'Happy Holly-days' Gift Tags for the Swap!

 In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown,

a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.

Isaiah 28 : 5

Hello and Welcome!  Here I am doing this, my ninth post in conjunction with a group I connected with after I began using my Silhouette CAMEO cutting machine last year.  It’s a monthly post to showcase projects that members of the Silhouette Challenge Group have made using these wonderful machines.  You'll find a list at the end here of those of our ever-growing group who are participating this month, so you can visit them, also!

I’ve always been partial to using Holly in Christmas decorating.  I thought a little ‘education’ as to its significance might be appropriate for those of you who might be interested in how it came to be of such significance to this ‘Holly-day.’   8-]   First, I’ll let you peek at the tags I made for this month’s Silhouette Challenge Group Swap.  We were each to make 23 tags.  We sent them to one of our members who had kindly offered to sort and divide them all.  She will then send each of us our self-addressed package back to us and we will receive 23 DIFFERENT tags – one from each of the others in the Group!!  We are all excited to see the creations of everyone else -  Merry Christmas to US!  ;-]

Here are photos of my offering –

Showing the glint of the Green Sparkle cardstock -

I cut the tags from white cardstock using the ‘Butterfly ‘n’ Tag 221 CF’ (www.MyPaperCrafting.com).  

 I inked the edges with Silver.  I cut a ‘Holly-Berries Flourish’ motif (not sure where I got it quite a while ago before I knew of keeping  track of the origin of files) from Green Sparkle paper and added red ‘berries’ made with my 1/4” punch.  I then added a red gem flower and a silver flower center.  I then added Red/White candy-stripe twine for a loop at the top.  There is plenty of room for a ‘sentiment of choice’ on the front and more space to write a short note and sign it on the back.  I hope these add  'An Elegant Touch...' to gifts all across America!

Showing the glint of the Green Sparkle cardstock -

 Holly Education 101 -  8-]

The Holly has been traditionally connected to Christmas and festivals associated with it for centuries. Like Christmas songs and trees, its origins can be traced back to Northern Europe and was actually first celebrated as a plant of great importance by the Pagans. Its leaves are green with slightly jagged edges, which may have been part of the reason that the druids used it as a ceremonial head wear when they went into the forest.

Originally, the holly was a type of offering that was giving to the God Saturn by the Romans during the festival of Saturnalia. It was said that the holly was the sacred plant of Saturn and was thus even more valued by the Romans. All images of Saturn are depicted with him with the holly. It is also considered a special gift that was interchanged with a high regard for its symbolism.

At some point the holly became significant to Christians. At first it was placed within decorations that adorned doors as a method of preventing persecution. The power of the holly as a method of preventing unforeseeable trouble was not limited to the problems that earthly creatures could inflict but also demonic forces. It was believed that hanging the holly on the door of any home would prevent the entry of terrifying spectres who were more likely to attack during the holy days. Soon it began getting more mainstream acceptance as an essential symbol of Christmas festival.  As expected, the initial purpose of the holly became less recognized by the Christians who used it in yearly celebrations.

Another part of its symbolic significance is related to the crucifixion of Christ who wore a crown of thorns that caused him to bleed from his head. Thus the look of the hollies is similar to the look of Christ's makeshift crown, and the berries symbolize the blood that oozed forth from Christ during his darkest hours. The holly is, subsequently more of a religious symbol for those who subscribe to this metaphorical depiction of the widely popular plant.

It is typically separated into two types the ‘she-holly’ and the ‘he-holly.’ Both types can be distinguished by the properties of the leaves. The ‘she-holly’ is near smooth along the surface, which understandably makes it more feminine, while the ‘he-holly’ is more prickly and rougher, clearly demonstrating more masculine properties.

The holly may merely be viewed by some as a great decorative piece in homes or for use in festivals. However, its history is significant in the grand tradition of religions and pagan belief systems.       www.ChristmasHolly.net

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit here.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me -

Do you have a Silhouette of any type?  Are you looking for Silhouette inspiration, support, trouble-shooting?  Are you interested in joining us for our group posting event next month?  Then we’d love to have you join our Silhouette Challenge Facebook group.  Contact Lauren by filling out the form on her blog, if interested…here:   http://www.thinkingcloset.com/the-silhouette-challenge-facebook-group-new-members-welcome 

Please take a few minutes to visit the other gals who have contributed to this Challenge Hop today.  You’ll find Lots of Creative Inspiration and perhaps some Freebies, also, here!  Enjoy!   ;-]

DIY Ironing Board Hanger by The Turquoise Home

Silhouette Challenge: Time Zone Bathroom Art by Nearly Handmade

Santa's Christmas Countdown by Tried & True

Nautical Anchor Pillow Tutorial by The Thinking Closet

Christmas Card Ornament with Free Cut File by unOriginalMom

Thanksgiving and Christmas Dual Sign by Architecture of a Mom

Itching to Etch by Get Silvered

Snowman Tag ~ Silhouette Challenge by Whats Next Ma

Thanksgiving Sign by Chicken Scratch NY

DIY Horse Silhouette Pillow by Rain on a Tin Roof

Sketching on Fabric by The Sensory Emporium

Paper Leaf Garland by Lil' Mrs. Tori

DIY Blessing Board - Silhouette Challenge by One Tough Mother

Christmas Pillow by Create & Babble

Glass Painting with Reverse Stencils by Givemeapaintbrush

Chalkboard Thankful Tree by Cutesy Crafts

Bottoms Up! MYO Wine Tag by From Wine to Whine

'Happy Holly-days' Tags for the Swap by An Elegant Touch...  (You are here!)

Thank You for Dinner (Card) by Everyday Paper

Advent Star Christmas Countdown by My Favorite Finds

Geometric Fabric Bowls by Please Excuse My Craftermath...

Paper Carnival by Home At Eight

Silhouette Cameo Tutorial: Dual Sided Business Cards by Black and White Obsession

In Case of Emergency Baby Bag Tags by Tossed Salad Life

Christmas On My Mind by Creative Turn

Jingle all the Way! by My Paper Craze

Christmas Lights Garland by Making Home Base

We Are Thankful by 4 You With Love

Seattle Skyline Silhouette by Sowdering About in Seattle

DIY Stenciled Mugs by Coley's Corner

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Be sure to come back here often as I showcase other Paper Crafted Projects and Photo Digital Restorations that I make – several days each week.  Sign up to receive my Posts so you’ll know when I’ve posted something – usually 3 to 4 times weekly.  The second Monday of each month is this Silhouette Challenge - Other days may be other projects! 

Check out my Tabs in the Header above to see what else I do and can do for you!  Let me know if you have questions on anything here – or if I can do anything for You!  Have a Great Week!  See you again soon!  Happy Holly-days to You and Yours!

B’Bye!  -  Bye!  -  B’Bye – Bye! – B’Bye!

(You can take the Gal out of the Sky, but You can’t take the Sky out of the Gal!)  ;-}