Glad to see you again Lia. The garland that I made into the wreaths was from my after Christmas sales last year. I can't remember where I got it but there were two styles, one that looked like tiny leaves and the other was more like a tree branch. I think I got 3 wreaths out of each one. I had a few strings of the beads from the beaded tree dept but ended up string the rest myself. I had to string them and then put glue on my finger and wipe it along the string to get the beads to stay in place where I wanted them to on the wreath. My DS cut the circles in the cardstock using my old circle cutter. the newer Fiscar types just don't seem to work for me. Glad your liked it.

What are we hoping to gain from this exchange of cards? Pictures of the family cards have replaced the traditional boxed greeting cards in my life 5/1. I enjoy getting a glimpse of what old friends/relatives look like now. I do not understand the point of purchasing a card, singing a name, addressing envelopes and sending them out. What message was conveyed? I am alive, we are related?? I prefer to get some news of those who sent the note. At the very least an explanation of the pictures they so painstakingly arranged on a post card. I think it is naive to think money is limitless and not realize some have to make choices, financially. Is it in the holiday spirit to resent those who had to make those choices? I wrote my 26th Christmas letter this year and sent it out--some by e-mail some by snail mail. I find it rather silly to get a signed card in the mail from a friend I see weekly if not daily. That seems wasteful. I do want my friends to be included in my traditional letter. I find the electronic e-cards amusing but of no real value when all they did is entertain for a moment. I would also like to know if the sender is ok, what life brought them this year. When I get these I appreciate the fact that they reached out, but it has done nothing to further our understanding and knowledge of each other. Considering the popularity of Facebook this baffles me. We are a changing society. With e-mail/Facebook perhaps the NEED and purpose of holiday cards no longer exists. I can now dial up Facebook and find out what great aunt Martha did yesterday and the day before and the day before. I don't need the once a year letter she wrote and I waited for. Traditions are wonderful, but if we do not know the purpose of them or if they no longer fulfill a need then I have no trouble ending them. I tell myself every year this is the last. The money is not justified. Then I attend a family function and all my aunts and cousins rave about my letter and beg me to never stop or not cut them off the list of receivers. This is when I know the reason I continue the tradition has been accomplished. I communicated. I gave them something they wanted something that enriched their lives. I often do not get cards in return from most of them and that makes me sad but it isn't about the getting it is about the giving. I remind myself of this when I go to my moms and see the cards my siblings sent to her--across town. I remind my kids of this when they notice and ask why aunt "Jane" didn't send one to us, who live hundreds of miles away....

My cards will probably arrive in the next day or two..." because we have been having "winter in the south"! I have received everyone's cards and they have been put into my theme of decorations. I am so happy to have been involved this year., I wish you all could come and stay a few days, or we would have a get together!! Thank you my friends!

I too have been enjoying the Christmas cards I receive from the KT and from my other family and friends. I think I have all of mine sent out. Thanks to all that have send cards, notes and things to me. I too enjoyed the little recipe booklet. Sue