Christmas "Joy" and a bit of upcycling...

 

The card base for this card came from a partially used card kit that I had been gifted. The letters (and ornament) for "Joy" were punch-outs. I carefully removed them and backed the openings with some very sparkly glitter cardstock. 

I decorated the ornament with some strings of red gems that I had in my stash. The fact that the gems were all connected with a line of adhesive made it really easy to apply them.

On the inside, I stamped a sentiment with red ink.

Now, however, I had the punchouts to deal with. I didn't want to just throw them away, so I decided to make another card with them.

This is the card I made with the punchouts. I colored the ornament hanger with a silver metallic marker. 

I used a glitter pen to trace around the holly leaves on the ornament and added a tiny bow and a few gems.

This card had the same sentiment on the inside as the first card.

The image on this card came from a previous year's Christmas card that we had received from a family member or friend. The snowman was just so cute, I wanted him to be used on a card once again.

I backed him with a red, scalloped rectangle and popped him up with foam tape. 

The strip sentiment was also popped up with a couple of thin foam strips.

As a final touch, I added some red half-pearls in both top corners.

I stamped a sentiment with red ink on the inside of this card, too. But then I decided I should add a little line of cute blue snowflakes.

Well, the mad rush to the Christmas finish line is upon us. I have been making a last batch of Christmas cards to donate to the thrift store and baking cookies like a mad woman. I've made five different kinds so far, as well as some sugared almonds, and I have the ingredients for at least three more recipes sitting on my countertop. I also still have a few gifts to wrap and my Christmas Eve family dinner to prepare, but I think I'll get it all done. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl