Winter Journals

I joined a Winter Journal swap quite a while ago and to be honest in the midst of all the apron and Christmas Swaps I also joined (what was I thinking!) I'd all but forgotten about it. Monday evening, after I'd gotten all the boxes packed and ready to be picked up, I sat down and started thinking about what I'd like to make for my partner. Thinking leads to going through my papers and my embellishments where I found the FAITH card. It spoke to me as there is so much going on in my life right now that there is little I can do about, except to have faith. I decided to put together a journal for myself and finished it in under an hour. Red, black and white have always been my colors. That still left me without a journal for my swap partner.

Back to my papers and embellishments I went! I pulled several sheets of silvery blues and pearly whites - all colors that reminded me of my Christmas tree. While I was looking for embellishments I remembered some vintage glittered words Murph and I uncovered in an antique/junque store last fall and wondered if I could remember where I had tucked them for safe keeping.
I found them in my sideboard, carefully wrapped in tissue and tied with a string. While I was at the sideboard, I noticed the little bowl of vintage rhinestone buttons (see the first picture) and thought why not!
I put this together, thinking it would be perfect to use this year to "Journal Our Christmas". The ribbon is some that I received from my partner in the Aqua & Red swap. While this is all very nice, it still left me with nothing for my swap partner. So, back to the papers I went.
Finally I came up with this. A very simple Winter Journal with some pearl and sequined flowers along the edge.
I like the idea of a clip on the top to hold a favorite photo, quote, or whatever inspires you to journal.

I have to admit, it felt good to be working with paper, glue, and goodies again! It's so much quicker for me to put together a paper piece than a sewn piece. That almost instant gratification is nice sometimes.

I've Been Busy. . . .

. . . helping Santa get ready for Christmas! My last Christmas swap is ready for the postman to pick up tomorrow. I have two boxes of Christmas cookies and Christmas goodies to send to Bryn in Afghanistan and one box of the same to go to my adopted soldier all ready to go, too.

My sweet little daughter-in-law, Amanda, came over yesterday and we spent the entire day baking cookies! Oh my gosh, dozens and dozens of cookies! Some were frosted, some were rolled in powdered sugar, one batch was bars and one had white chocolate and red cherries. They were lovely and I should have gotten a picture, but I was so busy trying to get everything ready to go, by the time I thought of it, it was too late! I sent some home with Amanda and saved a few for Murph and I, so maybe I'll think to get a picture later.

Our little tree is up, I put it up Saturday and had enough ornaments left over to decorate another little tree! Who knew you didn't need many ornaments to fully load a small tree! Certainly not me!

I hung our stockings this afternoon and have the Nativity ready to put up, just as soon as I decide where I want it.

I've finally decided on how I'm going to "Journal My Christmas" this year! With it just being Murph and I, and with Murph being in the hospital from the 8th - 15th, I'm not going to have as much time or probably as much to write or as many pictures to take, but I still want to document it. Today I put together a nice little composition book that I can put in my purse and carry with me so I can keep my journaling current. Later, after Murph is home and things quiet down, I can go into my studio and put together an album - or not - whichever works best this year!

Maybe some pictures tomorrow!