Spreading Christmas Cheer with a Bit of a Sad Note....

Hi everyone!

Wondering what in the World my title is all about?

Well, it is with sadness I post today knowing that this is the last post I will ever make for the Crafty Gals Blog Group. :( :( :(

I have decided after years of challenges, laughs, chit chat and inspiring ideas to bring the group to a close. I have a lot on my plate with a few design teams, challenge blogs, my personal blog, my growing YouTube channel, homeschooling and working with my Mom growing our home based craft Boutique. There's just a few too many irons in the fire and I can't keep up. I will also be leaving one of my design teams when the term is up....that's not like me....I usually stay on as long as they will have me! LOL But, I know this is best to do right by all my other obligations.

So, for our last blog post, the Crafty Gals were to show their Holiday decorations or the handmade cards they will be sending out (or both if they wanted).

I have decided, since I don't have my cards finished (ugh...that is a whole other paragraph that I need not get into), to share with you how we've decorated for Christmas this year.

We went "Country Christmas" with our main tree...

 

complete with raffia bows, streamers and handmade ornaments.

 Yep, our tree is not complete in our son's eyes unless there are real candy canes on it. :)

 I get a new Santa ornament every year, this one (above) is my 2013 ornament.

This one, is one of my all time favorite Santa ornaments (2011).

We are big Crimson Tide (college football) fans in our house. Even though they had a bad game last week, we still yell for the Crimson and houndstooth! :)

This is our little white, "Charlie Brown" "BAMA" tree. :)

Our stockings are hung.......

by the............ window with......

3m hooks! :) LOL

Along with getting a new Santa ornament each year.....

I also get a new Santa figure/display Santa too!

Here's the new addition for 2013

I'm calling him "Victorian" Santa.

And here is a lot, not all mind you......(you would be here all day looking at Santa's if I did that) of my Santa collection.....

 "Purple" Santa is probably one of my oldest display Santa's. "Fluffy" Santa is my new one from last year.

 These two Santa's, "Wild Beard" and "Navy Blue" Santa are from my Mom. I get quite a few from her. She also likes them and displays them for a while then when she doesn't want to get them out anymore....she gives them to me. :)

 The "count down" Santa on the right as he is affectionately called by our children is missing his arm again I see. He parties way too much in the attic during the off season and usually comes out needing surgery.......I'm warming up the hot glue gun as I type! LOL

The lovely Santa box beside him is a gift from a sweet Swap friend in the Scrapbooking with M.E. Boutique group on FB. I had just received him about 2 days before I took the pictures. I believe I will call him "Winter White" Santa.

 Here is "Woodland" Santa.

 (above) the Santa on the left I believe I got at the same time with purple Santa a few pics back. He is an older one also. His name is "Curly Beard" Santa.

The wood carved Santa, "Birch" Santa (on top of hubby's surround sound main speaker....I try my best to make that manly stuff look pretty! ha ha ha) if one of my favorite Santa's. I love rustic and he certainly is.

 (above) "Noah's Ark" Santa and "Weird Tree" Santa :)

 (moving into the dining room atop the piano)

(above) left is a Santa from Mom, "Old Porcelain" Santa, I remember this Santa when I was a teenager so yep......he's the oldest in my collection. ha ha ha

There's "big bottom" Santa to the right and "globe in the belly" Santa below.

 We have "Pale Face" Santa in this grouping (look you can barely see his face against my buttercream walls!)

"Bobble Body" Santa beside him and "Come on Ride that Train" Santa and Snowman (with no carrot nose....I believe he parties a little too much with "count down" Santa) they've driven that train around so much it is missing a wheel!

 (moving into the kitchen) Here's "tea kettle" Santa, he's 3 pieces. He is guarding the Bama plate. :)

And lastly my favorite Santa of all.......Old "Wood Whiskers"! He has the brightest lantern, has no trouble finding good boys and girls houses to leave all those nice toys. I've had this Santa for probably 6 years. I've not once had to change his lantern bulb. :)

Well, there is my decorations tour. I hope you enjoyed it!

Leave me a comment, let me know what you think.

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Crafty Gals! I have had such a good time with all of you! I am going to miss our monthly challenges and chit chat. BIG HUGS!

Jeanette

Zella

Barb

Joan

Diane

Lela

Sharon

(Please visit their blogs. They are very talented crafters.)

and a host of other ladies that have been a part of this wonderful group in the past. Love you all!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Diane, Diane, She's Our Gal!

Hi!

I'm here (a day late, sorry) to share my creation for the Crafty Gals blog group challenge. Each month we honor one of our members by CASEing them. :)

This month it is Diane's turn to be honored. She has so many wonderful creations on her blog. I chose this card to draw inspiration from: "Punches Galore".

Here's my card:

I made the grass using the ink lid technique with Old Olive ink and my blender pen.

I used all Stampin' Up! products for this card.

Stamp set: Too Kind

Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango

Card stock: White, Old Olive, Crisp Cantaloupe Coredinations

Other supplies: decorative label punch, linen thread, pearls, blender pen, rounded corner punch, stamp-a-ma-jig, sanding block

Thank you Diane, for being a part of the Crafty Gals Blog Group! :)

I am also entering this card in the SU! Only Challenge ~ A Favorite Sentiment

I love this sentiment when sending a thinking of you card.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Sharon, Sharon, She's Our Gal!

It's time again for the Crafty Gals Blog group to honor another member.

This month it's Sharon's turn. Sharon is a girl after my own heart. She loves using nature as inspiration in her cards. In other words, she like flowers. So do I. This was a treat for me to CASE her style.

Just look at how many cards are in this one post! "Good times....Great Friends"

I love her use of the Secret Garden stamp set and patterned papers. I don't use enough patterned paper, I'm trying, but Sharon inspired me to use it on my card this time....

Believe it or not, this is my first time using the wood grain embossing folder from SU! I had to take it out of the package....for shame. :) I decided it would be a good natural element to go along with my nature inspired creation.

Thank you Sharon for being a Crafty Gal! Love and hugs!

I can't wait to visit the other Gals to see how they were inspired by Sharon.

I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #102

Clean is their game over at FMS and that's why I like playing there.......it challenges me not to distress the edges of my card stock or ink them or tear it or crumple it..... *giggle*

Thanks for visiting my blog. Comments are very much appreciated!

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina

Sassy, Sassy, She's Our Gal!

Hi all!

Today the Crafty Gals are sharing their creativity with you! We are honoring Sassy (Joan) from our group this month. Sassy has a great style, loves bright colors and loves doing altered projects. You should see the rock she altered.....yes, she altered a rock and it is gorgeous! So many wonderful projects on her blog! WOW! Here's a link: Sassy Moments

Well, I don't do many altered projects but thought it would only be fitting to try another just for Sassy!

I purchased the bottle at HobLob a few months ago (on sale 50% off) to alter and use to hold small buttons.

I used the Prima Lady Bird collection along with some trims and seafoam seam binding.

I love the top in this bottle :)

Now, when I need a small button, I'll reach for my altered bottle and think of Ms. Sassy! :)

I can't wait to check out all the other Crafty Gals blogs. If you'd like to also you can find their blogs in my right sidebar.

I am entering this at The Paper Players Challenge ~ Anything but a Card

and at the Pink Elephant Challenges ~ Use texture

Until next time...

Blessings...

Melina