Happy Holidays! I hope it is a wonderful time for everyone to make memories with family and friends. It’s unseasonably warm this year in Florida, and across much of the country. I made my way to the beach this Christmas Eve morning and was greeted by this beautiful display.
This year as I decorated and enjoyed the many activities that make up holiday time, I made note of the treasure trove of handmade items I have from different times in my crafting life. Each year I so enjoy hanging the ornaments made by the kids at school or Girl Scouts and the smiles they get on their faces looking back at their handy work. And it’s been fun to tell the story of each item to my daughter’s as they’ve grown up.
Years ago my mother and I made these felt mice for a church craft bazaar. We made 100 of these little fellas and as a professional singer, Mom decided they needed to be choir mice. I think that is what made them so popular: people would ask her to sing a carol for them with their purchase.
In my 20’s and 30’s, I enjoyed doing cross stitch. It was relaxing and having that thread transform into something else was a fun journey. I spent hours looking at patterns and finding ones that challenged me. Most things I made to give away, but this intricate Angel design I loved and I display it each year at holiday time. I can’t believe this is nearly 30 years old.
Quilting was another passion of mine. This tree skirt is still a favorite and always dresses up the tree. I remember the first Christmas I used this skirt and my cat staking out her place to sit each night.
Here’s one of the first cross stitch items I made. Funny to look back on this because ruffles and eyelet are totally not my style anymore. But I love the moose and enjoy his visit each holiday. One year I didn’t unpack this pillow and my daughter said, “hey, where’s the moose?”
Who doesn’t love Hark the Herald Angels Sing! For many years I had this hanging year round over the piano and I just loved it so much. It reminds me of growing up learning to play carols on the piano, and my mother’s voice at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church at Christmas Eve service at midnight. Music has been a big part of my life, and it will always mean “Mom” to me.
Ceramics were a big part of my mother’s crafting life. She really enjoyed them and along with her knack for most anything creative, she excelled at painting greenware ceramics. Craft shows, gifts, decorating her home, raising money for charity … no matter the reason she loved creating pieces to share. One year she worked for 12 months to create an amazing inventory of items that she sold in front of her home at a huge craft sale and had a crowd nearly all day. These are a couple of the pieces I received from her that I cherish.
Rolled sugar cookies are definitely a holiday tradition in this family. Sometimes we eat too many in the process but we make a mess, laugh at the mistakes, pile on the icing and always talk about the experience during the year. My daughter’s elaborate tree was surely one of the best of the bunch this year. And yes, she was probably in a sugar coma when she ate it. She told me she was going to save it for Christmas, but no, it didn’t make it.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Continue a tradition, or make a new one! Look back at year’s past and re-visit favorite holiday traditions and stories, and celebrate new things that happened in 2015.
Happy Holidays!
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