If I was well organised. Or indeed if I learnt from years of last minute organising I would start my Christmas making in August. But I don’t. In fact the conflict is clear in my head. I want to hang on to the last warm sunny summer days and I don’t feel inclined to start a new season quite so early.
How do people in retail or magazines manage to put themselves in full Christmas mode in July? I don’t think I could do it. This year I have sought to live in the ‘now’ season. I have been very slow on my crochet projects plus there is a new book being designed in the background. So in many ways there is little to show you.
If there has been a theme for my crafting endeavours it would be ‘stashbusting’. In the summer I happily worked on two blankets for our son. The battenberg rainbow blanket is so very glorious. I love it so much. Even though I have made nearly four blankets this year, I am not done. I have a new one in my head and so I will go and prepare for this little idea to be my festive project. You know what I mean, the project which you snuggly up with in the quite moments between festive activity.
i have managed to do a little Christmas making. There were some rather pretty off-cuts from the liberty print quilt I made in early autumn. I used these to make some cute lavender sachets for my closest friends. If you are inclined there is an excellent tutorial on the Purl Soho site. They have always been so generous with their crafty ideas. I continue to love their website for inspiration. Don’t worry I don’t think any of the recipients read this blog, so we are no ‘ruining-the-surprise’ danger. These are not lavish gifts. But they are made with my own hands and there is a sprinkle of love thrown in. I do realise that I prize a handmade gift highly – hopefully my pals will love them too.
So what else will I be making? Well this evening I might settle down to a traditional bit of Chocolate Orange Cosy making. Sorry if this is very ‘British’ but we have a traditional chocolate gift made by the confectionary company ‘Terrys’. For a very long time I have enjoyed making cosy’s for these oranges as a gift. They are ALOT of fun and a very quick make. So there you go. Time is ticking and I promise myself I won’t get stressed, but rather lean into the festive joy and slow down to make and enjoy. Happy December!