Lily-by-Gilly

Happy Christmas Eve to you – it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Inspired by a triptych card on Splitcoast Stampers, I made a version of my own for my husband using the polar party stamp set from Stampin’ Up!  I added a couple of rows of sticky strip and applied dazzling diamonds for some Christmassy sparkle.

Christmas celebrations are well underway in our house.  My husband and I had a lovely afternoon at a matinee performance of “A Christmas Carol”, performed by the great, great grandson of none other than Charles Dickens himself. It took place in the most ornate and fabulous surroundings of the theatre in St George’s Hall, Liverpool, where Charles Dickens had once performed, celebrating the bicentenary of this amazing author. What a great way to start our celebrations and get into the Christmas spirit.

The performance began with an introduction by local historian, Steve Binns MBE, who shared some of his knowledge of Charles Dickens and the time spent by Dickens in Liverpool.  Then onto the stage walked Gerald Dickens…

Dressed in Victorian costume – long coat, ruffed shirt, cravat, top hat and cane – his only other props being a chair and small table – he went on to perform the play single-handedly.  He is such a talented actor, using only his voice, facial expressions and body gestures to play all the parts and convey the story.  He was truly amazing and made it one of the most enjoyable experiences.  Even the tea and mince pies served at the interval were the best tasting of the season!

It was really heart-warming that this was a charitable event, with volunteers giving of their time and with all proceeds going to a local charity for the aged, in particular to help those with dementia, which is a charity particularly close to our hearts having sadly touched several members of our own family.

The message in “A Christmas Carol” is as true today as when Dickens first wrote it, so that just leaves me to say “Merry Christmas and God bless us everyone”.

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Here’s what you need to make today’s card – all supplies from Stampin’ Up!:

cardstock: bashful blue, whisper white; stamp sets: polar party, more merry messages; inks: bashful blue, marina mist, real red, black stazon; accessories: stampin’ dimensionals, watercolour paper, tombow multi glue, sticky strip, dazzling diamonds, adhesive rhinestones.

Thanks for dropping by today