Merry Christmas

⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

May you have a blessed Christmas, remembering the true reason we celebrate.

The New Year is upon us!

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Yes, I know.  Christmas hasn't come and gone yet and I'm mentioning the New Year.  But with good reason!

One of my best sellers this season, both on Tophatter and in my Etsy store have been these cute little easel style desk calendars for 2013.  In fact, I oversold in one instance and had to scramble and make some more.  You see, the ones I had in my shop I had already sold on Tophatter but didn't deactivate the listing.  So, the scramble was on.  But I'm sure you'll all agree that's a good "problem" to have!!

This morning I made a couple more versions.  I'm thinking about making some that would have either magnets on the back (for your fridge or file cabinet), or just a hanging loop (for your wall or bulletin board).  What do you think of those ideas??

My hubby wants me to make him a "manly" one, single sided, with something sticky on the back that he can put on the dash of his truck.  I'm thinking velcro might be the answer to that!

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by!  Please feel free to leave me a comment.  I love reading them!

Such A Tragedy

The entire country, and I suspect beyond as well, mourn with the residents of Newtown, CT.  The tragic events of Friday can't but help break our heart.

Ree Drummond, also known as The Pioneer Woman, has a beautiful post today.  While she has been mourning the loss of her grandmother, she reflected today on those in Connecticut.  She quoted these lovely words, which are worth repeating:

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Hold your loved ones close, my friend.

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Gift Card Holders and Tags

Happy Monday Everyone!

While I'm quickly prepping for my Handmade Community Auction on Tophatter this morning, I thought I would make a quick blog post.  Please come visit me at my auction!  We have loads of fun.  And if you haven't thought of selling your handmade items on Tophatter, you should give it some thought.  It costs you nothing to get set up and you meet lots of awesome people!

Yesterday I cranked out some fun Christmas gift tags and gift card holders.

This one was kind of a pain to make, what with the hand coloring of Mr. Red Bird and then embossing him.  It took wayyyyyyy too long to make 10 tags!  

These gift card holders are super easy and fast.  Of course, since I rarely have an original idea, I got the design from Michelle's blog.

The instructions are quick and easy:  cut your card stock to 7.75 x 5.  Score at 2.5 & 6 on the long side. The Designer Series Paper measures 2.25 x  4.75 and 1.5 x 4.75.  The “To/From” panel is 2.25 x 4.75.  (measurements are in inches for my overseas friends)

Just  adhere the sides of the small flap so it will hold the gift card.  The belly band is 1 x 7.75.  Wrap around the holder and adhere closed.  I used red liner tape for added strength and durability.

Add a punched embellishment of your choice on the belly band and POOF....you're done!

Don't forget to check out the latest super sale item at Pick Your Plum.  Click on the photo link in the right side bar of my blog and you'll be magically transported!!!  :)

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!