Dear Friend,
How great and wondrous a time is this that we reflect and remember the time our Lord Jesus visited us and to long for Him to come again and save us eternally! It's Advent once again! Meaning "to come" in Latin, we seek Christ's coming into our lives and hearts in a renewed way during this season of grace!

Are we prepared for Christmas? Let's take a look at our hearts... is it filled with gratitude, joy and anticipation? Is it at peace and not in a state of chaos from all the busyness? Is there anyone on earth (or elsewhere!) our hearts have not forgiven? or need to ask pardon from? Are we willing to give, not only to those who can give back in return but more so to those who can't?
If we answered a negative to any of these questions, then let's take hold of the grace during this season and breathe this prayer... "Come Lord Jesus and renew me, renew the face of the earth!".

Have a most blessed and grace-filled Christmas season!

"At Christmas, play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year." - Thomas Tusser


Christina
e-Newsletter Editor



In this issue

Christmas Memorabilia Tree
Online Christmas Bible Study
Downloadable Christmas Cards from HSBC
Glorietta & SM Pampanga New Location Opens
Books for Less Updates
New Products from Papemelroti

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Christmas Memorabilia Tree
Make your tree extra special! Make the decorations yourself! It will be a tree like no other! This was taught at the Ayala Christmas workshop, Makati last Dec. 2 by Mrs. Patsy Paterno.

1. Start with a picture or pictures - any picture you’d like to see again and again, just make sure it won’t embarrass your teenage son or daughter! The picture usually dictates the size, the color and sometimes the shape of the frame.

2. 2. Cut out the picture frame and backing out of cardboard. If the shape of the frame is difficult like an oval or star, make a pattern out of paper first and fit it to the picture.

3. 3. Cover the frame with fabric or paper. Glue parts together, making sure you put a hanger made of string, twine or gold thread in between the picture and the backing*. An easier way would be to use die cut picture frames or cut out a frame from our Craft Cuts (available at our shops). You won't need to cover the frame with fabric or paper becase it has a design already.

4. Now for the fun part. Embellish! This is the part where all the kids, even a 1 ½ year old, can participate. Just make sure younger kids are supervised well and kept away from anything that can hurt them. Prepare the materials for them and be sure to put a newspaper over your table so it’ll be easy to clean up afterwards.

5. Materials needed for frame: cardboard, fabric or paper to cover frame, string, scissors, glue or a glue gun. Embellishments may include scrap cloth or paper, beads, ribbons, stickers, buttons, gift wrap, cards or magazines to cut up, wallpaper, paper or cloth flowers, little figurines, crochet flowers, die cuts, origami, sand and glue, sequins, lace, foil from candies or chocolates, glitter glue, dried flowers, twigs and whatever you have on hand. To decorate, you and your kids can use rubber stamping, sponging, drawing with colored pencils and crayons, painting, paper piecing and punching, even embroidery.

6. Don’t forget to write details at the back of the frame - Isabel’s birthday, 2002, frame made by Christopher, age 7. To make it more meaningful, add a thanksgiving prayer or blessing.

Tips and Variations
*If this is the first time you’re being crafty, keep it simple. Glue fabric or paper on thin cardboard or even a sheet of paper using white glue diluted with water (1:1). Cut out shape of frame, glue on to picture and cardboard backing with a string in between. Don’t bother wrapping the sides with the fabric.

When you go to a bookstore, supermarket, craft, gift shop or a toy store, look out for something you can use to make unique frames. I found some metal rings and large earring squares in Divisoria. I glued pictures behind them - a quick and easy way to make frames. The most difficult part was finding pictures small enough to fit the frames! I also used some left over tongue depressors to form a frame by overlapping them to form a square. The easiest way to make a frame would be to use those pre-printed frames found in scrapbooking stores but they can be pricey.

If you want to make frames or ornaments out of clay, here’s my favorite recipe for clay that hardens in an oven toaster: In a large saucepan, mix together 1 cup cornstarch and 2 cups baking soda with a whisk. Add 1 ½ cups cold water and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken into a mass like mashed potatoes that holds its shape. Turn out into dish and cover with a damp cloth. Allow to cool. Once cooled, knead until smooth and elastic. Make only objects ½” thick or it will not harden well. Watch when you put objects in the oven as they may burn if they’re in too long.
Always try to reuse stuff that people usually throw away and here are some ideas for those styrofoam take out boxes that end up dirtying our coastlines. After cleaning it, you can cut it up in shapes (hearts, zigzags, squares, etc.) and make designs on it using a pencil or ballpen. This can now be used as a stamp to decorate your frame. OR you can cut up the styrofoam and use as the frame itself. Indent designs on it and paint.

More craft ideas at www.papemelroti.com/crafts.htm .



Online Christmas Bible Study
Want to fill your heart and mind with Christmas? See the wonders of the Word of God with Dr. Ralph F. Wilson's online Christmas bible study at www.jesuswalk.com/christmas-incarnation/ Forums are also available to discuss your reflections online with others all around the world!





Downloadable Christmas Cards from HSBC
Make your own greeting cards right from home! See the cute creations of Papemelroti artist Robert Alejandro created specially for HSBC! Click to http://www.hsbc.com.ph/ph/holiday/holiday.htm



Glorietta & SM Pampanga New Location Opens
Starting Dec. 7, Friday, we'll be setting up our newly transferred temporary Glorietta branch.
It's on the 3rd floor or Glorietta 3. See you there!
The longest mall in the Philippines, SM Pampanga is the newest home of Papemelroti! Come visit us soon!


Books for Less Updates
Remember to visit our newest branch at SM Centerpoint. It's quite near the Papemelroti shop on the 2nd floor. Free giftwrapping for books P248 and up!

Stop by your nearest BFL branch today! It's easy to find the book you need at Books for Less! Just e-mail bookrequest@booksforless.ph or contact the TEXT Hotline at 630-9999 (no format needed). For other BFL inquiries, please e-mail info@booksforless.ph or call 371-4539 for details. For branches and other information visit their updated website at www.booksforless.ph


New Papemelroti Products!

• Christmas Gift Bag - #15-29 This delightful card pack has 47 Christmas trivia, sayings, suggestions, quotes and more. Comes with a colored kraft bag with matching gift tag for your greeting! Our newest in the popular paper pack series! Only P39.75 / $1.14 each.
• Christmas Craft Cuts - #9028-31-33 Here are 3 designs to decorate your scrapbooks, cards, gifts with! You may use them to make Christmas tree decor and many more projectsf! P15 / $0.43 each.
• Desk Calendars with Full Color Design #1-1368 "Teachers have the write stuff" view - an ideal giveaway for your child's teachers and tutors. Size 3 3/8" h x 2.25" x 1.25", 50g. and #1-1356 "Work for the Lord, the pay isn't much but the retirement plan is out of this world" - everyday reminder to work for what's really important! Size 1.75"h x 3 5/8" x 1.25"w. Personalize this product with your full color design for a great giveaway! Both are reasonably priced at only P69 / $1.98.
• Full Color Notebooks #9031-66 to -70 in wonderful new designs! All made of 100% unbleached recycled paper. Only P36.00 /$0.76 each
• More products at the stores! Click here to order or inquire.