Last Craft Bazaar of the Season

Tomorrow is the last craft bazaar I will be participating in this year. This one is the biggest one I do, but still in a cute small town. I wanted to get some crating done over Thanksgiving break, but God had other plans. My grandpa had to go to the hospital and after one thing or another he had the surgery he needed and is healing nicely. Having him on the road to recovery was more important than anything else I wanted to do over break. All that being said, my grandma and aunt, who usually do the craft bazaars with my mom and I will not be there. They are staying with my grandpa while he is still recovering in the hospital. Having this all happen over Thanksgiving allowed me to be their for my grandparents when otherwise I wouldn't have been able to. Although I didn't get all the crafting done that I hoped I would, I have stock left from the last bazaars and a few added things I made before break. 

My mom also was busy helping out with my grandparents as well as their property. She did get a few things don, but not all that she would have liked to. She puts together a few little bags that are great for stocking stuffers. One is a Christmas S'more Kit and the other is a Snowman Soup (hot chocolate) kit. Right before break I spilled hot chocolate on my laptop and fried it... so I bought a new one. This was all okay but all of my files for the labels to put on these kits were on that computer, so that meant creating new ones! Although it was frustrating to not have my files, recreating labels gives me great design practice. The snowman soup kits are funny because the marshmallows are shaped like snowmen, but it also makes me kind of sad that the snowman is melting in the hot chocolate. Despite these feelings, I decided to make a cute design with a snowman sitting in a cup of hot chocolate, so here it is! 

This was a fun design to create but it was one of those times where I wish I could have seen the other one I had created before. I know they are similar but also very different; I'll just have to wait until I get my files transferred to see how close they are. I love to see how designs turn out when they are finally printed and put to use. This one turned out great. This little design will find its way into many little stocking this year! 

Combining Real Life with Make Believe

One of my favorite design choices is when people put an illustration into a photograph. There is something so fun and playful about it, like a child's imagination when they are playing outside. I love cute characters and illustrations. I created this little picture from a photograph I took and an illustration of a bluebird.

This little bluebird lives in Idaho near the river where he enjoys the crisp mountain air and the sound of the wind through the pines. 

The Reason for the Season: Jesus

During this time of year people usually seem more cheerful and treat others with care. It's amazing how a certain time of year can have such an effect on people. Everyone seems to be in the giving spirit. Celebrating the ultimate gift is what is most important to remember. Often times I will get caught up in the lights, gift giving, and music and lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. After all it's in the name: CHRISTmas. No matter how many people try to change Merry Christmas to winter break, the holiday season, happy holidays, or whatever else it may be, the real reason we even started celebrating this time of year is because of Jesus Christ. This time of year many people look over this and celebrate something else. God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Jesus was born to a virgin in a stable. He grew up on this earth without sinning, He is perfect. He was crucified on a cross to pay the price for each one of our sins; the only reason he could be the sacrifice for our sins is because He is perfect. His blood was spilt to save us. He did not stay dead, but rose from the grave after three days. He is now in Heaven and in the hearts of those who believe in Him. God's most precious gift to us, Jesus, is the best gift we could ever receive. 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

It's that time of year again. That time of year that families and friends come together and a certain bliss fills the air. This year I cheated a little bit and started listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I was crafting though, so I have an excuse right? I know some people don't think so, but it makes me so happy. It's not only that it's Christmas music but I love the genre! Being away from home for the first part of the Christmas season also makes me long for all of the festivities. Yesterday, my brother and I decorated the house. We went and bought peppermint white mochas, built a fire, played Christmas music, and decorated the tree. While we are both going to school away from home we are living in a brick house in a cute little neighborhood. Decorating for each season makes me feel at home. With a vintage style, hunting for old Christmas decorations to adorn my house is such an adventure. I grew up spending hours in antique stores with my parents. At the time, I would rush through looking at everything and be done in minutes and have to wait patiently for my parents. My brother and I did the usual, "hey dad, dad, dad, come look at this," then rush to the next thing, "hey mom, MOM, mom, look what I found." My parents have to be some of the most patient people I know! Now I have a true appreciation for antiques and am able to tell what is truly an antique. It's one of those things that can't just be taught to someone; it takes time to actually be able to tell a true antique from a remake. I can usually look at a ceramic figurine and tell right away of it's old. It's amazing to see how long these treasures have lasted. It makes me so sad when an antique gets broken after it has lasted so many years. To me, these antiques are true treasures. 

This little guy was found at a thrift store and is now sleeping with his Christmas present on the mantel.