Beautiful Christmas Images

Christmas Blessings

Just wanted to share a little about my family Next to my relationship with God , my family
is the number one blessing in my life . My husband is a man of faith and mentors so many people . My hubby never likes his picture made . But he is so cute --
still adore him after marrying my H> S> sweetheart 42 yrs ago . His blue eyes still amaze me .


My oldest son and wife are so cute , but are sweet also . They hosted Christmas this year --so much fun . This is their home - she is an excellent cook. wow her pasta dishes and cheesecakes are out of this world . She teaches cooking . Isn't he lucky !!- They work out , fish, hike and she has a horse . Whew ! they make me tired . ( will post more of their cute Christmas house later)

Our youngest son and wife are adorable - Serving God , just like my oldest and his wife .

They are both talented actors and are on stage each week at our church in children's ministry .

Where is my daughter ??? the oldest -She puts her hand in front of her face -- hates her picture being made . O. k. will catch you unaware -- She is truly beautiful - and has a personality

that captivates people -- Her faith is very strong . and she has so many talents . She is quick witted-- smart and funny -- ( didn't get that from me ) It is one of the family jokes - that I always kill or mess up the punchline in a joke .
Now the delight of my life --My sweet grands -- 8 &10 . They are such fun . and so cute . what fun we had Christmas day . They both are sweet and delightful and we are very proud of them .

They both love art , always coloring and drawing -- and we play in my studio sometimes -- as well my grandson goes to hubs woodworking shop -- He turns the most beautiful bowls and boxes -- and they even made a baseball bat .

Well that is a little about my family -- I guess you can say I am proud . They turned out well

in spite of me !!! Yes < I have been truly blessed this Christmas .

Gingerbread Blessings

This is my ginger version of the magic pocket card. As you can tell I am loving it . This is for one of my friends who loves to cook, especially bake. I love gingermen , so couldn't resist the graphics I had . As you can see there is a neat pocket . Deep enough for several goodies . I put some cute and tasty recipes in the pocket -- but everything else is hush ! hush ! Her real present won't fit in the pocket - but favors and small lotions & soaps etc . will . I think I need one with handles --could hang on a door for May Day -- Yikes getting ahead --Valentines next . Hope you are having a great day .
Too full here . We have a local store called Patricks -- been around since the turn of the century. It was a general store --but now sells seeds and plants during spring n' punkins and
other fall decorations and Halloween things .It is a tradition for families to go each year to pick
out candy at Christmas- they have huge cartons of chocolates stacked and you buy by the pound
lots of fruits, nuts etc . -- Too yummy . My grands already went with their Mom and Dad , so we "just " had to go today , can't break a tradition -- my boys and wives --watch their diets
(newleyweds ya know - 1 yr and 2 yrs . )-- So we went alone -- Hmm won't say what we bought
needless to say , like a kid in a candy store -- Ha ! Ha ! - Did I say that ?? We were greeted at the door by Mrs Santa in full red costume -- and she gave us samples of Bob's soft peppermints -- so good and of course we had to buy the tub -- well we will share it -- Ok . off to bake goodies , we are feeding our team at church Breakfast -- We have over a hundred on our team -- but all are not serving at the same time -- Blessings Kathy

May God richly Bless You This Christmas Season

Deb is hosting a Christmas Gathering !!!

Still Learning about Blogger

I am so excited , finally learned how to get the items I create from my scrapbook program
onto my blog as a Banner - ( I created ) I guess I am a slow learner . Have a great day --
Off to shop .

Recovering American Soldier

Just a quick note today --- My friend sent me this -- I assume it would be a valid address
even after Christmas . It means so much when you are ill to receive mail , also to show our love and support for what they are going through ,
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical
Center
6900 Georgia Ave. N.W.
Blessings , Kathy Washington D. C. 20307-5001

Did I say addicted to stamps ???

This truly was a milestone for me (electronically handicapped as I am )-- The snowman tag with poms -- is from one of my graphic sets -- then I learned how to

paste it into my scrappin program onto a tag template I had made and scanned , then added punched snowflakes and Stickles -luv that stuff -- Whew - almost thought would need another set of hands or a foot maybe - LOL!!! As you can see my pictures get out of sequence with my words - still working on this blog thing - BUt need more time to create !!! One more and we are done ! He got left out in the cold -- H A ! HA - sorry those words just jumped upon the page . I am also addicted to punches -- will explore that one day -- still need to show my other 12 Day creatioons -- Soon maybe .

Love Gingerbread men also -- have bought one of those Crafty Secrets houses -- so cute - will have to put a gingerman somewhere -hope I have the chance to

make it before Christmas -The card on the left was purchased in Beaufort -- never seen another anywhere . they had the sample stamped several times on a mini milk carton - I have the template somewhere for it , very cute - filled with candies -then holes punched and ribbon added .

I love tags , Can you tell ??? These while almost one color and simple , delight me - I started keeping some -, because after making so many could not remember all of them . These seems a little out of focus , hmm not sure , maybe my $i.oo glasses need upgrading HA HA !!

The stamping became an addiction , each stamp cuter than the rest. Even found the darling Christmas stamp in Beaufort S>C> near Charleston ,while on vacation , who new that in this very small townof lovely century old homes , such a lovely stamp place existed . Been back once since -hmmm wonder if they are online now ??

Isn't this stamp beautiful - yes this is a stamped image - too beautiful . The wonderful shop that carried the most wonderful stamps and ideas no longer exists -many still miss the shop Angel Art

They carried many types , and were great people . Several years ago this was what I used as a Christmas card to my closest friends . I just used a gold mat on the picture and wording . According to each friends home color scheme, I stamped the card that color -the blue my daughter has is especially lovely . A beautiful cobalt color -- I put each in a beautiful frame

and gave it early in the Christmas season as my Christmas card , most still have it on display .

I made this one for myself --never made it into a frame . The snowmen tags are simple ,

but I love them .

This is a magic pocket card i made for "The 12 Days " with Teresa-- This is a 12x12 piece of cardstock folded -- seemed simple --but somehow I was technically challenged ,

but i truly loved it (Anna Griffin paper is so lovely - fits my chintz side ) , once I got the hang of it . Sorry, the picture does not show it -but there is a pocket that also opens at the top

There is room to fill with a small gift or candy or sachet. The pocket on the front -holds the flat card I made . It was for my beautiful daughter 's Birthday. The

ribbons on the side hold it together . I think variations - would be fun -- less ribbons on one side and add some to balance on the other -- You can even add a hanger to the top for a doorknob hanger . I think i will try one Christmasy one

a checked one with Gingermen on the front and a wonderful

wrapped cookie and candycane in the back pocket

and ther has to be a jingle bell somewhere . I hope more artist will

host pay tutorials -- it was a bargain to me , for several ideas

that I know I will use over and over . Even though I live near the largesst city in the south

We do not have many scrapbook places or places for altered art supplies . Several privately owned ones went out of business -and the other retailers only teach limited

classes ( if you say altered art they are confused ) -usually beginner and run of the mill - (corporate usually dictates ) I do love

Archivers -- to be able to see newest papers -- but their classes are also dictated .

It is not that I cannot create --- it would be fun to meet with like minded gals -

That is why this blogging community is so great - it gives me an outlet to see other artists

work and be inspired by them

Recycling to the max -- Teresa Mc Fayden style

I participated in Teresa's - 12 Days -- online --see banner in a previous post -- Too fun -- what brought on this tutorial was that one of the days we made German glass Glitter for a project that would be coming up . --by smashing

cheap glass ornaments -- German glass glitter is quite expensive

and hard to find in colors -- the clear is at Michael's . As i took out the cap and hanger , i realized by further smashing (sorta ) the cap became a flower -- added a little cream paint ,

wiped it off and then added the button --- voila , -- i added the ribbon --ready to tie on a package -or for a small ornie on a tree

a metal embellishment -- you could punch a larger hole and add a brad - or sew it on -. also you could add beads

hanger i placed on the back covered it with paper

a dded a sweet angel graphic .

Snowman goodies for Terri for --Viv's snowman ornament swap

I had so much fun , making all these goodies .
the little wooden snow angel are in Terri's
favorite color-teal- the others are made from some of my graphics -- the snowflake was bought and I added the Kathy touch which always includes stickles -- I can't stop myself lol!! Sorry about the reflection on the paperweight and the glass ornament -- still working on my picture taking skills .

"Snowmen Love " from Terri

I love all my swap snowmen treats from my partner Terri
Her blog is -- primtiques.blogspot.com-- The tag is darling ,
The back is as cute as the front -- love that jingle bell too
The little santa shipping tag is way too cute -- I need that
, Is it a stamp ???? - The snowmen cone ornaments
are both beautiful -- and fit both sides of me -- one a
little bit traditional greens and one with that vintage
look .
I love all the attention to detail --- she is
a sweetie and has such a wonderful touch
Thanks Terri , you made my first ornament swap a joy . Now hope you like yours -- She's been off to the big city of New York
what fun

Computer fun with Teresa ---

Oh what fun . I have been participation in the fabulous 12 days with the talented and fabulous Teresa Mc Fayden .

There is a fee -- but I think well worth it -- Cute ideas -some graphics downloads -- I know there are tutorials in cyberland -- but for we ==paper junkies -this is the best

all you blog ladies truly inspire with your art see her at her blog for information -- TeresaMcfayden.typepad.com-

sorry don't have that hyperlink thing down yet . It is too fun waiting for everypost to see what new idea we will create -- It is still not too late to join !!!

These are a few of my favorite things

This cabinet is way too full of bear collectibles ! Seeing the picture , I realize what a good cleaning out is needed ! The little brown bear with the wooden B
is a button bear . He has them strung around his neck , on his bow and on his sweet paw ! The second picture is a tiny Steiff bear that was issued about 15 or so yrs ago -- I think I paid about
$25. for it --saw one in an antique shop recently for $135.00 -- too crazy although the old Steiff bears go for thousands . Needless to say - he is the only Steiff I own . The sweet girl in the white dress and hair bow was handmade by a local artist several yrs ago .

Two of the most delightful are the two in the last picture -- the bears were made by the same artist -- all the clothes and wings are handmade . The angel bear has a wreath , candle and a tiny star necklace Too sweet --- the child in me still loves them

This cabinet holds many other bears --some even wooden -- some turn of the century childrens plates with bears on them, and some antique toys -- drums

tops and some that wind up and play music , like the one beside the steiff teddy . It is so fun to arrange them as having a tea party etc -- I have many antique toys --- but those will have to wait til another post ---- we won't even talk about the rag doll collecting or Santas -- I have a lamb doll - that is way too sweet -- did I mention that I love Raggedy Ann ---I have not added to these collections in quite a few yrs .. and the dolls are all packed up --- Hence the need to refurbish a hall in my house as "The Toy Hall " - I have started collecting vintage looking snowmen this year , will post some of those and Santas too , as I dig them out of those bopxes .

This is a paper angel I made several years ago --- the original idea was in Stampington or _Somerset Studio --

the wings are separate and stamped and embossed - like wise

the head , and it is popped up , there are beads around the neck --and black tulle was what I had in my stash . There is ribbon and cording around her waist -- this picture does not show the details very well , as this is black and gold -- I still like it -- need to do other variations .

Beautiful stocking swap goodies came in the mail

What a beautiful stocking -- suits me to a "T" - my stocking swap partner -
sandy-sandyscreations.blogspot.com
has such a beautiful vintage flair .
Visit her to see other lovely creations
I took a closeup of the embellishments, but for some reason
it is sideways in my scan, too crazy
Oh well , still learning - so many goodies - love that Country Living
mag see close ups of other things
in the next post

other pics of swap goodies

Wonderful goodies included with my stocking - so generous Luv that ribbon - Little did she know I am a closet gingerbread man collector.

The stickers are too wonderful . Thank you Sandy

Beginning to look a lot like christmas -- NOT HERE

Wow, soon be Dec . not much Christmas decorating going on here . There are Christmas thingys -all over the place tho -- I am creating for my first swaps ever. and that can be pretty messy -- a snowman ornament swap and a stocking swap . I dug up this picture to show everyone what snow looks like in the deep south . This was several years ago -- it stops travel , closes the schools - and makes us ready to make snowmen . We live in a Victorian home circa 1900 in a town (small when we moved here ) near Atlanta -- i am city girl and from there originally , and a G.R.I.T.S. GIRL ( girl raised in the south) . We live on acreage ( 8 1/2 ) which is considered very small in this area . I am charmed by the countryside but do make my trips to all the fun, in and around Atl. When we moved here there were encounters with deer -( large , by my standards )- quail , the big Black

bull that used to get out ( jumped the fence - an awesome sight ) and ate my flowers -- a possum eating the cat food on the back porch -- and a large black snake -Hub says they are good for the environment -- but that is another issue altogether -- a snake wrangler I am not .

Our daughter a middleschooler at the time spent most of the first summer here visiting the grandparents . She said we had moved her to the ---"Sticks "--- too funny . Of course she loves it and makes her home here now , and we are a city of about 90,ooo -- Whew ! grew too fast --

The great thing is we can be at the High Museum of Art in an hour -- or to a beautiful campsite , with a lake in 20 minutes . OK ! creating must take place -- need to get my goodies

in the mail soon .

Chintz -teapots

This is another reproduction of the original chintz tea designs . This is "Rosalynde "by Royal

Winton made in England . It is a toast set - a teapot . sugar bowl creamer . toast holder and the tiny bowl to the left of the teapot is for your discarded tea bags -- and the yellow background

it is one of my favorite pieces , Yes I do have a yellow secretary -- will try to post pictures of that later -- Need I say I love -- antiquing -- but especially a bargain -- so I

brake for estate sales and any junk shop or flea market -- who knows what treasures may await

The other side -- Chintz -

I love this cup -- it is not an original Chintz pattern -- but it is still a favorite - all the right

elements =-- roses , a gold rim and beautiful background color .

Frosty and Santa Tags !!!

I am sorry the bling from the stickles does not show up -- but you can see some of it on the star and snowman -- These are ready to place on a package or hang on a tree as an ornament . Thus the country side of my name -- In my home I love to decorate -traditional or country french . But I am planning a spot in my house
to display all my country collections that have been boxed up -- such cute things too .
For many years I did the Atlanta, Ga , craft circuit --( some may have heard of Yellow Daisy Festival at St . Mtn . Park -- (attracts thousands each year ) It also is the largest Granite mtn in the states) -- also Apple Annie and a lot of the
juried shows here - I was a decorative painter of cute craft items -- my favorite things to create were Christmas themed -. Later will show you my Chintz side --love chintz design teapots( now you have to mortgage your house to buy them) and roses . tole trays -- black background only please ! -- So I am a little mixed up -- you know that right brain , left brain thing -- well for years I was a head teller at a bank -- very organized - and precise -- the artsy side 0f me finds me with paint in my hair , ink on my nails from rubber stamping - and saving bits of everything (did I say packrat ) for my altered art -- Some say it is an illness - I hope I am never cured --- What fun !!! Back to my childhood cutting and gluing paper -- My friends
(avid scrappers if ya know what i mean ) laugh about me never producing a page or album --
always making cards. tags --wall art -- and have to have the newest and latest gizmo to punch ,
color or someway alter paper - My hub was alarmed when he saw me saving the corrugated cardboard from lightbulb packs -- as well as blown bulbs -- they make cute snowmen ornaments, ya know -- so on to being CREATIVE -- i just may surprise them with a page one day LOL !!
f

These are very cute hand drawn -e-tags -

you can purchase and download from - Palette Primitives -

it is a line drawing sheet, designed by Sue Allemand and you print on cardstock -cut and color - they have others for Fall and Easter

also . I used watercolors on mine and then added a little stickles -for bling --and a cute bow also i used a contrasting solid cardstock -for that little extra touch . will show them in the next post

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving --Ours was wonderful , shared with family and friends

I love to add images from old postcards to my Christmas items .

I have collected so many --but this one especially with the bunny

is so sweet . You may use this one for your cards or craft

ideas Really need to get to bed - Many Christmas Crafting

projects ahead --plus shopping . shopping . shopping --

Newbie

OK , it is obvious i am a newbie -- Don't know how i ended up with two of the same -- and for some reason i cannot remove one of them -- Crazy !!_ them or me LOL! Some of the tags were manila shipping tags - sprayed with ink -- love the cranberry red -- then elements from my graphics - plus torn scrapbook paper and stickles --plus embellishments -- i never have enough of those -- the cute Reindeer was from a graphicssheet i bought , it downloads as an 8 1/2 x 11 ,i cut the tag then the reindeer and popped it up . but this doesn't show in the picture

-- OK one more picture -----

Love old world Santas --

A few Christmas tags

I wanted to share a few Christmas tags that i made -- i luv -- tags -- from cute to victorian ---

Several years ago in Victoria magazine -there was an article with beautiful tags -- they were just the lowly shipping tag as the base but became something different with the touch of an artist hand--there were embroidered tags - some with embroidered initals - hearts made of rose petals -- so lovely -- now she is a designer for Somerset studio and others

--- So i saved the issue and loved tags way before they became a scrapbook craze ---

I love all things Christmas

- as you can see Angels are one of my favorite

things to use in my art --- i love to use the big sizzix tag for

an ornament == you can add - jingle bells - charms etc to the bottom ---then

layer it up with paper, lace -words and your angels -- one of my fav products is (Diamomd Glaze ) gives a three dimensional look -- also adding ,Stickles -a very finer glitter glue -- gives all the sparkle . I love the shabby chic look as well as - things -rubbed off and layered with

inks etc. Need to look in my stash -for past Christmas ideas to post .

Banner woes ????

Well i am adding pictures easily -- need to figure out how to fix my banner -- when i reead the help section it is double -speak lol ! -- Ok well this will do for now -- I am all about the bling and lots of elements -- so . will work on it later -- Dog to the vet Ugh !!!

Easy as Pie -uh Cake ,well you do know Chocolate is now on the food pyramid !

Wow !!! if i had known blogging setup was this easy , I would have done it a long time ago .
How fun to get to share my pics etc .with the blog world that has given me such fun and ideas ,
not to mention a larger waistline -- all those scrumptious dessert recipes - not to mention the
hours logged in my cushy chair looking at the blogs and no exercise . Ok my blog needs a lot of work . Still trying to get my banner figured out . and need to add my faves ---

Beautiful angels

These are so sweet . I love to add these to ornaments

or cards -- Hope this works