article: My Cover Through to December 4th | written down

Hi all! My name is Julie Ann Shahin. I’ve been posting my entries on my blog. View My Blog I guess it’s about time I add them here too.

This is 100% digital!
Credits:
Mandy Steward Life Journal at Scrap Girls; Erica Hite Joyful Season Kit at Scrap Girls; Black tag & Black Gingham bow Gina Cabrera Shabby Shack kit at DDE; Diane Rooney Brushed Sugar bows Scrap Girls; Katie Pertiet Ribbons n Bows Designer Digitals; Black satin bow Karah Fredricks I Love kit at BlueFlombingo

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Entry #1 November 28 (before shimelle’s prompts)

“When I think of Christmas, the first thing that pops into my head is putting up our artificial tree with it’s fold down lighted branches as soon as possible after Thanksgiving. The story that I want to tell is that this year I hope our December holidays will be very different because last year I just couldn’t seem to get in the spirit. I tried to muster spirit but it was like putting air into a tire that has a leak. Of course, my husband and I were nearing the end of a major re-model that had started at the end of summer so we seemed to be covered under a layer of dust the whole time. I want you to know that this season I will be more aware of the joy in my heart – I will make note of every tiny step of our journey toward December 25th. While we can’t put up the tree just yet because we have a painter coming in the next few days to paint the living room, I don’t plan on letting the chaos dampen my festive state of mind this year. One of the reasons I am aware of my Christmas Spirit this year is that I am taking Shimelle’s much-hyped online class: Journal Your Christmas. It starts December 1st. Last night David was praising my latest Thanksgiving layout and asked if I was going to include it in my Christmas Journal. I hadn’t planned on it because I was waiting for December 1st and Shimelle’s writing prompt. I couldn’t wrap my brain around that and my first opinion was that Thanksgiving doesn’t belong in a Christmas Journal. Then I reconsidered. After all, all the relatives did exchange Christmas Wish Lists on T-day. We also peacefully proposed times we will have our present exchange on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Christmas Eve will be with my family and Christmas Day with Dave’s family.) And of course, there was the necessary Thankgsiving Day homework – preparation of the battle plan for Christmas shopping on Black Friday. Even though neither Dave nor I ventured out on Black Friday, I did save some of the shopping ads just in case. Speaking of braving the holiday shopping crowds, this was the first year that the Shahin’s decided to put names in a hat for Christmas. We ended up with nephews little Ray, age 3, and Reid. One of the first things I asked the ever cheerful Reid on Thanksgiving was what he wanted for Christmas. He has just turned five years old. Without hesitation, and with enthusiasm – he declared “Ice Age DVD, an action figure that is scary, and the Harry Potter DVD.” His mother also suggested bath toys and spiderman slippers. Even though I did ask Reid what he wanted, I was delightfully surprised with his quick answers. I guess I didn’t actually expect him to have an answer, or that I might have to prod him to think about an answer by peppering him with questions. Last year was the first year that I think he really understood Christmas, and really savored the magic of the day. He was like a kid in a candy store with no restraints – he wanted to open everyone’s presents. I was thrilled for him to know exactly what he wants this year – for him to find his voice. I am full of Christmas joy as I anticipate making a few of his holiday dreams come true.”

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Entry #2 My Manifesto November 29

Credits: Erica Hite A Joyful Season kit Scrapgirls; Mandy Steward Life Journals Scrapgirls

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Entry #3 December 1st – Why I am Inspired to Make This Journal

25 Days Left.
Last night I made my first Christmas card of the season. (I used leftover scraps from a layout.) I chose my favorite holiday papers from Basic Grey, plus some buttons and snowflakes.

This page was made with: *Mandy Steward Life Journal ScrapGirls *Word Art and button: Holly Jolly kit Digichick *Doodle: Fee Jardine Digichick *Cloud with Swirls: Katie Pertiet Designer Digitals *Font: Jailbird Jenna *Everything else: Erica Hite A Joyful Season Scrapgirls

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Entry #4 December 2nd – Christmas Weather

The first thing that comes to mind about the season of Christmas is that snow makes the day all the more magical. I don’t need a lot of snow, a light sprinkling is ok. Yet even if it’s a blizzard, somehow I just don’t seem to mind on Christmas Day.

I think whoever invented Christmas lights was a genius! What better way to celebrate change, life, and festivity than with the stark contrast of a crisp winter night than with multi-color sparks of joy? While we are giving out awards to smart people, where is the person who invented hot chocolate? I’d like to shake his or her hand as well. I am not really one of those people who likes being cold, who likes drudging through several feet of snow even to just get to my car in my driveway. Yet it all seems {almost} worth it to come home to a cup of hot chocolate.

I really need to go out today and find a nice warm pair of gloves. We’ve had the most unusual weather for upstate NY – blessed with 70 degree weather the last week of November. The snowstorms are heading our way though. I know where my boots, my hat, and my favorite pink scarf are. I just can’t bear to be out without gloves.

Credits:
Glitter Snowflakes and square charm: Erica Hite Joyful Season Scrapgirls
Papers and ricrac: L Riordan Breezy kit Oscraps
Winter Wonderland and Snow Fun: Sande Krieger Season’s Greetings 2peas
Bow: Katie Pertiet Gingham Ribbons n Bows Designer Digitals
Messy Stitches: Gina Miller
Font: Mister Giggles 2peas

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Entry #5 December 3 Christmas Cards

Today’s entry is about Christmas cards. I used shimelle’s idea to use a circle stamp with journaling inside. I scanned Christmas cards from last year – and I found several that were especially special. The one on the left that is inside the envelope is from my Grandmother who passed away in January.

The rest of the cards I made into snowflakes…kinda a transition from yesterday’s entry.

Credits: *Erica Hite Joyful Season kit at ScrapGirls *Snowflake shapes: http://graphicssoft.about.com/library/free/bl_free.htm *Rhonna Farrer Round and Round brushes 2peas *Tandika Star sequins *Anna Aspen postage stamp Designing with Digital CD *Michelle Coleman Handstamped Brushes *Mandy Steward Life Journal Scrapgirls *Joy Word Art -Holly Jolly kit at Digichick *Fonts: Five cents, CK Carolyn, and Jailbird Jenna

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Entry #6 December 4th – Christmas Dreams and Fantasy

Christmas Fantasy Time: time to dream, time to believe. Magic is all around us, we just have to feel it in our hearts. All things are possible. Christmas dreams are not just for children. We can all be young again at Christmastime. If only we just believe.

Credits: Christmas in Camelot book cover (author: Mary Pope Osborne): downloaded from google images; Other photos: downloaded from stock.xchng (http://www.sxc.hu/); Erica Hite Joyful Season kit Scrapgirls; Susan Long Where’s Rudolph; Fee Jardine Lots of Swirls Doodles Digichick; L Riordan Breezy sequins Oscraps; Pink paper M Koelenberg Holly Jolly kit Digichick; Shelle Puka A Whimsy Holiday tag; Font: CK Holiday Spirit

Thank you for looking!
Julie Ann Shahin

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