Thursday, December 18, 2014

Family Card Exchange - Christmas Themed

I have one of the coolest families EVER!! There. I've said it. Stamping homemade cards is something most of the women of my family love to do. Years ago, we decided to start card parties to exchange cards. We'd all get together and play games, have card making competitions, and we'd each bring 12 of the same type of card. Before the party was done, we'd exchange and have 12 different cards! It was a great way to build up a collection. 

As years went by, more and more of my cousins grew up and became more and more geographically dispersed. The card parties started to dwindle and then stopped altogether. But this year we started something new: mailed card exchanges.  Everyone sends their cards to my house and I collect them, sort them, and mail them back. It's a process, but I LOVE to be able to have that creativity carried on.

This was the card I made for the exchange:


Isn't this moose ADORABLE?! He's from the Lawn Fawn "Arctic Critters" set. I colored him up, stamped the hat, cut it out, and placed it on his merry head.  And then I layered. And layered some more. There are a total of nine layers! There were 13 participants this time around, and by the end of putting together all of my cards I was definitely cursing my lack of ability to create beautiful clean and simple cards. 

 The sentiment is from an old, old Stampin' Up set.


I love those little wooden tree embellishments, too! 

I'm sending this guy over to the Lawn Fawn Lawnscaping "Merry Christmas" challenge, because he is definitely merry and Christmasy. Or Christmoosey anyway. :)



I am also going to support these fantastic challenges: 


But I can't leave you all without a look at the rest of the gorgeous cards my family made. As I was going through each card, I was blown away by how much talent my family has. (I know, I know, biased much?) But seriously... I just love how we can all come together to support each other and encourage creativity. 

Aunt Paula's Card:
crafted by Aunt Jerrie from Coloring Outside the Linez


Danielle's Card: 
This is the very first card she's ever stamped! 
Didn't she do awesome??
 

Brianna's card: 


Allison's card:


Chandra's card:
Crafted by Aunt Julie
 

Aunt Julie's card:
 

Aunt Jerrie's Card:
                          Jerrie from Coloring Outside the Linez


Amber's Card:
Crafted by Aunt Julie


Casey's card:


Heather's card:


This last card is one that is very special to me. Just before this last card exchange concluded, my Grandma passed away. She was in the middle of making this card for us all, and my cousin Heather graciously finished them. 

My grandma loved cardinals, and always had bird feeders out. Her cards almost always were nature cards that required a lot of hand coloring. I am so grateful to Heather that I will have this final keepsake. I intend to frame it and hang it in my craft studio. 

Grandma's card:
Finished by Heather
 

There is one more card that I will add as soon as I have it in my fingers to photograph. My wonderful, talented Momma's card!

Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment - my family loves to read through what you think of their designs!

37 comments:

  1. Well now that I'm crying - your grandmother's card really touched me - so glad Heather finished the cards! This is a wonderful keepsake. You have an awesome family, Becca! And a very talented one! I enjoyed seeing your card - which is adorable - and I enjoyed seeing your family's cards - what a talented bunch! Glad you got the tradition going again!

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  2. What a fabulous idea Becca and how lovely that you have that card of your Grandmothers to cherish.

    B x

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  3. Not only is yours simple adorable, but all these cards are fabulous! You have some very talented members in your family. Great idea to do the mail exchange and so much fun too! You'll cherish your grandmothers card forever!
    Lynn

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  4. just lovely! Love the sentiment to go with the image! thank you for joining us at Tuesday Throwdown!Irene DT xx

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  5. What a fantastic card. Love all the fab designs x

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  6. Love your card Becca, such a cute moose. Great family idea and what a talented family you have. Carol x

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  7. Wow, I don't know any family like YOURS, Becca!! You all are so cool and talented! Love each and every one's card, Becca! I love your card with the punny sentiment! This post is truly full of winter inspiration! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Winter Inspiration” Challenge!

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  8. My goodness Becca what a talented family. How exciting to have so many family members who love doing what you love as well. That is simply AWESOME. Many Christmas wishes to you and your family. XXX

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  9. You really do have a talented family, Becca! How wonderful you got the card exchange going again! To have the card your grandma was making is so very special--makes me cry. You're very lucky. Have a great holiday season.

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  10. Seriously, how COOL is that?! What a super talented family you have.
    I sooooo love your moose card, so fun!

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  11. eeeeep! first of all your card is adorable!!! I LOVE that lawn fawn moose!!! 2nd of all can I be part of your family!?! all of the cards rock!!! I see some of my fave old school SU snowman images too :) thank you for playing a long with us at simon says stamp!

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  12. WOW! They outdid themselves--as usual!! Way to go, FAMILY!!

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  13. Aww, your moose card is adorable!! Thanks for playing along with us at Lawnscaping!! :) Merry Christmas!

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  14. Becca, your family is one talented bunch! I love your card exchange tradition! Thank you so much for the AWESOME parade of cards! The last one made me tear up...I am glad you have one more card by your grandma to keep and treasure! Hugs!

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  15. What a fun and creative family u have :) lovely card by everyone !

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  16. Wonderful, Becca!! That's a fantastic family tradition that I hope continues for many Christmas seasons to come :) Your Grandma would be sooo happy and proud of all of you :) Just lovely cards from each and every family member :) XOXO-Shari

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  17. Oh my gosh this is such a wonderful example of getting your family together!! I love them all!! ;) Your moose card is too cute and the plaid goes perfectly with him! :) Thanks for playing along with us at Tuesday Throwdown Hugs & Smiles - *Vicki*-DT member

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  18. A really sweet idea, glad you have all found a way to continue your family tradition despite geography ;) as a lone crafty family member I am a little jealous ;) Lovely to see your Nan s card in there too. Merry Christmas teamie x

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  19. What a very talented family you have. Such a nice way to keep the family in touch. :)

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  20. I was so excited...I just had to read your post!! They should be in the mail today and in my hot little hands!!

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  21. wow!!! love your cute moose card!! and how nice to have such a talented family!!! that is amazing.. the owls are too cute!!

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  22. Hi there! What an adorable and cute card. Love the image and colors.So awesome. Thanks for playing along with us at Tuesday Throwdown!
    Huggies!

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  23. OMGosh these are all so adorable!!! Love them. got my goodies in the mail too!!! Thank you.

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  24. How blessed you are to belong to such a creative and fun family, Becca! ALL of these cards, including yours, are really well done and so inspirational for holiday card ideas!! And I am beyond thrilled for you to have Heather's finished card started by your beloved grandmother. I love your idea to hang it in your craft room!! Happy Holiday Hugs! Darnell

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  25. Oh Becca!! First, I LOVE your card. That moose is too cute!! You are so lucky to have a family that is so creative. What a fun event to look forward to every year. I love that cardinal card. My grandmother loved birds, in general. She has parakeets for years and would talk and sing to them as she putzed around the house. What a beautiful card that you are blessed to have from your grandmother. I would frame it and hang it up too!

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  26. ALL of these cards are amazing, Becca! I'm so sorry for the loss of your Grandmother, but Heather did her proud with that gorgeous card! What a beautiful way to remember her by!

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  27. Me again! I just had to come back to thank you for sending me that incredible Chrismoose card which popped into my Happy Mail today! It is even MORE adorable in real life!! You spoil me!! Hugs, Darnell

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  28. Oh Becca! These are all fabulous - and wow, your family has some serious talent. I can't even imagine how precious your grandmother's card is to all of you - what a beautiful wonderful heartfelt keepsake.

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  29. wooooowww I touched looking at your grandma card too and all your aunty and family cards are adorable...all have great talent...I wish my family has talent too...I am the only one who made card Becca...sad..no I can exchange with you right...I already made one and will send you tomorrow...

    About your card yes that critter is so cute and lovely Dp you have choosen...I guess you have much more DP right ...me not cause of that I made by my self DP LOL...love to see that parade of great cards on your Blog...
    big hugs and wishing you happy christmas and happy holiday...

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  30. Wow look at all these card! Each one is so unique and fun! Thanks for joining the Lawnscaping Challenge!
    -Samantha

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  31. What a awesome treat to see the beautiful cards from your entire family!! And how special you found a way to swap cards across the miles. Your are right your family is awesome-such a wonderful blessing to enjoy this holiday season.

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  32. what a WONDERFUL family!! and family tradition! so cool!! i LOVE that moose card!! the sentiment is hysterical!! and i love his little blushing cheeks you gave him!! so sweet!! thank you SO much for playing along at the Lawnscaping Challenge! :D

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  33. Fabulous idea! I'm so glad you have not let it all 'slip'.....that moose sentiment is soooo FUN.....looooved seeing all the different cards & your Grandma's is super special & that is a wonderful idea to have it framed!!! LOOOOVE::))

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  34. wonderful collection of great cards....

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  35. This is a lovely tradition! These cards are great and Danielle's first card is wonderful!! What a treasure to have your grandmom's final card. This is special and when you frame it you should include a picture of your grandmother beside it

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  36. Love your Christmoose card, and wow, this is one talented family!

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  37. Gorgeous cards. What a lovely idea. Hugz

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