Tree Topper

Well, here we are at Friday, and the end of my tree. Thanks to everyone who had commented- your words have truly been appreciated. It has been wonderful to hear about your trees and traditions, as well!

OK, every tree needs a topper, and here is mine. This was a simple rusty star topper from Joann's...but, of course, I needed to play with it! So, I decopauged it with my BG papers, making sure to leave a bit of the wonderful rusty metal showing for a border. Cutting out for all those holes wasn't easy- but well worth the look! Then, I added glitter towards the end. Just a little to catch the light. Tree's gotta bling, right?

My Garland, and your Present

My favorite part of my tree is definitely my garland. Truly, this was an act of praise making it- and makes me smile just to look at it. It was labor intensive, though! My garland is the 'word art' that says Jesus loves me, and between each word is a bead, cutout, bead sequence. (I do love my Craft Robo, lol!)

For you, I have bundled up a few of the cutout gsd's for you to use. Most of these are from fonts, just converted for you. These look great on the front of cards, would make wonderful ornaments- or add to your tags. Many uses, I hope you enjoy them!!

Christmas files

Other Ornaments

I also included on the tree our family photo ornaments. these are pictures from Christmas days since we were born- and are very special to us! We have pictures of precious grandparents who have passed, childhood visiting Santa pictures, our first Christmas' together, even kitty Christmas'! These are done very simply on rectangles and circles- mated a few times and embellished just a touch. (And these are photo copies of the original pictures used for each ornament!) Again- the BG fruitcake line is the common thread.

The other ornaments on the tree include the paper strip balls- in 2 colors, scarlet and green:


The Glass ball ornaments:


And, the Scalloped Square Ornaments:


Be sure and visit me tomorrow, when I will share my garland- which is my favorite part- and a few small gifts....

Advent Ornaments

Wow, guys. I am blown away at te interest and feedback surrounding my tree!! I am so glad that everyone is enjoying it! I always have a hard time getting pictures of my tree that I like...either the lighting isn't right, or they end up grainy...or they just don't look the way it does in real life- know what I mean?

Today, I want to show you my Advent Ornaments. These are simple pocket cards, the inner slides out. There are 25 scattered over the tree. On the inside, you could divide out the story of Christmas, put holiday memories, put prayer starters, things you are thankful for...so many things. Carrie and I have chosen to use these for our favorite scriptures- some about the coming of Christ, some praise scriptures...just our favorite scriptures. The outsides are easy to decorate- and all mine use the BG Fruitcake collection as a common thread. I actually used one of these packages for the entire tree- plus a few sheets of texured cardstock. Not expensive at all.

Be sure to keep checking back all week, as I will continue to show you different parts of my tree!

A Handmade Tree

Every year, I love to decorate the tree for Christmas. Everyone in my family knows, the day after Thanksgiving is 'Tree Day'...I love Christmas!! And, I have different sets of Christmas decorations- one year might be the snowman tree, while another year would be another tree. This year, I really wanted a tree that would celebrate Christ. I wanted a tree that would put Christ front and center as the true reason for the season. I truly prayed for a tree- and a season- that would glorify Him. I can't wait to show you the ideas He gave me. I am hoping, that you will share your ideas too. But, oh for that day, when we can share a great Family Christmas together, eh?

Keep watch...today is a teaser. In the days to come, I will share more of the tree, its parts and purposes. Tomorrow are Advent Ornaments. I can't wait.

Christmas Gatefold

Here's a gatefold card for Christmas. It's really pretty small- I was thinking an accompaniment to a gift. The paper is BG, the buckle is from Making Memories- as is the ribbon. I loved the Flourish stamps on the inside, thought it added an elegant touch.

Scalloped Tree

Can you have too many trees at Christmas? I loved this one! I used my square scallop punch, and just layered. Inking the edges was important to define them- also added silver brads for bling. And stamped the corners with Autumn Leaves Flourishes. Have a great week!

Why Weight?

So, here's my layout from last week's challenge over at FaithSister's. The Theme for the week was a Journey of Faith. I've lost 109lbs over the last 16 months, and even though I am not finished...I wanted to chronicle the journey.

These weeks challenge is about Home- come join us!!

Paper: MME stack
Brad and Chipboard: Spare parts
Flower: silk
Question Brads: Around the Block


Journaling:
I never considered that a diet would or could be a journey of faith. But, when you place your hand in Jesus' and search for the reason why you need to diet; when you learn to trust and rely on Jesus to be your strength- your Portion; and when you realize that if Jesus can do this for and through you, He can do anything...a journey of faith is what you have!!

Penguin Mojo

Ever feel completely befuddled by those darn lights?! This was for Mojo Monday- and I just loved this little guy!! I added glitter to his little light bulbs, completely glittered a few of the snowflakes, and added this wonderful sheer snowflake ribbon. Ready to tackle those lights?

My House

This was from last week's Challenge over at FaithSisters...the challenge was to tell about your church.

Paper: Paper Studio, HL CS
Chipboard/brads: Spare Parts
Misc: Fiber, DMC floss
Stamp: HOTP Flourishes


Journaling:
Or God is a God of answered prayers, College Heights is proof of that. We longed for, ached for, prayed for and begged for a church such as this.
A church of service- both to each other and the community.
A church of Missions
A church of organization
A church of accountability
A church that longs for and seeks after the will of God


Praise God for answered prayers!

Why not come join in this weeks challenge? The theme is Faith Prevails. Come take a look- these challenges are a blast!

Snow!

Made this card for 2 challenges- the snow challenge over at Daring CardMakers, and sketch 31 over at Sketch This: Cards I had been wanting to try this card sttyle- and this sketch just begged to be flipped and used this way! Paper is from the DCWV Christmas stack, and the rhinestones and snowflake brad are Spare Parts. Have a great day!

Mom's Birthday

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This card is for Mom's upcoming birthday- but also for the sketch challenge 3 at Card Studio Designs. The paper is all K&Co, the velvet flowers are from a silk I pulled apart- but isn't it yummy! I love the stamping underneath!

Monday's Musings

So, I was reading Beth Moore- you have got to love that woman- and in her Jesus book she makes an observation. Talking about the time Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem at the age of 12, she says that the Greek (the original language of the New Testament) doesn't have the word 'house' in it. When Mary asks Jesus where He'd been, Jesus didn't nessesarily say I needed to be about my Father's House- but might have simply been saying- I needed to be about my Father. My question? Is it possible that He was just so freaking homesick that He needed to spend some time about the one place on the planet- at the time- that God dwelled bodily?

A random thought- and hardly of eternal significance, but something to make you go 'hmmmmmm'.

Tree Mojo

Here's the sister card of yesterdays. I did this for the Mojo Monday sketch...but it works perfectly for the "and Cut" challenge at Daring Cardmakers, too.

The paper is all Basic Grey from the Fruitcake pack- love that line!! The tree is handcut/designed, and cuttle'd with the spots and dots folder. Added a few Autumn leaves swirls to dress it up, some beads and ribbons, and- voila!

Elegant Tree

This is my attempt at the SketchThis: Cards Sketch for the week. I loved the way it turned out!! The tree is my own creation, with 2 layers and pop-dotted for dimension. I also inked all the sides on this card, added rhinestones to the tree, brads to the sides, and double ribbon. I love the use of the clip and beads with the ribbon! What do you all think?