My Entire Christmas Vignette

Today, I thought I'd share all of my vignette I've made for Christmas.  It's so much fun to get out past favorite projects and add new ones each year. 

And, just in case you missed any, here are the previous ones I shared with you. 

We had a lot of fun at my class Monday, even though we were missing several who were out sick.  I'm getting their kits ready for them so they can enjoy creating the cards when they feel better.  I'll be sharing our projects in some of my next posts.

Happy stamping!

Movies, anyone?

Today's project is made from an old movie reel.  This brings back special memories for me.  As a teacher, I frequently showed educational films to my students.  Yes, I know how to thread the film into the projector and set it all up ready to go ... all by myself.  I learned how in an AV class at Millikin University in my undergraduate years.  Today, the reels make great bases for wonderful projects.  I love this one!  Now, is it time for you to go antiquing and find some reels.  I have some smaller reels, too, so I need to think of something to do with those.  One last note - - - you could use one of the larger reels to clip on Christmas cards or photos for a super quick and easy display.

Happy stamping and come back soon!

Is anyone still out there?

I was wondering if anyone was still out there.  I apologize for being  MIA for so long.  I was really concentrating on my PT exercises, spending extra time with family, and trying to catch up in my studio.  

I hope you're still with me.

Here's a sneak peek at some of my Christmas displays. I've had so much fun creating these. I made the framed projects a couple of years ago. Each square represents multiple layers of each 'building' to give them all dimension. It's one of my most favorite projects ever. I'll share more in future posts.

Happy stamping and I hope to find you back here again soon.

Our Church in Tranquility, New Jersey ... All Hearts Come Home for Christmas

First, I want to share a photo with you of our former church in Tranquility, New Jersey.  A big part of my heart is there ... at Christmas and always.  New Jersey will always own part of my heart ... because of the beautiful people we knew there and because it's just a beautiful place to be.

Sorry it came out a little dark, but when I tried to get the photo outside, all I got were reflections in the glass.  I love this country church.  It was called 'the spire among the mountains' and was often used on the front of Christmas cards.  We had the most amazing organist.  She could play anything and play it well.  When all the choirs sang in this little country church, there were a little over a hundred singers.  Wow!
Now, would you like to see one of my absolute most favorite projects that I've ever made?  I love this one, especially because of the beautiful little church.

It really is straight and even inside.  It keeps slipping some in the frame.  I'm going to have to adjust it a bit.  Aren't the little houses adorable?  There's a church with a beautiful steeple.  I intentionally let it go outside the square.  I think it adds more interest.  Look closely and you'll find a teeny tiny snowman, too.  I love the stamp:  "All hearts come home for Christmas."

Now, just so you fully appreciate how much time and effort went into this project ---

The houses, church, trees, snowman --- Each and every one involves 3 layers of WW card stock AND a layer of Sahara Sand CS.  They are all painstakingly glued together, one layer at a time.  I got so wrapped up in doing this project that I kept at it until, the next thing I knew, it was finished ... and a lot of time had slipped right by me. 
It brings me great joy to make something that my friends and family and I can enjoy for years to come, as a part of our Christmas decor.  The little church reminds me of Tranquility Methodist Church in Tranquility, New Jersey.  So, yes, at one time, I was a Jersey girl --- and proud of it.  My father was the pastor at this church.  He was one of the best, perhaps the very best preacher I've ever heard --- and I've heard a lot of them, trust me.  I strive to live by many of the lessons he taught me through his sermons, his every day living, and his love of God and family.  I miss him every day.  I'll share more throughout the coming holidays about family, friends, and special memories.  Christmas just brings those out in many of us.  All hearts come home for Christmas.

ONLY 2 REMAINING KITS FROM CHRISTMAS RETREAT.  GET YOURS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. / $40.00 / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! 

UP NEXT:
December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Gingerbread Men Bookmarks to Share

I made a lot of Christmas bookmarks this year, using our cute little gingerbread man and coordinating punch.  I just love him.  I gave these out at my Christmas Open House Party and have been sharing them with lots of others.  I decided this was my year to enjoy making cute little Christmas projects, sharing them and spreading Christmas joy.

I made quite a few:)

These plastic bookmark sleeves are nice to keep on hand for lots of various bookmark projects.  I ordered them online., after doing a search, but I cannot remember the source.

The embossing adds a lot to the background.

The gingerbread man and label to which it is attached, as well as the scallop circle greeting, are attached to the outside of the bookmark sleeve.  It would be too much bulk to try to get it all inside the sleeve.

Ready to share ...

Updates:

- I'll have class schedules coming out soon for 2017.

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

- Please sign up to follow my blog and/or leave a comment. 

- Come  back often for more creative inspiration. 

Christmas Retreat Goodies

I love to spoil my Christmas Retreat participants each year.  Here's a peek at what they'll get to enjoy at class today.

Because this is a Christmas Retreat, all the goodies in the photo above are themed for Christmas.  However, my dining table is still decked out with Fall decor, in preparation for Thanksgiving, so I made Fall treats to put at each place for their lunch.  

Aren't the little guys just the cutest ever?

I think I'm all set for a great day today.!

Special Reminders:

Christmas Card Kits for sale!

 

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- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

- Please sign up to follow my blog and/or leave a comment. 

- Come  back often for more creative inspiration. 

Advent Calendar Project

Here's a little project that I've been 'meaning to work on' for at least 2 or 3 years now.  I made up my mind that it would no longer be sitting in my 'stash' just waiting for me to come work on it.  I think it turned out pretty cute. 

I attached the papers with Mod Podge so they would be protected.  I punched a hole and added a ribbon 'pull' to make it easier to open each drawer.  

For now, I decided to not add numbers to it because I didn't want to cover up any more of the tiny picture squares.  I could change my mind later.  I added a wider ribbon all around the entire box and tied it in a pretty bow at the top.  It was windy when I took the photo, so it's blowing up in the air a bit in some of the shots:)

Do you have a 'stash' of projects just waiting for you to come get them and work on them?  Grab them and get them finished.  It's a really GOOD feeling to finally get caught up on at least something in your life:)

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Christmas Boutique Open House Projects, Part 1

Every year, I have my Christmas Boutique Open House and we have a wonderful time.  Besides the inspirational displays, we have activities, shopping at my Christmas Boutique, refreshments...  and lots of fun, including several Make and Take projects.  Would you like to see what we're going to make?  Over my next few posts, I'll give you some of the fun details on each.

Today, I'll share 1 of the cards.  You get to choose if you'd like to make it with a Bermuda Bay base or a Whisper White base.  I'm using some of the materials from our Watercolor Winter Simply Created Card Kit, along with a tree from Festival of Trees and a text from Christmas Bliss.

Come back for more fun details.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Burlap Bonanza, Part 1

Before Christmas, I made a lot of projects using burlap --- mostly our burlap ribbon.  It is the most wonderful ribbon and it's super easy to work with it.  I'll start this little mini series with the smallest of my burlap trees.  These were made with loops of burlap ribbon.

I started at the bottom of a styrofoam cone (10" tall) and worked my way up to the top.  The ribbon at the top is our natural ribbon.  I think it adds a nice, finishing touch to the little tree.  Everything is attached using a hot glue gun.

As you can see, these trees coordinate very nicely with my burlap-wrapped snowflakes and stars wreath.  Burlap is a very popular item right now.

Don't forget my upcoming schedule of classes and events.  (Click here to see.)
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

A Peek at Some of My Christmas Projects

I've been having a lot of fun making all kinds of projects for Christmas... some with 'finds' from our antiquing/flea market trips and some from my 'stash' in my storage room.  When we moved to this house over 7 years ago, one of the features I really fell in love with was our huge storage room.  I immediately told my husband that he could have almost all the garage (I kept 1 tiny counter space) and I would take over the storage room.  He actually agreed (probably realized he didn't have a choice:) and I've pretty much filled it up.  It has Christmas decorations stored mostly under the stairs or nearby and all the rest is full of project supplies, seasonal decorations and odds and ends of things that haven't found a home yet.  It's kind of fun to pull out something and think of a new way to use it.

Here's a wonderful box that I found last summer at a flea market.  I painted it and filled it with Christmas greens.

It's at my Prairie Treasures booth, along with tons of  Christmas goodness.

Here's what it looked like before I painted it...

... and how pretty it looks being red.  It's happy now.  After Christmas, you could fill it with other seasonal decorations or think of lots of other ways to use it.  It's super sturdy.

Stop by my Prairie Treasures booth if you're in the area and enjoy a lot of bargains from now through Dec. 1.  Check out this adorable little red stool.  It was a dingy old bluish, brownish, yellow when I started with it.  I really wanted to keep it, but that's not why I bought it.  I'm hoping that someone will give it a home where it can be treasured by an adorable little someone for years to come.

Here's another peek at what I've made for my booth.  It's full to the brim, so I hope you'll go check it out and take home something wonderful for you or a special someone.

The fabric stockings are perfect for holding little gifts or even hiding gift cards.

These are cute little gift bags and boxes.  I have a variety of sizes and designs of wreaths, too.

The 2 Christmas plates would be great for giving cookies to a friend or neighbor or for leaving out a snack for Santa.  The little treat holders on my tiny Christmas tree would hold a variety of little gifts or goodies.

The framed decor would be great for you or a gift. 

There is a variety of Christmas cards, too.

I've added even more goodies since I took these shots, so be sure to check it out and get in on the sale.  If you stop by tonight between 5:00 and 8:00, you'll be able to participate in our Friends and Family event.  My sale will be going on through Dec. 1, so come by and help us celebrate our first anniversary at the Root Cellar (basement of the Wildflour).  Hope to see you there!!!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.