Envelopes From Napkins!

Beautiful Christmas Napkins

~ and other lovely napkins can be made into unique envelopes ~

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Do I have my Christmas shopping done?

Or what you should ask, is have I even started???

And what about all that delicous baking this season inspires ?

Or handmade gifts for friends?

The answer would be, "No, but look, I made envelopes!"
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It is actually a fairly fast and easy project... and I make a few

here and there to have on hand for special cards

and correspondence. It seems I am often picking up another

pack of lovely napkins just because they are so pretty, as I did

while perusing Christmas decor in a shop the other day...

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You can find envelope templates at craft shops or online,

and you can make your own by opening an envelope and using

it as a pattern. Trace around it onto card stock, for larger ones

a file folder works great. You can see in the red one above

I taped card stock together to make one. If you cut out an

area in the front you can see the placement better.

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Napkins are usually three-ply, so first separate the layers.

My highly technical technique is to lick my thumb and finger

and pinch the napkin, a layer will stick to each finger,

then pull apart. Lay the top layer onto freezer paper,

shiny side up for the freezer paper, and right side up for

the napkin, and iron it. The shiny side will adhere to the napkin.

This makes it thick enough to use as an envelope.

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Lay the template onto the napkin and trace around it,

then cut out and use a glue stick on the sides.

Voila!

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... Here are some I've made ...

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I also love the translucency of the sheer top layer of napkins

for use in collages. I've used this Christmas napkin

in collages recently, by adhering it with matte medium

to a painted canvas baord, and adding images and glitter.

Be careful though, because when wet it is very delicate.

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Beautiful envelopes can also be made from magazine pages.

I have a file folder filled with lovely pages torn from magazines.

(A smaller template needs to be used for these)

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It is fun to have a couple of friends over to 'play'

and make some envelopes while chatting and laughing,

or in the evening while watching tv. These envelopes are fun

to have on hand for little notes, birthday greetings, etc.

I'm Dreaming of a White (indoor) Christmas!

... Browsing through the Christmas decor at a local shop ...

How beautiful, all the white and snow inspired decor!

We had excessive snow last Christmas for our area.

So, I am not wishing for a white Christmas this year,

~ unless it is inside ~

Are these bears adorable or what?!?!?

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Enjoy the Beauty of the Season!

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~ Violet ~

White on White

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White. Cream. Ivory.

A few posts back I mentioned my friend Lynette's sewing.

This is the christening gown she made for her neice this year.

Below is the gown in progress. The smocking, lace inserts,

and intricate detail is breathtaking!

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... This will be an heirloom ...

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The dress is so beautiful, and Lynette is an artist with fabric!
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This is not from the gown, but is a piece created in a class
Lynette took. I think it is so beautiful!
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The verse I placed on the photo is from the Bible,
found in Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God's handiwork"
~ His masterpiece ~
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What amazing detail and intricate loving handiwork
is found in each of us! And every 'stitch' is made
by hands that love us.
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~ God wanted to create an heirloom ~
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I am thinking this is a good introduction into the
Christmas Season, when I am reminded once again
of the love our heavenly Father has for us
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~ to redeem that which He made ~
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by sending His Son Jesus into the world,
to provide a way for us to be set free from the stains of sin
and to give us new WHITE garments to replace
the soiled ones we wore.
He offers the gift of new hearts.
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"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow."
Isaiah 1:18
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Because God has a thing about
W H I T E
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Another Giveaway for All

... Okay, one more Autumn post ...

I was working on my Thanksgiving placecards this morning

And thought I'd share my revised "Thankful" tags with you

to download and print. Wish I had thought of this before today

because I'm sure all of you are shopping and baking and cleaning

like I should be doing ... and not online browsing blogs. Right?

Below are 3 tags that you can print out on 4x6 paper,

I used matte photo paper. I left a space to write in your guests

names, or use a computer font as I did. Then just cut each out into

a tag shape and punch a hole. These leaves were picked and dried

a couple of weeks ago. Today I used spray adhesive

and gold and copper glitter sprinkled on, then put the

stem through and taped it on the back.

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I had to share these Turkeys we made.

Aren't they the silliest? If you can get your little ones

not to take a bite out of the marshmellow heads...

Be sure to have extra cheerios and candy corn and raisins

to munch on! They didn't like the taste of the

gumdrops so they didn't consume too much sugar!

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We made these last year also. I can't remember where

the idea came from.... someones blog probably!

Don't they just make you smile???

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Here are the tags. Left click for the largest image,

save to your computer and add some names, and print.

Now I really must get some work done!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Violet ~

Thankful and a Gift

Wishing you all a week of Thankfulness!

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My last Autumn post this year, then on to Christmas!

Below is a tag I designed that I would like to share with you.

You can use it on tags or gifts ~ in a note to a friend ...

or use them for place cards on your Thanksgiving table

by adding the names of your guests.

Just click on it for the largest image and save it to your computer,

print it out and use your creativity to embellish it...

For the tag above, I cut a tag shape from

decorative scrapbook cardstock and embellished

with just some ribbon, yarn, and a fabric flower.

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Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His lovingkindness is forever.

Psalms 118: 29 TLB

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I would maintain that thanks

are the highest form of thought, and that

gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder

G.K. Chesterton

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From the fullness of His grace we have all received

one blessing after another

John 1:16 NIV

Jewels Jewels Jewels!

Happy Birthday to my good friend Lynette!

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This is the card I made for her...

embellishing a vintage painting with a bit more bling.

Because Lynette is a woman of bling, loving all things

sparkly, glittery and dazzeling!

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You wanted a close up didn't you?

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... Large jewels are in this season ...

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Lynette does so many things beautifully.

She makes fabulous jewelry,

of which I have been a thankful recipient, she knits, she sews,

she is a good friend to many, and she knows how to play!

(I like that in a person.)

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For her birthday, five of us are taking her out to a lovely

tea shop where we will dress up in our finery

(jewels and hats of course!)

and enjoy the delights of food and tea and laughter.

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I want to show you some of the beautiful baby dresses

she has made, including an heirloom

christening gown for her neice.

In my next post.

First, there is a party to enjoy.

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Happy Birthday Lynette!
I am so glad you were born. And that God let us meet.

____________________

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(I just realized this is my 100th post. Is that a milestone?)

The Art of Autumn

These are watercolors inspired by the deep oranges, ochres,

burnt siennas and changing greens of Autumn.

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This was a foggy morning ... as the mist was burning off
by the warm Autumn sunshine. Children playing in the leaves,
Oh the carefree days of childhood!
When finding leaves was the most important job of the moment!
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Today I am thankful for:
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the love of God
the love of my family and friends,
our dogs!
crisp Autumn days and
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C O L O R
What are you giving thanks for today?

Jewelry

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I enjoy making necklaces and earrings, this is a recent set

made from a large vintage clip-on earring, a button,

various beads and a cross with added jewel.

I like the asymetrical design.