Christmas tip-ins

Now that the final tip-in has been delivered, I can show my Christmas tip-ins.  I only sent eight this year, and after I created them, I wasn't sure I even wanted to send them.

For the backgrounds and the green layer you see behind the snowflakes, I started with card stock that I colored using Staz-on reinkers and 91% rubbing alcohol.  I love this technique because the substrate never, ever, ever curls, but always lays flat.

The next layer was an old telephone page, then snowflake tissue paper.  The layer after that was another green ink and alcohol layer.  Over that were more tissue paper snowflakes, then an embellishment.  I only had 8 embellishments, so had to limit the number of people I sent tip-ins to.

Each embellishment was a bit different.  I have no idea why these tip-ins curled, because I've never had one curl before, especially when using the ink/alcohol background.  But curl they did. 

The good news seems to be that the one that got lost in the mail managed to flatten itself out while on route.

I hope the others managed to heal themselves, too!

Because there are snowflakes on these tip-ins, I'm entering them in the Try it on Tuesday (or TioT) latest challenge, which is Snow, Snowflakes-Winter whites.

I do love birds, especially cardinals!

In the past, I have always run the card stock through my printer and printed the pertinent information about the yearly tip-in.  Unfortunately, after I spent all that time creating the background in my word processing program, the first one I ran through the printer stopped printing.  I was out of ink.  It was late, and I wanted to get them in the mail, so I did the unthinkable (at least for me) and stamped everything.

One lucky recipient will get this.  Sorry, I have no idea who the lucky person was.  The thing is, I used a "cushion" to stamp on, then realized after I had stamped most of the trees, that the "cushion" had a hump in it.  That meant the stamp wasn't hitting everywhere it should have.  I may not be a stamper, but I know how to analyze a problem.    So, here are my rather sad, poorly stamped, but sent with love, 13th annual Christmas 2015 tip-ins.

On an even brighter note

Bleubeard and I were sent this box of goodies yesterday.  Just look at all those lovely postage stamps.

From the very beginning I could tell the contents of this box was made with love.

Normally I record the contents of envelopes (or boxes) as I open them.  This year has been different, though.  This wonderful box, filled with LOVE, was sent to me by no other than Valerie at Bastelmania.  If you have never seen her blog, you are in for a treat.  Valerie lives in Germany and she is not only an excellent mixed media artist, she is also a fantastic sketcher, painter, and colorist.  Oh, and have I mentioned, she take photos that are out of this world.  That calendar page is just one of 12 that show her photography skills.

In the back are two stamps.  I don't know what to call them, because they aren't rubber, but more like foam erasers that hold harder stamp material.  I may not know what to call them, but I know I'll be using them.

Look at all the lovely napkins.  Aren't they adorable?  I realize you can't really see them, but take my word for it.  They are yummy!  There are also lovely flowers and some gorgeous ribbon that is made in Germany.

Three very special gifts (besides the gorgeous calendar) are the lovely art Valerie made from various layers, including corrugated cardboard.  The image she used is wonderful, and very appropriate for this time of year.  There's also a lovely tag that I didn't recognize until I got ready to photograph it.  It was one I swooned over on her blog that honored the recent Paris attacks with the words Peace and Shalom.  And Bleubeard gives two paws up to the lovely key chain that shows the very essence of Squiggles on one side playing with a ball of string that spells out I Heart Cats on the other side.

Here's a close-up of the calendar

and one of the other simply incredible gifts Valerie sent me.  I can't believe how lucky I am.  I told her I felt like a queen when I opened this box of wonderful gifts!  I can't say it enough, how fortunate I am to have wonderful friends, new like Valerie, and long time, who I've met on the internet.  Thanks again Valerie.

And thanks to everyone who reads my blog, whether you comment or not.  Your visit is very important to me.  Before I forget, please be sure to visit Try it on Tuesday to see the fabulous art created for their latest challenge that includes snowflakes.