Stocking Stuffers (handmade, of course!)

 I am so glad you stopped by! I am busy stuffing stockings this week. I love stuffing stockings! I love trying to come up with little bitty fabulous surprises. I remember loving my stocking when I was little! My mom made my stocking and always put fun little things in it. I think it's the idea of small treats. Bottom line, I love a stocking. I think I love it even more as a mama. I adore watching my children reach in their stocking and pulling out each little surprise one by one. I fill the stocking with a lot of old familiar favorites like an I tunes card or a starbucks card. But it thrills me to find the unexpected and fill it to the rim. I can't tell you anymore things because it's not Christmas yet, but take my word for it, it's filled with lots of cool things. I have to tell you, one year I was running out of time and I enlisted my husband's help. I asked him to do the boy's stockings and I woud do the girls. I will never do that again! Sweet thing, he is the most amazing man ever, but stuffing stockings is not his gift. He thought I was crazy to "redo" the boys stockings, but Christmas morning, when he saw the boys loving all the little surprises, he admitted there is an art to filling a stocking, and I did good. Anyway, you get the idea. I love a stocking. This year I made fabulous rings for the girls stockings. However, it was so easy and so fun, I had to show them and let them make them with me. We had a ball with these. I thought you might like a fun idea to make with your girls this year. This is what we did!



I found these little wood rounds at my local craft store. The wood rounds are everywhere. People are using them for everything. Mine came in a package of ten or so and they were ready to go. Ok, can you cut up a branch from your yard for free? I guess you could. I've not done that yet, but I don't see why not. If you do that, let me know how it turns out!



I then took blue painters tape and taped off the sides of each round. This is really important, because when you pour the glaze it will not stick to the sides of the round. If it gets on the side it can be sanded off. The tape also keeps you from getting paint on the sides. The main thing is that the tape kind of makes a stand for each round and once you pour the glaze it runs down the tape rather than causing the round to stick directly to the surface you're working on.



This is the fun part! Paint! Paint! Paint! I used acrylic paint. Ok, there are lots of fun things you could do at this point. If you wanted to put text on it , this would be the time to do that. KK painted a tiny heart in the center of hers. In other words, be creative. Paint anything you like. You could even put a small photo on it if you wanted too. Go for it.



I'm kind of simple, I just painted all one color. I love it! I will say, I did swirl a little white on the edges so it wasn't completely one flat color.



I bought an acrylic glaze and mixed it up (in a well ventilated area) according to the directions. I found this at my local craft store. I mixed with a popsicle stick and poured slowly onto each round. Once I poured on to the round, I gently spread it with the stick. Now, you could use a polyurethane or spray glaze to seal the round, but I thought a thick acrylic coat would be more professional. But I'm all about using what you have.



This is the hard part. Once it's poured  you have to wait for it to dry....overnight! But let me say, It's worth the wait! These are awesome! One really great tip, the stand you make out of tape needs to be pretty even, otherwise the acrylic will run off the ring completely. It's really disappointing to come back to get your ring the next day only to find it has no plastic coating on top. So get the stand right! It makes a difference.



I found ring pieces at my local craft store. They come like 10 to a package. They run about $3. I really like the wider band. Then attach the round to the flat part of the ring base with hot glue. I recommend using E6000, its a really strong glue.



Do you love this ring or what? I Love love love it! It was fun and easy and anyone can do it! The best part? It is the best stocking stuffer ever! Definitely make one and shoot me a pic. I'd love to see what you create! Have fun! And Merry Christmas! love love love Ruthie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Have News!

 

[caption id="attachment_2121" align="alignleft" width="300"] Oh Come Let Us Adore Him
Mixed Media[/caption]

I am so glad you stopped by! Be honest...when you saw the title of my blog you could hardly wait to open it and see what the "big news" was. I know! When my children come home from school or my husband gets home from work, we always talk about their day while we are piddling in the kitchen or fixing dinner or whatever. However, if they come through the door and say, "I have news!" we stop what we are doing and give them our undivided attention with great anticipation. I would even add to that, if they're coming through the back door excited about "news," it's usually great news. Rarely is anyone excited to announce a poor test grade or a speeding ticket. I love when my family comes home with news, because it usually brings big smiles and great conversation, two of my favorite things.

[caption id="attachment_2122" align="alignleft" width="224"] I made an envelope by cutting brown card stock and stiching it up the sides. I stamped my blog on the front, and made tags with paint cards.[/caption]

I created this piece of art this Christmas thinking about the greatest news ever spoken. You have probably heard it a million times. This time listen with your heart.  "And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.   And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for today I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people'  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' " Luke 2:8-11

If you were sitting with me at my kitchen table right now, I would love to talk about that very night. I would love to imagine what it must have

[caption id="attachment_2123" align="alignleft" width="224"] I tied it all up with brown packaging paper, jute, and bakers twine. Finally ready to ship.[/caption]

been like to be in that exact field and to be completely surrounded by God's glory, and to be the one chosen to hear the "great news." What a night!  I've got news! Today is not a lot different than that night. I'm obviously not  shepherd, but I am surrounded by God's glory everyday. His news is for all people. It is for anyone who believes that He is the Son of God who was born that day in Bethlehem in order to save us from our sins. He is the Savior. He is your Savior. Open your heart to hear His voice.                        Love love love Ruthie

The Lord is my Shepherd

   I am so glad you stopped by. Today I am delivering these sheep to a new client. I am excited to meet her and humbled that she would purchase my art for her own. As I created  these sheep so  close to Christmas, I truly contemplated with what text I would finish the piece. I chose "Oh Holy Night." It perfectly describes the very first Christmas, the night Christ was born. The most amazing gift this world will ever know.

I chose to string lights across the top as a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world. I love that! No matter the time of day or the situation at hand, He lights our way and leads us home.



The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.



He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.



Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For Thou are with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Thou hast anointed my head with oil. My cup overflows.



Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

It was a Holy Night. He is the greatest gift. Merry Christmas. love love love Ruthie