I don't like the sound of
all those lists he's making - it's like taking too many notes at school; you
feel you've achieved something when you haven't.
-- Dodie SmithI very much feel this way right now. My brain is abuzz with all of the things I want to sew for Christmas, mainly for my daughter and mom, though I have some fun stuff planned for my new nephew and some friends. My fear, however, is that, as with many years past, my gumption will outweigh the actual constraints of time. I do have a job, the family does need to eat, the house needs cleaning, I have a life to "live", etc., etc., etc. Perhaps making 75 homemade items before Christmas is too much to ask...
Still, I always find solace in my lists. If I can write it down and scratch it off when all is said and done, I feel so much more accomplished, you know? There's even an app for that. Well, there are numerous apps, but that's the one I use and I love it solely because I can make a checklist that allows me to cross items off and doesn't just put a lame checkmark next to the item. I MUST SEE IT CROSSED OFF FOR IT TO COUNT!
I have already begun curating my To Make list of items on my Pinterest board. It keeps getting longer and longer, but I can't help myself. The item I'm most excited about is a messenger bag full of stuff for Veronica. She's almost always the only kid whenever we go anywhere, so I want to make her a bag full of fun stuff that she can do alone. Items for drawing, writing, taking pictures, stuff like that. Sewing was a bust for her, but she's generally pretty happy with a camera in her hands. I do not doubt that the items I put in the bag will mainly go unused, but there is fun in the making of things just for the sake of making them. Plus, she's always appreciative when she knows it was sewn just for her, and right now with the baby coming making something specifically for her and only her carries a lot of weight.
I picked up these personalized pencils which I know she'll love. For one, they're all blue and that's her favorite color. For two, they have her name on them, and that instantly makes everything cool. Those in a fun zipper pencil case, a small journal, sketch book (which I will cover with fun scrapbook paper and spell her name out with stickers), colored pencils and markers in a roll, stickers, stamps and a stamp pad, an Ed Emberley on how to draw with fingerprints (or this kit), a puzzle (thinking of having one made on Winkflash with pictures of me spelling out a message to her), playing cards, a fun activity book with word searches, puzzles, coloring, etc. (which I may make myself if I can't find a good one), and an mp3 player with a camera. Any other suggestions? She's almost nine (My baby daughter is almost NINE!!!!!), so I am looking at you ladies with older kids.
Are you guys working on any handmade holiday stuff on your end? If you're not familiar with the site, Sew Mama Sew is having a stellar Handmade Holidays series. They post a number of links every single day to free tutorials on tons of different items. I remember coming across that site maybe four years ago during their Handmade Holidays series and it knocked my socks off. I don't know how they continue to get better, but this is honestly their best series ever. There are so many wonderful tutorials!
I have actually sewn and will show some cute and simple items I've made. I may even make an apron tutorial that is super quick and easy... fingers crossed that I can do it next week when I'm on vacay!!
xoxo,
