Comfort & Joy

The clock is ticking-only 24 shopping days until Christmas! Where does the time go? Well, I'm trying to make the most of it and as usual have probably bitten off more than I can chew. As if I didn't already have plenty to do, I signed up for the 12 Days of Comfort & Joy E-Zine that Teresa McFayden is hosting. Today's project -a gift diary was perfect since I was trying to make lists and get organized this morning. Just loved Teresa's sample, but for once broke away and kinda did my own thing. I know, can you believe it?!

Basically, we just embellished a litte notebook to carry lists and notes about the gifts we're shopping for. Of course, Teresa used a vintage date book and replaced the inside pages with cardstock. Like I said, I did mine a smidge different and a little less complicated. It's not super Christmasy on the outside either. Lately, I am really loving these Amy Butler papers and these out-of-the-ordinary Christmas colors that I carried over from the banner I made recently.

Loved that the ledger paper had a "25" on it. Put tabs along the edges to jazz it up and also to have a spot for favorites of this year-songs, colors, stores, etc-things I want to remember next year and beyond.

I even dated my diary hoping to maybe follow Teresa's lead and do this annually. I also followed her lead and set aside pages for those nearest and dearest to me. I used vintag-y Daisy D's cardstock tags-I have a thing for Christmas tags so I thought this was fun to label my pages this way.

And I made a little ribbon bookmark with this beautiful crushed velvet ribbon and a couple buttons-my ode to Rebecca Sower.

This is a really quick, satisfying little project and now I'm organized and ready to get my shopping done. I'll add more details and embellishments to my diary as I go along, but wanted to make sure to at least get the basics done today. I didn't want to get behind on the comfort and joy the very first day!. I definitely want to add a pocket for receipts and maybe even one for ticket stubs. And I'm naturally on the hunt for a Creative Imaginations Christmas swatch book of rubons to use on my cover page which Teresa used in her sample. Yep, still a copycat at heart.

Can't wait for day 2 of Comfort & Joy. Happy shopping!

Oh, yeah-the seal punch-that is from Martha. It was a total splurge, but I am SO loving it!