On the 2nd Day of Christmas, the Flea Market brought to me...

a sick daughter. Actually this is her 2nd sick day and I'm feeling the cabin fever, especially when my holiday list that is about a mile long isn't getting any shorter due to the fact that I'm stuck indoors with a coughing, sneezy, snuffling, can't get to sleep chickie. And now I'm officially registering a fever.

On the other hand, involuntary sequestering can be good for the soul, the pocketbook and the crafty type. No excuses or reason why I can't play in my tiny, closet-like studio! (really, it's smaller than my in-laws closet, but I'd kill for her shoe collection)

Before I forget, last week before the Thanksgiving gluttony marathon, my hubby and I were able to meet up with Kim for a couple of hours of junking at the Old Lucketts Store and On A Whim. Lucketts had their design showhouse open and it was a Christmas feast for the eyes. I could've packed an overnight case and a bag of chocolate and moved in on the spot. I love quirky old homes with nooks, crannies, moulding, painted floors and I die for claw foot tubs filled with giant ornaments. Just. Die.

Our time was cut short to run home and pick up the youngest rug rat from a weekend youth trip, but I did manage to score a few little yummies...

A long strand of sparkling chandelier crystals which will be perfect for crafty projects, a tiny bunch of vintage package toppers, a vintage printed tablecloth that fell exactly at my $18 limit mark and a dangly fun bracelet that I am wearing as often as possible. The hubby actually found the tablecloth. Long ago and far away (well, our previous and first home) when I started collecting them, I set an arbitrary amount of $18 being the highest I would ever pay for a vintage cloth. I've stuck to the rule fairly well breaking it perhaps twice. It keeps my tablecloth avarice under control.

I had to work to pass up the Christmas tablecloths at Lucketts. I have to keep telling myself I have enough already. I just pulled them out of the linen closet today and am ready to drape them on every available table. If I can keep the kitty from snuggling up on them! Being sequestered at home, I've had time to wrap presents (I gave in to the lure of MORE wrapping paper, so flog me with a roll of French ribbon), do some cyber shopping and the most fun~work on my Journal Your Christmas book!

I made a decision not to buy anything for this project, but to work with supplies I already have. Already having a massive collection of Basic Grey Christmas paper on hand took care of the paper needs. Most of the other items I've put in the project basket aren't Christmas related, but will lend themselves well to the effort. Going out on a limb, I didn't buy a journal or album either. I hope it's not a mistake, but I cut cardboard sheets into 4x12in lengths and plan to get the complete project bound at Staples once I'm done.

Another decision I made was a quick one: to be brief. This month is busy enough as it is without me agonizing and spending hours trying to create the perfect project. This entire class is all about enjoying the process and the holiday. What fun would it be to start with good intentions, then wig out because one day didn't cause me to exclaim with joy over my inherent cleverness (ha, me clever?!?)?

Here is my cover and first 2 days. I've also been enjoying checking out the journals of others in the class. What talent and heartfelt journaling to peruse! Truly love how we can all take the same prompt and interpret it so individually!