Proof He Exists with iCaughtSanta.com

"iCaughtSanta"

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos.



With one true Believer and one Doubting Thomas (or Doubting Austin) in my household,  I can't wait to show the kids our personalized photo from iCaughtSanta.com on Christmas morning.  They are sure to treasure it forever!



In three simple steps anyone can upload a holiday photo, add Santa Claus and print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids yourself.



And as a Tiaras and Bowties reader, I'd like to offer you a coupon code to get 50% off of your purchase from iCaughtSanta.com .  Simply enter code: SANTA50 to save half off.  Share the code with all of your friends as well !

Merry Christmas!

Christian Symbolism for Christmas

Thought I would share a few fun and interesting thoughts on Christian Symbolism for Christmas!

I have always been interested in tidbits like these and perhaps you may be too!

You all know the ever popular song The Twelve Days of Christmas... but are you aware of the symbolism of the song relating to Christ and Religion?

1. True love refers to God's Love.

2. Turtle Doves refer to the Old and New Testiments of the Bible.

3. French Hens refer to the Virtues - Faith, Hope & Love.

4. Calling Birds refer to the 4 Evangelists or the 4 Gospels.

5. Golden Rings refer to the first 5 books of the Gospel- The history of man's fall from Grace.

6. Geese a Laying refers to the 6 days of creation.

7. Swans a Swimming refers to the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 7 Sacrements.

8. Maids of Milking refers to the 8 beatitudes.

9. Ladies Dancing refers to the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. Lords a Leaping refers to the 10 Commandments.

11. Pipers Piping refers to the 11 Apostles.

12.  Drummers Drumming refers to the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed

The Symbolic Meaning of the Candy Cane

White if for purity - The Virgin birth and the purity of life.

Red represents Christ's blood and sacrifice.

The hardness of the candy represents the church founded on solid rock and the promise of God.

The curve or crook of the candy represents a shephards hook or the "J" in Jesus.

And since I have gotten the post for today for the Blogshare,  here is our guest blogger for the 22nd day of Christmas!

This Momma Says:



Christmas is just right around the corner and normally the last thing that everyone is shopping for are those small gifts and stocking stuffers. All those little things you kept saying to yourself that you'd pick up later..... Well 'later' is NOW!

Here is a great list of OVER 100 small and inexpensive gift ideas! I don't know about you, but I hate filling stockings and buying small 'filler' presents only to be throwing away those things within weeks, because they were junk!


This year I've decided that instead of wasting money, I'm buying things that are either needed, useful or consumable!

Another great idea for coworkers, friends or family is to group some of these items together for a "theme basket". I tried to group the items together as best I could! Here are a few suggestions... Baking, coffee, makeup, nails, art, golf, spa, electronics, car care, etc.

Also, considering that most of these items are $5.00 or less this would be a wonderful way to bless a family in need! We will be filling a stocking to send to our World Vision child, but you could also drop off with a charity, a church or a specific family that you know! What a wonderful blessing to someone you could be! And what a lesson it would be for your children!

Wishing you and your's a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Day! May all your hopes and dreams come true!
(continue reading here)

Christmas Feather Tree with GLITTER!

Welcome Back!  It has been such a busy week here, let me tell you.  I won't bore you with the sordid details today because I want to share a quick little project for the Holidays that makes me happy!

A Feather Glitter Tree

***

You may have noticed some small changes round here... 2 new banners in less than a week.  I think I like the one I have up there now and I have finally gotten it centered! Yeah Me!  A new background is in place... bet ya can't guess what I'm thinking about right now... Yes!  Glitter sparklie snow for Winter.  There will be more changes coming soon to make Tiaras and Bowties a little more interesting!  Guest posts, giveaways, and perhaps a party?!?  So follow along, grab a button and keep checking back.

***

I am a girlie girl!  I love love love anything with Feathers and Glitter.  The sparklier the better!
The other evening, Lexi and I put this tree together in less than a half hour (including dry time!).

It is much more vibrant than in the photo; momma's still hoping Santa will bring her a new camera!

Supply list:  Short, Quick, and Cheap!!!
Styrofoam cone (Dollar Tree only a buckaroo!)
Red Feather Boa (thrift store at Halloween, buck 50)
Red Glitter Bird with White Feather Tail (Big Lots - 3 for I think $4)
and a Glue Gun!

This was the easiet funnest craft I've done with my daughter lately!  Now,  I was not able to get photos of the actual wrapping of the boa around the cone.  Momma's first priority was to make sure Alexis did not have to suffer an all too painful glue gun burn, so please forgive me!  Just attach your feather boa to the bottom edge of the cone with glue and wrap til you get to the top, adding small drops of hot glue along the way.  We scrunched those feathers in tight to make it nice and full, using the entire boa give or take 2 inches, which we simply snipped off!

Add the pretty glitter birdie to the top and BaZINGa!!!

***

I hope you enjoyed our little project today and if you did, consider clicking on the follow along button up there or join me via FB, there are more wonderful projects in the works.  On Facebook, join me in a Thanksgiving countdown by shouting out all you are thankful for.   Huge Sale on Etsy right now until 11/27/11.  Use coupon code 'thankful2011' to receive a 20% discount on any order. Custom Growth Charts are being featured this week at whopping 40% off! Check it out!

Awesome Inspirations by You link is open!  Link up your awesomeness with me!

Linking up here:

Mondays

Tuesdays > Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturday & Sunday

Guess You Can't Win 'Em All

When I received my new Ballard Design Catalog in the mail last week, I was so inspired!

Fast Forward Halloween and even Thanksgiving to the bestest ever Holiday...EvER!

Christmas.

There isn't much I don't love love love about the Holiday (perhaps all the money that flies out the window kinda stinks) but everything else is wondrous and magical.

Decorating for the Holiday is always fun.  We are a bit traditional as far as our decor goes.  My husbands grandmother passed on soon after Jim and I were married but we inherited a good deal of hand made ornaments crafted by her hands.  I admit, when we first received them I was not all that thrilled (sorry family) because a new young girl on her own (me-kim the crafter) wanted non traditional, non hand made, new stuff for my first tree.  Believe me when I tell you that they have grown on me and I cherish them each year as we place them on the tree.  We also add a little something new each year as our tastes change.  I've done a blue and silver 'area' in my home, purple and silver another year. themed decor like all Santa or Snowmen, but the tried and true deep red and green seem to stick! 

That said, after drooling over browsing the catalog I  have a feeling Christmas may be a bit WiLD this year especially with all of the great animal print inspired decor!  Okay, Okay... just a little bit not full on Jungle Christmas.

{both images via}

Hooray for me, I had just bought an animal print sheet set last week for just $9 (I just knew they would come in handy for something dandy).  Cheetah/leopard type print.  Well, after browsing, I right away thought about making us all coordinating stockings with drop cloth canvas and some animal print.

Easy Peasy!  I set out making my (own) pattern, cut and started to sew the first stocking.  I was amazed and so proud of myself... it was progressing so quickly.

As I turned them right side out and proceeded to fold the cuff down, I realized that something had gone quite wrong!

Bottom of stocking, fine... cuff, inside out!  Hey I told ya all way way back here that I was not a pro sewer,  I kinda just go for it and work it all out.  I know if I used a pattern I might relieve some of my self induced headaches, but that would be too easy, right? 

Christmas is not tomorrow,  it isn't even next week so I know I have time to figure it out.  As frustrating as it is, the words I constantly tell my kids have come back to haunt me... "Guess you can't Win 'em all".

I you have some words of encouragement or a link to a quick tute, I'd love to have you leave me a message in the comments.  If you visit me often, I just want to thank you... If you are new here and like this post, consider following along.  Go ahead, hit that follow button if you dare and leave me a comment so I can follow you back!

Tuesday Link Ups Here: