Teacher Christmas gifts

Did I tell you all that my husband bought a Microsoft Surface for me just before going into the hospital to have the lower lobe of my lung removed due to a cancer tumor?  Silly me, I thought I would be keeping track of my special blogs, playing some games, checking email...little did I know I would not be awake long enough to do any of that, but I also couldn't really move well so sitting up and working this tablet was not high on the agenda!  And the first two weeks I was home I pretty much slept away the days.  I did run across a really neat sewing idea...actually saw it on Danielle's blog HERE...scroll down just a bit because it is not the first post she did...she linked up the directions to the original post that you can find HERE...thanks for a great tutorial Tisha...Now I have had those pocket kleenex tissues in my purse and after a while they get kind of grungy and the wrap starts to tear and then the kleenex isn't so very 'Clean'.  I thought this was a great idea...so I pulled out a bunch of fabric scraps and cut one...then I laid down for a while...got up sewed it...laid back down, took a nap...You get the idea!  It took me quite a while to make these, but they are easy peasy and sew up so quickly.  I offered them to my daughters for gifts for the teachers and of course they took me up on that idea.  My preschool grandson took three to school today as he has three teachers in his room...I forgot to take pictures  but the tags were a little more elaborate than the ones I just made tonight cause I am under the wire to get these done as they only have two more days of school before they are out for Christmas (winter) vacation.  So here are the little goodies:

Aren't these just the cutest?  I added a couple of little buttons following Tisha's lead.  I thought it added a nice touch.  Now these little goodies can get squished and scrunched in your purse, bag or even back pack (as my little 5 year old Addie pointed out to me) and I do believe the tissues will stay clean and white!  Check out Daniele's blog she had them gift wrapped differently, I just used what I had on hand!  Love these glassine bags!  Thanks for taking a look.

And may I take a moment to wish everyone a most blessed and joyful Christmas.  Thank you to everyone  who has sent me Christmas cards and well wishes for better health.  Every day is getting better...less pain means less pain pills which means I am little more coherent!  I still tire very easily but I have been given a clean bill of health from my oncologist...there were no other signs of cancer once the lung was removed!  so yeah!!  And for my daughter, she has had her fourth chemo treatment, she will have two more and hopefully no more after that.  Her last PET scan indicated major reduction in the cancer in her body...so continued prayers are so appreciated!

A few Christmas cards...

What can I say?  I can only lay down for so long...I can only sit up for so long, but in that time of sitting up I love being in my craft room.  Although this looks like quite a few cards, some of them were actually made before I had my surgery, but I didn't have time to take a picture and post them.  It has to be a good sign that I even want to make cards, right?  Every day is a day of improvement and a day that I can remember..not one that I have slept away.  so let's get to the cards:

If you would like to watch a video of this selective die cutting, head HERE to see Amber demonstrate this cool technique!  The die is from Beautiful Butterflies and then stamped with berry sorbet ink.  I am going to try this technique with other dies that I have...it is very easy and looks quite elegant!

A Hero Arts stamp and sentiment...

A pretty simple and easy one layer card for the Winter Penguin

Another Hero Arts Christmas ball with sentiment...the bow is PTI, I colored in some areas with a clear gel pen for a little sparkle.

the tree branches and bow are from PTI Bells and Boughs...the ornament is Hero Arts with a little added dimension with glossy accents!

I masked off the sentiment area and stamped Hero Arts snowflakes with aqua mist, winter wisteria and sweet blush, then I sponged in the strip where the sentiment was stamped to add a little color.

Well, that is all for now...I guess it is time for a nap on the couch again!  Amazing how little one can do but can be totally exhausted from doing it!