Magnolia Advent Calendar Day 13

Welcome to my blog on my special day in Magnolia's Advent Calendar. Today it is Monday 13th December. And it is also Santa Lucia.

Here are some facts about Santa Lucia:

"Santa Lucia was born to noble, Christian parents in Syracuse, Italy. As a young girl, she took a secret vow to consecrate her virginity to Christ. As a teenager, Lucia's mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucia apparently knew that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life.

Through prayers at the tomb of Saint Agatha, her mother's long illness was miraculously cured. Joyful at her cure, Lucia's mother agreed to bestow Lucia's fortune to the poor. Lucia's pagan suitor was incensed and accused Lucia, before a judge, of being a Christian. When Lucia refused to relinquish her faith, the judge ordered her to a brothel; however, guards who attempted to drag her to the house of sin were unable to budge Lucia. Similarly an attempt to burn Lucia to death failed. She was ultimately stabbed in the throat with a sword, died. The date of Lucy's martyrdom was December 13, 304."

Here are also some facts about how Santa Lucia is celabrated in Sweden:

"Santa Lucia's Day, December 13th, is celebrated in a number of ways by several European nations. In Sweden, the oldest (or youngest) daughter in each household traditionally carries a tray of coffee and traditional pastries, called lussekatter (Lucy cats), to her parents before they arise in the morning. She wears a white gown, scarlet sash, and a crown of greens with four, seven, or nine lighted candles. Her brothers, wearing white shirts and tall, cone-shaped hats decorated with stars, and her sisters, all in white and carrying lighted candles, follow her. In many towns, a "Santa Lucia" is chosen to carry coffee and buns to each house. She and her followers, each bearing a lighted candle, sing carols as they traverse the dark streets while St. Steven, represented by a man on horseback, leads the way. The procession is done in memory of Santa Lucia's traverse through dark woods to bring bread and other food to the poor."

So this is the tradition where Pauline gets her ideas for the Lucia images of Tilda and Edwin:)

I was planned to make some Lucy cats for today. But instead I got caught up with this little project! I have for some time now wanted to make a book. I got the idea from the talented Pia Bau.

I haven't found any tutorial for these books, so I had to improvise:)) Just as it is said, this is my first attempt to make a book of papers.

For this I have used my favourite Santa Lucia stamp, Star Tilda. And when it is all my day, I have choosen to have it in pink;))

This is the front of the book/box. It is decorated with Magnolia papers, Prima flowers, and cream roses from Hjerteboden. The text "With all my love" is from the Winter Kit, You are so Special Collection 2011.

The box measures 11x15 cm.

On the backbone I have made the letters from a new die that I got together with my new Sizzix BIG SHOT!! A Christmas present from Bjarne:)) I just love my Big Shot! And I didn't manage to wait untill Christmas Eve to open it up, I ripped it up at once! The letters are from Tim Holtz and are called Vintage Market. I have inked them with Distress Ink-Walnut Stain, and then added Crackle Accents onto them. The paper is bazzill-Vanilla (the one I use the most).

 If you don't already know, "jul" means "Christmas" in Norwegian. And "God Jul" - "Merry Christmas".

Under you can see the inside of the book/box. It is not so pretty. I think I have to come up with something to do it more prettier. But I think if I fill the box with chocolate or something else nice, it will look better.

I have used Water Colour paper 180 g for the book. I have folded it on each 1 cm. Then inked it with Distress Ink-Walnut Stain. And to get a more old look I have added Crackle Paint-Rock Candy (clear) to it.

I have made a matching card to the book/box. I actually made the card first:) This Star Tilda is stamped with Archival Ink-Jet Black. But the one on the book is stamped with Archival Ink-Coffee.

For her pink dress I have mixed the colours Tattered Rose, Aged Mahogany and Weathered Wood. For her hair I have used Antique Linen and Walnut Stain. And skin: Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose.

I have also put a Star Anise between the flowers.

Under you can see the card from above.

Here comes the last photo! The whole set again:)

I really hope you liked my post, and if you leave me a comment today (or in the next 24 hours) under this post, you are in the draw of winning a surprise from Magnolia!!

I wish you all Good Luck!!