Ho ho ho!!

That's what I imagine Santa would have said if he'd seen me at the bottom of the stairs in the wee hours of this morning!! Woke up in a blind panic that I'd left the outdoor lights on and went hairing downstairs in the dark - only our malamute insists on sleeping at the bottom of the stairs (we call her 13th step) so I knew I had to avoid her. Being one step higher than I thought I was and full of that rotten boomerang cold again an ungraceful swandive then occurred resulting in some large bruises (to my body and ego!!) It's a definite Hels story, which is thoroughly appropriate as my final post before Christmas includes my entry to her Sunday Stamper Holly challenge.

As ever the UK has no sunlight (plenty of rain if anyone wants some!!) so apologies for the artificial lighting.

Elements for this include holly from my altered yellow card, another postcard image from the fabulous Astrid and some metal foil splurged with red pepper and oregano alcohol inks (sounds more like a pizza topping!)

That Basic Grey paper has worked well this year and it's been good to play with other tag tying options such as this fab glitter ribbon and some basic string lightly inked.

The background is quite subtle for me. The mustard Mulberry paper was way too strong so a touch of green pearl WOW embossing powder over DI Peeled Paint and a slosh of Picket Fence Stain/DI Walnut Stain edging made the world of difference.

I'm squeezing in one final challenge piece for Anything But A Card Challenge - Seasonal Holiday.

The central panel was made using Tim Holtz' alcohol ink resist technique (Compendium of Curiosities 2) and the whole bag used stamps from Creative Expressions.

Lots of Cosmic Shimmer mists were used on plain card and I used Sue Wilson's faux pearl idea too.

Have to say I am a fan of the detail you get when using WOW embossing powders.

Some quick heads up - Create and Craft are selling off a Ferro set for £10 and The Range have Papermania mini alphabet stamp sets for a huge £1!!!!

And finally (thank goodness I hear you cry) a huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to follow me and leave comments since my debut 9 months ago. It has been a rollercoaster ride that is SO on the up next year, and you have been the best bunch of crafting friends a gal could have. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you have the best Christmas ever and the New Year brings everything you wish for.

Huge Christmasy hugs, Jenny xxx