Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Sweet Scents to Celebrate Day #10

Publication1

Today is Day 10 of Sharon's Stamp Simply Celebrates! Let's see what's going on! (Another long post, but lots to look at!) Remember, anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to playuploading your project to any online gallery is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08.

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy - Tammy is offering BLOG CANDY today!

LeAnne Pugliese - that's me!!! I have a BLOG CANDY offering today, too! I recently hit 50,000 on my counter! Thanks so much to everyone who visits -- your comments mean a lot to me! Here is my offering:
Blog Candy Dec 10

Snowman not included! I am giving away a Patterns Hostess pack of 6x6 paper, and a 14-piece Occasions Celebration Stampin'Up! stamp set--these can be seen on pages 19 & 21 of the current catalog. (Click the link on the sidebar to go to the catty). Here's what you need to do to win: Post a comment and tell me how your first meeting with Santa Claus went! The first time my mom took me to our little local Newberry's to see Santa, I took one look at him, burst into tears, and ran the other way. I guess he knew I had been naughty and I was afraid I would get nothing but coal in my stocking! So let's hear your story! I will draw a winner Friday night at 9 pm EST, so you have until then! If you don't have your email address linked to your name, please make sure you leave me a way to contact you!

Leslie Miller - Running With Scissors - Today we are treated to the beauty of Leslie’s work with her Featured Project where she is showing us how to Alter Food Packaging to turn it into a wonderfully warm, cozy, and sweet gift item that anyone would love to receive!!! And it’s something we can all easily do! I know you won’t want to miss this, so be sure to visit Leslie today!!! You can see more great samples of Leslie's Project by: Dee, Jennifer.

Joan Fricker - Joan’s Garden - Joan offers us a beautiful Featured Project today — who doesn’t love beautifully presented Soap and Candle Gifts! Well, especially these soaps and candles!!! And you can make your own as a part of Joan’s Challenge, with inspiration from many!!! Be sure to check out this sweetly scented event! And there are many more samples of Joan's Challenge! Check out: Dee, AJ, Heather, Barb, Darlene, Janine, and Sharon!

My take on today's challenge was to package up some sweet-smelling candles to give as a gift. I had lots of candles, but no soap, and lots of ideas, but not much time! My first project was just to alter some small jar candles I purchased very reasonably at my grocery store. These are scented Baked Apple Pie--yum! I simply decorated the front with the little tree image from Holiday Blitz--a wonderful, all-around set to have! It was mounted on some punched cardstock and the stripe from Ski Slope DP, and accented with some gold brads:

Candle Jar 5

Candle Jar 1

Of course, the lid has to be decorated too! Did you know that you can remove this label by heating it with your heat tool? It will bubble up, and you can peel it right off. Be careful, it's hot!




Candle Jar 2

This is what is underneath: nice, sticky residue!






Candle Jar 3

Slap down your paper of choice and it's stuck there good! No additional adhesive to deal with. Now put the lid back on-NOW-before you put the embellishment on. That way you can be sure it will be aligned correctly with the embellishment on the front of the jar! (Ask me how I know about this!)



Candle Jar 4

Another little image from Holiday Blitz, some ribbon & glitter and your candle is done! This is the gift I gave to all my Stamp Club members this year!





Candle Box 1 revised

This next project has got to be one of my favorites! I adapted Jen DelMuro's Pizza Box to fit a little candle tart. The Brushed Gold cardstock measures 8 x 4 1/2"; score along the 4 1/2" side 1" from each side. Score the 8" side at 1" and 3 1/2"; turn and do the same from the other end. Cut the side slits, assemble the top & bottom of the box and you have a little pizza box! This was decorated with some BG Wassail DP, on which I stamped the holly image from Sleigh Bells Ring. I watercolored the image, highlighted it with a gel pen and added some Gelly Roll glitter. The tag is a tiny CB diecut; "Joy" is PTI's Mixed Messages. A little bling embellishment on the corner punch adds a little interest.

Candle box front 2

I wrapped some satin ribbon around the front. You don't even have to untie the bow--it stays with the lid!







Candle box inside 3

And here's the inside! I added some sparkly shreddie and a little candle tart. Who wouldn't love to get this!? I hope this inspires you to decorate something sweetly scented too!

119 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your ideas. my first experience with santa...the picture is of me crying like i had seen a werewolf! :):):):)

Unknown said...

Wow, I really can't recall my first Santa visit. Honestly, I'm not sure I had one at all. We lived in a *very* small town, pop. 298! No Malls or anything like that for miles and miles around. Santa heard from us via snail mail!

I can tell you my last experience with Santa was when I was in my twenties and decided to make a calendar for my parents for a Christmas gift. That year I visited Santa, the Easter Bunny, and any other costumed critter I could find! It was very fun and I'm wondering why we ever let ourselves outgrow that magic?

Barbara Schram said...

Your sweetly scented ideas are fabulous! I have yet to make one of those pizza boxes! You have inspired! That tart in htat box is so perfect, and I agree who wouldn't love these lovely gifts!

Melissa said...

My first experience wasn't crying but I definetly looked freaked in the pictures.

Kim said...

I can't recall my experience with Santa when I was young, but when I was in middle school, I did visit Santa. It was fun. I still have a picture with me and Santa.

Kim
sarah1395@yahoo.com

Renee said...

Oh these are wonderful gifts! I like how you decorated them :)

Dolce Deb's Designs said...

My first visit with Santa went very well I was 6 months old and have a picture of Santa, me, and my two Uncles who are 3 and 5 years older than me. Thanks for giving me a chance to win some candy and TFS.

Debbie/Phx AZ

Marla said...

My first experience with Santa wasnt good I was scared of the white haired old man.

Charlene H. said...

It's kind of funny, but I can't honestly remember any experience with Santa (sad to say it was so long ago!!!). But, my son and I were walking into the mall the other day and Santa was on his way out (we were in the parkade going up to the mall). I said to my son, "say hi to Santa". He refused and looked away. I smiled at Santa and mouthed "sorry". I asked my son why he wouldn't say hi to Santa and he said "That wasn't Santa! What would he be doing at the mall." I told him he was upstairs visiting with all the kids but he still wouldn't believe it was Santa. I hate it when kids grow up.

Elaine said...

Mmmm!! Love your apple pie yummies! I think my first memorable visit was when we took my baby brother to see Santa with us...I was so afraid Santa would scare him! LOL I know we went before that, but don't remember Santa..just standing in the line forever...

Lastel said...

I really can't remember my first visit with Santa but I do remember a Santa paying our family a visit once and I remember seeing Santa after a church Christmas program every year as a child .

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

LOVE your projects, LeAnne! Those jar candles are just too adorable and that box is to die for!!!! GREAT projects!!!

Jessica said...

The gift boxes are beautiful!

I don't remember my first encounter with Santa, but I do remember getting photos with him at the mall (as a teen!) with my friends!

Cheri said...

I don't really remember my first experience with Santa. From the pictures, I'd say I was happy to see him since I was smiling! You can reach me through my blog at The Paper Freak.

Bunny B said...

I can't recall my first time meeting Santa. To tell you the truth, I never liked meeting him - was scared!! Must've always been naughty :P

Gorgeous creations!!

bunnybx at gmail . com

kathy e said...

My first Santa visit was at Sears when we went into the "big city" to see Christmas lights and decorations. I loved the lights much more than Santa!

K said...

I'm consoled by the fact that many don't remember how it was, as I don't either. I know from a photo that I saw Grandfather Winter (we're talking mid'70, Yugoslavia) in kindergarten and I don't recall crying and then from my father's work party a couple of years later I just recall that there were tons of people and I had to go on stage to receive my present that was brought by the white bearded man from Triglav, our highest mountain, in his big basket. In both occasion they were telling stories before the kids went to them and I don't think they were scarry.
Bye, Kitty (Slovenia)

Tracey said...

I have no idea how my first meeting with Santa went. I don't remember any childhood pictures of me terrified on his lap so I guess it went okay!!

Carol Parcell said...

I don't remember ever visiting Santa myself, but my oldest daughter--now that I remember! She was only about 1 and I sat her down on Santa's lap and she immediately started screaming. Luckily it did not scar her for life...the next time she went right to him.
Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

I really don't remember my first experience with Santa. My parents were born in Holland so we celebrated Sinterklaas. My Opa (grandfather) would come into the room all us grandkids were in throwing little cookies called paper-notten - it would send us kids scrambling to find them!

What a great giveaway - count me in!

ltenhage at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I can't remember the first time I met Santa. I love the Tart box! I will have to make them next year for my quilting groups gift exchange.
Caascher2@cox.net

retiredheather said...

I loved Santa from my first visit. My Mom says I cuddled right into him and told him he felt like my Grammie.
Happy Holidays
Heather

Janine said...

WOW!!! What gorgeous creations!!!
Have a great day girlfriend!

Lori Mueller said...

In our little town that I grew up in, there wasn't a Santa. We did not go to the Mall (which was an hour away) to shop with Mom for Christmas. I can tell you that my oldest daughter was not too bad with Santa. She laid in his arms and didn't do much.

Darlene said...

WOW ... awesome projects LeAnne! Love your pizza box idea and the hint on removing the candle labels is awesome, thanks!!

Jill Haddad said...

I adore decorated boxes - and your little candle tart box is too cute. My first experience with Santa was from afar. My parents would take us every year to the Santa parade and I would watch him pass by. I was always sooooo excited by the man in red though I NEVER remember sitting on his lap. Not one time - there weren't malls when I was young!!!! Does that tell you how old I am????

Anonymous said...

My first visit to Santa was with my sister. We are very close in age and did everything together when we were really young. My parents have a picture of us both sitting on Santa's lap. I think I wasn't afraid of him because my sister was right there with me.

Anonymous said...

What very cool gift ideas. TFS. I really can't remember my first encounter with Santa, it must not have been very impressive!! LOL

Alison said...

Hi LeAnne! My mom said that I loved Santa and talked his ear off. However, my little brother was horrified and screamed and clawed at my mother. Too funny! I bet he would try to deny that accusation now! :) Great ideas and great blog candy.

Anonymous said...

Lovely gift sets, great idea, TFS
Would you believe I don't ever remember visiting Santa when I was little, but do remember taking my kids and then the Grandchildren. they could never understand how Santa could remember ALL the things that they asked for. Have a great day. Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne
lhurlburt@cogeco.ca

Unknown said...

Hmmm. Not sure of my first encounter with santa. I don't remember seeing any pictures of me as a traumatized little Chelle (or any for that matter...), so I'm assuming it went ok, if we went at all???

I also went in my 20s a few times, particularly after craptastic days in University. Something about waiting in line and getting the candy cane at the end made the day a bit brighter.

Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful creations you have!! Thank you for sharing such great gift ideas -- keep them coming! They are beautiful as well as practical -- a great combo!! I love them all!! Thank you for the chance to try and win some blog candy -- someone will be very happy! My first meeting with Santa Claus was embarrassing!! I did not want to sit on his lap at all!!!! Merry Christmas to you! ~Amy S.~

SusanR said...

I don't remember my first visit . . . but I do remember that "Santa" used to come to our house to see us. I can remember running to the door to see where he parked his sleigh - not sure where he actually hid his car because I never saw it and got suspicious :)

Nancy said...

Beautiful creations LeAnne!
I don't remember ever visiting Santa...but my daughter's first visit was when she was 2 years old. I put her on Santa's lap and she wiggled around until she was standing with one foot on each knee, facing him and he was holding onto her, talking to her. I have an angled view picture, with her little ringlets, Christmas dress, white tights with Santa on them. It looked like they were so deep in conversation. When Santa handed her back to me, he said "she just stared at me like I was crazy the whole time" and he started laughing. :)

Anonymous said...

I don't remember my first visit with Santa - it was WAY WAY too long ago! However, I see him every day. For Christmas last year, all my grandkids had their picture taken with Santa. My daughter then had it put on a mouse pad for me. I see it every time I get on the computer.

StampinCathy said...

Your project is just stunning. Congrats on your hits too!
My first experience was great, but I was only 3 months old and my big sister was with me. Now after that there was a few years that I won't have anything to do with him. Thanks so much for a chance at this sweet SU candy. I just love SU candy.

Broni said...

These are really gorgeous projects, LeAnne! I especially love the mini pizza box!

sandyh50 said...

I can't really remember a first meeting with Santa Claus. I had an older brother and sister so I am sure they dispelled me of any such "foolishness". I do remember going to the VFW for a Children's Christmas and seeing Santa there!

Stephanie said...

Well, I can't recall my own, but I have young children, and I can recall theirs. Audrey my daughter didn't want anything to do with Santa. She cried when we put her in his lap, but she calmed down only after he offered her a sucker. Ian my son had his 2nd time with Santa this year. He was really too young to do anything last year but sleep. This year he didn't want to have anything to do with him. He cried, and ended up having to sit on my lap by Santa to be in the picture. Fun Times with Santa!

AShu93 said...

I don't remember exactly the first meeting with Santa, but he always came on Christmas Eve & rang the sleigh bells really loud at the door so we knew he was there & we got really excited to see him. Then he told us he'd be back later & we better be good. What a great memory.

JenMarie said...

Love your projects!!
I have totally no memory of ever meeting Santa! LOL

Anonymous said...

My first experience with Santa I was only 3 and did not realize it was my own Grandpa playing Santa. He was Santa for a well known Department store for years before he was mudered and robbed outside the store one night I hope who ever did it felt it was worth it. He only had his weeks pay on him about 200 dollars.

Anonymous said...

I just remember how BIG he was. And now that I remember, he had a real beard. I learned much later that he lived in our neighborhood and kept that beard just so he could play Santa in our small town. He was a really jolly old elf.
Thanks
deandykes@yahoo.com

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

I don't know about my first visit with Santa... in fact, I don't ever remember actually going to speak to Santa. We practiced the joy of receiving gifts from Santa, etc. just no personal visits.

Now as an adult, I love to visit Santa via tv every Thanksgiving. I get so thrilled to see him in the Macy's Parade (my daughter and I watch it together every year)... cuz it means the Christmas season is finally here.

Anonymous said...

OH LEANNE!!! DON'T DO A RANDOM "PICK". PLEASSSSE???? You owe me woman, big time, for all the insecurity and envy you have caused me.

Newberry's? You had one too? I still have nightmares of my mom losing me there. Probably not accidentally either.

My family was cursed. I was never introduced to Santa as he had already committed suicide by the time I came along. Every Christmas was the re-telling of Santa's demise by self inflicted elf poisoning. At least that's what I was told.

Anonymous said...

I don't remember going to see Santa as a child. I do remember my children being afraid the first year they saw Santa.

lsims@parkland.edu

Selma said...

I love all your projects. I never went to see Santa as a kid. My own children were usually very afraid of him.

LORi said...

These creations are FABULOUS!! TFS!!

Anonymous said...

Sadly, I don't remember my first visit with Santa. I can barely remember any visits with him. I do have a vague memory of waiting in a long line and Santa being on a chair that resembled a throne and getting a candy cane pen, must have been about 5 at the time, and that really was ages ago.

Anonymous said...

To be quite honest with you I can not remember my first meeting with santa. No pictures to show me either.. :-(

Gail :-)

Mary Sue said...

I do not recall my first experience with Santa. Love all your projects and am enjoying reading your blog. Thank you for the opportunity to win some blog candy.

Anne said...

I honestly can't remember how my first meeting with Santa Claus went, but one of my favorite memories of my daughter's Santa experience is a series of photos that I captured that start out on Santa's lap with a look of trepidation. She progresses from unsure to concerned to scared to "get me outta here"! Too cute! Guess it's just the look of the big oddly dressed stranger that does it to all the kiddos!

Anonymous said...

Terrific projects LeAnne! Well, it may not be my very first visit, but the one i recall was standing in the cold with my parents at a local Santa Claus parade eagerly waiting to see Santa, when a character of some sort (big and in a costume) came up to me and completely freaked me out!! I was crying and hiding my face, hugging my Dad's legs for dear life and when Santa finally came waving by, I refused to even look at him!! I think that was the last Santa Claus parade I have ever been to! :)
smiles,Deena

Mary said...

I can't really remember my first visit to see Santa, but I do remember going to the department store every year to see him (long before malls!) I also remember that there was a television show on the local station where we could send our letters to Santa and he would read them on tv. I was THRILLED one night when he read mine on the air!

Anonymous said...

GEE, I'm sure that was over 60 years ago, and i have no memory of it, but i DO remember my uncle who played Santa Claus at Santa Land in NC--he was the best, with a REAL white beard and mustasche! Generations of kids would bring THEIR kids back to see the 'real' santa! tpatti@alltel.net

lisa808 said...

What a great idea for the jar candles. They look so pretty.

I really can't remember my early Santa visits. We always went to Macys and my mother has pictures of every year.

Thanks for the chance to win SU blog candy. I love that hostess stamp set. And, who wouldn't want more designer paper to create with?!?!?

Anonymous said...

Well that is lots of years to remember back......! But I do remember my parents taking me to the local hardware store--yep North Pole to me... to see Santa every year. Later I learned he was a local guy and would remember what we wanted and told our parents. This was in very rural IL where everyone knew everyone. Thanks for the memories and the blog candy chance. darlene

djstamper2003 at yahoo dot com

P Myers said...

I do not remember my first visit with Santa, but I do remember being downtown waiting for his arrival in the fire truck where he would climb up the ladder to the department store window. Then we would wait in line to see him inside. Thank you for jogging my memory of this time. This was a big deal when I was little and it was wonderful to remember those days.

Allison said...

I can honestly tell you I can not recall my first Santa visit. I am sure I had one, but I dont' remember it at all. Knowing the way I was as a kid, I'm sure I told him about a million and one things that I wanted!

Abby said...

I'm Jewish, and I remember knowing that Santa wasn't real very young, but not telling my friends who celebrated Christmas.
Abby
Abby.berns@gmail.com

Diana said...

My first experience with Santa was at an outdoor mall, and he was standing and greeting people. I went up to him and said "Hi," and he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I whispered that I wanted a dollhouse, but he couldn't hear me so he asked again. That kind of made me irritated, because Santa should just KNOW what I wanted...I told him again, though. I should have also told my mom; I didn't get a dollhouse for Christmas :)

Julia Aston said...

Goodness what a post LeAnne!!! congrats on your hits! we seem to have hit 50,000 at the same time!!!

I just love all your projects - the candles are adorable and I just love the pizza boxes and your paper on it is super for the holidays!

I only remember my first experience with Santa because there is a picture of it with my sister (who is 2 years older) I must have been about a year old - I look happy as a clam being held by the big guy! I never had a problem sitting in his lap the way some kids do! We had pics taken every year at Jordan Marsh in Boston (now it's Macy's) it was a big trip into the city every year for this event! they didn't have malls with Santa's everywhere WAY back when I was a young 'un!

Jennifer said...

Hi Leanne. Your projects are so yummy!
My first Santa meeting was in my Kindergarten classroom. I was not frightened. I jumped on his lap and asked him why he was here instead of up on the North pole making toys!

Jennifer L.
syftk@comcast.net

Julia said...

My first experience with Santa was in grade school. I remember thinking "was that really Santa?!"

Julia said...

My first experience with Santa was in grade school. I was so excited!
Julia
grinchswoman@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I never had the chance to vist with Santa, I was born in the South in '50 and I do not know why my mother never took me.:(, I'll have to ask her.

Anonymous said...

You know, I don't really remember the 1st time I met Santa. I know I was not afraid of him. I really wanted to be his friend! ;>)
I do remember being at my grandma's house and Santa coming there and giving us presents. I was probably 5 or 6 and I was definitely smiling!

Rene' Mewes
RM3116@charter.net

Danka Doo said...

I honestly cannot remember my first visit(s) with Santa. But I do have a picture of my twin sister and I at 4 mos old with Santa. Neither of us were screaming so I guess that is a good sign. Our experiences must have been good because our whole family still has stockings. Well, not really stockings. We outgrew those a long time ago. I cut and pasted metallic paper stockings with our names on the front of the large brown kraft shopping bags. We line them up youngest to oldest and "Santa" fills our "stockings". If you don't believe in Santa, he will not fill yours!! We all believe!

Jetstudio Designs said...

Great blog candy...thanks for the chance to win!

I really don't remember my first time with santa, I would have been about 2 months old at the time. I've seen the pictures in my baby book, it was at the local mall in Western PA and mom and dad said I slept right thru it.

Growing up I remember trips to see santa and they always went really good!

Anonymous said...

I don't remember this, but my mom tells me every year about the time she took me to see Santa. I took one look and very matter of fact stated, "That's not Santa, that's my dad." He was the one who always dressed up for the kids in our little town. Thanks for the chance to win blog candy!

Michelle said...

Congrats on you 50,000 hits! I am actually not sure how my first visit with Santa went! I have to go ask my mother now... =). I assume I cried or shyed away from him when I was a bit older but as a baby I probably sat there & slept in his arms. Going to ask my mother later.

Tiya-B said...

Don't know if it was my first experience , but I remember being very excited and couldn't wait to tell what I wanted, the line seemed so long.

Anonymous said...

The first memory I have of Santa was when I was about 4 or 5. We'd gone to a place which I know think was a skating rink of some sort. A Santa was there and called everyone by name. Every kid there got a present. I don't remember what the gift was but do remember being surprised that Santa knew my name!

Anonymous said...

I annot remember my first time but my husband and I used to do Mr nad mrs Claus for the 488 union Christmas party and the costumes and wigs with make up were brilliant so it was lovely holding our kids who didn't know it was us and have them tell us what they wanted.,we have many pictures and the kids who are now grown up canot believe they didn't recognize us, oh the power of a magical time
Thanks for this opportunity to win
Eileen(emcclean@telus.net)

Cathy and Steve said...

I just love your projects - that little tart candle box is so elegant, and the hint about using the heat tool to get labels off lids is fabulous! Thanks!

We're Jewish, but my family likes to tell this story -- I must have been about 4 years old and a Santa was passing out candy to kids at the grocery store. When he approached me, I told him very politely that I was not allowed to take candy from strangers. He told me he was Santa Claus and I told him that he was a stranger to me!

Anonymous said...

I love all your little gift wrappings and ideas. I don't remember ever going to see Santa, but I can tell you how my daughter's first visit went. There was a HUGE long line waiting to see Santa, so I decided to wait for another day when it wasn't so busy. My 2 year old had other ideas... she insisted she had to see Santa and nothing else would do! So I got into the long line and waited at least half an hour. Finally it was her turn. She said, "okay, all done!" I said, "No way.. after this long wait you sit on his lap!" Nope she was done and that was that! And she never went near him.

Swedie

Anonymous said...

Whhoooo Who! LUcky #76!! LOL!

First... CONGRATS on hitting 50k!

Is it bad to say that I do not remeber my first visit with Santa? I have always been an outgoing person so I believe that my first visit with Santa must have gone well, I mean, whats not to like? He brings us presents under our Christmas tree for Pete's sake! LOL!

Cheers to your next 50k in hits!!

Char in So Cal
scrampaddict {at} cox {dot} net

Kerry said...

I was relieved to see that other people couldn't remember their first encounter with Santa either. I know we used to see him in the mall and perhaps I sat on his lap..... but I can't recall a "first". My parents tell lots of stories about me as a child (I was a very active, investigative child and as a result got into EVERYTHING) so if there had been something unusual that happened I probably would have heard about it.

The box for the wax tart is a great idea - very cute. Thanks for the chance to win!

Sue D said...

I don't remember my first experience with Santa. The picture we have I just look shy--not scared.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

jenn said...

I don't have any remarkable story about my first visit. I've never really been scared. My little sister on the other hand, screamed at every Santa, Easter Bunny, and clown until she was 12.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on hitting 500,000!
Your containers are all so adorable!

I think I must have been well prepared by my parents before I went, lol. There were no tears and I asked Santa for two or three things that I would love to get for Christmas and then a beautiful picture was taken of Santa and me, in which I smiled. I was three:)

Cindy H.
Rede2stamp at AOL dot com

Anonymous said...

I don't remember my first meeting with Santa but I do remember one year when he showed up at my house Christmas Eve. I was almost 7 yrs old and I imagine at the age where I was starting to not believe. In what I assume was an effort to keep the magic going for me and my younger sister, Santa came to our house. I was so shocked. He even knew my name! I didn't find out until MANY years later who Santa was.

Unknown said...

got a lot of giggles reading thru everyone's comments on their 1st meet and greet with Santa. Mine was pretty standard I was scared Sh--less and after the fears stopped I had the never ending list.
lablady2007@juno.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, LeAnne! Don't count me in on your candy, but I just had to tell you how I love your projects! I LOVE candles and I think they make a great gift anytime. The box is especially beautiful and is perfect for that pretty little candle tart. So cool! BTW, I can't remember my first time on Santa's lap, but I have a vague recollection of a huge department store in Seattle...and Santa...I was in awe and overwhelmed! My son cried and stiffened up his first time--he was about 8 months old.

Lori A. said...

I love your projects! I honestly don't remember my first meeting with Santa. I have no idea if my parents ever took us to see Santa or not. There are no pictures. Knowing me, I probably would have bawled my eyes out and refused to go. I was *extremely* shy as a child.

Brenda H. said...

My first experience with Santa was much like yours...very scary!
Thanks for this chance to win sweet candy!
~Brenda H.

Kim said...

WOW...your creations are beautiful...and yes I would love to get that as a gift! :)
Let's see...my 1st meeting with Santa....I am sure didn't go well at all....I think I was afraid of Santa until I was 10 years old! ha ha! I would cry and make my mom go see Santa with me everytime she took us to go see him!

thanks for the chance to win some WONDERFUL candy!
Hugs~ Kim

Barbara said...

I dont remember my first visit with Santa but I vividly remember waiting in line to see him at our local Christmas Village. The local Jaycees would serve hot chocolate while we waited - sometimes up to an hour. The village was also complete with live reinder, a nativity a santas workshop with elves and very old antique wooden toys. What a joy

Lisa Foster said...

Leanne! These are so sweet!!! I love both of them! How thoughtful of you to give those wonderful candles to your stamp club!
All I can remember about my first Santa meeting was that he smelled like peppermint candy.

Anonymous said...

I loved your wax tart box - I must try it! I really don't remember my first visit with Santa - There is a picture of me with my brother sitting on his lap and neither one of us look too happy!! Fortunately, as I got older I was much happier!

Brenda said...

great project, and a wonderful idea fro a small gift. tfs My first visit that I remember was a normal one I didn't cry but I was very shy and was a bit afraid to tell what I wanted for Christmas. Thank you for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

My mother told me that the first time I met Santa I sat on his lap and started pulling on his beard. My mother got upset and started to yell at me which then I started crying. I still have the pic to remind me fo that too..and trust me, it wasn't the greatest pic either :P email: lavinatom@hotmail.com

Roxy said...

I don't remember my first visit with santa, but I do remember one when I happily sat on Santa's lap and gave him a kiss.....DH was playing the part for the local Fire Dept's breakfast with santa.

Anonymous said...

I can't remember going to see Santa - but I do remember spotting a sled hidden on our porch as we headed to church one Christmas Eve. When we got home it was under the tree! How could that happen???? Mom and Dad said Santa must have heard us coming and ran to hide in the bushes until we pulled out of the driveway.

Sammie said...

Well, I was a baby at my first meeting with Santa and it was pretty uneventful. I didn't cry though.

annesatx said...

My first meeting with Santa was when my mom took me uptown with my big brothers and Santa handed us bags of candy, peanuts and an apple from the back of the town firetruck. I thought he liked me best because I got the most candy in my bag. Little did I know that my dad, the fire chief, was Santa back then.

Anonymous said...

I honestly can't remember my first visit with Santa but I remember how Santa always delivered gifts on Christmas Eve while my Dad took the "kids" (5 of us eventually although I'm the oldest) to look at Christmas lights and pick up our Great-Aunt. Amazing how we never figured it out.

Sara Mac said...

No fun story here. I don't have a first experience with Santa. We were not raised to believe that Santa was real. Christmas was all about Jesus.

Marsha said...

Beautiful projects.
I don't ever remember sitting on Santa's lap. But I do remember my Mom pretending to hear Santa's sleigh bells outside our home every time one of us was naughty during the weeks before Christmas. Sometimes my Dad went out and jingled bells so we would think that Santa was checking up on us.

julialynn said...

My first time I saw santa. I was too small to remeber, but I have a polariod that my mom took when I was 5 months old, just sitting there, I was never scared of him, but my kids are!

Julia C

Jcarter462@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear others didn't go see Santa when they were little either! I was beginning to think I maybe missed something and I did the same thing to my sons :( They saw Santa at school when they were in kindergarten. (Our little town doesn't have any stores for Santa, and I didn't drive 70 miles to see one. Sorry boys!)
Thanks for the chance for the candy!
Merry Christmas!
marian_berggren@tricounty.k12.mn.us

Gail S. said...

I really can't ever remember going to visit Santa! I do remember when I took my kids (they are now 29, 24 and 17!) and most of the time they were scared. As they got older they got better. Thank you for a chance to win.

Gail S. said...

I forgot to leave my e-mail!
gslagle (at) nctc (dot) net

Anonymous said...

ove your projects! My first experience with Santa - I certainly can't remember that but one that I remember was when my brother took me to see Santa one year. I am not sure how old I was - he is 10 years older than me. Anyway, to make the story go faster - we arrive at the little house and my brother responds to him when Santa says "Hi Butch and little Chrissy" and my dumb brother says "Hi Mr. Smith" or whatever his name was. I wasn't sure what was going on and Santa tried to shove a candy cane in his mouth and easy my mind as by now I just wasn't sure what was going on. Like Desi says - Lucy, you have some 'splaining to do! SAnta - called my parents and told them about it and hoped it didn't ruin the Christmas spirit for me. I don't think so as I got a whole fist full of candy canes! I think Santa was the most upset! My parents laughed about that for a long time when they received a call from Santa. I don't know if my brother had any coal in his stocking - but he sure should get it now! Thanks for a chance to win!

Chris R. from Iowa

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Thanks for the chance to win some goodies....One of my earliest experiences with Santa was when I was about 4 or 5....I didn't actually see him, but from what my mother said I just missed him....I had sent "my request" to him several weeks before Christmas via my parents. Very early around 5:00 AM I was awakened by a noise (probably the reindeer) and went running down the steps and straight to the Christmas tree only to find nothing under it, around it or near it! I immediately started howling that Santa hadn't brought me a baby doll boo-woo! My mother and daddy came running very quickly and told me that Santa must have been in a hurry, but that he had come and that my goodies were in the kitchen close to the back door.
With my baby doll in my arms I was consoled. Hope this counts, and who knows, memory starts to fail as we grow older, I may have seen Santa that morning after all! Kathy

kathyhunter@charter.net

Anonymous said...

I don't remember ever seeing Santa as a little girl. Santa always came in the night. I suppose I did see him some where but don't remember.
Nana Ruth /wisconsin

Teresa said...

Well, I don't remember but Mom says I was fine- no crying at all!

Anonymous said...

Now I feel older than dirt. I really don't remember my first visist to santa but any pictures I have seen of the event I looked awestruck. My youngest son cried every year till he was around 4 and he came back to me and said I saw Santa and I didn't even cry. Ann Lind SCS- (AKA) wantitall

Ravengirl said...

I ought to know! I don't remember and can't think of what I was doing in the picture. I was only 3 months old, so I probably could care less! My daughter, however, did not like the jolly old elf! She was 7 months old and knew that she didn't know that guy! The second year was worse, Santa had to bribe her with a candy cane to sit next to him. I wonder what this year will bring?

C. Sage Deerborn said...

I have a photo of me when I was two, sitting on Santa's knee. It is obvious that I have been crying, and he is consoling me with a lollipop.

Tracy said...

Now the brain is thinking.. I do remember sticking to my mums leg like glue... there was no way I was leaving her side!!

Diane said...

My grandma used to take us to a store called Robertson's to see Santa..I don't remember being afraid, but I remember asking for a Tiny Tears doll...now that sure ages me! Thanks for the chance to win, and I love making those pizza boxes, so will try your version...so smart to put those little tarts in them!
www.nelliesnest.blogspot.com

Janet Swofford said...

I loved the jolly red elf! Climbed right on his lap and tried to pull his beard off.I love a man with a beard, I've been married to one for 28&1/2 years!Thanks for the chance to win the fabulous blog candy.
janet@swofford.com

Germaine Ferrao -Lenn said...

Oh, I am always at awe when I see your projects, love the way you have done the corner with the wrought Iron punch, may I please case it!! I picked up a whole load of candles in small pots and was going to decorate to make gifts and here ya go! thank you for the idea! love it! and mostly thank you so much for sharing your talent with me across the pond!

Lorraine said...

I've been enjoying your projects. As to Santa - I don't think we ever visited Santa at the mall but I do remember that he used to come to the house. We lived above my grandparents and would decorate our tree upstairs on Christmas Eve. At some point during that decorating, there was always a ruckous downstairs which caused us to run down the stairs to see what was happening only to hear the cellar door closing loudly (no fireplace). That ruckous of course was Santa and my grandparents tree would have all our presents under it. Thanks for making me remember that!

Anonymous said...

Love all your ideas!! I have no idea what my first experience with Santa was like, but let's just say that I still at the age of 52 love Santa! My parents still play Santa for all of us "kids" as well as the grandkids. Christmas is a blast at their house!
Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!
Pam

Jeannie said...

I didn't meet "Santa" until I was older, with my kids! My son was terrified - the same way he gets with clowns! Not a good visit to remember! Jeannie

Nancy Jensen said...

You have some beautiful projects! Now to answer your question... I don't remember my first meeting with Santa and I don't have any pictures of it so I really don't know how it went. But I do have to admit that I love the guy and all my recent encounters with him have been GREAT! hehe! I have a daughter who is disabled and terminally ill so Santa usually comes into our house the week before Christmas and he sits with her and visits with us all. We are so fortunate to know such a wonderful Santa who will do such a wonderful thing for my daughter and other sick children. :) Like I said, I just love the guy!

Anonymous said...

My first encounter with santa was as a first grader, at school he was handing out little bags of candy, I was in awe and so excited. A year later mom took me to a local store where I was to sit on his lap to tell him what I wanted, I realized right away he was the owner of the store, so I played along to make everyone happy. Thanks for bring up such good memories. g

gforce677@charter.net