The True Meaning of Christmas

Sometimes I think that I am not open enough about what I believe in.  I believe that Christmas is about Christ.  He is our Savior--each of us, whether or not you choose to believe.  He loves us.  He wants us to return to live with Him again someday.

And so, in honor of His birthday, I've created a reminder to give away to friends and family this season.  I made 18 of these little treasures...they were SO easy.  I'll give you a step by step at the end of this post. ;)

Here's what I've made~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Polkadoodles: Make a Gift for Christmas

Stampin with the Dragon: Gifts & Decorations

Totally Paper Crafts: Anything Christmas BUT a Card

Dream Valley: Anything But a Card

Fashionable Stamping: In the Holiday Spirit

That Craft Place: Christmas

I've used random alphabet stamps and kraft paper by Paper Studio, twine by Hemptique, black ink by Versamark, clear glass bulbs from Target, seashells & sand from Hobby Lobby, and corks by Tree House Studio.

These are SUPER easy to make, as I mentioned before.  All you need is a funnel, spoon, and hot glue gun in addition to the supplies listed above.  Just use the funnel to add 3-4 small spoonfuls of sand, add a few seashells, hot glue the cork into the top of the ornament, then add the stamped tag with the twine.  I think it took me less than an hour to make all 18 of them.  And they're cost effective!

That's all for me right now!  I hope you're all keeping warm right now--it's FREEZING here!  I also hope that you can find time to play along with these fabulous challenges!  HUGS and merry stamping to you all! :)

Great Impressions: Glitter/Sequins

It's DECEMBER!  Can you believe it?  Just a few short weeks until Christmas!  I just LOVE this time of year...I adore the colder weather (yes, I REALLY DO), and I LOVE the spirit of the holidays!  We're trying to bottle some of that holiday spirit for our monthly challenge at Great Impressions, too!  Our challenge theme this month is GLITTER AND/OR SEQUINS!

Here's the card I've created for this challenge~

Details~

Inside of card.

Products used from STORE: K40 Poinsettias & Berries, D469 Vintage Merry Christmas.

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look at my creation!  I hope you join in the fun of this fabulous holiday challenge and that you also leave some love with the other members of this AMAZING DT as well!  HUGS and merry stamping to you all!

52CCT: Two Week Holiday Challenge!

Hi, friends!  We're getting closer and closer to the holidays and SO, we've decided to do things a little differently at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown for the month of December.  Instead of weekly challenges, we are going to have ONE TWO WEEK CHALLENGE starting today!  And the challenge is totally easy!  Just choose a past 2013 challenge and link your creation up with us! :)

ALSO--we're having a DT call, so if you're interested, just put "DT" after your name when you link up with us!  Get all your holiday cards done throughout the year--it is SO worth it! ;)

For our challenge, I chose a past color combo as my inspiration--RED, KRAFT, AND WHITE.

Here's what I've made~

Detail~

Inside of card.

I've used a sentiment from Great Impressions, an image from PSX (Personal Stamp Exchange), texture stamps by Bo Bunny, fabric flowers and a rhinestone brad from my stash, glitter by Studio G, rounded glass gems by Recollections, and all other supplies are by Stampin' Up!.

Thanks so much for popping by today to leave some love!  I get so excited to read all your kind words! :)  I hope you join us in our two week challenge and that you leave some love with the other amazing gals on this DT as well!  HUGS and merry stamping to you all!

Great Impressions: Paper Piecing

Hi, everyone!!!  It's a video tutorial week this week for me over at the Great Impressions blog!  The technique I'm sharing is PAPER PIECING.  I know it isn't an even week, but we've got a super fun event planned next week, so I needed to change up my order!  The plus side?  You'll have THREE weeks to get all the supplies ready for my next video tutorial! :)

Here's what I've made this week~

Details~

Products used: K40 Poinsettias & Berries, D469 Vintage Merry Christmas.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Make sure to hop over to the GI blog to watch the video tutorial and to see some more amazing projects by the super talented DT members!  HUGS to you all and merry stamping! :)

Great Impressions: CAS Pinecones

Hi, all!  It's kind of a strange day today, I'm posting for Great Impressions even though my day is usually Thursday!  BUT, I've got a super fun card to share with you today and so, that's what's up! ;)

Here's the card~

Details~

Products used: C31 Pine Cone Sprig, F249 Warmest Greetings.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Tomorrow I'll be back with a VIDEO TUTORIAL!  That's right, things are switched up a bit so you get two tutorials in a row! ;)  HUGS and merry stamping, friends!

TTT: Favorite Past Technique

Hello, all!  It's December.  That means things are gonna get CAH-RAY-ZEE!  So, to make things easier this month, our challenge at Technique Time Tuesday is just plain easy--we want you to CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE PAST TECHNIQUE!  I chose EMBEDDED IMAGE--I LOVE this look and thought it would nice as a valentine embellishment!

Here's my card~

Detail~

I've used a dry embossing folder by Darice, clear and gold embossing powders by Stampendous!, die cuts by Spellbinders, patterned paper from my stash, and all other supplies are by Stampin' Up!.

Thanks so much for taking a bit of time to stop by today and leave a little love!  I really appreciate all the kind things you say to me and the encouragement is what keeps me going!  I hope you join in the fun this month at TTT and that you leave some love with the other fabulous DT members, too! HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

52CCT: November Pick a Previous Challenge

Hi, friends!  It's a fifth Saturday and that means we're asking you to "Pick a Previous" challenge this week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown!  This time around, we're asking for you to pick any previous 2013 challenge as your inspiration!  I chose ornaments...

Here's my card~

Details~

I've used a stamp by Great Impressions, ribbon by Making Memories, rhinestones by Prima, textured paper by American Crafts, and all other supplies are by Stampin' Up!.

Thanks so much for taking a bit of time to come and look at my card!  I hope you'll join us this week and that you'll leave some love with the other talented ladies on this amazing DT as well!  HUGS and merry stamping, friends!