Christmas Shaker Card

I made a set of 5 of these cards with part of Stampin' Up's

2017 October Paper Pumpkin kit.

Angel Christmas Card

This is a 5" x 7" card created with Anna Griffin goodies.

Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Christmas Box

Oh my gosh, this was so simple to make!

It's a Silhouette print and cut file.

Log Cabin Cookie Box

You just print. Cut. Add adhesive. Fold. Fill. Give.

Love it!

Cup of Cheer

Stampin' Up: cardstock, Best of Snow stamp set, rhinestone

Metal dies for circle & scallop circle

Christmas Gift Card Holder Tag

Lori Whitlock Gift Card holder tag snowflake, cut file from the Silhouette store
Miss Kate Cuttables, fill pattern from Digital Paper Pack Snow Fun

Cardz TV Stamps, Mixed Messages

Thanks for visiting with me today!
Your comment prompt for today is:
Do you swap gifts at Christmas?

Hugs!
:) Janis

Reindeer Door Hanger

My Scrap Chick - Sweet Winter Faces

Santa Fun Fold Card

Silhouette Cut file

Stampin' Up supplies:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso

Designer Series Paper (DSP): Christmas Around The World

Stampin' Dimensionals

Just Believe

Cricut cartridge: Winter Frolic for tag

My Besties image: Reindeer Angel of Joy from the White Christmas CD

Pattern paper: Doodlebug, Milk & Cookies

Cardz TV Stamps, Very Merry

Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon

Stampin' Up! cardstock: Whisper White

Stampin' Up! ink: Tuxedo Black Memento

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Your comment prompt for today is:
Do you make tags when you craft?

Hugs!
:) Janis

Simple Christmas Card

I always feel like I need to do more on a Clean and Simple (CAS) card.
But then that would defeat the purpose of it being clean and simple. LOL

I saw this card idea somewhere on the internet. I can't remember where though.
Everything to make this card is from Stampin' Up.
Stamp set - Snow day
Inks - Real Red, Smoky Slate, Soft Sky

Thanks for visiting with me today!
Your comment prompt for today is:
Is there snow on the ground today where you live?

Hugs!
:) Janis

Snowman Pop Dot Crd

Lori Whitlock cut file, Snowman Pop Dot Card, cut file here

Instead of the cut file's snowflakes, I used my Martha Steward snowflake punch.

SU punch for sentiment

Cardz TV Stamps, Snow Day 

 It's so cool to see the dimension in person.

Thanks for visiting with me today!
Your comment prompt for today is:
Is there a snowman in your yard?

Hugs!
:) Janis

Accordion Card (Double S-Fold)

Accordion Fold A2 size card
Start with a folded A2 size card. Fold the cover back onto itself. Then fold the back cover back onto itself. It should end up looking like a mountain valley fold. You can still just fold it in half like a regular card for mailing.
CTMH City Sidewalk pattern paper and glitter present embellishment (retired)
Stampin' Up sentiment and punch popped up with foam tape
Gems, ribbon and jingle bell all from stash
MFT stitched banner die to write message inside card
Thanks for visiting with me today!

Your comment prompt for today is:
Do you have a Christmas Poinsettia in your house?

Hugs!
:) Janis

Sweet Snowman Topper & Tag

My Scrap Chick - Sweet Winter Faces
Eyelashes and Eyebrowns hand drawn
Cheeks chalked
Hats embossed with dots folder
Twine, buttons, foam tape
White gel pen for accents

Christmas Card

This is a 5" x 7" card using Anna Griffin goodies.

Thanks for visiting with me today!
Your comment prompt for today is:
What is the decoration theme of your Christmas tree?

Hugs!

:) Janis

My Besties Christmas Pocket Letter

Image Used: Christmas Across the Miles Holiday Paper Pocket Letter Instant Download

Stampin' Up stamp sets: Santa's Sleigh, Reason for the Season

Punch: Festive Flower

Hope you'll join us for this month's Christmas Challenge!

Happy Holidays

This card was created using supplies from Mary's Cardz TV Stamps December card kit.

What a cute little reindeer! I wonder if it's one of Santa's??

Thanks for visiting with me today.
Hugs!
:) Janis

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

This card was created using supplies from Mary's Cardz TV Stamps December card kit.

Stamp set used was Holly Jolly.

(included in the kit along with another Christmas stamp set)

The front was die cut at a snowy hill angle for a fun opening.

The cut off part of the front, was adhered to the inside of the card.

Thanks for visiting with me today!

:) Janis

Christmas Tag Assortment

Hi, everyone! Here are some Christmas Tags I created using Mary's December Card kit!

Everything used to create these tags including the tags themselves were all part of the Cardz TV Stamps December card kit.

Stamp sets used were:  Holly Jolly & Merry Everything

Have a marvelous day!
Hugs!
:) Janis

Christmas Coffee Tags

Oh my gosh. I love this coffee tag cut file. You can find it HERE.

I made two of these tags using different pattern papers for Christmas this time. Remember last month I made a few with Halloween papers. These are so easy to create. I'm hooked.  They turn out so cute!

Pattern paper from scraps

Cardz TV Stamps, Very Merry (sentiment)

Cardz TV Stamps, Christmas Joy (To, From)

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Your comment prompt for today is:

Is your Christmas Tree up?

Hugs!

:) Janis

As Far as the East is from the West

Sunrise at our house this morning

Good morning!

Christmas is just 12 days away. Can you believe it? Many of us are making plans with our families and doing some Santa shopping for our spouses, kids, grand kids and other special someones. This will be the first Christmas in Tom & my's 32 years of marriage that we will not be together on Christmas Day. (For those who are new to my blog, ... welcome!... our family moved back home to South Carolina from Alaska in September of this year. My husband, Tom, still works in Alaska and splits his time between here and there.) I've had a really hard time with him being so far away for long periods. Loneliness and sadness creep in now and then. We FaceTime (video chat) a lot, and that helps tremendously, but you know - it's not the same.

Some of you also hurt from being away from your loved ones, but maybe the reason just isn't a job commute, maybe it's the loss of a spouse or separation or even the death of a loved one. Let me just say right now and right here, I hurt for you. Please be encouraged today that there are people in your life who love you dearly. Who understand your pain, and more than anything want you to feel loved and treasured. Although your first instinct may be to tell them, "I'm fine," instead why not say, "Thank you. It's hard, but it helps when people like you reach out to me." No one wants to admit weakness, but allowing someone to extend love to you heals you both a little at a time when you accept it instead of pushing them away. Embrace that you still have people in your life who love you.

Isaiah 41:13 (English Standard Version)
     For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 
     "Fear not, I am the One who helps you."

That verse from Isaiah has been my daily Scripture. When I feel things are out of my control, the world is not turning in the direction I would prefer it to go, and when I feel helpless to change things I simply cannot change. God reminds me He is close to me. He doesn't love me from afar. He is so close to me, that He is actually holding my right hand. He's touching me. He reassures me that I have nothing to fear. Why? Because God is all powerful, and it is God who helps me. Wow. How could I ask for anything more? He gives me everything I need, even before I know I need it.

During the hustle and bustle of this holiday season that can easily get out of control with shopping, parties, and focusing on reasons other than the whole purpose of why we even started celebrating Christmas in the first place, in your hustle to get things done and in your quiet time of reflecting, thank God for His gift to us. The very first Christmas gift. The gift of His Son.

Many of you know the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem to be counted for the census and during that time, Mary gave birth to God's Son, Jesus. Often we picture Christmas with a Manger Scene. A little baby boy who changed the world.  That's just the beginning of the story. And really, it's not even the beginning, but maybe the middle.  Because in the beginning, before anything existed there was God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Yes, all three-in-one existed together way back then.

Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
     In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:2 (ESV)
     The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

John 1:1-3 (ESV)
     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

I want you to know this. To understand this. Jesus existed before He was born as a human on earth. God knew before He created anything, what His plan was. He knew man would fall to sin, and God created us anyway. (Blows my mind.) He also knew only a man that had no sin could pay the price for our sin so we wouldn't be separated from God for all of eternity. God desires, and has always desired, to have a relationship with us. He loves us. I know we hear that so much that maybe it's lost it's impact. So listen... God loves you. The You He planned on creating from the beginning. The you He knew would sin against Him, and He went ahead and made you anyway. Why? Can you guess? Because He loves you. Say it with me... He loves you.

Knowing we would sin, God's plan included little baby Jesus being born here on the earth we live on. Why? There are probably more reasons than any of us will fully know until we meet with God face to face one day, but here are some of those reasons:

• So Jesus could live among us. 

Teach us. Be tempted in every way we are tempted and still not sin. To understand our struggles because He lived through them too. Isn't it amazing that the friend we turn to when we are struggling is the friend that has struggled in the same way, and they get it! They understand. Jesus is also that kind of friend.

• Jesus didn't sin. 

Therefore, Jesus is the only One qualified to pay the price for all of our sins. All of us. All of our sins. Jesus paid the price for every person. Not just a select few who He felt were worthy. NONE of us are worthy! I don't care how sweet your grandma is, we have all sinned. It only takes one sin to separate us from God.

• By sacrificing His life for our sins, Jesus has made a bridge between us and God our Father.

Through Jesus (not without Him, or around Him in some other way) we are seen as righteous. Jesus' blood has washed away our sin. All of them. Past. Present. Future. Once we kneel before our Lord admitting we have failed to live a sin-free life, and have thanked Jesus for paying the price we owed, and acknowledge that we need Him in our life on a daily basis, we are forgiven and adopted into God's family. God sends His Holy Spirit into your physical body as a promise - a seal it's sometimes referred to. What does that mean? It means when the world has come to an end, and it's time for eternity to begin (our spiritual eternity), that God will call Himself home. Part of God is the Holy Spirit. And if the Holy Spirit is sealed to us (attached to us), then that means when the Holy Spirit goes home to heaven for all eternity, we get pulled along with that Holy Spirit as adopted children of God.

As you think of the sweet Nativity Scene and read about it in Luke chapter 2 this Christmas season, remember this was just one part of God's plan. Without the cross, we would be lost in our sins. Thank You, Father, that is not the case.

I love listening to Top Christmas music on Alexa (Amazon music) at home and in the car. So many times I've had lyrics jump out at me that I know is God's way of talking to me about something I'm struggling with in my life. God can talk to us in many different ways. It could be through Scripture, through a song, through a book, a dream, and as Pastor Tim mentioned recently, even through a donkey (Numbers 22:28).  Are you curious about God forgiving you of all of your sins? Are you thinking maybe that one thing, but not this one? Think you are too far to come back to God through forgiveness? You are not too far. Remember, God knew you would sin. Not a general "oh they will all sin" sort of way, but a very specific way. He knows everything. What we think. What we treasure in our heart. What we do. He is willing to forgive all of your sins, even the most ugly ones. Listen to this...

Psalm 103:12 (ESV)
     As far as the East is from the West, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

Casing Crowns' song, "East to West," puts it this way:
     Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in Your sea of forgetfulness
     The chains of yesterday surround me
     I yearn for peace and rest
     I don't want to end up where You found me
     and it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
     I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
     And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
     But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
     Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
     'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
     In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
     'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
     From one scarred hand to the other

Let us pray and agree together in the name of Jesus:

Father, thank You for not winging it. Thank You that You've always had a plan, and nothing surprises You in this life. When I'm panicking because something came up I wasn't expecting, and I don't know how to handle it, I can calm down and turn my focus to You, because You are not surprised. You knew it was coming, and You have it all worked out. I am only asked to be still and know that You are God. (Psalm 46:10)

For the sister who is struggling with loss this Christmas season: Speak to her in the way only You can. Let her know and recognize Your voice and Your hand in her life. Let her soak in the comfort of friends and family who care for her and just want to see her smile again. Just as accepting a gift from someone blesses the receiver and the giver, so does accepting compassion from others. Her friends and family want her to know she is still loved even though her world has crumbled with this loss. You, Father, can help her rebuild her life. Help her to be still and know that You are God. Help her to know You are so close to her, that You are holding her right hand, and that You are helping her through this.

Father, my heart aches with those who refuse to admit You exist, for those who admit You exist but reject You, for those who have never even heard of You. With tears in my eyes, and pain in my heart for these people, I humbly ask You with all that I have.... soften their heart. Reveal Yourself to them in a way that will bring them home to You.

We love You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen

100 Days of Bible Promises - Day 3

(See all 100 Days of Bible Promises HERE - work in progress)

Hi, everyone!

Day 3 - Nothing is too difficult for God

Images hand drawn with pencil and then gone over again with a black Micro pen.

Everything colored with crayons.

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Hugs!
:) Janis

Snowman Box

  

 

Isn't he just a bundle of frosty fun?

My Scrap Chick - Christmas Belly Boxes

Snowflake & Dots embossing folders

Cheeks chalked

White gel pen for accents

foam tape

Snowman Door Hanger

My Scrap Chick - Winter Faces

Christmas Coffee Tags

I love this coffee tag cut file. You can find it HERE.

I made two of these tags using different pattern papers for Christmas this time. Remember last month I made a few with Halloween papers. This is the second and last one posting this month with a Christmas theme using this cut file. These are so easy to create. I'm hooked.  They turn out so cute!

Pattern paper from scraps

Cardz TV Stamps, Very Merry (sentiment)

Cardz TV Stamps, Christmas Joy (To, From)

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Your comment prompt for today is:

Have you been to any Christmas parties this year?

Hugs!

:) Janis

Christmas Ornament Shaker Card

These cards were made with the

2017 Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin kit.

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Your comment prompt for today is:

How old is the oldest Christmas decoration you use?

Hugs!

:) Janis

Angel Christmas Card

This card was created using Anna Griffin goodies.

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Your comment prompt for today is:

Do you have a manger in your house this season?

Hugs!

:) Janis

Fun Fold Christmas Card

Lori Whitlock card cut file

Stampin' Up supplies:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green

Design Series Paper (DSP): Christmas Around the World (2017)

Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Your comment prompt for today is:

Do you have the stockings hung?

Hugs!

:) Janis

100 Days Of Bible Promises - Info, Where to Buy, How it Works, Etc.

(See all 100 Days of Bible Promises HERE - work in progress)

The 100 Days of Bible Promises is a way to art, journal, and be submerged into God's Word on a daily basis meditating on His promises to us.

These pages have:

• Day number
• Title
• Short devotion from the author
• Scriptures relating to topic
• Prayer
• Artwork

You can do anything you want with these pages as you read over the Scriptures, Pray, and talk to God about how this relates to your life.  

You can decoupage, color, draw, write thoughts, paint, adhere stickers, die cuts, ribbon... the possibilities are limitless. Do what you love. I personally love to color with crayons, but you may want to add Zentangle images or draw or paint or write a letter to God on your pages.

This book can be purchased from many different places. I ordered mine online at Walmart, but you can also find it on Amazon, Lifeway, Dayspring and other places. 

Some people take their book (before they start) to Office Depot or Staples or other similar store and have them replace the binding with a spiral binding so they can flip the pages back on each other. Sometimes I do that with my Bible Studies, but I have found this book stays open really well the way it is. You decide what fits you the best.

These are NOT affiliate links. I get nothing if you shop from them, but just to help you out, here are some of the links to places I've found where you can order this book:

• Walmart
• Amazon
• Lifeway
• DaySpring

I hope you'll check it out. It's very relaxing and fun too. If you are currently doing the 100 Days of Bible Promises or when you start, I'd LOVE you to pop a link to your completed pages in the comments. It's great fun to share ideas!

Thanks for stopping by today. Love you guys! Hugs!

:) Janis

100 Days of Bible Promises - Day 2

(See all 100 Days of Bible Promises HERE - work in progress)

Hi, everyone! Thank you for the sweet comments and encouragement yesterday for my Day 1 post of the 100 Days of Bible Promises. Y'all always make me feel so loved. I appreciate y'all.

Day 2 - Don't Be Afraid

One of my favorite Bible verses is....

Isaiah 41:13 (English Standard Version)

For I the Lord your God, hold your right hand;

It is I Who say to you, 

"Fear not, I am the One Who helps you." 

I just love that! Came to me at a time when everything was falling down around me. God has a way of doing that. Telling us and showing us exactly what we need when we need it. Gentle reminders. He loves us that much to care how we feel about things.

Here is both pages together...

Images are hand drawn with pencil, written over with MicroLiner black pen, and colored with crayons. For a smoothing affect, you can take a white erase (I used the one on the top of my mechanical pencil) and run it over all the coloring. It won't erase, but it does some sort of smoothing magic. I should have taken a before and after picture, but too late.

Have a great day, everyone! Oh, and if you haven't noticed, I've started scheduling my posts to go life at 8am Eastern USA time instead of midnight.

Hugs!
:) Janis

100 Days of Bible Promises - Day 1

(See all 100 Days of Bible Promises HERE - work in progress)

Bible Journaling has had my interest for a couple of years. Still not really doing it. I've done some art pages in a spiral notebook, but nothing in my Bible.  Recently I ordered the 100 Days of Bible Promises because I've seen so many of you talented ladies creating beautiful pages with this book. This seemed like a good thing for me to try.

Don't laugh.  I'm new at this and not an artist... at all... but it was fun just the same.

I wrote out the chorus from Matthew West's "Grace Wins" song. Love this song. It went perfectly with the theme for Day 1.

Illustrated Faith die cuts were scattered on the 2 pages. :)  Bought some gold foil looking alphabet stickers to spell out GRACE vertically, and then by each letter wrote, "God's Riches At Christ's Expense."

The cartoon woman is hand drawn with pencil, then went over with a MicroWriter pen, and colored with crayons. I have found that after using colored pencils, pens, chalk, Spectrum Noir markers (as well as many other brands), crayons, etc... I like crayons the best. Sounds childish, but that's my preference.

Thanks for visiting with me today! Are you using this book too? I'd love to see your photos of your creative pages. Throw a link to them in the comments. Hugs!