Jesus - the Reason for the Season!

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  ² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  ³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  ⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  ⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  ⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which  shall be to all people.  ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  ² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  ¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  ¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  ¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  ¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:1-19

 Welcome to the Third Annual ’25 Days of Christmas’ in conjunction with My Paper Crafting.com, the blogsite for which I am on the regular Design Team – and loving it!  Here’s a bit of an introduction, history and explanation of what you can expect during this 25 Days of December.  Don’t worry if you’ve missed any of the original posts to this point – You can click on links on Melin’s post to get to posts from previous days.  I am posting on Days 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, 20, and 25, corresponding to the days of this month – and possibly some other days in between, depending on how my time goes…

We have almost 30 designers who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to create some spectacular projects to share with you! So pull up a comfy chair and get ready to be inspired! There will be daily projects featuring:

* Cricut Cartridges

*Electronic Die Cutting Files

(Svg type, using Pazzles, Silhouette, Gazelle, Cameo type Machines)

*Digital Stamps with Coloring
(Using Copics, Digital and other coloring mediums)

*Stamping and Inking

*Traditional Dies, Punches and all the other tools we love.

A Little Something For EVERY TYPE of "Paper Crafter"

Format:  Each day the designers were given a “theme” to work with, so each day will be different.  We will also have a daily FREE Cutting File and a daily FREE Digital Stamp-Printable along with some FREE Royalty-Free Vintage Graphics. Today's theme:

Here we are at Day 25 of our December daily Challenges and gifts!  Where has the month gone?  I trust that today, Christmas, will be a Blessed day of remembrance of Jesus’ birth – God’s Great Gift to Us on Earth – and, hopefully, a time to share with Family and Friends. 

Today’s theme is ‘Jesus – the Reason for the Season’ -  I chose to make another new-to-me type of card – called a ‘Surprise Pop-up Card’ by the person whose video I found onYouTube.  It’s fairly easy to do, although a bit tricky at first, and I like the way it ‘works.’  For this card I used the ‘Nativity Sil v11 cf’ from MyPaperCrafting.com. 

Here is the card I made –

Card front - closed

Card open - front side view

View from the back side -

View from the back -

Usually, a silhouette is done in black or a dark color against a light background.   Being the ‘rebel’ that I am, I decided to do it in reverse for this project.  I wanted the Bible background to be Black – and the silhouette to be White – a whole Black and White clean-line theme going on – with a splash of my favorite Christmas colors – Red and Green.  I cut the card pieces from White cardstock and then embossed the top piece before cutting it.  I used the Corner Rounder punch on the corners of the tag.  I printed the sentiment on white cardstock and adhered it to black cardstock before adhering it to the card – the first piece on the bottom section of the folding flap of the card – the second piece, also adhered to black cardstock and then to the ‘base’ of the card inside the open which is revealed when the Tag is pulled out and the card stands up.  I used the MS ‘Pine Branch’ to make pine boughs which have red berries, punched from a regular hole punch, nestled among them.

I really enjoyed making this style of card and I look forward to making more in the future.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed this month of creative expression and have loved seeing the various projects that our Regular and Guest Design Team members have offered!  I have learned much from these talented and giving women – I hope you have, too -  I hope you’ll continue to visit Melin’s blog – and mine! – in the New Year, as we continue to share our creative ideas and projects with you -  ;-}

I trust you are enjoying a lovely day today and that you’ll experience a wonderful New Year – 2013!  Many Blessings to you all – and Thank You for visiting my blog and offering your kind comments these past months!

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 As mentioned above, Melin will be giving away FREE digital die cutting files, digital printables and vintage graphics. Please note: Each day we will have new files. Be sure to stop by each day as they will be free one day only! Please also note, the free files will have a price listed by them, but when you add them to your cart to check out, they will be free during the day they are posted only. These files have been generously donated by PaperCraftingWorld.com. Be sure to take advantage of the great 50% off sale on all downloadable files through December!

Today’s FREE files are –

Here are just some of the prizes we will be sharing with you!

~ Quick Quotes Prize Pack
~ The Twinery: Twine
~ PaperCraftingWorld.com: Gift Certificate
~ Page-Kits.com: Gift Certificate
~ Melinda Beltran: Close To My Heart Stamping Items
~ Miscellaneous Weekly Prizes

We will share details on all of these prizes as the days unfold. 

SO HOW ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO WIN?!!!!
Be a follower of Melin’s My Paper Crafting blog AND leave a comment on any of our daily posts.   That's it, that's all we ask!!! Please only one comment per day.  ALSO join us on our Facebook Page and leave a comment telling us you did and that will be an extra chance to win! Pretty easy!

Thank you for joining us today. Be sure to go back often in the future for some more great projects and our new FREEBIES which Melin offers weekly!  Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2013!

Day 13: August - Chillaxin' and Vacations

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
   He puts the deep into storehouses.

Psalm 33 : 7

Welcome to the Third Annual ’25 Days of Christmas’ in conjunction with My Paper Crafting.com, the blogsite for which I am on the regular Design Team – and loving it!  Here’s a bit of an introduction, history and explanation of what you can expect during this 25 Days of December.  Don’t worry if you’ve missed any of the original posts to this point – You can click on links on Melin’s post to get to posts from previous days.  I am posting on Days 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, 20, and 25, corresponding to the days of this month – and possibly some other days in between, depending on how my time goes…

We have almost 30 designers who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to create some spectacular projects to share with you! So pull up a comfy chair and get ready to be inspired! There will be daily projects featuring:

* Cricut Cartridges

*Electronic Die Cutting Files

(Svg type, using Pazzles, Silhouette, Gazelle, Cameo type Machines)

*Digital Stamps with Coloring
(Using Copics, Digital and other coloring mediums)

*Stamping and Inking

*Traditional Dies, Punches and all the other tools we love.

A Little Something For EVERY TYPE of "Paper Crafter"

Format:  Each day the designers were given a “theme” to work with, so each day will be different.  We will also have a daily FREE Cutting File and a daily FREE Digital Stamp-Printable along with some FREE Royalty-Free Vintage Graphics. Today's theme:

Today’s theme is August:  Chillaxin’ and Vacations –  I used the  FREE ‘Seashells cf’ for today and made a Seashells Candle Jar from an empty candle jar.  Here is the file I used –

Here is the finished jar that I made – lit and unlit –

Candle Jar - front - lit

Candle Jar - side - lit

Candle Jar - front - unlit

*  I cut the Seashells from the file -  2 sets - one for front and one for back of the jar – using Vellum.  I adhered them with my Homemade ModPodge and then applied an additional 2 coats of it.

*  I purchased a bag of ‘sparkly sand’ from the Clearance rack at Michaels several weeks ago – before I knew I’d need it, but thinking I might – for something!  I scooped some of the sand into the jar and set a tea light on it.

*  I had been ‘dumpster diving’ last summer with an office-mate in the exclusive neighborhood in which I’d worked the past few years.  I got LOTS of Great stuff that day – one of which was a bag of lovely seashells – so I had some to use for this project!  Incredibly, there were the exact kinds in the bag that are in this weeks’ cutting file!  I first ripped a circle of Sandpaper (!!!) to adhere to the lid, then I adhered some of the Seashells to it.

Lid - front view

Lid - back view

Lid - front view

Lid - back view

Seashells Candle Jar - front - lid on

Seashells Candle Jar - side - lid on

 The Candle Jar would be a great addition to a summer dinner table, picnic table or patio area.  One could also use a citronella candle in it to keep the mosquitoes away -  ;-

************

 As mentioned above, Melin will be giving away FREE digital die cutting files, digital printables and vintage graphics. Please note: Each day we will have new files. Be sure to stop by each day as they will be free one day only! Please also note, the free files will have a price listed by them, but when you add them to your cart to check out, they will be free during the day they are posted only. These files have been generously donated by PaperCraftingWorld.com. Be sure to take advantage of the great 50% off sale on all downloadable files through December!

Today’s FREE files are –

Here are just some of the prizes we will be sharing with you!

~ Quick Quotes Prize Pack
~ The Twinery: Twine
~ PaperCraftingWorld.com: Gift Certificate
~ Page-Kits.com: Gift Certificate
~ Melinda Beltran: Close To My Heart Stamping Items
~ Miscellaneous Weekly Prizes

We will share details on all of these prizes as the days unfold. 

SO HOW ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO WIN?!!!!
Be a follower of Melin’s My Paper Crafting blog AND leave a comment on any of our daily posts.   That's it, that's all we ask!!! Please only one comment per day.  ALSO join us on our Facebook Page and leave a comment telling us you did and that will be an extra chance to win! Pretty easy!

Thank you for joining us today. Be sure to go back tomorrow for some more great projects and our new FREEBIES!

Day 9: May-Mother's Day - Homage to Mama

¹³ She is always gathering wool and flax and enjoys making things with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like a ship from a faraway place.  She brings home food from everywhere.
¹⁵ She wakes up early in the morning, cooks food for her family,

¹⁷ She works very hard.  She is strong and able to do all her work.
¹⁸ She works late into the night…

²⁰ She always gives to the poor and helps those who need it.

²¹ She does not worry about her family when it snows. 

She has given them all good, warm clothes.
²² She makes sheets and spreads for the beds, and she wears clothes of fine linen.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom and teaches others to be loving and kind.
²⁷ She oversees the care of her house.  She is never lazy.

Proverbs 31 – selected verses

 Welcome to the Third Annual ’25 Days of Christmas’ in conjunction with My Paper Crafting.com, the blogsite for which I am on the regular Design Team – and loving it!  Here’s a bit of an introduction, history and explanation of what you can expect during this 25 Days of December.  Don’t worry if you’ve missed any of the original posts to this point – You can click on links on Melin’s post to get to posts from previous days.  I am posting on Days 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, 20, and 25, corresponding to the days of this month – and possibly some other days in between, depending on how my time goes…

We have almost 30 designers who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to create some spectacular projects to share with you! So pull up a comfy chair and get ready to be inspired! There will be daily projects featuring:

* Cricut Cartridges

*Electronic Die Cutting Files

(Svg type, using Pazzles, Silhouette, Gazelle, Cameo type Machines)

*Digital Stamps with Coloring
(Using Copics, Digital and other coloring mediums)

*Stamping and Inking

*Traditional Dies, Punches and all the other tools we love.

A Little Something For EVERY TYPE of "Paper Crafter"

Format:  Each day the designers were given a “theme” to work with, so each day will be different.  We will also have a daily FREE Cutting File and a daily FREE Digital Stamp-Printable along with some FREE Royalty-Free Vintage Graphics. Today's theme:

Today’s theme is May – Mother’s Day.  I chose to make a 12 x 12 layout as an ‘Homage to Mama.’  She passed away a few years ago and there were a lot of things that she wasn’t, but I dwell on the good things that she taught me and I’ve chosen as many attributes from the famous Proverbs 31 passage that she did possess.   One of several, which she had, was her excellent and inventive sewing abilities.  She taught me when I was in grade school and I have sewn some amazing items through the years.  She loved her gardens and houseplants even to the end when she had very little. 

I incorporated several of Melin’s files in this one page.  I used today’s FREE ‘Lilacs’ Vintage Digital File from MyPaperCrafting as the focal background.  I used the ‘Oval Flourish and Frame cf’.  I used the ‘Dressform2 cf’ and the FREE ‘Dressform and Tag cf’ and the as one of the design elements and the Journaling Tag.

 

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*  My favorite color combination is Lavender and Black and I decided to use it for this layout because of the Lilac digi and memories of Mama.  We had a Lilac bush in the yard where I grew up in MI and many years later I had a huge one in my own yard there.  I’d bring in baskets-full and make bouquets for each room late at night when they were in bloom, so that we all awoke to the smell of Lilacs in the morning.  

*  I put the ‘Lilacs’ digi into my PSE 10 program and changed the Hue/Saturation to make it a light lavender color and then lightened it even more, so that it was pale and ethereal in feeling.   

*  I printed this on white cardstock and then punched around the edge with a MS punch.  The top and bottom edges allowed for a complete set of the punching.  The sides didn’t, so I began at the corners (as I always do), punched with the straight punch on either side and then used the corner punch in the middle, trimming just a bit of the paper to make the design consistent all around. 

*  I adhered this piece to the center of an 8.5 x 11” medium lavender cardstock.  I added a light lavender piece of cardstock to the bottom edge to make the page 12”.  Unfortunately, I realized after I submitted the photos for today’s post that I needed to add a half-inch black border piece to each side of the page, so that it would be 12 x 12”.  Imagine that it’s there.  ;-}  I adhered a piece of patterned ribbon at the seam between the two pieces.

*  I used a MS Punch to make a bottom border element.  The ribbon had a design similar to the border punch and the design on the Journaling Tag.  I love it when things ‘come together’ from what I have here!

*  I cut the Frame from the lavender print cardstock and a shadow of it from silver cardstock for the top right corner.  I will print a small photo of Mama and place it in there.

*  I cut a ‘Dressform’ from silver cardstock and then a ‘Dressform 2’ from the print, adhering them together.  I added 3 flower buttons to the waist and lace around the bottom of the skirt.

*  I cut a sewing machine and 3 spools of thread from the print cardstock, using a file I’ve had for a long time.  I didn’t notate where I got it from back then.  I added thread and a real needle and adhered them.  (I learned to sew on a very old black Singer sewing machine, so I used the ‘older’ model of the 2 files I have.  I now sew on a ‘newer’ model, which is now an ‘older’ model to people of today…!)

*  I cut a Journaling Tag using the FREE cf offered today.  Journaling can be written on the back and it can be inserted in the ‘pocket’ I made for it from Vellum.  I cut a half-circle piece from it using a MS scalloped circle punch.  I adhered the 'heart' from the Dressform to the pocket.

*  I faux-stitched around the edge of the page with a fine black felt pen. 

I enjoyed making this layout this week and ‘remembering the good’…   I hope you enjoyed seeing it.  

**********

As mentioned above, Melin will be giving away FREE digital die cutting files, digital printables and vintage graphics. Please note: Each day we will have new files. Be sure to stop by each day as they will be free one day only! Please also note, the free files will have a price listed by them, but when you add them to your cart to check out, they will be free during the day they are posted only. These files have been generously donated by PaperCraftingWorld.com. Be sure to take advantage of the great 50% off sale on all downloadable files through December!

Today’s FREE files are –

Here are just some of the prizes we will be sharing with you!

~ Quick Quotes Prize Pack
~ The Twinery: Twine
~ PaperCraftingWorld.com: Gift Certificate
~ Page-Kits.com: Gift Certificate
~ Melinda Beltran: Close To My Heart Stamping Items
~ Miscellaneous Weekly Prizes

We will share details on all of these prizes as the days unfold. 

SO HOW ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO WIN?!!!!
Be a follower of Melin’s My Paper Crafting blog AND leave a comment on any of our daily posts.   That's it, that's all we ask!!! Please only one comment per day.  ALSO join us on our Facebook Page and leave a comment telling us you did and that will be an extra chance to win! Pretty easy!

Thank you for joining us today. Be sure to go back tomorrow for some more great projects and our new FREEBIES!

Day 7: April Showers 'n' Flowers - 2 Memo Pad Covers

My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain,
        my words arrive like morning dew,
    Like a sprinkling rain on new grass,
        like spring showers on the garden.

Deuteronomy 32:2

Welcome to the Third Annual ’25 Days of Christmas’ in conjunction with My Paper Crafting.com, the blogsite for which I am on the regular Design Team – and loving it!  Here’s a bit of an introduction, history and explanation of what you can expect during this 25 Days of December.  Don’t worry if you’ve missed any of the original posts to this point – You can click on links on Melin’s post to get to posts from previous days.  I am posting on Days 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, 20, and 25, corresponding to the days of this month – and possibly some other days in between, depending on how my time goes…

We have almost 30 designers who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to create some spectacular projects to share with you! So pull up a comfy chair and get ready to be inspired! There will be daily projects featuring:

* Cricut Cartridges

*Electronic Die Cutting Files

(Svg type, using Pazzles, Silhouette, Gazelle, Cameo type Machines)

*Digital Stamps with Coloring
(Using Copics, Digital and other coloring mediums)

*Stamping and Inking

*Traditional Dies, Punches and all the other tools we love.

A Little Something For EVERY TYPE of "Paper Crafter"

Format: Each day the designers were given a “theme” to work with, so each day will be different.  We will also have a daily FREE Cutting File and a daily FREE Digital Stamp-Printable along with some FREE Royalty-Free Vintage Graphics. Today's theme:

Today’s Theme is for the month of April – Showers and Flowers. With all of the rain we’ve been having here in CA recently – and with my passion for flowers (with a last name of ‘Blossom’ how could I not have that??!!) – this was a relatively easy task!  I often pick up Memo Pads and other small gift-type items that I can ‘enhance’ with my paper-crafting touches and I looked through my shelf of these and came up with two pads that were appropriate to this theme and would go nicely with the FREE ‘Angel Vintage Digi’ for today over at Melin’s.  

Here is the original ds file – and then what I chose to do with the other options offered in the .zip file for the Memo Pad Covers –

*  I measured the Pads, added a ‘margin on each side, top and bottom of it and also for the spine.  I used Kraft cardstock for these 2 covers, as each pad had that color in the papers.

*  I used the Black and White version of the digi printed on light gray cardstock for one and the Rosewash version printed on cream parchment cardstock for the other one.

*  For the B/W version –

**  I used scraps of other projects and tied them all together for a completed look. 

**  I used a lacey punch on a square of black cardstock and on straight pieces for the border. 

**  I used the corner pieces cut from it to make ‘photo corners’ for the picture. 

**  I cut the square apart to ‘offset frame’ the picture of the Angel. 

**  I had a scrap of flower-embossed Vellum from another project and I cut it into strips to ‘frame the frame.’ 

**  I punched leaves from wallpaper scraps. 

**  I punched flowers from silver cardstock, tool embossed them to give dimension and adhered a black gem to the centers.

** I faux-stitched on the trim pieces with a ‘We R Memory Keepers Faux-stitching Roller’ and a Silver gel pen.

**  I stapled a piece of cardstock to the inside back of the Cover and slid the Memo Pad into it for now.  The Memo Pad has a magnet attached to the back of it, should the recipient decide to post it somewhere, also.

 **********

For the Rosewash version –

Here is the cutting file I used on this one -

            **  I corner-rounded the corners of the cover. 

**  I corner-rounded the picture, inked the edges and added faux-stitching.

            **  I used the ‘Tag and Snowflake cf’  (from Day 2) and cut just the back piece and one layer for the tag here. 

            **  I ran the top layer through my hand-held paper ‘Wave’ roller.

            **  I tied a bow to the tag with hemp string.

            **  Using a corner punch and a straight punch, I made 2 borders pieces and lightly inked them.

            **  I used the ‘We R Memory Keepers Faux-stitching Roller’ and then a Brick Red pen.

            **  I punched leaves and tiny flower blossoms with MS punches, tool-embossed them for dimension and added Gold Glitter Stickles for the flower centers.

**  I stapled a piece of cardstock to the inside back of the Cover and slid the Memo Pad into it for now.  The Memo Pad has a magnet attached to the back of it, should the recipient decide to post it somewhere, also.

 

These are fairly quick to make and are great for quick gifts.  One can add a pen hooked to the inside stapled band.  (Packages of 10 at the $$Store…)

Come again each day of the month at My Paper Crafting to see all of the wonderful projects - and come see my next projects on the dates mentioned above - !  ;-}

**********

As mentioned above, Melin will be giving away FREE digital die cutting files, digital printables and vintage graphics. Please note: Each day we will have new files. Be sure to stop by each day as they will be free one day only! Please also note, the free files will have a price listed by them, but when you add them to your cart to check out, they will be free during the day they are posted only. These files have been generously donated by PaperCraftingWorld.com. Be sure to take advantage of the great 50% off sale on all downloadable files through December!

Today’s FREE files are –

Here are just some of the prizes we will be sharing with you!

~ Quick Quotes Prize Pack
~ The Twinery: Twine
~ PaperCraftingWorld.com: Gift Certificate
~ Page-Kits.com: Gift Certificate
~ Melinda Beltran: Close To My Heart Stamping Items
~ Miscellaneous Weekly Prizes

We will share details on all of these prizes as the days unfold. 

SO HOW ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO WIN?!!!!
Be a follower of Melin’s My Paper Crafting blog AND leave a comment on any of our daily posts.   That's it, that's all we ask!!! Please only one comment per day.  ALSO join us on our Facebook Page and leave a comment telling us you did and that will be an extra chance to win! Pretty easy!

Thank you for joining us today. Be sure to go back tomorrow for some more great projects and our new FREEBIES!