Christmas freebies

Canldes to light the way. Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_Candles.zip
and some frames:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_Frames_1.zip

Where is the Sandman?

It's nearly 3AM here and I don't feel like I can sleep if I go to bed. On the other hand, I don't feel like doing much and need to be quiet so hubby can sleep. So, here I am. Everyone I talk to is doing so well getting Christmas cards written, shopping done, decorations up. I'm running behind. June is still feeling poorly so I've been back and forth to Dad's checking on her but I don't want it to sound as though I'm blaming my slackness on that. Weather here has been giving me sinus headaches and there are a couple of issues that are worrying me. I'd like to go to bed and pull the covers over my head and wake up energetic in January. Not going to happen. So I did a little shopping and found a top to wear to Snowball Express. I pulled the cards out but haven't written any. And just realized that Monday is Berkeley's birthday and I haven't mailed her card and gift yet! Bad future MIL! Tonight I tried a recipe I'd thought about making for the cookie swap on Wednesday - chocolate covered cherry cookie. Verdict? My husband described them as between a brownie and cake, very chocolate, very rich. He would have preferred chocolate chip cookies. They are rather time consuming and messy to make. I doubt I'll do them again. But it's good to try something new once in awhile. Guess now I'll make Russian Tea Cakes and maybe some coconut cookies for the swap. Also promised to make some sweet and spicy meatballs. Got a couple loads of laundry done but the tree and decorations aren't even out of storage. Tomorrow I'm making turkey potpie, writing cards, and checking in on June. Don't imagine I'll get much else done. In between, I've been returning to the PC and packing up the rest of the Christmas kit. Not going to be a problem covering every day. Have the first 14 days scheduled and will work on scheduling the rest tomorrow and maybe Monday. Monday husband goes back to work and I have to meet him at the doctor's office after he gets off. He thought everything went fine with stress test but office called and wants him to go in Monday, not just wait until next appointment in February. Could be they saw a problem with low blood flow to an area of his heart or a possible blockage. Then too he had chest x-ray same day and he was a smoker for many years. We've tried not to be worried but he knows it's bothering me and said if we get there Monday and are told everything is fine, he's going to kick some butt! I just hope whatever the problem is can be easily corrected.

I heard that Stacey is making some lavender scented soap for a gift - lovely idea as lavender is so soothing! Wondered what others might be crafting? I'm not doing much handmade stuff this year. I made fruitcakes for those on my list who love them and will make some cookies and fudge for the grandchildren. Will make fudge and peanut butter blossoms to take to the engagement dinner Christmas weekend. Only other thing I've made is some lavender sugar scrub for soft hands and feet. It's supposed to be much kike Mary Kay's soft hand (or some name like that) and is super easy to make. The directions I got off line are very vague and general in terms of amounts of ingredients. That's because the recipe is meant to be applied to whatever size container you might be using. I bought some half-pint Ball canning jars (so cute) and followed instructions but I'm not happy with consistency. I think it's too runny. I'll try to tweak it some more and will include a tongue depressor with each jar to help scoop the stuff out. If anyone has some cool, easy ideas for small gifts to make, we could share instructions in a post here, if you would like. Always good to have a little notebook filled with recipes and instructions for last minute gifts for all occasions, isn't it?

You will get post for freebies in a few hours. Hugs!

Christmas freebies - overlays & bows

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_Overlays_2.zip

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_bows_1.zip

Christmas freebies

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_papers_3.zip

Christmas freebies

Today I've got more papers for you

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_papers_2.zip
and some flairs:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_flairs.zip

Christmas gift, day 2

Thank you for the nice comments on the kit thus far. Yesterday (Tuesday) I went with June to see her primary care doctor. Doctor seems to think June is suffering depression from the cumulative effect of all she has been through this year. She told us that Xanax is rarely prescribed to patients over 65 because of side effects like increased drowsiness and coordination problems. We're to wait another 4 days for the drug to get out of her system, then increase the Lexapro to 20 mg. June was to understand that it might take a month before she really gets full effect of the antidepressant, I went back over in the evening to fix her some dinner and stay while Dad went out. When I left, June's color was better and she was more alert. Hopefully, by the end of the week she will be more like her usual self.

As for hubby, his nuclear stress test went well and all seems okay but official report will be reviewed and we will hear more in a few days.

Me? I'm just worn out. Headache Monday night meant little sleep. I went with June to doctor, then shopped at Sam's Club for the protein drinks the surgeon wants her to continue drinking. Ran into one of my favorite thrift stores on way home, hoping to find something appropriate in red (required) at good price for Snowball Express. Hate to spend a lot of money on an outfit I might only wear once or twice. No luck. I did, however, stop to browse the book section and came away with 5 books for under $5.00. Four are Patrica Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series - 3 hard cover and one paperback. The 5th book is another hardcover. Think it's called The Four, a novel I'd read a review of and had planned to read. Books make me happy!

Now it's time to give you another gift and today's is a set of 2 full size overlays:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_Overlays_1.zip
and some ribbons:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_ribbons.zip
Enjoy!

Today it's December . . . & Traditionally Elegant Christmas freebie

Today it's December, another month gone, the old year is ending . . . sorry, have John Lennon's "Happy Christmas" running through my head. Things have been kind of depressing lately, haven't they? Terrorist attacks, world wide fears, numerous people I know of ill, in pain, or suffering. Trying to keep a bright outlook but it's difficult at the moment. I've got a headache and not sure if it's moving toward a migraine or just stress. Was over at Dad's again last evening. June was feeling weak and anxious/depressed. Having gotten through what we expected to be the worst - the surgery and radiation - with a good attitude and little depression or anxiety, this is coming as a surprise to us. I'm afraid it reminds me of when my Mom had a good spell and then her sudden decline. June doesn't understand what is happening to her. Sunday I insisted she contact her doctor on Monday and let the doctor know she was no better. She was told to discontinue the Xanax she was given by urgent care doc for anxiety, but continue the Lexapro for depression and come in today. She asked that I go along because I have training in medical terminology etc and can help her understand what the doctor says. I can't help but remember the spell Mom went through that was similar to this and learning shortly after that her cancer had metastasized to the brain. Even though June's last scan showed no sign of cancer, I wonder. It's a horrible and sneaky disease! And my father is looking so worn out too; he's worried. My husband is having a nuclear stress test today but insisted I go with June. His test shouldn't take more than half an hour and he feels certain it's unnecessary. With all the various things going on, I'm feeling unsettled, as though something bad is going to happen and soon. I hope that isn't a premonition just worry and fatigue.

I want to give my digi friends and newcomers to my blog a Christmas present. I am in the process of putting together a large Christmas kit, Traditionally Elegant Christmas, from which you will find a goodie posted here each day of the month. As last month, I'm not trying to do an overall preview, just previews of each zip as I finish it. I can tell you that so far there are 48 full size papers (Not intending to make more Christmas papers), about 12 overlays, and I haven't counted elements as I am still seeing categories that should be included. As usual, I'll start you off with a paper pack and will mix it up from here. Today's freebies:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_papers_1.zip
and a pack of buttons and brads:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/TraditionallyElegantChristmas/ws_TEC_Buttons%26Brads.zip
I hope you like these. This is a busy season for everyone but I will have to clean out old 2015 files from sharing servers to make way for new 2016 things. I'm going to extend the deadline for links until 1/15/2016 after which the old stuff won't be available.

Stay safe as you scurry about shopping, decorating, visiting and so on. Hugs!