Feeling the Christmas spirit!

I went to a Holiday Crop over the weekend and was able to get *most* of my Christmas cards done. I also started this layout and finished it at home. I love the Cosmo Cricket holiday line with it's mix of colors-- purples, grays, greens, and reds. I have held onto this photo of my niece for a year waiting for the perfect layout for it and I think I found it.

Cosmo Cricket patterned paper, American Crafts Thickers, Maya Road ribbon, MS embossing punch and twine, misc. brads and buttons

I made the flowers surrounding the photo, including the ribbon ones. I was going to completely surround the picture with, but figured it would 1) be too much and 2) take too much time. Instead I am very happy with how it looks. 

Another thing that is totally Christmas time is Jeff Guinn's Santa-centric novels, starting with The Autobiography of Santa Claus. I highly recommend these novels. They are fabulous and especially wonderful at this time of year. I would imagine that kids would enjoy these stories as much as adults.