Getting Ready for Christmas

This layout was created for the CSI design team. Over the years I have done many pages about Christmas, but not one about everything that I do to get ready for Christmas and our family traditions.  It is quite a whirl wind of activities that I would like to share with present and future family members. 

Color Stories Inspiration always inspires me to do my very best work and to tell stories that I would not otherwise share. Come and join along in the fun when you get a chance.

Techniques used here are inking, stamping, masking, machine stitching, painting, and fussy cutting.

Here, you can see some of my favorite techniques....layering, using texture and 3-D work. 

Products Used: 

Bazzil Basics cardstock
Fab Scraps chipboard
May Arts pom-pom trim
My Mind's Eye Joyous paper collection
Prima flowers, rick-rack, stencil
Sizzix die
Ranger Stickles

The journaling reads, "Getting ready for Christmas is a big deal at my home. I usually start in mid to late November by putting the tree up. We also put wreaths on our two front doors, a garland over the doors and hang the stockings on the hearth. I like to take my time and enjoy the decorating.

Next on my list is to shop for presents, get them wrapped and put them under the tree. It seems this part goes on and on for weeks, as I continue to shop. I like to wrap presents the "old fashioned way", with wrapping paper and ribbons that I carefully make into bows. Inevitably, I have to put some presents into gift bags in order to get it all done on time.

The last few days before Christmas are reserved for grocery shopping and baking. We have baked turkey, dressing and cranberry relish with giblet gravy.  We also have Waldorf salad, green beans, sweet potatoes and a variety of homemade desserts. Everyone has at least one dish that they bring for our family gathering at our home.

The most important and self rewarding thing that I do at Christmas is to sit in the living room with all of our lights off except those on the tree. That is my quiet time to reflect on why we celebrate Christ's birth. This is a tradition started by my mother and I have continued it with my children. We read the story of the nativity, pray, sing carols and enjoy these moments."

Thanks everyone, for taking a peek. See you next time!