Midnight at Dynamic Duos

Before I begin, I want to answer a couple of comments left on my post on my recent scrapbook pages. Thank you first to Alexa for cleverly noticing I had made a mistake with the months. I dated them in December when they should have been November. I've altered them and printed them out again. Which takes me to Michelle's question about whether I print them into a book. I design the pages on InDesign, export them as PDFs and print out on a Canon 4400 printer at A4 size onto card. I then place them in protective sleeves and pop into an A4 ringbinder. It's a much more UK-friendly process with paper sizes.

I've been taking a bit of a rest from actual crafting over the last few days. Instead, I've been clearing my craft room. I'm currently in the process of updating my stamp storage. It requires quite a bit of scanning and computer work, but I hope it'll be worth it when I'm done.

However, I did take some time last night to join in with the latest challenge from Dynamic Duos. To create something using a midnight blue and one other colour of our choosing.

Which gave me the opportunity to play with some new stash and to make a thank you card. After Christmas, I have a handful of these I like to send out, so i'm making sure I have a stock to hand.

I used a new On The Diagonal die I bought from Lil Inkers onto which I stamped a Thank you sentiment from a Hero Arts set.

Could it be any more clean, simple and stylish? I still adore the elegance of a minimalist look. Mind you, I was reading this morning that when it comes to decorating your home for Christmas, minimalism is out! This season, the trend is maximalism. Yup, you have to throw everything at your tree and hope it sticks.

I haven't decided how ours is going to be decorated or indeed which way up the tree will be this time around. I'm thinking about bucking the trend and perhaps only adding lights and tinsel. Mind you, I'm bucking the trend for erecting trees already. From what I've seen on Facebook, twitter, bloghopping and walking down the street, I'm one of the few who hasn't decorated their home yet. And nor will I until nearer the day.

Don't get me wrong, I love the look of a decorated home for the holiday season. For about a week to ten days anyway.  More than that and it ceases to feel special. I think as I age, I'm drawn more to the nostalgia of my boyhood Christmases. Having a fortnight holiday, decorating on Xmas Eve, opening generous piles of presents, being allowed to eat sweets for lunch for one day a year, making paper chains and best of all, the one I miss most, reading from cover to cover, the Christmas annual of my favourite comics. Ahhh, fetch me a hot chocolate, I'm going to wallow in my memories a while longer

Thanks for popping by :)