Is it time already????

Now that we have survived Halloween and those cute little "trick or treaters", it's time to look forward to Thanksgiving and beyond. For me, it's time to start stressing about Christmas cards!

As my family and close friends already know, I often fall behind on Christmas cards and as long as they are postmarked by Dec. 24th I figure they are "on time". I have often ended up on the "every other year plan" for sending Christmas cards but I figure that if I get going soon then maybe, just maybe, this year our cards will be ready to go and postmarked prior to Christmas. Wouldn't that be crazy? Did I mention that my maiden name is DeLay? Surely that will explain it all!

At any rate, here is an elegant but simple Christmas card that I actually designed myself however it's not a particularly complicated design so I'm sure that many of you have thought up very similar cards. This one is the card we made at our New Creation Presbyterian Church Card Ministry last week and we'll be sending out holiday "thinking of you" cards to members we haven't seen lately. I was so proud of our card ministry stampers for doing such a great job on our cards this month....the majority of them have minimal stamping experience but are ready to tackle any challenge. They did a great job on these cards as well as several other projects. For a small group, we sure can stamp!

If you would be interested in more information about our church card ministry, I would be happy to share, just drop me a note at inkerzaway@aol.com and tell me what you want to know.

Need a "Headstart on the Holidays"????

Do you enjoy making holiday cards but need some quick and easy ideas? Or perhaps a little "kick start" for this year's Christmas cards? This card is an easy option and coincidentally, it's one of the six cards which we'll do at my Headstart on the Holidays class coming up later this month.

Since O'Fallon, IL is in the metro St. Louis, MO area cardinals are always a popular theme and this Stampin' UP! set, A Flower For All Seasons makes a cute little holiday card. I especially like the Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon, it adds just the right touch! (full details below). The class fee is $15 prepaid for six handmade cards with envelopes but I do offer some discounts for those who either bring a friend new to my classes or place a minimum order at the class.

This class will be offered on Friday, Sept 26th (afternoon and evening options) as well as Saturday, Sept 27th (afternoon only), for more details on all of my classes and events, please follow this link http://www.janhoyt.stampinup.net/ to my demo homepage then click on the class calendar page.

While you are there, don't miss the exciting new online ordering feature available beginning TODAY on the Stampin' UP! website by clicking the "Order" button on the top right of the screen on my demo homepage. Now you can even shop for new stamps in your PJ's if you want!

Card Details:

Stamps: A Flower For All Seasons, Holidays and Wishes, Sanded (background)

Ink: Basic Grey classic ink and reinker, Kiwi Kiss classic ink and reinker.

Cardstock: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Glossy White.

Accessories: 1 3/8th inch square punch, scallop edge punch, blender pen, Real Red Striped Grosgrain ribbon, White Signo Gel Pen, Ruby Red Stampin' Write marker.

Tips: I used the blender pen and ink refills to color in the flower leaves and flower pot and the Ruby Red marker to color in the poinsettia petals and the cardinal. Amazing how well it works with the Real Red ribbon and Riding Hood Red cardstock!