Right before we moved up to Canada, my sister-in-law, Emily invited me to join a little website called Pinterest. I had no idea what it was, nor that it would become an addiction and inspire so many awesome crafts and recipes. So, while I have been neglecting my blog, you will find it comforting to know that I have not fallen off the face of the Earth, I have just found something else to spend my days obsessing over.
While I continue to search for some more inspiration, I can at least share with you the things I have done instead of blogging:
1. Christmas Tree
It all began when we set up our pathetic little tree the day after Thanksgiving. S was so into Christmas and Santa this year, that I decided to part with my usual Grinch tendencies, and jump right onto the bandwagon filled with Christmas spirit. (All the snow we were getting probably helped a little too).
2. Advent Calendars
My sister-in-law, Missy made these Muffin Tin Advent Calendars for my mother-in-law and me last year. I swore to myself that I would remember to make these for my mom, sis-in-law, Rebecca, and my grandma this year. Here they are:
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| Rebecca's |
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| Mom's |
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| Grandma's |
3. Ornaments
Each year, I make a photo ornament of S to give to the Grandparents and Aunts & Uncles. I plan to make them every year, and have S become more involved in making them as she becomes older. This year's wooden block ornament is, by far, my favorite of the 3 we have made.
I also made a T (nephew) ornament and K (niece) ornament, for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (T&K's parents), my mother-in-law and father-in-law, and us.
Finally, I made an ornament using our wedding invitation for my parents, in-laws and us
4. Wreaths
I am not a wreath person. But, I just could not help my Christmas-spirited self this year. I started off with an ornament wreath. It turned out okay.
Then I moved on to a holly berry wreath, that I love so much, it has earned a place in my home year-round
5. Gift Tags
6. Scarf and Earrings
On Hubby's side of the family, who we spend Christmas with every year, we decided that the adults would draw names for gift giving, as a way to cut back on Christmas spending. We buy for our significant other, the person's name we draw and the 3 kiddos. It has worked out very well, especially for me. The last 2 years, since we started doing this, I have gotten to buy for my sis-in-law. This is great for me, because she is the easiest person for me to shop/craft for. (However, the effectiveness of Christmas budgeting is questionable, because in addition to buying her what was on her list, I bought myself quite a few things from her list, too!) This year, I made her a Braided T-Shirt Scarf and Paperclip Earrings.
7. Cookie Jars
I swore to myself I would not make Christmas cookies this year. I did not want to be bothered. But then my mother sent me a cookie press from our wedding registry that we did not receive. I made Christmas cookies. Lots of them. Oatmeal-Cranberry-Chocolate Chip, cookie-press Butter Cookies and a family recipe for traditional Czechoslovakian Kolachkys. So of course, I had to bring them with us to Phoenix to give away, and therefore, I needed cute cookie jars to put them in.
I have realized, in sharing all of these things that I spent hours making, that I am not lacking in inspiration. Rather, I have focused my inspiration elsewhere for awhile, and, in doing so, came up with some pretty awesome Christmas things for myself and the people I love. I tend to get distracted (probably why my husband gives me a hard time about "collecting" hobbies). Thanks to my beautiful little girl, this was my favorite Christmas - EVER! So much, in fact, that the Christmastime-appearing Grinch that lives inside of me may be gone for good (as long as I stay out of the stores from Thanksgiving to New Years).
More blogging about current inspirations (whatever they may be) to come soon!
