My version of 'Twas the night before Christmas.

It has been raining off and on almost all week. The temperatures have been unseasonably warm and it never did feel like Christmas.

Here it is Boxing Day, Christmas is gone and it still is raining.

I wrote this up as a bit of satire on my present situation.

'Tis the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Silence has settled 'cept the slide of my mouse.
No stockings, no chimney, I don't care
I know that St. Nicholas will never be there.

My children are nestled all snug in their homes,
Where my grand kitties reign and constantly roam.
I have no 'kerchief and Dad lost his cap.
I sit here a pondering tap tap...tap tap.

Now out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I hobbled in pain.
I forgot...should have grabbed that darn old cane.

The moon reflects off the sodden ground,
While I try to fathom, "What IS that sound?"
When what do I see but two cats in a fight,
All teeth and claws, flying fur. What a sight!

Not Dasher nor Dancer! Not Pancer or Vixen!
Not Comet, nor Cupid, nor Donner, or Blitzen.
Unless they were named by some Christmasy mind,
Hissing and spitting their yowls combined.

Shaking my head, I leave the scene
To power down my computer screen.
I checked once more on the warring feline,
Everything seems normal, quiet and fine.

With one leap the tiger lands on the sill
Grinning at me through the glass as cats will.
A flick of his whisker and a twist of his head
Reminds me how I was headed to bed.

But I exclaim, before he dove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night."

No new Christmas cards

This is the 1st year I have not made Christmas cards to send all my family and friends since hubby retired from the Army way back in 1994. That means for 20 years I have produced any number of cards to send out. One year I even made some for my daughter to use. (that year I made over 150 cards with no two being exactly alike).

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas

 and a safe and healthy New Year.

Time is flying by even faster.

Thanksgiving was a blast. Son-in-law cooked with a few added tasty tidbits contributed by Ashley and Diane. Yummmmmm!!! Played a few games and decorated onesies for the baby shower.

Finished up my Whole page Christmas.

It looked like this before I added popped images, pearls and paperclips.

It still seems a bit plain. I think I will get out the glitter pen.

5 golden ring paperclips for her to use wherever.

Time is Flying

Here it is already November and I do not have my Christmas cards made. I have handmade my cards since we retired here in '94. Even that 1st Christmas, when we had to live with Mom and Bill, I made them. This year it seems so hard to get started. Hard to get started on anything.

Swap-bot worked as inspiration for a while but lately I have had to push myself to finish some of the swaps I found appealing enough to join.

I did make another "Whole page First Snow" pocket page even though we are highly unlikely to see snow here until January. But ........

This is the layout unadorned.

I ended up removing the "Let it Snow" sign because its metal was digging into the plastic of the pockets. I didn't want them damaged.

I love the snowflake paperclips I made from paper fasteners and paperclips. I just had to add a bit of ultra suede (same smooth finish but thinner than felt) to the backs to keep them from being scratchy. The 1st picture is of the backs before I added the suede. 

The clips add just enough pizzazz to the pockets to keep them interesting. Plus my partner can remove them to use elsewhere.

New idea and new project.

I put these pics on two of the groups I follow on Facebook and met with some enthusiasm. Guess I am headed in the right direction.

I have begun another pocket Advent Calendar for someone special. I used 3 pocket pages taped together using Terrifically Tacky Tape®. Each of the top 24 pockets holds a 2½ x 3½ envelope folded from silver Origami paper. I will add numbers and decorations to the fronts and post it here later. The bottom 3 pockets will hold my Christmas greeting. (The last thing I will do before sending it off will be to fill the pockets with goodies.)

Wall hanging pocket Advent Calendar.

Detail of the back of the pockets.

I plan to reinforce the "top" edge and add a ribbon through the holes so it can be hung on the wall.

Upper edge must be strong to hold up the weight of the goodies added to the pockets. I think tying on a dowel will do it.

After the season, when all the goodies are gone, The calendar can be folded up and placed in a binder with other Pocket Letters. It could even be reused next year.

Folded in thirds.

Anyone wanting to make one of these please feel free to go right ahead. I would like to see pictures of your end results.

Okay, two things.

I have this upcoming swap for an Advent calendar Pocket Letter. (actually three PLs) Being an eager beaver I have managed to make all three already. Since they are not going to the same person I made the three different. They all started out as ATC sized gold envelopes before I decorated the fronts.

I have been having this idea rumbling around in my head for some time and finally today I did it. My Minion is cute but I think he needs limbs and maybe hair. If I do this again I am going to use denim printed paper and not paper backed denim. (it ends up being too thick) I might even construct goggles for him instead of using printed ones.

Still contemplating this one. Need to let it stew a bit.

Halloween Whole Page PL

I finished it......well......so far. I am having visions of various black cats roaming around and taking naps on shelves. Anyway, here it is;

I added a lot of different types of stickers, a few paperclips, a bit of ribbon and some (NOT WASHI) tape. I hope whoever gets it enjoys it. Instead of messing up the profile by adding things to the pockets I have decided to add a separate packet for them tucked inside the bigger envelope. (The only way to mail this is flat.) See if you can spot all the changes, additions.