homemade xmas

this year, i figured that most of the gifts i give this year will be handmade.
this has become a lost art and it's a terrible thing. our culture has escalated this season of love warmth and harmony into an out of control holiday about crazy out doing each other and seeing how much money we can spend.
what's this 'money' you speak of? i certainly don't have it at this time of year, or at any other time of year.
to some, a playstation 3; expensive perfume; gift cards or a huge piece of jewelry encrusted in diamonds and gold is most preferred. how does that say that someone loves you? that they were willing to go into debt to give you something extravagant?
i find it sad that handmade gifts are perceived as a cheap and unimpressive way to give. on the contrary, this means more than anything. i know thought and care has gone into what was given to me. in fact, it was probably made with me in mind and the person making it gave a lot of thought about what to do..

i think we should change our ways of thinking.
here's some ideas:

-give to a charity in the names of your loved ones. adopt an endangered animal ( keeping in mind a charity that they believe in) simply give them a card stating the donation and attach some home baked cookies. voila.
-have a dinner party. having the people around you that mean to most should make the season brighter.
-if you're skilled at something. (ie. fixing a car, cooking, plumbing, computer savvy...etc..) give your skills as a gift. make a little coupon card and put 'this is good for one...insert your skill here....'
-a recipe book of your/their/family faves
-a ready to bake cookie kit (put all the ingredients, minus the wet ones, into an air tight container, add a list of directions..voila)
-homemade jams, sauces, pickles etc...put in a decorative basket..
-personalized calenders with dates important to that particular person
-this might take a bit of planning-- a memory jar- ask the people that care for the particular person to write something (or a few things) nice/a memory/ tidbit about them, even photos of people, places, things. put them on little cards in the a decorative jar. when they're feeling low or just need a boost, they'll pick out a card, read it and have a smile.

we all have too much, i think it's time to give back to those who need 'stuff' more than we do.
make yourself happy as well as the people around you. give a bit more thought, and less money this year.
try it, you might like it.
i know i'm going to.

here's something that makes me happy.

think about it.

fantastic news & a new craft

***FAB NEWS ALERT***

a friend of mine (thanks jan!) bought the 'epitome of perfect' cocktail ring from me.
she wears it a lot. one day, she was in a local craft shop. (angels family books & gifts 609 pitt st. cornwall ontario) the owner asked her where she got her ring. she said a friend of her made it...that's ME....
she sent me an email with this fab news and i contacted collette immediately. i sent up an appointment with her and her husband. i brought my work for her to peruse and she seemed very interested. it's something new for the shop, but they were willing to give it a shot!
i have 2 months on consignment with them with the possibility for longer, if they sell well.


my friend told me about this blanket. her mom makes her one each year for xmas or birthday
it's basically 2 pieces of same sized fleece and knots..put it together and...
voila, a blanket....





it took me 2 hours, start to finish...and it was pretty much the easiest thing i've ever done.
seriously, the hardest part was picking coordinating fabrics.

**shameless plug alert**

please go check out my rings at Angels Family Books & Gifts 609 Pitt St. Cornwall, Ontario
and if you're not in the area...here's etsy, one more time...

g.i.n.g.e.r.b.r.e.a.d..h.o.u.s.e.s.

we're going to make one with year, sans the baking part. i'm more of an assembly kinda gal.
don't get me wrong. i *could* bake it. i just choose not to.
i'm not so good measuring the pieces to fit and that kinda stuff.
kits are idiot proof..sorta.
just remember: decorate..then...assemble...

here's some radical ones i've seen so far:



















..hmmm...
something to aspire to, dontcha think?

shameless self promotion

,,_,,
{o,o}
|)__)
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please feel free to peruse my etsy shop.
bare with moi.
i'm getting my mandrel soon, so new wire rings and sizes will be available.
custom work is always encouraged and/or welcomed.
just convo me.

here's a pillow i made for my new couch! there's another one in the works.
the epitome *c*o*m*f*y*




here's a little critter that came to visit me a few days ago. outside on the balcony, thank goodness.
it was alive, eventhough it looks a bit squashed. he was gone when i went to check on him after later in the afternoon.

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!!!!