12 Days of Home for the Holidays Welcome Cheryl Mezzetti

Cheryl is the Education Director and Design Team Coordinator for Creative Imaginations and product designer for AccuCut Craft.  I adore Cheryl's craftiness and I am happy to Welcome Cheryl Mezzetti.

When I was asked to write about my Christmas traditions I was excited to participate but soon realized that I had little to share from my childhood.I struggled to find something elaborate or monumental but it simply was not there. We had no big family gatherings, treasured handmade ornaments or recipes passed down from generation to generation. As a child I always loved Christmas but my heart always ached for more than just the gifts.

It was not until I was married that I discovered the missing part of Christmas that I longed for a child - traditions.   My husband grew up in a big Italian family were Christmas and food go hand in hand.  Christmas Eve was a monumental event, were extended family gathered to open presents and eat until no one could move.  Navigating through the house was something of an art, weaving through rooms of extended family, excited children running through the house with toys in hand and torn wrapping paper piled high.  It was then that I realized Family Christmas Traditions could not be bought, wrapped or even put under the tree.  Christmas was magical and some families had a real knack of making it such a special time

When our children were born until a few years ago we continued to join my husband's family each year.  There were Italian dinners, lasagna and meatballs, turkey or ham and of course desserts.  At the end of the evening, we would gather up carry our sleepy children and gifts to head home and prepare for Christmas morning.  As we exited her house my mother in law would hand each of her children one more gift, her traditional "cookie".  She made these every year and they were something of a treasured item.  A biscotti textured cake with frosting that was eaten with a large glass of milk.  To my husband, Christmas was not complete without one her "cookies".  
 
I knew someday I wanted to start my own Christmas traditions, something I could pass down from generation to generation.  When my mother in law passed away a few years ago, we took on the role of Christmas Eve at our home.  It is a wonderful time with family and friends, delicious Italian food, children running through torn gift wrap and of course, memories.  Some traditions have been handed down generation to generation, others have been carefully nurtured year after year and some simply happen.  Christmas is meant to be magical and Christmas traditions are what bind us together.  

Cheryl
After This (blog)
Creative Imaginations 
AccuCut Craft

Cheryl shared some good news with me that I wanted to share with you.  "My mom used to tell me that I could alter anything lol I guess my teachers noticed too because in fourth grade one of my teachers made me the bulletin board artist. She used to tell stories of my adventures to everyone before she passed including the time I painted the entire kitchen with pink calamine lotion - snicker. This week I will be signing my book agreement with a publisher and hopefully releasing a book this time next year It will be dedicated to my mom - for her patience with my altering obsession."  Congratulations Cheryl.

Giveaway

What an incredible giveaway from Graphic 45, X-ACTO, Sizzix, and May Arts!  Leave a comment for Cheryl and I’ll put your name in the drawing. Leave a comment on each of the 12 day's posts to be entered for 12 opportunities to win this gorgeous prize package!  You can also go to  X-ACTO's, Graphic 45's, Sizzix's, and May Art's Facebook page and “like,” leaving a comment you came from D’s Paper Studio and leave another comment on one of the blog posts letting me know to be entered again.  One blog reader's name will be drawn and announced on Monday, December 14th. On your Mark, Get Set, Go....!
Included in the Giveaway: 
Graphic 45:  Nutcracker Sweet 12x12 paper pad; both sets of coordinating stickers; Ornate Metal Keys; Ornate Metal Key Holes; Flower Staples, Envelope Tag Staples
May Arts:  (as pictured) Red and Green Center Strip 25 yards; Jute 400 yards; Mini-Pom Poms 30 yards; Velvet 50 yards; Cotton Strip 30 yards
X-ACTO: X-ACTO Designer Series 9’’ Fixed Blade; X-ACTO Designer Series Precision Scissors; X-ACTO Designer Series Corner Punch; X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster; X-ACTO Designer Series Shapes Templates; CraftBond Glue Spots; CraftBond Quick Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen; CraftBond All Purpose Glue Stick
Sizzix: The New Tim Holtz Texture Fades; They include: 658269 Holly Pattern & Wreath Set; 658273 Brush Poinsettias & Winter Berries Set; 658270 Textured Poinsettia Pattern Set; and 658272 Holly Branch & Pine Branch Set

Have a Wonderfully Crafty Day!

Comments

  1. Love Cheryl's beautiful work!!! She is a wonderful teacher too!!! Congrats on the book deal! I can't wait to see it!

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  2. HOw exciting Cheryl! Congrats! I also married into an italian family and those get togethers can be so much fun!! I also agree about starting traditions with our own kids. We have many from getting the tree, to the dated ornaments, to card games. Thank you for sharing with us!

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  3. Your Christmas traditions of navigating through extended family on Christmas Eve reminded me of all my family's gatherings when I was growing up. It really was crowded! Thank you for sharing and I love your projects today. Congrats also on getting your book published.

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  4. Thank you so much for sharing about your wonderful Christmas' with family, Cheryl! The photos of your work are beautiful!

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  5. Very cool to get a glimpse into the life of my FEARLESS DT Leader....love her spirit, spunk and FABULOUS creativity!!
    A very MERRY Christmas to you and your family Cheryl!!

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  6. I was so excited to see Chery; as one of your 12 days of Christmas guests. I met her in Florida and took several classes with her. She is a multi talented lady for sure and a GREAT personality~her work is amamzing!!!!

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  7. Awesome news about the book! Glad that your mom let you express yourself as a child so you could develop your talents. Beautiful projects.

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  8. Family traditions are so important especially at Christmas. As a child we went to my grandparents, then my parents took over and now it's my turn. Your traditions sound wonderful.

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  9. Such lovely projects!

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  10. I love your story! I believe Christmas is all about traditions ...they are what make the special times and precious memories! Your cards are fabulous! Congratulations on your book. Thank you for being one of Debby's guests!

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  11. Thank you for sharing your story it was beautiful. I try hard to keep the traditions alive in my family so my kids will have them in their live when they get older.

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  12. What a great story. I follow this so well. Except it was my grandma's house on my mom's side we would always go to. What special memories. I love your projects. They are so very cute. Wonderful job on them.

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  13. Anonymous9:29 AM

    Completely agree on your perspectives about traditions. Thanks for sharing this and your lovely projects.

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  14. Congratulations on the book deal! I wish you much success. I am looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing your magical family story. I love your projects.

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  15. Cheryl, I feel the same way about my family's traditions. We never really had any until I met and married my husband. His family makes a big deal about the food, the gatherings, the gift buying, and just plain loving on each other as much as possible.
    How grand my Christmas times are now.

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  16. Lovely Christmas inspiration!

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  17. Cheryl, lovely projects and I feel the same way about our family traditions. Ours to began after we married and started our own family. TFS pammejo1@yahoo.com

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  18. Anonymous11:11 AM

    And are you baking your hubby the "cookie"?

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    1. Can you believe I do not have this recipe? I do however have his grandmothers italian snowball cookies recipe - they affectionately call them "Knot cookies" which i can't figure out because they are not knotted..lol

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  19. Cheryl taught the first paper crafting class I ever took and I was so excited to see her take part in the 12 Days! Thank you, Cheryl and Debbie! I loved reading about your family traditions and how they are still growing. Your projects are beautiful, too. Congrats of the book deal!

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  20. Beautiful projects :) congrats on the book!

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  21. Fun blog chain! I love it when bloggers come together and share inspiration! We're doing the same over at Holidays Homemade! We're blogging every day in December! Whew! But we have some AMAZING DIY projects and recipes so far! Come check us out! https://holidayshomemade.squarespace.com/blog/2012/12/6/25-days-until-chirstmas-scrapbook

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  22. Great post! Loved seeing Cheryl's work and hearing a little about how her Christmas has evolved!

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  23. Cheryl - Great job and wonderful projects. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  24. Patricia Huber12:48 PM

    Cheryl is one of my favorite artists. I am trying to get her and some other friends to start the tradition of coming to my house to scrapbook! ha ha ha Congratulations of the book signing, Cheryl. And, Merry Christmas!

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  25. Cheryl's mini albums are always "da bomb!" She does such amazing work and packs a lot of technique in, as well as making her classes fun! Congratulations on the book! Will be waiting for it's publication. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words! :)

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  26. Love hearing about Cheryl's Christmas traditions-and seeing her gorgeous creations.
    We do Slovenian food for Christmas here.Have to order the sausage from Cleveland-but oh is it worth it.

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  27. Yes, Christmas traditions are treasures. Love that you shared yours. Great news about the book!

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  28. Traditions of have long been a favorite part of Christmas for me! Thanks for sharing your traditions!!

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    1. I came from D's Paper and I lived reading about Cheryl's family traditions. This is the first year I will be celebrating Christmas with my daughter Melissa and her children on Christmas Day. Usually it's just a quick present exchange either before or after the holiday. Looking g forward to seeing those 4 joyous faces Christmas Morning.

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  29. Love all your prjects. The cookie story is so special Cheryl, I am sure the whole family will always remember her. Good luck with the book, that is so exciting!! Thanks for sharing her with us Debby!

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  30. Congratulations on your new book! :)

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  31. What a heart warming story you shared with us! I agree with you that traditions just happen without planning. Congrats on your book ~

    margoplace91comcast.net

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  32. I am happy you finally were able to have traditions. Your work is fantastic and I can't wait to get your book!

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  33. Cheryl, your style of writing is captivating; I can't wait to read your book! Family traditions are what keeps me going year afetr year! Merry Christmas!

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  34. I love your projects! Congratulations on your book also.

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  35. Congratulations on your book!!! What fun memories with your husbands family! Christmas is such a special time of year and how awesome to carve out your own new traditions!!!

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  36. I really enjoyed reading about the family traditions, both past and present, and I love looking at your mini album pages posted, too. I also want to congratulate you on your book signing deal. I am sure you are walking on air, and you should be very proud.

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  37. So happy to hear you've gotten to bring traditions into your Christmas celebrations. I' m an "altered artist " from a young age too...my medium was baby powder though--here hee

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  38. Congratulations!! beautiful projects and thanks for sharing your story and traditions.

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  39. @Cheryl- Congratulations on your book!!! WOOT!!

    Your post has touched me the most. Thank you for inspiring me to create my own traditions with my "new" family as seeing that this christmas I am a bride (March 9th is our wedding date) and the next christmas we weill be newly weds! It's really exciting and i'm looking forward to it with my fiancee and his family!

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  40. Beautiful projects and CONGRATS on carrying on the family tradition from you mother-in-law! Happy Christmas!!

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  41. Congrats Cheryl!
    This is such a beautiful story- it is never too late to start your traditions!

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  42. Cheryl is my favorite! Can hardly wait for the book

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  43. And I signed on to google that was in Arabic! Shocked me when it worked.

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  44. Wonderful stories and projects.. thanks for sharing..

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  45. Left some love on May Art's blog!

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  46. Love your story thanks for sharing..Hugs~~

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  47. Kam mccallan8:36 PM

    So much to learn from others' traditions! I am glad you were able to build on your husband's family traditions!

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