Wednesday 21 December 2011

My last Christmas card for 2011...Simply Christmas

There are only 4 days left now in the countdown to Christmas 2011. Where on earth did December go? The month just flew by. I only have to work one more day now, on Friday and then I will have some welcome time off.

I would first like to share with you my last Christmas card challenge for this year. I will continue to enter card challenges but I will be using non Christmas themed cards from now on. I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone for the kind comments you took the trouble to leave. I really enjoyed sharing my Christmas cards with you all. I have not won any challenges yet but I still have my fingers crossed that Mr Random Number Thingy will pull me out of the hat in the near future! As my Hb reminds me "You have to be in them to win them!"

My last Christmas card for 2011 I have called "Simply Christmas" as I have left off my usual bling and created a card which I think is pretty in its simplicity. Here it is-


I used one of my favourite Lili of the Valley Christmas stamps from this year called "Moonlight  wishes". I hand coloured it using my trusty ProMarker pens and added some depth and shading with my Prismacolor pencils.









Here is my colouring in close up. This moon image is so sweet.















I kept the embellishments simple as I wanted to show off this gorgeous holly glittered vellum backing paper on top of the silver backing  card. It looks as though it is made of ice!


















So all I added were some hand punched holly leaves I cut from silver foiled card with 3 red gems as berries......














and finished off with a simple round, hand stamped Christmas sentiment. 








So there we are; my last Christmas card...Simply Christmas. It was made for my dearest friend Karen who is simply the very best friend I could ever ask for.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Passion for ProMarkers Mega Christmas Challenge
Papercrafting journey Christmas challenge
Joanna Sheen Christmas Wishes
Make it Monday Blog Party 68
Totally Gorjuss A card for someone special
Weekly Christmas card challenges Non traditional Christmas colors
Dream Valley Challenges Challenge 22, Christmas
The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge 7 - Christmas
Paper Sundaes Challenge 100 - Celebrate
Stamping for the weekend Christmas

I also thought I would continue with my Simply Christmas theme with a few photos of the little things which give me so much pleasure at this special time of year and to remind everyone to take a deep breath amongst all the hustle and bustle around us at this moment in time .....



Simply coming downstairs to see my tree shimmering...and smelling the gorgeous fir tree smell....
















....the presents appearing under the tree (and of course my dear Billy who kept trying to rub round and kiss me whilst I took this photo !)










...my growing card collection...am I the only person who still loves to receive real cards? At work now most people just send an email stating that they are "Donating" to charity instead of sending cards. I throw a spanner in the works by saying that I am doing both !

I always hang my cards from the bannisters, they are such fun to see.

Now my daughter has her own home she has started displaying her cards this way too. On the subject of Milly   you will be delighted to hear that Tom returned safely from 3 months away at sea on Saturday. That is the best Christmas present we could have wished for.







Simply looking at my violas in the garden , bravely flowering, whatever the weather.

I even spotted.....











yes new shoots from the bulbs I planted in the autumn! What a simple joy to still see new life growing in the dark of winter.










and my last "simple" Christmas joy is........





My sweet advent calendar. The pictures behind the windows have been so delightful. There are still a couple of more doors to open but of course the biggest one is saved til last.......













Yes number 24 on Christmas Eve. Now I wonder what on earth might be behind that last window ;0)

I will be back with one last post in my Countdown to Christmas on Christmas Eve. For those of you who may well be travelling away to spend time with families I will simply wish you a very Merry Christmas. For those of you who will still be around I shall see you all on Saturday for my final post. Take care and Keep Calm and Carry on preparing for Christmas. Remember to enjoy the simple things too at this special time..... we are very nearly there.

Bye for now,

Jane x

42 comments:

  1. Oh what a wonderful post,Jane, full of wonderful Christmassy things! Lovely display of cards, and do I see little something under the tree already (quite a few actually?)? And Billy is awake too (!!) inspecting the presents carefully!

    I will work tomorrow still and Friday will be my first Holiday-day :) We celebrate our Christmas here on Eve already, so I wish you a wonderful Christmas-time dear friend, and we'll talk soon again!

    Yours,
    Mia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Everything is looking so festive Mia and Billy has been busy inspecting! Have a wonderful time my dear and a Merry Merry Christmas ;0)Speak soon,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  3. A lovely relaxing post Jane! :)
    I think we maybe telepathic! ;)
    I love the simplicity of you last Christmas card, so very pretty and fingers crossed that your name will be pulled out this time!!
    I too am looking for shoots all the time in the garden, in fact I have quite a few, happy days. :)
    Billy is looking very wide awake today. :)
    Have a lovely evening,
    Vivienne x

    ReplyDelete
  4. We were perhaps twins in another life Vivienne ;0)
    It's turned so mild here and there are plenty of bulb tips appearing everywhere.Billy has got a spring in his step too. Enjoy your evening,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lovely card Jane. The image is super and that vellum is gorgeous that no other embellishments were required. Thanks for joining us at Dream Valley.
    Mags
    x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Mags....I wish I had bought more of that vellum.....?!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  7. loved reading your post today, all the lovely photo's and such a fabulous display of cards
    Hugs Kate xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Kate, good to see you here again,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello Jane!!!
    I really enjoyed the tour at your blog!!
    Plus I do practice to my english!!! ;)
    I love your writing style and your photos!!!
    I added you to my favorite blogs and hope you add me too!!!
    See you soon!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Zoe I'm glad you enjoyed your visit here. Thanks for your kind comments.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jane.. it's snowing on your blog! How fun! I love the photos you shared.. good luck on the competitions! I'm so glad to hear that your daughter's fiance came back safely.
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    *M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's the only snow we will see this Christmas Teresa ! My daughter is a relieved happy girl. Merry Christmas to you too.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Jane! I saw your card on MIM and came by for a visit but once I'm here I was looking at all your jewelry, you do awesome work!
    Hugs,
    Dorcas
    ps) I have blog candy up in my sidebar and would love it if you are able to come by and join in.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful card and a gorgeous image.

    I really enjoyed your other Christmas photos too - thanks for the insight in to your Christmas!

    Wishing you a happy Christmas too and thanks for joining us at The Squirrel and the Fox.

    Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jane, I love this card so much, the simplicity is so simple and clean. Great Job!
    I can't believe the time is almost here and Santa will be on his way. Hope you get something special although as you mentioned you got your best gift already! Thankfully
    Love your cards and decorations. Hope the next few days enjoyable. xoRobin❤

    ReplyDelete
  16. WOW, it's my first time at your blog and your simple card really impressed me!!! Your colouring is awesome, the details you put into your card is just fantastic!!! I love that paper, perfect card! Thanks for joining us this week at CCC and I hope to see you again next challenge! Happy Holidays! Brigitte

    ReplyDelete
  17. Darling card - you did a fabulous job with that cute image! Your holly is a beautiful embellishment!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Dorcas thanks for visiting me here . I shall hop over to your blog!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the challenge Helen and great to see you here.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  20. I was pleased with this card Robin sometimes less is more! We did indeed get our best present but I still hope Santa might have something to pop in my stocking ;-)
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  21. That's a really kind comment Brigitte. Hope to see you here again soon.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Lori lovely to see you here.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  23. WOAH! That IS gorgeous vellum holly paper..oh my. SO very pretty and how you've complimented it with such a darling and well colored image is beautiful. :)
    Great pics too and thanks for sharing!
    Thank you so much for joining us at Make It Monday and The Squirrel & The Fox.
    Good luck to you,
    Lisa xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Lisa it is such delish vellum, I have still some left but will keep it for next year now! Thanks for visiting me here. Merry Christmas,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  25. WONDERFUL! Simple WONDERFUL!

    Coming to visit through Make it Monday :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Pritesh. I really like the MIM challenge idea...it's so good to meet new crafters! Merry Christmas and hi!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Jane, this is an absolutely stunning card. Such a beautiful image and the vellum is lovely. Thank you for joining us at The Squirrel & The Fox and for leaving us such a lovely comment. I hope to see you there again soon,
    Tracey
    x

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lovely and Christmassy here today, Jane! I love your display of cards...each year I try a different way to hang my cards! I like the idea of simplicity now too, and everything being calm...at least for a day or two! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
    Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's the calm before the joy Helen, wishing you too a very merry Christmas.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  30. Beautiful card!! Thanks for playing along with us at Christmas Card Challenges! Merry Christmas! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks Candace and a very Merry Christmas to you too.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love your card. It's beautiful. Thanks for joining us at PfP.

    Hugs :o)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks Gro. Merry Christmas ! Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  34. A wonderful card and love your piccies. Thanks for taking part in the Dream Valley Christmas Challenge!
    Clairexx

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Jane, what a stunning card. I love the image and the vellum looks amazing. Thanks for joining us at PFP for our Mega Christmas challenge and I hope Santa brought you lots of lovely goodies. Hugs, Denise x

    ReplyDelete
  36. Cute card. Thanks for joining us at Dream Valley Challenges.

    Hugs Liv

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks so much Claire,Denise and Liv . Great to see you all here.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  38. Your work is beautiful. Thanks for joining the December JS Monthly Challenge.

    Wendy -x-

    ReplyDelete
  39. That's very kind of you to say that Wendy. I am really enjoying the challenges.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  40. Jane

    What a really wonderful card - the LOTV image is just fab and you have coloured it perfectly.

    I love Billy - he is just the cutest!

    Thank your for joining us at Totally Gorjuss this week and the very best of luck. I hope you will be able to come and join in with our next challenge.

    Happy New Year!

    Hazel x

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Hazel you are very kind re my card- thanks . Billy is such a lovely cat and such a character .
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  42. A belated thank you to wear Trace for some odd reason loggers put your kind comment in my spam folder ! I found it there today and I have published it! Thanks for your visit .
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment; I really enjoy reading every single one of them.

To comply with the new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) May 2018 I wish to state that any comments left here are with your consent that your name & comment are visible to anyone who visits my blog and that you accept that your personal information is being used for that specific purpose.

Jane x