Give My Heart Finale: Crafts, Contest Winners, etc.

I had been praying about how to use my creative gifts and last Christmas instead of pulling our decorations out of storage I would try to make some with materials I already had.  I grabbed an old hymnal and began cutting….and then moved on to create designs using my favorite books. As an avid reader, I find words inspiring so I use them in my art.–Melanie, The Paper Pear

A while back I issued a challenge: let’s try going beyond the big box store and make a few presents with our hands this year–or if you’re not artistically inclined, let’s support Christian artisans who are.  We didn’t get a whole lot of responses, so I’m assuming folks felt I was asking a bit much.  In any case, I’m letting you off the hook…this time.  But I’m not giving up on my crafty Christmas idea.  Not totally.  Instead I’m making my own list of really creative folks I know who are glorifying God with their art–and I’m including a short list of Christmas art projects and creative crafts for kids that you and your kids can make yourself.

Oh, and I’m also announcing both winners of our contest, with bios of their craft-ilicious websites.  But first, a few of my favorites that might just fill a niche in your Christmas stocking:

CHRISTIANS WHO MAKE STUFF

1

Ric Ergenbright is a photographer with a number of spectacular books.  His book with John Piper, Think About These Things, is a book I’ve given away at Christmas a number of times.  But I’ve not seen any Christian coffee table book better than The Art of God.

Not only are the vistas stunning, but Ergenbright shows great depth of understanding about the divine language of nature.  I’d put this above almost all the books I read about art in college and since.  Highly recommended.

2

Katie Bowser Hudson is a lovely Christian writer, songwriter, and musician extraordinaire.  And she’s just the beginning of what makes this special.  Honestly, I’m in awe of this CD.  The writing is SO good, and it’s just hits that perfect note where kids and adults can happily coexist.  If you have young kids, buy it.  And then buy a copy for all your friends.

3

Just recently came across Tiffany Rachal‘s etsy.com store, Grace for Grace, which includes lots of handmade wall art.  For myself, I love that these pieces above aren’t just do-good or feel-good quotes, but rather a prayer to remind us to seek His help in our day-to-day life.

4

Larissa Holland‘s etsy store Mmmcrafts is one you don’t want to miss.  She’s a stay-at-home mom and homeschooler with a background in graphic design.  And not only does she make cool stuff–she’s happy to teach you how she does it so you can too!  You can browse through her dolls, cards, book covers, and many other sewing patterns at mmmcrafts.blogspot.com.

STUFF YOU AND YOUR KIDS CAN MAKE

1) The Usborne Book of Drawing, Doodling, and Coloring.  I’m ordering two copies for my kids this year.  Unfortunately you can’t browse this on Amazon, but I flipped through a copy at a book fair and really liked what I saw.  For instance, the cat page contains about 15 or 20 different but simple cats in the corner of the page.  The rest of the page is blank for young illustrators to try their hand at the drawing them.  Not appropriate for the youngest artists–Ed Emberely might be better or Usborne’s I Can Draw Animals.

2)  Another book I’m enamored with this holiday season is The Bible Doodle Book by Zonderkidz.  I think I’m going to try to make one of these for my girls.  (When I do, I’ll make sure to offer it as a download for you too!)  But in the meantime, this would be great for drawing anytime, but especially during church.  It would be nice change from her normal Sunday bulletin drawings of princesses, cats, and random bits of words she can spell.  I’m also interested in helping the girls make their own story bibles in the near future, so this would be a helpful place to “draw” from for that project.

3) I’ve stolen most of my craft ideas this Christmas from Pinterest.com.  Here is a page I created by searching for “christmas ideas kids.”  If for some reason the link doesn’t work, you can always try searching for it yourself.  So many great craft ideas!

CONTEST WINNERS

 Winner #1:  Brian, who recommended the etsy shop, GwynandAvaQuilted.  The shop is run by Jessica, and she writes, “I am a stay at home mom to these two wonderfully crazy little girls and have spent the last three and a half years discovering how fun it is to hand quilt and embroider. My husband and I have just begun the adoption process to welcome more children into our fun little family, and this shop is one of the ways I hope to make that possible.”  Thanks, Brian, for tipping us off about Jessica’s site.  From tote bags to hair pieces to notebook covers, Jessica has a number of attractively quilted crafts.  Maybe some of our readers will even head on over and find a last minute stocking stuffer or two!

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Winner #2: Jude of pjsareclothes.blogspot.com.  I think the photo above speaks for itself.  But in case you need more to get you interested, Jude’s site is a mom blog with flair, and apart the many great craft ideas you’ll find there, I’m especially proud of her book-a-day project with her boys this Christmas.  May have to institute that at our blog next year!

So, as Dr. Suess would say, “my hat is old, my teeth are gold, and now my story is all told.”  Thanks to Melanie of The Paper Pear for offering a free piece of art from her store to our winners.  And now, it’s time to get crafty!

Are you doing any fun crafts with your kids this Christmas?  Any of these ideas get your sewing machine or electric guitar pedal humming?

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