Crafter’s Café Challenge #299
Christmas in July
Good day, fellow crafters. Today, I am delighted to share with you the latest addition to my series of early Christmas-themed challenges. I am thrilled to present this particular card as an entry for a new challenge blog I recently discovered, called "The Crafter's Café." You can find the direct link above to explore and appreciate my creation there. If it sparks your inspiration, there's still ample time to craft and submit your own work. I sincerely hope you enjoy what I've put together.
This card boasts an elegant charm and is surprisingly simple to make. I opted for the classic Christmas color palette, incorporating red, green, and gold, complemented by a delightful Poinsettia crafted from felt.
The process began with the Merry Christmas glimmer plate, featured left, combined with green cardstock and gold foil to craft the sentiment on the background panel. To add an attractive border, I utilized the Glimmer Rectangles set, showcased below. Once the border was complete, I trimmed the background panel and red cardstock mat to size and adhered them onto a pre-cut white A2 card base. Finally, the finishing touch was adding the lovely Poinsettia to the background panel.
I am always trying to learn new things, it helps keep the mind fresh, and I had often wondered why we use the Poinsettia as decoration at Christmas. In case you have wondered the same thing, then below is something I found on the topic.
Long ago, in Mexico, there was a young girl named Pepita who was very poor but had a heart full of love and devotion. It was Christmas Eve, and Pepita wanted to give a special gift to baby Jesus at the church's Nativity scene, but she couldn't afford anything extravagant.
Feeling disheartened, Pepita set out on her way to the church. Along the roadside, she gathered some humble weeds that she found on the ground, knowing that it was the thought and love behind the gift that mattered most. As she approached the Nativity scene, Pepita placed the simple weeds at the feet of the baby Jesus.
Suddenly, a miracle occurred before her eyes. The weeds she had laid down transformed into beautiful crimson flowers with vibrant green leaves. The other people in the church witnessed the extraordinary event and were in awe of the stunning flowers that blossomed on that holy night.
The priest explained that the flowers were "Flores de Nochebuena," which translates to "Flowers of the Holy Night," but are more commonly known as poinsettias. He proclaimed that Pepita's pure and selfless act of love had been recognized and blessed by the Holy Child.
Since that magical Christmas Eve, the poinsettia has become a cherished symbol of love, purity, and the spirit of giving during the holiday season in Mexico and around the world. It is often used as a festive decoration during Christmas celebrations and is known as the "Flor de Nochebuena" in Spanish. The legend of Pepita and the poinsettia serves as a reminder that even the most modest gifts, given with love and sincerity, can hold immense value and meaning.
The introduction of the poinsettia plant to the United States is credited to Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American statesman and botanist. Poinsett was the first U.S. Minister to Mexico in the early 19th century, appointed by President John Quincy Adams.
In 1828, during his diplomatic mission in Mexico, Poinsett discovered the beautiful red and green plant, which the locals called "Flores de Nochebuena." Impressed by its striking appearance and association with Christmas, Poinsett was fascinated by the plant and decided to bring some back to his home in South Carolina.
Once back in the United States, Poinsett began cultivating the plant in his own greenhouse and distributed it to botanical gardens and horticultural enthusiasts. He shared cuttings of the plant with fellow plant enthusiasts, including friends and botanical gardens, helping to spread its popularity throughout the country.
As more people became aware of the poinsettia's striking beauty and its connection to the Christmas season, it started gaining popularity as a decorative plant during the holiday period. Over time, nurseries and commercial growers began propagating and selling poinsettias, further increasing their accessibility and popularity across the United States.
Today, the poinsettia remains one of the most popular and iconic Christmas plants in the U.S., adorning homes, churches, and public spaces during the holiday season. The date of December 12th is designated as National Poinsettia Day in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett's introduction of this beautiful plant to the United States.
