Lighted Shadow Box Nativity

 

This season I decide to make a Nativity table.  I started collecting Nativities when I was flying around the world.  I love the nativity.  I love the simplicity and spirit they bring to my home. And they serve as a reminder of the reason for the season.

Here is what you need.
12x12 Shadow Box
black spray paint
string of battery operated lights (10-20 lights)
Glue dots
Etched Glass Vinyl ( I buy mine at Expressions Vinyl)
Vinyl Cutter
I started by picking my image in my Silhouette Designer.  I decided on this Nativity scene. I sized it to fit my frame.  I cut my etched glass vinyl according to my Silhouette guidelines.

After cutting I used my transfer tape and cover the whole image. I wanted to have my glass with the negative space frosted. I found this to be the easiest way to use the negative space with the least amount of application problems,  Peel your vinyl and tape from the backing.

Apply your vinyl to your glass. Start in one corner and rub out any air bubbles as you go. Once you have added your vinyl, you are going to remove your print. I removed just the picture.

Remove the print slowly.  If you pull to hard or fast you can tear the vinyl you want to stay. Once you have removed all the vinyl you need to set it aside.

Next I painted my frame backing black. Just one quick coat. Start with your lights and stick a glue dot where you want to start your lights.  I started mine on the side so my battery box can set on the table behind the box. String your lights throughout the backing board using glue dots to hold the lights down. I tried to make mine look like stars in the sky. Use glue dots to hold the wired against the board.

Add your backing to the frame and you are done.

I added my free printable, "He is the Reason for the Season" Find it here.

House Party {Shutterfly}

I feel so lucky to have been chosen by HouseParty.com to host the More Merry Shutterfly House party.   House party is a website where you can host parties for your favorite products.  I was so lucky to host a Shutterfly Party.  I have been working on my Daughters Baby Book and was going to have it printed for her for Christmas. This was a great opportunity to have it printed with a great company and a quality product.
I invited a bunch of my Friends and Neighbors to enjoy what Shutterfly has to offer.
It all started with my Party box that arrived a week before the party.  Filled with balloons, napkins, sample cards and free photo book coupons for all the attendees.

Using the Shutterfly design creator I was able to upload photos and drop them into the location I wanted, add text and embellish with stylish flowers, buttons and ribbons.

For Christmas this year my Little Miss is getting her baby book and our Christmas card are being printed with Shutterfly! Shutterfly has some great ideas for Personalized Christmas gifts.  Make someone happy in your life.  Give them Shutterfly.
Thank you Shutterfly and House Party for making my Christmas a little Bit Merrier!

*Opinions expressed here are my own. I did not receive payment for my blog post today.

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Bloggers Night {Expressions Vinyl}

As an Idaho Blogger I miss out on a lot of the Fun bloggy things. In Utah they meet at least once a month sometimes more. they do in other parts of the county where there are a high concentration of bloggers.  Thank heavens we have an East Idaho bloggers guild. Miss Makenzie from Girl Loves Glam finds great opportunities for all of use to share in.

Last month we meet with the Guys from Expressions Vinyl. (Yes I said guys and yes it is 2 men) What a great company.  There operation is the bomb.  Low over head, great prices and lots of wonderful vinyl products to choose from. It was so fun to peruse all of the vinyl. So many pretty colors and prints to choose from.



The taught us about there shop, what they do and shared a few tips.  Then the fun part.  A project just for us.  They took each of our logos and turned them into vinyl to use on there new tumbler cups.

Holly- My Sister's Suitcase

Makenzie -Girl Loves Glam

Megan- Crafter Club

Emily- The Benson Street

Sheena- Life in My Heels

Ashley- Flats to Flip Flops

Thanks Expressions Vinyl.  You have a great operation!

He is the reason... Printable

This week has been a crazy one. I had a major project fail. Then I figured a new way to do it.  Yeah! I will have it up soon.  So because my project didn't go as planned I am starting with a  printable this holiday season.

With the Christmas season is just around the corner. I though I would start mine off with a free Printable.  Since the Christmas season is celebrating our Savior's birth. "He is the Reason for the Season."

Easy Homemade Wheat Bread

For a while now (about 6 years) I have been making Bread for my family each week. I go through phases.  Summer is hard due to the heat.  I usually make it on Sunday's and it lasts us the week.  I make 4 loaves. Through trial and error I have finally found the best recipe.   I grind the wheat in my sweet little grinder and mix the dough in my Mix & Blend from Blendtec.  Roll it out onto my counter. Divide it into 4 loaves and bake. If you have ever considered making your own bread and were scared this is the recipe for you.  I think of the 100+ times I have made it I only failed once.  I forgot the salt. Bad, very bad Mistake.  No flavor. This bread takes about 90 minutes to make start to finish.  And during those 90 minutes you really only stand at the counter about 20.  I do laundry or the dishes as I make it.

Now this is not to say I don't buy bread.  There are those times when it just isn't going to happen.  But I really try.  It is healthier for my family.  And less expensive in the long run.   And delicious.

I have a neighbor who has been baking bread for her family for years. She told her husband if she got the equipment to make it she would never buy another loaf and she hasn't. Bless her soul.  When I moved into the neighborhood she asked for my recipe and uses it all the time now.

This recipe is so simple and easy to make. The bread makes and amazing gift to a new neighbor, a new mom and My favorite is a loaf of bread with jam for Christmas.  Everyone loves a fresh loaf of warm bread!
So this is the recipe.

Masquerade Ball Winners

Happy Halloween!!!!

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Masquerade Ball. There were so many adorable costumes.  But we finally got it narrowed down to the top 3! Drum roll Please.

In first place:

By Girl Loves Glam

Second Place:

Little Red Riding Hood & Wolf

by:Freshly Completed

Third Place:

Merida

By: Sew Can Do

I will be sending you all an email to get your information to send out your prizes! 

Thank you to all my wonderful Sponsors and Judges.  I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!