the things i made

Is it too late to still be talking about Christmas?  I'm still getting over my crafting fatigue and this is the first I've felt like broaching the subject.  I haven't been able to look at my sewing machine in the past three weeks without whimpering a bit.  But it was all worth it!  This year I had an almost entirely handmade Christmas.  A few items I blogged about over at the Crafty Christmas Club (links to those entries are below).

A patchwork tote for my mother-in-law

Sailor's knot bracelets for some of my favorite ladies

A restaurant review journal for my sister-in-law

A rocket ship tent for my nephew

 Also completed:
     - Three pairs of men's PJ pants
     - Christmas themed photo album 
     - Man's toiletry case (using this tutorial) 
     - Beer coozies (pictures and tutorial to come)
     - Another tote bag with a felt applique 

Though starting a small business has drained my resources, I desperately wanted to have a normal-ish Christmas.  Instead of shopping my wallet dry, I spent almost two months making things for my friends and family.  I think my hard work paid off in spite of the paper cuts, pin pricks, and that one little temper tantrum.  The presents might have been smaller than usual this year but while I made each one, I spent the entire time thinking about the person I was making it for.  I think that's what Christmas is really all about anyway.       

who cut the cheese?

Taking down the Christmas tree is always depressing.  A whole year before another one takes its place.  To cheer ourselves up after sweeping out the pine needles, we opened one of the presents I bought for Beau: a cheese making kit!

First up: gouda

Two gallons of whole milk heating up

 Poor little Miss Muffet.  Curds and whey are not appetizing.

 Finally found a use for those old textbooks.

And when those inevitably toppled, we switched to unused exercise equipment

In a few months, we'll have our first two pounds of home made cheese.  I plan on making crackers to go with them.  What type goes well with gouda?  

weekend highlights: last chance before christmas

It shouldn't come as any surprise that Christmas tunes are being played on loop around here. We kept busier than Santa's elves this Saturday.  

Building a rocket ship.  No, really.

Beau's store-bought gift wrap has been segregated from my 

upcycled packaging to prevent rumbles between the gangs.  

Parsley is still alive and well, though production has considerably slowed.

The parsley photo shoot led to all out spring garden planning.

If a person can get carpal tunnel syndrome from a sewing machine, I think I'm halfway there.  But since I've got less than half my gifts to finish, I guess I'll survive.

upcycling trash into wrapping paper

Hidden deep in the recessives of my craft room for the past five months has been my personal shame.  My husband accused me of hoarding when he found it.  Stacked precariously in the closet was a collection of seeming garbage.  Now it looks a lot more reasonable.  It’s my holiday wrapping gear.

Way back in the heat of summer, I decided not to buy wrapping paper this holiday season.  No new boxes, no unrecyclable paper, no metallic bows.  Instead, I raided the recycling bin and removed a variety of wrapping superstars: newspapers, old boxes, catalogues, brown paper bags*, and, yes, one outdated textbook that no self respecting professor would have used after 2007.  I found a bagful of supplemental ribbons for $0.50 at a thrift store on the Cape.     

There are brown paper packages tied up with string...

Catalogue pages to make old boxes sing...

Newspaper pages from sometime last spring...

And a textbook from that guy who gave me a ring.

These ideas and tutorials can help you get started if you also want to limit your contribution to the four million tons of trash created annually from gift-wrap and shopping bags:

Making a Gift Bow from a Magazine Page

Pretty Add-Ons For Brown Paper Bags

Wax Paper Flowers (I used old pattern pieces for mine) 

Snowflake Toppers

* Beau can attest to the fact that I frequently get into arguments with cashiers when attempting to refuse bags in favor of using my reusable canvas one or even my purse.  Home Depot is the worst.  Sometimes, they’ll continue to put things in plastic even as I pull them out and repeat “No really.  No bags needed.  For real.”  On occasion, I just give in and walk out with one.  Mostly though, our brown bags are conspicuously in the shape of wine bottles, which appear on my doorstep in the hands of friends.  I’ll never, ever turn those ones away.    

where i've been

It’s been a whirlwind month, but things are finally starting to calm down.  Thanksgiving came and went and it somehow involved chasing chickens as well as a two-year-old. Woodstock has long since been adopted by close friends who are currently lavishing him with affection.  I landed and completed my first freelance writing gig.  I helped rebuild a kitchen.  I’ve flyered half of the South Shore.  I picked up the cutest little pooch for my dog walking business.  I’ve logged more hours crafting for Christmas than some of Santa’s elves can boast.  I’ve ironed shirts, scrubbed bathrooms, and taught myself how to cook a respectable dinner.  

But I’m back and boy, do I ever have a lot to talk about.