Winter 2011 Handmade Gift Exchange [Craftaholics Anonymous]

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the Handmade Gift Exchange hosted by Linda of Craftaholics Anonymous.  I joined and Yay!  I have a new friend who also love to make jewelry among other things.

I made her a bracelet made with brass plated chain and lampwork beads.

A locket and a blue briolette was added for that extra charm.

My partners favorite color is purple and green - great combo!

Hope she likes her gift.

100% Handmade.

I am lookig forward to the next gift exchange.  Thanks for adding me, Linda!

Give Thanks [Thanksgiving 2011]

What does this photo remind you of?

Yes, the colors of Autumn / Fall and Thanksgiving.  

Table arrangement by my talented sis-in-law

Today is Thanksgiving Day in America and there is truly a lot to be grateful for.

You may want to read a BLOG that I wrote in 2010 when I celebrated my very first Thanksgiving in the U.S.

As of this writing, we are busy with preparations for dinner.  Being Filipinos, we have a wide varitety of food... such a gastronomic feast!  There will be turkey, fish, chicken, beef, vegies and a wide selection of desserts.  We will be singing songs and share about God's faithfulness.  To burn the calories, we will have a wii sportsfest and play mind games, probably cranium or scrabble.

I made these chocolate dipped peanut butter filled vanilla wafers for our giveaways. 

Yummy!

From our family to yours,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Enjoy!

Gifts for the ladies [Christmas 2010 Gospel Bracelets]

This was a "handcrafted filled" Christmas for me.   I combined jewelry making with paper quilling and handmade packaging... yup, labor of love lots-of-love ♥.  This was a Gospel bracelet comprised of 2 pairs of  7 colors of Swarowski crystals:  yellow, black, red, green, blue, white and lavander.  Why these 7 colors you ask?

Yellow:  represents GOD'S PERFECT LIGHT.  1 John 17 says:  "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Black:  represents SIN.  Romans 3:23 says:  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Red:  represents the BLOOD of Jesus Christ shed ont he cross for us.  Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Green:  represents ETERNAL LIFE.  John 3:16 "Fod God so loved the world that He gave Hhis one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Blue:  resresent obedience in BAPTISM, being immersed in water to show the "death and resurrection" in Christ.  Baptism does not save you, but we do it to follow Jesus' example.  (Matthew 3:13)

Clear:  represent RIGHTEOUSNESS, a new or a clean heart.  Once we accept Christ, we become a new creation (2Cor 5:17).  God saves us instantly through our faith in Christ, He washes away all of our sin and makes us white aas snow before Him (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18).

Violet:  represent the CROWN OF LIFE.,  The Bible says:  "Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2:10)

It is nice to be able to share God's word and be a blessing to other people.  To complete the gift, I made copies of the gospel message and glued them to a #1 envelope.  To make the dimensional envelope:  I started with a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" Bazzill cardstock and scored 2" on 2 opposite sides and 2 1/2" on the other 2 opposite sides.  Cut the corners then fold the sides and trim the edges using a corner rounder.  I then added brads on the lower half of the envelope and a paper quilled daisy on the top flap.  I added embroidery floss used to close the envelope.  

Oh, it's so dainty and very girly.  I love it!