Christmas Thank You Cards

Well, Christmas 2014 is gone already. Now, to send or not to send a thank you note to those who gave you gifts? ABSOLUTELY YES. Someone took time to go to a store, shop online, and/or make you something. So a thank you card is not only appropriate, but shows kindness and appreciation. And, if you have children, teach them the importance of writing a thank you note. Here is what my 9-year-old and I did.

I made this one - Card 1

We made 5 of this one together. The lights are his finger prints, and he will write the note to thank those who gave him gifts - Card 2

 

,

... and I made this one too. Card 3

 Supplies needed
Card 1
Paper: White and red cardstock paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine ( I used my Sizzix, which I love), Postcard and hollies embossing folders by The Paper Studios, scalloped oval punch, and oval die
Stamp: Thank you Stampabillities
Ink: Black 
Embellishments: gold ribbon, holly button 

Card 2
Paper: White blank note card
Tools: dark green glitter gel pen, smallest finger of a child's hand
Stamp: Thank you
Ink: blue, gold, purple, blue, and green

Card 3
Paper: White, dark red, and vintage striped cardstock paper
Tools: Sizzix Bigshot cutting/embossing machine, thank you embossing folder (Darice)

You can make your cards simple or more elaborated, but what matters is that you are taking time to make something nice to thank those who blessed you. 

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

Vanías Reed

Merry CHRISTmas

Christmas was love in action because God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His ONLY SON to be born as a little baby on that first Christmas night. You see, without the manger there wouldn't be a cross. Without the cross there wouldn't be an empty tomb. Without the empty tomb there wouldn't be eternal life. My wish is that this Christmas you will have an encounter with Jesus, the Son of God, embrace His love for you, and develop an eternal relationship with Him.
                         
                                          MERRY CHRISTMAS
                                             from Paper Creations, ETC

Stockings Holder + Ornament Idea

I've been posting some Christmas pictures and ideas on my Facebook page. Some of them are decorations ideas for fireplaces. Then it hit me, some people don't have a fireplace, like I didn't for years living in a warm climate. So I made this stocking holder out of an old picture frame that I purchased at Goodwill. Take a look

Supplies needed for this project

Picture frame
Red paint (the spray ones work just fine)
*Small plastic clear ornaments
*Furniture polisher or floor wax
*Glitter
Hooks (you find these anywhere really)
Very small nails (to hold the hooks on the picture frame)
Small hammer
Hot glue gun and hot glue
Push pins
Embellishments: bows, branches... you name it.
Stockings 

Ornaments Idea 
I used the idea found on this blog

* These are to be used if you want to make the ornaments with glitter, if not, you can use small regular ornaments*
 
Using hot glue (be careful, you don't want to melt your ornament), glue the ornaments together to make the letters. Make sure to keep the hangers holes on the same side, which will be the back of the name, except for the top middle one of each letter. You are going to use that one to hang the letters on the picture frame.

Make a beautiful stocking hanger for your family. If you have a fireplace, make one for someone who doesn't. It makes a beautiful and special gift, doesn't it?

Thank you for stopping by, and have a very Merry CHRISTmas! Remember to celebrate the real reason for the season: Jesus Christ. After all, IT IS his birthday we are celebrating, isn't it?

God bless you,

Vanías Reed

Table Decor for Christmas

Last year, just after Christmas, I posted a table decor idea that could be used for New Year's eve or day, or , as I said in my post, you could save the idea for next Christmas. Believe it or not "next" Christmas is almost here already. So here is the same idea for your Christmas table.

You can check that post here to learn how to make the napkin Christmas tree and the star. Another idea is to change the silverware holder for a handmade one, like this

If you crochet, you can find the pattern for the stocking silverware holder in my etsy shop: Crafts Basket , and if you don't crochet, it's ok because you can order the stockings there too.
You can find the name tag on the stocking, which replaces the place card, in this other post.
Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy decorating your table for a nice Christmas eve and/or Christmas Day meal.
May the CHRIST, who is the real reason for CHRISTmas bless you and your family.

Vanías Reed    

Odd Shaped Gifts Wrapping

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. Yay! This is definitely my favorite time of the year because one of my pleasures is to give gifts, and watch people's reaction - especially children's- when they open them. Some of the presents though are difficult to wrap because of their odd shape. Like stuffed animals for instance. What to do? Just throw them in a bag? Wrap them in cellophane paper and ruin the surprise? NO! You want to do more than that. So here is a simple and reasonable solution: Round VINYL TABLECLOTH. Really? That cheap thing with flannel inside? Yep. Look at this.

 I had a stuffed reindeer to wrap,

so I opened the tablecloth on my bed,  sat the reindeer in the middle of it,  pulled up all the 'sides', tied it with an 1/8 in ribbon, added a bow, and trimmed the excess from the top. Voila! My reindeer was wrapped in less then 10 minutes, and the package looks cute.
Plastic tablecloths will work too. The paper ones won't because they would be just like wrapping paper. 
Now you have another idea to wrap that cute stuffed animal you bought for a special someone in your life.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a very blessed day.

     Vanías Reed    

Happy Thanksgiving

I just want to make a pause to thank God for all His blessings upon my family and me, and that includes you. You have taken time to check out my blog and enjoy, pin, and/ or share my creations. Thank you. 

From my family to yours.

Vanías Reed     

'Grandma's House' Christmas Card

My son has been practicing the songs for both Christmas programs at church and the school he attends on Fridays - an umbrella for homeschool. In order to know well the songs he will sing, we listen to the CDs in our car wherever we go (I love listening to Christmas songs anyway). Yesterday, as we were listening to, and trying to sing along "Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go..." I thought of my husband's grandma and how much I miss her. Both my grandmothers passed when I was a child, so this very special lady became my grandma too. Christmas is so beautiful up there where she lives, actually, I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a White Christmas. It was inspired by Christmas at Grandma's that I made this card for a friend. 

Supplies needed for this card
Paper: Dark green, off white and red cardstock paper, hollies paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine (I used my Sizzix), decorated edge oval die, (Nestabillities), 1/8"circle punch (to make the corners on the label), permanent adhesive, colored pencils, winter wonderland glitter.
Stamp: Merry Christmas (Stampabilities), White Christmas,
Embellishments: red ribbon, snowflake button. 

Cherish the moments you have with people you love, make sure to tell them you love them, or write it down in card that you made. 

Thank you so much for checking my blog out. Check my etsy store too. 

God bless you and all the people in your life.

 Vanias Reed