Wednesday 3 December 2014

Winter Wonderland

Last weekend we spent 4 days at Centre Parcs, Longleat celebrating my SIL's 30th birthday. It really was such a fun time. We had never visited a Centre Parcs before although my daughter has a few times. The special thing at this time of the year is that it has a Winter Wonderland in the Village Square complete with Santa's Workshop and real reindeer. Well I was just in Christmas heaven.
 There was a postbox to post letters to Father Christmas. Everything was so well done, even the fake snow was really realistic,
 I love this photo, yes this is a real reindeer, he looks like a Disney one!

The trees were lit up with lights

 and there was a fun snowmans' sofa ;0)
Even the land train was decked in festive finery.
Daisy saw Santa.......so sweet, she had her little letter all ready. I was as excited as she was.
and this was her wonderful present, isn't he cute. Daisy loves giraffes, like her Uncle M
The forest surroundings are all so beautiful, the morning mist over the lake was spectacular.


I also enjoyed 2 sessions of pottery painting, I will hopefully share some photos of that soon. The tropical swimming dome was great fun with a slide which went outside...yes seriously! I also
hope to make a Moment of our wonderful break.

My card today has to have a really festive feel to it. It features a Father Christmas just as I think he should be. This lovely image is by Nicecrane and is available here. There are several others in the set which are perfect for vintage style Christmas cards.

My photo is not the clearest as like everyone else I am really struggling with the lack of light at this time of the year. Here are a couple of close ups


The round sentiment is Lili of the Valley. The naughty or nice are Whimsy stamps. The candle die is Marianne to which I added some distress ink and some glamour dust for a touch of sparkle. The snow flakes and the icicle border (I just love this die) are both Cheery Lynn. . The backing papers are ancient from my stash.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Frilly and funkie A vintage holiday
Country View Crafts nostalgic Christmas
Noor! Design UK Merry Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Santa is on his way
Emerald Faeries red and green
Whimsy Inspirations anything goes
Simon says stamp Monday  Holiday cards
Simon says stamp Wednesday Christmas/ holidays
We do doobadoo get festive

I would really like to stop time now...there are just 22 days until Father Christmas will be on his rounds...I wonder who has been naughty or nice...?
We hope to buy our tree at the weekend and I am also working on my Funkie Junkie #10 project as well as shopping, card writing, cracker making and working. Fun, fun fun!

Take care and keep warm everyone. Some of my American buddies are under feet of snow and over here in the UK it turned very cold today. Brrrrrrrrrrrr

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

21 comments:

  1. Centre Parks is a lovely place for kids, I remember taking mine when they were younger.

    The reindeer looks like Sven from Frozen!!

    Helenxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. You really were in Christmas heaven, Jane! Love all the fake snow (that's the best kind, unless it's willing to just fall on Christmas Eve night and stop on Boxing Day!)
    That reindeer is so sweet too - not like the ones we saw at a friend's wedding in June - they were a bit scraggy as they were moulting, all he needs is a red nose and he'd be the perfect Rudolph!
    I am mad busy at the moment making things for local Christmas fairs and trying to make a start on our own preparations, which don't stop until Christmas Eve after the children's nativity! Only then will I be able to sit down with a well earned glass of rose!
    Hoping you're doing well with all the festivities, though I'm sure you're in your element! Keep warm - it's mighty cold out there just now! Hugs, Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh.. that little cottage is SO cute! I want one in my back yard. GREAT card.. Little Miss Daisy Jane is sure growing.. did she sit on Santa's lap? Loved this post. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Mrs Christmas I bet you had a ball! :)
    I love the reindeer, it is so beautiful. Glad Daisy had a lovely start to her Christmas and got her letter away to Santa.
    Beautiful card and yes that's how I see Father Christmas too!
    Enjoy the rest of your week,
    V x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jane, What a magical place! I can see you all smiles and enjoying every moment!! I love the first photo of the real reindeer, it's the best!!! Also love the photo of the mist over the lake, so picturesque! Sweet Daisy and her first real Santa experience, precious times. So happy you get to enjoy them all. Fabulous Father Christmas card : ) xoRobin

    ReplyDelete
  6. Some spectacular photos Jane! love seeing your sweet Daisy!
    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jane! Thank you for sharing Christmas atmosphere! So beautiful photos! That reindeer is so cute that doesn't look Real. I'm so busy with moving but yesterday I took the tree to the empty House. Hugs! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a fun day,,,,you had Jane,,, lovwe the winter village,, I have never seen snow ,,,,the real one,,,,opsss,,,, and Daisy looks so happy,,,,,,,I haved to visit England I am sure,,,,,. You card is so creative,,,,,,,,love the stamps and snowfalkes you add to my pict and all over the cute glitter on the candles,,,,,woww,wowwww you are Rick,, Merry Christmas my friend

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderful time you had, and so lovely and Christmassy! Such fun for a family break together. I love your card, it is so warm and sweet and just filled with festive atmosphere!
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for entering your lovely crafting for CHNC challenge 205 and my Patterned Paper December challenge - you could also enter this into my CHNC challenge extra for December - I'd love to see it there too. Love all the photos too x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful card Jane ! Love the vintage image you've used. Looks like you had a fabulous time at Center Parcs too ! Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Sue C x

    ReplyDelete
  12. I LOVE your vintage Santa! Stunning card! I seriously need to take that reindeer home...I LOVE HIM! Thank you for sharing at Frilly and Funkie :) Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful vintage christmas card. Thanks so much for joining us over at Emerald Faeries Challenge Blog, good luck and hope to see you again.
    ~ Denise DT ~
    Emerald Faeries Challenge Blog
    {Denise's Patch of Creativity}
    {Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge} starts Jan 4th 2015

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like you all had a lot of fun Jane!
    I would love to see the pictures taken at the pottery class! Love your card!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I mentioned you on my blog this week because you're so much more festive than I am :) You make me enjoy the season much more than when I'm left to myself. It looks like you had a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such beautiful photos!! And your card is so pretty, love that vintage image. Thank you so much for sharing some Christmas joy with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful photos Jane, OMG that Reindeer is adorable.
    Your card is gorgeous, I love the image and the papers are so cute, love it.
    Thanks for joining at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    hugs
    Mandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Jane, (i'm sorry to be so late with a comment)
    So happy you could visit and celebrate T's birthday.
    What a cool place.

    Happy counting down to the Big Day.
    Sending some mild weather to you....
    Anne D.T. xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a beautiful card making such great use of the Nicecrane image. Great to see your fabulous stay at Longleat too! Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've been a few times but never at this time of year but it looks very inviting. Love your traditional card.
    Thanks for joining us at Noor!DesignUK.
    Hugs Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love this Jane, the perfect traditional Christmas card. Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Country View Crafts and I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year.
    Sue xx

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment; I really enjoy reading every single one of them.

To comply with the new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) May 2018 I wish to state that any comments left here are with your consent that your name & comment are visible to anyone who visits my blog and that you accept that your personal information is being used for that specific purpose.

Jane x