My Mind's Eye Blog

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

Amber gave to you … seven holiday traditions!

This really is a most wonderful time of year!  What makes it so?  Traditions, of course!

Traditions take everything that we love about this holiday (family, friends, feelings, memories) and mix it up into a fabulous seven layer dip (yummy!) just waiting to be devoured! 

Today I am happy to share with you Seven traditions from my family (I wish I could share them all).

1.  The Manger:  We read the story called “The Last Straw” by Paula McDonald, draw names and do kind things anonymously for the person whose name we drew.  For each kind deed, we add a piece of straw in the manger for baby Jesus.  This is a tradition that my parents started when I was a child.  We just started with our boys this year.  It helps children focus on someone other than themselves at this time of the year when it’s so easy to get caught up in the “I wants”.  Last year it came out in a beautifully illustrated book and I was able to get the last book the store had for my parents.  I still need to get it for our home.

2.  Nativity dress up:  Like many of you the younger children dress up and reenact the Nativity while an adult reads Luke 2.  We have a dress up box filled with crowns, fabric boxes and ties.  The kids get creative and have a great time.

3.  piñata

4.  Pajamas

5.  Reading the story of Christ’s birth from the bible.  We read it before we open presents on Christmas morning.  (That was so hard growing up)

6.  New stories told by Grandma.  Every Christmas Grandma shares a new story with her grandchildren and gives a copy to each family.

7.  Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (and casserole)

from our other Grandma.

Download Amber_7 Traditions Instructions

It was so hard narrowing my families’ traditions down.  If you could only name 7 holiday traditions, what would they be?  This contest is open to everyone!  If you don’t celebrate Christmas, please share with us your holiday traditions. 

My Mind’s Eye will send one commenter our Merry Days of Christmas collection and our Laundry Line “Lucky” trim!  Since this is the weekend before Christmas, we will draw the winner of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth days on Tuesday!

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The winner of the Fifth Day of Christmas prize is: Samantha T.

Well, it's not a keepsake yet, but my son made me a Christmas ornament this year, and I know it will be a favorite forever!
Very lovely ornaments!

Posted by: Samantha T | December 17, 2009 at 12:57 PM

On the Sixth Day of Christmas

Wilna gave to you... a mobile with 6 ornaments!

This is such a happy project to do with your kids. Or even to use as Tree decorations! It's really easy to make and lots of fun!

Steps:

1. Find 6 cookie cutters and cover them with masking tape. (see picture 1)

2. Next, measure the width of each cookie cutter and cut a strip of Christmas paper that width. I used Scotch quick dry glue and adhered it around the form. (see picture 2)

3. Once all the shapes has been "framed", trace the shape and cut out papers to adhere to the front and back.

4. I used Scotch quick dry glue on the edges and sprinkle glitter lavishly on the glue to add some sparkle. (see picture 3)

5. The string I used to hang them up is from the Christmas aisle in Walmart. I simply cut various lengths and used my hot glue gun to adhere it to every shape. (see picture 4)

6. Be prepared for lots of oohs and aaahhs.

Do you remember making one special project with an adult in your life when you were young?  What was it?  Why is that memory so special?  Let us know!  One person will win the My Mind’s Eye collection of their choice!

The winner of the Fourth Day of Christmas prize is: Lora O!

"Fall on your knees, oh hear the angels voices..." I have "O' Holy Night" playing in my head right now. I have also been pretty thankful for some wondrous blessings that have happened here lately.

Posted by: Lora Oliver | December 17, 2009 at 12:26 AM

On the fifth day of Christmas...

Trisha gave to you... 5 GOLDEN rings! Well... maybe not this time... not in this economy! So I had to happily settle for some of these adorable Christmas ornaments that took only about 5 minutes (okay... maybe 15 or 25 minutes if you are taking your time!). And truly, once you see how easy they are to create, you may wish to create a few too!

Ornament #1: Simply cut several 1/4" strips of each of the patterned papers from the Colorful Christmas Collection. Roll the strips around a pencil and stuff the coils into a glass ornament until it is full. Use the trim from the co-ordinating die cut sheet to wrap around topper and secure with glue dots. Tie some tulle through the loops and hang on your tree with care!

Ornament #2:

Start by wrapping 4 different 1/4" strips around the glass Christmas ornament. Secure each strip with a few mini glue dots. Coil a few more strips around a pencil and attach to rim of the glass ball with a mini glue dot. Trim excess and re-attach the topper. Tie ribbons through the top to hang your ornament.

Build a decorative cluster on the front of your ball by carefully positioning the die cuts and Glittered Elements to the front of the ball. Be sure to carefully apply your adhesive so that it does not show (or as much as possible anyways!).

Another fun project involved using inexpensive 5X7 canvasses purchased at the dollar store. I Glimmer Misted the background and attached a 4X6 photo mat to the front using pop dots. First though I had to create a ruffle of tulle along the backside of the bottom of the photo matte. I did this by applying a strip of adhesive along the back bottom edge and simply gathering it as it went along until the entire strip was covered. I then wrapped a piece of sheer ribbon around the canvas and secured on the BACK so that a holiday photo can be slipped in ASAP without damaging the matte:) Build up a cluster of decorative die cuts and Glittered Elements on the bottom right corner. Use a Crop-a-Dile to punch through the canvas at the top and tie a piece of tulle through so it can be hung.

Last but not least were a couple of tin star ornaments. These too were relatively easy to create. First, take your star and carefully trace the "point". Cut this shape out of 5 different papers. Secure very carefully to star. Trim excess and sand the edges. I did notice that it was a bit easier to allow a little bit of excess and cut away excess after it was glued, otherwise the metal showed through and I was not super happy with that particular look. If you look closely at the star on the left, I cut the patterned papers in half on each of the points and mixed them up a bit using both sides of The Merry Days of Christmas Collection.

All of these ornaments (aside from the canvas) were purchased at Michaels for less that $2.00 each. Imagine creating one for each of your loved ones this holiday season as a keepsake for many years to come!

I would LOVE to see what you come up for your Christmas ornaments. Be sure to post a comment with a link to any that you may have created using My Mind's Eye goodness!

 

Do you have a favorite keepsake ornament?  We'd love to hear it!  One lucky commenter will win two Merry Days of Christmas Collections!

 

The Winner of our Third Day of Christmas prize is: Kimberly S!

What a great layout for that sweet picture!

My greatest wish is that my son chooses a good path in life and finds happiness with someone as kind as he is. :)

Posted by:

Kimberly S | December 15, 2009 at 11:42 AM

On the fourth day of Christmas....

On the fourth day of Christmas, Tiffani gave to you four little words.   

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season.  I don't know about you all but things here can get a bit crazy at Christmas time.  Between a mom that stays up late working on secret gifts and children that are over stimulated by candy and ads for every trendy new toy I thought we could all use a little reminder to be happy. 

To make a sign like this for your very own you will need a shaped wooden base, white paint, and some super cute paper and embellishments from My Minds Eye. First I painted the base white.  I  choose a red polka dot paper from the new "Love Me Do" collection for my background.  I love the papers in the "Colorful Christmas" line but I wanted a more traditional red and green combo to go with my holiday decor.  I applied the paper with Mod Podge and then sanded the edges to remove any excess paper.  To finish I adhered the glittered letters (mine are from the "Laundry Line" collection, they are awesome but, can be hard to find because that collection was released a while ago) and glittered embellishments from Colorful Christmas.  

Wishing you a "pout free" holiday!

 

What line from a holiday song best describes how you feel right now?  Let us know by leaving a comment on this post and we'll send one winner our Colorful Christmas and Be*Loved collections and a can of Laundry Line chipboard.

Winners!

First Day of Christmas Winner!

No, my husband doesn't even like me telling him to just get me a gift certificate. He likes to think of something creative and then surprise me.

Posted by: Suzette L | December 13, 2009 at 06:32 PM

Second Day of Christmas Winner!

I love the extra pop..always I am never really a muted or traditional about anything I do…LOL…love those tress…I made some a few years ago…but i think the attic ate them this year didn’t find them...hmmm

Posted by: Tina Mayo | December 14, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Congratulations Suzette and Tina!  Please send an email to [email protected] with your mailing address.

on the Third Day of Christmas

Anam rhymed 3 French hens with 3 good friends and came up with this layout for you!

 

Designer: Anam Stubbington

Featured Collection: Colorful Christmas

My greatest wish for my girls is that as much as we are family, that we also are friends; especially when the teenage years and beyond happen to us. I want that closeness and that trust to always be there between us and for them to know they can turn to us no matter what and we will be there for them.

Tell us what your greatest wish is in a comment on this post.  We'll send one lucky winner our entire Colorful Christmas collection!

 

On the Second Day

On the Second Day of Christmas, Amber gave to you two Paper Christmas Trees!

Designer: Amber Packer

Featured Collection: Colorful Christmas

Download Amber_Paper Trees Instructions

When I wanted to make these trees, I knew the fun colors in our Colorful Christmas collection would just “pop” when made into Christmas trees.  Although I was naturally drawn to the traditional colors of the Merry Days of Christmas line (it would have matched the wreath I did) – LOOK at how perfect the bright colors are!  It makes me happy just looking at them!

What about you?  Are you a drawn to traditional Christmas Colors like me or do you like a little extra “POP”?  Let us know in a comment on this post.  One of you will win everything from one collection of your choice!

Normally, we’ll draw the next day (example: Sunday’s winner announced on Monday), but since the first day was Sunday, we are going to give you today to comment on both of these posts!  Be sure to check back each day!

Winner!

It's now been two weeks since we welcomed Wilna to our blog family for the month!  Don't you think it's time we announced the winner of Wilna's Favorite My Mind's Eye collections?

Drum roll, please ...

Our winner is: Susan!

Wilna, I loved reading about your family~ what a fun story! I'd love to be entered in the drawing~ thanks for the opportunity to win!

Posted by: Susan| December 01, 2009 at 04:04 PM

On the First Day of …

Wait!  Hold on!  That’s all?  Only 12 days until Christmas? 

Where has the time gone!  It seems like we should have at least a month to tie up all the loose ends.

There is still so much to do.  We know a lot of you are planning on creating many of the presents you give.  For the next 12 days our Design Team will “give” you quick, easy and fantastic ideas along with instructions so you can make them too!

As a bonus, each day My Mind’s Eye will give one reader something just for you.

Sit down, buckle up, check back every day and come along as we give you ideas galore for the 12 days of Christmas … My Mind’s Eye style!

We’ve asked our fabulous Guest Designer, Wilna Furstenberg, to get this party started - right!

On the First day of Christmas, Wilna gave to you one meaningful layout!

Designer: Wilna Furstenberg

Featured Collection: Colorful Christmas

Download Wilna_Colorful Christmas Instructions

“This page is about our 18th wedding anniversary that we will be celebrating on Monday, December 14th. As you can see I look years younger than Jaco, but the secret is that he is only one day older than me. For this page, I used the name of the collection as my title... it was just too sweet to resist!  I am so happy to be counting down the days with you. The gift I ordered for myself came today. I am going to wrap it up and count down till Christmas so I can wear it! Happy Holidays!”  Wilna

Do you also order and wrap presents for yourself?  Let us know in a comment on this post.  One of you will win our Colorful Christmas collection including all the embellishments.

The Merry Days of Christmas are upon us...

and aside from the cold, it is my favourite time of year! I thought I would jump ahead this fall and create my Christmas album early so I was ready for the photos from all of our holiday activities and created my album before I even have the pictures back. Plus, I could not wait to play with the beautiful papers in the Merry Days of Christmas collection!!!!

This album is one of my Trinkets and Treasures albums, as I call them, and have used the same format in several of my classes this past year and created numerous versions by just changing out the papers. What I love most about them is that not only does it house the photos from a particular occasion or event but can safely stores many of the Trinkets and Treasures collected as well, hence the name of the album/ class.
Each paper inserted onto this project usually serves a double purpose as this book is bursting with pockets and flaps on every page to add even more trinkets and treasures.

There is a plethora of space waiting for you to insert into the pockets the custom tags to store even more photos or hidden journaling.

The Merry Days of Christmas Collection pack, complete with the co-ordinating die cut sheet provided most of the needed elements for this project. All I needed to add was some tulle and ribbon and a few pieces of bling (because bling is a VERY good thing!). OH! I of course needed the book base and would you believe me if I told you that all I used were office envelopes? YUP! It was that easy!

So although this book may look incomplete, it really is ready for my photos from this holiday seasons' Trinkets and Treasures. There was plenty of paper and die cuts left over in the kit that I can easily add more tags or embellishing f needed (but I think I covered the bases here!).

It's not very often I can say I am prepared way in advance of anything! Oh well... I am happy that I could be this time and that has got to count for something, right?!

Anyways, I hope you take the time this holiday season to create plenty of memories with your friends and family, collect the trinkets and treasures from your journey and document those cherished times in a project of your own using your favourite My Mind's Eye collection.

Happy Holidays!