Holiday Greetings!

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is sending and receiving Christmas cards. I love seeing how the children of my friends and family are growing. And I love to have happy mail arrive. Years ago, when the kids were little, I would assemble the best photos from throughout the year and make simple black and white photo-copied newsletters with some hand written notes. These were a favorite among friends and family across the miles. In fact, if one family member received one a day or two before another family member in the same town, they would complain that I had forgotten them. Of course, I never did, it was just a delay in the postal system. 

Now, in the day of Facebook, and with my kids grown, there is less need to recap the year, but I still love to send cards. Knowing I can brighten someone's day from miles away is why I love sending cards, now and throughout the year. And without the need for the "newsletter", I can focus on making handmade, beautiful cards to send. This year's mailing list includes more than 70 friends and family. 

I've been working since October to design and create cards for Christmas. 

Several of them were part of my Crankin' Out Christmas class series for the fall. 

I also had a few leftover from last year (really hoping I don't send the same design to someone two years in a row). 

And Paper Pumpkin helped round out the designs for the year. 

With the card making finished, it was time to start addressing and mailing the cards. This includes an annual call for updated addresses for those who moved during the year. People still look forward to receiving a handmade card, so folks quickly let  me know their new address. Of course, it takes a few days to get the cards all written and addressed. My favorite time to do that is on Sunday afternoons, while watching football. 

I hope if you receive one of these in the mail, they brighten your day just a little.

Now, with all of our greeting on our way it's time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the holidays. Maybe I will join our elf in a little knitting break. 

I'm so excited to add string classes in the new year. 

Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to you!