Wait . . . I'm Not Ready for 2010!

Out with the old and in with the new, as the saying goes. But I'm not quite ready to put away my Christmas stamps. I still have some ideas for Christmas cards that I might forget if I wait until next year. So I'm just going to continue making a few samples using those ideas.

One project that I want to make more of is this 25 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar which is shown here. You can see both the front and back sides.

Didn't have time to make more of them for gifts this year, so I figure starting now is my best bet in order to have them ready before December 2010. The holder is a 12x12" picture frame with a sheet of black card stock covering the glass. I marked off the sections using strips of black chipboard. The picture and the back side are from a scrapbook collection from Graphic 45, Christmas Past. I trimmed the picture down to 10x10" and then cut it into 5 across and 5 down 2x2" sections. Each section of the picture was adhered to a 2x2" piece of chipboard, with the edges painted black with a black Marvy Marker. The dates on the back side of the pieces are diecuts from my Cuttlebug. Since all the pieces are totally removable, I'm going to make another set of calendar pieces using the angel page from the Christmas Past collection (pictured here).

Then, I can alternate the sets over the years. Oooh, fun!

Speaking of the future, I wonder what God has in store for me in the coming new year. In what ways will He reveal Himself to me? How will He involve me in His work? Who will He bring across my path and ask me to minister to them? Well, it's okay that I don't know the answers to these questions, for I shall be living in faith and joyful anticipation for whatever comes my way. As Paul said in Philipians 4:11, ". . . for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content . . ."

The light of God surrounds me,

The love of God enfolds me,

The power of God protects me,

And the presence of God watches over me;

Wherever I am, God is.

Wishing you many blessings in the coming New Year.

Annie

How I Love Christmas!

I know, I know -- it's only Dec. 15, but I've been in the Christmas spirit for over a month now. So sorry I haven't been able to post sooner, but I've been having such a good time doing all these Christmasy things. Read a wonderful book called "The Magi," watched a spiritually moving DVD called "The Bethlehem Star," did my annual reading of another book called "The Twelve Cats of Christmas," have a couple of Christmas movies to watch this weekend, attended the Holiday Spice Variety Show earlier this month, plus my stamp club's annual Christmas Breakfast, and my Bible Study class Christmas Party. And will attend the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Show on Thursday evening. Whoo-eee, too much fun!!! And I'm so looking forward to Christmas Eve for our Christmas Candlelight Service, and Christmas morning, when we do our Bible reading of the birth of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Oh I do love this time of year!

Started making my Christmas cards in November and have had a wonderful time of ideas and creativity. So I've posted just a few of the designs to share with you and some money holders made from Stampin' Up treat cups. There's a hundred things you can do with these little treat cups. In fact, one of my dear friends sent me a huge list of ways to use them -- let me know if you're interested in a copy. If your muse has left you and you're stuck for ideas, maybe these will get you going.

These little treat cup ornaments are filled with money with only the face on the bill showing. They look really cute hanging on the tree. Well, back to the workbench -- I still have some ideas and stamps I want to play with.

My prayer for you is that you experience the true meaning of Christmas this year. May you love and obey our Heavenly Father, believe that Jesus is the son of God, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases and a joyful celebration of His birth.

Annie