My Family & Other Animals

Wednesday 20 November 2013

"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

22 comments:

  1. Stunning, beautiful white on white, love, thanks for joining us at Fan-tastic Tuesday this week

    ReplyDelete
  2. thank you for joiing us at TIOT with your beautiful creation.EE

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow .. beautiful ... thank you for joining TTCRD this week.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love all the white details, just a great take on the challenge. Thanks for playing with us at TIOT.
    Hugz, Z

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a gorgeous card, love the white on white it is just so elegant looking. Thanks for sharing this week at Created with love Challenges Anything goes.
    Linda K. DT

    ReplyDelete
  6. A lovely card, a really super layout. Thank you for joining us on the TIOT challenge. Hugs Bee

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stunning card! Thanks for joining at Cards and More: Baby It's Cold Outside
    Hugs
    Dewi

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow what a fab creation, thank you for sharing it with us over at Fan-Tastic Tuesday hope you will join us again next week....
    Hugs
    Suzy B
    XX

    ReplyDelete
  9. so beautiful card
    thanks for playing with us at crafty sentiments
    hugs
    céline

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the WOW...white on white. Great looking card. Thanks for joining our Anything Goes Challenge at Created With Love Challenges

    ~~Chris

    ReplyDelete
  11. wow just stunning.
    thanks for joining us at created with love challenges, good luck and hope to see you again
    caroline
    cwlc dt

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love all the layering and the coloring on this card! Beautiful! Thanks for joining us at Clear It Out Challenge blog, best of luck!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You card is lovely! Love the blue ink for the sentiment and the charm. Love the thought of a day beginning with a little alcohol before shopping- hehehe I am with you about putting thought into a gift and a gift being appreciated. I have to say- I miss it though- the kids are not all going to be home this year : ( One daughter is in China...... I always tried to instill in the kids the "True" meaning of Christmas- the rest is frosting...... I hope you will have a wonderful day despite all of the fluff : ) Thanks for sharing with us at SweetStamps.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fantastic your card. I like the white you used.
    Thanks for joining us at Anonymous Stamps.
    xxx Michelle (DT)

    ReplyDelete
  15. fabulous white on white Christmas Card, love the die cuts and layering. Thank you for joining us for the Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge.

    Sylv xx
    Crafty Bloggers Network DT

    ReplyDelete
  16. Simply gorgeous. I love the white with the smidge of blue! Wonderful holiday color combination…the snowflake and the musical embossing is such a wonderful touch! Happy I stopped by today! Thanks for sharing with us at Sweet Stamps!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful whit-on-white project!
    Thanks for sharing at FSC !
    xxx Ellie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous white on white creation!! Just lovely!! :) :) Thank you for joining us @ Crafty Sentiments “Christmas” challenge!!
    Nicole’s Craft Nook
    Nicole’s YUM YUM BLOG Candy

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Andy, what a wonderfull Christmas Card in white. So many wonderful details, it is great.

    We are very happy that you take part at the Cards und More Challenge. To participate in the draw of the prize and the Top 3, you have to follow the challenge rules. Unfortunately, you have joined more than 5 challenges simultaneously in total and cannot take part in the draw this time. I am so sorry. We would be delighted if you join in again next time :-)

    Hugs Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is just beautiful - love your design! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Crafty Sentiments and good luck! Rachel x

    ReplyDelete
  21. A true WOW! card Andy, stunning embellishments and design. Thanks for sharing with us at Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenges. Caz

    ReplyDelete
  22. All the white on white is gorgeous! Thankyou for joining us this month at Crafty Bloggers Network
    Geraldine M
    CBN DT

    ReplyDelete

Please feel free to leave a comment, I welcome constructive criticism.