I debated with myself about not posting anything YOP-related for another week, or simply posting nothing much at all. I finally decided to do the later - peeking in and just saying "Hi!" is a better choice over being absent.
Like everyone else, I suppose, I'm finding the time leading up to Christmas is too short this year. I've been making gift lists, shopping for said gifts - online and in person. I'm even still considering making a few simple gifts this upcoming week. Why do I always wait until the last minute for such things? I've done this since I was a kid, so I have a tough time believing I'm going to actually change now. Even though I have thoughts in July of making some Christmas gifts, I never quite seem to get started until sometime in December. I don't know... 'Tis a new year coming up - maybe I can turn over a new leaf. Hope springs eternal.
There is no urgency to finish the projects I've been working on recently, so while they are coming along, they get back-burnered very easily.
This series of cute small (and free) monthly cross stitch patterns are fun to work - once I get going on one again:
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And my colorful Dahlia blanket is still a pleasure to crochet. I'm just about finished with the rows, then there will be a couple dozen ends to weave in, and finally, I'll make a border.
There are quite a few more hours of crocheting before this is completed, but maybe I'll finish it by the end of the year.
And does it sound silly that I'm already entertaining starting another blanket as soon as I finish this one? Winter is just such a perfect season for crocheting a big blanket. It keeps me warm and cozy while I work on it, and will make someone else (or maybe just me - who knows!) warm and cozy when I'm done.
The sermon I heard this morning was about Hope. I hope your holiday season is filled with blessings to give and receive. I am thankful to continually be reminded that the reason we celebrate is because God gave us the best gift of all - salvation through His son, to all who believe. The hustle and bustle and last-minute gifts start to fade in importance when I focus on that.
I hope you all enjoy this last week leading up to Christmas! And if anyone reading this has anything difficult going on, I pray God will break right through the hard things, and show you His love and grace.
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I really like the sparkly cloth for the cross stitch. Very festive looking. Blanket making is perfect this time of year. You Dahlia is so bright and cheerful. While it will keep a body warm it will also keep them cheerful. Advent is one of my favorite seasons in the church. Lent is the other one. Both lead up to glorious celebrations related to our salvation.
ReplyDeleteMarsha, even though I've gone to church from the time I was an infant, I grew up not having any real understanding of Advent or Lent. But it seems even Protestant churches have started (or perhaps have returned) to observing these seasons more intentionally in the last few decades.
DeleteLove the bright colors of your blanket. Wishing you a wonderful week of final preparations for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maureen!
DeleteYou and I are a lot alike when it comes to last minute preparations for Christmas. I always say I will do better next year, but when next year rolls around I am right there in the same boat! Yeah, some habits from a lifetime of behavior are just hard to break. I love your pretty blanket. It looks so colorful! I don't do needlework or knitting, etc. Just never could sit down long enough to learn, plus I'm a lefty, and that's my excuse so I'm sticking with that! But I appreciate everyone else's talents and wish I'd tried a little harder to learn while I was still young and teachable. LOL. Yes, Advent is a season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. I LOVE the hope and joy and peace that I feel as I focus on the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ...our Savior and Lord! I wish we could all just focus on Him and what He means to us and our world, and not worry about all these other activities. I do love the music, and the lights and the joy on children's faces. It's a most wonderful time of the year, for certain. I enjoyed your post. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePam, even as I sit here, tonight, having done the last of my my gift buying, I'm telling myself to be on the lookout through the upcoming year for gift ideas for next Christmas. Something tells me, it's just a romantic notion, though. I will largely forget about it until November, and then suddenly it will be December, and I'll be in a flurry again.
DeleteI often think we put too much expectation on ourselves when it comes to Christmas and end up doing far too much and then feel such a letdown when we can't find time to do all that we think we can...or feel we should. I try very hard to have all the prep done by the end of November so I can then have December to be social as needed, but it doesn't always work out that way. It generally ends up being somewhat depressive because I suddenly don't have any projects demanding attention and it's hard to get back into the doing. Delicate balancing act I guess. We all would do better to remember the real reason for the season.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Mary Anne. You are a good example of one who makes gifts all year long. I watch you, and I think I'm learning, but I don't seem to have the follow-through. The idea to work toward Christmas early flies out of my brain as quickly as it flew in.
DeleteI have have been very good this year and managed to finish all my hand made items along with some for charity too, it rarely happens so there is hope for you too haha. I have been busy trying to clear some space in my tiny house as I'm hosting Christmas this year now I'm past the panic stage and am thinking what will be will be. I love that blanket the colours are so cheerful, I'm thinking about making a blanket using all my little tiny balls of wool. Just go with the flow Becki and try not to stress. xx
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda, you do remind me... I made some hats earlier in the fall for charity. That was some early doing for the holidays! Don't you stress, either, Linda. :) Your Christmas will be lovely with a home filled with people you love.
DeleteThe fabric really does have a sparkle reminiscent of snow, so perfect for this time of year. I keep thinking about making another blanket but I’d have to buy yarn for it so that stops me. They are great to snuggle under whilst making them though. Liz (Highlandheffalump)
ReplyDeleteLiz, while I've been too busy lately to while away the time, when it turns cold outside, I could sit and crochet for hours. When I get into that groove, I have to make myself get up every hour or so and move. Working on a warm blanket over my lap is sooo cozy.
DeleteWhatever you bought or made, whether months ago or at the proverbial eleventh hour, will be equally appreciated by their recipients. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Becki, and a happy and safe New Year as well.
ReplyDeleteWise words, Bob. The recipient would have no clue to my last-minuteness, nor would I get extra points for any foresightedness I might employ. I will admit, in our younger years, pre-children, we sometimes found ourselves on Christmas Eve, stopping to buy presents on the way to our extended family Christmas. I have no idea what that experience would be like today, but in the 80's, it was a pretty peaceful time of shopping. So much so, we talked about repeating it on purpose. The downside of that, of course, is that options may be limited... The upside is, there are always gift cards. ☺️
DeleteI think it is a lot of people's nature to leave things to the last minute - there always seems to be something else that comes along! I love the Dahlia blanket - so full of joy 😊
ReplyDeleteI can be a world class procrastinator, Lucy. And Yes! When I (think) I decide on something I want to do, suddenly everything else looks more appealing. It is so weird, but I've learned some ways, as I've gotten older, to manage that problem.
DeleteMany years ago I made a few gifts at Christmas, but gave it up after one Christmas that cured me of that. It was the year that I identified about 9 or 10 projects - started in October (which really isn’t enough time for that many projects) and finished them all ONLY because my gallbladder landed me in the emergency room and I had surgery the very next day. If I hadn’t gotten sick and went on sick leave (yes, I was working then) I wouldn’t have finished. That is when I decided that it was nuts for me to do that kind of knitting. So I still make things for others, but they aren’t tied to any holiday. So no deadlines. I am a much happier knitter.
ReplyDeleteElaine, thanks for telling that story.
DeleteThis may be the year I've finally decided to not try to make last minute gifts anymore. I got about half-way through my gift projects, and I started to feel my back getting sore as I sat at my sewing machine. I decided right then I was simply not going to do that to myself. I decided to take my time, and perhaps I'll finish them as birthday gifts. We'll see. I've completely relieved myself of a time pressure. I will enjoy making them so much more this way.