Friday, January 4, 2013

Waltzingmouse Secret Santa Exchange


I was delighted to play in a recent card exchanged organized by Cathy Weber (aka Empty Nest Crafter)  for the Waltzingmouse stamping forum. Each participant was given the name and snail mail address of a person to whom we were to mail a Christmas card. Meanwhile, someone else would get your name and send a card to you. So surprises all around! Today we get to link our cards over on the WMS blog so we can all see the Secret Santa creativity.  

I have to say I was OVER THE MOON when I received the lovely card below from Jeanne Jachna.


Jeanne makes gorgeous cards, with lots of layers and embellishments. I have never held a card like this in my hands before! I have seen her cards on her blog, but to see one in person - well, WOW is all I can say! I know I would find it very difficult to combine:
- that patterned background
- scalloped and chevron borders
- striped ribbon
- stamped doily
- velvet ribbon
- lace
- stamped Santa
- stamped tag sentiment
- die cuts
- twine
- pins
- AND a flower!

Well, it would never occur to me that it would all fit, in the first place, and in the second place, I think you need a very experienced artistic eye to pull it off so BRILLIANTLY! I am in awe. This is a card you can keep revisiting and see yet one more new thing! She also tucked some sweet little crafting prezzies in with the card - totally unexpected and so appreciated. Thanks, Jeanne, for making something so beautiful and interesting.

The card I made was sent to Anya Schrier, of the Life is What You Make It blog. Anya is an amazing card maker. She is published, she is a member of a number of design teams, including WMS, AND she is a stamp designer. To say I was a little intimidated is an understatement. However, Anya is also one of the MOST encouraging people I know. She always has a kind comment in the WMS gallery and when she visits other crafters' blogs. If I did not know what a nice person she is, I might have had a full-on panic attack. Here is the card I sent Anya:
I love that I had an opportunity to use new WMS stamps to make this western themed card. I used Distress Inks to stamp and shade the various bits. A square silver stud seemed to suit the cowboy motif.

This exchange reminded me how much I like to receive handmade cards from others, even though I rarely do! And while most of my cards are appreciated by my family and friends, they are mostly non-crafting types and I think when you make cards yourself, it is especially thrilling to receive one - knowing the thought and effort that goes into making them. I think I will try and find time to make more cards this year - cards that can be shared with fellow crafters.

Thanks to our organizer, Cathy, for pulling the Secret Santa Exchange together for us. It was a lot of fun! You can see all the cards from the exchange at this post on the WMS blog.

10 comments:

Marybeth said...

I could tell from the tiny thumb nail that this card was from Jeanne! Its beautiful and creative! And that bow… wow!
Love the card you sent to Anya as well.Such beautiful blue stamping detail! This was so nice of Cathy to organize.

Cathy Weber said...

What a beautiful post you have written. I know Jeanne will be so happy that you enjoyed her gorgeous card. I also have wondered at all the great things she puts on her card. When I do that, it looks like a great big mish-mash! Your card to Anya was also beautiful. You really made the Yonder Star set shine, no pun intended! I would also like to thank you for the sweet comments you made to me as the organizer. I really appreciated it and had a great time doing it again this year!

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful card from Jeanne! love the papers and bright colors!

and your card to Anya is lovely in the blue with the Yonder Star stampings!

Jeanne J. said...

Oooh Charmaine I can GUARANTEE that Anya loved the card you made. Wow! The stamped background, the distressing, and that gorgeous blue! Just perfect!

Deborah Frings said...

Wowzers!!! Both these cards are stunning. I think you're so lucky to have a card from Jeanne - so many lovely details. And your card to Anya is magnificent. I love everything about it!

Ruby's Girl said...

Charmaine loved the card you swapped out. Lovely colours! This is an interesting swap and off I go to check on what others in the group made . Happy New Year! J

Renee said...

A Jeanne card!
Glad I'm not the only one who looks at one from her and wonders how she got all those layers and embellies to look so incredible amazing all together...
she is awe inspiring to say the least...
as is this card!!
Wow!!
And love the card you sent to Anya...
so gorgeous in all the blue tones...
love it!! :)

Kim Heggins said...

Wow,both of these cards are master pieces! How fun to get a Jeanne card, so much amazing detail and I am sure in person even more so! The card you sent is equally as beautiful, all of the blue, just stunning.

Lynn Mercurio said...

Wow, Charmaine...two amazingly beautiful cards. How very lucky we all are to have this hobby to not only enjoy creating, but to share with others who love this hobby as much as we do.

Happy New Year (is it getting too late to still say that?) =)

Pauline said...

What a gorgeous card you created Charmaine, you really do monochrome so perfectly! Beautiful star and pattern in this rich blue, a wonderful card!