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Friday, December 10, 2010

It's A Small World Blog Hop....Sweden's St Lucia Day

Happy Saturday everyone!  I am pleased to be included in the, "It's a Small World" Blog Hop hosted by our wonderful Jess over at KinderstampO.  If you have just joined us you can start all the way back at her blog, or you may have arrived here from Christine's Blog.  My little stop in holiday traditions is from the wonderful country of Sweden.  I have a special place in my heart for this country and am thankful to have visited there a couple times in the past.  One of their very special December traditions is the celebration of St. Lucia Day.  Here is a little history about this holiday:
Around Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St. Lucia's Day (or St. Lucy's Day) on December 13th. The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden.
St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304AD. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would wear candles on her head so she had both her hands free to carry things. Lucy means 'light' so this is a very appropriate name.
December 13th was also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, in the old 'Julian' Calendar and a pagan festival of lights in Sweden was turned into St. Lucia's Day.
St. Lucia's Day is now celebrated by a girl dressing in a white dress with a red sash round her waist and a crown of candles on her head. (Normally electric candles are used for safety!) The crown is made of Lingonberry branches which are evergreen and symbolise new life in winter. Schools normally have their own St. Lucias and some town and villages also choose a girl to play St. Lucia in a procession where carols are sung.


A national Lucia is also chosen. Lucias also visit hospitals and old people's homes singing a song about St Lucia and handing out 'Pepparkakor', ginger snap biscuits.
I thought long and hard about how I would convey something and have it translate into something we could appreciate if we weren't from Sweden.  After following the Tim Holtz blog the last week and his 12 Days of Christmas Tags I decided I would make a special tag.  I definately improvised, because I don't begin to have a fraction of the supplies he uses or have the techniques figured out that he uses, but I somehow thought the vintage feel of tag would go along perfectly with what I had in mind.

I made the tag by simply cutting up a craftpaper folder with my regular paper cutter.  Sure, you could use a fancy die-cut or buy a tag, but gee...how hard is it to cut a strip, angle the corners and punch a hole in the top!  I distressed the edges and used distress inks in "Tea Dye" and "Old Paper" to make it look vintage.  I also sprayed it fairly heavily with Tsukineko Sheer Shimmer Spritz and then zapped it with my heat gun to dry it quickly.  My St. Lucia was my very own stamp from Shelley Bean Stamps "Wish Upon a Star".  I added some very light color using my Copic Markers and I framed the stamped image with Shabby Shutters Distress Stickles.  I went and snipped a piece off the garland over my fireplace for the crown and used 3 birthday candles (cut down) with a touch of gold stickles for the flame.  It's all about improvisation!!  I used some beads and charms to attach to the ribbon and blinged out the bottom edge a little bit and added a holiday verse to finish off my tag. 


And now, before I send you off to the next stop along this wonderful hop, I wanted to share a free give-away!  I am going to randomly choose a winner from the comments left here now through Sunday.  The prize is my Wish Upon A Star stamp that I used to make this tag.  Simply leave a comment.  I would also love it if you became a follower of my blog and my stamp blog.  But, I won't make it a requirement this time.  I also have a friend page over at facebook that I would love to have you come visit and "like".  I often do give-aways there as well.  "God Jul" everyone!

And now it's time to hop along to Vickie's Blog!  If you lose your way along the hop, here is a listing of all the wonderful blogs participating today.

76 comments:

Maria said...

I really loved how you did your tag. It's so beautiful
Thanks for sharing
Maria

marial302003@yahoo.com

2 Chicks on a Limb said...

Your tag is beautiful and captures Sweden perfectly!

Vickie

Marilyn Nimmo said...

LOVE your tag!

JustYolie said...

Thank you for sharing...your tag is so beautiful!!!

LesleyfromWI said...

Wow...this tag is gorgeous. I am enjoying reading the traditions of other countries. Thanks for sharing

Shana said...

great tag, it is very beautiful.


shanasewing at yahoo dot com

Debbie said...

your tag is so pretty I loved it thanks for sharing Debbie

Perfectly Unperfect Cards said...

That tag is very pretty, thanks for sharing.


perfectlyunperfectcards@gmail.com

Cathie w said...

very very pretty


cathie
scraphappycat@gmail.com

kathlee said...

That is so pretty!! All my card making and I am ashamed to say I've never done a tag. Think I must give it a try! So lucky to have traveled to Sweden! That is the land of my ancestors also! TFS
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
kathlee154@gmail.com
http://kathleessnippitsncricuts.blogspot.com

Linda Therrien said...

very very beautiful - love vintage and you pulled it off beautifully!

Sarah said...

Great tag! Thanks for sharing!
~sarah
sbwoodring@att.net

Debbie Flowers said...

Beautiful tag! Thanks for sharing the history of St. Lucia.

Debbie Flowers
happiscrapper@xipline.com

Pammejo said...

love your tag, just beautiful

ReinasMomma said...

Very pretty! Happy holidays to you and yours!

Ladybugz Creations said...

Adorable. I love how you aged that I need to figure that part out.. I have everything needed just never mixed it thanks for the wonderful and beautiful ideas. Great job and yep I am following you :) on Facebook too hehe..

Gill said...

Beautiful tag!
thank you for sharing

Scrapfaire said...

You tag is wonderful! I love the story of St Lucia, I have seen the figure of the girl in the dress with the wreath and candles but didn't know her origin. Thanks so much for sharing!

terriennz said...

That tag is just beautiful Shelley! (love the wording) You did an awesome job, tfs! And thanks for a chance to win! :)

Terrie Barroso
terriennz@att.net
crafteecards.blogspot.com

Scrappin_3rdeeschik said...

I love the tag. I love the lights and just everything about it. So pretty.
HUGS
Meighen

Liset Villarino said...

love the creativity you used with you tag.
hugs,
Liset
hailemnat@gmail.com

Liset Villarino said...

love the creativity you used with you tag.
hugs,
Liset
hailemnat@gmail.com

Kimberly said...

beautiful tag, thanks for sharing. kimbob27@hotmail.com

craft dreams said...

What a lovely story that was. Your project is adorable. TFS Martha C.
mcaballerobrito@hotmail.com

Miria said...

Such a pretty tag. I love the candles used for lights.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tag! Thank you for sharing the history behind the theme.

Anonymous said...

I loved reading about the Swedish tradition. Happy to have found you and am now your newest follower!

scrapaholicjen said...

Your tag is beautiful! Very elegant!
qtme2003 at yahoo dot ca

Unknown said...

Love your tag, of course I will follow you on the blog its a wonderful way to pick your brain for Ideas that I will never have. Once again thank you for your inspiration.

stefeni said...

What a beautiful tag Shelley.

spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Your tag is quite beautiful.

Sue
rolfe974@prodigy.net

Cre8tive Chaos said...

very pretty!

lavenderangel said...

Beautiful Tag

Susan
lavenderangel@centurytel.net

Celeste B. said...

That is great to hear about St. Lucia Day, that's so cool! The tag you made goes with it perfectly! It's absolutely beautiful, I love EVERYTHING about it!! TFS! :)

Celeste B.
ccscards.blogspot.com

Jessica Kubit said...

This is absolutely beautiful and I love the story. I learned something new;-)
Take care,
Jessica
http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com

Heather said...

Great tag!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Denise G said...

thanks for the history. Very Cute. TFS

http://cricutmyway.blogspot.com/

Cathy Gill said...

Nice twist on non traditional stamps.

country grammie said...

this is fabulous!
dfhenson@q.com

BlueCrayons said...

love this. face is stunning

rhelm@tampabay.rr.com

Anonymous said...

really cute! love tim holtz!
scrapbooks1953@sbcglobal.net

Minta's Creations said...

I Love your tag..it's really beautiful!
Minta

mintab@gmail.com

http://mintascreations.blogspot.com/

Anna said...

Beautiful tag and stamp. Love it.
I have been a follower.
Thanks for the chance to win.
annadowdy at gmail dot com

GabyCreates.com said...

You did an amazing job Shelley, Tim has nothing on you! and I just love how your stamp worked perfect!!!

cbold said...

OMG... I wish I could color like that, just beautiful.

Dina said...

beautiful! Love the wreath on her head! Dina arm1997@msn.com

CyndiU said...

Beautiful, TFS.
cureta2@yahoo.com

GiGi said...

That is SO BEAUTIFUL! You really nailed ot on the head...it does very much convey St. Lucia! TFS!
booger1 at tds.net

Tanya said...

Beautiful tag!

Tanya
phenis2031 at yahoo dot com

Monica said...

You really captured it. I love what you did.
Thank you for sharing something new with us.

monica.lowrance@gmail.com
http://happyscrappn2.blogspot.com/

Lisa J said...

This tag is truly beautiful. Love how the tag looks swirly in the picture even.

TFS

tjsgal at gmail dot com

Lisa W said...

Thank you for the little history lesson. I love reading about the holidays around the world.

My Quilling Nest said...

Wow such beautiful Tag!
TFS the Swedish story. Very interesting.
Hugs,
Linda K.

lovescrapreflect said...

you may not have had all the supplies but hey it turned out wonderful nice job

Ashley Nicole said...

Your tag is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Nikki
glamoroussideofscrapping at gmail dot com
www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

hi Shelley!!! I LOVE this tag! Thanks for sharing the history behind the celebration - really enjoyed reading that :)

Theresa said...

Your tag is just beautiful.TFS!

Susan L said...

So creative! I love remembering traditions for the holidays. TFS :)

Happy Scrappin'

Sue B

http://susanascorner.blogspot.com

Vanessa said...

Beautiful tag!!

jenni said...

Lovely tag! What a great way to show off Sweden!
jpshirley@ymail.com

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tag that women is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
HAPPY HOLIDAY"S Hopping around making new friends and now you are one! Thanks to KinderStampO!

Scrappers' Ranch said...

This is beautiful, I love vintage looking crafts!
I am already a follower of your blog and also a friend on facebook!
TFS and a chance to win
Bonnie C
http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com
ascrapabove(at)aol(dot)com

Susan said...

Thank you so much for sharing this Swedish history and tradition. I have seen the image of the girl with the circle of candles on her head, but never knew where it was from. Your tag fits perfectly with your theme and is a very thoughtful interpretation of this Swedish tradition.

Paper Sewn Visions said...

What a beautiful tag. Thank you for sharing some of your culture and tag.

Melissa said...

What a gorgeous tag and thank you for sharing the history of St. Lucia!

Melissa
www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com

Angie said...

Beautiful!

Manhattan Mandie said...

Your tag is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing the info about St. Lucia day!!!

ibecircled.blogspot.com said...

The tag Is Awesome!!! Love the stamp and would love to have it, I will be a follower of your other blog. I have been a follower on this one for a while now!! Thanks for the chance!!!
ilovetonkinese2athotmaildotcom
http://ibecircled.blogspot.com
Rexann

Jeanine said...

love the tag very nice!
scrappinchic12@gmail.com
www.scrappinwithjc.blogspot.com

Sandy Hentzel said...

Love hearing about different countries!!!1 TFS and I love the tag :)

arlsmom aka Lynda said...

Beautiful tag!

liz at liz's paper loft said...

so pretty! I love using kraft paper, I think it can be really elegant!
liz :o)

Jess B. said...

I've always seen an angel with candles on her head now you've answered my curiousity. TFS

Jess B.
thatzuneek@gmail.com

quilt4fun2 said...

Your Tag turned out great. Thank You for being in the hop and for chances to win great prizes
quilt 4 fun 2 at hot mail dot com

Lisa said...

Your tags is very beautiful! You did a wonderful job!
Top29gun at gmail dot com

Alex said...

just beautiful ! TFS :)

the condes at gmail dot com