To Shauna H. from Eve

This is a Christmas Advent Calendar made out of 24 matchboxes from person new to the craft scene. Each drawer contains one instruction (suggestion) of what to do that day. For example, "enjoy some hot chocolate as a family and share your favorite thing about Christmastime" or "drive around to view the Christmas lights". I tried to include things I noticed this family already did from her blog. I also included a cute little red box and some of my favorite chocolates from Germany

To Jenny S From Rita G

After reading about Jenny on her web sites I discovered she liked “Twilight”, so I made a ceramic tile with a quote from Edward on it.

Her blog is Scheib Tribe so I made a tile with that also. I included a window sticker for her car that says “ Be Safe” another Edward quote from Twilight, just for fun.

Hope she likes them J

to Rita G. from Staci R.

to: suzy c. from: angelic j.

To Amy W. From Natalie B.

Black/white organizing bag
Custom notepad tile w/pen
Mulled cider Tyler candle (my FAV-O-RITE scent)
Monogrammed coasters w/holder
Last but not least – flamingo ornament to remind her it was all sent from Tampa, FLORIDA! :)

To Laurie T. From Nicole B.

A embroidered and appliqued pillow that says "Find joy in the season: and a vinyl quote on canvas that says " Be Kind. No act of kindness is ever wasted" Aesop

To Jennifer H. From Elizabeth M.

Un-tumbled Sea Glass Earings. From Sea Glass found on my Hawaiian beach

To Anne C. from Jennifer V.

At first I was so intimidated to create something for Anne because she seems much chic-er and way more edgy that I am. Anne seems to like a much more city-girl type of creation than I thought I could come up with. So naturally, I put it off. But the cool thing was that the longer I waited and the more I read Anne's blog I felt like I totally got to know her from a stalker in the shadows kind of way! Anne loves to run and really seems to find joy in the challenge of her several past marathons and I'm sure big plans for the future. I admire this spirit in Anne and wanted to give her something to walk by each day to remind her of her goals and also her achievements. I hope this works, Anne. Keep on running, Girl!

(This is a embroidered cloth stretched on canvas)

To Elizabeth G. from Rebekah S.

To Jennifer A. From Liz S

To Sherri D. From Rebecca P.

To Beth S. From Tina K.

To Staci R. From Nikki G.

To Cassidy from Lindsey
From Pink Christmas Kids

Lindsey made for Cassidy. She painted a wooden letter "C" blue and tied some ribbons around it, glued on some cute flowers, and we used letter rub ons and a gel pen to write her name. She also decorated a composition book with scrapbooking papers in Cassidy's favorite colors. She used the leftover paper scraps to make her a set of cards.

To Mary Joann From Liz B.

I found a polymer clay covered crochet hook on etsy, and a fabric crochet hook case as well; which are perfect for Mary as she loves to crochet things for family and friends every year for Christmas. I know nothing about crocheting, so I hope the hook I purchased is a hook she can use! Mary also enjoys baking sugar cookies with her grandchildren, so I found a child sized silpat rolling pin for her grandchildren to use, some fun cookie cutters (which she collects), and some fun sprinkles (which I forgot to include in the photo) to use for all that decorating. I sure hope she enjoys these gifts!

To Rebekah S. From Eva G.

To Erin Elizabeth from Missy

Included in the package are a re-usable market shopping tote, a sassy apron for Erin, a coordinating craft apron for her little girl, Elizabeth, and a Christmas pillow!

From Tamra R to Cindy G

Send in those photos.
apinkchristmas@yahoo.com


Before you send out your gifts send in a photo of the gift you made and and in the subject line write to: the name of your girlfriend from: your name

It is like Christmas everyday for me seeing what you all have made!

Thank you so much

This is posted with permission from Shauna. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us.

Pink Christmas Miracle

This is one of those "that only happens to Shauna" stories. It is a miracle that almost did not happen. This is a story I have wanted to write for many weeks.

Last Christmas, I participated in PINK CHRISTMAS hosted by Kristi at Everything Is Pink. I met a new friend in Mesa, Arizona (who, I WILL meet in person..Hurricanes or not!) and had fun preparing a gift for a secret Pink Sister in Utah. I was also pleased to be part of helping a needy family have Christmas. It was a great experience, but for some reason, I was dragging my heels to sign up again.

This year, when Kristi announced the 2008 PINK CHRISTMAS Sign Ups, I wanted to participate, but weighed back and forth whether I should add one more "thing" to my list of "things" that take my time around the holidays. After all, I don't know most of these women in "real life" (although I feel like I do, in many cases)

I even missed the Sign Up Deadline by a few days (I was on brain over-load at that point), yet Kristi graciously included me in the 2008 Pink Christmas Festivities. I just could not dismiss PINK CHRISTMAS from my mind.

The day my PINK CHRISTMAS Envelope arrived ( I almost did NOT open the envelope because I was flying in high gear right before the Breast Cancer Walk...I thought...I will open this next week when I can savor every piece of paper inside.), the moment I opened the envelope, I knew WHY I had met Kristi via the Blogosphere, and more importantly, WHY it was important for me to participate in PINK CHRISTMAS. I sat right down and shared the reasons WHY with Kristi.

Have you ever met people who impact your life in a big way by the small and simple things they do? People who leave a print on your heart forever, even when your paths don't cross for many years? My life is generously sprinkled with people like this (chances are, if you are reading this, you have left a print on my heart) and this story is a perfect illustration.

Rewind To circa 1987-88 West Palm Beach, Florida
Ron and I were raising 3 young sons (ages 6, 4, and 1). We were living in Greenacres, FL, in our first home, a small villa home (fancy word for Duplex). We were poor, but did not know it. We were just doing our best to raise 3 energetic boys, serve the Lord, and make a difference in the world around us. Ron had just been released from serving as Bishop of a Singles Ward (Congregation)and I was Primary President (In charge of the Children in our congregation at Church) Life was good.

We received a call from a sweet newlywed couple, David and Stephanie, who were planning to come to West Palm Beach for Major League Baseball Spring Training. (Florida is an exciting place to be for Spring Training). David had been recruited by the Montreal Expos and he was reporting to Spring Training for the grueling physical, mental, and emotional work outs that come with trying to make it all the way to the Big Leagues.

They wanted to know if we were aware of an apartment they could rent during their stay in Florida. It happened that Ron's mother had a Townhouse they could stay in, but it was unfurnished. As I remember it, we got a bed for the floor, and they stayed there for a few weeks. The next season, they called to ask if they could rent the Townhouse again. One glitch....the Townhouse had renters in it. Without hesitation, I said, just come stay with us, and I meant it. We cleared out one of the boys' bedrooms, and turned it over to David and Stephanie.

They kept asking us if we were sure and telling us they did not want to impose on us, but we were insistent. They headed down to Florida in their Honda and stayed with us while he, once again, went through the rigors of Spring Training, Work-Outs, Cuts, etc. We were delighted to have them stay with us and have always looked back on that time with sweet memories. This couple brought such a sweetness with them. They were just starting out with very little by the world's standards, yet they had everything in each other's love and big dreams.

He was a catcher and my boys would marvel at the thickness of his glove and the speed of the balls he had to catch in that mitt. Jeffrey had a crush on Stephanie and would call her his "girrrrlfriend". David was sweet to "share" and Stephanie was so good natured about having a little 4 year old being head over heals in love with her. She was so helpful with each of the boys. I remember watching her and thinking, she is going to be an incredible mother someday. Her children will be so blessed to have her as their mom.

I always think of David when I make Homemade Bread because he taught me to find joy and satisfaction in small things, like Homemade Bread. One day, I had Homemade Bread out for everyone to eat. I said something like, sorry, I have been so busy, this is all we have to eat right now. David replied that he had been raised that if you have bread....you have a meal. He went on to explain that his mother had passed away when he was still at home and his father would make bread for the family. They would center their meals around this bread and they were always satisfied.

In just a few short weeks, their sweet attitudes made a huge impact on us as a couple, and our family as a whole.

A few weeks into the second Spring Training Season, David decided to put his Baseball dreams aside and go to Medical School (he was brilliant) They packed up and headed to South Carolina (Stephanie's' childhood home) where he did, indeed, attend Medical School. He became an Orthopaedic Surgeon. They had 5 boys and a full life. We kept in touch and exchanged Christmas Cards every year, however, between them moving, and us moving, the cards came back and we have lost touch over the past few years.

Back To Now....
This past September, I was looking at my Christmas Card list and making notes as to who I would send cards to, etc. I said out loud....I want to find out where David and Stephanie are. I want to send them a Christmas Card this year. I will try to find them this year....I am SURE the Internet will help. And HELP it did.

I had not idea that finding them would be as easy as signing up for PINK CHRISTMAS, yet there it was...their names in black and white....and now I know WHY I found them. Stephanie and her 5 sons need my prayers, love and support. David passed away in July of 2008. In the PINK CHRISTMAS envelope, there it was... some of the PINK CHRISTMAS Money was going to a fund started to assist Stephanie as she picks up the pieces and begins life without David. You can donate by clicking HERE. You can also read more details and see a photo of David, Stephanie, and their sons.

Now I know why I could not get PINK CHRISTMAS out of my mind and thoughts. The Lord was trying to anser my prayers and give more support to Stephanie. I know prayers are answered in ways we could never design. I know friendships are eternal. I know miracles happen around us every day. I know the Lord uses us to bring about Miracles and answers to prayers. I dont know why David had to leave this earth and his family, however, I do know that there is strength in prayer and that the more prayers for a person, the more support and comfort they will receive. I am honored to know Stephanie and have the opportunity to pray for her and her children. I know my prayers and those of her family and friends can give her strength and courage.

The Blogging Community is amazing...this all started when Gabrielle at Design Mom posted a link to Kristi's Everything Is Pink blog where she was featuring the GOOD MAIL concept all started by Jill, The Good Mail Queen. All because of GOOD MAIL, I found PINK CHRISTMAS, and then Stephanie.

And to think...I almost did not sign up for PINK CHRISTMAS and I almost did not open the PINK CHRISTMAS envelope the day it arrived.
It is truly a Christmas Miracle....a PINK CHRISTMAS Miracle.

Posted with permission by Laura Marne

Ode to Pink Christmas

Several weeks ago, I was working on things and thinking about when my Pink Christmas envelope would arrive. This little poem made its way into my head. Let me tell you, I am horrid with poetry (and writing, for that matter). I don't really enjoy it because I usually don't understand it. My husband, who is wonderful at writing anything, was pretty impressed with my attempt. I thought all you Pink Christmas gals might get a kick out of it. So, here it is.

Ode to Pink Christmas

Pink Christmas I saw in Feb. 2008
But alas, it was o’er;
I’d found it too late.

Pink Christmas had photos of gifts galore.
Posted on their blog;
What could these be for?

Pink Christmas I’ll try, I said to myself.
Next year I will be,
Someone’s Pink Christmas elf.

Pink Christmas, it slipped far from my mind.
Then blog hopping one day,
What did I find?

Pink Christmas sign-ups occur in July.
Remember next year,
To give it a try.

Pink Christmas does good for a family in need
Gals sign up to help
Such a wonderful deed.

Pink Christmas picks a family to help each year
Donations are sent,
To spread Christmas cheer.

Pink Christmas does more than you bargained for
Because it connects girls
From shore to shore.

Pink Christmas sends letters with goodies inside
Each gal gets a girlfriend
To send a surprise.

Pink Christmas we do to help out mankind.
There’s no greater service;
The joy we find!


If you aren't participating in Pink Christmas this year, make sure you sign up next year! I've had such a blast so far, and the fun is just beginning!

Thanks Laura for this nice poem.

My poor mailman.

Slowly the envelopes are leaving my living room floor and finding their way to your mailbox.

If you are in the U.S. you should have it by next Monday at the latest.

If by next Monday you don't have it then email me at apinkchristmas@yahoo.com.

Those on the list are the gals who paid on paypal and emailed me their questionnaire. If you have done both of those and are not on the list no worries we will get it all worked out.

Thanks for being so patient and thank so our sponsors who paid for all those 6 stamps on your envelopes!

Here is your new button for your sidebar for all you Pink Christmas Gals.
Thanks to Design Box Studio for doing all of our artwork!

thinking pink - i promise

So, it is Sept 19th, 12:13 am and all the pink envelopes are still sitting all over my dinning room. I am just waiting for a few more sponsors goodies and just can't send them until they come. I have also had a bit of confusion of getting everyone in that wants to get in. I am so worried about missing someone I just need to double check everything before I send it all out.
I am now leaving for the windy city tomorrow, for a few days, and promise these will get asap.
You will have 2 full months to get everything done, so thanks for waiting! It will be worth the wait - these sponsors have gone all out!

September 15th is the day.

The envelopes will be sent out.

Keep your eyes peeled for some fun
Pink Good Mail later this month.

today is Nie Nie day.(What is this?)

thanks to Design Mom who has made it so easy for anyone to join in this wonderful online event.
Check out all the other wonderful treasures you could bid on today.

Today on Pink Christmas you will have the chance to bid on 200 yards of luscious, gorgeous ribbon. There are approx 20 different ribbons in 10 yard lengths.

How this silent auction works:

1} Please place your bid by leaving a comment with your Bid Amount in the comments section of the item you are bidding on. Check the comments to see the most recent High Bid.

2} Following the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (make sure your comment bid includes an email address or link to your blog or some way to contact you). The winner will pay the amount of their winning bid to the Stephanie and Christian PayPal account. The winner will then forward the PayPal receipt to apinkchristmas@yahoo.com and I will send out your ribbon winnings. (free shipping!)

3} Please bid in increments of whole dollars. The auction will end at Midnight PST on Sunday, August 31, 2008.

4} Thank you for participating!

This Thursday, August 28th is Nie Nie Day.

I will be auctioning off 100 yards of yummy, mouth watering ribbon from Pink Christmas. (and maybe some other fun stuff I find in my closet I need to clean out) 100% of the winner's bidding price will go directly to Stephanie and Christian's recovery fund. You can read about their wonderful family and sad accident here.

So tell your friends if they want a great deal on ribbon and to really help out a family in need to be back here on Thursday 9:00 am EST. Let the bidding begin!

Pink Christmas is closed for 2008 - Thank you all so much for your wonderful excitement and donations to this years event. The sponsors are sending in all of your goodies to my front porch and your pink envelopes should be in the mail by September 15th. So get ready it is going to be great.
See ya back on Thursday!

do you want to be apart of Nie Nie day then tell Design Mom so she can spread the word!

Sign up!

Pink Christmas Sign ups have begun. Sign ups will be until July 31st.

This year Pink Christmas will be sponsoring a entire family - they are amazing. They have immigrated to Washington D.C. from Africa and are beginning their new life. They have 4 amazing children. Ages 12, 8, 2 and just a few months old. The sweet mother just had twins but one passed away and the other little boy is still in the hospital weighing just a few pounds. They need everything that you could think of to begin a new life in a new home. All the money will go to helping them get the necessities to do just that.

Here is how it works.

• Pink Christmas is a $15.00 donation. All proceeds will go to our Pink Christmas Family. (over the next few months you will have a chance to get to know them better)
  
• To sign up you must leave a comment on this post and then send an email to apinkchristmas@yahoo.com {this is how I will double check to make sure I don't miss anyone}
• By September 1st you will receive in the mail a pink envelope with the name of your Pink Christmas Girlfriend. (ssshh remember this is a secret) You will also receive a lot of goodies from all of our Pink Christmas Sponsors. (they are the only way that this is even possible)
  
• Copy the below questions in your email along with your answers. This questionnaire will be sent only to your Pink Christmas girlfriend for her to start working on your gift.
  
• The deadline for the completion of the project is December 1^st.
• Please plan on sending your completed gift to your girlfriend by December 5th

• I then encourage you to send your gift wrapped gift by December 5th, (with delivery confirmation) so it will have plenty of time to arrive to its new home. Then no peeking until Christmas morning.

• The rules of the gift giving… well there really are no rules to making the gift. But I encourage you to use your creative juices, have part or all of your gift made by hand and share a piece of you. Keep in mind there is someone out there thinking of you during this time and creating something just for you. Only give something that you too would want to receive. And Yes you can have someone make the gift for you. (many of our Pink Christmas Sponsors would love to help you with that)
  

Pay for your Pink Christmas $15.00 donation here!

Have fun and enjoy the process of this project and be creative and know that by doing this you are sharing a piece of you and helping a very special family this year.

Pink Christmas Questionnaire

Be very specific, share your loves and passions it makes it that much easier for you gift giver!

1. Full Name (of course for monogramming purposes)
2. Address
3. Email
4. blog address if you have one
5. Favorite treats
6. Colors you love
7. Colors that you don’t love
8. A little bit about you. age, kids, grand kids, job, places you have lived, music you like, favorite breakfast cereal - be creative and tell a little about you. (the more you explain about yourself, the personalized your gift can be)
9. One of your favorite holiday (it can be any holiday) traditions.

Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.

--William Plomer.

Pink Christmas Sponsor

The only way that Pink Christmas is even possible is by our wonderful sponsors who pay for the mailing of your special pink envelope containing the name of your girlfriend for the year.

Sponsorship is $30.00 and will go to making Pink Christmas possible. In return I will splatter your name and how they can order your awesome products on everything I send out. I will add your links to the Pink Christmas home page.
As a sponsor you also have the chance to put anything you want in a 6x9" pink envelope that will go to every Pink Christmas Girlfriend who signs up. You can put in a business card, small sample of your product or discount card just for Pink Christmas gals.
If your company is interested you can click the pay now button to start the process of your sponsorship.
or if you know someone who is interested email me at apinkchristmas@yahoo.com

This is a great way for a cottage business to to some inexpensive advertising


You can sign up $30.00 registration now.

and don't forget you can get a cute pink t-shirt to wear for the next few months to remind yourself of how creative and generous you are! 100% of profit of Pink Christmas gear will go to our Pink Christmas Family. Check it out here.

There will also be a new 2008 graphic available after September 1st for you to put on your sidebar to show everyone how awesome you are for being apart of 2008 Pink Christmas.

Thanks and have a happy creating

Pink Christmas - What is it?

Pink Christmas is a annual Girlfriend Give and Get. You make a handmade Christmas Gift(or you can purchase a handmade gift from one of our sponsors if you want to join but don't think you are crafty) for a mystery girlfriend around the world and another girlfriend will be making something for you - only to opened on Christmas morning.

It is only an optional $15.00 donation to sign up. Sign up fee is donated to the Pink Christmas Family or individual for 2008.

Each year the funds collected for sign ups are given to a family to give them a "Pink Christmas" If you have a family or individual who could benefit from being this years family please email us at apinkchristmas@yahoo - and write nominate in the subject line.

Do you want to be a Pink Christmas Sponsor? Sponsorship is $30.00 and 100% of your sponsorship goes to pay for every one's awesome Pink Envelope that everyone will get in the mail revealing to them their Girlfriend for Christmas. In that envelope you will be able to send ANYTHING that fits in a large envelope to promote your company - coupons, free shipping a sampling of your product - get creative because that Pink Envelope is like early Christmas for all who sign up. You will also be added to the sidebar of Pink Christmas and gets lots of bragging on this blog and my personal blog. if you want to be a sponsor email us at apinkchristmas@yahoo.com and write sponsor in the subject line

Sign ups will open at 8:00 am on July 1st and run through July 15th. So tell your friends.
You will also get the new 2008 graphic "Last year my Christmas was Pink" to put on your side bar. Or you can get the cute new line of T-shirts coming out this fall.
Make this Christmas special by making a handmade gift and donating a small amount of money to really make someones Christmas special.

to Jesse from Traci

I sent a Christmas countdown book, Christmas block words, chocolate from a local chocolate store, bracelet and earrings my mom-in-law helped me make since she is into beading.

To Harmony Y. from Becca S.

I decided to make these for her because she
loves to spend time with her husband and kids and one of the best
times we have as a family is playing this game together. She also
loves making treats, especially for Valentine's Day so I put together
a little book of recipes she can use for different holidays.

to Cynthia M from Rebekah S.

to Tasha from Raquel C.