Warmest Wishes!

Dearest daughter Katie's Christmas cardmaking was inspiring.  I joined her while she was coloring images and colored a few of my own... after a tutorial on the real coloring of dwarf hamsters.  It took me a bit to get my cards put together and so I'm sharing today.

I ink blended Distress Oxide for the background and used a rectangle die to create a frame to go with my snowy hillsides.  These adorable little hamsters look like they are having a ton of fun!

I've brought out my Advent wreath again this year and we light it each night, listening to John Piper reading a devotional.  I can't even explain and/or accurately describe how very happy all this makes me. Truly joy-filled as we anticipate the coming of our savior king Jesus. 

Wishing you light shining out into the darkness this Christmas season!

Merry *Little Dwarf Hamster* Christmas

My daughter was able to be home the entire Thanksgiving weekend.  This was such a blessing for our family as it was also her 21st birthday on Thanksgiving.  I cannot believe it has been so long, but I'm so very grateful for the young lady she has become.  When I saw the Waffle Flower Winter Hamsters stamp and die set, I asked her if she would want to make some Christmas cards.  She enthusiastically said yes. 

Jknaps in his home, looking at Katie with love

Katie's very first pet was a dwarf hamster named Jknaps.  At first, I wasn't quiet sure - he was skittish and nocturnal and you couldn't hold him.  Now, he's her wee beastie and I adore him - frequently asking Katie to say hi! (she's away at college and he visits us for long weekends like last weekend). 

We fashioned this set of cards after the example on the Waffle Flower website, using the ATC card die set to cut the tag and stamping and coloring the hamsters onto Bristol cardstock with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  This is Katie's first try at coloring with the Zigs and I think she got it right - with a little coaching from mom.  A white gel pen was an easy border for the cards - Katie needed them to be simple so she could squeeze in the making around all the birthday celebrations this weekend.

All in all a lovely set of cards - something she can be proud of.  I couldn't have enjoyed her visit more and am delighted to have shared my hobby with her.

Andie for Katie