MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you wonderful friends who follow my blog. I hope you are spending time with family and friends and are blessed with love surrounding you. If you are alone this year, then I hope the spirit of God's love will surround you with peace and calmness and cloak you with His Love.
I was so BEHIND this year. I did manage to get a few decorations put out and the tree is up and lit but only a few ornaments that I handmade yesterday! I didn't even get out my big huge box of ornaments. My hubby is gone over Christmas and New Year's house sitting for my sister, who goes to Florida each Christmas to be with her son and grandson.
I really don't mind being alone. I can take it all in.. the feeling of peace and joy and His Love and what the season is really about. My house is cozy and warm...... (and now has some festive cheer), and I'm enjoying watching many of the old Christmas movies! I'll put a turkey in the oven tomorrow so the smells will waft through the house. My Christmas "dinner" will be a yummy turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce on it. My most favorite!
Blessings to all of you!
~Marilyn~
Happy "busy" December everyone! The time is passing way too fast. I think we all agree right?
I had the experience recently of participating in an ornament exchange hosted by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose. What a fun time I had making a Christmas ornament and some other goodies for a name I was given. I didn't know her. Her email to Stephanie did state a few things that she liked, which was just to my taste, so I kind of went overboard making her some goodies, plus the ornament!
I can't describe how neat it was making for someone I didn't know. It just kind of opened up my creative juices. She liked "vintage, handmade, shabby chic, lace, old fashioned, and blue & white". How cool is that?
Here are the things I made, and sent off to my secret pal last week.
First, the ornament. It's a fabric fold Scandanavian ornament I found on YouTube. Love it! You use 8 strips of fabric, that are folded and tucked into each other. It measures about 3"x3" in size.
Of course I couldn't just make an ornament. So I proceeded to make a little Christmas photo flipbook. It measured about 5" x 5".
I had fun adding the red glitter papers, and used my Sizzix and cutting dyes to cut out the borders, doilies and corner pieces. The book opens up to pages that have gate folds and that flip open. Lots of fun to make. I also found this pattern on YouTube.
Next, I wanted to make a little "pocket envelope" (also found on YouTube at Septeria18 on YouTube) to hold the ornament. I made the little pocket an ornament also, by tieing a pretty red ribbon on top so it could be hung on the tree and hold a special treat for someone.
These pocket envelopes are so fun and easy to make, that I made another one to hold eight Christmas gift tags. These are Christmas tags I purchased from Seneca Pond Crafts on Etsy, and they are digital, so you can print them out any time you want! Aren't they darling?
And since she liked blue and white, I just HAD to make another pocket envelope with some pretty vintage gift tags to which I added a little bit of lace on the bottom. These printed tags are also from Seneca Pond Crafts. This "pocket" was larger, about 8" square.
I just couldn't seem to stop myself.............I also made a little tiny booklet out of the blue and white papers, but I forgot to take a picture of it! I was so anxious to get everything in the mail. It was oh so darling. Maybe I'll make another one of these days.
So..........my package was sent off and I felt good that I actually got some projects done! I will also receive an ornament (and goodies?) in the mail from someone who drew my name for the exchange. Can hardly wait!
Merry December everyone!
~Marilyn~
