Jingle All The Way

Warning -- this post is a little lengthy and sentimental!  :D

 

Bells have a special meaning for my family at Christmas time.  As most of you know, I have 7 and 9 year old girls and while, of course, we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and Jesus' birth, it is also our family holiday tradition to watch the Polar Express movie all together on Christmas Eve, sipping hot cocoa.  If you are familiar with the book and/or movie you know that a little boy (about the age of my oldest), on the verge of not believing in Santa or the magic of Christmas any longer, is taken on a magical train ride one night and given the opportunity to receive the first gift of Christmas from Santa.  While he could choose anything he wanted, he asked Santa for one of the reindeer's sleigh bells because they made a magical sound like nothing he'd ever heard before.

The little boy's parents couldn't hear the sweet sound of the beautiful bell, but he and his sister could ... because they truly believed in the magic of Christmas.  I hope my girls never stop believing in the magic of Christmas!

Every year for Christmas, Santa also leaves beautiful, special bells for each of my girls in their stockings!  I thought this gift box would be a nice place for them to keep their treasured bells.  The JustRite Holiday Demi Phrase (for the 2" Wood Stamper) on the top portion of the border "Believe in the Magic" was a perfect starting point and I finished the thought with 15-point Times New Roman Font (available with the 2" Wood Stamper) and spelled out "The bell still rings for me" ... I just LOVE that JustRite's fonts allow me to customize anything I want!

 

I inked the "Believe" and "Magic" separately with Memento Rhubarb Stalk ink (the Dew Drops make this an easy task) and then the rest of the sentiment with Memento Rich Cocoa.  The beautiful bell image is from JustRite's A Merry Little Christmas set and the bells were colored with Silver Fox Smooch metallic ink (more on that below) and Copic markers R24, R27, R29, BG11, BG72, E25, T3 & T5. 

The bells were cut out and popped up with foam tape.  The sentiment circle was die cut with Classic Circle Nestabilities (the large set works perfectly with JustRite's 2" Wood Stamper images) and layered onto Pinking Circle Nestabilities die cut.

The accompanying card was fun to create -- I wanted to try hanging the bells from this cute branch from Taylored Expressions' Branching Out stamp set and it ended up being the perfect scale for the bells, I think!  I stamped the branch with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and then cut it out, leaving "mounds" on top of the branch, where I wanted to put snow drifts.

I attached silver cord to the bells and then wrapped the cord around the branch.  The branch was popped up with foam tape and then Frosted Lace Stickles applied to the top of the branch, to resemble snow.  The bells are also popped up.

I created the custom sentiment myself, again by using JustRite's 15-Point Times New Roman font.  You could also customize this card with your family name, too ... how about "Jingle from the Harnists"?  Ha!! 

Now, about the Silver Smooch metallic paint that I used to color the bells -- I discovered you can add shading to it with your Copics!  I just allowed the Smooch to dry and then used Copic T5 to add shading to them!

See the difference between the non-shaded bells on the left and the shaded ones on the right?  How cool is that?!!  I did have to over exaggerate a bit with the shading to get it to show up well for you in the photo.  With my studio lighting bouncing off the metallic of the Smooch paint, it was difficult to get a good photo for you.  But you get the idea -- now go forth and shade your Smooch from now on, LOL!

There are some more JustRite designers that have projects today for you, featuring some of the same stamp sets I did today.  You can see their projects by visiting these ladies:  Angela Barkhouse, Debbie Olson, Kathy Jones, Lauren Meader, Lisa Somerville, Michelle Kovack, and Sharon Johnson (a little bit later today), and the JustRite blog.

Splitcoaststampers has also prepared a Product Reviewof the JustRite 2" Wood Stamper (like I used today), along with a video showing how to use the stamper.  It's very informative and I hope you'll check out the link above.

Supplies:

• Stamps: JustRite Stampers A Merry Little Christmas, 2" Wood Stamper + 15-point font & Holiday Demi Phrases. Taylored Expressions Branching Out
• Paper: Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly mini deck, TE Choice Buttercream, Papertrey Ink Pure Poppy, SU Sage Shadow
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa & Rhubarb Stalk Dew Drops, Copic markers (listed above), Clearsnap Smooch-Silver Fox & Siren
• Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities dies-Lg & Pinking Circle Nestabilities-Lg, Fiskars Threading Water edger punch, Tonic Paper Distresser, Frosted Lace Stickles 

Comments

[Christyne]

1.

This is BEAUTIFUL Sharon and a wonderful tradition. I hope your girls keep on believing!

[Sharon (notimetostamp)]

2.

Totally darling project and what a lovely and refreshing story. OH, the wonder of Christmas with little children around!!! Wonderfully fun card and LOVE that bell box!!! GREAT project!!!

[Jenn]

3.

oh, sharon. So beautiful, everything from the story to the project! hugs to you AND your sweet girlies!

[Angela]

4.

this project & card are the cutest thing I have ever seen!!! The story behind it is very touching also. I think family traditions are so important. Your daughters will treasure these forever and hopefully continue the tradition with their own families.

TFS,
Angela

[Lori Craig]

5.

Beautiful post, Sharon - all the way around. :)

[Linda Beeson]

6.

You used some clever techniques that I am glad you pointed out and wowie on the color/paper choices you used! What truly neat looking projects.

[Debbie Olson]

7.

Sharon, this is fabulous! I love the story almost as must as the special card and bell container!

[Kelly Landers]

8.

What a sweet story Sharon! My family and I are big believers in the spirit of Christmas too and have many holiday traditions. Thanks for sharing! I loved your projects!

[Karen W]

9.

Beautiful and wonderful idea and story. TFS

[Ida]

10.

What a wonderful Christmas Tradition.

Love the box you created and the beautiful card.

[Kathy J (Wattle)]

11.

OMGosh this is gorgeous Sharon!!! I just love how you've used the bells and the colouring is awesome!!! Love the paper you've used too!!! What a beautiful story - that is such a wonderful tradition which will become a cherished memory!!!

[Niki Estes]

12.

Oh, I love these, Sharon! Love the colors and those bells hanging from the branch!

[Linda C.]

13.

Love it, love it!

[Lisa Gobea]

14.

I have to agree with everyone else, this is beautiful as is your story. Thanks for sharing, I just love checking in on your blog every morning, it really makes my day. Thanks again, Lisa G (gobeagirl.blogspot.com)

[barb schram]

15.

One of my favorite holiday books, Sharon!What treasured memories for your family, it doesn't get much better than that! I am so inpired with every fantastic detail in your creations!

[chriss blagrave]

16.

Thanks for sharing your sweet story and tradition. Your projects are, as always, adorable ! Hope Santa finds some very special bells this year.

[Susan Tethal]

17.

Beautiful, Beautiful! The movie is a favorite in our house as well. Love your projects.

[Conniecrafter]

18.

very neat, I especially like the bells hanging from the snowy branch!

[Jan Castle]

19.

Shade my Smooch I will...on my honor!
Great job!
Jan Castle

[chrisitne]

20.

Beautifull projects!!! I love Polar Express. I have all the widowed for the night ladies over on Christmas Eve and have dinner and watch Polar Express. It's always a nice evening. I always put a ornament on their place settings. This year I'll put a bell.

Blessings,
Christine

[Judy Miller]

21.

That is a beautiful card and a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Amy]

22.

The colors are perfect! Love the way you made the bells pop right off the project. You make them look spectacular!

[Sankari]

23.

Simply beautiful and fantastic Sharon!! What a sweet tradition!!! Great tip with the Smooch and Copics!!!

[Elaine]

24.

Nice projects. I like how you decorated the tree branch on the card.

[Pam Crandall]

25.

I have been eyeing this project for weeks and thought I may give the bells out at my Christmas party this year and incorporate this message in the the invitation. Great story and my husband and I both still "Believe in the magic of Christmas" and were wondering if there was a special place that you got the silver bells from.
Let me know or post it thanks!