Monday, December 15, 2008

X Factor



Saturday was brimming with X-Factor goodies:

Harry brought home some cheap plastic animal shapes he'd 'won' in Christmas crackers from a meal the night before. Cheap, tacky little shapes that we moan about but wouldn't really replace for all the world, they are simply part of Christmas, an important part. First you select your cracker pulling partner, then you both clasp one end of the cracker, sliding your hand as far up towards the middle as you can go without getting caught, you yank hard. Oh the sheer delight when you win. All eyes in your direction, baited breath hanging in the air you read aloud the awful 'joke', pop your excuse for a hat on your head and proceed to look over it (because it's huge and it's slipped way down past your eyes) at the wonderful gift...Your prize!
Oh yes, cracker contents definitely have the X-Factor!

Chewy, strawberry flavoured, Dracula teeth are my latest addiction and it's a serious one. Not content with purchasing £1 worth every time I collect my eldest from the bus, I ordered a box of 120 of the juicy, delicious, little gems as a personal treat over Christmas. Today is the 15th and I have exactly 17 left. Ops!

Alexandra Burke, my favourite contestant of 2008, won the X-Factor and ripped out an amazing performance of 'Listen' live with Beyonce. You can watch it here.

Lastly but by no means least, the post woman delivered something very special in the post, something full of sunshine, love, heart and beauty. The most wonderful surprise that was filled with the X-Factor that is...Margaret Storer Roche.
Along with her own personally designed card came touching words that made my eyes weep, a handmade gift that I am saving until Christmas morning and numerous stamps and moo cards. Margaret is a very special lady who lives in Arizona, I met her right here on my blog and a day hasn't passed since that I haven't felt grateful for that. Her love for life and unique artwork make me smile each and every morning and I am so very proud to be able to call her my friend.
Thank you Margaret x

11 comments:

Quilt knit said...

Wow! Wondeful X time. Margaret too! We do not have crackers here. Wish you had posted some photos. but uhmmm! Strawberry Dracula Teeth?
Need photo here- they must not be wax teeth as we have here.

Blessings to all!

Sherrie Robers

Quilt knit said...

Oh! that is a wonderful journal page!
Is this going to be a Pink Journal?


Sherrie Roberts

winna said...

This sketch was fun to see and read---I wonder if the teeth are like Gummie Bears for consistancy ? And what are Moo cards? Our family had car license plates using Moo--there was Moo 1....Moo 2...Moo3..Moo4 and Moo 5---and my neice had Moo Too----this is because of our last name and owning a dairy farm...it's also great to hear of your friendship..

Capt Elaine Magliacane said...

What fun the crackers sound like... full of childhood delight... and a bit of adult delight too thanks to Margaret. Lovely day for you, hope tomorrow is even better.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

What a wonderful day Anita - I too would be in tears to have such a gift from Margaret - someone I truly admire - her light tour post was fabulous.
Loved the description of the Christmas Crackers we cannot possibly do without - persuading grand dad to wear a tacky tissue thin crown and swapping the gifts to more appropriate recipients around the table. Lovely post as usual full of love and family times.

Anonymous said...

I always love your pages but this one is particularly beautiful.

Sherry Pierce Thurner said...

What fun, Anita! Crackers are just starting to be popular here, and your post has made me determined to find some for our Christmas family gathering. And yes, Maragaret is a lovely person. :)

Margaret Ann said...

OOOOOH My! Anita, Anita, Anita!!!What a way to start my "overcast, rainy, damp and chilly, snow in the high country" Arizona day! I am speechless...and humbled.

Thank you for continually setting the artistic bar high and for being such a shining light for so very many of us!

Hugs n Smooches all around! LOL :)x

Anonymous said...

I love all your work! Simply fabulous!! I was wondering what journal you use & also your art supplies (Brands). Do you have it listed anywhere on your site?

Thank you :-)

Fencreative said...

Great entry - especially about the crackers. Can you let me know how you built your 'Followers' page on the right-hand side? Is this as Twitter feed?

Serena Lewis said...

In Australia, we call 'crackers' - bon-bons....don't ask me why 'cos I have no clue. It's funny that the enjoyment is more in the breaking of the 'bon-bon' rather than the contents and, oh yes, those tissue paper crowns. Gotta luv 'em. lol

OH MY, Anita, how lucky you are to receive a gift from Margaret! I am always inspired by her amazing work, as I am with your work too. Isn't the blogging world amazing? I've met so many wonderful people.

I like your journal layout for today. :)