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Monday 23 December 2013

Merry Christmas to you all! - Monday 23rd December

Hello Friends!

Just two more sleeps! Thank you for all your comments on my sleigh yesterday...it did take a while and was quite 'fiddly', but I really enjoyed making it and was pleased you liked it!

I have one final House Mouse card I would like to share with you all to wish you a Merry Christmas!



I am feeling very festive now: the house looks like a really cosy winter wonderland, inside and out! A few years ago, we bought one of those Lemax Christmas Village Houses at our local garden centre...now we have a village! When we were over in the USA in September I saw them in the big craft stores, except they were mostly the Halloween one as it was a bit early for Christmas (loved it). We've gradually added to it, it's just a bit of festive fun.It's really hard to get a photo of it though, so this just gives the general idea! It looks really pretty in the dark at night.





Our tree is adorned with lights and decorations collected over the years and even dating back to childhood. I'm not one for designer trees and colour schemes. When I decorate the tree I just love the memory every decoration brings with it - from family, to holidays and decorations that not only I have made, but friends and family have made as well.

Today will be spent getting the house ready for our visitors - there will be 6 of us on Christmas Day and we are very much looking forward to it.

This year was far too 'busy'; my Christmas cards were all very last minute and I do I confess start to get a bit stressed over it...it was all going back to three weeks away from crafting with the back problem (I'm happy to report that my doctor is a hero for suggesting a sports therapist...my now regular visits to Hayley have made a world of difference to pain I have been prone to all my adult life)..the three weeks unable to craft were followed by another couple where Mr Mojo had decided that he wasn't coming back from his enforced sabbatical! Of course by the time this all happened, I was already half-way committed to making all those presents for my family we were soon off to visit in the USA. I do actually think that knowing I had to finish what I started, combined with the workshops I teach with my friend Amy actually forced Mr Mojo to get moving again! But thank goodness I had already decided to not take any more commissions for the  rest of this year.

Our trip to California in September was another break from crafting..over three weeks in total and right when I would be making Christmas cards! But when it all started to get stressful, I took a step back..wait a minute, this is meant to be something I enjoy...no...LOVE to do..it's a passion..it's fun..and do you  know it worked?

So I didn't finish my Tim's tags..which was a shame, but not the end of the world. I didn't make all the Christmas projects I had planned, never mind, they aren't going anywhere and crafting never stopped being fun!

However it has been a really good year on the whole, seeing almost all my family from San Francisco to San Diego was fabulous - I think in all my trips solo and our many more together, we both agreed that this was the best ever!

Thank you also to my crafty friends, the ladies who come to our classes and special thanks to my friend Amy, who with her Mum, Diane, runs the best shop in Chipping Sodbury! I am so looking forward to another year of our crafty workshops, thanks Amy for asking me to join you in delivering them almost 2 years ago and to Diane for helping with the very important job of tea and cake!

This will be my last post before Christmas and possible New Year, so I'd like to wish you all a wonderful time and a very Happy, crafty 2014. Thank you for visiting my little piece of blogland. I do hope you get a little bit of inspiration from my projects as I do from all of yours. I really enjoy my daily trip around your blogs, looking at all the fabulous cards, layouts and other projects you share and I look forward to seeing many more next year!

I am now up to 67 followers so a huge thanks to all of you..when I get to 70 there will be some more candi to give away!

The weather here this afternoon is dreadful, so much rain and wind - I hope you are not experiencing the same - or worse - but if you are, stay safe and dry!


Happy Christmas everyone!

Love and Holiday Hugs,
Carole X

8 comments:

  1. Carole love your little village scene, and of course your house mouse card, Have a wonderful Christmas. Hazel xxx

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  2. Really cute card and such a lovely post! Have a really Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Looking forward to seeing your creations in 2014!
    Rebecca.
    x

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  3. Your village scene looks amazing Carole, it must be amazing to sit and look at that. I totally agree with you over the stress element of making Christmas cards when there are other draws on your time. I admit I did go out and buy a few this year, I think the neighbours were a bit disappointed but it stopped me feeling stressed too.

    I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting your blog this year and look forward to seeing more of your inspiring projects in 2014. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas - see you in 2014 in blogland. Big festive hugs, Anne x

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  4. Merry Christmas to you and I hope that you have a wonderful time with your family and hope the weather is better to enjoy it. Thank you for always stopping over and I love your village that you set up. It is beautiful! Oh and I love your card too. Those mice are some of my favorite to stamp and color.
    Happy Holidays with festive hugs, Teresa

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  5. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself in your post! I ave enjoyed "getting to know you" and pray the New Year brings you continued and improved health and happiness.

    (((Hugs)))
    Patti

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  6. Hi Carole

    A great post. I love your card and the photographs of your Christmas village. Very special!

    Have a really lovely Christmas Carole and a very happy 2014!

    Love Jules xx

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  7. Beautiful village Carole and I agree with you about the tree. Mine is also full of different style ornaments, from ones the children have made or chosen over the years to those I have made, love it. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, enjoy the day and hope that Father Christmas brings you some lovely gifts! Looking forward to a crafty 2014!xx

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  8. Love your approach to Christmas fun, we managed to get the tree decorated just in time this year, likewise a lot of my cards were last minute rush so not as much fun. Sending you best wihes for 2014. xx Flora

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