Christmas Cards

It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas!

Thanksgiving Cards

Wind-chime

Wind-chime made from pony beads. Place beads in a metal pan, bake 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Be sure to open windows for ventilation (pretty smelly). Cool and pop out of pan. Drill holes and assemble using fishing line or heavy string.

 

Blankets for Soldiers

Are you looking for a great way to bless our troops and veterans? Soldier's Angels is another wonderful organization that offers numerous opportunities to reach out to those serving our nation militarily now and in the past. Their slogan, "May no soldier go unloved."

One part of what they do is called Blankets of Hope. This was taken from their web site:

The Blankets of Hope team creates unique, handmade blankets to send hope, support and gratitude to America's wounded and veterans.  Used on hospital beds, wheelchairs, and transport litters on medevac flights, Blankets of Hope bring the message that each service-member is loved and not forgotten.  They are included in First Response Backpacks and Vet Packs sent to Combat Support Hospitals in the war zones, major medical facilities in Germany and around the world, and selected military hospitals and veterans centers here at home.

Here are some tie-blankets that were made/donated from some friends:

Online Card Making Classes

I recently did a search for online card making classes and found this gem:
Holiday Card Workshop 2013- interactive class runs from November 11-22, 2013.

Go to this link to register:
 http://onlinecardclasses.com/hcw13/class-info/

Pinecones

I LOVE fall; all the gorgeous colors emerging, the cooler, crisper sunny days and the wind whipping up fallen leaves - what Pooh refers to as 'blustery days'! With the coming of fall also comes the falling of pine cones. Here are some items I crafted using pine cones a friend gave to me (thank you Fawn!). These were made to help raise funds for a girl's shelter in Belize called Strongtower.

Hmmm, I think I will head out for a walk and see if I can collect some on my route!

Jamesport, MO

 Fall color is beginning to show...

 First sign we are in Amish country...

 

Amish clothesline..

.

 Transportation...

Donate Your Handmade Cards

Are you interested in donating your handmade cards? Here are a couple worthwhile organizations to consider:

Donation to Operation Write Home - http://operationwritehome.org/

 Donation to Smiles4Kids - http://sendasmile4kidschallenge.blogspot.com/

Journaling

     I have to confess that I am not one who journals. In my lifetime I’ve made several feeble attempts, all have failed. As a child I remember longing to have one of those pretty little diaries with a lock and key. At one point I bought one with money from babysitting (would you believe I was paid 50 cents an hour!). At some point I felt too exposed. Perhaps someone read it, I don’t remember. Honestly, the thought of writing down my deepest thoughts, dreams, fears, and hopes, intimidates me. There’s always an underlying fear that someone else might read them, my true self would be exposed and I would be judged, or worse, disliked. I also fear that I could write down something that would bring a loved one hurt or pain if they were read after I died. So my tendency would be to 'sanitize' what I write, defeating the intent.

     However I know many people who journal and love it! They feel free to record their hopes, dreams, frustrations, joys, memories, sorrows, and all their experiences in this journey called life. It provides them with a sense of freedom, gives them emotional relief and joy. They find it therapeutic. Some even think it’s fun! The positive I see is that they can go back and read them and see where they have had answer to prayers and have moved through hard times and grown through those experiences. I also believe it is a gift. A gift they leave behind to others. It shows we are all  human beings, jostled to and fro yet able to survive and even thrive!  It gives hope to the reader for troubles they may be facing or will face in the future. It is a wonderful way to preserve one's life history.

     With all that said, the question I ask myself is, “Will I give journaling another try?” I can’t say for certain, but I love the idea! I also love to craft journals using paper, embellishments and composition books (can be purchased for $1). Here is one I recently made for a dear friend who has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Ireland this year. 

Dog Days & More

It's always fun to make cards. It's even more fun and special to make them for friends and loved ones. Here are a few that I made the past few days.

Other crafts...

Gift card or money holders . . .

Envelope style.

Pillow box style.

Matchbox style.

Purse style.

 Decorative paper clips . . .

Large size.

Regular size.

Pillow boxes (candy, small gifts, etc.) . . .

            

Sticky-note pad holders (on acrylic stands) . . .

            

Sticky notes - Matchbook style.

Sticky notes - Matchbook style.

     

Beads-n-Wire . . .

               

Scrapbook box (holds approx. 21 pictures) . . .

Closed.

    

Opened.