A few Christmas Creations....

This week has been a bit hectic. I've been trying to get my Christmas decorating done. Where does the day go? I have one tree and the staircase done. I still have to complete two trees, the mantel and the outside, so this will be a quick post. This past week I taught two classes on decorating your home for Christmas. One was a Christmas tree decorating class which included learning how to do a wreath, and the other was decorating your fireplace mantel. I'll share a few photos. The wreath is easy to do. I start with a 30" artificial wreath, which was quite full, added 4 glittered poinsettia, 6 gold berry picks, two wonderful holiday ribbons and here it is....

My trick is, when the wreath is complete take some real greenery and cut it into pieces and insert it into the wreath. When your guests arrive they will think that you have a fresh wreath on your front door. When the holidays are over, remove the greenery and store the wreath until next year. When it's time to put the wreath back up add more fresh greens. This is a trick I've used for years. You will be amazed how this can change the look of an artificial wreath. If you have double doors, make sure the bows are placed in the opposite directions. Take a look at the photo below. Hang your wonderful creation with a matching piece of ribbon.

Just attach the ribbon to the top of the door with two flat head thumb tacks. Remove them when the holiday is over. It's just that easy! Here is the mantel I completed during the class last night. It took about two hours. The homeowner , my good friend Shelly wanted to it be fun. This is her sunroom and her tree has all the ornaments her children have made over the years. She also has three other trees that are all beautiful. We added lots of beaded garland and the FUN moose to capture the theme of the room. Some fun red berries that looked like they had frost on them and some bright green glittered ostrich feathers finished off the look. Both projects are not that difficult. You just need to be creative. This holiday give your home your own unique style. It will then be a "Creation From Your Heart". " Holiday memories start wherever home is.

What a Priceless Gift....

One of my friends from bible study gave me a wonderful gift. She was cleaning out some of her mother in law's belongings and ran across this pattern. When she ran across it, she just put it aside. After looking at my blog header she was reminded of the pattern. Can you believe it! It's the original pattern from years ago. The same one that is on my blog header!

Take a look....

The price is only ...40 cents. What a bargain. Actually there is a sticker over the price. It was marked up. The original price was 35 cents.

Thank you Tamara for blessing me with this priceless gift.

How beautiful A day can be when FRIENDSHIP touches it.

A Treasure for the first Twelve Months....

My good friend's daughter is having her first baby in February. I wanted to make a special gift for the "New Mother to Be". What to make? After trying to come op with an idea, I had run across a blog that I really enjoy. Bloggin' With Bobbie. I saw a post about a Christmas book she made, The 25 Days of Christmas. I thought why not change the idea into "Baby's first 12 months". I went on Bobbie blog a few days after I finished my book, and she posted a baby's first year book. Boy, I wish she would have made that first, it would have really helped me out! Well let me share my creation with you.

The inside cover had a place to record the height and weight of the baby for the upcoming 1st year. Each page of the book was decorated and then a special photo from the month could be added by the parents.

I added a half page for each month, so that the new parents could journal about their bundle of joy.

The colors of paper I chose, matched the bedding and decorations that were in the nursery.

Little pockets were added to the pages so special things could be tucked away and cherished for years to come.

The new parents to be, do not know if their new arrival is a girl or boy. I didn't use a lot of blue or pink, just fun primary colors...

I love using silk flowers as embellishments. Go to Michaels Crafts and purchase an entire stem of a silk flower and then tear the petals apart. This is much cheaper than going to the scarpbooking store and buying individual petals to use. Try this idea next time you have a project.

Here's another tip....Try the dollar store for embellishments. Many of them have a wonderful selection of scarbooking embellishments.

Finally the back cover.... I hope this is a book that will hold CHERISHED memories.

When I finished this gift I was really happy with the outcome. The "New Mom to BE" was excited to get it at the shower. It truly was a "Creation From My Heart'. The next baby shower invitation you receive, think about making a book that will become a treasure to enjoy over the years.

Even before the STARS Lit up the sky, YOU had a place In the heart of GOD…

A Flirty Holiday Arpon....

Where has the month of November gone? This week right after Thanksgiving the Christmas decor will be coming out. It's hard to believe. I have been swamped. I got a job decorating a house for Christmas. My client is having a Christmas party for her husband's business in a few weeks. I was there all day today and will continue tomorrow. Can't wait to share the photos with you this week. I love doing it and the customer is very happy. Well today was the deadline for the Flirty Apron Swap. I just made it. Here's my apron that I sent my partner. I had originally thought I would keep it, but it's off in the mail.

I added this embellishment on the pocket, which can be removed. Just a little Yo-Yo with some tulle and an old button. The pocket needed a little something.

The red fabric had an embossed gold swirl pring. I cut the ties extra long and wide. Now it has a great BIG bow. I just love BIG bows on my aprons. Don't you? Well I hope my partner enjoys wearing it for the holidays.

Sometimes this time of year gets so busy. It's nice to take the time to enjoy the things we love to do. For me that is always working on some type of "Creation From My Heart".

Please Let Me Know Which One You Like...

I am going to be opening up my ETSY shop this week. Just getting a few details taken care of. I have gone back and forth trying to decide which button I like better. Then I thought...."Who else to ask but you? You come and visit my blog". I want the buttons to pop out on the page, so that you see the ETSY Shop. So which one do you like better, the button that is pictured right above this post or the button on the side of my blog with the apron. I love aprons, but I also love bows and it's PINK my favorite color. I need to let Michelle at Shabby Creations know what to do. I have met so many wonderful bloggers who I now consider friends that I would like you to help me out. Please leave a comment letting me know which one you like better.

A Fairy Christmas

Friday was the big fundraiser for the organization I volunteer for. The name of the organization is, Macomb Charitable Foundation. "MCF" was started and is still run by a very good friend of mine, Shelly. It is a totally non-profit organization and 100% of the funds that are raised go directly to the organization. "MCF" is very dear to my heart. It services children and families in need. Here in Michigan the economy is not doing well, every day it seems as if the media has more bad news. My own family has been hit by the down turn in the economy. It breaks my heart to see many of the families that we service, living in shelters or hotels that can be rented week to week. The children are the real victims, and I truly love being able to just bring a bit of happiness into their lives. Christmas is a busy time with the organization. Over 300 children will be sponsored by families who will purchase the items that these children have put on their Christmas list. WHAT A BLESSING....

The theme for the fundraiser last night was "Starry...Starry...Nights", and it was a big success. I think there were about 250 women and we had a wonderful evening raising funds for a GREAT cause. I decorated a christmas tree, that was in the raffle. I"ll post some pictures tomorrow. There was a Christmas Boutique, which had wonderful things that were donated by many generous and caring people. I donated a few of my crafted items and I thought I would share one of them with you.

A Christmas Fairy Jar

I got the tutorial from from Dawn at the Feathered Nest. I embellished it a bit different, and changed it to have a Christmas theme. I love the little snow fakes with glitter on them, which surround the little girl holding a sign saying "Merry Christmas". It's amazing what you can do with some unused canning jars that I had in a box in my pantry. Brown spray paint, my favorite gold paint (I couldn't do a project without using that), grosgrain ribbon and old buttons finish off the vintage look.

A little fairy saying was added to a hang tag that I distressed and stamped with an ink pad. No gift is complete with out a matching gift bag. That is something that is my signature. Every "Creation From My Heart" has to have it's own gift bag. I think it makes the gift twice as special.

Well the fairy jar and other items were snatched up at the boutique and now they sit in someone home to be be enjoyed. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to give from your heart, so that others can benefit from your talents. This Christmas season, take some time to help those less fortunate than yourself. The blessings that you will receive will be far greater than what you give! He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 19:17

Cherish

My girlfriend is having a baby shower for her daughter next weekend. The theme is tea pots, "Baby is Brewing". My friend had asked me to help out decorating the tea pot. Well I had this sweet photo and wanted to do something with it.

Here's what I came up with. I just copied the photo and attached it to some chip board that I covered in scrapbooking paper. You know the drill by now, I used my favorite gold paint and then embellished it with ribbon, buttons and a silk flower.

After it was put finished I added one to each side of the tea pot. The tea pot is sitting on a glass cake plate which has a pretty ivory napkin placed on top of it. A bit of irresdecent shed and the centerpiece was complete. It's a busy day tomorrow. I have a fundraiser tomorrow evening for the an origanization I volunteer for. The origanization helps needy families and children. There are 250 women coming to the event. I am going to be decorating a tree while the guests watch before dinner. Once the tree is complete it is going to be auctioned off. The tree is going to have a snowman theme. I'll take some photos to share.... Happy moments, PRAISE God. Difficult moments, SEEK God. Quiet moments, WORSHIP God. Painful moments, TRUST God. Every moment, THANK God.