Sunday 22 December 2013

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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16 comments:

  1. Happy Christmas and Yule for you too:) I had a nice Yule walk yesterday feeding birds and animals. Your mother is very talented. Dancing lady looks so happy and cheerful. I love you Robin and the reindeer. There are so many details to look at. Just beautiful! -Niina

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    1. Thank you Niina! I really appreciate your kind comments :) I'm glad you managed to find some time for a lovely walk on Yule! Best wishes to you and your family this festive season! Hugs from Shroo :) x

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  2. Oh my, I now know where your awesome talent comes from! I absolutely love your mum's Yule Dancing Lady! Yule sounds like a tradition that would be both fun and meaningful for me to adopt. Your robin and reindeer are simply fantastic! I am always stunned by your immense talent-with painting, drawing, and whatever you create. Your art is amazing! It's magical really-the way you capture the tiny things within the larger object. I'm reminded of Jan Brett, who writes and illustrates children's books in a similar style. She was one of my favorites when I was teaching kids, and their favorite as well. I can't imagine how you could stress over any of the art you create, it's so beautiful. Yet isn't that what artists do? I hope your Christmas is joyful and look forward to the beautiful treasures you create in 2014. Hugs to you and your mum!

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    1. Thank you so much! Yule IS a beautiful thing - far removed from the commercialism that so plagues this season. Mum and I decided long ago that we would make things for each other and spend money, when it's available, on days out as we figure we most likely have enough STUFF to last us a million lifetimes! It's made Christmas time SO much better! My mum's art has always inspired me - as has she, not that she believes me - and without her encouragement I'd probably not have a great deal of confidence in my own abilties. I'm so glad people like her work - I have photos of the things she made me for Christmas - just GUESS what I'll be blogging soon!! HA! Look forward to your awesome art in 2014 - i have absolutely no doubt that you will be EPIC! - hugs from Shroo:)x

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  3. Oh I love how you celebrated Yule! Your Mums gift is just gorgeous and so HAPPY! Your robin and deer are... Well, just jaw dropping good. Hope you have an amazing Christmas Shroo - so pleased to have found you this year 😃:)

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    1. Thank you SO MUCH, Carmen!! I am so glad you like them! It's been awesome finding you and your FABULOUS blog this year - thank you hugely for your support with mine. Can't wait to see your 2014 posts! Big hugs for a spectacular new year - Shroo:)x

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  4. Oh my gosh! Your moms drawing is just WONDERFUL! amazing!
    An I adore this Zentangles...
    the best I ever saw!

    Happy Holidays !
    So glad that I found you and your wonderful artwork in blogland !
    xoxoxo
    Susi

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    1. Thank you Susi! I feel just the same about your artwork! Can't tell you how much of a boost the comments here have been to my mum - which is the best of gifts! I really appreciate your support and I look forward to seeing your art in 2014. Great big hug from Shroo:)x

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  5. Oh yes, Shroo, she is so beautiful and so are your gorgeous zantangles too. You have such a lovely personal style and I love to visit when I can. Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blog.

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    1. Thank you so much for your support - and for sharing your stunning work with all of us on your blog. It's incredibly beautiful! I'm so looking forward to seeing your work in 2014 ! Hugs from Shroo:)x

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  6. The robin is so beautiful! And I love your mum's Yule Dancer! A Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment - your wonderful blog really cheers me up when I visit! Can't wait to see more of your great art in 2014! Hugs from Shroo:)

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  7. You left a seasons greeting at the Three Muses which brought me to your gorgeous Blog. Thankyou so much and best wishes to you and your family for the season and for the New Year to come. Your mother's drawings are exquisite.

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    1. My mum is EPIC! She's an amazing artist - completely original. I lover her so much and it's so great to see that people have enjoyed her art here on this blog! Thank you squillions for your comment - and for the Three Muses blog, which is totally fabulous! Best wishes for 2014 - hugs from Shroo:)x

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  8. Your dancing girl is cute and whimsical but I adore your bird & reindeer they are fabulous...thank you for following my blog I will enjoy dropping in on you to see what your doing next.

    Have a very Happy New Year.

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    1. Aww! Thank you so much Deann! That's a lovely comment - I love your blog and your art and I can't wait to see your new projects in 2014 - big hugs - Shroo:)x

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