Christmas in July Blog Hop...with candy :)

Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to the Christmas in July Blog Hop, inspiring you to get out your christmas stash and use it before all the new collections are introduced this month. Join the fun and create something too, use the hastag #scrapbookchristmas on twitter, facebook or instagram.

I don't know about you, but for some reason I had a hard time wrapping up Christmas, so to speak. I just took down my Nativity, and it took this awesome hop to get me to finish  start my Journal Your Christmas! And dare I also confess that I still have gifts in my closet that haven't quite made it to their intended recipients?  Yep, having some issues here - LOL!  Perhaps it is because this past Christmas was a blessed and blissful time, and I want to savor it.  But truth be told, it is just further evidence that I am a terrible procrastinator - haha!  Either way, here, finally, is my 2012 Christmas mini album.  I used a 6x6 chipboard album by BoBunny, and modified some leftover 8x8 page protectors with the assistance of my Food Saver to weld the inner edges.  The majority of supplies are from Kelly Purkey's 2012 December Daily Kit, with many additions from my stash.

First, for the second time, my album cover:

And here is *some* of the goodness between the covers:

I notice now that I've accidentally cut off the "y" in "nativity" in this photo. Oops. This was my first year having a Nativity.  That might explain why it took me so long to pack it away...maybe ;)

Another 2-page spread to showcase these beautiful dove ornaments.  Coincidentally, I found them in the gift shop of the tea room in the next layout.  No wonder I love going there so much! LOL

And finally, another 2-page spread for one of the two teas in December. And my first attempt at semi-hidden journaling using a shipping tag tied with silver tinsel  and a glassine bag with some Remarks snowflakes stickers to obscure it a bit more.

Next on the hop is Kate .

In case you get lost at any point, here is the list all the blogs

Ruth - http://scrapmachine.com/

Bernice - http://btsoi.blogspot.com/

Theresa - http://himynameistheresa.com/

Holly - http://harmonydiy.blogspot.com/

Sandar - http://www.thecraftybunch.com.au/

Melissa - http://digitalscrapbookinghq.com/christmashop

Kimberly - http://kimberlymariekett.blogspot.com/

Stella - http://myscrapbliss.blogspot.com/

Alanna - http://scrapping-and-life.blogspot.com

Megan - http://meganlianesblog.blogspot.com/

Jen - myreillyboysandme.blogspot.com

Lisa - http://mykreativepursuits.blogspot.com

Margareta - http://www.paperpilekitten.com/

Taniesa - http://thecraftypickle.com/

Smitha - www.smilingcolors.com

Catherine - http://paperaddictcatherine.blogspot.com

Kate - www.funkytales.blogspot.co.uk

Tasha - http://tashascreativejuice.blogspot.com/

Melissa - yesterday2day4ever.blogspot.co.nz

Alison - http://magicalmesses.blogspot.com/

Cat - http://decisioninspired.com

Manda - http://www.mandalikadesigns.com/

Madeleine - http://senoritaml.wordpress.com/

Melissa - http://www.scrappyjedi.com/

Amanda - http://amandathemadscrapper.blogspot.com/

Ali - www.moloneystylestamping.wordpress.com

Jenny - http://scrappinjen-partyoffive.blogspot.com/

Ros - http://noteverypicturezperfect.blogspot.com.au/
Sue - http://themakingtable.blogspot.com.au/
Julie - http://plywthpper.blogspot.com

As a special thanks for hopping along with us, I'm offering some Blog Candy in the form of various extras from my Christmas crafting stash! It includes papers, glitter, ribbon, embellies, journaling cards and more!  To be entered for the random drawing, please leave a comment on this post and include your favorite holiday candy. (Mine would be dark chocolate seafoam (aka sponge candy, depending on the region).  I'll announce the winner on Friday!

JYC-12: The Beginning...Finally

I signed up for this "class" last year, but never got started, and nothing really became of it, other than stocking supplies. Which, being a craft supply hoarder, I'm fairly good at ;)  (That's totally not a boast, but rather a shameful admission *sigh*)

So this year, I thought, "Yeah! I'm ready to go. Got a "real" camera, got me some supplies, and I'm gonna get it done!"  Game on!

Well, here we are, December 19th, and I've finally just begun. At least with actually crafting. I have a small number of pictures, some journaling done, and my supplies loosely organized (I'll share a pic of that latter) in a beloved vintage wood tray. But, having taken this first step, I feel well on my way.

Christmas, here I come!