DOING LIFE

CHRISTMAS ... The Best of Times

This creation has been entered for the following challenges:

• 2 Sketches 4 You: Laura's Sketch 38
• Papertake Weekly Challenge: Sketch 27
• Daring Cardmakers: Getting Punchy With It
• The Pixie Cottage: Celebration

I was so excited when the Postman delivered my gorgeous November Kit all the way from the Netherlands to me here in Johannesburg, South Africa. Having seen my fellow design team members' gorgeous creations over at the Monthly Card Kit Club, I was just itching to receive my design team goodies. Thank you so much Karin. So, no time was wasted creating with all the yummy goodies in this month's kit.

The only items on this creation that was not in the kit, are the 4 orange brads and the plain pink and teal cardstock forming the outside border of the card. The 'best of times' circle was stamped with an acrylic stamp from my personal stash. The circle embellishments were created with 3 circle punches and it was a joy to sand the edges of the various double sided patterned cardstock in this kit.

Once again two sketch inspirations got me started with this card i.e. Laura's Sketch #38 over at 2 Sketches 4 You and this week's sketch #27 challenge over at Papertake Weekly.

Must say, it was quite strange creating a winter themed Xmas card as we celebrate Xmas here in South Africa, right in the middle of a sizzling summer.

... And I am sure you will all be glad to hear that Mr & Mrs Wagtail are excellent parents. They have been feeding and caring for their two bambinos round the clock and the chicks' eyes has opened Sunday afternoon and today (Thursday) they are very aware of what's going on around them and moving around in the nest all the time. It is just so difficult to get decent photos of the chicks due to the nest perching up high between thorny aloe leaves. Loads of scratch marks on my hands are proof of this. Its an absolute miracle that the chicks are in such a healthy state as they have already survived numerous electric thunder storms combined with pouring rain and gusty winds. I think us humans can learn a great deal from the Wagtails when it comes to selecting the perfect location for building our homes.

I got a really nice award from the lovely Tesa!

The rules are - I need to pass this award to five people, post on their blog that I left this award, and then I need to answer a list of questions in one word. Here goes:

1. Where is your cell phone? Next to me
2. Your hair? Washed yesterday
3. Your mother? Passed away in 1999
4. Your father? Passed away in 1997
5. Your favorite food? Fillet with mushroom sauce
6. Your dream last night? DH going for a nose job
7. Your dream/goal? Becoming a sought after photographer
8. Your favorite drink? Cuppocino
9. What room are you in? My Creative Studio
10. Your hobby? Gardening
11. Your fear? Motor Car Accident
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Loving the space I am in right now
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren't? Fashion conscious
15. Muffins? Fat Free
16. Wish list item? 35cm Digital Photo Frame
17. Where did you grow up? On a farm in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
18. Last thing you did? Baked Fat Free Muffins
19. What are you wearing? Tracksuit
20. Your TV? Not a Plasma
21. Your Pets? My Darling Husband
22. Friends? A few for life
23. Your life? Perfect
24. Your mood? Very Positive and Optimistic
25. Missing Someone? Parents
26. Vehicle? Toyota Auris
27. Something your not wearing? High heel shoes
28. Your favorite store? Local Craft Shop
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? This morning
31. Last time you cried? Sunday
32. Your best friend? A few
33. One place that I go to over and over? Cathedral peak in the Drakensberg
34. Facebook? Not a huge fan

Favorite place to eat? Europa

And here are five lovely people I want to pass it on to:

1. Michelle
2. Lynette
3. Cathy
4. Helen
5. Sophia

   Thanks again for the love you are all spreading here at Doing Life. Every comment is truly appreciated.