Stamp Simply Inspiration - Sheer Ribbon!

Before we begin today, please join us in wishing Happy Birthday to fellow team member, Deb Saaranen! Today is her special day, so be sure to leave her birthday wishes when you visit her blog!  Happy Birthday, Deb!

Melissa Frances Crepe Paper Birthday ONE

You've been so patient with me as I have been showing you all the goodies I made for our granddaughter's first birthday! The Candy Cane White Chocolate suckers HERE, the Princess  Thank You notes HERE, and Brielle Wooden name letters HERE!  Well, this is the final creation from the birthday celebration and it fits perfectly into today's Stamp Simply Ribbon Inspiration, Sheer Ribbon!  

Sheer Ribbon Birthday Blessings Tag

A Prima Fairytale rose, satin string cutout leaves ribbon compliment this gorgeous sheer ribbon bow.  The 1"pink sheer ribbon is tinsel edged and adds that extra sparkle!  The Birthday Sentiment is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  The Spellbinder Label Ten Dies are HERE.  Bow and Tag are attached to the ONE using Aleene's Tacky Glue. 

Brielle's First Birthday Picture

This is the picture that was on Brielle's birthday party invitation!  I used SU punches to cut out before attaching with Aleene's glue!  Another Fairytale rose and satin leaves sets it perfectly!  

Number ONE Base

This is how it all started after seeing a similar number five over on Pinterest!  I cut my cardboard ONE from a repurposed box after drawing it out using my t-square!  The curves were traced from the t-square end to make drawing easy!

Melissa Francis Crepe Paper Blossoms

Using Spellbinder Blossoms Three largest die, I cut my flowers out of Melissa Frances Crepe paper.  I LOVE this crepe paper, it's sturdy, just the type I remember using years ago!  Not flimsy and holds it shape!  Wonderful material! The die easily cut through a four layer thickness as shown above.  Once cut, I separated and folded, preparing the blossom to be attached to the ONE base!

Adhering Crepe Paper Blossoms

The individual blossoms were attached using hot glue.  I store my hot glue sticks in a repurposed crystal light container and use a foil covered plate to set the gun on while gluing.  I started adhering the blossoms along the cardboard edge, worked my way around the edges and then filled in from there!

There you have it!  The Number ONE made from cardboard, crepe paper, embellished with gorgeous tinsel edged sheer ribbon, roses, sentiment, and photo!  Makes for a wonderful birthday decor piece!  I hope you enjoyed this birthday creation as much as I enjoyed making it! Thanks for stopping by!   

There is Mystery Blog Candy to be won! The winner will be drawn from comments on one of today’s participating blogs, so leave a comment on each blog because it will increase your chances of winning. The winner will be selected at 6pm EST on Tuesday, January 24 and will be posted on Sharon Johnson's BLOG on Wednesday, January 25.

The following talented Stamp Simply Designers have terrific sheer inspiration for you today! Enjoy!

Sharon Johnson  - The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Barb Schram

Holly McMillen

Deb Saaranen

A Mom's Response to her child's question, Are you Santa?

Over on Pinterest I came across this letter a Mom wrote to her child after a persistent question did not go away. You know the one, we've all asked it or heard it!

Are YOU Santa? Is Santa for real?

Here is the letter. I've adapted it somewhat for our family.

Dear _______,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: "Are you Santa?"

I know you've wanted the answer to this question for a while, and I've had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa. I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my Mom did for me, and the same way her Mom did for her. (Optional- and yes, Daddy helps, too. Of course add whoever helps do this.)

I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them running to the tree on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won't make you Santa, though. Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He helps teach children how to believe in something they can't see or touch.

It's a big job, and it's an important one. But the power to believe is based in the love that only comes from Jesus. And throughout your life, you will need HIS love to believe in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. Your strength from Jesus helps to believe in things you can't measure or even hold in your hand. HIS grace will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

So, Santa is just another teacher, and I have been his student. Now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he's helped fill with joy and those who want to bring happiness to their loved ones.

With full hearts, people like me (optional- add, and who else helps too) take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is part of love and magic and hope and happiness that our life can bring from the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. And we are all invited to be on HIS team! Merry Christmas!

I Love you and I always will.

Signed, _____________