Day 31 - New Years Eve

Hi All

I have always struggled with New Years Eve, not being much of a party animal, but it became even harder 20 years ago when I lost my son Adam.

Where on earth has that time gone to. It doesn't seem possible.

He would have loved all his nieces and nephews. He didn't do much, (he was like a 6 week old baby even though he was 20 when he died) but his little face used to light up when Megan, who is now nearly 22, used to sit with him. He had a hoist to get him from his chair to his bed, and she often went 'flying' with him. Not that she remembers it now of course which is such a shame.

He may not have met any of the others (Reece 19, Saskia and Ciaran 14, Emma 6, Chloe 4 and Jack 2), nor they him, but we always talk about him, particularly at this time of year, and there are pictures of him around the houses, so he is never forgotten.

Adam and Becki

Adam, Jenni and Becki

Becki, Adam and Jenni

We will light a candle for him today, as we always do, and remember all the good times.

We will also raise a glass (of squash in my case) to all absent friends and relatives, as we wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Hugs Kimx

Day 30

Evening,

As you know the littlest Grandkids love to craft with me. In fact Chloe often wakes me up, when I am staying there, with a request to watch Jennifer (The wonderful Jennifer McGuire on Youtube) 

It was therefore a no brainer when it came to making Teachers Christmas prezzies.......incorporate some of the artwork that they had created with the Gelli plate to make them. They had a grand time, even Jack joined in, and they made a stack of backgrounds. I have given them my assorted shaped Clarity gelli plates so the artwork is rather small, but perfect for the fronts of these post it notebooks.

They were made from off cuts of black and white mountboard along with die cut shapes from my stash and a little gilding wax.

Each cover contained a Post it note block and pen and a thin elastic closure.

I will definitely be making more of these. They make fabulous prezzies and as the kids move up a class each year, there will always be new teachers to give them to.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Kimx

Day 29

Afternoon,

More Christmas tree cards today, this time with a different colour palette. The first 6 cards once again use Decorating Chalks to colour the stamped images.

Same trees, this time using gold embossing powder and some holly branches in the background.

The final 5 cards again use the Christmas tree stamps and colour palette, only this time I have used pigment inks and clear embossing powder.

I can't believe that there is only a couple of days to go till the end of the year. I think once again we will be glad to see the back of this one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Kimx

Day 28

Evening,

One of my favourite techniques is definitely Chalks. They work well with any type of stamp, but particularly solid images.

I ran a class a couple of years ago using some of Jane Gill's lovely Christmas tree stamps 

and Decorating Chalks. I chose some non traditional colour combos for these cards.

I also found some background papers in my stash that co-ordinated with the coloured panels.

I added some faux stitching and Card Candi along with a stamped and embossed sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Kimx

Day 27

Evening,

It's been a typical Bank Holiday, especially the weather. It's been raining for most of the day, and really quiet which makes the day drag.

I bit of 'Smack Down' background for my cards tonight,

along with a bit of gold embossing.

I only hope that tomorrow is a little busier. There is only so much shelf filling and cleaning that I am prepared to do.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Kimx

Day 26 - Boxing Day.

Evening,

I'm home now after a wonderful Christmas weekend with the littlest Grandkids. We had a fabulous time. Daddy cooked Christmas dinner, which meant that Becki and I were on washing up detail. Definitely a fair trade in my opinion lol. The kids were so excited and a little overwhelmed yesterday, so it was nice that today was a little more normal..............Daddy had to work and I helped Mummy try to sort things out a little in order to find space for all the new goodies that they were lucky enough to receive.

I still seem to have plenty of Christmas cards to share with you, 

so here are a few more using some holly stamps,

and a Merry Christmas sentiment.

And here is a very traditional Christmas saying when it comes to holly.

Back to normal for me tomorrow, although I think I will still give the Christmas jumpers a bit of an outing for another week before they get packed away.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Hugs Kimx

Day 25 - Christmas Day

Happy Christmas Everybody.

The sentiment on my card today says it all

'Sending you every good wish for a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year'

You need a bit of bling at Christmas, and Pearlex (or similar) is the perfect choice for painting,

or creating watercoloured backgrounds.

It works well with gold embossing,

and black embossed images. The embossing acts as a perfect resist to the pearlescent paints.

They also work on white cardstock although the effect isn't anywhere near as striking.

I have been banished from the kitchen so I am sitting with the kids watching White Christmas, the old Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby film. Emma loves the singing and dancing in it, and it brings back memories of my childhood, I loved all the old musical films.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day. With much love and crafty wishes 

Kimx

Countdown to Christmas - Day 24

Evening,

It's been a long time since I spent a Christmas Eve with Littlies, and it has been wonderful. They came and picked me up after work and we have baked Mince pies for Santa, and Mrs Clause. Emma was eager that she shouldn't get left out. 

I have watched as they unwrapped their Christmas Eve box and put on their new pyjamas and then wrote letters to leave for Santa. 

We have tracked Santa while we all snuggled together to watch a film, and now they are all finally asleep. They are having a sleepover together in the same  room and have insisted that I join them, so sleep for more than a couple of hours may be a bit of a challenge. But who cares. Christmas only happens once a year, and as I said before it's been a long time since I spent these precious hours with little ones for whom Christmas is still magic.

We don't light a candle to guide Santas sleigh, that might be a little more health and safety than I can manage, but we do leave him a special key. to let himself in............in the absence of a chimney you understand lol.

Here's to a wonderful Christmas for you all.

With love and hugs

Kimx

Countdown to Christmas - Day 23

Evening 

We are nearly there. It's been ridiculously busy at work again today and I don't see it being any better tomorrow.

I've got a card with an alcohol ink and distress ink combo for the background.

I've also used a fussy cut poinsettia coloured with distress inks and a few leftover bits and pieces.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Kimx

Countdown to Christmas - Day 22

Evening,

A couple of Christmas Tree cards tonight.

Some trees stamped with Distress Oxide ink for this first card.

And some die cut Christmas trees and torn paper for this one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs Kimx