A Christmas Flower

A blessed Third Sunday in Advent to you! Can you believe there are only 12 more days until Christmas? Yikes! I'm telling myself it's okay... nothing dire will happen if I don't get to everything on my list. The most important thing is to concentrate on the Reason for the Season, and that is to ponder on the wondrous birth of Jesus and what that means to each and every one of us.

Today's hostess for the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is my BFF and co-founder Kristine Breach. Kris chose as the inspiration scripture Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

What comes to my mind when reading this scripture is the concept of "paying it forward." I think it's imperative for us to give a portion of our treasures to others, but not just the monetary kind. I'm not suggesting that we not tithe or give to charity... of course we should...but I think this verse is reminding us that if we share our treasures (i.e., our time, talents, love and bounty) with others, we experience Heaven on earth. These treasures cannot be stolen from us or destroyed. They are everlasting!

The challenge is to get out your crafting *treasures* and use them on your cards or other projects this week, in other words BLING IT UP (i.e., charms, gems, pearls, dazzling diamonds, flowers, etc). Simon Says Stamp is once again our sponsor and has donated the CUTEST stamp set for a prize. Please do pop by the SSCC blog to check it out and see all the lovely creations by the rest of the SSCC Design Team. I love those girls!

Bling? Did someone say "bling"? You don't need to ask me twice to add bling...I love bling!

I've had this Layers of Color stamp set for awhile and hadn't yet had a chance to ink it up. It came to mind immediately when I read the challenge. Flowering Gems was designed to add gems and pearls...and for layering. I stamped my flowers on Prism Blush Red Dark cardstock (and the leaves on PTI's Spring Moss) and embossed with white. I used Kaisercraft rhinestones and pearls to decorate the flower. Love it!

That gorgeous paper is by Nina Brackett for GinaK Designs... Simple Elegance. It's digital paper, so instant gratification! The green pairs perfectly with Papertrey Ink's Spring Moss (including the ribbon). I used my Bow Easy to make the double bow. I'm entering this card in the Mojo Monday 116 Contest. Wish me luck!

Thanks so much for dropping by today. Today is the last day to enter to win some of my blog candy! I want to thank each of you who have left me such nice comments and birthday wishes. It means the world to me! I wish I could send each of you something for Christmas.