12 Days of Christmas Challenge

 **This is an artsy Challenge I first posted in December 2010. Feel free to print off and enjoy!!

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.

- Harlan Miller

 12 Days of Christmas Project

Cover of my book

The point of this happy, little book is preserving some of your fondest Christmas memories along with using photos and supplies you already have. {you may wish to purchase a few items, but keep to a minimum}

I seem to have the most fun scrapping when I gather a basket of supplies, my photos and a few idea books and just start scrapping. For this project I am using a few different Christmas, word and alphabet stamps, glitter Christmas trees, rub-ons and stickers along with holiday patterned paper. The photos are from Christmas's past....some from my childhood mixed in with some of my children.  

Day 1

Day 1: What does Christmas mean to you? When do you get into the Holiday Spirit? Is it when you hear your favorite song, watch a beloved holiday classic or taste your first sip of eggnog?

The photo on this page is from 1979. It's me, at Grandma Jackson's house Christmas Eve. The journaling reads: "I love Christmas! It's a time for family, my fave music, kids out of school, seeing loved ones we haven't in years, Jesus Christ, our fave Christmas foods and movies! As I've gotten older Christmas is a time I reflect on my childhood. So many precious memories of 3211 Ave. J with me, Mom and Dad. I realize how special family traditions are...family times. I get into the Holiday Spirit best by listening to music. Everyday I blast carols throughout our home!:)"

Day 2

Day 2: Think about ways you can give that don't cost much. Is their a charity you help yearly or would like to start helping? Maybe you spend a few hours in a nursing home each year singing Christmas carols. Be sure and make a list of all you do or would like to do.

The photo on my Charity page is our family tree from my High School days. My journaling reads: "During this special time of giving, it's important to have Charity in our hearts for others. We will...*sing carols with the missionaries at the Sr. Center *visit at the nursing home. Feels Good!!!"

Day 3

Day 3: It just wouldn't be the Holidays without food, right? What are some of your fave food related memories from Christmas past? Do you have a traditional item you bake? Write a fave recipe down, maybe include a photo from your childhood or when your kids were small of you enjoying it.

My Mom has a real gift for table decorations so I had to do a page on that. I mean she goes all out! Journaling: "Grandma always creates a beautiful table for Christmas! I am grateful for her gift of decorating. It's festive and full of so much love."

Day 4: Share a typical childhood Christmas. From the smells, to the shows you watched, the way the house was decorated, etc. 

Day 4

My photos are from 1982. Many of our Christmas's were spent in our newly built upstairs. I can still smell the kerosene heater my parents used to heat it! Journaling: "Grinch on TV, sugar cookies with sprinkles only, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mom and Dad's anniversary Christmas Eve, decorating the tree, Dad putting $50 bills in a box full of bricks, waiting for Gram and Gramps, me waiting on the couch, looking out the window...her gingersnaps in a box with wax paper...."


Day 5: Make a list of your family favorite Holiday movies and TV specials. If you play games over break make a list of those, too.

Day 5

Journaling: Some of our Faves....Jim Carrey's "Grinch", Rudolph, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Jingle All the Way, Elf, Christmas Vacation, It's a Wonderful Life, Scrooged and Frosty. We ADORE movies!!! Every Holiday we play lots of games! Tripoly, Monopoly, Life, Uno and Skip Bo. The Best!"

Day 6: What is the absolute BEST gift you've ever given? Was it hand made by you? Or did you save the whole year long just for this one perfect gift? Who received it? What did they think? What about you? What is the most AMAZING gift you ever received? Who gave it to you? What made it soooo special?

Day 7: Christmas Carols. Some people love them, some hate them...I personally ADORE the music of the season and have my personal favorites. Make a list of your favorites...or share a few you can't stand. Be sure and share any special stories that go with the songs.

Day 8: If you could choose one treat to eat this time of year what would it be? Why? When did you first eat it? Who made/makes it? Is is now a tradition in your family?

Day 9: Describe your home THIS Christmas Season. What decorations are up? What decorates your tree? Do you like the handmade look or are you into lots of sparkle and the perfectly matched look? Is their a certain fragrance you like to have in your home during the Holidays?

Day 10: Where is your favorite place to celebrate the Season? Do you usually stay home or travel far away? 

Day 11: Share what your magical day would be like in a perfect world.

Day 12: What is on your Christmas Wish List this year? What about when you were a child? List everything!!

There you go...all 12 prompts to create a special little book!! I love doing projects like this...not only will I have something for generations to come but this is soooo easy and soooo do-able even during this hectic time. One photo per page, a few embellishments, journaling and your done! Please take time to get this done!

If you would like to use this years photos be sure and copy the prompts down for future reference. I will have this Challenge at a Tab up top.

One more thing...our WORD of the Week!!

DO

–verb (used with object)

1.

to perform (an act, duty, role, etc.): Do nothing until you hear the bell.

2.

to execute (a piece or amount of work): to do a hauling job.

3.

to accomplish; finish; complete: He has already done his homework.

4.

to put forth; exert: Do your best.

5.

to be the cause of (good, harm, credit, etc.); bring about; effect.

This week I encourage you to DO your best. Give your all in everything. Your family, your blog, your friendships, your Christmas Spirit!!

Be a DO-ER!!! 

What will you DO this week? 

Christmas Cheer

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.  ~W.T. Ellis

So yesterday's post just didn't sit well with me. I mean it was down right depressing. I was downright depressing.

Thanks, girls for all your comments.

I appreciated each of them and

am happy to report my attitude has been adjusted 

and I am now out of Crankville:)

At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year
~Thomas Tusser

Tomorrow {Saturday} we are headed to Church for our Branch Christmas Dinner Party. Looking forward to friends and feeling the Spirit of the Season. Then later on the family and I are putting our Christmas tree up while watching our favorite Holiday shows. I think we'll even create a few ornaments for the tree:)

Enjoy your weekend everyone. Oh and be sure and stop by Monday for Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. 

What are your plans for the weekend? Anything Christmas related? 

Bah Humbug!

 I come from the land of Swirly, Twirly...

CHAOS!

Not candy canes and lollipops...

Not peace and harmony.

Chaos!

Absolute Chaos.

And my Christmas Spirit?

BAH HUMBUG!

Now, this is not something I had planned. Heavens no. Traditionally Christmas is a magical time for me. But this year...not yet. 

I think there are several reasons for this Scroogy attitude.

1. I have been plagued with migraines and neck and face pain. UGH! There is hope though...today the pain has diminished considerable!!

2. Our home is a MESS. Seriously. So much clutter. I can't find anything...for example...I have photos to upload of my 12 Days of Christmas Challenge Book and I can't find the thingy I need to upload the photos to the computer...AAAACKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. We have a house full of hunters. {need i say more?}

4. Lots of running around to games and practices and responsibilites. I just want ONE day without one thing to do!!!!

5. I have been cutting calories all week so I am hungry which makes me head-achy and cranky....

6. Money is so tight and we have so much to pay versus what we get to spend for Christmas. And yes, I know Christmas isn't about things...I just wish we weren't constantly worrying about MONEY!!!!

Am I sounding Scroogy enough for you, yet?

Oh, ONE more whine...this morning both my kids couldn't find what they needed and were running around wanting me to find it when all I wanted to do was to be quiet so my neck pain wouldn't start up again.

I just lost it and all that stress I had been feeling came pouring out of me. I just cried and cried and cried. 

My family all thinks I'm nuts now. 

I hope you don't .

So anyway, I just threw my arms in the air and said ENOUGH is ENOUGH

and I went to my office, shut the door and started working on my 12 Days Book.

I had gathered up my supplies and photos yesterday. 

I listened to Christmas music and began losing myself in the creative process. Without realizing it I was smiling and peaceful.

It was wonderful.

After that I thought it would make me feel better to post something on my Blog today...but before that I just had to go read a few of my favorites. I found the loveliest sentiments on Leanne's Blog and Anna's Blog. Please click here and here to read these ladies posts today!!

So, like I said...I can't find the thing I need to upload the photos to the computer so you can see my 12 Days Book. My mission is to clear out a bunch of stuff today and find that along with a few other things!!!

I hope you found Day One's Prompt on Facebook yesterday...if not here it is....

Day 1:  What does Christmas mean to me? When do I get into the Holiday Season? Is is a favorite song or occasion that gets you there?

I am putting my 12 Days Journal prompts in an 8x8 book from SEI. I found old Christmas photos as well as Christmas stamps, papers, stickers, etc. that I will be using througout the project. 

So, let me ask you...are you a Scrooge this year? How is your Christmas Spirit? 

Thanks to all of you for letting me share today and Leanne and Anna for their posts I think I am feeling better already!!!

Enough aLReaDy! Word and Create!!!!

Okay...so try as I might it has been quite difficult to get this post up. I haven't missed a Monday in months....grrrrr......

I have been having one of those days for several days. 2 migraines, company, lots of cooking, overdoing, you name I have done it. My energy has been zapped!

And just when I thought today

would be a day of nothing but creativity,

blogging and the like...

I must make an emergency trip to a town an hour away...in the snow. {wonderful!}

But you know me...Little Miss Sunshine. I refuse to NOT post something today. I promised you a Word a Week for 52 Weeks and I promised you a 12 Days of Christmas Challenge....so let's get to it!

Our Word for the Week is...

CHARITY

–noun, plural -ties.

generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless: to devote one's life to charity.

something given to a person or persons in need; alms: She asked for work, not charity.

a charitable act or work.

a charitable fund, foundation, or institution: He left his estate to a charity.

leniency in judging others; forbearance: She was inclined to view our selfish behavior with charity.

I chose this word for several reasons. First off because a very dear friend of mine said that Charity needed to be my Word of the Week and second of all because who couldn't use a little Charity this time of year? It is the perfect Word to have on our minds.

This week I choose to have Charity in my heart 

towards all I meet, 

 donate a case or 2 of food to the Ministry Center

  and work on a few days when my family and I can go to the Nursing Homes 

 and sing Christmas Carols.

These are all things which bring joy to me during the Christmas Season.

So, I have mentioned the Words of Me Project 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. However, I haven't told you anything about it. Since all my grand plans for that have gone out the window today here is the condensed version of the Challenge:)

Beginning tomorrow,

December 1st, 

I will post journaling prompts with a Christmas theme. Some are serious....

some light-hearted....all sure to get you in the Holiday Spirit.

You can put everything in a notebook, a scrapbook, ATC's,

file folders...whatever you choose. 

I have an example from a few years back I created as well as what I plan on using this year. 

Please...even if you have NO time 

{and really isn't that all of us?}

please join me for this. It won't take much of your time, it's only for 12 days,

and you NEED some creative time just for you!! {i sure do!!}

I will post our first day Wednesday morning....on my FB Fan Page as well as here. Hope you drop by!!!!!!