Goodbye 2010- hello 2011

Well it's time for another year to come to an end.......I'm always a bit sad and kind of glad at the same time. I'm not much for going out on New Year's eve and celebrating- we are real home bodies and just stay put. We like to either play cards/games with friends or just lay low and watch a movie. If the weather is warm enough we might go blow up a few fireworks.......either way but I'm usually falling asleep by 11:00 anyways and miss all the midnight fun!

 I do want to look back and reflect on 2010 a little bit. Overall it was a rather good year! It started out rather tough......I was still searching for work and life was a bit stressful as money was extremely tight. Then out of the blue one day in April I got called about a job...... and a few weeks later I was back to work! This was a huge adjustment for me as I had been home for 5 years raising my son. It took a quite a bit of getting used to (my confidence level was very low and getting daycare set up was awfully stressful) but my boss was very understanding and and so was my dear husband. I've been working part time since May and  I absolutely LOVE- love- love my new job! This has been the biggest highlight of 2010 for me and my family!

I think 2010 was a wonderful year for me for learning new and different card making techniques. I have learned so much from Jennifer McGuire and all of her wonderful videos, and have also learned so much from my wonderful Flicker friends. Jennifer's thinking inking series were amazing and I made several cards using the techniques learned.

Here are a few of my favorite cards from 2010- using some new favorite techniques!





Both of these use the technique to stamp your image on watercolor paper- color with distress inks, and then spray Perfect Pearls on generously!

This next card uses the technique of inking up your acrylic block with distress inks and spraying with water before stamping.



Here are a few more favorite cards from 2010 created by me!









And here are a few more favorite cards from other incredible talented stampers that I admire so much..........and wish I had one tenth of their talent!

The AMAZING Carole!


Ultra talented Jenn B (I got to meet her at Scrapfest.....and she is such a  sweetheart)



Kathy's fabulous creations!



Jill- who is the queen of distress inks and amazing color combinations!


I wish you all good health and many blessings in 2011. I hope to get more stamping and crafting done and can't wait to see all of your creations in the coming year! Have fun celebrating the new year and stay safe my friends!

Throughout the rest of this year and all of 2011......

May you always make the right moves.
May your cup runneth over with love.
May you always find shelter from any storm.
May you remain good looking and looking good!


Inky Hugs, Anne