The rain is making little pitter patter noises on our skylights and the early morning daylight has just begun to rise here in Germany. The lights on the tree are twinkling as I listen to my Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr. and Jazz Christmas CD’s this early morning. The house is quiet as everyone is sleeping. The fire in the fire place is crackling and the presents are perfectly placed under the tree, that’s all Michael – not me, he has a gift for it! I’m fighting off some sort a bug and refuse to let it dampen the excitement of this day! You can hear nothing outside – no cars, no hustle and bustle and it’s nice. Just the Black Forest, the rain and us!
Last night we went to a Christmas service in the actual Black Forest. There was a live manger scene with an orchestra and about 800 people came from far and wide to stand out in the cold and listen to the Christmas story (even on big buses!). A bonfire twenty feet high crackled in the background and you could hear a pin drop as the pastor enthralled the masses with this joyful story as children dressed as angels with massive wings and shepherds also looked on. It was quite something.
After, we ventured the 20 minutes back through the Black Forest back to the Bad Wildbad valley to the town center. We gathered at the town square just outside the Church and sang German Christmas carols with 1000 other town folk while a 60 piece orchestra filled this quaint small village with beautiful music. It was the perfect way to start our Christmas Eve.
I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for taking the time to visit here and leaving comments this past year. I hope you have enjoyed all the creative inspiration this past year. I’m excited for all the great creative inspiration that will be shared in 2014!
I made this special card just for you today. The poinsettia flower is embossed and water colored from behind. It is delicate, just like a stained glass church window. The small details like just a tiny bit of gold embossing on the raised embossed words in the background really make this card special. This card is my all time favorite of the 2013 season, and I hope you love it too.
From my home to yours – I hope you have a safe and happy holiday this year!
About Ingrid Blackburn
Thank you so much for taking the time to share about your Christmas Eve AND for leaving such a beautiful gift for us in the Christmas card!
HOW did you do the “stained glass” effect? It’s so lovely!
Thanks Jennifer! The stained glass technique is actually quite simple. You emboss your image onto vellum cardstock and color in from behind. You can certainly color from the top layer, but when you color from behind it has a subtler effect. Enjoy playing with the idea! 🙂
Thank you for all you share, and you are quite a lovely woman.
Thank you for spreading the holiday cheer from so far away; the pictures are stunning….Canadian wishes for a safe travel & looking forward to another great year, from you, thru your blog!!
Merry Christmas Sue! Thanks for always stopping by. 🙂 Have a lovely Christmas in Canada! 🙂
What a beautiful Christmas Eve you had. Thank you for sharing.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Sandy! 🙂
Thank you for the card, very pretty. Your Christmas story was so vivid that it made me feel as if I were there. Merry Christmas!!
Thank you for your kind words Gisela. 🙂 I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas, thank you for so many great ideas for 2013
Merry Christmas to you too Susan! Thanks so much for stopping by so often. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the creative inspiration. Have a great holiday. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and Michael!
Have a very Merry Christmas my friend! I hope and the family create great holiday memories! 🙂