T Stands For Christmas Cards and Tip-ins

 

Today we are meeting for T at my dining room table.  I have a plethora of goodies to share with you.  I apologize if this is a very long post, but these wonderful artists deserve recognition.  I haven't decided if I will be drinking coffee with half and half, or egg nog in my Christmas tree mug.  Before we begin, I also want to wish Valerie a very happy solstice birthday (her birthday is the 21st, which may be when many of you visit).

I always love when Linda sends a card.  Her address is on the back so I only have to block my address.  Look at this obviously hand made card and perfect coloring.  Thank you Linda.  It is incredible.  Love your Christmas tape, too.

Lisca loves to see the postage stamps and Squiggles loved that he was included, too.  He wanted me to personally thank you, Linda.  I looked on the USPS web site, but there is no information on these stamps.

The next card I received came from my dear friend in Canada, Cindy McMath.  I'm always in awe that international postage doesn't cost extra to send a square card.

I took no less than 15 photos of this reindeer.  This is the best I could get.

I am in LOVE with this tree.  Simple, yet effective.  Thank you SO much Cindy.  I hope to find a way to frame it so I can use it next year as part of my tree collection.

We all know who lives at the lake, don't we?  Yes, of course.  It's Kathy.  But, why two cards for me, you ask.  Sorry.  I forgot to get a closeup of the two postage stamps.

The information on the back tells the real story of why I have two cards.  Yes, they BOTH came the same day!

I was shocked, too.  Kathy sent this on November 16 and I got it on Saturday, along with the Christmas card.

Here are the fronts of the two cards.  I'm sure you can tell the difference.

You can read that Kathy hand stamped both backs.

And these are the two beautiful insides.  I told Kathy I was really upset with the post office and would love to find who I can complain to about this.  It was as bad as Sharon's card taking a month to get across town.  Regardless, thank you so much for thinking of me at both holidays, Kathy.  I'm not as on the ball as you, obviously.

I also received this tip-in on Saturday.  Here's the stamp, Lisca.

This hand drawn and painted tip-in could only have come from my dear friend 

Dianne.  Thank you ever so much, Dianne.  It's a genuine beauty on both sides, dear.

The final tip-in I received just today was filled with so much wonder, I actually cried.

First, observe the detail. Note how Linda Findley placed one deer behind and the rest either in front or winding through the trees that are a beautiful die cut.  That in itself is simply stunning.

But this is when I cried.  I was so honored and impressed.  I know I got a wonderful original from Linda.  Not only do I approve, I feel honored!!  Thank you beyond belief, Linda.  BTW, Linda stamped her name and address correctly and beautifully.  I'm still learning the smudge tool in Photoshop.  She also sent the stamped sheets I show in the photo above this one.

Some people asked on Friday (when I showed my decorated home) about the little glass rocking horses on the tree sitting on my dining room table.

There are snowmen,

mice, polar bears (shown above)

and Santas.

I also want to wish each and every T Tuesday participant a joyous, safe, and healthy holiday, whatever you might celebrate.

It's now time to share your own drink inspired post this week.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, handmade cards, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, a favorite mug, cup and saucer, teapot, coffee pot, or even a wine glass. Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.