the only one I've made in the past month but all the others are just copies of some shown earlier. I thought that would save time, but choosing to make a dozen of a particularly complex design was, perhaps, not my brightest idea... This is one I've had in mind for years and in fact I made it with a stamped background many years ago. If anyone knows where I can buy Christmas tree paper like this I'll be forever in your debt - this is half of a small sheet given free with Making Cards magazine Christmas special, and I was stupidly reluctant to make a second card and use it up! The bauble shape is from Spellbinder's Heirloom Ornaments 2011 cut from holographic card, and the stamped sentiment is from JustRite Stampers Merry Little Christmas set. The large greeting is a silver peel off and since scanning it I've added a line of tiny silver peel off stars at the bottom of the background paper which improves the overall look considerably.

I intend to return to my blog with a header photo of all my handmade cards when I finally call a halt. 2012 will see me blogging much more often, showing off birthday cards made two months before they're needed, and at least 14 new Christmas cards each month. I shall sail serenely through the cardmaking year.....and if I manage that it will only be because, like a swan, I'm paddling like h*ll out of sight!