Whew… holiday complete. Lots of happy gift recipients. Too much food, lots of imbibing, and a lot of joy this year!

I am looking forward to settling in for the rest of this year… some snuggly time with D and cowboy… and general quietness.

Some much needed (gulp!) housecleaning has ensued and the cooking has begun again (don’t blink… you may miss this stint!)

I am looking forward to a new year that is a little more… well.. ordinary. More routines and less scattered-ness is in my thoughts are changes I would like to see in the New Year.

I hate New Year resolutions… I think they are a set up for failure (at least in my world they are). I am slowly starting to think that gradual change is best… slowing down… less (psychotic) multi-tasking and more thoughtful scheduling of my time may be best.

So.. if anyone has mastered that art… feel free to drop along your tips/ tricks.

I do have one goal for January ( 30 days to make a habit, right?) Every night that D, the cowboy, and I are home I will cook a healthy dinner. Now, we are home together about 3 nights during the week and Saturday and Sunday. Looks like I will be cooking about 5 times a week on average ( I KNOW! Shocking that I am intimidated by that..) I am actually looking forward to that!

I also have a knitting goal for January… I will finish D’s sweater.

Remember this?

)

Yup! That’s D’s sweater. I stopped because I wanted to measure him and get a really good fit. I AM NOT ALLOWING MYSELF TO CAST ON FOR ANYTHING ELSE UNTIL THIS IS DONE. I also can’t start a major sewing or printing project until it is done.

OH! On the subject of printing… wanna see my Christmas present?

My very own Print Gocco set! This is a silkscreen and printing press rolled into one! I am awash with MAJOR ideas for this baybee!

I love my D… he researched it and bright this new realm of creativity into my life… I love my man!

But alas, it will have to wait until I finish a sweater. I am looking forward to finishing the back and starting in a sleeve. The reward for knitting a back is a sleeve in my world.

Much rest to you, friends! How will you be spending this next year?

I am so proud of my efforts on this one… most everyone on the list has a handmade gift!

Here is the tally:

11 felt hands for my good friends

A baby bird ornament and a sweater for baby Maggie.

6 aprons and 4 potholders

2 apples for the teacher…

a big I love you for my husband

5 Gift card holder ornaments for the after school program teachers

3 Etched Candles… This one says K N I T !

(I also etched a set of 6 glasses with snowflakes a la Martha!)

2 quilted wallets

3 Art totes

8 Amy Butler place mats and coordinating napkins

Saving the best for last:

One Jedi Bathrobe!!!

I hope that you and yours have a very peaceful and joyous holiday season!

My hands have remained constantly busy this month. The focus has been all holiday all the time. The Christmas radio station is fixed on the car radio, the “light rides” are in progress (the cowboy likes to prolong bedtime by going to see the lights), the holiday baking is underway, and the general list checking is in progress.

All of this concentrated effort towards the Holidays and gifting have really helped to improve my outlook. I lost my love for Christmas when my dad died. That first year was spent trying to “get through it”. The second year was better… but still the dread of a Christmas without dad waiting for me was horrible. The third year was better still.

This fourth year, the difference is the cowboy. He is truly mystified by Christmas. He loves the lights. He loves the movies. He loves the feeling. I thank god that he brought the feeling of Christmas back into my life.

One night, as we were laying down and talking about his day (nightly ritual), he leaned over an whispered to me “Mama, I know what I want Santa to bring me for Christmas”. I asked him what…

He said” A big bell. I want to be able to hear Santa.” ( a la the Polar Express)… the sheer magic that a 4 year old sees in lights, hears in music, and tastes in candy is enough to cure this broken heart.

So… because I didn’t have any thing to do….

I embroidered (with help from the Jodster) 20 elf hats for the cowboy and his classmates. Everyone got a hat with THEIR NAME on it.

(our most recent “Say Cheese” face!)

They were a huge hit with the 4 and 5 year old set. They even got to go to the Holiday assembly with them….

Speaking of the assembly… you have to love a school where 4 of the male teachers get up and do this:

Alvin and the Chipmunks! The cowboy’s school is so amazing… the level of dedication on the part of the administration and the staff is so wonderful.

I have 2 more handmade gifts to sew… and some knitting left! Then a review of all of the items is in the line up for next week…

Me, mom, and Chewy are hard at work! (Ok… Chewy may be hard at trying to undo the work!)

New C*EYE*BER Fiber colourway (in DK weight)… (I am in love)

I have many things in my life to be grateful for. This holiday season I have decided to let my hands show my loved ones how grateful I am for them.

I have pledged to make or buy handmade this Holiday Season.

Want to see what I am up to?

Some “Tulips” for Baby Maggie. (Kit available at the Sweet Sheep)

A baby bird ornament for Baby Maggie’s first Christmas.

Some apples for the teachers.

Some hands for some friends that I love so much.

One hand for the man that holds my heart.

An apron for an aunt.

Another apron for my mom.

I bought handmade too!

A queso pot for a white elephant party.

Some divine soaps for a friend (to be bundled with some knit face cloths).

So, this holiday season, think about it. There is a HUGE array of tutorials here that can spark your imagination and set your hands on fire. There are many things for sale here that support artisans and say “I love you” at the same time.

Won’t you join me in making this a handmade holiday?

Little party at my pad last night. All the usual suspects were involved:

All the favorite party foods were served:

The Red Ranger protected us:

From the ALL THINGS WRONG MONSTER:

(lovingly crafted for ME as a birthday present from Coleen)

All in all… a very good night!