Presents ...

Today was the GCISD's Transportation Department's Christmas party.  First up is one of the gifts that The Runner took for his exchange gift.  I love this 5"x5" canvas so much (I have made them the past few years) that I decided to create one for this exchange.  The best part is the monochromatic, earthy look - will work with any color scheme.

This little frame sure took on a completely different look; it started out a ghastly orange color.  After a coat of Gesso and a couple of coats of paint, this is how it turned out.  What better piece than this to hold The Man of the Season.

You'll be seeing more of these in a future post.  This Hershey milk chocolate candy bar is hidden just a little bit under some pretty paper, ribbon and snow scene.

Here's another shadowbox/hanging card/ornament.  I've used this same picture and sentiment on a card and loved it so much that I just had to use it again.

I couldn't resist the sentiment.  The sour expressions on these children is priceless and they just need to be reminded to "get their MERRY on" ...

Here are close-ups taken from different angles.  I don't want you to miss anything.

The gifts were individually wrapped and then put inside a larger box, with this card on the top.  I wish you could see how "brightly shining" those stars are in person!

This ornament was actually the first gift I created for this exchange and I was disappointed that it wouldn't fit inside the box.  I thought I was going to have to just hang it on our tree but then decided I could just utilize it as part of the gift wrapping.

Here's hoping these little baubles merry-up somebody's Christmas not only this year, but in years to come.

 

Ohhhhhhhh - and the very best part?  The exchanging of gifts was where everybody had a choice of an unopened gift or they could steal.  The Runner "stole" a $15 Hobby Lobby gift card.  For ME!

More Christmas

I am smitten with vintage images and just love the timeless and classic look.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I wish today's Santa would dress like this.

Joyeux Noel.  Look at this sweet little angel (no pun intended) ... now that is a classic look.

Another timeless image.  Pieces like this just seem to melt away the commercialism of Christmas.

Yes, here's the man of the season again.  Men don't refer to their clothing as "outfits" but I sure do like his!

Graceful.  There's no other word to describe this couple as they glide on the ice.  I tried to ice skate one. time.  That's all it took was one. time.  I had those skates off my feet quicker than you could say "ouch" ... never again.  Graceful?  I was not!

Best Wishes For Christmas.  Something tells me these little sweeties are going to have a steaming copy of cocoa (with marshmallows) when they go inside.

This next image reminds me of a Winter wedding.  Maybe because The Runner and I had a December wedding.  With lots and lots of snow.  And cold temperatures.  And cars that wouldn't start.  I wish they still made sleds like these rather than the plastic discs.

I remember having a little hand-warmer like her.  Of course, mine was not real fur - but it was toasty warm just the same.

This hare sure is getting his exercise in!!  I couldn't ice skate, but I sure loved to ski.  Cross-country ski, that is.  Oh, I tried downhill skiing a couple of times, but preferred to stay on the bunny slopes with all the children.  Those lifts?  Oh no.  Never.  I do not miss the cold and the ice but I sure miss skiing.  As a matter of fact, I still have my skis.  Yes.  In Texas.

My father worked part time at a nursery and when flocked trees were popular, he brought one home and this tree reminds me of that one.

Whoa ... this dude makes me cold just looking at him.  And, I must admit that I am just a little intimidated by his stature.

I leave you with this image; it's not vintage and doesn't really have a timeless or classic look but I think you'll agree with me that this child is having a good time.

See you next time with more Christmas cards.  We're coming down the wire now, aren't we?

It's the most wonderful time of the year ...

Christmastime is my favorite time of year.  Everybody seems to be in a better mood (unless you are at the mall - or "maul" as I prefer to spell it in December) and homes are so beautifully decorated.  Oh - and the food ... we can't forget about that now can we?

I sometimes reminisce about all the Christmas cards I used to send and receive.  How come that's a thing of the past?  What brought us to that?  Has technology stolen that?  Have postage increases taken that from us?  Also, in the hustle and bustle of life, the cards we do receive do not have handwritten notes inside - only a signature.  And what happened to the photos?  It's sad, isn't it?

I vividly remember helping my mother with her Christmas card-sending job.  I was the designated stamp licker.  I thought it was a big deal that she trusted me to line up that little stamp just perfectly until one day she told me that she just didn't like the taste of the stamps.  Atta way, Mom!!!  I wish she was still with us so that I could put all of her stamps on the envelopes.

As promised in yesterday's post, here are the 10 Christmas cards I created for Beverly to give to Jill.  This is why these cards were an early Christmas gift.

First up is the reason for the season.  Away in a manger ... I remember learning this song as a very young girl - hand motions and all.

Thank you to my friend, Marie, for giving me the window die cut.  At first I wasn't sure just what I would use it for until I started playing around.  Amazing how a plain white window can be transformed, isn't it?

Of course, we can't forget Father Christmas.  He's probably a child's reason for the season.  I've never thought of browns as a Christmas color but I sure seemed to use it quite a bit this year in my creations.

And another Father Christmas.  He sure does have some wardrobe changes, doesn't he?  I wish Santa Claus would dress like this rather than the red and white velvet suit with the big black belt.  Ho Ho Ho!

Here's one more Father Christmas in all his splendor.  Joyeux Noel to you.

 

Here we go with another card in the brown tones.  I really like it and think it's a nice change from the traditional reds and greens.  What do you think?

 

This little sweetie is all bundled up and protected from the elements.  I have a feeling she's going to stay toasty warm in this hooded cape.

 

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be very comfortable if one of these had his nose in my car window.

Now that the cards have been addressed and the stamps are put on the envelopes oh-so-straight, it's time to take the truck to the tree farm and bring home the best one on the lot.  If you look closely, you'll notice that the plate says "OHIO" - home sweet home.

Once that tree has been taken out of the bed of the truck, it's time to go to town to the Toy Emporium.  Christmas was so much more fun when there were little ones in the house.  I can still remember the excitement in my children's eyes when they saw all the presents under the tree.

That wraps it up for the cards for Jill.  Don't worry though - there will be many more Christmas cards to share as we get closer to December 25.

Once again, please don't be shy.  Leave a comment and tell me which one gets your gold star from this group.  Oh - and tell me why, too.

Facebook

I fought Facebook with all I had in me for a long time.  (Yeah, I fought having a blog, too, but that's a whole 'nother story!)  An acquaintance convinced me that I should create a Facebook page to promote my work.  She didn't tell me that I would be able to connect with friends from way-back-when.  She also didn't tell me that people could "Friend" me.

Initially, I was interested in using Facebook only as a vehicle to get my work out there.  Nothing more.

What a learning curve.  It took me a while but I soon got the drift and haven't looked back since.  I didn't realize exactly what all could happen once that page was created.  Wow - it was magical.  One of my "Friends" is from my glory days (whatever THOSE are!?!) and after some private messages, e-mails and phone calls, she told me that she wanted to display something in her home that I created.  What an honor!

She knew exactly what she wanted me to do.  It took some time for her to find the pictures and then it took me waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy too long to actually put it all together and get it out the door.  I wanted everything to be perfect for her.  I shopped, shopped some more, dug through my supplies, researched and sketched until I saw double - and I had to see doubles in this case.

She had a picture of herself and another one of her husband sitting on Santa's lap.  She told me she wanted to display them together so I wanted them to be matchy-matchy but not identical.  I knew I wanted to make her canvas "girlie."

And I knew I wanted to "boy" it up on his canvas.

 

Yesterday they finally arrived and she is pleased.  I am sure she will enjoy these for years to come.  Thank you, Claudette!