Christmas Layouts - using Stampin' Up! products

Christmas traditions

So each year we put up 2 trees...the main tree in the loungeroom and another in the familyroom...The main on is my tree...did you ever want a tree that looked like something out of the store???I always have so I bought myself one...the other is equally beautiful and hosts all the decorations that didn't quite make the cut for the main tree...you know the pasta wreath and the peg people and donkeys...all those tresures that the children have long given up on but I still love to see them...even in their tattered little state.



Not the best photos but you get the idea.















and here's is the main tree during the day...a little worse for wear this year because the children decorated it the other day.

Sneak Peek..Title page for Christmas Traditions Album

I still need to add a couple of photos




Products Used:
Papers:SU dashing paper/Always Artichoke base cardstock
Lettering:Li'l Davis designs strawberry chipboard letters coated with SU crystal effects
" JOY' American Crafts thickers platform chipboard letters inked with SU Old Olive and coated with crystal effects
'Numbers' American Crafts thickers platform chipboard numbers coated with Kindyglitz
Stickers: CM clear sticker
Scenic route festive stickers
Christmas circles...Teresa Collins " 'tis the season"
Generic Buttons
SU Red brad
Square punch

Christmas traditions

Dec 2nd and the tradition continues...
Eleanor celebrates her birthday on the 2nd Dec and to continue with another family tradition we always turn our Christmas lights on today.

Christmas traditions

Dec 1st The TREE!
I've broken with tradition and allowed my children to decorate the main tree...My Tree....eek
We have 2 trees....Our old, old tree and the new one 10' tall and very lush and each year I change the colour...but this year when I pulled the purple decorations out I fell in love with them again..so purple it is....
So here I am getting ready to decorate the tree when the children came in and said can we help...we've finished ours....hmm OK
my poor tree is now reduced in size (they squished the top and is also lopsided and doesn't even have all the dec's on...they got bored....
Next morning down they come exclaiming the TREE looks dreadful and "Mum you'll have to fix it" ho hum....

Christmas traditions

I really need to play catch up
Nov 30th more decorating
Each year the children get to buy a musical fluffy toy.....they now take pride of place above the TV cabinet (mainly so they're out of the way and I don't have to hear them constantly)














Another Tradition we have, is our little village...we add a new store each year.

And our last one for today is our little Nativity scene....For some reason the children love to play around with this tiny scene...every morning something has been moved...baby Jesus often finds himself in the Village Scene, at other times the sheep is the focus of every one's attention.

Christmas traditions

Nov 29th and more decorating...
Santa and Rudolph are out and ready, as are the stockings all hung in a row....we have a little tradition in our house...every living creature gets a stocking right down to the smallest member "Bandit" the ferret

Christmas traditions

So I'm starting my Christmas Traditions Album and want to share the journey with you all.
From now until the 24th Dec I will be taking pics everyday...then I will be placing them into a new Christmas Traditions Album.
So I actually started a couple of days ago and here are the first pics.
Nov 27th.....getting the decorations out....



Nov 28th....the first Decorations are hung!
I handmade this wreath (well nearly)....it's one of my pride and joys...can you see the little bird? isn't it gorgeous and the bejeweled flowers aren't they divine.
I"ll be back I need to photograph the bird for Lita!

Creating a Christmas Tradition

Come join me create a Days till Christmas Album or a Countdown to Christmas Album...you choose the title.
Are you a Christmas lover?? Like me!
Do you love everything about Christmas? the crowds, the shopping and finding that special or elusive gift for that certain person?
Do you love the moment you find the right tree?
What about switching those lights on for the first time...to see the look on the childrens faces...brings joy to my heart..... I love it.
Do you have a special tradition you do each year? mine is getting the tree up by the 2nd (my DD's birthday) and also shopping with my children to buy their special Christmas decoration for the tree.
Do you bake? I make the best fruit mince pies...I can't make enough and I give them as gifts.
Do you hand make you own cards and small gifts?

Well, why not join me in creating a days till Christmas and beyond album this year?
Starting is easy: all you need to do to start is start taking a photo/photos everyday day until you bring your tree down after Christmas...

When you have the time to get them developed do so and start scrapping.

I'm going to post everyday from today letting you know where I'm at.
So today I'm going to show you what I've been up to...making gifts etc..some you've already seen other will be new,
On the 1st you will see photos of our outdoor lights going up and being turned on that night.
On the 2nd you'll see photos of DD's birthday and the trimming of the trees (we have 2)
The 3rd more cardmaking and special gift making and so on until we take or tree and lights down for another year.....
So come along for the ride and start a tradition all your own.
Oh and BTW...I'm not going to post my completed layouts until after Christmas.... that way O can share my whole album all at once.
Share yours and receive a special gift.