I crafted!

I did it!  I really  did it.  I crafted!  Ok.  I'm sure that using "crafted" in that sense would totally send an english teacher over the edge but I'm celebrating my contribution to my family's Christmas celebration today!

I saw an awesome idea via Facebook to make an unconventional Advent calendar to countdown the days until Christmas and I just loved it.  If you're less crazy than me, you can totally just BUY it here.  I had specific colors in mind so I made mine.  It wound up taking me right at three hours... though if I were to do it again, I'm sure I could do it much quicker as I had to hunt down some old Creative Memories tools.

Yesterday I took the kids (plus one) to Michaels to find the paper and supplies that I needed for this and a few other crafts that we'll do in the near future.   I found the perfect blue and red paper.

Aren't they lovely?

So, I laid all my supplies on the table... except the additional Creative Memories cutting tools I decided to track down after I got started.

Here's what I had:

            25 white envelopes
            6 sheets of two sided coordinating paper
            10 sheets white cardstock
            2  28ft tape runner
            hemp twine
            tiny clothespins
            black pen
            number stencil

Step 1:  Cut pretty paper to fit on envelopes.  I did 6" x 3.5" and it left a nice white border on the edge.
Step 2:  Use tape runner to attach to envelopes.  (I know.  This is totally rocket science and you're totally impressed by me so far but just wait!)  ;)

Step 3:  I decided I wanted the numbers to be on circles so I drug out the CM stuff (aka- drug out what I could find and then went to Eileen's to get what I couldn't find) and made circles with the white cardstock.

Step 4:  I used a complimentary "Pretty Paper" to make a strip on each circle for accent.

Step 5:  Attach to envelopes via rocket science discussed in step 2.

Step 6:  Stencil numbers onto circles.  Here's where I've gotta give CM markers total props.  I have not had my scrapbooking stuff out in AT LEAST five years and this marker still worked perfectly!  It's the small things... right?

Step 7:  Hang hemp twine and attach fabulous envelopes with adorable clips.

Ok.  You're not actually finished at this point but the cuteness is up and that alone makes you feel good!

Step 8:  Make a list of Advent Activities that suit your family.
Step 9:  Put them into a word document and print.
Step 10:  Cut the cards to a size that will fit into your envelopes.
Step 11:  Print your family calendar.
Step 12:  Taking into consideration your family calendar, put the cards into the appropriate envelope.

That's it!  Now you can begin making family memories! 

Isn't it so cute!  I love it already and cannot wait to see the fun family memories that happen because I took one afternoon to do this!  Tomorrow on the blog is the Christmas tradition we added last year... the Jesus Tree!

Celebrating a life!

Yesterday a young lady had a baby that she'd once planned not to have.  She hadn't planned the baby.  She's only 20 for crying out loud.  If her age and financial status weren't enough, she suffers from a disease that will never leave her and was once considered reason enough to abort.  She knew that she just couldn't handle  it.  There was no one to help.  She was alone.   Her family was not there... and money... she had none.

It's not a unique story.  I'm sure it happens, LITERALLY every single day.  I don't know the statistics on young single women who have nothing and find themselves carrying life inside of them at THE most inopportune time but I've been there and I know countless others that have as well.  This young lady's story ends differently though.  Not by any coincidence she found herself at an event hosted by the Pujols family and it was there that she realized that everything changed. 

She could not... She would not abort her baby.

The cost would be huge.  I don't even mean financially, though that goes without saying.  The lost sleep... the energy... the time... the space...  all things she doesn't have to give and yet, today she holds her daughter in her arms.  Having a baby made no sense at all until Christ stepped in and today her daughter has a chance to change the world because her mother chose to sacrifice for her.  How could she not when she learned the sacrifice that had been made for her...

Today we have an opportunity to bless this young mother.  She is not just a statistic nor is she some nameless face on the streets.  She is real and just like her daughter now has opportunities to change the world, so do we!  We can change the world for this small family of mother and child.  Will you join me?

Please contact me to receive information on how to bless her as she begins this new amazing journey where she knows she is no longer alone!

You can call me at 314-540-4718 or email me at dorinda_peyton@yahoo.com.

OR  simply comment below with your email address and I will send the information to you.

Thank you, in advance, for showing love and support to this family!


"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand... For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."  Isaiah 41:10 & 13