handmade

I started out the Christmas season as it were with an optimistic list of crafts. I finished most of them but it was a real crunch when I got a nasty cold a week before Christmas that lingered until Christmas Eve. I barely finished the many soft trees in time to give some away and have a small forest of my own to display.

I had high hopes for garland made out of felted wool balls but even though I started this one over a month in advance, the red roving was a huge pain in the ass and I ran out of steam. Now I have a nice big pile of little felt balls to put aside for completion next year.

We didn't buy many presents for the kids since they don't really need much and we knew our parents would be giving them some toys. I did make them each big felt balls and a set of beanbags for Henry. Hell, the chocolate coins in their stockings probably would have been good enough.

We did have a moment of concern when we realized that we were practically snowed in and there was a chance that my parents wouldn't make it and neither would the gifts from Jason's parents. I wasn't at all worried by the small number of gifts but at Henry's increasing questions about Santa Claus. I never planned on doing the Santa thing. I don't feel right lying to him but as time has passed I feel like an even bigger jerk for robbing him of this idea that excites him so much. So, I mostly evade the questions and casually ask how he thinks it works. He has his theories, particularly about our lack of a chimney. So, getting to the point, on Christmas morning he excitedly announced that Santa had brought him beanbags. He is seriously logical and aware for a 4-year-old so it surprised me when he gleefully announced that the beanbags Santa brought were in the same fabric as my trees. Uh, the fabric he had helped pick out a month before. Hmmm. I still find it surprising but he is too young and transparent to be playing along. He believes and as much as I hesitate on the whole issue his joy really is lovely.

not the project i had in mind

I have had a little holiday craft project in the back of my head since I didn't get around to it last year. I pulled out fabric and the sewing machine and made patterns but then I took a nap and by the time I woke up and Mia woke up from her nap things were too hectic to get started. Henry kept talking about gingerbread men though (after seeing them at a kitchen supply store after the farmer's market this morning) so I managed to neglect the kids among my sewing supplies (the non-dangerous ones) for long enough to make a little gingerbread man cookie out of felt for their play kitchen. A container of very small beads were spilled no less than 3 times but we all survived with minimal frustration or choking hazards. I also have the pieces of a gingerbread lady traced but we'll see when I manage that. Both kids love this little guy and carried him around most of the day, making it all the more worthwhile.