Some Christmas Family Pictures!

I wanted to share some Christmas pictures with you. We had such a wonderful Christmas with our grand kids and our son and daughter-in-law. I wanted to share some of the fun with you! Our son rebuilt two dirt bikes for the the grandsons for Christmas...they were beyond thrilled and they also received new dirt bike 'duds' so they were beaming with joy all day long. They wore their new outfits all day long. Our DIL fixed a wonderful meal and we enjoyed making memories with our grandsons. It was a perfect day! I feel so blessed and know that my family is a gift from God. Happy New Year to each of you!

A new store in town!

Hey everyone...there is a new store in town selling fabulous chipboard...be sure and check them out! http://bluefernstudios.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-first-giveaway.html

Baby It's Cold Outside!

I can't believe how close we are getting to Christmas. I hope each of you are all prepared and have some time to play in our next challenge! This is a fun and easy one...."Anything Goes". So take some time to play and make a card using one of the darling Paper Shelter images and join the fun. This is a scheduled post as I am on my way to visit the grand kids (and the big kids) for Christmas. I am praying we have good roads and I am so excited about seeing my grandsons! They bring so much love and fun into the holiday.  A special Merry Christmas to all my team mates at TPS and especially Shirley, our team leader and TPS you are all the best!

My Song: Alan Jackson

They came from near, they came from far

Following a distant star to where he'd lay

Not being sure of what it meant

But knowing it was heaven sent, they made their way

And the creatures gathered round

And didn't make a sound and the angels cried

The angels knew what was to come

The reason God had sent His Son from up above

It filled their hearts with joy to see

And knowing of His destiny, came tears of love

And the creatures gathered round

And didn't make a sound and the angels cried

I've often thought about that night

And wondered if they realized that star so bright

Was sent to tell all the land

The Son of God would soon become the Son of Man

And the creatures gathered round

And didn't make a sound and the angels cried

And the angels cried

 

Merry "Christ"mas and blessings to each of you!

Merry Christmas to All! And A Winner!

I am getting ready to go visit my son and his family for Christmas. I am so excited as I know these times pass quickly and I want to enjoy and appreciate every moment I have with my grandsons. They are 7 and 5 and right now they love spending time with grammy and papa. I am praying that we have good roads to travel on as the roads in winter can get a bit scary. I am packing water, food, candles, sleeping bags and pillows...just in case.

I made these little notebooks for some special friends that I get together with and scrapbook. We call ourselves the Stampin Grannies and we always have fun when we get together.  I hope you enjoy seeing how I decorated each one....Now my winner from TPS blog hop....Amanda Reed...Amanda please contact The Paper Shelter with your choice of a digi image and let them know you won it on my blog! Congratulations!

My Song: What Child Is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Have a blessed Christmas and treat everyone with love. Your family is a gift from God!

Trimming the Tree!

This cute little image came from an online store that was closing and you could get 100 digi's for $5.00. I thought it was a fantastic buy and I am so glad that I did because there are some really cute images like this one. I am sorry I can't remember the store as this was last summer, but these images are a fun color. I used my Copics and Twin Touch markers to color the image. I added a bit of glamour dust to her dress, hat and the Christmas ornament. The snowflake is a stick on from O.T. the DP is from my scrap box which is over flowing again! I used a Magnolia die for the top lace and a MS punch on the bottom boarder. Just a fun little Christmas card for a friend.

My Song: More Than A Child

More than a child born in the hay,

Jesus, my Lord, on that first Christmas day.
More than the son of a carpenter man;
You carried the weight of the world in Your hand.More than a star shining that night,
More than the shepherds amazed by the sight,
More than three wise men with riches of gold;
You, the Messiah, the prophets foretold
Would come, bringing newness and life,
Freedom from sin, deliv'rance from strife.
In You, there is peace evermore,
For one day You came, as angels proclaimed,
The Light of the world for us all.
Yes, one day You came, as angels proclaimed,
Redeemer and Lord of us all!
For You are the Hope of my soul,
All that I see, and all that I know.
In You, there is peace in my life,
For one day You came, as angels proclaimed,
The Light of the world for us all!

 

Coffee and Cream Christmas Card

I have been trying to get this card posted for a week. It seems that no matter how I plan ahead I am always behind at Christmas time! I love this image from SC and bought the stamp. I know I will use it a lot in the future for cards other than Christmas! I used a new Cherry Lynn die for the snowflakes. This die is so wonderful as it makes several small snowflakes of different sizes and shapes!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

http://saturatedcanarychallenge.blogspot.com/

http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.com

http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.ie/

My Song: Birthday of a King

In the little village of Bethlehem,
There lay a Child one day;
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O’er the place where Jesus lay.
Alleluia! O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
’Twas the birthday of a King.
’Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much
God gave to us that day,
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect, holy way.

 

I'm Going Home...

 

This has been a hard post to write. My heart is so heavy from the sadness of the senseless killing of so many sweet, innocent little ones. My prayers are with each of the families who have lost so much . I truly hope we will all realize the need for each of us to turn our hearts and lives over to the Lord. We as a country, have allowed evil to creep into the very core of our families and left the door wide for evil to come into our schools. I pray that everyone who has lost a loved one will find comfort in the Lord tonight. Please take time tonight to tell your loved ones that you care and take time pray for them each and every day.

  This is a little notebook that I covered. I have a friend at church who is always writing notes from the sermon on little bits of paper. I made this cute little notebook for her. I place the black checkered ribbon on the edges to help protect it. My image is a SC image. I added three heart brads for a bit of interest. I colored the image with Copics and my new Touch Twin markers....thank you Amanda and Elaine....I am loving all my goodies!

 

My Song: I Going Home

They say that heavens pretty, and living here is too.
But if they said that I would have to choose between the two.
I'd go home,
going home, where I belong.
And sometimes when I'm dreaming,
it comes as no surprise.
That if you look and see the homesick feeling in my eyes.
I'm going home,
going home, where I belong.
While I'm here I'll serve him gladly,
and sing him all my songs.
I'm here, but not for long.
And when I'm feeling lonely,
and when I'm feeling blue.
It's such a joy to know that I am only passing through.
I'm headed home, going home,
where I belong.
And one day I'll be sleeping,
when death knocks on my door.
And I'll awake and find that I'm not homesick anymore.
I'll be home, going home,

where I belong.

 

Deck The Halls

I hope all of you are just about ready for Christmas! I also hope you have your "halls" all decked! ABC is having a fun challenge for this time of year our letter is "D" and we want you to Deck The Halls! You can make an ornament or any other item as long as it has something to do with decorating aka decking! Our lovely sponser this time is "Lily of The Valley"! Oh, I do wish I could win this prize! So, be sure and follow the rules and join us at ABC's Challenge and it might just be your stocking that is suffed with some of these sweet stamps!

My Song: (Just too easy!)

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Fa la la la la la la la

'Tis the season to be jolly

Fa la la la la la la

One more Christmas Card

I am not sending out many Christmas cards this year. I will send a few to family and friends, but not like I have in the past. I just don't have the time to address and write a note to everyone. Now before you think I am a Grinch or just plain lazy, I have noticed that most of my family and friends are of the same thinking! But, when I received this cute little 'free' Tilda, I just had to color her up and create a Christmas card. I think she is cute and has a sweet little face. (Even if she doesn't have a mouth per my friend Amanda)! My cute little roses are velvet and I used Stickels for a bit of bling!

My Song: Carrie Underwood

Yesterday I got a call

Someone I didn't know at all passed away

Mama said yeah you know him

You went to school with both his kids

They lived out on Prescott lane

She said you should've seen the line

Mrs. Johnson said to tell you h

Thank God for hometowns

And all the love that makes you go round

Thank God for the country lines that welcome you back in

When you were dying to get out

Thank God for Church pews

And all the faces that won't forget you

Cause when you're lost in this crazy world

You got somewhere to go and get found

Thank God for hometowns

 

A little sparkle and shine!

Have you ever made a card and it is so much prettier IRL than your photo? That is certainly true of this card. I wanted to make this a night time scene. This is something I still need to work on. The snow falling is puffy paint and IRL it really does pop right off the card. I also added it to the snow on the ground. I added some 'fine' glitter to the fur on the coat and Stickles to the stars! The sentiment is from SU. My paper has all kinds of sparkle and shine, so I elected to use black to tone it down a bit. I was in doubt about the black, but I am happy with the results. I hope your week has started off well and you day is filled with blessings!

My Song: Amy Grant 'My Father's Eyes'

I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl.
And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world.
But that's all right as long as I can have one wish I pray.
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say.

She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes
Eyes that find the good in things, When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help, When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain.
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes, my Father's eyes, my Father's eyes
Just like my Father's eyes

The Beautiful Skier

I just had to share this latest image from The Paper Shelter I think she is so cute and a very fun color! She is called "The Beautiful Skier" and can be used for so many applications not just Christmas cards! I had a fun time coloring her because I used my new Touch Twin Markers from Amanda and Elaine. They are fabulous and a much cheaper alternative to Copics. I would love to find a place that I can buy refill ink for them. If you are wondering why I opened my Christmas presents early it is because of "Amanda's" bad influence. (I was a quick learner also!) I also stole Amanda's cute idea of using a touch of Stickles around the image for a bit of bling! Thanks Amanda...for both the good and the bad! LOL! My paper s are a dodge podge of different pads that have long since lost their covers. The heart boarder trim is a Cherry Lynn die another new addition for Christmas. The ribbon is from a sale bin at Big Lots. I wish I had bought more as I love this ribbon. The Bingo card is from Whimsey Stamps! Lot's of fun items to play with today!

I am entering this card at the following challenges:

http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com

http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.com

 



My Song: The Man from Galilee

It was Christmas eve in a little Texas town,
The snow was falling softly to the ground,
Outside a little chapel stood a man,
With sightless eyes, a candle in his hand.
Oh Lord if you're there help me in,
I need you to light a candle for a friend,
Who came from a land across the sea,
They called him the man from Galilee.
But no one seemed to hear his lonely cry,
They laughed in Christmas cheer and walked on by,
Inside they watched a clock upon the wall,
Put silver in the box and left for home.
'Soon the church was quiet in the night,
And one by one the candles lost their light,
In darkness now the old man knelt to pray'
Forgive them Lord they must have lost their way....
Oh Lord if you're there hear my prayer,
Let the message of your Birthday fill the air,
Let the lesson of your love help us to see,
That Christmas is the man from Galilee.


The Paper Shelter Birthday Blog Hop! Fun and Prizes!

 

Good Morning fellow crafters and welcome to The Paper Shelter Blog Hop. Our hop is a very exciting one for all of us at it is in celebration of our 2nd Birthday!!!! If you have landed here from Ann Marie -http://myeclecticspirit.blogspot.co.uk/    then you're heading in the right direction - if not then you'll want to head on back to The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog to start again, as you'll not want to miss out on this one! Our Design Team have worked very hard and are showcasing the gorgeous images available from The Paper Shelter Website and each blog on the hop is offering one lucky commenter a digi of their choice as well as the main prize, details of which are on The Paper Shelter Challenge Blogspot.

I also want to wish the sweet Shirley at http://nannieflash.blogspot.com/ a very Happy Birthday. Shirley just celebrated a special birthday!

I chose the  cute digi called "Kisses" to showcase. I love the dreamy look on her cute little face. I was totally traumatized when I made this card. My beloved Big Shot was broke and I had to leave behind all my lovely dies and embossing folders to create this card. LOL! I didn't realize how dependant I had become on my Big Shot! I have two paper laces created withMS punches!

From here you will need to hop on over to the lovely Debs blog at http://debs-eternity-cards.blogspot.com/   Don't forget to leave your comment for a chance of winning your choice of one of the fab digis available in store.

Hop! Hop! Hop! and Win! Win! Win!

I am entering my card at the following challenges:

JDE Inks and Such
Paper Take Weekly Anything Goes
TTCRD Anything Goes
Lady Anne’s Anything Goes
Daisy Doodles Anything Goes
Digi Galore Anything Goes

 

My Song: Happy Birthday (of course)

 

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

 

We are already at the letter "C"  in our ABC Challenge! So this time we want you to clear it out! That's right use up something that you have had in our stash for a while! I used the white paper lace....I have had it punched out for over a year! Also the pearls came from my mom's craft room when she passed away! My cute little image is from the Paper Fairy. I just love their cute little bears! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

My Song: Let It Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

 But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The Magic of Christmas

I must confess that I am hopelessly sentimental when it comes to Christmas. I love the colors, the carols, the decorations, nativity scenes, trees, etc. They all seem to touch me in a special way. It is not about the gifts but rather family and friends and a special day to honor our Lord and Savior. Anyway, on to my card.....this is another Wee image and I love the sweet looks on the faces in this image. i wish my pictures were better as there really is a lot of 'sparkle on this image but it is hard to see! I also used a bit of puffy paint on her jacket, I do love to play with that stuff! Just another card for the stash...now I am off for a day of Christmas shopping!

My Song: (Alan Jackson)

Let it be Christmas everywhere
In the hearts of all people both near and afar
Christmas everywhere
Feel the love of the season wherever you are
On the small country roads lined with green mistletoe
Big city streets where a thousand lights glow
Let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let every heart sing let every bell ring
The story of hope and joy and peace
And let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let anger and fear and hate disappear
Let there be love that lasts through the year
And let it be Christmas
Christmas everywhere

 

Wild Christmas Colors!

For the last two weeks I have been fighting a respiratory infection and have barely been able to drag myself from the couch to work to bed each day. Tuesday, I finally felt like returning to life among the living. So, I was going to blame this color combo on my drug enhanced life (aka cold medicine) but to be honest I like the purple and turquoise combo. LOL! I really enjoyed coloring this cute little Wee image. I added some snowflakes with rhinestone centers. I used a MS punch for the ivy. I hope you like this card and if not maybe the color combo will wake you up this morning!

My song: John Lennon

So this is Christmas

And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving. The wonderful smells of our turkey  cooking is filling our home. We are missing our son, dil, and grand kids this year, but what a blessing to know that they also are enjoying a wonderful day together. I have so many things to be grateful for and know that I have been blessed in untold riches. I am grateful for my husband, my daughter, my son, my daughter-in-law and my beautiful grandsons. All of my needs have been met over the years and I have never known want for shelter, food, or any basic needs.  I hope each of you will take time to reflect on your blessings also.

My card is a just for fun card, I loved this cute image and knew I wanted to make my own rolled roses when I saw the ones in her hair. I think the fact I had to wear glasses from second grade through sixth grade (then contacts!). I always love the images with glasses!

My Song:

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
We give thanks to You oh Lord
We give thanks