It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Dec 20, 2015
4 min read

So Christmas is nearly here. It's been a busy time in the lead up here at C&C hq. Lots of Christmas orders to finish and Little Scribbler and Little Scribblers Apprentice have been unwell which has caused delays. Thankfully we seem to slowly be getting back on track.

Christmas holds significance for me in regards to Charcoal and Chalk Moments as it was a Christmas related event that actually sparked my foray back into art and the birth of C&C.

2 years ago I was involved in a craft related secret santa swap and me being me had procrastinated as I couldn’t think of a suitable enough crafty gift for my recipient (sorry Julia). In desperation I broke out my old art tools that had been gathering dust for a few years and drew a portrait. I will admit I had doubts and worried when I sent it off (I also made something else as a gift too, so low was my confidence), however she loved it to my relief and I got a lovely positive response from others that I was encouraged to do more. My next portrait funnily enough was a Christmas one of LS.

As an aside, I owe a lot to that little online craft group where it all started and the lovely ladies there (you know who you are). Their support and encouragement has helped me get to this point today

My skills have come a long way since then and it has been a constant learning curve but one I have loved.

So back to Christmas. It holds more importance to me now I have children. It is LSA’s first Christmas this year, however he is still too young to understand what is going on (although he finds all the pretty decorations fascinating). Little Scibbler though is just reaching that age where she is understanding. She knows about Santa and is looking forward to him bringing her presents (although any child would).

As per usual though while she loves Santa, she prefers him from a distance so the annual Santa visit went the same as usual with tears or refusing to go near him (see pictures). LSA slept through his first visit.

When doing her list for Santa she made me smile by saying she wanted a great big smile (and rope but I’m trying not to think about that one), which melted my heart. I’m looking forward to seeing her face as she opens her presents (and probably LSA’s too if her Dada [big kid that one] doesn’t beat her to it). The toys will probably be ignored in favour of the boxes as is usual with children but that is part of the fun and magic.

I’m usually working at Christmas (I return to work boxing day this year) so I am going to enjoy this year.

As with a lot of people we have our little christmas traditions. One of ours is going the Manchester Christmas Markets every year. It started back when Dada Scribbler and myself first started dating (many many moons ago) and has evolved over the years to include our expanding family. Alas last year I had to give it a miss due to restricted mobility and pregnancy sickness, so it was lovely seeing our daughter's excitement and wonder and being able to go again.

Another tradition before the arrival of children, Dada Scribbler and I used to get drunk watching the Doctor Who special, now with the little Scribblers, well we still watch it (if I’m not working) just without the alcohol. As life changes, so do we.

I would love to hear about others christmas traditions.

As this year comes to a close, I am wont to think about that all that has happened this past year. The biggest change was of course the arrival of Little Scribblers Apprentice and I have been properly developing Charcoal and Chalk Moments into a proper business. I have overcome quite a few battles (many pregnancy related) which will be discussed in other future blogs. There have been sad times and I have had cause to weep for friends and light a special candle. They will be in my thoughts this year.

I am looking forward to the New Year and hope to be bringing some new developments and options in C&C Moments, so keep a look out. I am also really looking forward to a certain Victorian Special featuring a certain detective (We all have our vices).

So now it is time for me to wander off to finish my last Christmas order and then to tackle the mountain of wrapping I have to do (send in a search party if I go quiet, I may be lost in a jungle of paper, tape and ribbon).

So to finish I wish you a Merry Seasons Greetings from myself and my family. I hope everyone has a lovely season.