Handmade Christmas Ideas

Can you believe that Christmas is just over 4 months away?!?! Yes, it's really that close!! One of my favorite parts of Christmas is buying gifts. I love finding that certain special gift that I know my parents, sisters, nephews & nieces, friends, etc will absolutely love and seeing their face as they open it!! Being an artist myself not only do I want to support the handmade community but I appreciate the time and work put into it by the other artists. I have put together some selections from some of my favorites here. These are all artists that I have purchased from and own their products or have given their products as gifts.

Here are some awesome jewelers!!!

One of my favorite pairs of earrings comes from IngridsCreations. Ingrid makes fabulous delicate, feminie jewelry and bottle cap necklaces (my stepdaughter has one of those too!). Her pictures don't do her pieces justice! They're gorgeous!!

Turquoise Seas Czech Glass Beads and Swarovski Crystals Oval Dangle Earrings by IngridsCreations

My other favorite pair of earrings come from BailybelleCreations Her pieces are absolutely as gorgeous as the pictures and they come packaged so beautifully!!! They're perfect to give as a gift right away!

NAOMI - Chaceldony Carnelian and Vintage Lucite Necklace by BailybelleCreations

Another amazing jeweler is Dan from Dankartistry. He bends spoons and makes them into rings!! Okay, so it's a little bit more complicatied then bending a spoon, but he does it so beautifully!!

Queen Bess Spoon Ring by Dankartistry

These custom photo pendants from CookiesForSale are great for parents and grandparents! You can send in your own pictures and in return receive a gorgeous custom pendant and her turn around time is great!!

Custom Photo Pendant by CookiesForSale

Okay, my next selection is from VixensNaturalJewelry and I have her seperating jewelry and hair because she actually sells both. I am totally obsessed with Shannon's bobby pins!! They're all so beautiful and I wear them every day. I also have one of her rings (so does my sister in law!) and she's such a sweet heart to work with!!

Plum Passion Pearl Bobby Pins by VixensNaturalJewelry

I love the uniqueness of the hair accessories you can find in BlueberryShoes. Hollie is so creative and you won't find creations like her's anywhere else!

Rose Garden Party Hair Clip by BlueberryShoes

If you have a little girl you must check out LilysFrilys for the cutest hairbows! She has butterflies, princesses, strawberries, and of course your "regular" bows too ;)

Blue and Pink Butterfly by LilysFrilys

Next onto bath and beauty!!

LusciousLather has the best lotions I've ever used!! I wear flip flops year round in Florida and I found creams from Diane that have healed the cracks in my heels!! I love her line!

Whipped Body Silk by LusciousLather

For girls (young and old) that love make up, look no further than MumMumCrafts! These are not only beautiful products, but good for your skin!

All Natural Vegan Lip Tint by MumMumCrafts

Now onto clothing!! One of my favorite t-shirts comes from BanyanTreeClothing. The t-shirt is high quality and the design has never faded. (I have the same design below)

Imagine T-Shirt by BanyanTreeClothing

How adorable are these shoes? Do you want to see even more cuteness? Just visit IraRott. Ira makes so many cute items for infants and they're all high quality.

Purple Cotton Baby Booties by IraRott

Another high quality crochet shop is MattsCraftyWife and she makes items for adults too! Not only does she make shrugs and scarfs, but bookmarks, cozies, and more! Pink Crocheted Shrug by MattsCraftyWife

Here's another great idea for a personalized gift!! Visit AngelPupsCreations where Kelly hand paints slates! We had her paint all the grandchildren for my Mom and it was a huge success!! Custom Handpainted Slate (Made to Order) by AngelPupsCreations

Here is a yummy gift idea!!! Take a trip to HillsideBakery. Here you will find the most delicious fudge (my favorite is the chocolate peanut butter!) My only suggestion is you have it shipped to the recipient so they actually receive it ;) Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge half pound by HillsideBakery

And you could always take a trip to my store, DHElegance, where you can dichroic glass pendants and rings and other goodies!! ;)

Ruby Red Dichroic Glass Chunky Ring by DHElegance

If you're looking for any other handmade ideas, Etsy is a great place to look!! Just use the search tool :)

Hope you find your perfect gift!!! :)

Meet Lou from Messy Heart Studio

Messy Heart Studio!!!

I have a friend from highschool who paints some amazing pieces!! The reason I love her work so much is because every piece has a positive and Biblical message with it. Not only is her work wonderful but she's a real life sweetheart!! Here are a few of her pieces:

There Will Be A Day 16 x 20 Canvas Painting

Reflection Series Canvas Painting with Mirror

Inner Beauty 16x20 Canvas Painting with

Come on in and meet Lou!!!

Lou with her husband, Rob

Lou and her beautiful family

Okay, Lou, tell me a little bit about yourself:

This is a harder question than it seems :) Let's see...I am married with three little kids, two of which are twins. I love the roles God has blessed me with as wife and mama. I enjoy studying Scripture and especially teaching it to young people. Any spare chance I get, I paint something!

How did you get into painting?

I had not painted since I was a little girl, but a few years ago, as I watched my sister-in-law, who is an artist, I felt drawn to giving it a shot. I fell in love with painting immediately and have not stopped since. It is relaxing and stress relieving.

What is your favorite thing to paint?

I like to paint flowers, but not realistic ones, mostly abstract and "messy."

What is your favorite thing to do when not painting?

I love taking the kids to the beach in the summer time. We get a "slurpee" drink every time! I also enjoy reading and learning about God.

What is your inspiration?

My greatest inspiration for my style of art is Saint Augustine's quote, "We were made for you, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you." I desire for my art to reflect the beautiful mess that is a heart, broken and redeemed at the same time.

Where can we find you on the web?

http://www.messyheartstudio.etsy.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Messy-Heart-Studio/98694557509?v=wall&ref=ts

http://www.messyheartstudio.blogspot.com/

Where I Find My Strength

When my Mom goes for her tests I have her very own playlist loaded on my ipod so she doesn't have to lay there silently. Just recently she asked me if I had the song "Everything Falls" by Fee. I did not, so I purchased it and I loaded it onto my ipod. Not thinking much more about it the days went by. Then just a day or two ago, I was driving and that song I had downloaded came up on my playlist while I was driving. I understood why my Mom wanted it. I listened to the words and just cried. I kept it on repeat. I have found great strength and comfort from the words.

Here are the lyrics:

You said

You'd never leave or forsake me

When you said,

This life is gonna shake me

You said

This world is gonna bring trouble on my soul

This I know

Chorus:

When everything falls apart

Your arms hold me together

When everything falls apart

You're the only hope for this heart

When everything falls apart

And my strength is gone

I find you mighty and strong

You keep holding on

You keep holding on

When I see

Darkness all around me

When I see

The tragedy has found me

I still believe

Your faithful arms will never let me go

And still I know

Chorus:

When everything falls apart

Your arms hold me together

When everything falls apart

You're the only hope for this heart

When everything falls apart

And my strength is gone

I find you mighty and strong

You keep holding on

You keep holding on

Sorrow will last for the night

But hope is rising with the sun

(It's rising with the sun)

There will be storms in this life

But I know you will overcome

But I know you will overcome

Chorus:

When everything falls apart

Your arms hold me together

When everything falls apart

You're the only hope for this heart

When everything falls apart

And my strength is gone

I find you mighty and strong

You keep holding on

You keep holding on

I have had some days, especially lately that I really have felt that my world was falling apart, but I'm so thankful that I have a God that is bigger than anything I could ever go through!! All I have to do is bring it to Him!! All I have to do is cling to Him and He will be my strength, how awesome is that!!!

Psalm 28:7 says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."

and

John 16:33 says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I do not know what tomorrow holds. I do know that this will not be the last hard time I will go through. But I am so thankful that I have a Heavenly Father that I can turn to because I know that He will carry me through!!

Please have a listen to Fee's "Everything Falls" (there are also many wonderful verses in this video)

Meet Kelly From AngelPupCreations!

AngelPupCreations!!

Painting is such an amazing gift, but have you ever thought about painting on a slate? This amazing artist does just that! She paints her masterpieces on slate!! Check out her work!!!

Puppy Love

Finding Nemo's Dory

Adorable Tropical Frog

Come on in and Meet Kelly from AngelPupsCreations!!

Kelly

Kelly's AngelPups, Big Mac and Molly

So Kelly, tell me a little bit about yourself:

I am a Mom to three grown children (Dustin, 23; Dolly, 22; and Dylan; 20...although Dolly's real name is Danielle, we've called her Dolly since she was born ;-) They are all great kids! I'm also Mom to my permanent babies, Big Mac & Molly, my adorable cockapoo puppies who are the namesakes and logo of my Etsy shop and the loves of my life. I have worked in many fields from education to corrections and now find myself with time off. To keep myself occupied, I began painting again, something I did off and on for years during holidays and when I wanted to create unique gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Over the warmer months, I did not want to be inside as much so I took up making jewelry which I could do on the deck with my puppies at my feet!

How did you get into painting?

When I was very young, I drew constantly on drawing pads. I was always very artistic but never liked art class or other structured lessons so I never pursued art as anything more than my own hobby. As a young mom with three small children I began crafting as a way to make inexpensive gifts, etc. and began painting wooden ornaments for the holidays and wooden plaques as gifts for other events. Eventually, we moved into a home with an old slate roof and there were stacks and stacks of extra slate on the property. I decided to try painting on them and it worked out perfectly!

What is your favorite thing to paint?

I think I most enjoy painting pets, mostly dogs, but I have painted cats and even a guinea pig! I also enjoy painting inspirational and Christian art. I really enjoy working on custom orders--having someone tell me what they'd like and then knowing my painting made someone very happy ;-) When I find new feedback in my shop from someone who is happy with their painting it's like opening a gift!

What is your favorite thing to do when not painting?

I love to walk and hike with my puppies! I belong to a wonderful church that I really love and have become involved in volunteering in the AngelFoodMinistries (angelfoodministries.com) program there. I also volunteer at the Animal Shelter, Inc. (SterlingShelter.org) which is a no-kill shelter for cats and dogs. We receive many puppies and dogs which are transported from Southern shelters and from Puerto Rico which might otherwise face euthanasia. My favorite time to volunteer each week is when the new puppies arrive and we give "Puppy Baths" which each puppy/dog receives as soon as they arrive....20-30+ puppies at a time who are afraid and overwhelmed and we are able to hold them, clean them, feed them and offer them comfort. There is no doubt I will own three dogs eventually ;-)

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration is most definitely my Nana, Dot Mullen. She is 89-years old and to this day attends church daily, volunteers at numerous charities, is on the Board of Directors of the local YMCA (amazing since she first learned to swim at 70-years old and at 75 was one of the oldest to white water raft down the Kennebec River!) At 89, she still drives what she jokingly calls "the old folks" to their doctor's appointments, etc. because she says they need someone with them to take notes of what the doctor is telling them because they are usually too concerned to pay attention to everything. She is my hero and who I hope to be when I grow up ;-)

Where can we find you on the web?

You can find my shop at http://www.angelpupscreations.etsy.com
You can find me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/angelpupscrtns

I recently purchased one of Kelly's slate for my Mom for Mother's Day and here's the reaction that it got!!

My mom opening her slate

She was so suprised and excited!

Check out this awesome slate of the 5 grandchildren!!

Moms

What is a Mom?

Webster's Dictionary defines Mother as "a female parent, a woman in authority" But a mom is soooo much more than that!!!

My mom is there for me always!! She gives me words of advice and hugs when there are no words. And her hugs are amazing! She is my best friend. She taught me what it means to be a woman and I'm the woman I am today because of her. I am so thankful for her.

Proverbs 31:25-30 comes to mind when I think of my mother

^"25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

I love you, Mommy!!!

Here are some pictures of my Mom & I; My Mom, my 3 sisters (Sarah, Diane, and Rachel) and I; and my parents with the 5 grandkids (Jayden, Logan, Kelsey, Lily, and Bradley)



I'm also super thankful for my wonderful Mother in Law, Deanna!!!

Here are pics of my Mother in Law, my sister in law (Breanne), my hubby (Myles) and I; My Mother in Law and her 4 children, Myles, Ivan, Mitch, and Breanne; Mom, Breanne, and I


My sister, Sarah, is such a wonderful Mommy!!!

Sarah with her babies, Kelsey and Bradley; Sarah's family, Troy & Sarah with Kels and Bradley

My sister, Diane, is a wonderful Mommy too!!

Diane's babies, Jayden, Lily, and Logan; Diane's family, Mike & Diane, Jayden, Logan & Lily

The Winner of the May GiveAway Is ...

And The Winner Is ...

Solange!!!

There were 15 comments, so I went to random.org and here's what I got:

Congrats, Solange!!!

Please make sure to be watching the beginning of June for the next giveaway!!!

We are at War

I love the band, BarlowGirls. It's a group made up of 3 sisters, Rebecca, Alyssa, and Lauren Barlow. They are one of my faves!! Their newest album, Love & War is amazing!! I was listening to it today and came to the song, "Running Out of Time" and put the song on repeat. The lyrics really got me thinking. First, here are the lyrics:

We are not blind

We know the truth

Still we don't stand

Still we don't choose

We'd rather stay

So comfortable

Stuck in our world

Under control

We may not pull

The trigger but we

Stand by and watch

And pretend not to see

Silence is worse

Then evil done

What in the world have we become

Can't you see
That this is a war

So pick your side

It’s time to move

Not time to hide

Don't let lies

Make up your mind

Cause can't you see

Were running out of timetomorrow will come

And one day we'll see

The choices we made

Made history

Before it's too late

Find where you stand

So use our voice

While we still can

There were a couple things that came to mind. They talk about us being comfortable in our world and how silence is worse. It's easy to state what I believe in church and in front of my friends that believe the same, but what about in front of those that are completely against what I believe. It's not that I deny what I believe, it's just that I continue on with my daily life and try not to start conflict by taking a stand against what I disagree with as long as it "doesn't affect me". Not only do I need to pick a side, but stand up for my side. This is spiritual warfare. I want it to be very evident where I stand and what I stand for!

Ephesians 6:10-18 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. "

So I'm putting on my battle gear, standing up for what I believe in and letting the rest of the world know too! This is war and it's battle time!

Here's the only video I could find of the song, it is BarlowGirl singing, but it's just the words. It's actually pretty cool. I will warn you, it's quite up beat! :)