CHRISTMAS

It's hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away. No snow, above 0 C temps.
 
This year I decided to make most of my gifts.  My family is used to me staying on the practical side and this Christmas is no exception.  Pinterest offers wonderful inspiration for those of us who need a kick start.  Then a little imagination for packaging and you're off and running.  Throughout the year I try to save different looking bottles to be used for homemade gifts. Unfortunately, this year I moved four times and bottles were a luxury so they were the first things to be added to the recycle bin. My stash of wrapping papers, ribbons, and 'baubles' seem to have disappeared, not sure where they were left. Hopefully someone will be able to use them.

The most practical gift I could think of, is a cold & flu kit.  Homemade room spray made with essential oils to clear the sinuses and matching disks to be used in the shower, candied ginger, small box of "Puffs", & a few "Breath Easy" tea bags.  I should pick up a few cups of chicken soup base, break up spaghetti (hope they don't mind gluten free) and add this to the package!  hmmm - another trip to the store.  I've also bottled vanilla and made infused olive oil.

Each year I have tried to keep Christmas simple, putting more emphasis on family getting together to enjoy food and entertaining each other, and less on who got what for Christmas.  My children are grown now and they still prefer the gatherings of family and close friends, to trying to outdo each other with material trappings.

Whatever your beliefs during this season, I wish each and everyone a happy and grateful closing to yet another year and health and prosperity throughout the new year ahead!

  It's hard to believe I began this blog over a year ago. So many projects behind me and after three moves, there they are, neatly packed away. Oh well, Christmas gifts complete!

   Not all my creations are packed away.  My Mom gets chilled easy and needed something to keep her shoulders and neck warm. So I crocheted her a shrug with a hoodie!  She loved it and wears it all winter, while sitting in bed reading, or watching tv.  She shows all her friends and thanks to her I have sold two with a hood and two without.  And not one picture has been taken.  I've started another one hopefully I will be able t get a pic of this one.
  I also tried my hand at another baby hat.  This one was a success. Finally!   I do plan to make more!
Working on baby hats also steered me into the direction of crocheted helmet type hats.  They are perfect for people who have a neck injury and find their neck gets cold quickly.  Not very fashionable but definitely practical.  I no sooner sew in the ends and then it's being picked up by someone!
 I love having projects on the go and it's a good feeling when people appreciate all the hard work that has been put into an item.
  I never made it to a craft show this year but it's good to know there's quite a few people keeping much warmer this fall wearing my creations.   There's always next year!

I am so excited to add my recently completed Facecloth and Soap Caddy that is crocheted in 100% Cotton, pink with a bit of white fleck. I now have it listed on www.facebook.com/janescrafts and www.icraft.ca/janescrafts.  I've received so many compliments and custom requests, kept me busy for a few weeks.

I had such good intentions to keep my blogging up to date but I have become overwhelmed with everything on my plate. Creating projects to promote on www.icraft.ca/janescrafts, twittering, setting up new creations on icraft and my website www.janescrafts.ca.  Plus I have been promoting my office business to help fill in the financial gaps.
 Today I added more items to my www.facebook.com/janescrafts store front. Now I am offering printed cards with envelopes featuring my artwork. So far I have only uploaded the chickadee and the loon. Unfortunately, the loon is a bit truncated (probably better if I turn it around just for advertising purposes).
 I take my hat off and offer a toast to all those talented crafters who are able to twitter, blog, post, manage an online storefront, and be able to create and still have time for family and friends. Maybe I'm just starting to show my age.
  Well that's my update for today.  Back to the task at hand.  Is everyone ready for Christmas?

This past weekend I attended the Signature Craft Show  in Winnipeg, Manitoba - all Canadian handmade crafts. A couple of years ago I attended and was really disappointed, but this year made up for it. The variety of displays were amazing and not very many duplicate displays.

Once I have everything unpacked, there are few booths I want to hi-light. 

Meanwhile, I've been busy crocheting and knitting away.  Did you know you can knit & crochet on the plane?   I was so excited, I packed projects for both.  I knit a shrug, it was too small and I needed another project for the trip home so I've started to rework it.  I also made a couple of "slouchie" hats that I will be selling on my webpage janescrafts.ca. Too bad I didn't have someone to model it on. Oh well!

While I was browsing through my emails, I noticed one topic titled, "one skein gifts for Christmas". It dawned on me,  Christmas is not that far away and I haven't started any projects yet.

I then found this YouTube video this morning for a Christmas Ball Ornament - great inspiration. I think I will grab my thread and hook and make one today. Hopefully it will get me in the spirit of the season. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/yBGTUR81KaY

Jane

What's on Your Hook/Needle

I think I have far too many projects on my activity list lately. So far, I recently completed an afghan for my son,  a bright red Victorian dog collar-cover for a neighbour Rotie,  two granny squares for a future project. But the ongoing list is a little longer - tunisian face clothes w/ soap caddy, knitted shrug, crocheted shrug, queen size quilt,  a small dog shrug, and website revisions.  I love variety as you can tell from my lists. I would accomplish more if I used a pattern, but I don't, therefore, some items are reworked two or more times. But that's part of the fun.
 I really need to avoid websites with great ideas, my little fingers are always eager to try out something new.
What are you working on?
Jane