{5 Days of Giving Handmade} Day 5: Win Gift Tags and Toppers + FREE Printable for All!

Paula of Gray Frames and I are wrapping up our 5 Days of Giving series today with one last super cute giveaway!

These gift tags were inspired by the Merry Christmas Gold Deer Print in Paula's shop. We are loving the black, white and gold color combo and think they pair perfectly with these adorable gift topper ornaments from Target. The tags are printed on high quality linen card stock, my favorite! Add to it some simple ribbon (included) and white, black or kraft wrapping paper, and you are all set to wrap up a pretty gift!

Every order placed with us SATURDAY AND SUNDAY will be entered to win this lovely set.
Lovely Dwelling Design on Etsy
Gray Frames on Etsy

And as a big "thank you" for following us through our very first 5 Days of Giving Handmade series, we have a gift for every single one of you — a printable version of these cute tags! {12 per page}

Download and print the Christmas Deer Tags here.

Thank you for following along with us this week! We hope you were inspired and encouraged!

Merry Christmas!
Paula + Erin

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:!3

Free Tools to Prepare for Christmas + Gift GIving Ideas

We kick off the holiday season in two days. Two. Days. I didn't create anything new for my shop or blog this year. I had so many ideas and plans. But then I paused for Thanksgiving. And now Christmas is upon us. I'll just save those ideas away for next year.

In contrast, last November I was very productive in the area of Christmas printables. It was so much fun! In collaboration with a friend and coworker we created some amazing, free resources for the Advent season. All you need is a printer and card stock, or a friendly Staples Copy & Print employee. Mine knows me by name! (Upload the file to their website and pick up your order the next day.)

These sets of Advent Countdown cards were part of a craft kit created for women at our church who hosted Christmas Open Houses in their homes with their neighbors last year. I love these so much! They are perfect for a simple Open House craft, or for making up a small gift for a neighbor, teacher, or friend as we kick off the holiday season.

Download Advent Countdown cards.
Step-by-step guide to creating this Advent Countdown craft.
Download the entire hostess kit on Amy Lively's site How to Love Your Neighbor.

This Isaiah 9:6 Christmas printable is one of my absolute favorites, and we made it available on our church website during Advent last year. I gifted 5x7 prints to teachers, MOPS childcare workers and relatives. It looks absolutely stunning printed on bright white linen or recycled speckle tone card stock. {Trust me, it's all in the paper quality!} This printable is available in three sizes.

Isaiah 9:6 Christmas Tree | 4x6
Isaiah 9:6 Christmas Tree | 5x7
Isaiah 9:6 Christmas Tree | 8x10

One last idea I ran across just the other day... We have a Jesus Storybook Bible and my boys love reading out of it at night. {This Bible would make a great child's gift!} Each story in both the Old and New Testament points to Jesus. The illustrations are beautiful. Faith Gateway is offering a free Advent Printable, which includes illustrations from the book, and an Advent Reading plan. Go here to download the printable and reading plan. I'm really looking forward to using this reading plan and decorating with the illustrations this year!

Besides the fact that they are all free, the best part about these printable ideas is that they are all Scripture and all point to Jesus, bringing our hearts right back to the reason for Christmas. I know I need that reminder daily as my attention is constantly diverted to the lesser important things of this world.

For unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given. And his name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

{I am Thankful for} Free Printables + Scripture Memory Card Collection

The world of social media appears to be skipping right over Thanksgiving. You've probably seen it too: 'Halloween's over, so it's time to put the Christmas tree up...' Some years I would be all for getting a jump start on the Christmas season,  but I'm not jumping on the bandwagon this year. Maybe it's the 70 degree weather this week or the fact that my husband loves Thanksgiving and I love him ...

Spending time reflecting on God's goodness and His blessings is just too important for the health of my soul to neglect it in exchange it for prolonging the frenzied chaos of the Christmas season. Of course Christmas is ultimately about God's goodness to us through His greatest gift, but it's often hard to cling to that reality as the world competes for our attention at Christmastime.

I hope you will consider taking a week or two to pause, reflect and be grateful, setting yourself up for a Christmas season that's all about the gift of a Savior. I've created some tools to help my family and I hope they will benefit yours as well. 

A sweet friend photographed our "Thankful" Tag Free Printable (2x4, 4x4) and our newly added Scripture Memory Card, Thankful Collection in her home for a little inspiration on creatively reflecting on our blessings and expressing gratitude. By the way, I blogged about this friend here.

This first one just might be my favorite because it's so simple and inviting! 

Or decorate a wreath with Scripture....

On a burlap board, mix your own thoughts written on our  2x4 or 4x4 "I am Thankful for" free printable with our Scripture Memory Card, Thankful Collection.

Scripture Memory Cards are printed on beautiful high quality linen card stock and make the perfect gift set, Thanksgiving table favors, or simply a reminder for the refrigerator, bathroom mirror, in your car. You could even use them to write a short note of encouragement on the back for a friend. The Scripture Memory Card, Thankful Collection is available as a set of 16 or as an instant download (8 verses) to print on your own.

Download your free printables and please share a picture showing us how you use them this month. Tag @lovelydwellingdesign on Instagram or post to Facebook.com/lovelydwellingdesign.

*These printables are for personal use only.

I also plan to use tour "I am thankful for" 2x4 printable to decorate a Thankful Tree. Follow @lovelydwellingdesign on Instagram for more inspiration.

~Erin

More fall posts: 

Fall Leaves and Letters Printable

Thankful Tree and Printable 

Fall Mantle + First Birthday

Summer Freebie! {We Have This Hope} Printable + Wallpaper Graphic

Hello there and happy summer! I'm been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to share some really fun summer-themed and hope-filled freebies with you!

I have a pretty amazing job as the graphic designer at my church. Last week it was even more amazing, because I got to spend my time creating a set of printables and wallpaper graphics to go along with the theme of our summer message series at Valley Community called "We Have This Hope."

During our planning sessions for this series, we kept coming back to the reality that people want something to place their hope in. They are searching for it all over the place. A quick image search on the internet is packed full of pretty anchor designs about "hope" that "anchors the soul." It's. popular.

For us, the question kept coming back to ... Yeah, but HOPE IN WHAT?? We read Hebrews 6:19 again ... "We have THIS HOPE..." Not just any hope. Not hope for the sake of having hope. Not just a fierce hope that it will all work out in the end. THIS HOPE.

THIS HOPE = HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST and His sacrificial, never-ending LOVE FOR US. Period.

He is the only hope worth anchoring our soul to.

HOPE IN JESUS desperately needs to be shared. He is the hope that cannot be shaken in a world that is ever-changing.

So that's why we are so excited about these printables and wallpaper graphics! They are available as both 5x7 & 8x10 printables, as well as a notecard. The graphics are for a range of desktop resolutions, Kindle, iPad, iPhone and Android. 

Go make this design the wallpaper on your devices this summer and download the printable as your reminder that hope is found in Christ alone.

 

 Isn't it so pretty and perfect for summer?

>>I challenge you to take it a step further and  think of someone to share this with. We've made it so easy to share THIS HOPE! Take the note card template we've created for you and send a note to someone who needs a little encouragement and needs to know how much Jesus loves them.

But wait, before you write this off because it's not your color scheme or get panic attacks thinking about using up all of your ink on your home printer {Not likely, but worth it if you do!} on one pretty printable, never fear, we've also created versions that are black & white or blue on white backgrounds. 

It's also super easy to upload a PDF to your nearest office supply location to have a beautiful print made just for you. Be sure to ask for 100# cardstock and matte finish and you'll love it!

Go download these fun printables and wallpaper graphics now. SO MANY options!  

We have this hope as an anchor to the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

May THIS HOPE anchor your soul this summer,

Erin