X-mas Cards

So. . .I finally had some free time. . .and I didn't spend it on school work or course work. While E was out putting up Christmas lights (single-handed-ly, of course. . .and notice the Holmes on Homes influence? He needed his safety strap to go on a ladder. . .however it goes nowhere. . . )
. . .and J was helping him. . .

. . .so that eventually it would look like this. . .

. . .I got a few essentials ready

and decided to do some card-making! My friend had told me that her Christmas cards were all done, and I was kinda jealous! So, now I had a few free moments. . .

I'm not very good at coming up with original ideas when making cards, so my inspiration came from a card from the past (Thank you, Tara).

Here was my first try. I wasn't completely happy (and sorry the camera's colour was so bad!) The Christmas paper (Christmas Baroche from Michael's) just wasn't Christmas-y enough for me, and it all turned out really red.

My next try was this one. . .(can't remember the name of the paper, and it is all gone right now, but its from Michael's too). I like this one better. (Stamps are from Stampin Up and Michael's--can't remember the name of the set, either. I bought it used so it doesn't have the cool name sticker on it). We'll see if i get around to any others. . .