I have to say that Thanksgiving this year is sad for me, as I’m sure it is for so many others. Due to the resurgence of COVID cases, we will be doing a “Zoomsgiving” celebration this year. My husband and I will be having roast chicken at home and connecting via the interwebz with my siblings in Chittenden County and our son in CT. We don’t have all of the fine details worked out, but I’m looking forward to at least seeing them on my computer screen. But it won’t be the same. At the same time, I really feel like I have so much to be thankful for. So far (knock on wood) nobody in my family has been ill, we are all still working, and most of us are blessed to be in VT which has managed the pandemic admirably. We’ve lost much this year in terms of time with each other and the joys of dining out, seeing shows and traveling. But I know that I’ve been doing a lot more creating, especially in the last 2 months, and that has been a balm to my soul. I have a quote in my email signature from Brother David Steindl-Rast “… it isn’t joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful”. I really think this is true, and I encourage you to check out this TED talk from him to learn more.

Another of the blessings that I’m celebrating this year is all of the people that I’ve come to know through this crafting hobby. I really miss being able to gather in person for crafting time, but I’m glad that I can share here and I appreciate the emails, calls and cards that I’ve received from my stamping friends in 2020. I hope that you’ve been enjoying some crafting time as a little island of positivity in challenging times. So – to all my stamping friends, please know that I love you, miss you, and wish you all the best in this season of Thanksgiving.

This card sketch was the inspiration for my card layout. I love the simplicity of this layout, and the versatility that it offers for so many designs. I can see using this design over and over for many occasions.

At first when I was considering the sketch above I was thinking I would make another batch of Christmas cards because that’s the mode that I’ve been in lately. I really do need a LOT of cards this year because I want to send to more people than usual given our isolated lives in 2020. Then I saw this challenge and I pivoted to create a batch of cards to send for Thanksgiving. I didn’t have time to make enough to send to everyone that I would like to, but several did go out in the mail today. I hope that they arrive in time for the holiday, but if they don’t due to postal volume, I’m sure the recipients will still appreciate the cards when they do get them.

Tasteful Touches Cling Stamp Set (English) [152562] $23.00	A Wish For Everything Cling Stamp Set [149320] $39.00	Banner Year Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [153464] $17.00	Banner Year Bundle (English) [155214] $36.00
Banners Pick A Punch [153608] $23.00	Basic Pattern Decorative Masks [150697] $6.00	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323] $30.00	Layering Circles Dies [151770] $35.00
Linen Thread [104199] $5.00	Sponge Daubers [133773] $5.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $8.25
Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686] $8.75	So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105118] $8.75	Cinnamon Cider 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153078] $8.75	Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133676] $8.75
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad [153116] $7.50	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111] $7.50	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $7.50