Believe

For the team challenge at Cottage Arts we were to do a page about Christmas Tree Traditions. I was very stumped on this until this morning. Here's what I wrote -

This morning I had gotten up early and just turned the lights on the Nativity on. I went about my business and as I started to cross through the living room to the kitchen a little later the only light on my path was the glow of the Nativity. I paused to look at the beautiful, softly lit sight before me.

When you are away from family and friends it's easy to let the magic of this season pass you by. You can, as I tried, to convince yourself there is no need to decorate, to hang lights or have a tree. Paul protested and said even though there are only the two of us we need to make it feel like Christmas. We decided not to buy the traditional Christmas tree but instead opted for this gorgeous Poinsettia. I placed it on the mantle and laid the Nativity beneath it. This in itself is a special Christmas memory for me. Years ago when Grandma GiGi was taking ceramics Momma had her make this touching Nativity for my birthday. I really received a double gift that year because it was made by the hand of my 'extra Momma' and given by my own.

So as I gazed upon this softly lit scene this morning my heart became happy and I was glad we decided to put up our own 'tree' and decorations. Christmas 2009

I used the Shabby Christmas Page Pak from Cottage Arts for this page

My Family Nativity

Click on photos for larger view

This was such a fun project. Cottage Arts just released a new kit Manger Medley which I altered just a tad. I replaced the kits faces with those of the family. The 'Wise Men' are my son and son-in-laws, The Angel is Zoie, Mary is Pyper, Joseph is Eddie, Baby Jesus is Baby Brynn, The Shepard is Derik. I added bling stones to the Wise Mens crowns, Glossy Accents to the horns on the sheep and the shepards staff and glitter here and there. The donkey's tail was replaced with some jute cording. I put easel backs on them so they can stand them up however they choose.

Devil or Angel

Here's my littlest sweetie pie all dressed up in her first Christmas Dress. For a complete list of the supplies used check my gallery at Cottage Arts.

A Day at the Corn Maze

Zoie and Pyper with their Mom and Dad went to the Corn Maze, I just love the picture where they are walking into it. All supplies from Cottage Arts

My Granddaughters

Just had to post this adorable picture of my three Granddaughters, Zoie - Pyper and Brynn.

Deck The Halls

Alessandra Designs - Merry Xmas Kit at Digitals -- Font Curlz

Fall In Zion

The new Harvest Medley Papers and Elements kits at Cottage Arts were just perfect for my Zion Park pictures I took last week. How nice to be able to walk the trails with out lots of tourists like in the summer months. Such a beautiful park!

In Your Dreams - DST Weekend Gallery Standout

My sister took these great shots of a Raccoon in her holly tree, of course I just had to play. I wonder if this is really what puppies dream about????

All supplies from Cottage Arts

UPDATE How exciting, my page was picked by Jimea as a Weekend Gallery Standout at Digi Shop Talk! What fun, thanks Jimea!!

Christmas Princess

Ale (Alessandra Designs) has released a new kit called Merry Xmas Kit. Loved this picture of Pyper and with a little PS magic was able to give her a crown and put her arm through the packages. Thanks Ale for letting me play!

The Heart Sings - LOTD at Digtials!!

My wonderful friends at Digitals have just named this page LOTD! Thanks everyone.

It is a joy beyond words to watch a new one enter our world, when you are approaching your 99th birthday the joy is even greater. Great Grandma Coulter has waited with open arms to hold Brynn Fyona. As I watched Brynn, not even a week old, reach up towards this beautiful woman, my heart swelled knowing that in the innocence of childhood a baby knows instinctively whose arms hold unconditional love.

Supplies from Cottage Arts