Sabbath Rest with Poinsettia Place Wreath

Wednesdays are my favourite day of the week.  It's the one day a week I try to let go of my to-do list, my stress, my anxiety and I try to rest. 

It's a practice called Sabbath Keeping.  I started about 4 years ago and I can honestly say that it has been a lifesaver emotionally and spiritually. 

It's a time to remember that God is in control and I am not. 

It's a time to remember that I was created to have gratitude, rest and freedom. 

It's a time to remember that I need to let go of my To-Do list for one day because God is more than capable of working while I rest. 

I have learned and enjoyed so much because of my weekly rest day.  (Check out this old blog post from 2016 where I shared another Sabbath rest experience)

Let me know if you ever want to have a virtual coffee to talk about Sabbath keeping.  I love sharing about it because it has changed my life! 

I started the day with my South African French tutor.  I love speaking and hearing French so my one hour french session is always delightful! 

I then puttered around the kitchen cleaning up and shovelled the snow outside, had lunch with the kids and then got to the main activity I had planned to do today. 

I wanted to make a curly paper wreath. 

I have wanted to try making this type of wreath for at least 5 years.  Sad right? 

Thank goodness for sabbath rest days when I can have no other plan except to delight in crafting for the sheer enjoyment of it.  This craft was not for an upcoming class or a swap.  I just really wanted to try making one and today was the day! 

What do you think of the outcome? It only took about 1.5 hours to make I think.  I had to make it upstairs in the kitchen because the craft cave was sooooo messy I absolutely could not work there and being in the craft cave felt too much like work instead of rest. 

I personally am super impressed with myself.  After I made it I right away hung it on the inside of our front door. 

I used the poinsettia place dsp and the poinsettia dies.  (By the way the paper is part of the year end closeout and is discounted!!! Only while supplies last) 

Considering it was my first time making such a wreath I was very happy with the outcome. 

The interesting thing is that when I first started attaching the first few curls of paper, I thought it looked awful.  I thought I had to be doing something wrong.  It just looked a mess.  Even my daughter saw me working on it and said "it looks like a strange curly head"

I contemplated quitting but you know...I've wanted to do this project for five years so it seemed wrong to stop so early in the project.  I had the sense that I should "stay the course"

(aside: this is a phrase that has been coming to my mind a lot lately as I tire of the pandemic and the strange pandemic life and I want to just lie in bed and wait for things to get back to normal.  I keep getting the sense that I should "stay the course")

I also didn't have any other big plans for my sabbath day (except maybe to read some French children books) so I carried on. 

When I finally finished, I was really glad I didn't quit early on because, as I said, I was super impressed with myself and the outcome. 

I know I've seen photos of other curly paper wreaths and they seem much more neat and tidy.  Mine still has that messy look but I still felt it was very acceptable to hang on my door. 

All in all I felt very pleased with my wreath making experience.  I loved my finished wreath but even more, I loved the life lesson I learned making the wreath. Don't quit too early! 

A particular bible verse came to mind: 

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns" Phil 1: 6

I know I have lots to learn and a lot of room for personal growth.  I just need to keep staying the course, not give up and let God continue his work in me. 

hmmm, it seems like this blog post became a sharing of my spiritual thoughts.  Don't worry if you were hoping for crafty inspiration, I'll share the supply list and instructions on how to make the wreath below.  

Thanks for dropping in! 

How to make a Curly Paper Wreath: 

Supplies needed

6 sheets of beautiful Stampin' Up! 12X12 designer series paper. (Poinsettia Place used today)

10" Foam wreath (purchased from dollar tree)

A lot of straight push pins

Instructions: 

Cut paper into 12" x 1/2" strips

Hold paper strip in the centre and using a bone folder curl paper on both sides

Push pin through center of the paper and through the wreath. 

Start applying the curled paper at the top of the wreath, go around and then fill in under the first row continuing until the wreath appears full and complete. 

Decorate as desired.  I used the Poinsettia dies and sponged the edges using Soft suede ink and curled the petals down a bit using the bone folder. 

December Online Ordering Special

Get a free class in the mail! Receive all the precut cardstock, embellishments and envelopes to make 4 cards when your online order in December is $60 or more! 

Make sure to use host code: A24NRTXT

Note: If you order is $200 or more, DO NOT use the host code so you can receive Stampin' Rewards.  I will still make sure you receive your gift. 

Shop online 24-7 or contact me to help you place your order

Find out more about joining my Team S.T.I.C. stampers

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Print Recipe

Product List

Poinsettia Place Designer Series Paper

[153487]

$15.75

Poinsettia Dies

[153522]

$49.00

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[102482]

$12.00

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[102584]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$163.00

Beaded Pearls

[153534]

$11.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Bone Folder

[102300]

$9.50

Sponge Daubers

[133773]

$7.00

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

[147115]

$10.25

Add All to Cart

I need to share!

I love that Stampin' Up! product can be used to make all different kinds of things.  It's true that I often make cards but there's so much more!

When I saw a frame that my friend Sandy made, I immediately had to CASE it.

When I created the 12 different inserts to interchange the letter "O" in the word HOME, I was overcome with happiness.

I loved what I made and when I get this excited I have to offer it as a class so you can also experience happiness in creating.

Please come and enjoy making this home decor item with me.  It is a special item to keep in your home or a special gift for a friend. 

We are into October!  It's time to think about Christmas gifts! 

Register to make this frame at my November 18th Santa's workshop "choose your option" event.  The frame is just one of the options.  (if that date doesn't work for you, make sure to contact me to schedule a private class date) 

You can also make 20 Christmas cards using the Memories and More kit (assuming this popular item comes off backorder soon) or you could choose to make 30 tags. 

You could also just stay the afternoon and craft and chat your own projects. 

That's the fun of Santa's Workshop.  You get to choose your option and stay as long as you need! 

Register today!  I will be in contact with you to confirm payment and your option(s) 

Pop of Love

For today's Mojo Monday I thought I would share the project we made at the last Team S.T.I.C celebration.
In case you are wondering, anyone who has purchased the starter kit from myself or one of my team members, gets to enjoy Team S.t.I.C perks...like monthly make n takes!
Learn more about the perks of the starter kit HERE

These cute make n takes were designed by fellow demonstrator Ronda W.
I loved making something that would be a really cute home decor item for Valentines.
It was nice to take a break from all the Christmas crafting and think ahead to Valentines Day!

Here's a close up of one of the boxes.

Did you know the Pop of Pink designer series paper is one of the items that have a discounted price during the Closeout specials?
Make sure to check out my online store so you don't miss the deals!

Be inspired!

Hello!  I'm so sorry I forgot to post yesterday!  So much for my plan to post daily leading up to and including the big online extravaganza sale!
Anyway, no excuses...here's the inspiration for today.
One of the items on the sale is the pansy punch.  It will be 30% off starting Monday! I see on the extravaganza sale flyer that Stampin' Up! has noted items are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.
Those words mean don't wait to place your order!!!

Here is a home decor piece I made based on Lee-Ann Greff's creation. I love it how demonstrators are so willing to share their creations with one another.
This creation primarily uses the Wonderland dsp (item 139588)
Do you see where I used the pansy punch that will be on sale starting Monday?

Here it is hiding in the layering.  I punched out our dazzing diamonds glitter paper.  I thought adding an extra layer between the snowflakes would be exciting. 

The pansy punch is versatile that way! 

Sale starts tomorrow! Shop on my online store! 

stay tuned for a post tomorrow!  

Kids are awesome

Just wanted to share a couple of kids projects and stories.

This past weekend I shared stamping with some girls at a birthday party. Here is what they made. Actually, this is my sample. Their projects each came out a little differently because that is how children craft of course. They may have put the squares in different order or used slightly different designs...but this is the general idea. 

It looked like the girls were super proud of their creation. (side note the cute birds in the middle square are from a retiring set called "for the birds"...last chance to order it!)

Another day this past weekend I prepared these bookmarks for some kids to make at a private party. It uses the sea street stamp set. The matching dsp and coastal cabana twine is retiring so don't miss out on those items.

Now speaking of kids I will share a little story about what's been up with my daughter.  She participated in a local 1 K run as a part of a friends birthday party.  It was a beautiful day and I could tell she enjoyed herself.

Lately talking to my daughter has become very entertaining.  Especially since the Stampin' Up! retiring list was released.  She saw my text to my friend Christi on my phone and she was aghast..."Basic Grey Ink is retiring??????"  I had to explain that the hope was that they would be reformulated because they didn't work that well.  

I explained that basic black also needed to be reformulated.  Her face was horrified.  "They are retiring Basic Black????How can they retire black?  What am I going to stamp with?"

What cracks me up about the whole thing is that since she is not a demonstrator and doesn't teach classes or sell stampin' up product what difference does it make to her if basic black is retiring?  She can just politely ask me to give her my retiring black if she wants to keep using it.  What's even funnier is that a split second after her horror about basic black retiring, she said "oh wait, that's okay.  I can just use Memento". 

Yes.  that's my daughter! 

If you would like to buy the memento black ink pad that works just great, feel free to shop on my online store! 

You can also view the retiring items...some which are at a discount, on my online store as well.

Last few weeks to get em before they are gone! 

  

My Baby's Crafting Thoughts

One of my very important roles in life is to be a mom.  I have three fantastic and beautiful children.  It amazes me that my "baby" boy is now 7 and seems to be very grown up.  I just thought I would share with you conversations I had with him yesterday.

N: "Mom I need string"
G: What kind of string do you need?
N: " I need string that is sort of thin and not too wide.  It also needs to be very strong"
G: "I do have string like that but I need it for my stamping classes.  If you look at the catalogue you can tell me which string you want and I will order it for you so you can have your own."
N: I need it now for my Beyblade case.
G: "let me look and see if I have an old retired ribbon"
At this point I am still not getting why he needs string but I don't let it bother me since my children do all sorts of things.  I wouldn't have been surprised if he decided to use the string to wrap up his beyblade so he could sell it in some kind of pretend store that he was setting up.

Lo and behold of course I found some old ribbon.  He then showed me his beyblade case and clearly directed me what I should do.  It turns out his zipper pull was broken and he had a plan for fixing it.
Check it out. I was very impressed with his solution to his problem.  He now has the cutest beyblade case around.

Since I started being a Stampin' Up! demo when my "baby" was less than a year old, he has grown up with stamps and crafts around him. 

Yesterday I got a glimpse of what he thinks of it all as I heard him talking to his friend who had come over for a playdate.  

I'm in the basement making this beautiful home decor piece and I hear him coming down the stairs.

N: "You want to go downstairs?  Okay but it's really dirty down here because my mom crafts.  See she's crafting now.  She does a lot of crafts that's why it's dirty."

I suppose neither he nor his friend were really put off by my dirty, crafty basement because they promptly set up a spider man pop up fort in the corner and connected it with my craft tables which they were crawling under.  

My day ended by buying a frame for the home decor piece I created and then taking my daughter out for a dessert date at Kelsey's.  (like I needed a chocolate lava brownie but I figured it would be rude for me to go on a dessert date with my daughter and just watch her eat her dessert.  ha ha)

It really was a super Sunday.  I'm so thankful for my family and crafting with Stampin' Up!  

Want to copy and create your own pretty home decor piece?  Here's some of the key supplies you'll need.  click any of the images to take you to my online store

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