Here's my entry for the Dec 2009 OStash challenge - I managed all but the stitches. This LO was such fun to make; totally cleared my mojo issues - cathartic & entertaining all rolled into one, just what scrapping's supposed to be about.

I can't read the journaling in PSE on my screen so I doubt you can either. If you can be bothered, here it is:

What am I feeling? Right now? Well, Im slightly ashamed to admit it, but what Im actually feeling right now is YIPPEE its all over. Christmas, I mean. I know, this is sacrilegious to voice such a thing at this time of year. But quite frankly, Ive had enough of Christmas and all its trappings. Christmas seems to have been going on for so long now. It all started with the School Fair, the planning for which began in early November. There seemed to be such a build up to the Fair and, as I had to play a leading roll this year, I couldnt really think beyond it. That all ended on 5th Dec and I thought Id be able to breath after this date, but no. The following fortnight was taken up with Woodys birthday, three class parent socials (catering required for each, we even hosted one of them so I spent an entire day stuff my clutter into cupboards and hoping no one opened them), two music concerts, nativity & carol concert, kids class Christmas party and another day spent in A&E with Woody.

And then theres the little job of thinking up, purchasing and wrapping presents. I hate shopping I may have mentioned this before. Im rubbish at thinking up presents and avoid the whole retail therapy as much as possible. Thankfully, Dominic took charge; Hamleys for the kids presents, Amazon for ours. Soon parcels started arriving, and I missed the deliveries, so one has to wait another 2-3 days then collect them. No big deal, but irritating which do you leave outside the post office, the dogs or the kids which one is more likely to be stolen?! When the kids finally broke up from school Id envisaged three lovely days like last year, biffing around, drinking hot chocolates and baking biscuits. Instead we seemed to be running round like headless chickens getting last minute bits and spending another half day in A&E.

And throughout all of this build up I have been following Shimelle Laines Journal Your Christmas online class again, which I loved last year. Ive kept it mega simple this year each day generally only takes about half an hour to create but its still taken up a lot of my thinking space. I havent been able to scrap other pages, no CT work or Oscraps challenges. This happened last year too, but this year its more noticeable and I havent even been interested in scrapping. This paralysis has spread to other crafty areas and I found it almost impossible to get around to sending cards, wrapping presents and havent baked a single biscuit. Not one.

So now the Big Day is over (it went just fine, we had a lovely day at Bella & Michaels with Kate & co) and I feel RELEASED. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, my mojo has returned, I feel absolved of all responsibilities. Im revelling in doing absolutely nothing except playing on my computer, walking the dogs and feeding my family. So, yes, my feeling right now is indeed YIPPEE.


Credits:
All Elements except below: Holliewood Studios, oscraps.com, Desk Mess
Notebook: Karah Fredricks, the-lilypad.com, Keely
Post it Note: Karah Fredricks, the-lilypad.com, Remind Me
Ink Splat: Karah Fredricks, the-lilypad.com, Finishing Touches 1 Brushes
Button: Oscraps Collaborations (Ninascraps), oscraps.com, Otoo Kit
Clock: Lotta Designs, oscraps.com, Take me to the Old World
Font: CK Footnote, Marker Felt, Traveling Typewriter & 1942 Report