What's Crafting? Take 2.

This weekend I had some glorious time at home to finish decorating for Christmas, clean my apartment and do a little crafting.  I accomplished a few projects over the weekend including DIY mercury glass and painting a yard sale ceiling medallion to create an unconventional Christmas wreath.

First, I'll show you the mercury glass.  I followed this tutorial that I found on Pinterest using Krylon Looking Glass spray paint.  It was fairly easy.  The hardest part was mastering the spray paint.  It is very thin and runny so it was hard at first to figure out just the right amount of pressure to put on the spray nozzle for perfect application.  

The Inspiration:

source via Pinterest

My Version:

You can't really tell how well they turned out from the picture.  I didn't think to take pictures of them with candles lit inside like the inspiration photo.  I had most of the glass pieces already, but I bought the medium-sized ones at The Dollar Tree the other day.

The second project was this neat "wreath" made from a ceiling medallion that I bought at a yard sale.  I think I got the idea from a Better Homes & Gardens e-mail and stored it away in my memory to do later.  I had the medallion and the paint already...just had to motivate myself to do it.  I love how it turned out! I'm not thrilled with the ribbon choice, but it was all I had on-hand.  I think I'll try to get some bright green to replace it this week.

I haven't gotten around to doing any of the three projects that I intended to do from my last post.  I have all the supplies for the Christmas pillows and have already cut the fabric.  But I have yet to pull out my sewing machine to finish the task.  I also have most of the items I need for the starburst mirror and Mod Podge letters.  I should have at least one of those projects finished to post soon.  Stay tuned!

A List: Things I Love About Christmas

• Family gathered from near and far
• Traditional breakfast casserole
• Lights!
• Roadside Christmas tree stands
• Christmas music and hymns
• Hot apple cider
• A child's wide eyes when visiting Santa
• Decorating my little apartment
• The smell of balsam fir
• Wreaths on every door
• Starbucks Christmas blend
• Most everyone is in a good mood
• Christmas cards
• New Christmas pajamas
• Celebrating when God became man

What do you love?

Even More Christmas Gifts That Make a Difference

After I posted ideas for Christmas gifts that make a difference, a friend sent me a message with information about another organization that gives women living in the slums of North India an opportunity to learn a trade, earn income, and gain confidence from working.  This organization is called Ergon Handicrafts.  They make beautiful journals and note cards from handmade paper made in Jaipur, India.

Please visit the Web site and view their items! Perfect stocking stuffers! Also be sure to check the "About Us" section to read the bios of the six women that hand-make each product.

Anticipation

As the calendar flips to December 1, it's hard to believe that Christmas is upon us and the year is coming to a close. I absolutely love this time of year, and I anticipate its arrival for months.  It's such a sweet time.  There is something about this season that puts everyone in good spirits.  Is it the decorations and lights? Is it the lovely Christmas music and hymns? Is it the time spent with family and friends? Is it the parties and food? Is it the gifts beneath the tree?

When I think about my childhood excitement surrounding Christmas, I realize that it wasn't necessarily those things that made me so excited. Yes, I loved those things, but I think that the true joy and excitement I felt came from the anticipation that Christmas was coming! Even now, as an adult, I get giddy with the anticipation of Christmas' arrival! I anticipate the family fun, the decorations, the music, the gift-giving, the holiday parties and the like.  More importantly, I also anticipate the opportunity to celebrate the reason that we get to celebrate! The first advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

source

The dictionary defines advent as "the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event." Most of us simply think of advent as a countdown to Christmas.  It is so much more.  I think that the reason why we anticipate the arrival of the Christmas season has something to do with the anticipation surrounding the first Christmas.  Many anxiously awaited the arrival of the Savior King.  Yet, only few realized the timing was so soon, and only few recognized it when it happened.  Still, He was prophecy and promise revealed! He was reconciliation for our souls in the flesh.

For me, Christmas is now a time when I think a lot about the second advent.  Like the first advent, no one can predict the timing, yet unlike the first advent, all will recognize and understand when the clouds roll back and our Lord descends.  It will be prophecy and promise revealed! It will be complete fulfillment in Him for those who believe! Every knee will bow and every tongue confess...

So as we begin this Christmas season, let's reflect on the first advent and the glory that was revealed.  Let's also foster a spirit of anticipation for the second advent and the glory that is to come!

Come, Lord Jesus!