Happy New Year!

Ok... so I'm a bit late with my "New Year" greeting! But I do sincerely hope that each of you ended 2011 on a high note that will last you well into 2012!

In my last post, I mentioned how instead of a New Year's resolution to change something, I've decided to make a list of the things I am happy with now, and continue to put effort and love into those things. I think that if you're going to change something in your life, you aren't going to wait for New Year's to do it - and if you do wait for New Year's to do it, it might not have been that important in the first place.

Before I get to my list though, I have a little something to show you! Yesterday was a glorious day for me - Not only was it my birthday, but the 2012 Occasions Mini went live!! I would give you all a minute to rejoice, but since I'm a day late in my announcement, many of you have already been rejoicing! In which case, I'll give you a minute to keep rejoicing... Ready? Ok...

The challenge over at Pals Paper Arts this week was a lovely monochromatic colour palette, which I really dig.

Sadly, I thought I was supposed to be working with Night of Navy, when in fact Not Quite Navy was the colour of choice. Obviously, I was 'not quite' thinking!

Nevertheless, I bring you the following!

Thank You

 (PPA126)

I so desperately needed to make a card featuring some of the gorgeous new products from the Occasions Mini! Framelits, ribbon, stamp sets... yum!

Let me get onto the rest of this New Year's thing before I write anything else. I'm rather verbose, and we could be here all day...

2011 Awesomeness that's going to continue in 2012 (AKA - The things I won't change):

1. Our family dynamic: I don't know how it happened, but we have something amazing going on here! The birth of our son Jackson in September has only added to the warmth and comfort of this home. Our oldest son, Hunter, is incredible with him, and it brings us such joy to watch them.
2. My love of stamping and giving myself the time to do it: I don't know what I'd do without stamping. As soon as I have some free time (read: naptime), I slip away to my little corner and get lost in colour. It's a therapy beyond any other I've come across thus far in my 28... wait... 29 (!!) years.
3. "Pizza Night": For those of you who have made a resolution to become healthier this year, I applaud you. Realistically, I should have done the same. And I will get to very soon ;) But no matter how many vegetables I vow to eat, and how much exercise I commit to doing, I will not give up this little gem. It pleases me.
4. Sending cards "just because": Having a mother out of town gives me a great excuse to mail "just because" cards. How many have I sent, you ask? 1. Maybe 2... Not acceptable! We are going to one a month this year. Mom, if you're reading this, we'll mail them on the 15th of each month ;)
5. Our TV-free home: We donated our TV to the Salvation Army awhile ago. Not because we think they're evil, or we have anything against them, we just don't have enough room in our family living space to accommodate one! That, and we could never find anything to watch anyways. Some people think we're crazy and ask what we do in our spare time. Turns out, we have very little of that anyways :P Do I ever miss it? Of course! Particularly Bob Ross reruns and Divine Design.

See, told you I was verbose ;)

How about one more sneak peek from the Occasions Mini and Sale-a-Bration which is coming up so soon! Those gorgeous brads, that irresistibly vintage paper, and the oh-so-delicate ribbon are all from the sale-a-bration event. Excited?!

Until next time - Happy Stamping! :)

-Tara

P.S. Card materials for "Thank You" are as follows:

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Paper: Night of Navy DSP

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Curly Cute, Mixed Bunch

Inks: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy

Tools: Framelits dies, Dotted Scallop Border punch, Pleated Satin ribbon, Scallop Circle punch