Ninth Day of Christmas

On the ninth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Nine Ladies Dancing! Now this I can see why the author of Twelve Days of Christmas depicts ladies dancing and celebrating the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Paul shared the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit when he wrote to the Galatians:

Love ~ Joy

Peace ~ Patience

Kindness ~ Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness ~ Self-control

(Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

Source: Simply Homemade

Although this is a cake wrap, I can envision other uses with the technique. With a bit of supplies, a printer, and lots of patience, wouldn’t this be a lovely way to share/preserve memories?

I’ve added this to my “to-do” list! How about you? Will you try it?

Eighth Day of Christmas

Within the song Twelve Days of Christmas, today we get to the Eight Maids-a-Milking, the first “active” symbolism which represents the Eight Beatitudes. We can find the blessings, the set of teachings by Jesus, in Matthew5:3-10.

I found this interesting 2009 photo depicting Eight Maids-a-Milking. Someone took it while visiting the Butchart Gardens, located near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I glanced over other beautiful pictures taken there and wondered if any of my readers have ever actually visited the gardens?!?

I can only imagine how breathtaking it must be in person!

One of my 2013 goals is landscaping a large section of our yard. We have about an acre within the fence, with the house sitting in the middle. The east side is “his” – with the barn, ranch equipment, and car park. The west side will be the “gardens” I’ve always wanted and only dabbled with here and there. The Butchart Gardens, and the Dallas Arboretum, are my inspirations.

Living in a drought area of Texas, I must keep a Xeriscape landscape focus – without using cactus! Google images provide great visuals to get the juices flowing! I also try and watch the PBS show, Central Texas Gardener, or read over their website, for ideas, tips, and what to do when.

We constructed the Keyhole Garden in 2012.
The area, the corner of the yard behind the Keyhole is where I'm talking about!

It may not happen in 2013, but it is my hope to eventually stroll through the garden, sit among the flowers and greenery, and do handwork, or read, or crochet, or write – or pray.

Seventh Day of Christmas

Happy New Year Everyone!

The song, Twelve Days of Christmas, has Seven Swans-a-Swimming for the seventh day, depicting the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. I found the gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 (NIV):

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

if it is serving, then serve;

if it is teaching, then teach;

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;

if it is giving, then give generously;

if it is to lead, do it diligently;

if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Many years ago, I did a cross-stitch for Mother that reads:

What we are is God’s gift to us.

What we become is our gift to God.

Eleanor Powell

Although I haven’t in a long time, I love doing cross-stitch projects. I have several pieces started. One of the goals I’ve set for 2013 will be to finish them (whenever hands permit)! Some I will offer through Lanetta’s Creations, others will be Christmas gifts for family and friends.

Did you set “goals” or make any “resolutions” today? Which do you do? What’s number one?

Sixth Day of Christmas

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… six Geese-a-Laying, representing the six days of creation. It was on the seventh day God rested.

I found another amazing artist! She lives across the pond. I love her series of Christmas Cards! Wouldn’t they look wonderful framed?!?

Artist: Yvonne Arber

God got it done in six days! He could have done it all in a blink, but I believe He did it this way for a reason. It is in my opinion/interpretation God gave us another example, on the seventh day, we all need to rest (this does NOT mean “Sunday” either!).

Too many of us don’t take/make the time to rest. We live life stressed out. Sometimes we cannot avoid the rush toward deadlines and time crunches put upon us. But to live like this constantly, our health – mental and physical – will suffer.

People have often mentioned how I have a lot of things going, creating different things, offering a variety of items at Lanetta’s Creations. I do this, not only to fulfill several passions to create for the women in our lives of all ages, but because of my hands. Sometimes I can do things; sometimes I can’t. It is then I move on to something else. I’m grateful I have an array of interests!

I know I’m not the only person dealing with physical issues when getting things done. I’m simply stating how I handle mine!

Remember, it’s important to rest!

Fifth Day of Christmas

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five Golden Rings! Did you sing this, even if only in your head? Five golden rings symbolize the first five books of the Old Testament.

I discovered something very interesting when preparing this article!

The first seven “gifts” are birds, and the last five are people engaged in various activities. None of them is jewelry. The “golden rings” in the song are golden ring-necked pheasants.

Source:  10,000 Birds

Photo Credit: Benelli USA

I never knew the “golden rings” referred to a pheasant! I’d always thought it meant jewelry! Nope!

This just reinforces the fact we’re never too old to learn!

I enjoy learning new techniques and skills, then apply what I’ve learned to Lanetta’s Creations.

For quite a while now, I’ve heard about Sew Beautiful magazine, but never was at the store at the right time to pick one up. When my sister & I went out shopping on Christmas Eve, we were standing in the checkout line and I mentioned the magazine to her. Well I’ll be, she turned around, pointed, and asked, “Is this it?”

She got it for me and I found it in my stocking the next day! Aren’t sisters grand!?!

I’ve gone to their website, many times. But, there is nothing like sitting in a comfortable chair, reading a quality magazine! I will read, and re-read this one again and again. Thank you, Sister!

Until the end of the year, all aprons at Lanetta’sCreations are on sale! Use coupon code 121212 at checkout to receive 50% off! All other items have free shipping (no coupon code necessary) until the end of the year!

I recently sold my last Valentine’s Day themed apron! Don’t fret! I’ll create more very soon! I have a new design ~ very figure flattering ~ I’m mulling over in my head. It will be a full apron, this I know for sure.

Fourth Day of Christmas

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four colly birds (yep! that’s the English word used in the original Twelve Days of Christmas song, not “calling” birds)! The four colly birds (blackbirds) symbolize our four Evangelists/Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Photo Credit: Shuttered Dreams

When Lanetta’s Creations began, I created a few beadwork items. A few remain available in my ArtFire Studio:

Bookmarks

Christian Beads for Prayer

Eyeglasses Leashes

Zipper Charms

I don’t plan on working with beads anymore unless it’s a special request/order for a specific item, color, or theme. (Free shipping until the end of the year on all beadwork! No coupon code needed!!!)

It’s been over two weeks since I’ve created something new for Lanetta’s Creations! I’m starting to get the shakes! Will do something today! Maybe I’ll cut out the special doll dress I’ve been planning…

NOTE:  Until the end of the year, all aprons at Lanetta’s Creations are on sale! Use coupon code 121212 at checkout to receive 50% off! All other items have free shipping (no coupon code necessary) until the end of the year!

Third Day of Christmas

To symbolize the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, the writer of the Twelve Days of Christmas used Three French Hens. I went in search across the Internet for the perfect depiction of three French Hens to share. Not only did I find this amazing watercolor by Vernita Hoyt, but also discovered she too is a Native Texan! How sweet is this!

Source: Texas Sauce Art Life, a blog by Vernita Bridges Hoyt

I encourage everyone to make the time, browse through her work! I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Faith, Hope, Love – what wonderful qualities to strive for in every day living.

Sometimes it’s hard to have faith in things unseen, to keep hope alive, and to love with a whole heart. However, it’s doable! Take one breath at a time, one step in front of the other. Give someone a hug; allow someone to hug you. I’m sending you one now!

Second Day of Christmas

Not until this morning had I ever taken the time to look up Turtle Doves! I found this fabulous picture of two together! They are beautiful! After a brief read over, it doesn’t appear they are common in the United States, rather folks will readily see them in the UK and Europe.

Source: Arkive.org

I then tried to find out why the creators of the song 12 Days of Christmas selected Two Turtle Doves to represent the Old and New Testaments. I haven’t had any luck finding that bit of information. In fact, I haven’t found why they used any particular symbol! Maybe you know and will share!

Anyhoo…

My niece recently wrote the article “Open Me” for her blog. I highly recommend reading her account of an awesome random act of kindness.

I know other people have written or shared similar encouragements of doing 26 random acts of kindnesses in honor of the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary. I’ve started mine, in the name of each victim.

(Source: Huffington Post)

- Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female
- Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male
- Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female.
- Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female
- Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female
- Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female
- Dylan Hockley, 3/8/06, male
- Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female
- Madeleine F. Hsu, 7/10/06, female
- Catherine V. Hubbard, 6/08/06, female
- Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male
- Jesse Lewis, 6/30/06, male
- James Mattioli , 3/22/06, male
- Grace McDonnell, 12/04/05, female
- Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female
- Emilie Parker, 5/12/06, female
- Jack Pinto, 5/06/06, male
- Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male
- Caroline Previdi, 9/07/06, female
- Jessica Rekos, 5/10/06, female
- Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female
- Lauren Rousseau, 6/1982, female
- Mary Sherlach, 2/11/56, female
- Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female
- Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male
- Allison N. Wyatt, 7/03/06, female

Did you know there is a Random Acts of Kindness organization? They have 273 kindness ideas! They also have wonderful quotes to inspire kindness. This is one in particular caught my eye:

Carry out a random act of kindness,

with no expectation of reward,

safe in the knowledge that

one day someone might do the same for you.

Diana Spencer (1961-1997)
Princess Of Wales

First Day of Christmas

As the song goes, “On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a Partridge in a Pear Tree” of course, represents Jesus Christ! Amen!

Some begin counting the “12 days” at sundown, Christmas Day. Others (like me) begin with the first sunrise after His celebrated birth. Either way, sundown to sundown = today is the first sunrise on the twelve days of Christmas! It’s all symbolic anyway, right?

With this said, I begin this celebration with a humbled heart of gratitude. I cannot express how grateful I am to be a Christian!

I’m grateful for my family and friends. Many friends I know personally, and others I’ve met through Facebook and other social networks. Maybe someday we can meet in person!

I am blessed.

Today is a great day to begin by saying – throughout it all, it is my continuing hope to inspire, encourage, and create ideas and items of interest to those of you stopping by Lanetta’s Creations.

Business wise, let me throw this out there… all my aprons are on half price (yes, 50% off!) until the end of the year! Head over to my ArtFire studio and use coupon code 121212 at checkout! This is a great time/deal for upcoming birthday gifts!

Merry First Day of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It’s Christmas time in the city! About 5:30 this morning, I went outside with Beth. I looked around to see which houses had lights on and those that remain dark. Indeed, those with children had them on already! I remember well getting Mother & Daddy and my sister up extremely early on Christmas morning!

I still have that little kid excitement for Christmas morning. But, I’m alone, except for Beth. Everyone else – still asleep… even next door… the house I grew up in. And, that’s okay. I’m thankful Mother & Daddy are still sleeping, getting their rest. I’m blessed that I’ll see them in about an hour, our usual “coffee time” whenever we’re in Dallas. It’s then I’ll give them a hug and a kiss, and we’ll begin our day of celebration.

I am grateful I have this opportunity. I treasure each Christmas morning I’m able to add to my memory bank of cherished moments. I know it won’t last forever.

But, until forever changes, I’m where I need/want to be.

My wish for you - be where you want to be on Christmas morning!