I've Been REALLY good this year...

....tee hee!  While I like to think that, it is also just the title of one of my cards to share with you today! So, how have you been on this fine Tuesday?  It has been gloomy and gray out all day long....so I holed up in my room drinking some hot peppermint coffee and making some cards.  Mmmm....like a little bit of heaven.  :)

I have been working on a lot of things in advance, trying to get ready for my trip to Kenya.  But today I wanted to make a couple cards to share with you TODAY!  Tee hee!  It is funny how your style tends to change over the years.  Today I went back to my card roots, and did up two cards that have zero stamping on them.  I used to be so SCARED of stamping!! And now you would be hard pressed to find a card on my blog that doesn't have stamping of some sort on it...until today. :)

First off, both cards fit Crazy 4 Challenges #63, which is an easy one this week...to create a Christmas card.  This first card also uses Twisted Cards sketch #33...which is an awesome clean & simple sketch if you are searching for one this week.  Be sure to check it out!  

"I Have Been Really Good This Year" supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper/Stickers/Diecut/Jewels: Doodlebug Designs

Ribbon: Renaissance by Design

Instructions:  Make card from pink cardstock.  Tie ribbon around a patterned paper block and adhere to the front.  Embellish a white cardstock block with stickers and diecut sentiment and adhere to the front.  Accent with clear jewels.

This next card uses the Mojo Monday 165 sketch.  The original sketch has the middle part at an angle...but I just couldn't do it.  I very rarely angle anything anyways, but it also just didn't work for my card.  So- I made the sketch work for me instead...tee hee!  It is a really great sketch too, so be sure to check it out!!

"No Peeking!" supplies: 

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper/Stickers/Diecuts/Jewels: Doodlebug Designs

Ribbon: Michael's brand

Instructions:  Make card from cardstock and adhere patterned paper to the front.  Cover the bottom of a white cardstock block with glittered paper and border stickers.  Tie ribbon around the bottom and adhere to the front.  Accent the top of the block with the scalloped circle die, santa sticker, and three jewels.

How CUTE are those Doodlebug products that I used?!  I got them in a goodie box recently, and just LOVED how cute and fun they were!  I couldn't wait to use them, and today I got the chance to.  I realized today that Doodlebug has been making some of my favorite products for a LONG time now.  I can't live without their jewels...they are just amazing!

Today I am grateful for my photography clients, and how much they make me enjoy my job.  This is from a wedding that I photographed this past September...two of my favorite detail shots. 

Weddings are my absolute photography love.  Senior portraits come in a very VERY close second.  I am so happy that I took the jump and went to photography school.  Starting a business is not an easy thing to do, especially when you live in an area saturated with photographers.  But every time I am on a shoot, I am reminded of the joy that it brings me.  I feel alive when I am behind that camera capturing the story of a wedding day, or the true essence of the person in front of me.  

Well, I need to get going for now.  I hope that you have a great night! ♥♥♥ 

Until later,

~Lea L.