Yes it's that time of year again when we are all running round like headless chickens trying to make cards and gifts, buy cards and gifts, organise family parties, cook delicious treats 24/7 and stuff enough food into our cupboards to keep the population of a small town from being hungry and generally being stressed, tired, irritable and worried.....
Usually at this time of the year I am doing and feeling ALL of the above - BUT NOT THIS YEAR - OH NO!!!
Don't get me wrong - I really love it when my family gets together to exchange pressies and eat huge meals and drink copious amounts of alcohol whilst playing all those games that we play only at Christmas....but this year Ed and I are GOING AWAY!!!!
Oh my word...can this really be true?
Indeed - my Dad is going to my Sister's for Christmas, my youngest, who generally comes home for the festive season is taking a couple of weeks to travel and savour the delights of India and the rest of the family are doing their own thing.....so....we are taking the opportunity to OPT OUT of Christmas this year and the relief is HUGE!!!!
So after 35(ish) years of 'doing' Christmas for the family - this year Ed and I will be spending the festive season in a small hotel on the Cornish coast being looked after and pampered.
We shall not even be putting up decorations (apart from a few fairy lights and the cards we receive) and all pressies will be delivered to their destinations before the appointed time and we shall see our grandchildren a few days after Santa has visited them with our own gifts for them.
I can't really believe this is happening and we are so looking forward to this break.
So....not much left for me to do...most pressies have been bought online (I hate to shop in town), and the rest I have made and I have been making Christmas cards too...here's a sample...
I didn't buy any new Christmas Stamps this year. These were made using the Arabesque 2 clear flourish stamps from Artemio and the little snowflake stamps are from Cardi-O. The sentiment is an Anna Griffin stamp...
...This sentiment is by Inkadinkado...
...and this was the free stamp from last month's Craft Stamper magazine...
...and I used up some remnants from last year's Winter Wonderland Speciality paper pad from K & Company...with added doodling...
So I am ready for Christmas now...just have to write my cards and wrap some pressies.
The whole experience, this year, has been so LIBERATING!!! I wonder if I can persuade Ed to do it again next year........
I'm sorry if I'm sounding SMUG - but I am....
Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x
12 comments:
Oh Well Done You! For those gorgeous Christmas cards AND for taking the plunge and doing things differently this year :) I can only dream..... Hope you have a wonderful time
Sounds fantastic - and I am sure you both deserve it. I am going to my brother's for Christmas this year - it will be hard obviously as normally I went to Mum's.... but it will be FAB to be with the "children" (11 and 15) and his in-laws too, so a crowd - just what we all need I think. Oh, and I love your cards - so simple and elegant. That flourish is fab.... well done you on having done your shopping. Not even thought about presents yet - and only got about a dozen cards made... yikes!!!
Wow, stunning cards yet so simple. I gave up doing Christmas after my daughter had her second child, we now travel down to Essex for Christmas and New Year, so just have to set the table, lol xx
Hi Lesley, Good for you about going away and having a "different" Christmas. I am like you and have done Christmas for over 35 years. I really could do with a break, it has been a very stressful year for us and it would be lovely for just hubby and I to get away.
By hook or by crook it will be us next year.
Loving your cards. Have you made any pressies you have done in the past? Will you show? I love looking at what you have made.
Kathy x
I am hosting Christmas this year, and I feel the pressure already, but thankfully my daughter is helping out big time. I don't know if I will get too much handmade things done though!
Your cards are so beautiful Lesley, you know I love them! I am so happy for you that you are getting away....you deserve it!
Smug, are you kidding.
I say, you have earned this, and I think you are going to have a wonderful time, good for you two. ENJOY...
You do things with paper my friend, like I have never seen...you are the paper princess....for sure. xo
These cards are gorgeous!!! Love them! You can be smug!!! It's all good!!!!
Yay!! Good for you guys!! I hope you really enjoy yourselves. And I love these cards, so pretty and elegant!!
xoEsther
Oh, Lesley, that sounds so wonderful for you all...I would SO love to do that..I don't want to wait 35 years thought!haha! I want to go too :)! Every year I think,"I wish we could do something different, but we wind up doing the same thing." I think you are going to have an incredible time! Hope you share some pics of the coast. :) Love your cards, love the one with the one red star so much!!
~Scarlett
Beautiful cards!
Good for yo. Sounds like a heavenly Christmas.
I just adore all your cards. Simply stunning!
These cards are wonderful!
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