Happy Birthday Jesus Blog Hop - Day 1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Thanks for joining us for our Happy Birthday Jesus Blog Hop.

Today, we are worshiping the King & celebrating the TRUE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

This Hop is hosted by Tina from Crafty and Green !

If you've hopped along from Shelly at KC Croppers , then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard, or reading this via email, please be sure to start at the beginning with Tina from Crafty and Green. (We wouldn't want you to miss a THING!!) *** Thank you for celebrating with us today! In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, we have to remember the One we really celebrate and love and who is the TRUE REASON FOR THE SEASON: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. BLOG CANDY:

We have 7 Sponsors for this hop with FANTASTIC PRIZES!!! 1. Jen's Digi Stamps - http://www.jensdigistamps.com/ (Gift Certificate) 2. Michelle's Scrapbooking & More- http://michellescrap.com/ (Gift Certificate) 3. Heather Flaherty w/ {ippity} - http://www.iheartippity.com/ (Gift Certificate) 4. Papercrafting World - www.papercraftingworld.com (Gift Certificate) 5. Scraptastical Kreations- http://scraptasticalkreations.com/ (Gift Certificate) 6. K Andrews Designs- http://www.kandrewdesigns.com/ (Stamp Set) 7. My Family Keepsakes- http://myfamilykeepsakes.com/ (12x12 print/page) *** What Do You Have To Do?

What You Have to Do To Be in the Running for these Fabulous Prizes:

1. The Ladies have all worked hard on their projects, so please comment on every stop along the hop both days. (Separate Line ups for December 17th & 18th) 2. Please Become a Follower of CraftyAnd Green (http://craftyandgreen.blogspot.com/) **I am giving away blog hop candy, too! SO.....become a follower of MY blog & leave a 2nd comment on this post telling me you became a follower!**

Here is the card I created to celebrate the wonderful night of our Savior's birth:

I used Close To My Heart cardstock, patterned paper, chipboard, twine, stamps, and ink. I also used products and tools from Martha Stewart, Fiskars, Marvy Uchida, Stickles, and Recollections.

To cover the white chipboard letters on the cover of my card, I first inked them, and later

layered 1 coat of silver Stickles with a fine paint brush. After drying overnight, I then painted on a layer of gold Stickles to tie in my gold and silver color scheme and add some depth.

I punched holes in one point of each star chipboard, in each letter, and next threaded waxy flax twine between them. I finished attaching the twine with a threaded sterling bead and a small knot. When I attached the stars and letters to the card, I wanted it to appear that these shiny stars were suspending the word "Starry" by golden threads, as if this came right down from the stars, right down from the Heavens.....

Inside my card, I continue the sentiment, which I wrote: "Starry Night...glorious night..." with lots of room left to pen a personal message to the recipient! Above that on the insie cover, is a stamped image of the Christ child and a paint embellished bright star, symbolizing the one that lead the 3 Kings to the stable where the newborn King could be found.

I then added gold glitter ribbon to extend the rich, celebratory theme of royalty throughout the card. I punched 1 side of the sentiment for added stars and detail.

This is a detail photo of the stamped image of baby Jesus lying in the manger, as found in the Close To My Heart stamp set: "Let Us Adore Him"

Now, Hippity Hop on over to Created 2 b Unique with Haidee to see her fabulous creation today! Don't forget to comment on my project & become a follower! :) Remember to come back tomorrow for my 2nd project that celebrates Christmas, and the most wonderful birthday since time began!