Crafted Christmas

The goal for many years has been to celebrate a Christmas holiday that is less commercial and more personal. Well, this year I have successfully crafted the bulk of my Christmas giving. Here's some of the stuff...
MEMORY GAME

 

 

So easy! I bought four packs (6 in a pack) of these wooden 3X2 inch signs at Michaels for about $1.20 each, and the paper mache box for $1. I bought 1 package of stickers from the dollar store, there were three sheets in the pack, I used two for the cards and a few to decorate the box. I painted the cards and the box with acrylic paint (everything dries REALLY FAST). I decoupaged the stickers to the cards and to the box and I used a Sharpie to label the box.

 Upcycled Denim Apron

 Oh yeah! I followed the tutorial HERE, took some creative liberties and came up with this pretty apron. I used blanket binding and left the bottom hem alone. Have another one standing by...ran out of binding, gonna have to make some...yuck! Not my fav thing to do...

HOT CHOCOLATE
I picked up a recipe on FoodNetwork.com and then I packaged my hot chocolate mix in an old Folger's Instant Coffee jar. I cut a label that looks like a shirt top and glued it in place of the original label. Then I added a label to the lid and
wrote the instructions down and glued on some buttons to accent. 

 pillows-- I made two. Had everything on hand! (Here's a pic of one)
















and a little Canning

 

Pickled Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Jalapeno Jelly and some Strawberry Preserves that I helped my friend make.

Now it's late...time for bed!

Need a Gift Tonight

Taking my own twist on an already existing pattern, I adjusted a neckwarmer pattern to lay a little bit flatter and squared the edges up to make a neat scarf.

SCARF NOW

Ch 28 (includes 23 foundation, sk2, turning ch3)
R1- (2dc, ch2, sc) in 5th ch from hook, *sk 3, (2dc, ch2, sc) in next st. Rep from * across to last 3 sts, sk 2, dc in last st. Turn.
R2- Ch3, [(2dc, ch2, sc) in ch2 sp] repeating between [ ] across. Dc in 3rd st of skipped 5. Turn.
R3- Ch3, [(2dc, ch2, sc) in ch2 sp] repeating between [ ] across. Dc in turning ch.
Repeat R3 to desired length.

So What...?

So what have I been up to. After being sick with the flu...then a sinus infection I got some meds and got busy.

Scarves - 1 more finished (no pic)

My new love...Buntings - 3 done (tonight)

 

 

Dinner - Ground Beef Soup: 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 med. onion (diced), 3 zuccini squash (peeled and diced), taco seasoning packet, 1 C Chunky Salsa, 1 can corn, 1 can black beans, garlic powder, season salt, pepper, chicken bullion, water. Brown the meat and saute the onions, drain. In a large pot combine meat, squash, taco seasoning, salsa, corn, black beans, 2t garlic, 1t salt, 1/2 t pepper, 2t bullion. Add water to cover and boil. Ready to eat when squash is soft and soup has thickened up.

2 December 11

They say...the older you get the faster time seems to pass. I suppose there is some truth to that. In as busy as we think we need to be we have our hours filled with activity. We have abandoned the time that we spent as children laughing with friends, coloring, and playing outside. Instead we opt to punch on computer keys, making appointments, getting things done. Even our free time is scheduled. Planned vacations and dinner dates. Spontaneity may be the timepiece we have neglected as we stare at complacency. As we age, regret and remorse tick-tock in the shadows of our minds causing us to battle vicariously the things that we don't have time for anymore. Seemingly. Skipping pages to get to the final chapter.

I am determined to slow this puppy down. Taking smaller steps and turning down random forks in the road. Lying down when I am tired and skipping as I am moved. Spending bigger moments in the presence of God and letting Him command a greater portion of my time. Dwelling.

Take off your shoes and start moving back the way you came. Spend some of that time.