I'm Done!

I'm a little late joining the Christmas Card Carousel. Then again, I'm a little late finishing my cards. Yep, finishing as in made our own this year. I had visions of sending them out right after Thanksgiving, looking like one of those ultra-organized domestic goddesses. Well, that didn't happen and I'm glad as I checked myself and realized Domestic Goddess is not the title I should strive for. Instead I should go for title of Real Mom. It may not be perfect, it may not be on time, but it was done with love.

The cards. I AM DONE WITH OUR CHRISTMAS CARDS! Yes, I realize I'm yelling there but after cutting, sanding, distressing, stamping, pasting, inking and stuffing 70 cards, I AM DONE!

I don't usually make our Christmas cards. Well, I used to but that was BC, before children. The past few years I've been tempted to make them but always kept my wits about me and would go the Kodak Gallery route. So, why this year? I have no idea at what point I lost my mind. For some reason I thought it wouldn't be that hard. I would keep it simple. It wouldn't cost more then the usual photo cards. Plus, I got to purchase a cute new stamp set and a super-size pack of scrapbook paper.

Simple? Yeah, if you call sanding individual 2x3 cards and cutting out a 3-inch wreath, 70+ times over, simple. Cost? Maybe the initial cost was low, but I forgot to add in the red jewels used on the wreaths and the cost of the Tombo Tape to attach the 11 different parts of the card. Yes, the card has 11 different parts to it. I tried to the number of steps it took to create the cards, but lost count. I also lost count to how many Tombo Tape carteridges I used. Needless to say it was a lot. Oh, I also stamped the envelopes (see in the secon picture.)

I enjoy to scrapbook. I love adding all those intricate decorative pieces to my layouts. But completing 2 to 4 12x12 pages in an afternoon is a lot different then completing and mailing 70 cards before Christmas.

Today I pulled on a pair of sweat pants and what did I find sticking to my pants? A red jewel, used on the wreaths. (I attached 5 of those jewels to each wreath. Hmmm, 70 cards x 5 jewels =) Like pine tree needles found months after the tree has become compost, I may be finding scraps of paper, ribbon, and jewels in odd places.

Next year if I start talking about making my own cards lock me up. Hide my supplies and the CTMH catalog. Take away my computer and the phone so I can't contact my supplier (scrapbook supplier that is.)

In case you were wondering I did have fun. I enjoyed working on the cards and even cutting out those silly wreaths. Most of the construction was done in front of the TV, relaxing and productive. At the same time I was getting tired of working on only the cards when there are lots of other projects to complete around the house. Now I can do things like feed my children, make Christmas cookies, go to sleep, finish my 5 year-old newphew's cross-stitch birth annoucement, start the cross-stitch wedding present for friends who married 5 years ago, .... The list continues and from the looks of it I should be glad I'm not just now finishing the Christmas cards from last year.

For more cards head over to Faith's Christmas Card Carousel.

Merry Christmas