CCAYR July DT Card

The challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round this month is Christmas Flowers/Holly.  I chose to use my favorite Christmas flower, the Poinsettia. The flowers can be in your images, paper, embellishments, etc.   


The DP is from my stash as are the flowers and the sentiment is computer generated.  I've used one of the LOTV Die Cut Designs as I haven't colored in ages but did add some Stickles for a little bling...  These are wonderfully colored images if you are in a hurry to make a card, just not in the mood to color, or you want to give someone that special handmade "just for you" feeling.  

The prize this month is donated by Platypus Creek Stamping and Craft

and is a cling stamp set from Sunshine Designs.

The set is called Christmas Pots and contains four individual cling mounted rubber stamps.

If you have the time, grab a cuppa or a cold one and bear with me till the end of this long post.  I found the following  information on the internet regarding the Poinsettia, along with a great story that I hope you find interesting.  If you want to read more here is the site:  http://suite101.com/article/poinsettia-christmas-plant-a79694

"A ancient legend connected the poinsettia with Jesus' birth. A young brother and sister had nothing to offer to baby Jesus at Christmas. They took the long way to church hoping to find something along the way. Desperately, they picked up some green leafy weeds and brought them into the church."

"The story differs after the children entered the church. In some accounts, the children lay the weeds at the feet of the baby Jesus, in other accounts before the Blessed Virgin Mary. In either case, the weed suddenly erupts into sparkling red blooms that overshadow all the baby Jesus' other gifts, and the children rejoice."

"The poinsettia with its star shaped foliage pattern has been connected with the Star of Bethlehem shining at the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2:1-21). The poinsettia's blood red leaves symbolize the blood sacrificed for love of God. Scriptural events connected with the poinsetta include the deaths of the Holy Innocents, babies killed by King Herod madly in search of Jesus (Matthew 2:13-18) as well as the Jesus' death and crucifixion (all four gospels)."

"Centuries after American Joel Roberts Poinsett rediscovered a plant known to Mexicans for generations, people all over the world continue to enjoy the fiery poinsettia during the holiday season, though they may not know its Christian meaning or colorful history."

I'm so glad to be back to creating for the CCAYR Design Team.  I've really missed being around and visiting everyone.  I'm taking it slow and am back a month earlier than I had planned to be but still will not be posting a whole lot this  month.  I hope you will take the time to stop by the CCAYR Blog and see all the wonderful creations by the DT and our three new DT members.  The rules have changed and I think you'll really be excited about the changes and excited to play along with us each month.

Thank you to all of you that have sent cards or email messages, phoned, and left comments on my blog.  I appreciate the well wishes and support more than you will ever know and love you all dearly.  I will be around to visit as time permits. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)