Creative Color Challenge 2012

I've just signed up to the Creative Color Challenge 2012 over at Louise Gale's blog - on the 1st of each month, Louise will post a colour palette to use for that month's challenge. I thought it was about time I moved away from neutrals or blues in my crafting, so hoping this will help to get my creative tastebuds salivating ;-)

If you want to join me, pop on over to Louise's blog

Crafty Wish List 2011/2012

I really want to get back into my crafting & photography next year, recording the memories we'll be making, so I've spent a little while today thinking about bits and bobs which will help - I never have been one for subtle hints!

So, here's the start of my list .... it may well be added to as the year goes on!

Photo Studio Kit for perfect still life shots and photos of my finished projects

2012 Memory Logbook & Challenge Combo (Download) to keep track of those memories as they are made .... GOT IT!!!

Becky Higgins 'Project Life' products - Turquoise Edition Core Kit, Album and a selection of different pages

Canon EOS DSLR with 18-55mm and 75-300mm Lenses - ok, may be pushing my luck a bit here!

That'll do for a start ;-)

A very eventful day!

It's beginning to feel more like Christmas in the Maynard house. This morning was Church Parade at the Christingle Service - this isn't held at our church so it was a little different ... a mix of the modern worship I now love, and the traditional service I grew up with. It seems that the church have been working their way through the nativity story during advent, and today was the arrival of the Shepherds and Angels. Lots of the children had dressed up for the occasion, and all came to the front of the church during the story - very interactive, with those of us left in the pews adding the sound effects for the 'wild and stormy night', the Angel's singing, and the lamb baa-ing lol. Once the Christingles had been passed around and lit, the lights were dimmed as we sang the Christingle Song - can't remember the words as I was seriously distracted by the wonderous looks on Toby and Ross' faces as they held their candles!

When Ian got home, we put up the Christmas Tree - the living room is still a tip, but the boys couldn't wait any longer. I started a new tradition in our family last year - one which Mum has been doing for a few years, and that's adding a few new decorations to the tree each year. This year's additions included a little snow globe each - one saying 'Merry Christmas Joseph', one 'Merry Christmas James' and one saying 'Special Mum & Dad'. I also bought one for Freya for her First Christmas.

So, another crafty project needs to be started ... an album of photos of our growing decoration collection!

Speaking of crafty projects, it looks like my JYC2011 album entries will be on an 'as-and-when' basis, as daily entries are not flowing - lots going on at the moment which is not crimbo related which is taking my focus elsewhere. But I'm sure it will make just as fabulous a memory!

JYC Day 7 - Making Her List, Checking It Twice!

So much to do, so little time!

This year I wanted Christmas to be organised and stress-free - ha ha ha! I'm now convinced that those two words don't exist in my world! I still have SO much left to do, so maybe a To Do List is in order:-

1. Finish making Christmas Cards and get them in the post

2. Finish buying pressies

3. Buy wrapping supplies and start wrapping pressies already bought

4. Clear living room so we can get the tree up

5. Presents and cards for teachers

6. Visit the Christmas Tree Festival at Christ Church

7. Photograph the local lights

8. Food shopping for New Year's Eve

9. Clean kitchen ready for Christmas cooking

10. Make Gingerbread House with the boys

11. ENJOY CHRISTMAS!

JYC Day 4 - Christmas Shopping

I don't know why, but I can never feel festive doing the Christmas Shopping. Maybe it's because we schlap around the same shopping centres and into the same shops which we go into all year round. Yes, they make great efforts with decorations and such, but it just doesn't feel special for me.

Next year, I plan to book a Christmas Shopping Weekend to one of the Christmas Markets in Europe. They look so amazing and festive with all those stalls displaying their wares - I look at the photos and can almost smell and taste the gorgeous, edible goodies ... wonder if they are taking bookings for next year yet?

Journal Your Christmas 2011

Hmmm - so far, not so good :-( JYC2011 started over at Shimelle's website on 1st December ..... it's now the 9th and I've only just completed the first page. I know that this project is designed to have no pressure, but I'd like to at least get my thoughts down on paper, even if the pages aren't actually crafted. So, I intend to spend today catching up on the prompts, and adding my thoughts on here. So, prepare to be bombarded with blog entries ;-)

Attitude of Gratitude

Well, September came and went .... I started my Learn Something New Every Day album, completed the first 7 days and that was it :-(

I'm a little disappointed with myself, but I guess life just gets in the way sometimes. So, I'm a little wary about starting another longterm project ..... but I'm going to give it a go anyway!

So, I'll be joining in with Attitude of Gratitude 2011 over at PrecociousPaper. I'm planning to tie it in with a bit of bible study as well, so November should be a truly uplifting and thought-provoking month.

If you'd like to join us, pop on over to the PrecociousPaper blog ;-)