Advent Wreath Tradition

Recent Request was for an Advent Wreath. This wreath is actually for our church but this is a great way to celebrate Jesus' birthday.












I had to do some research because I haven't ever gone through advent with an Advent Wreath. Here's what I found out.

The meaning of the Advent Wreath:

1st Candle (purple) is lit on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, a scripture is read, a carol is sung and you pray. "Candle of Hope" We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God.

2nd Candle (purple) "Candle of Preparation" Preparation means to "get ready". "Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD!"

3rd (pink) "Candle of Joy" - The angels sang a message of JOY!

4th (purple) "Candle of Love" God sent his only son to earth to save us, because he loves us.

5th (white) "Christ Candle" The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth!

Setting aside a few minutes each during Advent to "light" the candle(s) and worship will help everyone in the family to get ready for Jesus' birthday celebration. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day burn the first candle, read the Scripture reference, sing a carol and pray. On the next Sunday, you will burn the first candle. Continue in this manner until the Sunday before Christmas you will burn all four candles. On Christmas Day you burn the "Christ Candle", signifying that Jesus has come!

Having family traditions is a wonderful legacy to pass on. Make your house a home filled with the true meaning of Christmas this season!

Deck The Halls

Just finished this Christmas Decorating. Thought you might get some ideas from the pictures.

Tis The Decorating Season

BEFORE

AFTER

Wingback chairs are alive again!

Adding new fabric to this chair makes so much of a dramatic change! The lines in this chair have a bit of a modern twist. There is a set of these chairs. I love it when something old and dirty get a boost and starts to speak to you. These chairs can be yours for $895

Top 10 Tips for 2007 Christmas Decorating

1. When you unpack your tree and your garland you have to remember that it has been in a box for a year and it doesn't look pretty. Take time to fluff it up and make it look alive and real. Take each branch and work with it to make it look alive again. You will be amazed what a difference this makes.

2. Ribbon and bows need to be reworked too. Most ribbon has wire and can be made beautiful. Your bows shouldn't be flat.

3. Update your wreaths by adding new decorative balls or new ribbon. Get your glue gun out and add some new sprigs of eucalyptus or additional pine cones. Joannes Fabrics has a new isle this year that has picks in a box and you can purchase unique picks to add to your decorations. Add "real" pine to your wreaths and garland.

4. Don't overdecorate. It can start to look cluttered, taking away from the beauty of all your items. Have large scale items rather than tons of small items. The small things start to get lost in the clutter. If you do have a lot of small items, group them together so they can be seen as a collection.

5. This year's trend is "sparkle". Add sparkle to your tree by purchasing just a few new ornaments that shine.

6. Place items in front of mirrors. Hang a wreath on a mirror. The reflection makes it look like there is more to your decor.

7. Place a few items on top of your fridge to put Christmas into the kitchen.

8. To make your Christmas tree seem taller, place it in a garden urn that has a pedestal. This will add height and make it look amazing.

9. Spray paint pine cones with sparkle glitter spray. Another idea is to spray with spray adhesive and pour glitter all over them.

10. Add a touch of Christmas to your plants/trees, etc. by adding an ornament or a Santa to them.

Remember that "Less is More"

Keep it simple and beautiful!

Emotions on Canvas

This month has been a really busy month. When I started to feel overwhelmed, I decided that painting would be good therapy. It's really fun to feel anxious and stressed and then paint, paint away. There is satisfaction in turning feelings into something you can step back and admire.

Feeling grateful today!