This Christmas I want to say Thanks

I have been preoccupied lately with "stuff." I do "stuff." I watch "stuff." I listen to "stuff." It's all "stuff." But I want to share with you something that isn't just "stuff."

 

This year has been a hard one for my family and myself. We along with many other people have struggled with finances. The economy has changed drastically in the last several years, so when things change so quickly it is very hard to adjust and challenges are many. Because of these financial struggles I've had to rely more on others, family, and most importantly God. I have found that this Christmas time is the best I've ever had in my whole life because of Him.

 

Without the preparations of righteous people who believe that there is a God, I would be without food for my family. I would probably be homeless, and without the necessities of life. The service that others provide because they believe that it is the right way to live, and because of the Savior's example to serve others, has greatly impacted my quality of life and those of my family. I want to reach out and thank all those good and kind and believing people for the wonderful and good and kind acts of service that they perform.

 

Here is a BIG THANK-YOU!

 

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We believe in Christ. We talk of Christ and we do everything we can to be like him. Now, we/ I am not perfect-who is? Only Christ was perfect. I try to be like him, not perfect. I and many who believe in Him try to be better people, and because of that I can rejoice at this Christmas time. I won't have much in the way of gifts to open on Christmas Day and neither will my boys or my husband, but we can feel the peace that comes when we wake up in our warm home, and eat our Christmas dinner and give thanks to Him and those that serve him. I am so grateful to Christ and to all of his followers, my family, and friends, and to my blog followers, and I wanted you all to know that.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving wonderful, uplifting comments! I am so grateful for all the hope and love that you give me.

 

And to all, I hope you have a

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

I'll be back in January.

Twisted Tuesday Challenge-Christmas Tag

 

Hi all, I have another project for you for the Twisted Tuesday Challenge!

The Challenge this week is TAGS and SMILES. The TWIST is What makes you smile?

 

 

So, your creation needs to be a tag or have a tag on it. The TWIST-What makes you smile. Show us your creation. It can be a favorite stamp you have and cherish (use it on your tag), your collection of embellishments, stamps, etc., or something crafty you received as a gift, etc...just don't forget to tell us and show us what it is that makes you smile when crafting!

 

As you can see I made a tag. I have a Vintage photo downloaded from the internet for free. I added some of my favorite embellishments-jingle bells, and a doily. I used a texture paint and glitter for the snow on the bottom of the tag and on the letters of JOY. I also love this color palette of soft pink, white and blue. These are the things that make me smile!

 

 

I found these letter tiles in my stash.

 

I love the jingle bells, and I love the vintage look.

 

Thanks for visiting and I do appreciate any and all comments! Have a Merry Christmas and /or Happy Holidays!

 

This will be our last challenge of the year and it will go for two weeks. We'll see you back on the first of January 2013! (with a sketch)

 

I am also posting this to the following challenges:

Make It Monday #120-Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody #9- Anything Goes

The Shabby Tea Room #145- Shabby Chic Holiday

 

A White Christmas card

 

A White Christmas card. White on white is the challenge at Twisted Tuesday. The TWIST is to have a snowflake somewhere on your card.

I take so many pictures of my cards and I use a flash with some and not with others. I really like the pics without the flash. It gives the cards a more vintage look. I love vintage. I hope you like it too!

 

I used a lot of embellishments on here. I embossed the background with a snowflake embossing card. I have a doily, three snowflakes cut with a die, six little white flowers, lace, ribbon, a sentiment, and a stocking. I used shimmer paint on the background and the doily. I used Distress crackle paint on the christmas stocking. The crackle paint makes little cracks as it dries and makes it look "old." Love it! I also used white glitter on the snowflakes with rhinestones for some bling. I hope you like it!

 

A close up, but I don't think you can see the crackle. I also made a quilted pattern on the stocking. I over did the aging on the sentiment, should have used a lighter hand. I would appreciate any comments, thanks!

 

I want to also enter this card into the following challenges:

Challenges 4 Everybody #8 -Anything Goes

Crafty Catz #161 - Recycle / Upcycle: I used old flowers, older lace and ribbon that was in my stash

Lady Anne's Challenges -Anything Goes