Santa Claus Is Coming To Town...and Some Awards!!

You'd Better Watch Out, You'd Better Not Cry...

     

...You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town.  This week's Basic Grey challenge is "aperture", and I've used two Basic Grey papers in this card:  Motifica--clay, and Scarlet's Letter--desire.

I cut a circle with a craft knife, leaving part of the design to overlap, then I cut the image of the little girl from a print of a postcard I own, and mounted her onto the card so that she is sitting in the circle. 

Next, I adhered this piece to the front of folded cream cardstock, and cut the circle once again from the top piece of cream card.

I used another print of the postcard, this time, the full-sized image, and mounted it onto Basic Grey paper, then onto the inside of the cream cardstock, so that this is what you see when you open the card.

Next, I printed the words from "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", mounted them onto pieces of Basic Grey paper, and put them in their places on the inside and outside of the card.  Last, I added the pieces of brown satin ribbon, and the bow.

 

And Now, The Drum-roll, Please. . .

Since my very first post a little more than a year ago, I have felt extremely honored to be numbered among such a talented, encouraging, and nurturing group of artist-bloggers.  Within my first two weeks, I was welcomed and made to feel at home by some of the nicest, most talented, and caring people in the blogosphere!  And now, this week, I have been given not one, but two awards, and one of them twice, by a couple of artists I admire and look up to more than I can say!

 

On Tuesday, I received both the Kreativ Blogger Award and the Proximity Award from Alberta, whose blog Amusing Muses is a constant well-spring of inspiration and pleasure, and feeds my cravings for more, more, more, art journal pages....my first love, but not often enough blogged, passion!

And on Thursday, I again received the Proximity award from lovely Judy in New Zealand, whose blog Mangaroa Made overflows with mixed media beauty and loveliness! 

Both of these blogs are breathtaking wonders, and the bloggers themselves are that great mix of sweet and spice that flavor their individual styles with creations from the soul!  Thank you so very much!!  I am honored beyond words!!

Here are a few words about the Proximity award:  "This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers, who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

And now to pass along these awards to other deserving bloggers... 

I could have chosen so many to receive both awards, but have decided to limit myself to two.  First, I'd like to pass both awards onto Cathy Erdmann, who was the very first lovely person to befriend me by leaving the very first comment I received on one of my first posts.  Cathy has two blogs:  Cathy Erdmann's Art, and E.I. Elsey's Workshop.  Cathy is an amazing artist, with a lovely, generous spirit.  You will be missing a chunk of beauty and happiness if you don't make it a point to stop by both of her blogs today!!  Thank you Cathy, for early-on giving me the courage to continue!

Also to receive both awards, I have chosen Hermine Koster, who honored me very early in my blogging life with an invitation to join her yahoo group of artists, and who so generously has RAK'd me with gorgeous artwork, and is plentiful with advice and encouragement!  Your friendship means so much to me!  Thank you, Hermine, for your kind and generous spirit!  Hermine's gorgeous blog, Hermine's Place, and her new challenge blog, Art Creations Friday, which she shares with three other talented artists, are two of the most wonderful spots on the web!  Go and take a peek, right now!

And to all of you who are so generous with your comments, expertise, talent, friendship....all of you deserve these awards.  I would have added my friends Rosie and Willy, but noticed that they have already received these awards.  But go ahead--take them again, anyway!!  I need to pass the proximity along to 8, and both of you deserve both awards, so please enjoy them once more!! ... And four more who inspire me....let's add Jeri Aaron, Godelieve Tijskens, my daughter Amy, and Belinda Schneider. Thank you all so much for your inspiration and kindness!  I *heart* you all!!

Have a great day, Everyone!

Comments

[Hermine]

First of all, your card is gorgeous, really like the colours and image.
And thank you so much dear Barbara for giving me these rewards, I am so honoured. The feeling is mutual.

[Godelieve]

Congratulations Barbara, and thank you :)
I love your card, it's gorgeous. Looks fabulous with the circle cut out.

[Cathy]

Barbara,

I can't believe that a year has already gone by! I have enjoyed your beautiful artwork, as well as your creative and inspirational way with words.

What a fun and unexpected surprise to receive these two awards! Thank you so much.

Cathy

[Jo]

Fantastic card and so cleverly made. Thank you for joining in the BG challenge this week.

Hugs,

Jo x

[Willy]

Thanks, Barbara! I'm very honoured!

[Dawn]

Hiya Barbara

wow this is stunning amazing images and the background is so beautiful! Gorgeous!

Dawn
x

[Heather]

Gorgeous card, so beautifully 'oldy worldy'.
hugs Heather xx

[Kristen]

That card is fantastic! Thanks for sharing in how you made it!

[joey]

Hi Barbara, your card is absolutely stunning I love the oldy worldy feel it gives off to me. love joey.x

[Account Deleted]

Barbara, I'm finally picking up my awards - thank you friend!