2008-12-03 [Angelic nightmares]: So entering this.

2008-12-08 [Alexi Ice]: Christmas decorations? This one is going to be cool! I can't wait to see some entries!!

2008-12-09 [Artsieladie]: Thanks for adding the theme, Lin. :) Yeah, me, too. I lurve Christmas decorating and decorations. :)

2008-12-11 [Alexi Ice]: Awesome ^^ Entry # one. We haven't even put ours up yet...

2008-12-11 [FamousPanda]: we only have the lights on it.. no ornaments yet. I think it looks like its black and white with a color technique on the lights lol

2008-12-11 [Alexi Ice]: It does kind of. Lol, my Xmas tree really IS black! It is awesome and I will have to post a picture up as soon as we drag ours out of the laundry room ...LOL...

2008-12-16 [Captain Rachel Black]: ...do they have to be ornaments or can they be anything we use as decoration? Assuming said decoration is Christmasy XD

2008-12-16 [Linderel]: Just Christmasy decoration will do :P

2008-12-16 [Captain Rachel Black]: Oh Good! Because I have the perfect idea!

2008-12-17 [Chrysilla]: Everyone does globes now?

2008-12-18 [Thistlewood]: I'd show you the whole tree, except the kittens helped us undecorate. They also bent the tree to a funny angle.

2008-12-19 [FamousPanda]: I just took the first picture cause we didn't have the ornaments on the tree yet. lol

2008-12-19 [Xuan.]: should I explain my proofs? babies are hard to keep still lol! one of the bags in the back ground is the same bag the baby is chewing on in the second picture. the balls and pillow and bags are also in the first picture :]

this is fun. am i on topic?

2008-12-19 [Linderel]: I'm not sure I'd call the bag a decoration as such, but the first one is fine. :)
Also, that kid is unbelievably cute.

2008-12-20 [Xuan.]: Thank you. He is my god son, and he is such a blessing! I will work on getting a different decoration pic.

2008-12-20 [Artsieladie]: Loving these photos! Me lurves Christmas decorations and decorating. [Thistlewood], hehe, aren't kitties just delightful lil' helpers? They have their preferences, too! ;) Precious, [Xuan.], very precious! I also love his red hair. :) [Rebulous], very nice! I'm glad to see your participation! :D

2008-12-20 [Rebulous]: [Artsieladie], thanks! I am striving to be a more involved Elftowner. Encouragement like yours is very, well, encouraging! :-)

2008-12-20 [Xuan.]: Thanks! this is the first time in like 7 years of being on elftown that I've ever done in any competitions :] 

He's a beautiful little red head!

2008-12-21 [Artsieladie]: Great, [Xuan.]! I love to see Elftowners enjoy themselves here and entering the contests is a nice part of the fun, I think. Hopefully, now that you've cracked the ice, so to speak, we will be seeing a lot more? *hopes* :) I love red hair!

[Rebulous], you're welcome. I think you're off to a very good start! Well, I know when I've received encouragement from others, it was indeed nice to hear and it does go a long way to minimising any doubts we may have in ourselves. Settling in to a new town, can be a little intimidating, too. ;)

2008-12-21 [Alexi Ice]: I dont have a hammer...............................................................so I wrote hammer on a peice of paper. Is that ok?

2008-12-21 [Artsieladie]: hehe I think so. ;)

2008-12-21 [Artsieladie]: I think that's fine! It's still a proof and it does have a hammer in it, though a 'written' hammer! :)

2008-12-21 [Alexi Ice]: Ok good. Cuz I honestly cant find a hammer.

2008-12-21 [Artsieladie]: Well, this serves the same purpose. It's just that some object has to be thought of, so this round it was a hammer. ;) I have several hammers, but no digital camera! So, this leaves me out of the photo contests. :P

2008-12-21 [Alexi Ice]: Oh, I take mine with my phone mostly. lol. They for the most part turn out fairly well

2008-12-21 [Artsieladie]: Hmm.. well, I don't have one of those camera phones, either. ;P

2008-12-21 [Alexi Ice]: Oh, then I understand ^^ I need to get an I phone. They take amazing pictures.

2008-12-21 [Artsieladie]: I'm not really into all these fancy gadgets like iphones and ipods. Mention to me something about awesome sound equipment, midi, synthesizers, and such, hehe ...well, now this stuff I can really dig. lol

2008-12-21 [Alexi Ice]: ^^ hehehe. I dont know what any of those are.

2008-12-21 [Artsieladie]: hehe Well, I know zilch about an ipod, either, or an iphone, so we're even. ;)

2008-12-21 [Alexi Ice]: Alright, cool

2008-12-23 [FamousPanda]: [Heather Thomason] the proof pictures are the same picture just smaller, you have to have a hammer in them.

2008-12-23 [Artsieladie]: Yes, [FamousPanda] is right. [Heather Thomason] you do need a proof photo that shows a hammer, erm, if you don't have one, write it. Nice pictures, though! :) *winks at Mitsuki*

2008-12-23 [Heather Thomason]: what do you mean write it

2008-12-23 [Artsieladie]: If you look at [Alexi Ice]'s, you will see that she wrote the word "hammer" on a piece of paper and took her picture and then she took a picture without the piece of paper. ;)

2008-12-23 [Heather Thomason]: alright

2008-12-24 [Alexi Ice]: Thanks, Artsie! I just wish my digital camera worked, then they would be awesome pictures...*le sigh* oh well, its X mas!

2008-12-24 [Artsieladie]: I wish I had a good digital camera period! I would inundate [Hedda] with photos for ET! lol

2008-12-24 [Alexi Ice]: hehehe! ^^

2008-12-24 [Tyrana]: My camera's pretty terrible. All my pictures come out grainy and not-quite-the-right-colors.

2008-12-24 [Tyrana]: Although I am happy with how this came out. The angry-looking sheep is my favorite part.

2008-12-24 [Jitter]: Shit I forgot we have to take proof pics. I can't go back now before the deadline and take any pictures with the hammer :/ Too bad.

I might go do a written one as well though tomorrow (mind if it is in daylight instead of nighttime?)

2008-12-24 [CrazySierzant]: Jitter that ship just ROCKS !!!

2008-12-24 [Jitter]: It does, doesn't it? :D And that's a small one, downtown there's one that's about 50-60m tall

2008-12-24 [Tyrana]: That is gorgeous. How does it work? Do you live in a coastal area, or do lots of people have ships in their yards? Does one find a ship every year, or have like, a "christmas ship" that they keep in with the decorations?

2008-12-24 [CrazySierzant]: hell yeah it does! ^^ especially it has my fave shades of blue there x) in my opinion the winner is known already :) or maybe... nah I'll better save it for myself. :P Mitsuki's 'magic lights' , Rebulous' 'birds are my friend', and Tyrana's 'peeking around the wiseman' got very to my liking :]. Really fantastic pics ! great job, people! *laud applause*
P.S. Jitteeeeeerrr.... could you shoot a pic of that large one for meeeeee ? 8D

2008-12-24 [Jitter]: I do live and lived in a coastal city but nowadays the ships are usually made of lights in town squares like this one^ It seems people are trying to ressurect this custom ^^ In islands they decorate the fleets etc but in houses they usually have miniature ships like this: http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l115/stasistasis/Karabaki.jpg I did put up a ship as well this year :) It's a frigate :3 I'll try to snap a pic when I'm back home.

I do hope I'll manage to be downtown at a time I can catch the big one alight. I only have 3 days, then I'll be back home :/
This is a pic I found of it online: http://www.dpgr.gr/usergalleries/albums/userpics/16256/IMG_3013.jpg there are people for size comparison too ^^

That's Aristotelous (Aristotelis's) Square, all the big gigs in Thessaloniki happen there :)

2008-12-24 [Tyrana]: That's so cool!!! The lit-up ones are beautiful!

2008-12-24 [Jitter]: I borrowed my brother's camera. He has a nifty 9mp one. Mine died and he gave me his old one but I haven't been able to make it work so far. I think I should blame the batteries >_> Anyway, I took a lot of great pictures today but I think the blue ship one is by far the best ^_^

If you google image "Christmas ship" you get lots of nifty pics :)

2008-12-26 [Artsieladie]: Very good, [Heather Thomason]! Thanks! One year I had a skinny tree, too. ;) [Tyrana], it's nice to see a photo depicting the true meaning of Christmas. I put up a nativity scene every year as part of my Christmas decorations. :) [Jitter], I have to agree with others. That ship is awesome! O..O :)

2008-12-27 [Heather Thomason]: thank you

2008-12-27 [CrazySierzant]: I've also thought of something... what do you think ? :)

2008-12-28 [Tyrana]: [Artsieladie]: Thank you!
[CrazySierzant]: Ooooh, pretty!! ^_^

2008-12-28 [CrazySierzant]:

2008-12-28 [*Phoenix*]: oh geeez....look like I need a better picture. I will upload the one I got but so many are so much better....O.o

2008-12-28 [Jitter]: [CrazySierzant] O_O pretty... shiny... must... touch..!

2008-12-28 [Artsieladie]: Very pretty, [CrazySierzant]! I like candles. They can really enhance an atmosphere, whether it be for Christmas, and/or romantically. :) You're welcome, [Tyrana]. :) [*Phoenix*], you know artists are their own toughest critics. It may not be as bad as you think. *thinks and scratches chin* Hmm... let me see...Who was it that told me they just received a scanner for Christmas? Hmmm.... _*giggles*

[Hedda], that's similar to a scene I like to set up every year. Nice! However, I was wondering if "Santa Slop" was the correct term/title. So I Googled "Tomtebacke" and this was the first that came up:

"Jul2007
The "tomte-backe" (Mini-Santas/gnomes slope). <img300*0:stuff/z/1. [Hedda] drinking Christmas coffee..." 

(http://elftown.eu/wiki.html?name=Jul2007)

I'm thinking then that you mean "Santa Slope", instead?

2008-12-28 [moira hawthorne]: Hedda love yours! soooooo cute!

2008-12-28 [Hedda]: I'll tell mother!

2008-12-28 [Rice]: I really like yours Moira!

2008-12-28 [moira hawthorne]: thx u.... its abit different than everyone else... very pagan themed

2008-12-28 [moira hawthorne]: I love yours [Rice] - Cold Tinsel.

2008-12-29 [Artsieladie]: Ooh, [nehirwen]! Wubs Christmas plushies! *cuddles them* :D

2008-12-29 [nehirwen]: ^_^ Thankies. My mom made the big one, and it's wearing something I used to wear as a baby. xD

2008-12-29 [Rice]: Thank you kindly Moira.

2008-12-29 [Artsieladie]: Cute and an extra speshul plushie, then. :)

2008-12-29 [moira hawthorne]: your mom is very talented! [nehirwen]! lucky you!

2008-12-29 [Artsieladie]: Well, then, I'd have to say there are 'two' very talented Moms here, [nehirwen]'s and [Hedda]'s! :D

[Edit:] Better???? lol
I guess when you've been on a computer typing for about 12 hours straight, there are liable to be some errors! >..< hehe

2008-12-30 [Jitter]: there* *grabs grammar police badge* :P xD

2008-12-30 [nehirwen]:

2008-12-31 [CrazySierzant]: it would seem that [Artsieladie] has right ^^ I thought that this photo of mine is odd sucky and even doesn't fit the theme properly... but seeing your reaction.... well you know xD

2008-12-31 [Artsieladie]: Well, the theme: "Christmas Decorations" is a very broad topic with endless possibilities. Candles are always a part of my Christmas decorating. :)

2009-01-01 [Artsieladie]: "Origami", very nice, [blu.nation]! Thanks for providing the proof. :D

I just noticed [Chrysilla]'s hammer. Awesome hammer! lol ;)

2009-01-01 [blu.nation]: ^^ thankyou~ sorry i had that silly placeholder up for so long.

2009-01-01 [Artsieladie]: Eh, no worries and no apology is necessary. I'm just glad that you were able to come up with a proof photo. :D

2009-01-02 [Artsieladie]: Very pretty, [Grandamelf]! :D

2009-01-02 [Grandamelf]: TY [Artsieladie] I almost forgot to upload the pics :O

2009-01-02 [Artsieladie]: You're welcome! :)

Nice to see you entered, [Mortified Penguin]. Pretty pic'! :)

2009-01-04 [Artsieladie]: Ok, everyone, time to vote! Thanks to all that joined in the fun!

2009-01-05 [Avatar15]: ROTFL. [Jitter], I was just thinking what would happen if you didn't own a hammer and then I saw your proof. xD

2009-01-05 [Mortified Penguin]: You take that back! It's a terrible picture! *spits on [Artsieladie]*

2009-01-05 [Alexi Ice]: Mort - You need to watch yourself. Even if you are kidding, that is a load of bullshit.

2009-01-05 [Avatar15]: Wow. That was totally uncalled for.

2009-01-05 [Alexi Ice]: What, him or me?

2009-01-05 [Avatar15]: Him.

2009-01-05 [Mortified Penguin]: Ah ha ha! *spits on both of you*

2009-01-05 [Mortified Penguin]: However, Mitsuki... your entry is wonderful. Avatar, your nonexistent entry is just okay... *spits on you both again*...

2009-01-05 [Artsieladie]: Are you enjoying yourself, Mort? Is that ramen spit? *laughs*

2009-01-05 [Jitter]: Lol [Avatar15] :D I do own a hammer but I was out for coffee so carrying one along wasn't so charming now was it? :P

2009-01-05 [Artsieladie]: I can just about imagine what some might be thinking with you having coffee while toting a hammer, [Jitter]. lol

2009-01-05 [Avatar15]: [Mortified Penguin] I'm not the one virtually spitting ramen on people for no apparent reason. I was only trying to comment on an entry that made me giggle.

[Jitter] Haha~ I figured it was something like that. ;P

2009-01-05 [Jitter]: Yeah "This cappuccino has sugar in it :O *hammers*"

2009-01-05 [Avatar15]: xD

2009-01-05 [Jitter]: But it was a damn good coffee and the hammer wasn't needed ;)

2009-01-05 [Alexi Ice]: Um....thank you? *whipes off spit*

[Jitter] You made me spit my coffee out...thanks. I can see people running from the hammer weilding coffee drinker.

2009-01-06 [Jitter]: *bows* always here to provide your daily lols ;)

2009-01-20 [Heather Thomason]: when are the badges going to be posted?

2009-01-20 [Artsieladie]: They are on their way. One of the elves got detained. lol

2009-01-20 [Heather Thomason]: lol

2009-01-20 [FamousPanda]: lol haha.. Guess what.. today is my birthday! -celebrates-

2009-01-20 [Artsieladie]: [Heather Thomason], I sent an elf to your house with a badge in tow. It should be there as I speak. I have other elves delivering to other houses right now, too. So, pretty soon, everyone's badge will have arrived! ;D

Happy Birthday, [FamousPanda]! Wow! Your birthday and your girlfriend's birthday are only a day apart! Nifty! :)

2009-01-20 [FamousPanda]: Thank you, and yup it is ^-^

2009-01-20 [Artsieladie]: Cool! You're welcome! :)

2009-01-21 [Tynuka-Rhytishy]: We're cool kids like that, Artsie. xD

2009-01-21 [Artsieladie]: Yes, I know. Ze kool kids! ;)