Christmas Wishes from Moonlight Journey Free Collage Sheet

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

With every Christmas card I write

(We hope to help you make those cards! Check out our Collage Sheets for inspiration)

http://www.moonlightjourney.com/

May your days be merry and bright

And may all your Christmases be white.

What do you need for Holiday inspiration?  Free Collage Sheets and some wonderful Images! ENJOY~~~~

Just click on picture and it will take you to a bigger picture that you can save to your computer.

You may use these pictures any way you like we just ask that you do not sell the images in another collage sheet or claim them as your own. You may use them to sell as tags or on altered art projects. If you use them credit for the images would be greatly appreciated.

DON''T Forget to sign up at the right for our newsletter where there are always great altered art ideas and artwork from our lovely friends.

We would love to see what you create with our images. If your artwork is featured in our Newsletter you will recieve a free Collage Sheet of your Choice from us.

http://www.moonlightjourney.com/

XXX to All

Becky

French Christmas ACEO

Well that time of year is upon us. Now matter your religion this time of year sparks wonders and is filled with generosity and love. As I studied to see what NOEL means I found many interesting things out about France and how they celebrate the Season so I am going to share.

In France, Christmas is a time for family and for generosity, marked by family reunions, gifts and candy for children, gifts for the poor, Midnight Mass, and le Réveillon. "Le Réveillon"

Although fewer and fewer French attend la Messe de Minuit on Christmas Eve, it is still an important part of Christmas for many families. It is followed by a huge feast, called le Réveillon. Le Réveillon is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ's birth and is the culinary high point of the season, which may be enjoyed at home or in a restaurant or café that is open all night. Each region in France has its own traditional Christmas menu, with dishes like turkey, capon, goose, chicken, and boudin blanc (similar to white pudding).



The celebration of Christmas in France varies by region. Most provinces celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, which is a bank holiday. However, in eastern and northern France, the Christmas season begins on 6 December, la fête de Saint Nicolas, and in some provinces la fête des Rois* is one the most important holidays of the Christmas season. In Lyon, 8 December is la Fête de lumières, when Lyonnais pay hommage to the virgin Mary by putting candles in their windows which light up the village.

French children put their shoes in front of the fireplace, in the hopes that Père Noël (aka Papa Noël) will fill them with gifts. Candy, fruit, nuts, and small toys will also be hung on the tree overnight. In some regions there's also Père Fouettard who gives out spankings to bad children (sort of the equivalent of Santa Claus giving coal to the naughty).
In 1962, a law was passed decreeing that all letters written to Santa would responded to with a postcard. When a class writes a letter, each student gets a response.

This is just a small portion of what I found but there is never enough room or time to put everything done in one's blog:)

Joyeux Noël or Happy Christmas to all!
XXXX
Becky

Giving Thanks For my Sweet Friends Free Collage Sheet

As Autumn draws to an end I realized that only one short year ago I started this blog. I have made so many new friends since then and I want you to know how much each one of you has touched my life. I appreciate your sweet comments and enjoy all of your beautiful works whether art or the written word. I give thanks for each of you, my life truly has been blessed.

Sonnet 73

by William Shakespeare (1609)

That time of year thou mayst in me behold

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.

In me thou see’st the twilight of such day

As after sunset fadeth in the west;

Which by and by black night doth take away,

Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.

In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire,

That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,

As the deathbed whereon it must expire,

Consumed with that which it was nourished by.

This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,

To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

Copyright by Becky Loyall

You are welcome to use this sheet in any of your artwork. The Tags will print out 3"X6" you can size them smaller or larger it is up to you. Commercial work is ok also. I just ask that you do not sell the images as your own. I would appreciate credit for the images if you use them commercially but it is not required:)

Click on the photo and you will be taken to a 300DPI picture. Right click and save to your computer.

 XXX to ALL
Becky