EDGY, WHOLESOME
I think I figured out why crocheting for hours while in the car, watching TV or hanging out with friends works so well for me. It’s smoking. My hands are busy, I’m laughing and talking and drinking and my hands are doing something. I’m just not actually inhaling dark death into my lungs. Everybody wins. It’s the same reason I eat sunflower seeds at every game we go watch the kids play.
And here I thought I had quit.
Anyone want to buy a hat?
I’ve been making candles for at least 10 years and it’s still one of my favorite things to do. It wasn’t until Joe and I were completely done last night and we were wiping off the last counter that I wished I would have taken some step by step photos this time and created a post out of it. Dang. Next time. But if you have some questions (Michelle), ask away. I’ll do my best to answer with no photographic evidence of any kind.
While I was traveling in November and December, I forgot about Christmas. As in, Christmas who? I was busy, absorbed completely in what I was working on and it just didn’t occur to me that I should be thinking about something other than interviews and rental cars and forgetting to take my vitamins. Suddenly, it hit me. It was 8 days until Christmas and I had done nothing to prepare. Not only that, we were not going to get any money in for presents, so if there was going to be something under the tree, I needed to make it. And that included everything for the kids and our families. No pressure.
I literally worked 20 hours a day for the next few days and then 24 hours straight a few times on books, hats, blankets, scarves and candles as well as anything else I could glue pipe cleaners to.
We left on Saturday morning for Utah and I took most of my unfinished projects with me. My mom wasn’t surprised to see me lugging in all kinds of equipment. She’s used to me bringing home projects. But, I do think she was a little surprised at the sheer volume of stuff.
While we were there, I crocheted 14 hats and 8 scarves for different family members. That didn’t really scratch the surface of the almost 40 people that came and went over the few days we were there, but it was enough. My fingers now ache and I have a new massive muscle in my right arm that goes down my back. I call it Ellen.
Christmas was lovely. I had helped the kids make presents for each other and all three of my boys sat at my sewing machine and Tony even crocheted a purse for his sister which he then sewed a lining for and THEN hand-sewed into the purse. Ty made a large quilt for Devon and Devon made a jean football-pillow that you can throw in the house for Ty. Until you knock over the lamp. Then stop, please. Alex made Tony a fleece blanket. And it was so much nicer than going to the crowded store, pushing our way through everyone and trying to find something to buy each other.
I think next year, even if we have more money than we did this year, I won’t be rushing off to buy things for the kids. I used to love making things for Christmas and this year really reminded me of that. I got to spend hours thinking about the people I was making the gifts for. The only thing I’d change is starting earlier, say, June.
1. Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir created this wonderful short called The Dinosaur Game from a conversation her two boys had. It is spectacular.
2. Did you know you can buy Dooce shirts? They make a great Christmas gift for you or your dog.
Have you seen Craftzine? I believe it’s from the Make people. It looks pretty new. I found it while searching for things to make for Christmas presents. In their blog, I found two links that made me glad I found them:
1. Knitting, How to Cast On. Do you know how many times I’ve looked this up and had to search for what felt like forever? It’s one of those things I keep forgetting in between my urges for knitting (every winter). The post is by Brian Sawyer at the Instructables website and includes great photos. Next, Cast Off? (hint)
2. Make Your Own Blank Books. I’ve made books a number of times but this is the first time I’ve heard of using old game boards for the covers. Brilliant! Pretty nice step-by-step by Firefly at the Craftster.org website. Firefly uses a homemade wheat paste where I’ve always used a thinned glue or a decoupage glue, but it’s basically the same thing.
For Christmas presents, I’m usually looking for things that can be mass-produced and don’t take longer than about an hour/per since Joe and I both have such large families. We’re talking about 30-40 people all together. The book doesn’t fall within that timeframe and I won’t be using it for this Christmas but homemade books make great wedding gifts, if you’re crafty and looking for something special to make.