Homemade Christmas

There is just something about a homemade Christmas gift that I just love.  Not only does it have that one-of-a-kind, special quality to it, you know that it was made especially for you.  Every year I am on the lookout for that special homemade gift idea that I can make for the special folks in my life.  My goal is for the gift to mean just a bit more than a gesture given at Christmas time.  This year I found these great ornaments at Homegrown Hospitality.  Stephanie is a fabulous artist and offers online classes several times a year and these ornaments were part of her “Welcome Home for the Holidays” class. Once I decided that these "JOY" ornaments were what I was going to make it seemed everywhere I turned, JOY was there.  Panera, one of my favorite meeting spots, had "brimming with JOY" as their holiday cup designs.

In this season of life I will choose JOY.  When I have had a tough day and things do not go my way, “I will choose JOY.”  When circumstances are disappointing, “I will choose JOY.”  When life is fantastic and I find great surprises along the way, it is easy to, “choose JOY.” 

In this Christmas season “I will choose JOY,” and am reminded of one of my favorite Bible passages.

Psalms 100

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are his.

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

go into his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Join me and "choose JOY" this Christmas.

I am participating in the following link ups:  Somewhat Simple, Fireflies and Jellybeans,Gluesticks, Beyond the Pikcet Fence, Momnivore's Dilemma, The Shabby Chic Cottage,Blooming Designs, Bubble Nature Creations, Liz Marie, Addicted 2 Decorating, Hof ouse of Hepworths, Stuff and Nonsense, Finding Fabulous, The Shabby Nest, Truly Lovely,Simply Sweet Home, Bubbly Nature Creations, The Answer is Chocolate, Sassy Sites, I Gotta Create, The CSI Project, Sisters of the Wild West, Boogieboard Cottage, It So Very Cheri, DIY Showoff, Natasha In Oz, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Between Naps on the Porch, Skip to My Lou, Todays Creative Blog, Coastal Charm, Ladybug Blessings,Domestically Speaking, The Thrifty Home, Blue Cricket Design, Fabric Bows and More,My Girlish Whimms, Seven Thirty Three, Sew Much Ado, Someday Crafts, Lil Luna,Mama Hens Coop, {Primp}, Vintage Gwen, Frugally Sustainable, Tidy Mom,Pinkapotmus, Between Naps on the Porch, Etcetorize, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Sew Can Do,My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Mod Vintage Life, My Romatic Home, Making The World Cuter, Knick of Time, Slice of Suburbia, At the Picket Fence, French Countrty Cottage, Shabby Art Boutique, Rooted in Thyme, The Charm of Home, 504 Main, A Little Knick Knack, Five Days...Five Ways, Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie dust, Freckled Laundry, Answer is Chocolate, Chic on a Shoestring, Knick of Time,The Ivy Cottage, Elizabeth & Co., The Winthrop Chronicles, The Dedicated House, The Lettered Cottage, Live Laugh Rowe, Seven Alive, 52 Mantels, Bloom, Adorned From Above, Hi Sugarplum, Savvy Southern Style, Yesterday on Tuesday, Clean and Sensible, Mom, On Timeout

Comments

[Belinda]

You inspire me Judy! I join you in choosing joy, my friend!
I know joy isn't for sale but are your ornaments?

[denyse@crazy beautiful life]

I absolutely love these "JOY" ornaments.

I'm having a PINTEREST Social hop. I'd love for you to hop on over, grab a button and link up your Pinterest. If you don't have Pinterest it's ok, come link up your blog.

http://mydailyphotojourney.blogspot.com/2012/12/pinterest-party.html

I'm also looking for Pinterest Pinners to feature every week beginning in January. If you are on Pinterest and are interested in being featured come link up! Who knows you might meet some other great pinners and gain a few great ideas.

http://mydailyphotojourney.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-for-pinners.html

Have a crazy beautiful week!

[simplee sue]

Love, love, love them. Thank you for sharing.

WE may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
http://simpleesue.com/frivolous-friday-making-christmas-memories-scrapbook

[Olive]

They are lovely. He brings me great JOY too.

[Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures]

Choose JOY - Your post is a wonderful reminder! These ornaments are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them and Psalm 100 at Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

[andi]

Nice and "joyful" post today. andi

[Audra @ Renewed Projects]

stunning!

[Joyce @ Quilted Nest]

too cute! Gonna have to go look up the 'how to'.

[Roxana]

I love Homegrown Hospitality also. I'm seriously thinking about taking one of her classes. I love your ornaments! Found you on The Answer is Chocolate!

[Jody]

Thank you so much for sharing your "Joy" ornaments at Simple & Sweet Fridays. So beautiful! Happy New Year!

Jody

[The Tablescaper]

Beautiful and simple.

- The Tablescaper

[Sherry]

So cute! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

[Christie M]

Just stumbled across your blog and this post- LOVE,love,love these ornaments. There's nothing I love more than making handmade ornaments and yours carry such a beautiful message- it's all about Jesus and the joy He brings. I'd love for you to stop by and visit my blog: www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com Christie