Wrapping up 2013!

Is it just me or has this year FLOWN by?!  It seems like just yesterday that I was beginning to think about my daughter's final semester of high school and now she has just completed her first semester of college!   One minute I was planning a graduation party and looking forward to Close To My Heart's annual convention and the next minute I'm frantically finishing up my Christmas shopping and getting excited about the new Spring/Summer Idea book arriving at my door on Christmas Eve!

We are just days away from 2014 and I took a look back on this past year through my blog.   Somehow in my busy life I managed to find a little bit of scrapping time.   I totaled up all the cards I created through 2013.  WOW....

Sympathy cards - 4

Love and/or Valentine Cards - 7

All Occasion Cards - 31

Birthday Cards - 32

Congratulations / Celebration - 9

Wedding - 1

Baby - 3

Thinking of You - 3

Thanks - 11

Mother's Day - 2

Father's Day - 1

Christmas - 23

Plus 1 Happy New Year Card! (below!)

That is a total of 127 cards and then there were 16 other additional projects!

I participated in many blog challenges this past year and was recognized 9 different times for something I submitted!   It's so humbling to have your art recognized especially when there are SO many talented and creative people out there that inspire me everyday.  If you would like to see my cards that were recognized, check out my "Recognitions and Achievements" Page.

Here is my Happy New Year Card to you all!  I created this with the Love Life (D1482) stamp which has been around for a while and it is one I use over and over.  

I'm entering this card into the following challenges
CAS-ual Friday 
Just Us Girls
CAS on Sunday 

So, what is in store 2014?  

We are actually starting off 2014 with a BANG!  With a $35 purchase you can also add the special National Papercrafting Month Cardmaking kit - Cloud 9 for only $15!  It's an adorable kit that has everything you need to make 10 cards (2 each of 5 designs) PLUS it includes 3 brand new products coming out in the 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book!   You will be able to read all about on January 1 on my website! Then be sure to come back to my blog on January 4th for a fun Cloud 9 blog hop. Instead of creating 2 each of the 5 designs,  I created 5 cards as instructed, and then I created 5 DIFFERENT cards!  I'll be sharing those additional cards during the hop!

2014 is going to be an exciting year for those that love Close To My Heart!  The new Spring/Summer Idea Book arrived on my door step on Christmas Eve (nice Christmas present for me!) and it has many new products that I just can't wait to share beginning February 1st when the book goes live!  I've have some sneak peeks here and there during January so you will want to stay tuned to my blog!   I'm planning a big Spring Summer Open House Celebration on February 9th. Watch for more info coming soon!  

I will continue my monthly StampinHeaven Hostess Clubs.  I currently have 4 ongoing clubs but would LOVE to add one more!

I will also be continuing my monthly Girl's Night Out that I started in July.  This is an opportunity for friends to get together to create something different.  I had a variety of projects this past year ranging from Canvas Art, Wreathes, Gift Bags to Jewelry!   My first GNO project we will be making Sympathy Cards.  If you are like me, we never have any on hand when needed!  

I love doing parties and I just don't do enough of them!  I would love to add at least one party each month!  It's always fun to get friends together to create a card and it's even more fun choosing FREE rewards from gathering orders!  So - be sure to contact me if you would love to host your own party!

I'm so excited about this year's convention which will be taking place the last week of June in Disneyland, California!  Close To My Heart will be celebrating their 30 year Anniversary so I'm SURE this convention will be the best yet!  

That's all for now.... I've got a long list of things to do over the next several days before I go back to work on Thursday!   Be sure to stop back by my blog on January 1 to join me on the January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  It's going to be lots of fun!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!