Decorating The Tree?

Just a quick post tonight, dear Crafty Bloglanders.  I'm pleased to report that my OH is now safely home and my darling MiL has been discharged from hospital to a nursing home.  Although she is by no means back to her old self, her sheer determination and general loveliness appears to have brought her through this latest terrible time and we are just so blessed to have her with us still. 

So, of course, this means life is now well and truly back to normal - I have my OH by my side (big yaaay!), we're both back at work (humph) and Christmas is running towards us at great speed. 

Speaking of Christmas (and who isn't at the moment?), have you got your decorations up yet?  I know that our US friends see Thanksgiving as the time to start decorating and there are many people in the UK who like to have their decorations up by now but for me, well, Christmas Eve is soon enough!  Honest! I love doing my tree on Christmas Eve, but I do bow to pressure and give in about the 20th these days.  When Darling Daughter was young, doing the tree on Christmas Eve just added to the magic of Christmas morning, when she firmly believed the Tree Fairies had been in the night, as well as Santa!  Aaaaah!

But how many of us end up like this little lady?

Image: Phindy's Place, 'Miss Chrissy Tree'

Papers: Yup, October Afternoon, 'Good Cheer' collection (I sooo love these papers)

Isn't she a darling?  She looks just like our friends' middle daughter, who I can imagine ending up just like this if left to it! 

She was coloured with Copics and quite a good bit of shading was done with my Prismas.  I'm still working on folds and pleats - getting there slowly but I get so frustrated.  Some days it just works, others I really have to work hard to almost get there!  Oh hum!

The little tree border was all cut by hand, as were the stars.  I don't yet own many Christmassy punches so I have to improvise!

This is my entry for the following challenges:

Raise The Bar - 'Trees'
Secret Crafter Saturday - 'Christmas'

Right, off to bed now with my Kindle - I'm just reading Patricia Cornwell's new book, 'Port Mortuary' and I'm enjoying it very much.  I adore my Kindle - so much easier to handle than a book, particularly in bed!

Happy crafting.
xx