Can you hear the bell ring?

The bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.

- Polar Express 2004

Three years ago, the movie Polar Express came out. Do you remember? My neighbor, who is not crafty, had a 1st grader at the time. She thought it would be fun to get silver bells and leather straps to give them to her children's friends for Christmas. Apparently, that Christmas she wasn't alone in this idea! There was a run on large silver bells EVERYWHERE. This is where I came in. I searched high and low for her - online, around town where ever I went, etc. I remember even looking up a horse rein manufacturer place that sold them but they, too were out-of-stock. Then I happened upon the very last wreath at Jo-Anns that was covered in bells. As I reached for it, this lady right next to me was thinking about getting it and even asked me if I wanted it (it was in my hot little hands already). Anyway, we made 12 or so silver bell ornament/necklaces.

Well, fast forward to present day. My son is now 5 and tomorrow is POLAR EXPRESS DAY in kindergarten. All the kinder classes get to wear their pjs tomorrow (last day of school before the holiday break) and they are going to watch Polar Express. WOHOO. So, last night, (YES, LAST NIGHT), I had the above memory resurface and I thought OH MY... There won't be another POLAR EXPRESS DAY.... I better get some silver bells and leather straps! So, this morning I am driving by Michaels. I know that I wanted to go there but couldn't remember why. So, I sat in the parking lot for 3 mins. Still nothing. Decided to drive home and be productive. And bam. Ah, now I remember. So, when I went out again, I hit Michael's. AND there was NO run on the silver bells this year! YAY! I thought this would be a simple, quick project. It had the potential to be. And then I couldn't just leave it alone.

Anyway, here it is. I made them for all of my son's class and his teachers. It really is an ornament for their tree. One side says the line (above) and the year. The other side has two of my favorite A Muse stamps - santa silhoutte and Believe.

I had to laminate them because I thought the 5 year olds might be too rough on just cardstock.

Stamps: A Muse artstamps
Ink: SU! Summer Sun and SU! Real Red; Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: super jumbo marvy scallop circle punch, crop-a-dile, laminator, bells, leather

So, do you still hear the bell ring?