Be Present for Christmas - Lesson 6 - Be a Dwelling Space for God

It's been 6 weeks of great bible study and this is our last class.

Our activity this week is putting together an Advent Calendar.  I chose to make it simpler this year because several of the girls from last year are now finishing up theirs so hopefully the calendars will be displayed and used this year.

I designed the 25 sheets with my Bethlehem drawing in navy blue on a gradient sky blue background with red numbers in the top right hand corner.  The scripture for each day is in the center of the sheet.  They are 3.5 x 5 inches and are hung on a 10 foot navy blue twine cord with wooden clothes pins.  We put 3 red wooden beads at each end with a pretty scroll metal hanger. Each person got a box to store the calendar during the year.

This week the lesson focus is Be a Dwelling Space for God. It's the story of Mary. When you make space in your words, in your wants, in your ways for Jesus, He comes and lives in the most miraculous way in your heart, too. Only one thing is necessary - just let your hands and your heart be a space for love to come into the world.
Is there anything you need to take a break from for a while to make more space for Jesus?

I'm selecting my lessons from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.  The book provides 24 lessons for each day of Advent of which I have chosen 6 for this class.  We will have readings, questions, discussion, and an activity each week.

This is the calendar hung across my living room curtains.

I gave each person in the class a freebie from Ann Voskamp's website.  A reminder about slowing down and if our heart is open then rest will fall into place.

Take time to enjoy the season with family and friends and do what you can but don't let it spoil your joy at Christmas.

Reception at Art Gallery

On Friday, November 18 there will be a reception for five artist at the CAVA Gallery.  I am one of them.  I will be featuring my photo calendars.

Decorative & Photo Cards

I created this card with a color print of a watercolor I painted years ago.  I added a periwinkle layer then adhered it to a navy card.
I added a french birthday greeting color printed on white card stock and punched with the Stampin Up Modern Label.  I added an offset label in the navy card color. This greeting was mounted with 3D foam tape.

This card features a piece of my bubble paper in a lavender color.  I printed the french greeting onto the decorative paper then trimmed it to leave a small border.
I cut the candle with a QuicKutz die from silver card stock. Unfortunately, the scan does not do it justice. It shines in real life.
I took the stars cut from the candle and adhered them around the card front.
I mounted the bubble paper layer to the front of a lavender card.

This card features one of my 4x4 photos from my Beauty photo calendar. This is a great blue flower taken on a morning walk when the dew was still on the flower.

It was cut to 3.75 x 3.75 inches with Sizzix Square Thinlits.
I printed the french birthday greeting layer onto white card stock.  The sentiment was done in Smoky Slate and the graphic in a coordinating Brilliant Blue. The graphic is from The Graphics Fairy. It was adhered to the card front of a true blue card.
I then adhered the photo in the frame printed on the greeting layer.

Another 4x4 photo from one of my photo calendars.  This one is a green fern.  No sentiment on this one so it can be used for any occasion.  The graphic is the same as the previous card printed in a coordinating color Garden Green.   I glued it to a dark green card.

Another 4x4 photo from one of my photo calendars.
This one is a purple daisy.  No sentiment on this one so it can be used for any occasion.  The graphic is the same as the previous card printed in a coordinating color Handsome Hunter.   I glued it to a very dark green card.

I started with my daisy drawing which I printed onto an orange quarter sheet.
I punched a large daisy from decorative paper made with Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry.  I added an orange center to the flower.
It was then layered onto a bright pink card.

These cards were delivered to the Art Gallery gift shop today.  I brought back 6 with English greetings.

Decorative Paper - Christmas Cards

I delivered 10 Christmas cards to the gallery today.

I made this card with some of my Christmas colored ink spot decorative paper.  I trimmed it to leave a small border.  I printed the greeting in green onto a 2.5" strip of vellum and gold embossed.  I ripped both edges then folded the edges over and taped them to the back.
This layer was adhered to the front of a red card.

I created a nativity drawing yesterday.  I checked out a few images on line then incorporated several aspects into my drawing.

I created this card with the image.  I printed the nativity, the star and the greeting in black on vellum and gold embossed it.  I chose a subtle watercolor background with blue, green, and purple.  I adhered it to the front of a purple card. The vellum was placed onto the decorative paper.  I used a small amount of vellum adhesive at the base of the stable.  I made a hole with a push pin and then placed a tiny gold star brad in the center of the star.

Some of these cards and these from last year were returned.

Share Your Cup - Last Couple Weeks

It's been a very hectic 2 weeks. I had my first craft sale last weekend. I've been teach a class twice a week for 6 weeks. I'm nearly done my 2016 Be Prepared for Christmas classes.  I concluded the first group on Thursday and will finish the second group on Monday.  It's been good discussion with the ladies becoming more aware of slowing down, being in the present, thinking of others and being intentional in their daily lives.  Attendance has been a challenge for some participants which speaks to the lessons we were trying to learn in the class.

We put together Advent Calendars in our last class.  It will soon be the Sunday to put them up which is November 27th this year. This is a sneak peek as the post will show up on Monday.

At our sale last weekend I was looking for a bag to hold my Advent Class materials.  I have been using a re-useable bag from a grocery store and since I will be teaching this class for a long time I thought it deserved a nice bag. There were 2 quilters among the vendors but I was disappointed to find no bags on their tables. I spoke to one of the ladies on Friday night and she said she had some at home.  Saturday morning this one appeared. I am grateful to have a nice large bag for my class at a good price.  Thanks Linda.  The craft sale was slow on Saturday with not much public showing up at all. Quite disappointing.  The weather was good so we need to check our advertising. 

I've purchase a couple of items in the blue and white dinner ware category.  The cup and salad plate were together but the saucer was missing.  The pattern is Chelsea Garden made especially for Bloomingdale's by Myott in England.  It's not antique as it indicates dishwasher safe on the back label.    The other dinnerware I found were Myott Meakin white dinner plates. They were a good price but they were disgustingly dirty.  Once cleaned up they look brand new with very little signs of wear.  Great find.  I've used my scallop edge saucer from Johnsont Brothers under the tea cup. It's nice when things can mix and match.

I'm sharing with Jann at Daily with Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup #223.

R2G Christmas Stack Kit - Set 3&4

I started with the Stampin Up Gentle Peace stamp set.  I stamped the Holy Family onto vellum and embossed it with copper powder.  I trimmed the vellum close the edge of the image with scissors.
I glued the designer paper by Creative Imaginations - Sonnets - Plum Wash to the deep plum card front.

I adhered the vellum layer to the card front with 2 tiny round copper brads in the bottom left and right corners.  I used a copper star brad in the top center.

I designed the greeting with the Stampin Up Artisan Label punch in Perfect Plum and printed. Once punched, I used 3D foam tape to stick the greeting to the card front.

I started with the foil joy wreath on linen card stock.  I cut it with my Spellbinders smooth circle Nestabilities.  I then cut the corresponding scallop circle from light blue card stock.  These were glued together.
I chose a piece of My Mind's Eye - Countdown to Christmas - Plaid cut to leave a small border. I placed a piece of silver sticker paper 1" tall and over 6 inches wide across the center of the plaid designer paper and folded the ends to the back. It was then adhered to a Cherry Cobbler card.
I then adhered the "to the World" greeting over the silver foil paper band.  The large circle Joy greeting was then adhered to the left side of the card with 3D foam tape.

I started with the gold metal star ornament.

I cut gold metallic card stock to 4.00x5.25 inches.  This layer was adhered to the front of the black card.

I designed the starry night Bethlehem layer in black with my own drawing.  It was printed on white card stock trimmed to 3.75x5.00 inches.

I put gold metallic thread through the hole in the ornament. I adhered the metal star to the Bethlehem layer with a Zot then pulled the thread to the back of the white layer and taped down the ends. This layer was then adhered to the gold layer on the card front.

R2G Christmas Stack Kit - Set 2

Kits for my class tonight.

I started with the blue and foil starry night designer paper. It is handmade paper.  It was cut to leave a small border of the navy card.
I cut the greeting on the Cricut with the Winter Frolic cartridge at 2.75".  The navy is the same as the card stock as the card and the shadow was cut from vellum.
I adhered these layers together ensuring dry adhesive is only behind the card stock so it does not show through the vellum.  The full greeting was adhered to the card front.
I added a mini silver brad as the dot on the "i" in Silent.

I started with the gold metal star ornament.

I cut gold metallic card stock to 4.00x5.25 inches.  This layer was adhered to the front of the black card.
I designed the starry night Bethlehem layer in black with my own drawing.  It was printed on white card stock trimmed to 3.75x5.00 inches.
I put gold metallic thread through the hole in the ornament. I adhered the metal star to the Bethlehem layer with a Zot then pulled the thread to the back of the white layer and taped down the ends. This layer was then adhered to the gold layer on the card front.

I started with the felt ornament.

Using the navy ornament, I created the Peace on Earth greeting layer and printed it on white card stock. It was adhered to the front of a navy card.
I found an earth clip art on line and sized it to 1.75", printed several on vellum and embossed them with silver powder. I punched them with the SU circle punch.
I cut a length of silver metallic ribbon, tied it to the hole of the ornament and trimmed the ends. I placed the earth circle in the center of the navy ornament and created a hole with a 1/16" punch for the dove brad.
I placed the ornament onto the card front, used a push pin to create a hold in the card front to match the one in the ornament.  Pushed the prongs of the brad through all layers and spread them on the inside of the card.

Be Present for Christmas - Lesson 5 - Watch & Wait

Today's activity is preparing a Grateful Jar.  I started with 500 ml Jam Jar.  I created a tag and printed it on kraft card stock.  I made the corners round with a punch.  I put a 1/8" hole in the top left hand corner.  I cut a length of white cotton thread and ran the fold through the hole and pulled the ends back through the loop and pulled it taut.  I placed the cotton onto the red ribbon and added a knot and trimmed the ends.
The red ribbon was then tied onto the neck of the jar and knotted twice and the ends were trimmed.
I adhered a small glassine sleeve on the back of the tag and placed my grateful notes inside.  These notes are small pieces of paper.
Regularly, write down things you are grateful for and place the note in the jar.  When you are having a bad day, open the jar, read about the gifts and blessings you have received and surely your spirits will be uplifted.

I'm selecting my lessons from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.  The book provides 24 lessons for each day of Advent of which I have chosen 6 for this class.  We will have readings, questions, discussion, and an activity each week.

In this weeks lesson we read Habakkuk 2:1, 3:16-19 which talks about how the people are going astray and the prophet beseeches God to help.  Despite the sad state of affairs he decides to go to the top of the watch tower and shout "I will trust You, God, and I will watch, and I will wait.  I will find joy, make joy, take joy, see joy!  Rejoice and re-joys again!"

Ready2Give Calendars

I put together a Ready2Give calendar featuring some of my own photos using the Ready2Fill half sheet calendar.  I printed this one double sided and chose 12 photos - flowers, bees, landscapes, winter scenes and leaves.

Makes a nice calendar for the office or kitchen as it is not too big, it is half sheet at 5.5 x 8.5 inches. Comes with hole and/or clip to hang it in your favorite place.
Great for anyone who loves photography.














Nov 23 2016
I made up a few more of these for my sale on the weekend using some of the R2Fill kits.

Countdown Calendar - Christmas Cheer DSP

I made another Countdown Calendar this evening as I sold a couple this afternoon.

This is a 6x8 black wood frame which is wide enough to just stand on it's own.  I used Stampin Up Christmas Cheer designer paper on this side.  I added snowflakes cut with the Snow Flurry die. The large in Very Vanilla, medium in warm white pearl and small in black to repeat the color in the frame.  I cut 3 more small ones from Very Vanilla. I printed the sentiment in black on a Very Vanilla strip 2" by 6 inches wide. I placed the large snowflake accent near the bottom left hand corner.

This is the back side of the same paper.  I used the banner from the Eventful Year - Embellishment digi set and used the colors Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist and Always Artichoke.  I printed it on vellum and clear embossed it.  Again, I printed the sentiment on Very Vanilla in black letters on a strip 2 x 6 inches wide.

I used the word celebrate this time which can lend itself to other occasions like countdown to an anniversary party, a wedding, or other special occasion.  This design as well is a little more mature in design.

Advent Calendars - Ready2Go

I prepared 2 Advent Calendars which are Ready2Go.  They are easily displayed and the pages are easy to move to the next day.  Each day has a scripture reading and I have included an Advent Activity List to help moms provide non chocolate/candy options for each day of advent.  You can find the list on my Freebies page.

This one features a heavy wood photo holder with a clip at the top large enough to hold the 26 sheets of the calendar.  I added a red ribbon at the base to repeat the red in the calendar.  I've packaged it in cello.

This one is a skinny clear glass vase which holds the 26 sheets nicely.  It protects the sheets without obscuring the calendar or the scripture.  I wrapped it in cello and tied it a red ribbon.

2016 Digital Christmas Cards

 I've designed my digital Christmas card offering for this year.

It features a star glitter ornament from my photo shoot the other day,  my Bethlehem in an blue oval, Madonna and Child, and Peace on Earth with my own Alphabet Photography.

Ready 2 Fill Calendar - See your Memories Everyday

I've created a half sheet calendar (5.5x8.5") you can fill with your own photos.   A DIY project you can complete in an hour.

Do you want to make a calendar of the grand kids?
Create a memory calendar of your wedding or special event?
Did your baby just turn 1 and you want to remember the firsts?  Did you take a trip you want to remember all year long?
These are just a few of the many events you can put into your calendar.

It has a front cover and back page as well as 12 pages for each month.  It comes with a hole punched in the top center, a silver metal binder clip and an adhesive runner to adhere your photos. You have all you need to get started.


It will easily accommodate 3.5x5 inch photos leaving an even border or 4x4 centered over the calendar. These sizes can be ordered from your favorite photo center.  The 4x6 photos need to be trimmed to 4x5 or 4x5.5 inches.

 Options of hanging your new calendar

Coaster Calendars

I've created another version of my Coaster Calendar for the sale on the weekend.  I chose verbs.  I hope this inspires others to action.

These make great gifts for friends, teachers, a girlfriends exchange, or special people who live far away because they are easily mailed.  Imagine the pleasure of opening a Christmas card to find a small gift inside.

I chose 4" coasters to which I glued 4.25" squares of designer paper.  I chose light to medium colors to allow my action verbs be visible and easily read.  Once pressed and dry I trimmed the designer paper to the edge with scissors. I then used a sanding block to soften the edges.

I designed the action verbs to be 2" by 4".  I printed them on vellum so that the designer paper would still show through when placed above the calendar.  I printed them in black on the color printer and clear embossed them.  I trimmed the 4.25 to 4.00 inches and then corner round punched the 2 top corners to repeat the round corners of the coaster.  I taped the vellum where the calendar would cover it.  I did add a bit of vellum adhesive in both top corners.

To make the calendar, I created the calendar in software, printed it on 8.5x11 paper, cut it into small pages, stapled the pages to a backer then adhered the backer to the front of the coaster.  I added a black eyelet at the top to provide a hole to hang the calendar and secure the vellum.  I used my Crop-a-Dile to set the eyelet.  It's perfect for the job.
I have added a magnet to the back so they can stick to the fridge or a file cabinet.


I included a credits label on the back.

Christmas Card Challenge - Nov - Sparkle / Nativity

I made cards for my monthly Christmas Card Challenge but I changed copper to sparkly.

I wanted to use my QuicKutz Nativity die which is a 12 inch die.  It presents a challenge when I am making A2 cards which only accommodates a portion of the die.  I found some A6 black cards in my stash from a previous project which would allow me to put more of the die onto the card front.  I cut a piece of this sparkly paper to leave a generous border on the 6.25 x 4.75 inch card.

I cut the QuicKutz Nativity from matte silver card stock and you can see that I could include the 3 wise men on half of the cards and the shepherds the other half. 

I cut the star from foil paper with the Sizzix Star and Startbursts Die and mounted it over the star cut with the die.  I glued it to card front with the sparkly paper providing a sense of a starry night.

I created the greeting for the Stampin Up Modern Label Punch which was color printed then punched.  

Once punched, I mounted it to the card front with 3D foam tape.


I made 6 of these cards.

Be Present for Christmas - Lesson 4 - A Bridge to the King

We prepared Blessings Bags for the homeless as our activity in today's class.  I handed out large ziplock bags and a list last week and the girls returned with their purchases to fill them at the end of our class.

You can find the list I put together for this class on my Freebies page.  You will find the Blessings Bag note there as well. Feel free to use in your project.
http://smdgreetings.blogspot.ca/p/freebies.html


I chose gloves, tuque, soap and a washcloth in a separate baggie, candy, hot chocolate, a pencil and notebook, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste.

We included a note to the recipient in each of our bags.

We put together 8 bags which were handed over to our Street Ministry team at church to be handed out to those in need.


I'm selecting my lessons from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.  The book provides 24 lessons for each day of Advent of which I have chosen 6 for this class.  We will have readings, questions, discussion, and an activity each week.

This week's lesson is from Esther.  She was a Jew but lived in the palace with the king.  Her uncle challenges her. "Don't think for a moment that because you are in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed."  We are the ones living inside the gate.  If not us then who will help.  You've got to use the life you have been given to give others life.

Mosaic Monday - Home Made Pasta Sauce

I have been given quite a few tomatoes and needed to make them into something before they spoiled.  I decided to make some home made tomato pasta sauce.

I cut the tomatoes into small pieces.  I cut out the bad spots on those which had some.  I placed them into the food processor. 

I poured them into a large measuring cup until I had processed them all. I had to do this several times to get enough for a good amount of sauce.  I put it in the microwave to reduce the liquid into a more sauce consistency.

Once it was thicker, I added seasonings like dry onion flakes, steak spices, garlic powder and salt and pepper. 

I added a can of mushrooms to add some texture and flavor.  Back into the microwave to heat all the ingredients.

I served it on whole wheat pasta with a bit of old cheddar grated on top. 
I pulled out the sunflower fabric as a background for this photo. I added my yellow sunflower vase and used my yellow mug with chai tea.

Sharing with Maggie at Normandy Life as she hosts Mosaic Monday 14.

Tea for One - Going Away Gift

I'm saying till later to a good friend this week as she moves back east for a new job.

I created a tea related gift for her.  This is a placemat made from pansy fabric on one side and a purple one (her favorite color) on the back, though it is completely reversible.  I sewed the green twill tape to the front piece then sewed the 2 pieces together.  I turned it inside out and and "quilted" it along the edges and the trim.



I included a purple napkin which matches the back side of the placemat.  It is a good match to the purple in the pansy fabric which is why I selected it.



 
I did say Tea for One.

This tea set is by MAXWELL & WILLIAMS Basic White Porcelain Tea-for-One Set.  It includes a tea pot, tea cup and saucer.  I love the simple design of this combination.  It works well with the pansy fabric.







I included a box of her favorite Jasmine Green Tea.



I will miss our brainstorming sessions about crafts, small business challenges and life always with a cup of tea.

Here's the card I made.  It features a piece of watercolor paper which measures 4x6 inches. I added a piece of silver paper cut with the Stampin Up Large Scallop edgelit.  I wrapped several lengths of ribbon across the top and added 3 silk flowers held with a flower sequin and a blue brad.  I added a bird punched with the SU Bird punch. He is sitting on a turquoise branch.  This was layered onto a large half sheet card with a turquoise sentiment layer and onto a purple card base.

I will be sharing with the following:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth at Antiques and Tea Cups
Bernideen's Friends Sharing Tea
Share Your Cup #221 hosted by Jan at Daily Cup with Mrs Olson