"But The Fire Is So Delightful..."

 

Hi Ho Gentle Reader,

let me begin a post without an apology but an explanation instead.

It's been a good few weeks since my last post and the reason I haven't posted is I simply haven't had anything new to show you! I was tempted to repost a really old card but instead I decided to wait until I had something new for you instead and this is what I have come up with, another white on white card but with a wee twist.

For the base I used a musical embossing folder and then all the dies used are from Spellbinders. I have finished it off with a couple of stamps (the sentiment and the mistletoe leaves) and a small silver snowflake charm. I got the idea for the giant snowflake (behind the sentiment plaque) from a card by Sue Wilson which she had on a Create and Craft show.

 

So, I believe there are only five weekends left 'til Christmas!

Jo keeps asking me if I feel 'Christmassy' yet but if I am totally honest with you I think the Christmas spirit left me quite a few years ago now. I am not saying that I hate Christmas or anything like that, I just kind of feel like I have finally outgrown it. I am 50 next year, an age that absolutely fills my heart with horror, but I no longer get overly bothered about my Birthday (unless it's a milestone one!!), it's just another day really and I feel pretty much the same about Christmas. We get ourselves into such a state, shopping like we are possessed, fretting over the 'just perfect' present and sweating over an overworked oven and for what ? One day a year, a day that is meant to celebrate the birth of Out Lord but we are so brainwashed by the TV that we only know that Christmas is really on it's way when we hear the Coca Cola advert singing 'The Holidays Are Coming, The Holidays Are Coming'!!

As a holiday, it pretty much means that mums everywhere start working 80 hour weeks about three weeks from the big day and by the time the day itself finally arrives most of us are left feeling deflated and a little remorseful by ten O'clock in the morning. Our solution; crack another tinny open! Christmas seems to be the only day of the year when it become acceptable to start drinking strong alcohol before we even eat breakfast. Every year we are given presents by family members who suddenly seem to show a startling lack of knowledge about the gift's recipient, I for one always seem to be given a bathroom set that has a large bottle of bubble bath or bath salts, of course  this would be lovely if I only had a bath!! We live in a very small bungalow and as space is at a premium we have only ever had a shower in the bathroom, something you would think friends and family alike would notice when they visit. I know you will be thinking 'It's the thought that counts' but I'm sorry, when there has been no though put into the gift then I would sooner have a warm handshake or a cuddle from someone than a gift that has been given with no consideration to you at all. Whoever I buy a gift for, whether it's a token gift for a work-mate or a more expensive present for a loved one, I spend all my time thinking about what to get them, I want people to know that they mean something to me, not that they have just about managed to remember my name!

Gosh, you must be thinking I am the world's worst Scrooge by now but I can assure you, I DO enjoy the day usually (assuming Jo an I haven't been sent to our bed by some mystery virus - something that has happened too often to be funny!), I love the exchanging of gifts with my wife, the most thoughtful person I have ever had the pleasure to know, I love visiting my Goddaughters to give them their gifts and I even love the huge Sunday dinner that comes with all the trappings!, but if the Government were to announce tomorrow that Christmas had been cancelled then I don't think I would lose any sleep over it.

I'm sorry if this little rant  upsets you in any way but I feel I have to tell it like it is here, this is my chance to let you know what I really think. If you want to let me know what you think then please leave me a comment, I love hearing from you.

Before I go I must say a big thank you and a hello to my latest followers,

so until next time,

Hugs 'n Stuff,

take care,

Andy

x o x o

Entered Into:
Cards Und More Challenge #94 - Baby, It's Cold Outside
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes/Put A Snowflake On Your Card
Crafty Sentiment Designs Challenge - Christmas
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #10 - Make It Fancy
Sweet Stamps Challenge #144 - Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door Challenge - Nov 19 - 25th Anything Goes
Try It On Tuesday Challenge - White On White
Anonymous Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #68 - Anything Goes/Friendship
The Crafty Bloggers Challenge - Christmas
Created With Love Challenge #67 - Anything Goes
Creative Creations Challenge #63 - Sparkle And Shine