☆ Holy Crap it's almost December….

Tweet

….And I still haven't made the advent calendar.

Bean was saying to me this morning that she was so excited because it was almost December + remember Mama, that thing we had on the wall, that everyday we took a new card out of + we did special things that only we did in December. And remember mama, remember how we watched movies and made things…

She went on and on for about ten minutes, becoming more excited with each memory. 

And as I was listening to her, I remembered that I had bought a new advent calendar, two years ago, that I had never put together + that maybe as this is such a special memory for her, I should get my ass into gear and make it.

And then, in my pre-coffee addled brain I realised that December is three days away. 

THREE! 

I think even if I just put it together + spray paint it, it will be ok, but I am hoping to finish it over the weekend.

I will keep you up dated.

But I also wanted to share with you some of the activities I hope to do with the kids. 

Like most families, December is a hellish time for us, concerts, graduations, end of year parties, end of school activities, so fitting in extra activities, as fun as the are, is just not going to happen.

Rather than set myself up for failure, I have included activities like swimming, Christmas parties, Carols + setting up the tree. All things we would do anyway, but it makes it the  Christmas just a little easier.

This year, I hope we can also include:

• writing letters to Santa
• making this Nativity scene from 'Made By Joel' (How cool is that!)
• making Christmas Cookies to give as gifts to teachers, neighbours + friends
• going to the Library + borrow Christmas books
• making our own Christmas Tags with these from last year
• going to the Christmas Markets
• setting up our Fairy Traps
• making our Reindeer attractant
• watching Christmas Movies (the grinch is my fav) + eat lots of popcorn
• Going out for a family dinner. Just the five of us.

Do you have any special traditions around Christmas? I would love it if you shared a few of your favourites with us below.

A Happy Thanksgiving holiday to all of my friends north of the equator, I hope you have an amazing day and eat loads of turkey!

And don't forget that the super sale is on in the LilliBean Designs shop for the whole weekend. Pop over now so you don't miss out!

Tweet

☆ Holiday Sale Code + AEDM update

Tweet

Happy Thanks Giving everyone.

In Australia we don't celebrate Thanks Giving. And beside the stereo typical images I have of thank giving (you know the abundance of food, and the football, and the turkey + pumpkin pie), I really I like the idea of a holiday of 'Thanks'.

Although I don't celebrate Thanks Giving, in the spirit of the holiday, I would like to give thanks to you all. To all my supporters. 

My family + friends, to all of you guys who give me daily support here + else where on the net, + to everyone who has supported LilliBean Designs by purchasing an item from my store.

So, I would like to offer a 10% discount of every item in my etsy store. (This includes original paintings, christmas products + my mini canvases) 

Click on the pic above check out what is for sale! (And I will be adding some more paintings tomorrow, from my Christmas + AEDM collection.)

********

And speaking of AEDM, yesterday was one of those days. Those days, where I am happy to emmerse myself into my art. These are the days that I want to paint all day, that I want to keep going until the painting is done. 

But those days for me are long gone. I have two children + a husband, who need my attention, and who I want to spend time with, a family I need to connect with, daily commitments, and seven weeks left until our third child joins this busy family.

So although I was able to grab some time in the studio, I just couldn't find the time to share it with you. I was able to finish off 'Hearts all a Flutter' early this afternoon.

Hearts All a Flutter

Tonight, I have been working on a new painting that I want to give my niece for her fourth birthday, the only catch is I have to have it finished before my parents head her way on the weekend.

And I know, I. Just. Know, that this painting will give me grief.

Before I head back into the studio, have you had a chance to think about joining me and the amazing few who have joined me in my very first Christmas Tag Swap?

I would love it if you could join us, click on the photo below for more.

Thanks for stopping by

Tweet