FREE .studio (Silhouette) File Hinged Easter Egg!

A friend of mine asked me to make her a couple of Easter cards and I decided to get original and design something myself.  I’m really EGG-cited about this file, it turned out so sweet!

DOWNLOAD

(personal use)

(I’m trying BOX for my files - let me know what you think?)

I used some sewing on this card, though I’m sure glue might work fine too.  I like the special touch sewing adds.  (besides, its good for me to keep up my sewing skills so I don’t sew over my finger again)  You need to decide and sew your lace parts on BEFORE you sew the bottom section or the top section together. 

This is a fun 3 part project.  A simple card base (definately does not have to be white - a coloured cardstock might be the ticket for YOU!) and then the actual EGG parts (no, not a white and a yolk, tho that is a funny thought) - actually four pieces, two for the top, two for the bottom with holes in the top part through which you can put a brad (I used a rather large dollar store brad, you might want to make your own holes smaller if you want to use a smaller brad - or even remove the holes out of the file and use a punch the size you desire)  and lastly, the inside “egg is a sketch file with a cut for the edge (you will have to set your machine to do this, i’ve created all the lines the same) I chose my designer paper to be one that is one sided, of a crisp stock.  The reason for one sided is so you sketch the sentiment on one side.  A nice touch is all I’m saying.  I’m all about the details.

Note - the butterflies are included - but not the flowers - the flower is from the Silhouette Store. 

Use a couple of glue dots to adhere your “EGG” to the card base but do mention this in your greeting to the person receiving it - they may like the option of taking it off of the card base and sticking it…on the fridge?

 

 

I liked it so much I created a “batch” of these sweet little cards.

Technorati Tags: Free Silhouette Cutting file,Free .studio Cut,Free Silhouette File,Silhouette Freebies,Easter,Easter Egg,Easter Card,Easter Egg Card,Handmade Cards,Mrs Miles,Barb Derksen,Barbara Derksen,Mrs Miles Freebies,Osoyoos,Osoyoos BC,Okanagan,South Okanagan

Buhahahhahahahaa!

IT IS TODAY!!!! hahahhaha! Ok, I'm going for a looonnnng walk here, to clear my mind... I'll still leave the post I'd put up this a.m. (to show you WHY I need to go clear my head.) I shall repeat 100 times in my head ... IT IS the 28th it IS the 28th It is the 28th...


I messed up big-time everyone... haha, its ALL MY FAULT! Cicero, you needn't worry that your dear OLD Mither might not recall a happening from 50 years ago, for I'm so scatter-brained at my age (only 1/2 of hers!) that her memory seems BRILLIANT compared to mine these days. I'm talking about... being a certain little "bird" who hopped about letting folks know that its our dear friend Valinda's birthday ... TODAY.

Well, its actually TOMORROW. Ayeah.... (ducking at the shoes being thrown from South Africa and USA...) Well hay, folks, there's two GOOD things about this, perhaps three...

1. We did not forget Valinda's special day
2. We DEFINATELY surprised her
3. We can breath a sigh of satisfaction that its DONE!

You know what's funny? I chatted with my SIL Judy last night and we were TALKING about this and it did not "click" in my mind that the 28th was not TODAY till about 4 a.m. when I woke up with a big "OOPS" going on in my brain.

So... without further ado, I'm going to Join my dear friends to celebrate not only Valinda's birthday, but my daughter's and friend Bonnie's too! Happy Birthday TOMORROW to all of you!

credits:
All KimB Stuffs

Happy Birthday Dezrae!

It's your birthday, but we got the gift...
a gentle, sweet, beautiful daughter
who is always a pleasure to be with.
You glow with sensitivity and compassion
generated from the depths
of your warm heart and and kind soul.
A loving mom, a peacemaker,
a woman full of the joy of life,
that's you.
Anyone who spends time with you
is privileged to know
such an extraordinary person.
You are a great joy in our lives.
We love you and cherish you and treasure you
and wish that every one of your birthdays
will be the happiest yet.

By Joanna Fuchs

Dezrae, we wish you lived closer so we could celebrate with you, but you will be thought of. Hope you get royally spoiled (not Royale-ly cause if you read my last post you'll know what I mean) Have a fabulous day!

credits:
Kristin CB - flowers
sorry, can't remember the other kit?

Birthday Blessings

Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings,
As your birthday nears. Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there. Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are. Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"

By Joanna Fuchs

Bonnie, this is a wonderful opportunity to tell you how dear you are to me. I hope this year is one of being creative and discovering new talents and realizing your hopes and dreams. I'm so glad we DO live close enough that I can actually give you a real Birthday Hug ... tomorrow!

credits:
KristinCB - Beauty kit
(may be a mix of your other kits too)

Bright Joy

On your birthday,
I’m thinking about how much light and sparkle
you freely dispense wherever you go,
how your sunny smile lights up any gathering.
Every birthday marks another year
of you radiating positive, happy energy,
contagious happiness
that infects all who come in contact with you.
May your next birthday find you the same--
glowing from within,
beaming bright joy on everyone you meet.
I feel blessed to know you.

By Joanna Fuchs

Valinda... YOU are the first person to visit and leave love at so many of our blogs. You ALWAYS have an encouraging word, you bring sunshine into all our lives. Its been a rare day when I would find myself AHEAD of you in a strip of comments on a blog. I count on you and have come to cherish and value each one! I'm looking forward to getting to know you more this year, to fellowship with you too.

I KNOW your family and Jim will spoil you, girl!

SOOOOOO.....

Even though I've been 'retired' from designing for a while now, I set aside a day to create a kit to give away to honour each of you. I hope you enjoy!

Personal Use Only

download

illustration credit:
KimB's HeartyTarty Craft Paper & Staple

There is not always a 'thaw' in January, nor do all spring-like days come in winter come in January. As the old-fashioned almanacs would put it, scattering the words down the page for January:

About - this – time – expect – several – warm – days.

Even if the 'about this time' were the last of February, the country people would regard it as 'our January that, only about a month late this year!'

The first of these warm days is often cloudy, and so misty and cloudy that the ground seems to steam. The snow that may have fallen two or three weeks ago is nearly melted. Then how slushy it is! - how 'disagreeable getting about' the older folks would say.

From St. Nicholas magazine, January 1904

Ohhh SO gray, gray - GRAY! I'm trying so hard to not let it get to me, but two weeks of THIS. Its bordering on ridiculous. I've always loved having SEASONS but I'm beginning to feel like a mushroom, I swear my skin is turning into paste! I still make myself get outside. I heard a broadcaster on CBC radio the other day and he was saying (not that I entirely agree with him) that great art is only made in anything other than happiness... so this depression SHOULD make me really artistically inclined. Well, it DID inspire me to write the following poem after yesterday's dreary walk:

grungey, brackish dirt exposed from beneath white scabs of retreating snow -

the soil giving off a sharp acrid reek, like a complaint

dull gray clouds pressing down petulantly into the valley

to meet the cold steely gray of ice on the lake

cold, scratching fingers of bare tree limbs standing forlorn

the air, sluggish and stubborn pushes to keep one indoors

outside, small birds feast furiously on whatever they might forage

hawks wait, there's a bird-eat-bird meaness in these half-dark days

a lone plane growls through the duskiness – like an insect trying to migrate to sunshine

day morphs into evening and then to night with very little discernment

dawn and dusk a mere shade darker than the day

longing for sunshine

This is what the weathermen/women say. But I know who's REALLY in control, so I'm taking it to the Lord in prayer...

God is mighty! He is able to deliver;

Faith can victor be in every trying hour;

Fear and care and sin and sorrow defeated

By our faith in God's almighty, conquering power.

Have faith in God, the sun will shine,

Though dark the clouds may be today;

His heart has planned your path and mine,

Have faith in God, have faith alway.

~ Author Unknown

♥♥♥♥♥

And so, to brighten up YOUR day, I've created a second version of the Wreath Frame - Enjoy!

(and send SUN, please *wink*)

Personal Use

download

I'm writing this Saturday night, going to save it as a draft and try the 'scheduled post' feature of blogger and see how this works out. I don't want to overwhelm you with two posts in one day, after all!

I'm sitting at my computer with a soft light on. The snow is falling outside, heavily and gently in big, fluffery flakes, turning our almost melted world back into a magic looking one. It makes me feel so peaceful. I had some music playing in the background and then I realized it was competing... with other music. And that music was LIVE. And that music was SO beautiful. Its the sound of Mr. Miles and his friend Nathan practicing worship music for tomorrow's service.

Songs like Blessed is the Name of the Lord, and Lord Have Mercy... and their voices and playing together wafting up through the floorboards is moving me to tears. I'm reminded, the God who can turn our melted away landscape into a pretty winter wonderland in the span of a few brief hours is all-powerful. His ways are beyond our comprehension. The weathermen can predict conditions all they want, but God can change all that in a heartbeat.

So it is with the economists. They're just reporting it like it is. They want us to be careful, live within our means. God wants whats BEST for us. Sometimes that just seems wierd, when you think of it. For, as the song says "He gives - and takes away" I'm sure it does not always feel like what we have is best. I'm sure if I got "it" all taken away from me I'd fall flat on my face. For its all nice, and good - but its all a crutch. If you're leaning too hard on that 'ol crutch, when its taken quickly, you'll fall.

And sometimes, thats where He wants us to be - flat on our face, though He'd rather it be a willing thing. Its when and where we are 'richest' - strange as that may sound. Its where we have intimate communion with Him. And the more 'stuff' we get to look after, the more easily we are distracted, tending to the things of the world.

I'm reminded of Solomon. He had it all. Knowledge and wisdom. Castles and cash. Slaves and animals. You woulda thought he'd be in luxury - always amused by all this things. But, even he summed it up like this:

Ecclesiastes 2

1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?" 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.

11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

So, I'm going to get down, flat on my face, freely and I'm going to thank the Lord for all my blessings (and not just the THINGS) I'll get used to being down there, so when my crutch is taken, I may already be flat - and the crutch will be... just a crutch. Something nice to use if its handy, but not something that I rely on when I should be relying on the Lord.

I thought today would be a great day to share some FREE stuff with you. If you go to the site of Phil Wickam you will be able to download this BEAUTIFUL worship album, in it's entirety, for free. So though I am blessed to hear my husband's and Nathan's awesome songs of Praise as they practice, you can have something good to listen to, too!

You will be asked to fill out a your name and email address and then he will send you the link. What a sweet thing to do - its a great album, I've been listening to it while working on my spirit while my machine works on my physical body.

click HERE to visit Phil and get his album!

And I found out about this free album through a newsletter I recieve which gives me MORE free music each month. If you've never heard of it before, its the FreeCCM Newsletter, and you can sign up for it by clicking HERE. This is a great place to hear new releases - the free songs this month are Mike Farris - "Streets of Galilee", Darlene Zschech - "Call Upon His Name" and Derek Webb - "She Must and Shall Go Free"

There are also new free desktop wallpapers and greeting cards from Crosscards which you can find by clicking HERE.

*****

BEFORE the big flurffy snowfall of last night (cause you are reading this on Sunday, so its last night - oh, I could get so confused prewriting this!) Before this snow, on Friday, I took some photos down by the lake again. I thought I would share a few. Click them to view a bit bigger.

I think a racoon mebbe, what do you think?

My friend Cicero always takes these looooonnnng shadow pics...
so she inspired me. Visit her blog(click HERE) and I bet you'll see one somewhere.
She does 'two headed' ones with her husband.
I'll have to get Mr. Miles to lend me his head soon.

*****

Thrift Store "Good Buy" alert!

I bought one of these at the thrift store the other day. It was still in its new wrap and I only paid $3 for it. I looked it up and it regularly goes for $9.99. I love gadgets. Its actually my gift to Sabastian, our van, cause it folds up nice and flat. It gets tight hauling a full size colander around when we are camping. This will be good for so much more.

I keep breaking things at the store too. Before Christmas I broke a lid to a beautiful teapot set. I made the mistake of telling the ladies and they would NOT accept payment. I tried every which way to convince them to charge me, but they would not. Sigh.

So, on Thursday, when I bought this colander, and was having a good look around, (and when I look around I really look AROUND - my whole self twists and turns and... well, they hide some good stuff either way down on the floor or way up near the roof for heaven's sake!) And, I'm clumsy at the best of times. Plus this with a big purse that day and ... I broke a picture frame! So, this time, I put it in with all my purchases and paid for it first, THEN asked the clerk to take it out and throw it away!!! LOL - she told me she would not have made me pay, so I'm glad I DID!

Do YOU have a 'breaking something in a store' story to share too?

Well... I've chewed your ear off for long enough this morning. I hope you have a great day!

Its so easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle this time of the year. Emotions run high and we're all in a rush to get it all done, yet for all our frenzy, it will somehow come together in the end. We're so busy running to and fro that we think we lose connection with God, for we've not managed to set time aside to seek Him. What we sometimes forget is that He is ALWAYS with us. He's not just there when we make some quiet time - He's here ALWAYS.

If you don't have time to get away from all the distractions, yet you need to know that He is with you, lift your prayers wherever you are. His love is ALWAYS with you. Every moment, every second of the day. He's waiting to share your every joy and sorrow. He can meet you the second you invite him to.

Be happy today - have cheer, knowing that God is with you.

The following song by Michael W. Smith is not your traditional Christmas song, but I hope it will speak to you the way it has me. I feel so joyous and hopeful through the words. 'specially the part about being in the crowd... for I feel 'crowded' this time of the year and long to know that God has time just for ME (and you) anytime we need it. I also am comforted to think of God's amazing love this way - that I can't 'escape' it - I might lose track, wander at times, neglect it or try running the other way to rebel ... but He's here.

ESCAPE YOUR LOVE
Michael W. Smith - Stand album

It's like starin at the sky above
When I look in your eyes
Now where in the world did you come from?
You're so beautiful
And I know

I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love

Everytime I turn around you're there
I get a feelin' that won't go away
Nothing else in this whole world compares
You're surrounding me
And I know

That I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love

And in the righteous crowd
Your face is all I see
I hope you know by now
That I just can't escape
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
Oh yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 NAS

My sister Nina needed to make a tag for a gift for a music teacher and so I whipped up this graphic for you, too, in case you have someone musical you'd like to bless! I'm going to make this one so you need only to click on it to download in PNG format. Please credit me if you use it by linking back to my blog. I'd love to see how you use this - why not send me a jpg of your project and I'll publish it here on my blog?

You can check out Nina's blog (lets pester her till we see how she uses the tag, right? by clicking HERE. She's been doing almost a card a day - whew!

You may also enjoy a visit to JanMary's blog - from Ireland. JanMary is into day 13 of blogging the 25 days of Christmas. Just click HERE to be transported.

click on graphic - then right click and 'save as' and choose PNG

PERSONAL use only

Happy Birthday - Melissa!

credits:
KimB CATW Kit - papers, elements
Barb Derksen - festive sequins

Isn't Kim's kit perfect for this layout of my niece Melissa's birthday layout? I know, I'm sort of stuck on the 'cut people out and stick them in a frame theme' right now, but they do say practice makes perfect.

Melissa, we hope you have a LOVELY birthday - I'm sure your family has a lineup of fun great activities coming up, and ohhhh your gift, I'm sure its amazing. Melissa belongs to my SIL Judy, so you may want to pop on over HERE to leave Melissa a birthday wish and see Judy's layout too in honor of this special day!

I'd love it if you have a moment out of your busy day to check out the gorgeous card my sister has created - I love the writing technique, its giving me ideas. Just click HERE to see what I mean.

It is also my niece Rachel's birthday tomorrow, but I don't have a recent photo ... but I'm making a little free giveaway to say Happy Birthday to these two lovely young ladies!

And speaking of birthdays has reminded me that our countdown to Christmas is really a countdown to the day we honour the birth of Christ - the REAL reason we should be focussed on. So, I'm leaving you with this poem I found.

Somewhere amidst confusion in
the frantic Christmas race--
the deadline shopping, start and stopping
at a frenzied pace.

The name of Christ has been removed,
left off the Christmas scene.
Without the name of Christ, what then
does Christmas really mean?

No longer do the schools release
for Christmas holiday;
it's incorrect politically,
but Winter Break's O.K.

Now scenes of the Nativity
are banned from public streets.
Too much religiosity's
considered indiscreet.

Does Christmas portend Santa Claus,
whose sleigh and reindeers fly,
as Rudolph with a shiny nose
guides them through starlit sky?

For presents stacked high by the tree
the children eagerly reach.
What message does this scene present?
What lesson does it teach?

Is Christmas spirit portrayed here?
What it is meant to be?
Is it to wonder of those gifts
How many are for me?

There's nothing wrong with Santa Claus,
let's keep him on the scene,
but let's replace Santa Claus, with the name of Christ
to teach what Christmas means.

Another lovely place to visit to get into the Christmas spirit is over at my friend JanMary's place. JanMary lives in Ireland, and she's been blogging DAILY since Dec. 1st - all the traditions etc. Very interesting reading and wonderful photography... and its her daughter's birthday too! Just click HERE to be transported.

And here's my giveaway for you today - its fine for all uses, though you must credit me in your TOU upon use. Please do not share this file with your friends, I'd ask you send them here to download it for themselves.

I'd love to see how you use my products. Just send me a jpg and description and I'll post it here too!

fine for Personal, Commercial and S4H
(must credit me in TOU)

download

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to my brother Barry!

layout credits:
Letters: LLW Holiday Spirit
Paper: LLW Holiday Spirit
Elements: LLW Holiday Spirit
Sequins and Snowflake: Me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to my brother Bill!

layout credits:
Letters: LLW Holiday Spirit
Paper: LLW Holiday Spirit
Elements: LLW Holiday Spirit
Sequins and Snowflake: Me!

A Pal, a confidante, a friend,
There to shield, or to defend.
Braving life's ever changing weather
by standing steadfastly together.

With a brother you share a common history
of all that is , and what can be.
As childhood tears and innocent fears
melt into memory over the years.

Much to the human heart's delight,
Love does indeed make all things right.
Through every joy, and any strife,
A Brother is a friend for life!

You guessed it, Bill and Barry are TWINS, my brothers and this is their special day. Until last year I could feel a little smug because they were over 50 so seeming MUCH older than me, but now thats changed... we're all over the half-century mark. Where DID the time go, I ask?

One thing thats sad to me, is seems the more the years march by, the less we see of one another. I hope 2009 fixes that!

We love you both so very much, and know you'll be spoiled by your lovely families. You can stop on by my Sister-In-Law Judy's blog by clicking HERE to say Happy Bday to Barry, but Maggie and Bill don't have one ... yet. Who knows perhaps next year will see us all online!

To celebrate my brother's (es?) birthdays, I made a gift for YOU - which you can find at the bottom of this post. I made it FREE, for ALL uses (just credit me in your TOU's) because I was overwhelmed with a warm fuzzy today! I'd LOVE to see how you use these elements - please email me a jpg of your finished product so I can blog you!

*****

Yes, and besides making these goodies and cards...

I was making pretty in my house, for we invited 5 guests to dine in last night. I did not put up a tree, and I did not spend ANY money in the process. None. I browsed through magazines and library books gleaning ideas and threw together what I had to create all THIS:

This is our table. We got it from our friend June, who moved away a few years ago. It is wood and has a glass center and a drawer inside. In the summer and spring I put leaves and little collections of things inside, this year it was a perfect place to display our Christmas Cards as they arrive. At least this way they don't fall down all the time.

The candle was a present - I think from my SIL Judy, the ring around it was a $2 thrift item. I could not decide to use that as a door deco or this. I'm glad I chose this.

I had the first opportunity to fully use the set of Christmas China my Mother In Law gave me in the fall. And her silver, too. I was so proud to put it all out. Um... not the scissors though, I did not notice them till after I'd processed the pics.



I gathered pine and plants from all around the neighborhood and made up this quick centerpiece. I know its not professional, but it did the trick. A bit of ribbon, greenery, (reddery, haha), and something shiney in a nice container (thrift store $1) and you can't go wrong.

The tablecloth was a gift from our friend Melanie, who made the candles I blogged yesterday. I treasure it - it was made by her mother and its called huck-weaving. She was supposed to give it to her boss last year, but she wanted to give it to us, instead. I was so moved. Too bad bossie-wossie. She does not have the same boss now ;P


A bit blurry, but you can pick out some of the different plants I used. You might notice Ponderosa, cedar and spruce boughs. Sumac and CatoneaAster (sp?) for the reds, and Oregon Grape leaves for a finishing touch.


Candlesticks from Mother in Law, decorated with some fancy (yard sale) ribbon and (thrift store) bits of holly. Elegant square, dripless candles from a summer yard sale day in town.


Place settings made with plain ol' brown parcel paper, torn, and embellished with crayon and bits of old Christmas cards and tags. Nothing fancy!



The mantle, hosts a set of six wintery figures I bought for $1 each at a yard sale two summer ago - you'll see closer of these on next Friday's Show and Tell if you come back. The ornament in the center is amazing. I'm not big on Santa, but this ornament is incredible - a gift from my Mother in Law.

And in between, fresh cedar boughs and pine cones and red berries.


Mr. Snowman gets a place of honor atop the fireplace cover - a gift from my one and only sister Nina (you can visit her blog HERE)

Inside the fireplace, no fire, just a trio of rich red candles. Looks so pretty at night. I get warm INSIDE from looking at it.

This is what I see from my couch. It is very cosy and festive.

*****

The dinner was nice. A quiet evening, good company. Good food.

I served:

Baked Ham
Braised Red Cabbage and Carrots
Peas with Savory Herbs
Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes
Brown Rice with Seasonings
Artisan Bread Flax Buns

Fresh, hot Pink Lady Apple Pie, with Ice Cream
Cherry Coconut Custard Pie (my own recipe)

When the guests left, I sent Elaine home with this door decoration I had created. Why don't you make one too? Just gather what greenery you can find about your own neighborhood and tie it with a gingham and red ribbon bow? I used dental floss to hang it, for its strong and sturdy and secured it to a paperclip which I then taped to the TOP of the door.

*****

And with no further ado, here is your prezzie for me, in honour of my brothers Bill and Barry's special day!

fine for personal, commercial and scrap for hire
(credit me in your TOU's)

download

Thanks for stopping by to see my show and tell items today. If you're visiting for the first time today and would like to find out more about the show and tell, or even sign up to join in the fun, just click HERE to be taken to Kelli's blog where you can find out all the details or add your name to the links list. At least I'm HOPING there's a Show and Tell today, for there's not much happening at Kelli's at the moment, but do check, it might go ahead.

Today I'd like to share a gift I just received from my dear friend Melanie. Melanie is very talented with crafts and over the past few years she's been experimenting with beeswax candles. She noticed I had a set of beeswax candles hanging on my tree last year, alas I had to throw them out because they were getting old and gummy and did not smell nor look so nice either.

Mr & Mrs Beeswax Santa Claus!

These are her version of the Santa Claus's in wax. Well, I think they are SO cute! I love all the small details she's tended to. They measure about 10 inches high and she was thoughtful to include the little dishes for them to melt down into - that is as if I'd ever actually BURN them...

Hmm... Santa's getting on in years, must wear glasses so he does not overshoot a roof anywhere? Or perhaps its for reading the small print on the googlemaps on his ipod...



And Mrs. C, well, she's got such nice pupils, must be straining in the dark to wait and make sure Mr. C comes home safe in the sleigh, right?



I love her hands. C'mon, we all know she's trained all those elves to do crafts, so its understandable the hands would be a bit swollen and arthritic, right?

I'm going to treasure these for years to come. Thank you Melanie, you'll be able to come and enjoy these sometime very soon, ok?

* * *

Its proving to be an extremely busy week. I was blessed to join over 100 women at an inter-church celebration on Wednesday - a warm time of fellowship with women from all through our valley and it was a nice way to begin the festive season.

And I'm expecting five guests for dinner on Friday night - so have put some time and effort into decorating and planning a tasty menu. And then ya, I try to do Christmas cards at the same time. I got real pretty fast though. I had to put everything on hold for an hour, take a deep breath and then p.r.i.o.r.i.t.i.z.e. Sometimes we get going 100 mph without knowing where we are headed!

And I ALWAYS take a few moments out to be blessed to visit with my one and only sister Nina (click HERE) to see what wonderful carding adventures she's been up to on her blog (she's a newbie, be gentle on her) only... she posts EVERY day... kind of like my friend JanMary (click HERE) who is blogging DAILY from now till Christmas, her Christmas decorating and traditions. I'm having a hard time keeping up, ladies? Not Complaining. I also love check in with my SIL Judy (click HERE) too, for she keeps me up to date on her side of the family along with some sweet layouts. Love my nieces to pieces, even if I rarely get to see them (hugs)

At any rate, I took a few moments out to finish up these little elements for YOU! I hope you enjoy them. I'd love to see what you make, so send me a small jpg of your layouts, along with credits and I'll publish you!

Thank you all so much for your faithful visits and especially for those comments... sometimes thats the very fuel that keeps me coming back.

And in case you live on Mars or somewhere just as far removed from earth and have not been told that KimB's and Linda's blogs are Christmas Central (meaning they ALWAYS have a fun post and a little 'sumfing special') then... if you just didn't know... then just click HERE (Kim) and HERE (Linda) to check them out!

personal use only
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Ohhhh - what are you wasting your precious time here for? Gina has some lovely crochet sponges waiting to be won! (Zikes, they look so pretty I'd use them for coasters or something - LOL!)

Just click HERE and you'll be there!

If you can handle being 'creeped out' (sort of halloweenish in December) - you gotta nip over to Bunny's blog, because - well I won't give it away, but its worth it. Just click HERE.

Once again its time for Friday Show and Tell - a fun day created and designated by Kelli from her blog "There is no place like home". If you have something you would like to share, just click HERE and you will be taken to Kelli's blog where you can put your name on the Mr. Linky list too!

I have two things I'd like to share with you today. The first is an apron I have. The past few times I've visited all the participants in the Show and Tell I keep running across someone called "The Apron Queen" - I'm posting this for you, specially as you would appreciate this clever little apron.





This is the full length of it. The first one I saw was made by my friend Marie. If you have been a regular visitor to my blog, you will remember Marie, she's the lady with the Alpacas!

The one Marie showed me was given to her and was hanging off a chair in her kitchen. Hers did not have a 'bib' on it, it was just the jeans and frill part. I was gaga over hers. She saw my admiration and she said "I can do THAT!" And she did, for me. In fact I had her commission one for my sister too.




How COOL is this - repurposed Levi's for the kitchen?

I asked Marie if she might make a bib on my apron because I rarely get messy on the actual apron part - but WATCH OUT on the top! I've been known to have doughballs in my hair at times.



The second thing I'd like to share is this beautiful old chair. Its where I hang my apron, handy for when I need it.

My Grandma had a chair just the same as this, only upholstered in a turquoise blue plastic. Us kids all grew up using that chair. It was a treat to climb up on it and enjoy one of her cookies. We always felt taller. I wonder how many generations sat on her chair.



I found this chair at a yard sale about the summer before last. We had not been in our house for long so were still able to buy some small bits of this and that to outfit it. Oh what fun that was - yard saling with a PURPOSE.

My Mother in Law and Father in Law were visiting and they came out with us. The moment I saw this chair I knew I HAD to have it. My Mother in Law bargained for me (she does guerrilla bartering) and I took it home for a mere $5.

Its always a hit with guests, both big and small.



It comes in so handy for getting things out of high cupboards too - or washing the top of the fridge every so often when the dust bunnies and cobwebs lurk!

Then the little stairs fold neatly underneath. I love my little chair.

layout by blog reader Michele
credits: Worship the King Mini Kit by Barb Derksen

This layout was sent to me by Michele who used a mini kit I'd uploaded last year. I think its perfect the way she framed everyone in here. Thank you so much for sharing, Michele!

Layout by blog reader Judy
credits: Paper and Snowflake Overlay by Barb Derksen

And this very elegant and festive layout was created by blog reader Judy. Thanks for sharing as well.

I love to feature reader's layouts - so if you have made something using my kits or elements please send me a small jpg or link (with credits) and I'll blog you!

I have been recieving requests to revive some of my older kits, specifically my Christmas Season ones - so stay posted, I'll be feeling merry and generous one day soon.

And is everyone up for a contest? Alicia is having a celebration of her 100th blog post (woo hoo!) and she is putting a hardbound NIV Women's Devotional Bible and a leatherbound journal up for grabs for some random, lucky (or should I say 'blessed') person. To be eligable just post your favorite holiday, Thanksgiving or Christmas memory and then link back to Alicia's blog post and your name will go into the 'hat'. Just click HERE to go to Alicia's!

My fave holiday memory:

My husband and I usually travel to our parents for Christmas, but this one year found us stranded at home, due to the foul winter weather. At first I was so distressed and upset to not share it with our folks, but once we got used to the idea that there was no way we COULD go, we found ourselves with a VERY RARE time with no plans. No obligations. Nothing, just a few days when we could just be alone together.

I recall we even had snow at the time. So we put up a teensy tree and decorated. Usually if we were going away we would not decorate. My mother in law decorates enough for everyone - LOL.

So, we decided to decorate and created our own festive atmosphere. We were able to take part in our Church activities - that was important to us as well. And we lived across from a hill and we had snow and we were able to buy a crazy carpet and a 'saucer' and we went sliding. And somehow our house key got lost. And we had to call a key guy to break into our place.

And we snuggled, and watched movies and spent some very wonderful time together.

Don't get me wrong, I would not trade being with family for anything, but it was rather nice having my husband all to myself - kind of like the BEST Christmas gift of all.


With no further ado, here is the second ornament I promised - unadorned so you can decorate it to your heart's content. PS - I'd love to see what you do!

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