Merry CHRISTmas.

I love to celebrate my Savior's birth. Some people have told me that there is no proof that Jesus was not born on December 25th. They are right. But I was just thinking about my son's birthday that was on a Friday this year. We couldn't celebrate his birthday on a week day for several reasons, so we decided to have a small celebration on Saturday. 

That's what Dec. 25 is - the CELEBRATION of Jesus' birth. He came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He gave His life for us, He defeated death for us. Why not pick a date to celebrate Him? So let's decorate our homes, let's spend time - not necessarily money - on special gifts for the special people in our lives. Most of all, let's thank God for sending His ONLY SON to pay the debt we could not pay, to die the death we could not die… to give us the eternal life we cannot earn. Let’s celebrate Jesus, the WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE, LORD OF ALL, IMMANUEL – that is GOD WITH US!!! Because the manger did bring God to mankind, and the cross brought mankind to God. 

Thank you for checking out my ideas, designs, creations. Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope I have been of inspiration to those who like crafts. I hope you have a very merry CHRISTmas, and a blessed 2016

Vanías Reed

Noel - Christmas Card

Have you ever asked yourself why we use the word Noel in so many Christmas songs, and during the Christmas season? I am originally from Brazil and my first language is Portuguese. In Portuguese we say Feliz Natal when we want to wish someone a Merry Christmas. The word Natal means birth. So literally translated, we say Happy Birth. Why is that? Well, the word Natal comes from the Latin word natalis, which translated to English is NOEL. Since Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, it is natural for people to refer to the celebration as the “nativity” or THE “birth.” The card I'm posting today has the word Noel, in celebration of the most important birth in the world's history - the Son of God's birth. The birth of the One who humbled himself, left all his heavenly glory, to die on the cross for you and for me. So Happy Noel!

Supplies and techniques
Paper: White, dark brown, maroon, and glittered silver cardstock, mint green with polka-dots scrapbook paper
Tools: Paper cutter, electronic cutting machine, alphabet design, precision scissors, 3D foam adhesive
Embellishments: Fussy cut 'wrapped presents', Noel sentiment phrase

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a very blessed Christmas.

Vanías Reed  

Shaker Box CHRISTmas card

Today my husband is helping me to address cards and envelopes. He wrote a personal message on 24 cards, and helped me with the dishes too. Is that an awesome husband or what? We love to make our cards as personal as possible, and having my husband hand write a message to each of our close relatives and friends makes each card even more special. So today I'm posting one of his favorites, which is a shaker box card. Here it is.

 Supplies used for this card
Paper: Dark red, white, black and silver glitter cardstock, transparency
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, rectangle stitched large and medium dies, snowflakes and swirls embossing folder, electronic cutting machine, nativity scene design (you can use a punch or a die), 3D foam self adhesive, silver glitter gel pen
Stamp: merry Christmas
Embellishments: fussy cut sentiment phrase, clear gemstones, medium size glitter (to shake in the box)

We love nativity scene cards because, after all, CHRISTmas is Christ's birthday celebration, isn't it?

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have an amazing celebration with your family and friends, always keeping Jesus as the reason to celebrate.

Vanías Reed    

Ornament Christmas Cards + 2 New Tips

In my last post I mentioned what my amazing husband got me for Christmas/wedding anniversary. Today I'm posting a project I made using my Cricut. It was interesting because my sister came over to see my machine. In order to show her how it works I decided to cut something simple like a Christmas ornament. Then she said, "oh no, I don't want you to waste paper just to show me how the machine works."  I just smiled and told her not to worry. So here are the two cards I made using both the diecuts and the paper from which I cut them.

For the first card I used 
Tools: Cricut Explore Air, scoring board, stylus scoring tool (for the dots imitating a chain holding the ornaments), Sizzix embossing machine, swirl snowflakes embossing folder (Darice),
Paper: White, brown, and the same mint green cardstock
Stamp: merry Christmas
Ink: black
Embellishments: ornament diecuts, red ribbon, pearls and clear gemstones in different sizes. 

For this card I used:
Tools: Cricut Explore Air, Cricut Design Space, 3D glue dots
Paper: Brown and mint green cardstock, brown patterned scrapbook paper
Stamp: Christmas Blessings (Stampabilitties)
Ink: Espresso brown
Embellishments: red 1/8"wide ribbon  

You can use an ornament punch instead of a cutting machine. In this link, a lady teaches how to make a card similar to my second one, using a punch.  
When it comes to save and recycle, I get excited. This time, instead of throwing away the piece of paper from which I cut the ornaments, I decided to use it on another card.How about you? How do you recycle while creating and crafting?

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful CHRISTmas!

 

Inspiring Glitter Snowflake Card

Hello everyone. Getting ready for Christmas? I just love this time of year. Everybody, or most of everybody, seems to be nicer, kinder to one another. They don't even cuss as much in traffic! LOL 
Today I found out what my Christmas/wedding anniversary gift will be. Yep, our anniversary IS in December, and I am very excited. As a matter of fact, my husband is in the store picking it up right now. What an inspiration. No wonder I sat here and wanted to write another post. Hehehehe. So here is an idea for you to make and get someone to smile as big as I am smiling right now.

Supplies used
Paper: Gray, dark blue, and glitter white cardstock for the outside, white cardstock for the inside of card
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, snowflakes dies, heat gun, white embossing powder, white glitter pen
Stamp: Merry Christmas
Ink: Versamark
Embellishment: large pearl

Now you are probably asking, "What is she getting for Chirstmas?" or "What does the card have to do with the gift she's getting? ", etc.
Well, my amazing husband got me a Cricut Explore Air, and is picking up a nice computer to go with it today. So now I can cut way more than these two snowflakes, and create even more things that require a cutting machine. This was the very last card I made before I got the Cricut. Am I going to stop using my Sizzix or the dies? NO. Absolutely not. But it's nice to have other means of creations and execution, don't you think? - I bet you too are smiling now. ;)

Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderfully blessed Christmas.

Vanías Reed    

 

Hanging Mittens Christmas Card

Wow!!! Can you believer we are in November? Is 2015 flying by or it's just my impression because I've been as busy as a bee? Thank God I've been selling my items very well, which means orders to fill, and lots of work. I'm definitely not complaining, but I am sorry I haven't posted much lately. Anyway, today I decided to find some time and post another Christmas card idea for you. Here it is.

Supplies needed
Paper: Red, white and patterned cardstock
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, frame embossing folder (I used Sizzix "Tulips"), snowflake embossing folder, heat gun, mittens die
Stamp: Merry Christmas (Stampabilities)
Ink: Versamark, embossing powder in red
Embellishments: red and white twine, fuzzy white yarn, red, green and white pearls in different sizes.

This is card is not complicated at all. Actually you can make it in about 10 minutes. I hope you got inspired to create something new today.

Thank you for stopping by, and may the Christ of CHRISTmas bless you and yours.

Vanias Reed 

A Christmas Tree by the Window

When my husband and I were looking for a house to purchase, one thing I really wanted to have was a big front window by which I could place our Christmas tree. Don't you love to see a Christmas tree by the window? I do. It makes me imagine what kind of family is in that house. Maybe it's a big family. Maybe they have small children, or maybe it's a couple of retired people who will have their children and grandchildren for Christmas... and my imagination keeps going. With all of that in mind, I made the card I'm posting today. I truly hope it will open the window of your imagination. 

 Material used for this card
Paper: White, black, and grey cardstock, gold paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, rectangle embossing diffuser (Tim Holtz), brick embossing folder (Sizzix), Swiss polka-dots embossing folder, window die (Sizzix), small star punch
Stamp: Merry Christmas (The Paper Studio)
Embellishments: holly border, Christmas tree sticker, gold star

Thank you so much for stopping by, and may God bless your creativity and your imagination. Be blessed.

 Vanías Reed 

Christmas Card With Blue Vellum

Today I was listening to the songs my son will sing in the Christmas program at school. One of the songs' lyrics says, "Love reached down to me. Reaching to earth, through humble birth, love reached down to me." Isn't that amazing? The Bible says God IS love, and He, the Almighty God, humbled himself and came to earth so we could be reached with his love. What have we done to deserve such an awesome love? NOTHING! He loves us because HE IS LOVE. Wow!!!! The card I'm posting today has a nativity scene, but I don't think that scene even begin to describe what Jesus has really done for us.

Supplies used for this card
Paper: White cardstock, blue vellum 
Tools: heat gun, winter wonderland embossing powder (Recollections), white gel pen, gold glitter pen
Stamps: "Glory to the Newborn King" phrase, and nativity scene with trees (both from SU)
Ink: black, and Versamark for heat embossing
Embellishments: small clear gemstones, silver pearls

When you celebrate Christmas this year, think of the enormous amount of love that was poured on mankind on that cold night in the Middle East, and take a moment to thank God for that. 

Thanks for stopping by, and may the wonders of CHRISTmas fill your heart with joy.

Vanías Reed

 
 

Thanksgiving Card + Tips + FREE Template

Hi there. I absolutely love this time of the year. The temperature is lower, it is not so humid, and we can go back to enjoy outside. Besides, it tells me that Christmas is coming. Yay!!! So today I'm posting a last idea for Thanksgiving before I start posting Christmas ideas. Here it is.

Supplies needed for this card
Paper: Red, light brown, aqua green, and white cardstock, transparency
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, bricks embossing folder, wood embossing folder, door die or use the template below
Embellishments: handmade pumpkin sticker, fall wreath sticker, brown self-adhesive brown pearl (for door knob)

Tips
1. The wood embossing folder from Sizzix embosses very deeply. If you have a light weight paper, it will tear it. So, emboss it without the flaps on the base for the cutting machine. Like if you were going to use a die to cut a shape. If you paper is really thin, place a piece of velum inside the embossing folder with the paper you will emboss. You will still see through the velum, and have a beautifully embossed image
2. You don't have the sticker, stamp, or picture that you'd like to have? No problem, cut out pictures from magazines. Glue them on heavy weight cardstock, cut out, and if you want a glossy effect, cover them with Glossy Accents. 

Door Template

Right click on picture to save in your computer to print.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a wonderfully blessed week

Vanías Reed 

Easy Thanksgiving Card + Tips

Hi there. I'm so carried on making Christmas cards for children who live below poverty level, that I forgot to post another Thanksgiving card like I said I would. Oops. You can make a child smile with a simple card too. You can make your cards and send to 
Compassion International, ATTN: Christmas Cards for Unsponsored Children Colorado Springs, CO 80997-0004
Just sign your cards,  and write a Bible verse that will encourage the children. Place each card in an blank envelope, then send them to the address above. The dateline is November 2nd.  If you have any questions, please ask them in a comment, and I will answer them as soon as possible. Meanwhile, here is another Thanksgiving card.

Supplies used for this card
Paper: Rusty red, white cardstock, patterned brown, green, golden yellow, and orange scrapbook paper
Tools: Scoring board and scoring tool, maple leaf punch, corner round punch
Stamp: Grateful (Stampabilities)
Ink: Expresso

Tip# 1: The embossing lines on the side, bottom and top of the card were made with my scoring tool on the scoring board. You can use a click pen (with the point inside), and a cutting board to score too. Like seen in this FREE video class

Tip# 2 I made this card without any 3D embellishments because it's going to be mailed. You can use a snowflake punch, for instance, and a Christmas sentiment phrase, to turn the card into a Christmas one. 

Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Enjoy crafting, and don't forget to share your creativity with those in need. ;)

God bless you,

Vanías Reed

Card + Tip on Distress Technique

It was 67 degrees when I went outside this morning. Boy did it feel good! I am one of those people who enjoy cool weather way better than the heat of summer. I always say that you can put on layers of clothes and be warm, but there is only so much you can take off. (LOL). Anyway, the cooler weather, the beautiful autumn colors - at least in my home fall decor (smile), and the Christmas items for sale in stores remind me that we are so close to Thanksgiving. Since I started on my Christmas cards in July, I just had Thanksgiving cards to make. Hoot-hoot!. So here is the first one.

Supplies used
Paper: Rusty red, brown, olive green, and cream cardstock paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, wood marks embossing folder, fancy scallop oval punch, small oval die, stamp marker
Stamp: "Count your many blessings..." - I used the stamp marker on the words many and blessings, and stamped them separately.
Ink: black and brown
Embellishments: Pumpkin and acorn 3D stickers, brown twine, small brown pearl  

Tip: Use the stamp pad to gently touch several times the edges of the cream paper to give the distressed look to it.

Thank you for stopping by. God bless you and yours.

Vanías Reed  

Cornbread/ Pão de Milho

My cousin and aunt came from Brasil to visit, and I decided to make a roast, and serve it with cornbread. They liked it so much that my cousin asked me for the cornbread recipe. Since I had to translate the recipe, I thought, "Why not share it with other people too? After all, Thanksgiving is around the corner, the colder weather will be here soon..." So here is the recipe in English and Portuguese.

 

Cornbread Recipe in English

1 ½ Cups yellow corn meal

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 ½ tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 ¼ cup milk

2 eggs

¼ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup butter

Heat oven to 250F

In a medium bowl combine dry ingredients. Add milk, eggs, and oil. Blend until smooth. Melt butter in iron skillet at 250F(see note below for glass baking pan). Pour batter evenly into skillet. Cover with tin foil, bake at 250F for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Stick a toothpick – CAREFULLY not to get burned – into center of batter. If the toothpick comes out dry, the bread is ready. Enjoy!

NOTE: If using a 9 x 13in glass baking pan, melt the butter in a microwavable container, in microwave, then spread into baking pan before pouring batter in.

Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy the cool weather, and God bless you. 

Vanías Reed

 Receita de Pão de Milho em Português

 1 ½ xic de fubá

1 ½ xic farinha de trigo

1/4 xic de açúcar

1 ½ colher de sopa de fermento em pó

1 colher de chá de sal

1 ¼ xic. de leite

2 ovos

¼ óleo vegetal

¼ xicara de manteiga

Aqueça o forno a  125 graus C

Misture os ingredients secos. Acrescente o leite, os ovos e o óleo. Misture tudo muito bem.

Aqueça uma frigideira de ferro e derreta a manteiga nela.

NOTA: Se usar refratário, derreta a manteiga no microoondas primeiro, ai espalhe a manteira derretida no refratario.

Despeje a massa na frigideira de ferro, ou no refratário e asse por 20-15 minutos. Espete o centro da massa com um palito de dentes ou espeto de churrasco. Se o palito/espeto sair seco, o pão está pronto. Aproveite.

Obrigada por visitar o meu blog. Deus abençoe,

Vanías Reed