...JOY...

My sweet friend Heidi gave me these three snowflakes covered in Christmas sheet music. She didn't figure she would use them and thought I would enjoy them, she was right!

I edged them in silver glass glitter and added glittery black chipboard letters to spell JOY. They hang from red baker's twine by mini silver library clips.

I've discovered that JOY is my favorite of the advent season. JOY hasn't always been a part of my daily life, although I am blessed beyond measure, JOY (unfortunately) is not my natural starting point. I wish it was. Over the years I have learned to be Joyous and to live into the JOY Christ has for me.

 

My banner makes me happy for the craftiness of it but it serves as a wonderful reminder to take time to be JOYOUS. To stop in this busy season to remember why we celebrate and to be thankful for all that we already have.

My vintage scale and Christmas candles

I haven't shared a vintage find in quite some time (that rhymed! ;). This Summer I found this old scale at a yard sale for $3. I was SO excited I had to have it! There is something about red that seriously lifts my spirit! 

I found the red salt shaker at a friend's yard sale. 

It was sitting on a table all alone. Again the red caught my eye.

My mom gave me this sweet little Santa candle and I found the tree candles at a holiday bazaar last year.

The bottle brush wreath is also from the holiday bazaar.

For fun I'm sharing at:

It's A Very Cherry World for Rednesday 

&

The Coloradolady for Vintage Thingy Thursday

Simple Baby Jesus Ornaments

Last Christmas the girls and I made peanut baby Jesus ornaments. They truly are simple and easy to make. The girls loved to make them. Jilian even made an extra one for her Papa (Jeremy's dad) as a Christmas gift. He loved it so much he got tears in his eyes...ahh...

Supplies:

Egg carton

Scissors

Permanent marker

Felt

Thread

Needle

Peanuts

Hot glue

Cut the egg carton to create a "bassinet"

Add eyes with the permanent marker

Hot glue the peanut baby Jesus inside the bassinet. Cut a piece of felt small enough to fit over the peanut as a blanket, hot glue in place. Add the thread to each side of the bassinet to create a loop to hang the ornament.

Jilian's on her tree this year

Grace decided to make a Mary with her baby Jesus

Sharing at:

Raising Homemakers

&

Our Christmas Wreath

I feel blessed tonight, I got to spend a peaceful relaxing day at home. I played Sorry with the girls, watched a movie with Grace and got a chance to make this year's Christmas wreath. It was fun and simple to make.

 Hope you like it. :-)