Cue the Highlight Reel....

As one who always loves to start fresh, I love nothing more than a fresh new year. Bringing out that new calendar, looking forward to new challenges and adventures (I do my best to overlook the aging process along the way).
A couple of bloggers that I like to follow did their 2011 round up of their favorite cards and they invited others to do the same. I thought it would be fun to join Kath and Lynnette and close the year with a mini retrospective of my own card designs that I'm pretty pleased with; Make sure to check out their blogs, you'll find some incredible inspiration.
I'm also sharing some of the highlights of the past year; got any guesses what my best highlight is? Be patient, we'll get there....



Here are my favorite cards of 2011:

January was all Hero Arts...made 2 of these for the Hero Hostess Blog Hop.

Hero Arts Blooming Heart (it was a winner), Graphic45 vintage and a little announcement with Lawn Fawn

 

Apparently I was feeling very girly in March, lots of flowers and fluff!

Another happy announcement with Lawn Fawn, Ben's 24th birthday 

and a good reminder with Unity Stamps for a Lily Pad Cards Card Chain Challenge.

Fun resist technique, chic Mimi and a special birthday card for my Mom-in-law

Water color class sample, fun with Penny Black, 

and 70s inspired Father's Day card for my honey, he drove an orange bug with blue denim upholstery.

A bit of sunshine, my Inspired by Jill card and a Tickled Pink image for Lily Pad Cards.

Channeling some more sunshine; kid approved birthday card, colorful Lawn Fawn bicycle 

and a special card for a special friend.

I created an indoor scene and a couple of mini inchie cards for a class.

More Lawn Fawn to celebrate my in-laws 61st anniversary, 

and 2 different looks with the Hero Arts Large Solid Flower. 

Lawn Fawn Thanksgiving and a winning Hero Arts wooden tag!

Two of my favorite Christmas cards and a special ornament tag.

I had a few crafty highlights this year:

I had a blast at CHA last January, meeting with talented friends and helping out in the Lawn Fawn booth. The best was meeting Pia and Sanne who traveled all the way from Denmark. Linda and I had a wonderful time getting to know these lovely women. We laughed a lot too, they know how to have a good time!

I love teaching classes at Stamp Fever! I've met the most wonderful friends and it keeps me on my toes creatively too!

Ivy (ishouldbesleepingbut...) and I had a wonderful time crafting with Kelly Marie Alvarez, Mrs. Lawn Fawn herself, as we made samples for store displays. That is the spectacular card design by Vicky; you can find the video for this card HERE. The photo on the bottom right side shows all the storks and bundles I stamped, colored and cut out. Fussy cutting extravaganza!

And of course I can't forget all the fun and creativity, not to mention crafty friendship with the talented ladies at Lily Pad Cards. I'm still hoping to meet them all in person some day, that will be one fabulous photo-op! So far the only one I've met (Pia), lives the furthest away.

Please stop by and visit them: Lin, Deborah, Vicky, Pia, Latrice and Kathy.

And now we've reached my number ONE highlight of 2011.....

His eyes really are that blue!

Thanks for sticking with me on this long post. I thought I would leave you with some of my favorite inspiration from the past year. I found myself spending lots of time enjoying the beautiful work of these talented card makers:

Franziska: I love everything she makes but her village scenes are really special! Her Flicker and blog.

Jacqueline: She inspires my faith and my creativity! Her Flickr and blog. 

Anette: Her work is always interesting and always gorgeous! Her Flickr and blog.

~I'm considering some changes here in my little corner of the blog world; working on some ideas. 

Please bear with me if my blogging becomes a bit spotty. ~

I'm sending love and blessings to all my blogging buddies, praying that 2012 will be good to you all! 

No matter what happens, know that God is good and He longs to share His love with us!

blessings,

nancy