December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas to all!



Dear Family and Friends,

This year, I rediscovered the holiday spirit through a second-hand sweater and a joke. Don’t worry, I’ve found Christmas cheer in weirder ways. That second-hand sweater was not the cutest puppy in the pet store. It was, redeemably, the fuzziest though, so I kept it. The more I wore it, the more I loved it, so I even replaced the buttons and patched the seams. The sweater had a beginning with me, but not a new one. As the years fly by, I’ve realized that truly new beginnings are hard to come by and that old beginnings are perhaps all the fuzzier, all the warmer and cozier for being old. What does this have to do with the holidays? Well, not to dampen your yuletide cheer, but I’ve realized that, as we celebrate the end of a tired year and ring in the new, we’re not actually ringing in anything new. For anyone over a year old, this holiday season is a like my broken-in sweater. It’s an old beginning. Every year on the eve of the last night of December, we look back—then forward. And it’s one of God’s greatest blessings. Even though 2010 is a new year to us, and 2009 the old, every year is a beginning that’s beginning again.

This year, David started college at North Carolina State University, where practically his first action was to taunt me about better football, better organized campus, and better ice cream. He’s joined the club cross-country team and plans to continue running with the club for track season in spring. He wants to major in computer science, and after getting a 4.0 GPA for his first semester, he's off to a good start. He's asked Santa for a Nissan GT-R for Christmas, but Santa's Helpers--Mom and Aunt G--have told him that the only car he's getting is a toy that will fit in his stocking.

While David couldn’t wait to begin college, now I can’t wait to graduate. In May, barring any unforeseen senioritis, I’ll walk the stage for degrees in Dramatic Arts and Photojournalism with a minor in English. In November, I completed the Battleship Half-Marathon in Wilmington, N.C., with a couple of my best friends from Zeta Tau Alpha. Better yet, 2009 will be remembered as the year that I finally made a passable apple pie, after four Thanksgivings of failures! Next year, I hope to move to New York City, own a cat named "Moose" and coax my family up to visit me often.

Daniel still enjoys working as barista and waiter at the same restaurant in downtown Asheville, N.C., although the cafe has changed names over the last few years. Now it's called Ello, so when he answers the phone, he cries, "Hello, it's Ello." Danny loves bargain book hunting and filling his external hard drives--yes, he has several--with music and videos. He’s taking classes at Asheville-Buncombe Tech studying computers, so he and David spend breaks arguing about computer coding and demolishing each other in video games.

Mom's new beginning is, in her own words, the "best Christmas present of all." In November, she started a new job at Charlotte Country Day School’s athletic department. She is thrilled to be wearing the Bucs' green and white. She still designs for Helmar Adhesives and Zutter Bind-It-All, so her scrapbooking studio is bursting with scrapbooking projects. Mom also makes a mean Texas chili, grows great tomatoes and loves having a blaze in the fire pit. She and Tony celebrated their 10-year anniversary this year, and even with all of the kids finally out of the house, Tony still loves and complains about our noisy visits home. "Crumb-crunchers," he'll grumble at us—and smile.

David brought the rest of the season rushing back to me with a joke. Aunt G asked him whose birthday was coming up in December, expecting his reply, “Mine, mine! Mine’s on the 18th!” Instead he gave a facetious grin and asked, “Jesus’ birthday?” But he’s right, you know. Of all the holiday sentiments, the spirit of beginning is what this season is all about. We’re not just beginning another year; we’re celebrating the birthday, the very beginning, of the Messiah. God’s love, made real for us in Christ and sacrificed through his body, began two-thousand years ago, and we still celebrate it today. Every day is an old beginning to be thankful for, every Christmas and New Year’s a celebration of the old beginning of the gospel.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!

Tony, Tish, Daniel, Amy and David

December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime brings out the shutterbug in all. With that in mind, they need a place to put all of those wonderful pictures after the holidays. This album is perfect for the shutterbug in your life!

Supplies Used:
Zutter 8” x 10” Clip-Board Wood Covers
Zutter ¾” Red Owire
Me&My Big Ideas Papers
Bazzill Cardstock
Holly Leaf by Making Memories
Hallmark Ribbon, Beads & Package
Doilie by Royal Lace
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Helmar Vellum Spray

Cut out 8” x 10” pattern paper for the album cover. Cut out 8” x 10” cardstock for the album pages. I love the freedom one has with Zutter to create custom albums. Apply the paper to the cover using Helmar Acid Free Glue. After the adhesive dries, I lightly sand the edges with a sand block. With the Zutter Bind-it-All tool I punch the holes and bind the album together using ¾”OWire. Apply Helmar Vellum Spray to a doilie. Here I cut a paper doilie in half, one half for the fornt and the other for the back cover. Then I embellish the album cover using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. The last thing I do is tie ribbons on the album binding if desired.


Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas with many happy memories in the New Year!


Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA and OZZ Zutter Bind-it-All Design Teams

December 23, 2009

Time to wrap it up!

Hopefully by now you are finished with all of your shopping for gifts. Now you can wrap up your gifts. There is no need to cut corners on having pretty presents for the holidays! With the assistance of your scrapbooking supplies and tools, you can have custom gift wrapping. Here’s how I put mine to use…

Supplies Used:
Helmar Quick-Fix Adhesive Runner
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Pillow Boxes
Close to my Heart Ribbon
Gallery Ribbons
Hobby Lobby Pink Crochet Snowflake, Poinsettias and Gold Star
K& Co. Adhesive Rhinestone
Making Memories Cardstock Tag, Safety Pin & Ribbon
Me & My Big Ideas Pattern Papers
Prima Flowers
QuicKutz Rub-ons
Instructions:
1. I had used pillow boxes for this project; you can create your own. I saw many free pillow box patterns on the internet. All I did was measure the pillow box and cut a strip of pattern paper to fit.
2. Wrap the pattern paper around the box and secure with Helmar Quick-Fix Adhesive Runner.
3. Wrap ribbons around the box, tie a knot and cut ribbon at an angle.
4. Tuck the pink crochet snowflake underneath the knot of the ribbon. Place a dab of Helmar Scrap Dots to secure on the package.
5. Add a pink poinsettia flower on the snowflake with a little Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots.
6. Add gift tags, here I secured them with a tiny safety pin.

Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team Member

December 22, 2009

A Basket of Christmas Goodies

Creating 4” x 4” albums is my favorite size to make with the Zutter Bind-it-All and DreamKuts tools. They are quick and easy to make. A great way to use up left over papers you have from projects. Not to mention they are just so cute as gifts for all occasions. Here I made a collection of five mini-albums. I’m ready for the upcoming holidays with a basket full of albums for gifts..



Supplies Used:
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Zutter 4” x 4” Chipboard Covers
Zutter ¾” Antique Brass, Silver, Red Owires
Me&My Big Ideas Paper
American Paper Company Cardstock
Making Memories and Close to my Heart Ribbons
Me&My Big Ideas Stickers
With the help of the Zutter DreamKuts Tool; cut 4” x 4” pattern paper for the album cover and 4” x 4” cardstock to use for the album pages. I love the creative freedom one has with Zutter tools to make custom albums. Apply the paper to the cover using Helmar Acid Free Glue. After the adhesive dries, I lightly sand the edges with a sand block. With the Zutter Bind-it-All tool I punch the holes and bind the album together using ¾”OWire. Then I embellish the album cover using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. The last thing I do is tie ribbons on the album binding if desired.

Tish Treadaway, OZZ Zutter Bind-it-All Design Team

December 21, 2009

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum Drums...

Special appreciation to Helmar and their preferred partners such as Elle’s Studio Tags and GCD Studios to name a few. The GCD Christmas Sleigh Paper Collection transforms these Paper Mache Drum Boxes into festive décor and creative packaging for gifts. Elle’s Studio Holiday Greeting tags and Vintage Christmas Flashcards cards add the finishing touches on this holiday project.

Paper Mache Drum Boxes
Elle’s Studio Tag
GCD Studios Christmas Sleigh Paper Collection
All My Memories Kiwi Green Brads
Hobby Lobby Felt Angel
Prima Flowers
Making Memories Acrylic Paint, Jewel Brads and Flowers
Hirscherg Schultz & Co., Inc. Tulle
I purchased these boxes a few years ago, holding onto them until I felt inspired. Have you ever purchased something and not used it yet? Let me challenge you this Christmas to pull out something from your stash and add some updated paper designs. You will be thrilled with the final results. To decorate the drum boxes, I used GCD Studios Christmas Sleigh Collection Pack for the foundation. This paper pack was full of beautiful foil, flocked and glitter pattern papers. The first thing I did was remove the cord trim from all the drum boxes. Paint trims in coordinating colors and set aside. One of the trims sparkles; I brushed Helmar Acid Free Glue and then sprinkled glitter on it. Then I cut the pattern papers the width of the drums. Attach the papers to the outside of the drums using Helmar Acid Free Glue. Place the trim back on the drums using Helmar Acid Free Glue. Embellish with flowers, tulle and Elle’s Studio Tags attaching everything with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. The boxes are ready to fill with treats for gifts or set out on display to spread Holiday Cheer.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!

Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team Member

December 6, 2009

Helmar Happy Holidays!

Helmar is having a giveaway. All you have to do is to visit the Helmar Blog and post a comment on the December 3rd thread. A random draw will be December 10 so leave a comment on to be entered to win.

Good Luck and Happy Helmar Holidays!
Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team