"Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings." (Mansfield Park)

As I close out the year (Merry Christmas, by the way!!!), it is with a resolution to put the rough year behind me and move on to better and brighter things. So I am rededicating myself to my Dollies (I had taken a two month hiatus and will start the new year back with my gals) and to my crafty goodness... My preoccupation with all things personal caused me to lose my scrappy mojo. BUT this snowstorm that left us with 31 inches and snowed in did a lot to re-up that scrappy drive!

So, rather than wait till the last minute, I decided to start on my "senior" cards for the Class of 2011... For that ONE student who is a follower of this blog, STOP reading my posts from now on, lol! :) You will ruin the surprise! :)

For those of you who don't remember, last year I made individual cards for the graduating senior class... And left myself a three week deadline to make forty six cards. Though I made it within the deadline, that was a painful three weeks, and it stinks when your hobby begins to feel more like work than play! :) SO, I figured I'd start a bit earlier and space it out some more... :)

The first card for this year's class is the one below... It's actually for a young lady that I don't technically have in class, but the stamp, colored in, LOOKS like the kid... :) Isn't it funny when that happens?

This one is being submimtted for Kenny K's final challenge of the Year (distressed), as well as Charisma Cardz' Pearl and Lace Challenge. The Holla Back girl is from Kenny K, and the awesome sentiment is from Create with TLC (I KNOW I've mentioned how awesome Paulette's freebies are!!). Thanks for looking, and I just MAY have some more cards to post before the new year! :)

Baby, it's COLD outside!

SO, I'm inside enjoying a warm home, a toasty oven, a lit tree, and a loving family... what more can I ask for? (Besides more scrappy time!) :)

What about YOU? What are you thankful for this holiday season? My top five are as follows:

5. My friends at Design Dollies... I love them gals...(and dude!!)

4. My job... it has its ups and downs but definitely is a blessing

3. A warm house, no matter where we end up

2. My loving, caring family and friends

1. The ability to freely celebrate Christ's birth!

AND of course, onto the art... I played with a friend's outlines stamps and LOVE the pointsetta effect... Popped up, this card is a doozy...

This one has some stickles around the edges (so I can't send it to OWH!) and a blinged out diamond... AND some blinged out lace effects that I absolutely ADORE!!! :) AND, it's respectfully submitted at my Dollies' favorite digi site, Some Odd Girl for this week's blingy challenge!