Getting into the spirit

I haven't disappeared totally....honest. Recently I have felt absolutely exhausted and I am counting down until I am on holiday. 2 more weeks to go until I have a week off. I can't wait. I may or may not be off to Poland, I will need to wait to see.

After reading Kool Kitty Musings blog I started to listen to Pink Martini's Christmas album on Spotify. I dare you not to feel Christmassy as you listen to it and sprinkle glitter! So I have started to add some more cards to the stash for next month.
I went a bit mad with the embossing powder and stickles. I love the Ranger Icicles stickle! It really does shine.

Stamps: Papermania Christmas Sentiments, PTI Out on a limb, Hero Arts Happy Hello,
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Old Paper, Brick Red, Versamark
Gold embossing powder, Ranger Stickles-Icicle
Luggage tag
Red and White Bakers Twine

Stamps: Hero Arts Happy Hello, Papermania Christmas Sentiments, Stars-Docrafts.
Inks: Distress Ink-Peeled Paint, Marigold, Brick Red, Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black
Clear embossing powder, Ranger Stickles-Icicle
Red and White Bakers Twine

A few others :)-I love this owl by Hero Arts.

I am loving this large Christmas tree stamp by Docrafts. Works great when embossing. Despite using a dust buddy I still have problems with little bit of stray embossing powder. 

Stamps: Shortie Winter Stacks-Stampmania, PTI Beyond Basic Borders,
Versamark ink, white embossing powder, Tumbled Glass Distress ink, Red Grosgrain ribbon-selection from The Range. 

Simple card but I am liking the simplicity. I may have to make this one on mass. 

A selection of Christmas tags using a range of techniques.
Stamps: Selection from Stampin' Up, PTI and Papermania.

The Range in Swansea finally has started to sell Kraft cards....whoop. As much as I like the Stampin' Up Kraft I bought recently, I don't have a trimmer big enough at the moment, so the card I have found is fab. 

So over the next few weeks I am making a concerted effort to get all my cards done. I am aiming to start making my holiday hampers as well for my family. I have bought a few bits for some of the family but ultimately I will be making some goodies this year. I have found a recipe for some Jalapeno Jelly....never seen it before...perhaps I have led a sheltered life! I have bought some ultra cute Kilner jars for it already and this weekend I will get glooping. 

I have also decided to have a go at making my first scrapbook. Tis a little daunting...daft I know. When I used to stay with my gran when I was little, she bought me a scrapbook to fill with memories of our trips and days together. I used to love filling it with all sorts of stuff. Now 25 years later I am sat here staring at a little chipboard book and wondering where to start. If anyone has any suggestions then please let me know. I bought some delicious Cosmo Cricket paper and wondering what to do first. I have some amazing photographs stashed away which I would love to use. I would love to do a Christmas journal but wondering if I have left it to late to get it all set up. I will let you know how I get on.