Making Bulk Assembly Line Style Christmas Cards

TIME FRAME:

This year, I started my Christmas cards in the fall.   It worked out a lot better and kept the mess out of my holidays.  Highly recommend if you need a lot of cards.  I need about 150 cards (huge family!)

MY GOALS:

I made some decisions based on last year’s card-making:

1. Avoid layers/mats/ribbon bows
2. Avoid two- step cut/embossing.  As pretty as nestabilities are, the layering took too much time and I had trouble finding matching product by the end to go with my colored images.
3. Use as little tape as possible (even at $1 tape rolls, I ate them up last year, think $30-$50.)
4. Imagine a streamlined design, yet one that allows modification to battle boredom.

MY FIRST STEP:

This fall, I first came up with a way to create a nesting point on the page.  I laid an Oval nestability on the card to emboss a focal area without cutting, without gluing, without matting.  Wow, that cut a lot of steps and still looked elegant.

Second, I found a couple “branch” stamps.  The final one was bought on the buy/sell/trade forum at splitcoaststampers.com.  I’ve had great experiences buying used stamps there.  The other branch came with a papertreyink set from a”Take a Bough” puchases at the BST at splitcoaststampers.com as well with ornaments included.  I may do “Ornaments2″  for  my cards next year?  LOL

This year, I borrowed a slim EK success ornament punch from a lady in our scrapping group.  It punched all three ornaments at one time!  I had a little trouble with it sticking at one point, but punches some wax paper through it and it did fine after that.  Changing up the papers helped provide a bit of variety without totally having different sets of cards.  After doing a few card versions last year, I rather liked doing  just one main version this year so that I knew what people were referring to when they commented on it.

I used mighty Dollar popdots instead of tape on some of the cards to add dimension.

On the solid ornaments, I used a gold pen or gold ink and tiny stamps to decorate the ornaments.  My favorite tiny stamps were from a Nativity set I had on hand.  I can’t determine the manufacturer from the slip sheet, but there is a SSC081, C. STM 2006 on it.  the star came from it.

I used JustRite Stamps on the inside for the sentiment, and a family signature stamp I had custom made from ebay for gifts and cards (best investment I’ve made in a while, and only about $10).

For the second batch, I ran out of punched ornaments and used a cut file for ornaments using SCAL software and my Cricut–worked great.

Supplies:

Cards from Hobby Lobby, with 40% off coupon or on sale…collect throughout the year.  Bulk cards on in sets of 50, I think.  I used both white or ivory to match the papers I had handy.

Papers:  Core-dinations Wine cardstock, the cover sheet for $1 paper (punched), and other random paper.

Tape: $1 dotliners (my favorite tape of all time, by Elmer’s.  I can no longer find it at this price.)

“Frost” Shimmer Spritz on some cards (very expensive, but I got it for my birthday from a friend.  I’ve since added water and eyeshadow and it’s still spraying.  It doesn’t go far, but added a nice snowy effect.  I added an oval shield around the spraying area, which made a cool inset of snow.)

Thanks for stopping by!

What is Christmas? Part 1

So, I started making my Christmas cards in August this year.  Praise the Lord!    220 cards just about done.  Not all made.  About 80, I bought.  Necessity!

Lights up, thanks to my wonderful man.

Packages under the tree, thank you free internet shipping the first two weeks of December…caught onto that little trick last year.

Had my December cold, thanks to Thanksgiving with family.

Lost a few needed pounds, thanks to accountability partners who needed me.

Working out…until the head cold, thanks to a free treadmill that I requested be left in this house when we bought it.

House…not totally gross, not totally clean, thanks to all who live here.  :)

Having family devotions with a lovely pewter candle holder with an engraved symbol that highlights each devotion, thanks to “The Jesse Tree”, and a yard sale earlier this year.

Giving Christmas clothes to kids younger than mine.  Cleaning out closets, by the grace of God.   Washing, delivering.

Getting kids to play practices, rescheduling for snow.  Snow days, school out.  Reschedules.

School parties…today!  Baking!

Finals:  first of the week to study for.

Christmas at my Dad’s this weekend.  Baking!  Finalizing gifts.

On track, for having been sick with a yucky cold.

So…my only regret is that by evening,  I am often short-tempered. Bothered by little things like redundant noises: chewing my ear while I’m on the computer, someone rummaging through a drawer beside me, digging through a cabinet, people munching on needless snacks (did I mention, while standing right behind my ear, while I’m at the computer?  Shopping?  Thinking?  Figuring out computer problems?)

Toilet paper not put on the roll, drawers left open, socks and coats still left all over the house after countless reminders.  Homework not done.

I can’t do it all!  UGH!  I’m feeling it again!!!

Irritability –perhaps due to overload.  Inexcusable.

What needs to be dropped next year to make room for more peace within?  Perhaps it’s not just about “getting ahead”, but doing LESS.

Commitments.

Late packages.

Bad news.

None help.  Still, irritability…inexcusable.

Looking for help, I read “The Love Chapter” again.  I Corinthians 13.  I love to go there when I’m “off”.

I Corinthians 13:4 leaps off the page:

“Love endures long and is patient and kind.”

Yes.  This is what I’m looking for.

This is prayer for the rest of my season.

And I begin to pray: Lord, that I may endure long, and have your patience, your kindness.  You are SO patient and kind to me every day, not giving me as I deserve, but according to your love and faithfulness and mercy…you are so kind!

Help me, Lord to deal with all the added interuptions and demands.  Help me to somehow know when to play and enjoy people, to give the the hugs and kisses.  To flush the stresses.

A reminder I received today from a friend said, “This Christmas–STOP. Yes, just stop. Look around. You have a ton to be thankful for.  All the little things that may seem to be so important to get done so that your family can have the “perfect Christmas” really won’t make it so.  Sprinkle each day with love, laughter and lots of hugs. Tell your family you love them. Share the real reason for Christmas–LOVE. You’ll have a perfect one after all.

I heard a TV show say yesterday for the umpteenth time, “Family…being together!  That’s what Christmas is all about, after all!”  WRONG, I say!  I learned that the hard way last year when my Mom and step-Dad where in Iraq, being bombed over the holidays.  Thank God, they were never hurt, through other health emergencies arose shortly thereafter.  A very stressful time.

That’s not what Christmas is all about.

It’s not about traditions.

It’s not about family at all, though that is very important and should be very high on our priority list, because it’s very important to God.  Family is our grounding place, the basis of our makeup.  Family deserves our honor, help, and love.  We build one another up through the years, though others come and go.

But things come up.  Things interfere.  Schedules get whacked.  People get sick.  Feelings get hurt.  It all happens.  It’s not all holly jolly.  Details exist.  Reality happens.

Even in our priorities, it’s easy to forget…

It’s about Jesus, who came to help.

It’s about a baby born as a  Saviour –stepping into the darkest of days, a day no one looked forward to, that day’s “tax day”.  And he wasn’t born into lights, carols, and a decorated tree.  He was born in a hewn-out place of rock called a “barn”, an unsterilized, unprepared, stinky place.  He was born into controversy, uncertainty, “people talking”.  And yet, those looking saw him.

So no.  It’s not about the family gathering.  Not about the food.  Not about the little ones.  Not about the gifts.  Those are our responses to Him, but not “the reason”.  What truly blesses HIM.  Is it the stuffs, or is it our attitude?  Our humble response?

I was at one gathering last week where the host said, “To be honest, I just can’t wait until Christmas is over.”

And I felt like, “Then why did you do it?  I came for you.”

Instead, I said, “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

Do it out of the grace he offers, not out of obligation, or it doesn’t accomplish the intended effect.   None of it does.  It’s just “more stuff” to do.   Some years are just hard.  It’s okay.  He will be there for you, too.

Reading through the Old Testamant last year (only made it about a third of the way through, but hey, I’ll pick up there this year), I realized God is a God of celebration!  In the Old Testamant, he told the people to not forget or neglect their special celebration days.  He loved for them to remember what he’d done for them, and to celebrate!  Because when they didn’t remember, they got into all kinds of trouble, seeking after false gods and idols.

The festivities are important as they help us remember.  Take that time to celebrate.  But, it’s not in the stuff…he should be the reason FOR the stuff.  We get it so backward.

This year, having things as “in place” and “ahead of schedule” as they can be…still facing demands and irritability and “not enough time” feelings…I tend to think we forget the MOST IMPORTANT thing:  preparing our hearts to be giving people, to care for others, to take time to show we appreciate them, to be in “good grace”.   Yesterday, a teacher shared a kind word and a smile when I ran into the classroom looking for a math paper.  On my drive home, it brought warm tears to my eyes as I reflected on her kindnes,s as opposed to the glare I’ve often received for trying.   Undeserved favor and positive regard.  That’s grace.  People who are trying need it, crave it, long for it.  Do we give it?  Do we show them we care?  We love them?  We want them to experience joy?  Care?  Concern?  Take the time.  That’s Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  May Christ’s kindness fall on you daily, and may you walk in it, give it, cultivate it, and share it.

Easter 2008-2009 The Fam

Easter 2009:  Red is no longer looking like a toddler. He is a little boy.  He is very good at it.  Boy Wonder is no longer looking like an elementary aged boy, but a middle school aged boy:  shirt untucked, casually rolled up sleeves.  Goldilocks is wearing her mother’s shoes this year for Easter.  No whites available in her size anymore (or mine for that matter, what’s the deal with the brown shoes this year?)

Easter 2008

Thursday Christmas Preps!

Let’s just say that getting the new TV room furnishings is probably not the best motivational component going into the holiday schedule.  I had to try it out today in quiet.  I liked it.  I didn’t get nearly enough done.  But, I enjoyed the day.

I spary painted some new-used picture frames I found for $3.00 a piece — THREE THAT MATCHED (Oh! what fortune!) to match the new room better…they were  a lovely white-goldish patina, but they just got lost on the walls, so I painted them a flat black and then sanded the flourish parts so that the metal showed through again.  Otherwise, the photos looked a little list on the black.  I was fairly pleased with the results.  After five holes in the wall, I even managed to get them level!  We have a level tool I bought my husband a few years ago…but who knows how to use the thing?  I really need to learn.

Tonight, I wrapped neice and nephew gifts.

Last night, got the teacher gifts done. 

Moving on to the kid’s gifts soon!  Yeah! 

Can’t resist using some of my scrapbooking supplies for the lettering on the gifts this year.  Staying creative may take a little longer, but it keeps me fresh.

Hope to get some baking done either tonight or in the morning for some etc. gifts with some pretty Martha Steward boxes I found at Wal*Mart. 

Was hoping to get the mud room primed before Christmas–thing I’ve picked a color, but not sure if I’ll have extra time yet or not!   Or that the recliner will release it’s hold on me!

Really valuing some moments of rest and down time today.  But, trying to make up some for it tonight!

How are you guys?  I always miss visits with friends during this season…yet, so much to do!  Hopefully I will get caught up soon and can catch up with some laughter and silliness!  I’ve heard the movie “Mama Mia” is a good chick flick.  Anyone seen it?  Anyone want to?

Mother’s Day Weekend, Day 1

Mother’s Day Weekend, Part A

Okay, so a few pics are sideways…then again, I was sideways a few times myself!

*The Park with Red for his field trip–Friday

*Airfield, Saturday–Saturday  (the sideways one with two boys is the plane I flew in with them).

Is that my hair, that straight?  Yup…straight iron.  Today was not a good hair day, however.  I let it dry naturally and could not correct that later.  Lesson learned.  I was swiping my bangs out of my eyes all morning after that mistake.

 

First Day of Spring Break with All Kinds of Fun

Three Bloggy BFF Peoples: Me in my nerdy sunglasses (still prepping for Lasik), Kim (Sing Me Home) , and Stacey (Wet Granola).  Kim makes me want to grow out my bangs…thought I’d probably not be able to deal with hair in my face.  Stacey knows so much about brand name stuff it leaves us all going “Huh?”  She keeps us in the know, and she gets it for nothing, somehow!

Stacey and her little one.

Lots of Bloggite children.

Dear friends Stacey , Rosie, and Beth (former owner of our Daisy Dog)

“Mom, how much longer are we staying?”

 

Chris, our budding author,  gives Boy Wonder some football time… 

while his daughter is blowing out a flip flop hanging up in the mud.

Jenny, Chris’s better half, and one of many quilts.  (They all admired my plastic flannel table cloth when our bottoms started getting wet from the flooded grass.  I do what I can.)

Kim’s offspring–going to need to hose that girl off.

Goldy builds a castle, decks it with dandelions.  She looks pretty good here, but don’t look at her back-side!

Unusual request for braids today.  

She said, “I look cute!”  Love that.

Tons more people and activities of the day, but I was too busy faking everyone out with my inked tatooed butterfly feet peeking through my new $15 Sketcher leather sandals. They all said, “I thought I had you pegged!  I couldn’t believe you had tattoos!” After the joke was over, we tattooed everyone’s feet with pretty butterfly stamps.  I’m kicking myself for missing that photo opp…quite a sight!

One of our best starts to Spring Break week ever.  With rain expected tomorrow night into the rest of the week, it was great to catch some rays and good company. 

We’ll be around if you missed us and want some company, just give us a ring, locals!  Love to see you!

New Again: Sara Evans & Brad Paisley

“New Again” by Sara Evans & Brad Paisley, set to Easter Scenes from The Passion 

New Easter Thoughts

Do you think Jesus was still smelling the perfume Mary poured over him days before as he was in jail and hung on the cross?  Did it remind him of friends,being loved, of those who believed?  (Walk Through Jeruselem)

Pilate would not deal with Jesus.  His wife said to him: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”  (Matt. 27:19)  God surely wanted the Jews to see that it was their own murdersome hearts that crucified Jesus, not this Roman official’s decree. 

Jesus was given a cross, a robe, AND a staff, which he was beaten with by the guard.  (Matt. 27:29-30).  He was handed a staff, then beaten with it.  He was beaten in many ways, but somehow, I missed this, and it touched me that I didn’t know.

The stone may not have been rolled away for Jesus to get out of the tomb, but for people to come into the tomb to see that He had risen!  (Chuck Swindoll).  Later in his appearance, it is documented that Jesus walked through a wall where the disciples were meeting to prove He had risen to a doubting Thomas, one of his disciples who’d missed his first appearance.  So then, Jesus could have walked right through the stone as well!

Just a few new thoughts I’ve picked up on this Easter.  What about you?  Anything you’ve learned or are meditating on?

More Christmas!

Now, we are trying to solve a rubix cube using algorhythms.   Whew.  Let you know how THAT goes.  Mercy.  Kids toys they days really expand a parent’s mind.   We’re getting there, but now, it’s getting tricky.

The bead bracelet is finished and cute.  Just the metal attaching hooks and it will be done!

Today, to my Dad’s for a short Christmas visit!

Ah…A Calm Day Needs It Some Belly Dancing Music

New Site Music.  One of the songs, ironically came from the “belly dancing” genre.  Not that I was listening to belly dancing music, or anything…no way!  Um…I just happened to run across it.  Well, I started with Celtic, but that got to be a bit much, and then instrumental, and that was boring…well, if it says “belly dancing”, you end up clicking on it.  Fortunately, there was no video or photos, and you have to LOVE the drum cadence…for a while.  Listen for it.  Reminds me of a marching band, but whatever.  I guess you could belly dance to it.  Not that I’ve tried.  Maybe I should.  Hmmm.   Oh, this is a public blog, on the internet, as The Hub would say.  I’d better just move on. 

In the “Celtic” section, there was a song called “The Red Headed Boy”…HAD to have that one. 

Well, ya’ll will just have to go check out the belly dancing music for yourself.  You’ll prob’ly thank me later.

Back on track here (IS there a “track”?  ‘Cause I veered of it long ago I do believe), there is one “celtic” song that plays a rendition of “Eye of the Tiger” and I just get so slap happy when that comes on!  Celtic!…does Eye of the Tiger…I’m just seeing that coming to Riverdance!  What?  I think it would fly!  Rocky XV does Riverdance!  It would be a hit, no doubt about it.  You know you’d go see it, so don’t be scoffin’.  Maybe they’d throw in a bellydance number…then no doubt everyone would be there!  It’s a box office hit in the making.  They’ll get the music selection from my blog probably.

I just made hot chocolate for my little athletes, worked on my header a bit, and am reading a college level advertising design book, and a designer’s approach to scrapbooking.  Man, I’ll have a BS by the time it’s over…and I’ll be lovin’ it.

“Vison, also called imagination, is the beginning.”  –Ali Edwards { A }

If only there were more time to work on design lately!

In my “free time”, catching 10 minutes here and there, I’m cutting out denim quilt blocks.  My cutting board wasn’t big enough to do 12″ squares I think I’m going to work with, so I bought a new cutting mat today!  Ah…I think it will go faster now.

I also picked up some stocking stuffers for my SILs (still one more Christmas on Saturday, and one in Feb. when the Pop comes home…Mom IS leaving her tree up until then!), but now that one of my SILS is reading (thank you!  You are the greatest!), I can’t post about it yet!  Hopefully, I’ll remember to tell ya’ll, ’cause I REALLY love mine!  It’s one of my favorite stocking stuffers…okay, so I picked it out and bought it and asked hubby to please wrap it for me!

Extreme Day After Christmas

Today has been the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

It’s so fun to play with the kids and their new toys.

But then, there are Legos projects that fell of the table, scraped knees on rollar blades, and trying to figure out how to tie a loom for beading when daughter lost all the instructions the very day she opened the box. 

I’m a cranky Mommy.  I don’t like all the untended piles, and I CANNOT believe some of you have your trees down already.  Nope.  I just got all mine up, and I love how warm the house looks with all the trees.  All, um, four.

Okay, so the one in my…er, bathroom, is a 1 1/2 foot one.  And we really like it there.  When Santa and the Mrs. have to get up in the middle of the night, it just makes it nice.

And, oh!  The fireplace looks so pretty with the village and green.  I may take off the bulbs soon, but we’ll leave lots of greenery in here through the winter.  I love green things.  Except mold in the fridge.  Eck.

I got so frustrated with the kids tonight when it became time to eat.  At 9 and 11, you would think they’d know how to tend to themselves on “down” nights.  The TV annoyed me, too…which is a hazard/.bi-product to having the TV in the same room with the computer when un-sucessfully trying to find clear instructions on how to tie off a beading loom like the “native amercians used”!   They fail to include any pictures of WHAT in the WORLD they were talking about to describe the new vocabulary for loom parts.  I finally found a good site with pics, but they only told how to BEAD, not how to wrap the loom FOR beading.  As you can see, a recipe for the crankies.

The Hub wanted to know why I was “angry and yelling at everyone”.  High detail jobs don’t lend themselves to a “bonus room” style environment at times, though I usually love it.  Now that we have the loom going, it’s going to be very cute.  Tomorrow, I teach daughter.  Whew.  Her first attempt during bed-time story was disaster.

And…we are out of clean underwear and I have two loads to cycle through before I get to the whites.  That is a bummer considering it is 10:36 and I’m ready to crawl into the sack.  (I wish it were like my bread makers and I could just time them to be done when we get up in the morning.  No such luck, Dreamer Girl!) 

I keep wanting to post some pics of our last few days! But, no such luck yet!  Hopefully soon… 

Christmas Morning!

Disney Channel’s Christmas Event–a well done show.  Disney teaches it’s people to act, perform, and “be” the part all the time.  I love that about Disney.  Just a little Mom note here for Miley:  “Miley…you are a sweet girl, and a good example, but your holiday dress didn’t fit the bill.  It was WAY too short.  Don’t give in.  PLEASE, set the barre high for yourself and your standards.  We love your show.  I’d love to have a role model for my daughter who lives life well and knows when to stop.”  Okay, I’m done.  Don’t want to be a downer (but, frankly, that was).  I don’t call revealing-wear “fun, or cute”, but that’s for another day.  Stay positive. 

Man! Christmas morning has been great here today.  I was a little fearful it was going to be a trainwreck, and it could have been if not for the grace of God.  We are all running of SO little sleep, and The Hub got NONE last night.  I think I had four hours the last two night.  Thankfully, Mom was here to help me with last minute gifts, candies, stockings, and things.  She was a dear.  My back is hollering at me this morning:  must.  have.  sleep.  must.  slow.  down…A LOT.  So, I plan to try to get napped up before we go to moms.  I’ve taken some meds to try to help today, but still…I’m maxxed out.  I envy those women who have gifts bought and wrapped by the first of December.  I’m going to try that some year!  It would be nice to not be exhausted on Christmas Day!  Note to self (sorry, and to the entire internet who doesn’t care about my yearly habits in the least!)

Last night, we drank fresh cappuccinos.  Today, we had homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  I think my Cap. maker needs a new gasket…it’s spewing water…HOT water.  I hope I can get that fixed.  They are so fun for the low, low price of $5.00 or so. 

We read “The Night Before Christmas” and finished some Golden Books Mom found last year I’d asked her about that she got us when I was 3 years old.  My kids read them to ME this year!  Some of the pages need repair, but I loved seeing them again.

We cuddled by the fire, cooked a ham, and planned food for today…light fun, only what we have the grace for.  Right now, I’ll do well to get there.  Must.  Have. Nap.

I just got finished with my foot soaking from my daughters new Homedics machine.  Mmmm.  That was a good gift choice for her.

Red is trying so hard to put together Star Wars complex things together, and he did, but they keep falling apart on him.  He’s starting to get very frustrated!  He worked so hard though, I’m impressed!

Boy Wonder got a Colts four game set leading up to last year’s SuperBowl.  He’s loving that.  He got a ball goal he’s been begging for as well.

Goldilocks is skating around my kitchen on rolling tennis shoe thingies and loves her in-line skates.  She REALLY loved that Santa got Mom a pair, too, so that we can skate together!  Mine had 1-2 wears and the price on the box was $80.00.  I got both pair for about $4.00.  I’m still excited about that…can you tell?  I don’t mind bragging on the Lord.  He is so worthy of it!

My big gift?  Oh, I hate to give it away.  I might sit on it for a while.  I can hardly believe it myself.  Oh well, okay.  My hub asked around about a decorator who might work well WITH me in putting our home together.  I’m having trouble choosing furniture, flooring, and updating the decor and feared someone going overboard and just getting everything new and killing my personal sense of style, sensability, and sentimentality.  So, I’m really excited that he took the time to think of those things and ask around people he knows to see who might be good for me.  She can do as much or as little as I want her to do.  I am excited to go over some of the pages I’ve torn out of magazines over the last few years preparing for decorating.  You might remember that I didn’t let myself look at home decorating magazines for years because it just wasn’t where I was and I needed to practice contentment.  It worked!  But, now we NEED to do some things and I feel a little afraid of the process and the bulk of things that need to flow together.  He couldn’t have gotten me a better gift.

I got several other “little things” I wanted a lot:  a large slow cooker crock pot thing, a tiny crock pot for cheese sauce and dips, some crafty things, a book I’d really been wanting, some long sleeve shirts I got early. 

My daughter made me the most lovely green and pink necklace and ear-ring set from her beads she’d gotten for her birthday.  I am so proud to wear them.  They MATCHED MY PAJAMAS, YA’LL!  We were giddy over that.

There is surely much more to tell, but this is just a taste of our morning.  I hope to post some pics, and get together a video to send to Larry-Pop in Iraq.  I’ll probably wait until after I’m with the other grand-kids tonight.

Blessings to you, no matter what stage of life you are in…may you find ways to honor the day, find peace and rest and joy and happiness in the place where God has you.  It is there waiting.  I know that, because I know HE himself is waiting for all who seek Him.  Seek the moments.  Treasure them deeply–let them pour icing into all the cracks and crevices.  

Pray for me as I seek to be gracious to those who need a fresh touch.

The 25th of December

Merry.

Christmas.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

Embossing Candles: How It’s Done!

First, I will say that these candles are for decorative purposes primarily.  The process involves embedding tissue paper into the candle, so caution must be used to avoid creating a fire hazard.  Using a hurricane glass cover might be advisable.  The smaller monograms involve so little paper, I would not be concerned, a fully covered pillar candle might warrant a warning to the gift recipient.

Candles were very fun and easy to do–if you know the person’s decor, even better, if not, use classic colors.  Even if people don’t like burning candles, these are pretty enough to just “sit pretty”.

I trialed a few colors and liked white and ivory candles best.  We prefer mild or clean scents.  I created gift bags to match using embossing powder and a heat gun.We made them for teachers and public servants to thank.  They do require some detail work, but are versatile in what you can do.  I used circle stamps, embossing powder, and black tissue paper, wax paper on these below:

These are double embossed to created the texture…I embossed the tissue paper with embossing powder and a heat gun, then melted the whole thing into the candle, producing an Old World Effect.  For the bands on the bottom of the candle, I cut 1/3″ strips, wrapped them around the candle, then used the heat gun until wax melted through the tissue paper, adhering it.

Step-by-Step:

First, I used embossing powder and embossing ink pad, stamped the alpha and circle on tissue paper, sprinkled on embossing powder (which sticks to the clear, glue-like, stamped image), then used a heat gun to raise the lettering (very cool to watch if you’ve never seen it–see pic below of the M.  The embossing powder melts into a plastic-like raised letter as seen n nice cards.

Stamp or print your design onto TISSUE PAPER.  If you decide to print your image on tissue paper, TAPE ALL EDGES to regular paper or cardstock or the tissue paper can get jammed in the printer.

Why emboss first?  Trials shows it darkened the image once it was placed on the candle…I tried just a stamped image in it’s stead, and wasn’t pleasedso I kept double embossing them.

This image is only stamped.

Above is the image stamped with embossing glue and sprinkled with embossing powder. (Available at Hobby Lobby and other craft departments).

Brush away stray powder with an embossing brush (above, I got it on clearance somewhere, comes in handy for all sorts of uses.)

Above: I cut out part of this M – there were some stray dust interfering with the shape of the letter.  Otherwise, random stray dust adds character…don’t worry about that, it doesn’t show much at all.

How to get the image onto the candle:  get a piece of wax paper long enough to hold around the candle and grasp the two pieces of wax paper.  This helps maintain the shape of the candle when you heat it. THIS IS NECESSARY, otherwise in heating the candle, the candle will lose it’s cylindrical shape, and the wax from the wax paper is what embeds your tissue-paper design.

Try to get the wax side down on the wax paper…I couldn’t tell the front from the back sometimes; simply flip it and reheat if it seemed to not be working right.

Take care to not overheat the candle until it’s running or you’ll have either a runny mess or a divet where the heat gun it hitting.  For minor infractions, you can smooth it by distributing heat and working quickly.  It is homemade, so give yourself some grace on perfectionistic tendancies.  Most of the time, there is no problem.  Two of my 20 candles went into “meltdown” ; I probably went into meltdown that often myself.  2/20 isn’t too bad a ratio.

The wax absorbs the tissue paper, leaving the design showing through the wax.

Note on heat guns:  A heat gun is NOT the same as a blow dryer.   Move the heat gently until all the tissue paper starts to turn clear and is absorbed, maybe 10 seconds or so (longer for the dark bands, as you have to go all the way around the candle.

Move your wax paper so that you don’t get too close to your hand for too long.

Gently peel back the wax paper and your design is left!

For the Bands: I did the black bands on the shorter candles by cutting out black tissue paper with a straight paper cutter (necessary for a clean edge, even if it’s not entirely level), then just cover the band with wax paper and let the candle absorb the black tissue paper.  The fine lines on the very small candles , I just stamped fine lines onto tissue paper and let the candle absorb the tissue paper I’d stamped it on.

As a note, the bands and lines were the hardest part to do, but I loved how it finished the candles.

For some large candles, I used  ribbon for dimension instead of the tissue paper bands.

Salvage old candles. This was a ruined candle from rubbing against with other candles.  We all have these, I think.  We save them for power outages that never come.

I covered the entire candle with a designed tissue paper to cover ”scars”:

…then wax paper, heating until the clear or beige part is absorbed into the candle.

This elegant silver design remained…

Now it’s usable and even more beautiful than before!

Originally, I thought about embossing on the kids pictures printed onto tissue paper…but, you know, watching heads burn down?  It was just a little much for me.

Gift Bags/Delivery: for tall candles, I used the same image on the gift bags, embossed.  For shorter candles, I placed them in a in a basket lined with tissue paper and hand delivered.

Supplies: Circles are from a favorite acrylic stamp collection I use OFTEN (Hobby Lobby).   Letters: clear acrylic alphabet Times New Roman (Wal*Mart some time ago, and Big Lots recently for only $2. . Heat Gun, 50% off coupon at Hobby Lobby with coupon.  They run $20 or so, $10 after that discount. Silver Coasters: These, I found at a dollar store and fell in love with them.  I got to the counter, and they all rang up at 90% off!  Yes, I said a prayer of thanks right then and there!

I had no idea how to do this when I started and kept going from one idea to the next.  The Lord was so into my discoveries and finds that I was amused for the days we worked at it.  It was SO FUN to go from one idea to the next.  I hope people liked them.

The post that inspired me: Musings of an Addict

Reflections on Blogging, Christmas Magic, and Other Irrational Notions

Sometimes, I wonder about blogging.  Why I am so free to write.  Why I record, and share, and make the typos and keep typing, sharing, venting.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve always needed to write things down, to process, to see myself grow and change and…to remember.  Perhaps it’s because I like to think we live lives worth sharing.  Perhaps I am the female form of John Walton.    I always wondered on the show if he ever really did anything, or if he just sat up there at his little wooden desk by the window, staring outside, writing about his family, thoughfully, sometimes poiniently, sometimes…just writing.  Sometimes, wadding up papers, wondering if anything he did had merit, or was of long-lasting value. 

Perhaps it’s because I want to be known for who “we” really are in a world driven by pretense and illusion.

In part, it keeps me moving forward, realizing that much good is being accomplished “in the midst” of all all of our “xyz”.  With all the things to improve and ways I could fault myself, to see the glimmers of gold dust shining through.

I’m not the funniest blogger.  Not the best writer.  Not the best as much of anything.  I rarely edit myself for lack of time.  But, when you journal, that is not the point.  It might be a goal, for some…but it’s not the point for me.  It is to stay on track.  Was I down today?  I need to be lifted next.  Was I sad…I need to search out happiness!  Was I celebrating?  I need to share!  Was I confused?  I need to seek Truth.  Was I lonely, frustrated, complaining…I need to focus and find center.  It has helped me recover more quickly and not be so moody and “out of sorts” for as long.  Blogging has been good to me. I’ve made some beautiful friends who’ve carried me…I mean, literally held me up during hard times all across America…people I don’t know and will never meet.  But, they cared, and were there…and I “follow them”, and I pray, and I hear their hearts.  And…we all need to be heard.  

Today in Sunday School, we were talking about what makes a disciple.  We read a verse in the gospels that said, “A disciple is not to be above his teacher, but is to be like his teacher”.  It struck me– the lack of competitiveness in that statement.  Being a disciple is not about being better than, or acheiving…it’s about being like our teacher, following him. 

I hope that we all just follow Jesus.  Life, real life, real energy, charisma, renewal, zest, joy, peace, sustaining grace, attraction from thew world, comes from THAT.  It doesn’t come from striving, or comparing or doing what everyone else is doing.  It comes from following him to go where he leads, do what you see him doing.  Meet the need you see that can be met with just a little time, attention, focus, life…you can do it.

I want to just ‘be like’ Christ. 

It doesn’t have anything to do with how skilled we are, how “good at things” we are.  It comes from following the things our eyes land on to do, to make a difference, with his help.  It comes from learning, growing, and stretching, striving to be better, wiser, like him.  Not stuck on the illusions.  Following Him, and him only.

Tonight an older lady was tearful as I left the church.  My family and I were headed out the door, and heaven knows what a ruckus that can be with three growing kids!  One pulling on my neck saying, “I’m like a little duckie, following you everywhere.  See!  I’m a duck!”  My oldest, an inch from my height now, not letting go of me after my empassioned speech today about leaving together, staying like my little duckies in a row when it was time to go.  We “waddled” out together.  He’s a little dramatic.  My youngest swung on the pastor’s leg.  My daughter did figure eights around us like it was a skating rink.  Okay, so there are times we don’t mind if they are lost from “the group”! 

My husband said, “Was she okay, you think?  She seemed crying.”

I said, “I don’t know, I saw that, too.  I should have stopped. I’ll go back in.”

So, my duckies went to the car as I made my own u-turn.

I went back in and she was smiling, but tearful.  I said, “Are you okay?  My husband and I were worried about you.”

“Oh yes.  My mother died years ago on Christmas Eve.  And I still get emotional.  I just saw a long-time friend, and you know her.”

I said, “I see.  I’d be tearful, too, if my Mom died on Christmas Eve.  Wow.  Well, here’s a hug from you Mom.”

I don’t know why I said that.  It sounds sort of “not right”, but all the wrong things come out at times like that, and she’s so kind it didn’t matter. 

She said, “Tell your husband I’m just fine.  Oh, and I want you to know, I read your blog every day.  I really do like it.”

It’s times like that that I drop my head and I wonder how I got started at this and why…and what the point is, and why I share and if I do it well enough.

But, like I told her, I’m mainly just honored that she likes to share life and that it makes her “sit down” time fun.  I sort of figure if Oprah is the best there is on TV in the afternoon, and I can spend my time with other believers, sharing the high points of their day, surely we can gain more from “sharpening” and encouraging one another, praying for one another.

So, I do.

I’m not a big Oprah fan, no.  Yes, she can be interesting and vibrant and effective.  But, there is a lot of humanism mixed in.  The Bible talks about two kinds of wisdom, earthly wisdom, and worldly wisdom.  And…it says that worldly wisdom leads to destruction.  I sure hate to be fooled not able to distinguish between godliness and earthly mind spinning.  Sometimes, if it’s mixed just right, we cease to be able to tell the difference, and that is a scarey thought for me.  I’d rather just keep the lines clear so that I know what I’m eating.  It’s like restaurants with the lights just a little too dim…what are they trying to hide!  Okay, so that’s probably a dumb analogy and I think I got off track somewhere.  My husband is trying to tell me about a mattress sale at the moment and seems to want my full attention, though I still have gifts to wrap, laundry to do and Christmas to do for two days…buying mattresses at a sale is on his mind.  I say more power to him if he can get his mom home for the hospital tomorrow, care for her this week, be on-call, AND buy mattresses.  What a man.  Sounds unreasonable to me.

But, back to blogging, which does interfere when your spouse wants to discuss more important things, like buying mattresses for the kids beds on Christmas break.  See, I never got a choice in mattresses, so this is a mute point to me.  We just slept on what we had under a better option came along, if ever.  I did want a water bed very badly as a teen.  My parents built and painted a wood frame and bought a big float and I got a water bed.  I loved it.  Until my brothers tried to climb in bed with me to “share”.  The super single didn’t fit two very well.  It was like sharing an air mattress. 

I worked on a few more candles tonight and made some journaling blocks for my SILs stockings.  I’d hopes to make some “quick page” layouts for them, but I don’t know if I’ll have time to fit that in.  I need to get my guest-craft room cleaned for my mom.  Some latent urge speaks to me, “You don’t have to clean it now.  Just create your way to clean.  You could probably get that quilt make and then the room would be clean AND you’d have a quilt, which is, I know, much like the logic of making this week easier by buying mattresses on sale!  Christmas makes us all just a little bit irrational and silly and spontaneous, and…I say at this point we just go with the energy available and see where it takes us!  And no, I doubt any quilting will actually occur, seeing as how I’ve, you know, never done it and all…but, the magic of the season  sure is motivating!

Love and Holiday Wishes,

“Maggie”