Christmas Love ( and a Few Snowmen )

Deb here sharing one of my favorite holiday crafts - and a whole lot of love this season.. This month, Susan's Creative Team is sharing the ways that we are brightening someone's day. It could be a friend or maybe even a stranger. But we all know that the holiday season is hard for some and it only takes a small act of kindness to let someone know that they are not alone.. Share a bit of your creativity -- a card, some beads, a drawing or jewelry. Whatever it is that you make from your heart. For the past few years, I have been making these glitter ornaments and I think they are just beautiful. Of course, my boyfriend has a different opinion of glitter overall ! But if you ask me, what are the holidays without GLITTER !!! I paired my love of glitter with my love of Susan's snowmen and came up with these tags...

• I started off with some Kraft tags and added a bit of glitter washi  across the bottom and Holiday washi down the right side.
• From the Crate Paper "Snow Day Collection", I cut several different size squares out of the snowflake paper. I stapled the larger snowflake squares to a sentiment on the same size square and attached then to the left side of the tag along with a smaller square at the top of the tag. 
• The Snow Way stamp set has the cutest designs and seemed perfect for my tags. I used Colorbox Color Pop ink in Mystery to stamp the images and then colored them with a variety of my favorite markers. All elements were adhered using Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue, except for the snowmen which were popped up using foam dimensionals.

• I buy clear plastic or glass ornaments and Pledge Floor Care with Future. It has to have Future in it or else the glitter does not adhere as well to the sides of the ornament.
• Using a funnel, put a small amount of Floor Care into the ornament and swirl it around to coat the entire inside. Pour the excess back into the bottle ( or small paper cup ) to reuse.
• Place glitter into the ornament using either a funnel or else a paper cone. Swirl the glitter to coat the entire inside and then pour the excess out to re-use, I sometimes mix different colors of glitter so I don't waste any.
• I use every kind/shape of ornament -  heart, oval, lightbulb, plain, patterned. Some of the prettiest have designs of snowflakes or patterns that show through when rest of the interior is coated with glitter. 
• Every kind of glitter can be used in these ornaments. I used Martha Stewart glitter for these but have also used less expensive glitter, tinsel glitter etc... 

So, what am I going to do with my cute little tags, you ask ?? Well, two of the places that give me joy are the book store and the coffee shop. So I will be dropping off a few at each of those places to some booksellers and baristas. Several more will be left on a shelf or table for anyone to find.  I challenge each of you to share a bit of yourself this holiday season ( and all year long ) by creating something and giving it away.. I am doing this to continue in the spirit of the Christmas Love Campaign that was started by Susan K Weckesser to honor her late father. I hope that you will join me and brighten someone's day.

Snow Way stamp set

Thank you for visiting.. I hope that my project has inspired you.

Debra Davison

Susan K Weckesser Creative Team

Designer Chat with Rhonna Farrer

We have another special guest with us today for our Christmas love Campaign. It is a segment that I like to call ‘Designer Chat’ and I ask a few designers in the arts, crafts, and scrapbooking industry if they could share what Christmas Love Charity means to them. I also ask if they can share some of their awesome talents! 

Today I would like to introduce you to  Rhonna Farrer! Rhonna has been a freind of mine for a few years now ever since I was so blessed as to stumble across her blog one day when she was having a design team call.  I had been a long time admirer of her love of live, her faith, and the beautiful spark that she loves to share with others on a daily basis. Not to mention, I totally love her mantra of "Uplifting and Inspiring" others. How awesome is that!? Her designs are full of joy and are guaranteed to put a bounce into your step. So, without further adu, here is Rhonna Farrer...

I’m honored to be a part of Susan’s #ChristmasLoveCampaign….

because who doesn’t need more love during Christmas? I love using my apps to create cards or tags for friends…it’s super easy to use with the pre-designed cards & then adding their names to it to personalize is even more loving…it makes them feel so special. I love creating the tags in Rhonna Designs app suite & then printing out either at Persnickety Prints, or at home. Either way, when you cut them down into

cute 2x2s or 3x3s, add to a gift or goody..you’re sure to #craftuplove for those friends, family or even strangers! Merry Christmas!

Rhonna Farrer

Rhonna Designs-designs to uplift & inspire

Blog-ideas to uplift & inspire

Facebook 

Twitter: @rhonnafarrer

Instagram: @rhonnafarrer

Thank you so much Rhonna for sharing your fabulous App. 

Designer Chat with Ann Butler!

At this time of year, during the Christmas love Campaign, I {LOVE} it when here at Susan K. Weckesser Inc. we have guests on the blog. It is a segment that I like to call ‘Designer Chat’ and I ask a few designers in the arts, crafts, and scrapbooking industry if they could share what Christmas Love Charity means to them. I also ask if they can share some of their awesome talents!

So today I am thrilled to introduce a super talented and wonderful friend of mine:

The AWESOME DESIGNER Ann Butler

Hi Everyone,
I am honored that Susan asked me to be part of this years Christmas Love Campaign.  I found out about this a few years ago and it really touched my heart.  I believe that sharing with others, through whatever way you can, is the best gift you can give.  For many years during the holidays I was in charge of an Angel Tree Program, at a shopping mall I managed.  While it was heartbreaking to see all of the children in need, it was even more heartwarming to see the generosity of the community that always surpassed in giving what was needed.  
Christmas time is the perfect time a year to reach out and give to others. 
To me Christmas time is also about family and friends near and far away.  It is not always possible to see everyone during the holidays so I like to at least reach out with a card and for the past few years I have made it a point to created one of a kind Christmas Cards for everyone on my list along with a handwritten note just for them.  In this day of emails, internet and social media, it is rare to receive mail any more and I find that sometimes just that hand written note can mean so much.  While I do not receive as many cards as I used, I do save every one of the them, I have even used some of them to decorate the tree or a frame during the holidays.   And a few years ago I shared an idea on how to display those Christmas Cards to enjoy them during the holiday season.

You can find the directions Here. My stamps and inks with Clearsnap can be seen Here And Unity Stamps Here.

I feel so am blessed to have all of my kids (and grandkids) coming home for Christmas this year.  I have 5 grown children,  6 grandchildren (that range in age from 2 - 6) and two more on the way next year.  I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!!    

Ann Butler Designs
www.AnnButlerDesigns.com 

Thank-you SO much Ann for sharing with us!