It's A Very Merry Christmas!!

HELLO LOVELY!

I'm so sorry to have been away - SOOOOOOO busy!! You know how it is at this time of year... I hope you're all well and not TOO frazzled with all the rushing about. Just three full days to finish those gifts before Christmas...... No pressure......

AAAAARRRRRGGGHHH!!! Can I have another week please, Universe?

SO - I'm taking this last opportunity to write a festive Cristmas blog post for you with a bit of artwork you've not seen, just so I don't feel uber guilty! First of all, yesterday I quietly celebrated Yule, which was lovely. I opened all the windows and doors - which was chilly! - and lit candles and mum brought a Yule logs decorated with yew, holly, ivy and mistletoe and lovely ribbons.  We do give Yule gifts - and we try and make them if we can. I made mum some jewellery which was based on the gorgeous white berry trees we saw on our day out a couple of weeks ago. I forgot to take pictures for you - I am a moron....  My mum painted me an AWESOME picture - a Yule dancing lady!

 Isn't she beautiful? I love my mum's unique and gorgeous art. She's been drawing and painting for me pretty much since the day I was born! I don't think there's been a Christmas, birthday, Easter or ANY celebration that's not been accompanied by something she's either painted or made for me! She's AWESOME - thank you, mum! I love you SQUILLIONS!! xxxx

I STILL can't show you any of my stuff at the moment, but here are a couple of piccies from last year's projects that I hope you'll like.

A 'Merry Christmas!' robin! ....and his reindeer buddy -

I'll have to get back into doing more of these in the new year... I promised myself I'd have a new portfolio by April.... ahahaha...... don't hold your breath!

Anyway - hope you like these. I'll link up to the 'Inspiration Avenue' website and their Christmas challenge. They're FABULOUS people and there's such a wealth of talent on display there.

I'd like to wish you ALL a WONDERFUL time, whatever festival you celebrate. I wish you happiness and joy for you and your families - including pets! May your festive meals cook to perfection, may your gifts be loved and may there be no arguments, hangovers or breakages! A great big hug goes out to all of you. I'll be back after Christmas with a project catch-up and festive piccies too, no doubt!  Have fun! Fa-la-la-la-laaaaa!!!   Shroo :) xxx

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A Visit from St. Nicholas

By Clement Clarke Moore

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blixen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

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