A right jolly old elf...

This is a late post for a Sunday night. I have spent the day shopping and doing laundry and I am worn out  but I didn't want to start off another week without a new post. Here's another Christmas card to encourage you to finish up those last minute cards you always need to have on hand for unexpected giving.  I will make my rounds to family and friends this week, delivering my special handmade cards in person.  It saves on stamps and I love to see the looks on the recipients' faces when they open them.

Here again, I have used an image by Phee McFaddell, one of my favorite illustrators.  It is one of my favorites of all her Christmas images.  Of course, I colored it with Copics in rich tones of evergreen, burgundy and gold, the traditional colors of the holiday season.

And now, I have a treat for you. In the event that you haven't had the pleasure of reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in a while, I am including it here. I think it's such a sweet poem and conveys perfectly the magic that is Christmas.

Twas the Night before Christmas 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away, all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

I'll have a couple more cards before Christmas Day arrives. Two of them feature another Christmas angel done in two different color schemes.  I can't decide which one I like best so I'll let you decide for yourselves.  Stay tuned for that one.  

I also got wind from my team leader for the new DT that will start next month that a box full of product is on its way to me!  Yippeeeeeee!  I can't wait to start playing with it and hopefully soon after that I'll be able to announce the name of the company I'll be representing! How exciting! Until next time, have a wonderful week!

Happy crafting!

Anniebee