Thursday, October 29, 2015

Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar


It’s hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner. I wanted to share a project with you that I made to donate to Close to my Heart’s annual Operation Smile auction at this year’s Convention. Operation Smile is an incredible organization that provides surgeries to children across the world who have a cleft lip or palate. I was thrilled that my artwork sold for over $400 which is almost enough to pay for two surgeries!!! Yay! Thank you to everyone who bid on it! I am overjoyed that two children will receive the surgery that they desperately need because of your generosity!

The project that I made is a large 24" x 36" Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar. I used the White Pines Picture My Life Cards and some  4" x 6" Flip Flaps to create this simple, but fun project. I bought a 24" x 36" frame from Michaels. (They had a great frame sale and I got the frame for only $14.) I used a large black display board as the background and adhered (25) 4" x 6" Flip Flaps to the board leaving a little extra space at the top for the title.

I slipped the 4" x 6" White Pines PML cards into the Flip Flaps and matted the 3" x 4" White Pines PML cards onto a piece of 4" x 6" cardstock so that they would all be the same size. Some of the cardstock backgrounds were stamped and some were embossed using various CTMH embossing folders.

Then I printed the daily activities on some white paper and matted them to more cardstock. I attached one under each Flip Flap with (4) Hook & Loop Dots so that they could easily be removed and switched with different activities. This isn’t the best photo but if you click on it to make it larger, you can see how I used the Hook & Loop Dots on the back of the cards.


I cut the title with my Cricut machine using the font and the word “Christmas” from the Artbooking Cricut cartridge. I also created some poinsettia flowers using the Artiste Cricut cartridge and added some Gold Bling Gems in the center of the flowers.




I have had a few people ask me about the different activities that were under the flaps. I will share them below. I searched the internet to get some of the ideas and I created the others on my own. They are all meant to be service-type activities that you can do with your family to bless others.

Click here to download the pdf file I created for my calendar. I also listed the activities below:

Create a Thank You Basket
At the beginning of Advent, fill a basket with small gifts and supplies to write thank you notes and every time you have an opportunity to interface with someone who does you a service – your mail carrier, waitress, cashier, etc., grab a little gift or write them a thank you note to honor their service and tell them how much you appreciate them.

Make Cards for Soldiers
Make and send holiday cards for soldiers overseas. Operation Christmas Cards will accept cards and letters from September 1st – December 5th, 2015.
Cards can be mailed to:
Operation Christmas Cards
867 Grafton St #10 #2
Worcester, MA 01604

Make a Giving List
Rather than write a list of gifts you’d like to receive, write out a list of gifts you’d like to give to someone else this year. 

Make Donation Bags
Fill gallon sized baggies with items to give to those who ask for handouts. Put one in the car so that you have it ready when you find someone
in need.

Make Thank You Cards
Design and create the thank you cards you’ll write as soon as Christmas Day is over OR to have on hand for birthdays and other times a heartfelt “thank you” is needed.

Choose a Toy to Donate
Go through your toys and books and choose at least one that is still in good condition that you would like to donate to someone who is less fortunate than you.

Make Cookies for a Neighbor
Bake a batch of cookies and bring them to a neighbor that you have not met before or one you may not know very well.

Donate Blankets
Go through your old blankets and choose some to donate to a local shelter or give one to a homeless person that you see who might be cold.

Trash Walk
Walk through your neighborhood or a local park and pick up all of the trash that you see. Don’t forget to bring a trash bag with you.

Make Grateful Jars
Make a “Grateful Jar” for each member of your family. Whenever you think of something about that person that you are grateful for, write it down and put it in their jar. On Christmas Eve, give each person their jar.

Donate to a Local Food Bank
Choose 2 or 3 non-perishable food items to donate to a local food bank.

Mail a Card
Mail a card to a friend or relative that you have not seen for a while.

Draw a Picture
Draw a picture(s) for someone at a local nursing home. Deliver the picture(s) and spend some time getting to know the person you gave it to.

Go Christmas Caroling
Go door to door in your neighborhood and sing Christmas carols to each of your neighbors.
Ask them if they would like to join you to sing
at the next house.

Be a Secret Santa
Make or purchase a gift for a child or family in need. Wrap the gift and leave it on their doorstep with a note letting them know that they are loved.

Make a Prayer List
Make a list of people that you know could use some prayers. Send them a note letting them know that you are praying for them. (Don’t forget to pray for them.)

Make and Deliver Water Bottle Socks
Stuff new, warm socks with water bottles and granola bars to give to homeless men and women you pass on street corners.

Hot Chocolate Stand for Charity
Host a hot chocolate or cider stand and donate the proceeds to a charity of your choosing.

Make “Thankful” Ornaments
Have each person in your family make an ornament for your tree. On the back of each ornament, write one thing for which you are thankful. Hang them on your tree as a reminder of your family’s blessings.

Donate used DVDs and Books
Donate your family’s gently used books and DVDs to a local children’s hospital.

Donate to Animal Shelter
Collect used towels and pet toys for the local animal shelter.

Bless a Family Member
Have each family member do something nice for another family member. It could be as simple as making their bed or doing one of their chores or saving the last cookie or piece of pie for them.

Random Acts of Kindness
Spend the day doing Random Acts of Kindness. For example, leave change at a vending machine with a note that says: “Please Enjoy This Random Act of Kindness. Happy Holidays!” or put some candy canes in a baggie tied with a bow and a note and leave it in your mailbox for your mail carrier.

Decorate a Neighbor’s House
Make some festive decorations and decorate a neighbor’s house or yard for
the holidays.

Open Grateful Jars
Open the “grateful jars” that you made on day 5 and have everyone go around and read the notes that are in their jar.

Bless a Family Member
Have each family member do something nice for another family member. It could be
as simple as making their bed or doing one of their chores or saving the last cookie or piece of pie for them.

Decorate a Neighbor’s House
Make some festive decorations and decorate a neighbor’s house or yard for
the holidays.

Celebrate the Birth of Jesus
Celebrate the birth of Jesus today with family and friends.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will
be on his shoulders. And
he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

Monday, October 12, 2015

Free Craft Day!

You are invited to a FREE Craft Day!


For those of you who live in Southern California, I would like to invite you to join us on Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 10am - 4pm at my house in Temecula, CA. (Contact me for address.)

Bring your unfinished projects and crop the day away. Stay all day or for a couple of hours. There will be lots of fun things available to you in addition to working on your own projects, including:

Holiday Card Buffet
Make as many or as few cards as you like.
Each card that you complete will be only $1.50 each!


Base & Bling Buffet
Make custom jewelry and key chains that are perfect for gifts starting at just $5!


Discounted “Cash & Carry” Products
Choose from lots of great products at discounted prices including stamps sets, paper packets, accessories, ink pads, adhesive, albums, tools, ribbon, etc!


Workshop Kits 
I will have lots of scrapbooking, cardmaking, and home décor workshop kits to choose from starting at just $20! 


Free use of my tools!
Have you been wanting to try out the new Artistry Cricut cartridge? I will have my Cricut machine and all CTMH cartridges out for you to use in addition to my embossing folders and embossing machine.


Space is limited so contact me soon to reserve your spot.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Georgie PML Display Tray


As you may have guessed from previous posts, I love Close to my Heart’s Picture My Life cards! The smaller 3" x 4" cards fit perfectly in the Display Tray. I even cut a couple of the larger 4" x 6" cards in half and used them in the left corner. 


I created some paper daisies to match the photos of my cute daughter by cutting the flowers from some White Daisy cardstock using the image on page 48 of the Artbooking Cricut cartridge. I cut each flower twice and then adhered them together with a small piece of 3-D Foam Tape. Then I added the circle in the middle with another piece of Foam Tape. I also added some leaves from page 54 of the Artiste circuit cartridge booklet which were cut from a piece of Glacier cardstock. 

I created the word “sweet” using a font called Lavendaria. I cut it from a piece of Canary cardstock six times and adhered each layer together for a little added dimension. Here is a link to the Design Space file that I created if you’d like to cut the flowers and the word “sweet.” 


The “love you more” sentiment is from the Documenting Moments stamp set. I stamped it on the journaling card in Slate ink.


I added a few more large and small die cut daisies.


Have you tried our Picture My Life cards yet? Be sure to check out the variety of cards here. You can even find some “while supplies last” retired designs here.

Friday, October 2, 2015

October Project Kit - Holly Jolly Christmas Card Kit


It’s that time of year again! Time to get started on your handmade Christmas cards. This month’s project kit will help you get started with (10) cards. With (5) different designs (2 of each design) you will have a card style for everyone on your list. You can even order extra kits to make more.

This month’s local class will be held on Thursday, October 22nd at 7pm. (If you’d like to order a kit to be mailed to you instead, see shipping option below.)

Basic Kit - $35
The basic project kit is $35 and includes everything below:
(1) Holly Jolly stamp set
(1) package of Clear Sparkles
(10) 4¼" x 5½" Colonial White card bases and envelopes
Pre-cut pieces for each card including all Cricut cuts (includes Glitter Paper, White Pines Patterned Paper, Colonial White, Cranberry, and Fern cardstock)
Step-by-Step Instructions/Cutting Guide
Link to Design Space file.

Basic Kit including Add-Ons - $55
The add-on kit includes everything in the basic kit along with the following items:
(1) Confetti Embossing Folder

Holly Jolly Christmas stamp set included in Basic Kit


Extra Kits - $15
Extra kits will include the following items to make (10) additional cards:
(1) package of Clear Sparkles
(10) 4¼" x 5½" Colonial White card bases and envelopes
Pre-cut pieces for each card including all Cricut cuts (includes Glitter Paper, White Pines Patterned Paper, Colonial White, Cranberry, and Fern cardstock)

Additional supplies needed to complete the project:
Adhesive of your choice
Scissors
3-D Foam Tape
Ink Pads: Cocoa, Glacier, Fern (optional),  Cranberry (optional)
Sponge Dauber
Artiste and Artistry Cricut Collections (you will only need these if you plan to make more in the future. All Cricut pieces will be pre-cut for you in your kit(s).)


Card #1 - The Glitter Paper makes this dimensional card sparkle!



Card #2 - The hexagons make this card fun and trendy.



Card #3 - The embossing and subtle glitter make this card elegant. 



Card #4 - You will learn how to change the color of the Clear Sparkles and learn how to shade the leaves with the ShinHan alcohol markers on this card.



Card #5 - The dimensional poinsettia on this card makes it fun and festive. 



Thank you for the great response.
Kits are now sold out.

To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here
You do not need to be local to participate. *Ü*