It's a TRAIN RIDE Day - HI-Jinks for sure!

We are traveling through Northern Arizona into the canyon forest.  

The Train has indoor and outdoor cars, we will take blankets to sit outside and perhaps see some wildlife.  Eagles, mountain goats, mountain lions, coyotes and more may be along the way!  Hot chocolate and chilly weather help to be in the Holiday spirit.  AND even more special today is Jake's 18th Birthday!   We have a surprise cake for him and hope he treasures this magical train ride.

This is the Verde Canyon, (green canyon) the mini Grand Canyon.  

The whole family is having this Christmas Experience as one of our gifts.  Making memories with family is the very best way to celebrate in my opinion.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!  

Merry and Happy Holidays from Jean and Family.

Christmas tags

Many crafters (including me) have been making Christmas cards to send to friends and family.  It's a wonderful way to show those you care for how much you love and appreciate them.  Another way is to create special tags for your gift boxes and bags.  The three tags below are each different styles.

This one uses a single focal image with a scrapbook paper background and a couple of embellishments.

Another style is to use a large image and either attach it to a shipping tag or simply cut your card stock into a tag shape and embellish.

And the last is a collage of themed collage images.

Whichever style you choose to create, your presents will have a little pizzazz to make the person receiving it feel special!

Check out your Christmas collage images at DIY Design Studio.  And don't just stick to Christmas.  There are collages for all types of themes and occasions!  The files are digital so it's not too late to order and start creating your own personal art!  

Here is the link for circular tags too!

How about some Mini's?

Supplies:

Shipping tags

Art tags

Music pages

Christmas images

Threads/ribbons

Chipboard snowflakes

Thursday Makes - Tiny Art Tiles with Scraps

Christmas is one of the times of year that thoughts may turn to religion, it may be the only time you go to mass or find yourself thinking of Jesus. 

 For me its also a time my creating connects me to it.

Creating can be a fleeting few moments or a day of focus depending on your time constraints, usually, at this time of year, it is a fleeting few moments.

I often gather bits and pieces, leftover scraps on my desk etc to begin and see what can come to mind.

Some simple bases (eco artboard squares) painted black, then teamed with leftover cutoffs from Gelli Prints, a religious icon image, a touch of glitter and glossy dimensional glue to seal and create a glass like finish, form small works of art in no time which can be put to use in a variety of ways.  You just have to remember to let the glue dry before touching it.

Icon suggestions click here

Holy Cards click here

Gold Leaf Click here

Eco Art Boards ON SALE click here 

A Holiday Project made of Wood and Paint

I decided that this year I would change up our Christmas Decor. 

(I'm fibbing I do that almost every year!)

This one had red feather boas all over and a red and green theme.

This is for the retro 50's tree.   Turquoise and red.

And this was preparing the Grinch tree!

We have had most every style tree you can imagine.  We went through the shabby chic phase, the gold and glitter phase, traditional red and green, a little bit country, vintage creamy colors and crystals, and Yes even the Grinch tree.  Real ones, artificial ones, indoor, outdoor and even in the bathrooms!  Chandeliers festooned with ribbons, crystals, and ornaments.  It's the one time of year when... MORE IS NOT ENOUGH!

  

We all know how popular "farmhouse" has been, so we decided to try that style this year.    My elf was working to put together a wooden tree collar.  I will stain and paint it with a stencil or two.  I realized I can paint more than one stenciled message since the box has four sides!

And Since we are doing sort of a Farmhouse effect, I will paint and decorate our Chicken Wire Tree as well.  I will use our Dixie Belle paints as a base and decide what to do when that is dry.  I have a few ideas rattling around.   We have 4, 8 and 16 oz jars of Dixie Belle Paints, plus glazes and clear coat.

We downsized our tree this year and it is a 7' slim profile artificial tree (we have two - one for the Family room and one for the Pool room).  Therefore to accommodate the base of the tree the wood collar is 20 inches square with an open bottom.   The corners were reinforced with 1 x 1 pieces halfway up the interior sides.  

A personalized stencil was created on the Silhouette.   The EST. year we were married was added, what fun!

Another heirloom for the future!  The tree colors this year are Red, aged silver Shiny Brite ornaments and a soft blue.   

  

  

Thanks for stopping by, we enjoy your comments!

Holly Jolly Times

Are you READY?
We have a giveaway!   

I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and Grinch cookies so far.  I had an amazing helper who is THE best at watching the clock to ensure no burnt cookies!  Something I am guilty of not doing (multitasking diversion).

I am in process of making a variety of sweet Biscotti today.  I also found a recipe for Savory Biscotti with dried tomatoes, olives, basil, and parmesan!

I will also make chipotle cheese crackers and a pomegranate covered cheese ball among other things.  

I got tired just typing this!  It is the time of year that brings out the cook and baker in me.  I have always loved to cook and bake.  I'm not a Julia Child, but prefer honest, simple, homey foods.  

I will do a giveaway of the beautiful mason jar lids for the Holidays. 

Comment below and share to Facebook to have your name in the drawing.

Here are some tried and true recipes for your gifting and eating!

Beer Cheese Spread

1 lb aged natural cheddar cheese

1 lb natural swiss cheese

1 clove garlic, mashed

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 -2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

8 ounces beer  (regular or non alcoholic)

DIRECTIONS

Grate the cheeses finely.

Mix the cheeses with the garlic, dry mustard and Worcestershire.

Gradually beat in the beer until the mixture is well blended and of spreading consistency.

Place in a small mason jar for gifting.  Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Serve at room temperature.

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 VERY CHERRY FLUFF

1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

1 (8-ounce) bowl frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (any kind)

In a large bowl, fold together all ingredients.

Spoon into a serving bowl or individual dessert glasses. Chill before serving.  You can add a pirouette cookie to the glass for a garnish.

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Make sure to comment!