Handmade Christmas and Thankfulness

 As 2015 winds down, my heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for bringing so many special people into my life.  Instagram is blowing up with #2015bestnine, where people share their nine best projects and is is quite fun, but for me the best part of my year has been the handmade love shared from friends.  I am so thankful for my friends and blog buddies.  My friend Barbara, who I have been pining over for several months while she is in England, sent me the beautiful card above.  I can see parts of her daughter, that she is visiting, in the style of the card, which makes it so special to me.

 My friend Nancy painted this gorgeous cow and I won it in our Christmas swap at our local craft group party.  Nancy lives out in the country raising horses and loves animals, so I really feel like this is a piece of her.

 She also gave me this gorgeous thank you card for the hostess gift I brought to the party.

And Nancy always remembers my birthday.  She files her cards in a catalog by month and never fails to send them, so thoughtful!  I wish I could be more mindful, like Nancy.

 Linda, my precious friend from when we were stationed in TX, sent me this mixed media wonder.  It means so much to me because Linda's craft time is very valuable to her as she deals with her DH's illness.  And Linda's carefree style makes me want to be more adventurous in my crafting.

 Trish hand delivered this beauty.  I had taught her how to make faux Jolee's 3D embellishments during a recent craft session and she went home and made this from layers of the same paper - CLEVER!  I'm so proud of her!

 My mom and I started these cards together, but then she finished hers so beautifully.  I will have to find my pieces and try to copy this!  I love how she embossed the edges and stamped the card back.  <3

 Bonnie gave me this gorgeous card with the most beautiful stamped verse for my birthday this year.  It is an ornament in my cube, which I have tried to decorate with yellow and red to make it more cheery.  Bonnie can sew wonders and this card reminds me of gorgeous fabric!

 Bonnie also gave me this amazing bird card as a thank you for helping with our office craft party - I love it!!!  That bird!

And my friend Madelyn, who has proclaimed that she can't do cards - yeah right!!! - made this amazing Tim Holtz style creation.  I mean, look at this thing!  It is my favorite things all combined, a true treasure!  

 I am also quite thankful for my DH, who is a mailman.  He has supported and spoiled me with the best of intentions all year and I feel like a princess.  One of his customers left him $60 in this beautiful card for Christmas.  She runs a small business from her house and he is so helpful in loading her packages.  How sweet!!!

 And speaking of mail, I was kindly delivered this gorgeous card handmade by the one and only Mindy Lacefield after leaving her a comment on Instagram.  Isn't that the kindest thing ever?!  I was swooning over her gorgeous Madonna painting and she said she'd love to send me a card.  This was a RAK that really blew me away, my heart is overjoyed still!

As it was when this Verve beauty arrived from the stampin' guru Julee Tilman, owner of Verve Stamps.  This card is one of those that puts Hallmark to shame!  Julee was so kind to think of me this Christmas.  

I always say my favorite thing about Christmas is handmade.  I love baking goodies with my kids, carefully choosing Christmas cards that I know the recipient will love, and making home feel like home.  I truly hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2016 will bring you love, laughter, thankfulness, and a bit of homemade.  Hugs, Autumn