January Went Out With a Blast

January’s winter storm in the Pacific Northwest took our breath away in the sheer power of it and also some of its beauty. There were moments when I knew standing under a tree was a bad idea but the need to document some of it was too much to hold it.

So far this February has started in classic Northwest fashion, bright warm and happy. You can always count on at least a week of freakishly warm weather to get us Seattleites to break out of the house and bathe in the sun. We are a happy city for a few more days.

What weather events get you giddy?

Blue Valentine: Gift guide for someone special

I like red, I truly do. But there is something about the right shade of blue that makes me smile. The blues featured in this treasury, thanks to Kara Fox for creating it, were perfect.

Stop by the treasury to see the complete collection and get great gift ideas that aren’t your typical valentine hue.

Do you like the blue scarf? Visit tehlia.com to see all the cotton scarves and the blue on too.

Passing on What I Can: How to crochet

I have been thinking about posting short tutorials on how to crochet. But I have a confession to make… I don’t know how to read patterns. I am self-taught originally from a booklet over 12 years ago. Once learning the basics I tossed the book and taught myself the other stitches just from looking at the finished products. So when it comes to following a written, with crochet stitch abbreviations pattern, I am lost. I do like the idea of teaching you how to crochet but thought perhaps it could be a learning experience for myself and get around to reading and writing patterns. I will keep thinking about it while I continue on the brain overload of HTML and CSS for WordPress.

Front Page on Etsy & Random Thought

I get a thrill when one of my items makes it to the front page. My decorative ornaments which can double as a gift bag tag accessory was featured on the front page of Etsy today at noon. Of course I missed it live, was out helping The Soldier clean out his truck, but I am thrilled nonetheless. Thanks to Craft Cult for keeping a record of it I am able to do a happy dance even after the noon hour that is was on.

And now that I have it written I can’t stop thinking about the word/words nonetheless, none-the-less, none the less. I googled it and settled on the one word version. I actually like words and phrases like that. Nevertheless now comes to mind. Which way have you typed it in the past? Do you have other words that put a question mark in your mind and you start googling it?

Still Keeping My Glass Half Full

Three days into the New Year and I have finished up a few scarf orders, cleaned out and rearranged my studio, had a few cups of coffee, stuck to a budget and not eaten out for dinner (only 3 days, that is a record for us) and I have taken a break. While cleaning out my studio and then piecing it all together, desk completely empty, I sat on my stool and looked out the window. My view was blocked. It was blocked, but I wasn’t irritated. Instead it made me smile.

The Items blocking my view are apart of me. They are extensions of my hands, they are my instruments and without them I am lost. Those pretty sometimes little and other times large hooks are to me what knives are to a chef.

What instruments, tools, items do you use that without them you would be lost.

New Year with a Full Glass

2011 has been filled with some good, some bad and some frightening moments. Several people have surprised me in great ways and a few have saddened me beyond comprehension. But I will look at this glass and the next year to come as beyond half full.

2011 Year In Review:

Holiday season ends for tehlia.com on etsy with a bang. I reach milestones and goals.

January, my husband “The Soldier” deployes to Afghanistan

April he was injured in an IED (roadside bomb) explosion

April tehlia.com hits 200 sales

May the Soldier is back to me in Kentucky. Lots of doctors appointments and questions

While taking care of The Soldier between doctors appointments and meetings, I create  The Forks Farm .com on etsy and get a blog going for that business idea

July the big move back to Washington, our home while the Army continues to “fix” The Soldier

Both shops are slow to adjust but steady.

August we start to get settled into a new home with fruit trees and more lawn then we can handle.

Sept Oct Nov go along with only a few hiccups and some good news (if you can call it that) of The Soldier going in for a medical board, military review for medical retirement from the Army.

I discover that my need to create is also quenched by creating on the computer… The Soldier suggests taking classes to gain more knowledge and establish a business around something I already do.

December the transition begins. I start researching classes, online and in person, for WordPress, HTML and graphic design. I revamp The Forks Farm to include graphic and web design.

Tonight I will have a glass of wine or three, will turn on some movies The Soldier has been wanting to see and get excited for the first Business day of the year and starting classes.

2012 is bringing a lot to our home and future. We are still in the Army with questions in the air. We have a move ahead of us and many many plans. The Etsy shops are going well thankfully winter has a couple months left and scarves to be made.

What 2012 plans do you have brewing… work, life, school, starting a business, losing weight, travel?

Share it with us in the comments below

Busy Hands Happy Heart All Because of Cotton

December for a handmade shop owner/artist tends to be a busy time. Scarf orders rolled in and my hands got to work. One day my making record stood at 4 scarves equaling 8 hours of work. My wrists were tired by the next day but more orders meant they would get a few coffee breaks and then back to work they would have to go.

The Cotton Scarf Section

The Surprise Standout for the scarves… RED. I know what you are thinking, of course red, but last year it was Olive Green. I wasn’t prepared for Red at first and then when my 3rd order for the color came in off I went to the store. Cleaning out every red cotton bundle I could get my hands on.

Red in the shop

Between military ceremonies, mourning the loss of another soldier, keeping My Soldier on schedule and writing in a few blogs I managed to keep most of my sanity. I like to think that the orders, those cotton scarves and the short family reunion over Christmas has all helped. I have fresh ideas coming for spring right after these scarves get shipped out. Time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day.

Awarded a Purple Heart. My Husband, The Soldier

When a day becomes something bigger then a single moment. When it becomes a day that is etched onto your heart and in your memory, it becomes apart of your soul. But when that day is recognized and given an honor, an award, it can leave you feeling thankful.

The day that is etched into my memory… April 16th 2011, my husband was injured in Afghanistan. Other then the  bruises that were left all over his body, his injuries were invisible, still are invisible, but exist. That day, that phone call will never leave me. It was a day that could have gone so differently and I am always grateful that it didn’t. And on this day December 12th, My Husband, My Soldier was able to walk, shake hands, stand at attention, speak and have a Purple Heart pinned to his chest.  I have attended many military ceremonies, helped in pinning his next rank on his uniform and been proud. But this one was different. This one meant he was home, with me, walking, talking, breathing and smiling that smiling. This ceremony meant there will be more and I can’t wait to see them.

Get Your Chartreuse On

I love green so when the winter season of holiday’s come around and also St. Patricks day I am in heaven. One of the greens that make me smile. Lime, Chartreuse, Bright green with a dash of golden yellow. It is a beautiful thing made even more beautiful when my Chartreuse Infinity scarf is included in an entire treasury dedicated to this amazing green.

Stop by the treasury on etsy to see the entire collection.

And I would be thrilled if you came to see the Infinity Scarf in all it’s glory.

Pearl Harbor & A Childhood Memory

My father was in the Airforce which means we have lived in many places. One place in particular we happened to live for several years, Hawaii. Having done parts of Elementary School in Hawaii, living on Oahu at Hickam AFB you see many things, cultures and events. And I have retained a lot of those memories.

The attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th 1941 happened 70 years ago but everyday on Hickam and Pearl Harbor you are confronted with the reminders of that day. From 1987 to 1992 I would visit my father often at his work in the Headquarters building which was the Barracks in 1941. Walking to his office and through the long halls to his desk meant a trip through history. Pictures of the attack, bullets holes outside, bullets holes that had come through the walls. I would run my hands over them and couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like. To be my age living on base 50 yrs ago, at the time. To be a scared 9-12 yr old child whose family and home was being destroyed. But then to have the juxtaposition of a pristine water tower unmarked because the Japanese thought it was a shrine or temple. Knowing that fascinated me and scared me at the same time. A shrine was important but people were not.

Have we learned anything since then? Are things different now? Do we still have the same values? Do we protect the United States in the same way? And do we hold Shrines and Temples above human life?

Smiling Next To The Fire

There are two pictures that hang in my living room. Side by side they occupy a wall that is small near a window that is bright and a tree that peeks in. These two pictures are very different. The first, a couple, young smiling holding each other. The second, fire, guns drawn, people and stretchers rushing into a helicopter. Those smiles, the youth and hope almost mock the fire. But the helicopter the stretchers quickly remind me that my husband my soldier in both those pictures are two different people today. And those pictures pull at me, make me hope that perhaps one day the smiles the youth will put out that fire.

It’s strange to mourn something, a person, your husband even though he sits next to you. On the grand scheme of things he is alive, walking, talking, living and breathing. He is my Love, he loves me and we are great together. The bigger picture he will be fine and will get better with each day, week, month that passes from the day of that explosion under his vehicle. But in the mean time I am reminded that he isn’t how he left me. And I have to be ok with the fact that he may never be completely how he was. We can laugh at some things, mostly him telling the same story a few times a day. I guess it’s better than forgetting the story all together. But last night there were tears on my cheeks. Not tears because he wasn’t able to follow the story I was telling him but because there may be a person on the Army end that could decide he is fine and shouldn’t be Medically Retired. I felt angry that this person wouldn’t see what just happened as I told my story and the look of bewilderment on The Soldiers face. Angry that although he appears fine, some of those in charge of a decision might make the wrong one because he seems to function well. Angry because they won’t see or know that tears were falling because I am mourning the way we were together.

The Army, The Military has a process of evaluating who gets medically discharged with retirement benefits and all that comes with it. The process can take some time which I find to be a good thing. Hard to milk the system (some do try) when you have to wait up to and sometimes longer then a year before you get your final papers with a decision. But I worry about who, how and when they make their decision about The Soldier. How will they know all that has happened to him and how his days are, his struggles? What do the doctors really write down, what does his case manager actually pass on and when will I get a chance to tell them about last night, last week, last month and what our future, his future might be? Looks like Next week could involve a few phone calls and time spent in offices making sure some one knows about those tears.

Interested in reading about what Happened to The Soldier…

Journal #1 A call at 5am

Journal #2 the Bomb with confusion wrapped around it & TBI

Laughing Ladies

The best time had is when laughter is a part of the day. Since moving back to Washington we have reconnected with old friends and made new ones. I am usually the person that sticks with my old friends and letting things just be, not reaching out very often. I also am not usually the one to open up or volunteer my house for gatherings. Even as a child I preferred to sleep over at a friend’s house rather than have them sleep over mine. The Soldier says it is because I didn’t like to share my toys. He is probably right.

New background on...

 

The past few months I have changed. Actually since The Soldier has come back from Afghanistan and all the craziness that has been apart of this past year I have changed. The moment we moved back to Washington I have “friended” more people than I usually would have. Badgered and called people more and made my house completely open twice. And that is a record considering we have only been in Washington 2 FULL months. This last open house was so great. I kept my invite list small asked friends to bring a dish and made a wonderful day of it. Chatter, making things, snacking and no boys.

new background

The Party was dubbed as a “crafty bitches” party, similar to a Stitch and Bitch. But the intent was more like a book club that doesn’t really read the book. It was a relaxed time and unique in the sense that most of the ladies had never met each other. One wonderful lady in Particular was an acquaintance from blogging and facebook, never having met in person. Such an amazing thing to see someone and feel like you have been friends for years despite the way we know each other. Hugs were given, real talk was dealt and laughter had. Wine, prosceco, rhubarb wine and great desserts disappeared. I might be hooked on making my home a gathering spot. In opening my house and I trying to open my heart mind and happiness too.

How often do you open your home to friends? I would love to read about the best times you have had when you did allow your corner of the world to be “invaded” with laughter.

 

 

 

Never a “holiday” for me

It is Columbus Day or Discoverers Day depending on which state you live in or how old you might be. For me it is Columbus Day and not really a holiday. It is for The Soldier. Which he actually forgot about until last night. So that was a bonus for him, but… and sorry if this sounds awful but when do I get my holiday. He has the day off which means he is home with me on top of being home with me for the past 3 days, he had Friday off as well. And I love having him home. Every day he is home and every day that passes from the explosion that could have ended his life is taken and enjoyed. HOWEVER, after 3 days of trying to be entertaining wife, thinking of things we could do, pushing to go do them and on time (tbi is a bitch that way) this 4th day is wearing me down.The TBI stage that he is in is one that makes it hard for him to commit to a decision or think of ideas of things he wants to do. That is this week, last week he thought of ideas but had a to hell with everyone else he is going to do it right now with or without you attitude. So this slower processing week is oddly a nice change from the “I WANT IT NOW” of last week, but I wish there was a happy medium.

The bonus, I will make a nice dinner, hoping we will move slowly through the day, not make plans and be on “holiday time”. That could all go out the window depending on how he wakes up.

making your home YOURS

With the Army we have moved into rental home after rental home or on post/base housing. Every move has its ups and downs sometimes more downs then ups. But every move also has a moment when your new rental or issued housing feels settled and becomes your home. For me that moment is when a space feels like yours, the space that no matter what color your rooms are (faded mint green) makes you feel good to be in. New City, town, state or country but this room stays the same no matter what. For me that has become the Studio. My work space. Sometimes it is a corner other times it is an entire room. This time it is a whole room, back corner of the house, with a bathroom, huge windows, door of its own and space lots and lots of space.

How do you take a new place, rental or issued housing and make it YOURS?

Project 365: Tuesday update days 4-7

Project 365 is going well. Finally starting to see more color coming in on the tree outside the window and I am definitely eager for Fall to come but glad that the evergreens in the background will keep their color.

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday 52-60 degreesF

Have you been looking out your windows more often? I have a few friends that have recently moved to my side of the world in Washington State. One friend is 100% new to the Pacific Northwest and had all the stereotypes of Sleepless In Seattle and Frazier stuck in his head. But once he got here those rainy myths were removed. Although it doesNOT rain as much as Hollywood wants you to believe, it can be gray a lot of the time during the fall and winter months. So when the sun bursts out and blue skies sparkle like on day #7 you take your work outside.

Join in on Project 365. Grab a button below and Leave a link in the comments.

All Project 365′s will be updated every Tuesday. Get ready take photos and join me.

Taking A Minute To Notice Everything

I had been in the house for what felt like days. Working on Today’s Handmade organizing-creating the site and contacting people, writing and editing pictures, followed by yesterdays launch. My brain was beat up and feeling like mush. The dishes were piled up, I had no cream for my coffee. The morning was seriously about to get ugly and cranky. Instead I put on one of The Soldiers sweatshirts and warm wool socks, slipped on my favorite rain boots and stepped outside. Greeted by cold air but amazing sun I grab a rake and began. Once into it I noticed the tree still had a mother load of leaves to release but that didn’t stop me. Under the leaves that had already hit the ground hid bright green grass or moss.

Moss hiding under leaves

Sunshine, birds, green, crisp clean air.

I was starting to feel good even without the coffee and with dishes still waiting.

How do you get yourself out of a funk?

Music, tv, calling a friend, a triple  non fat caramel latte?

Change & Driving People Crazy

I realize this can drive some people nuts. To see things change and have something unfamiliar happening every time you go somewhere or in this case, visit a blog. It’s not that I am indecisive, it might be that I am never satisfied but it is definitely due to having too many ideas in my head and needing to get them out.

I actually have a “test” blog that I play in to help curb this compulsion but once in a while, ok honestly, a lot of the time I hit on something that rings true to me and my style that I have to make it “real” and take it live. This may turn people off, this may make some readers never return to my site. Which then makes me ask why were they coming? Things may get mixed up a bit on the outside but the writing, photography style (if you can call it that) remain the same. Some mornings I may wake up looking amazing, perfect hair, bright eyes and perfect skin and other mornings I am a poofy haired crazy mess with mascara streaking across my face, but I am still me. So, if you return because you like my random ever evolving style and being surprised daily by what may have changed, I thank you. And if you return because no matter what I (my blog) may look like you know you will get all of me 100% of the time, I Thank YOU again.

Something Possessed My Body & I Think I Like It

Last night after dinner… I did the dishes. I know, scared the shit out of myself. I actually cleaned the entire kitchen and swept with mopping involved. All in one hour after finishing our meal on a Sunday evening. Could have been the weather, possession of my body by the good cleaning witch or perhaps it was just a nice evening. Either way I did something I usually don’t do.

Because we have the agreement in our home, he works, brings home the bacon, so I take care of the house (work) and clean the kitchen. We share laundry, bathroom and those other cleaning things. He is in charge of his army gear. But because I am in charge of the kitchen it gets cleaned when I want and how I want. Which means Sunday being our lazy day, I leave the dishes and chores for Monday morning. Not yesterday. And because of this random event Monday morning has been unusual. No dishes, sparkling kitchen and time. I answered emails, did the morning dishes with a smile and now writing this post hours before I normally would have. Lets hope the cleaning possession sticks around. I like her so far.

Asteroids, Involuntary Manslaughter and Ex-military Politicians

Busy week in the world of news. So glad something else is happening and the Kim K thing along with Justin B scandal has been pushed to the side for a minute. But I am still wanting it to be replaced with something more substantial than… Yesterday a man was convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter for “killing” Michael Jackson. Whether you believe it fair or not I felt the coverage and treatment of the whole things was ridiculous. When did we start broadcasting, celebritizing Druggies and their Drug Dealers  on TV. I know it had to deal with MJ but when will it end with the celebrities getting front page of the NEWS. Keep it to Court TV or Entertainment tonight. It is not a presidential address when the jury returns and shouldn’t be treated like on. OK off of that box.

And onto another. This one was not on TV, CNN or even FoxNews. I had to find this one on the Military Report website. They stated that “Senator John McCain …has stepped up his push to block working age retirees from using TRICARE Prime. McCain suggested to the powerful 12-member Joint Select Committee on Debt Reduction it would help avoid spending cuts that would directly impact readiness.” I am a child of a “working age” Retired Military, I have seen struggle, hardship and pain caused by the military on my fathers face. He worked hard, spent time in wars did his Twenty+ years in the military and deserves to have his full medical insurance coverage. If McCain weren’t receiving his Government paycheck and were of “working age” would he be willing to give up and find it fair to give up his medical insurance coverage? I wonder how far you have to get from where you came before you forget where you came from and shit on those who served just as you did or longer. Alright Soap box #2 is over.

In other news. An Asteroid is coming!

An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier will pass Earth to within eight-tenths of the distance of the moon Today. The closest approach to Earth of an object this size in more than 30 years will occur around 6:28 p.m. ET. The asteroid will pass within 202,000 miles of our planet, NASA said. Are you ready? Did you even hear about this amongst the celebrity chatter. Do you think if something serious were about to happen that they would interrupt your “regularly scheduled programming”? I hope so.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: In one word Scarves

The Scarf Shopping section is up on the blog. Now you don’t have to Create an account with Etsy to buy a scarf. More colors will be popping up as the days go by.

Of course you can still order things from the tehlia.com on etsy and The Forks Farm (which will have a few items on here soon)

Infinity Scarves: Green, Yellow & Paprika

Full Length

All Cotton, Infinity scarf, Cowl, scarflette or eternity scarf. No matter what you wish to call it, this endless scarf is cotton soft and everyday wearable. Loop it to create a cowl, soft cozy collar or wear it loose and long. Pairs great with jeans and a T-shirt. Versatile for play or work. Light weight enough to wear inside, but thick enough to keep out the cold.

Scarves are made to order. Please allow extra time to create this item for you.

Light weight great for fall winter or spring
100% cotton

Measures Approximately
5.5 inches wide
64 inches around. Drapes from neck 32 inches.

Available in many colors.
See images below for available colors

Check back often for new Colors to be added.

To ensure these scarves make it out in time for the Holiday season

I recommend placing you order before December 10th. Each Scarf is HANDMADE which takes time.

PRICE: $39.00 (usd) no shipping fee for US destinations ONLY

** if you wish to ship to other countries contact me at: todayshandmade[at]gmail[dot]com

Deep Olive Green $39.00

Sunny Yellow $39.00

Yellow is SOLD out at this time.

Paprika (rust orange red) $39.00

PAPRIKA is Sold out at this time.

For Other Scarf Color Options

Project 365: A Picture of Fall

Finally fall has come to my window. Project 365 Outside my window is still happening for me. My phone is full of pictures of this window, daily pictures. Being that 365 pictures would be a lot of pictures to post of one window, I plan to mix it up a bit, last week you had moss and leaves in my drive way, this week the window, next week, who knows.

So, what does it look like outside your window?

Because I Said So

You have heard those words before. “Because I said so.” You have heard them many times I am sure and always from some one bigger then you that you called, mom, dad, uncle or even grandma. You heard them when you were young and asked why. And once you got that answer you knew there was no more discussion about it. Because I Said So.

But why is it as we get older, change careers or passions we don’t seem to be able to use those words to explain ourselves. For years and more so in the past few weeks I have been milling over the title of Artist. Milling it over because I do call myself one. But when asked in a public setting when my husband is with me, instead of saying… “I have an online business & boutique, I am an Artist” I point at him and say “I am a housewife”. Most recently a friend posted a picture of a painting on facebook, to me she is an artist, she creates out of a need to do it and have it down on canvas. But she made a comment which translated to her holding back on calling herself an artist because she didn’t have the Degree to back up the title. Whether you agree or not on what makes a person an “artist” and gives them the ability to call themselves that, Why can’t we just do it and do it Because We Said So?

I am what ever I decide I am. Now I know I am not a lawyer or doctor. I cannot help you if you get arrested or save your life if you get cancer but I can Draw, Paint, Build, Make, Create, Knit, Crochet, the list is long. Have I been educated on the history of the paint brush or the chemical make up of Acrylic paint versus Oils? No, but I can use them just the same. And because I can use them, because I create out of a need to get it out, because it is in me and because I say so, I am an Artist.

Which means, Carrie my friend, You are an Artist… Because I said so.

What do you do, call yourself or create?

Handmade Wednesday: Blog Hop & wordless wednesday pictures

I haven’t joined a blog hop in a while. Thought a handmade blog hop was worth a second look and then to join in.

This one is pretty cute and fun so far. Great way to check out other shops and blogs.

Going along with the theme of handmade Wednesday and adding in a little Wordless Wednesday to the mix…Here is my wordless Picture for the day.

Anchor Coaster singles or sets of 4

Red Ornament on tehlia.com

Visit My Shops and also Blue Eyed Blessings to see what other handmade creations you can find.

Creating Patterns and Textiles: work in progress

When ever I am sitting down to create my next order inspiration seems to strike. This time I was able to hold off on jumping right into it until my orders were finished. Once that happened I was itching to get it out and on fabric. Here is a sneak peek at the Light blue Tea towel with my newest design.

Now I just need a name.

I also tried the pattern on a Slate Coaster. What do you think so Far?

Riding the Wave of Surprise: Featured on Etsy Finds

When you own a shop online and that shop is also on Etsy there are a lot of tools that come about that help you track how many times your shop gets viewed. One morning while checking my stats I noticed the number was pretty high for a Friday morning. Then I went back then the 30 minutes later and it has tripled. What was going on? Right around that time I get a message on Etsy from a wonderful stranger letting me know I was included in an email that Etsy sends out Called Etsy Finds.

That’s me right there in the Red and White Next to Trim the Tree.

I was beyond ecstatic. My handmade crocheted on wood Christmas ornaments were just emailed to thousands of etsy handmade loving folks.

Holidays & Getting My World Ready

It is Thanksgiving Day. And I am so excited for this time of year and the year to come. We have had a few hard things happen in the past year to two years. One being my husband almost dying in an IED explosion back in April while deployed in Afghanistan. Life has moved on, slow improvements and things are looking great for him, me and us. The beginning of the Holiday season means a new year with new stories, new ideas.

The past two years I have found an outlet for my creative whims by sharing what I make on this blog and others. I have discovered that I make pretty great things and can make a little something by selling the very best of what I create. The unexpected discovery and one that my Soldier has been subtly suggesting for months has been a love for creating Banners, buttons and fancy things for Blogs and etsy shops. And for some reason we hadn’t thought of using it for “real” with benefits work until The Soldier came across job listings on Craigslist for people/businesses asking for WordPress knowledgeables to make a blog for them. Seriously. I knew people hired out for website designs and even to help with blogs. But I didn’t think some of those people would be businesses.

So, come January we have a few plans laid out, which include classes with other people and actual teachers, that will help me make a living doing what I love to do. CREATE!

Happy Holidays and for the US folks reading Happy Thanksgiving.

From Red to Blue and A Splash of Purple

The holidays have been great for treasury making and even better for being included in them. My holiday flare has been the ornaments I started working on back in September. They are crocheted free form circles and then I wrap it around a smooth unfinished natural wooden circle. They look amazing on the tree but also look pretty fabulous on gift boxes and bags as embellishment.

Christmas Moods

I’ll Have a Blue Christmas

And who can’t deny this purple collection. I loved the crisp white backgrounds and the variety of items in this fantastic color.

Passionate About Purple

What Does December 1st Mean For You?

The first of the month brings on a few exciting things. One is a paycheck. Military and most Gov’t agencies get paid on the 1st and 15th. Which means Rent and a few bills will get paid. Grocery shopping that was getting put off will happen and perhaps a fun dinner out. The First of THIS month means Christmas is almost here.

For the past 10 years The Soldier and I have not celebrated holidays in the traditional sense of gift giving. We don’t buy for each other or anyone else in our family specifically for a Holiday. We celebrate Birthdays and Births, we give gifts just because. But when Christmas or Valentines day rolls around we run and hide. We don’t have a huge anit-consumerism theory or follow a specific religion that stops us from the gift giving process. What we do have is a disdain for the “Gimme Gimme” attitude that happens on the morning of Christmas. The overwhelming wrapping paper and the way once a gift is opened it gets pushed aside to open the next.

 

What we do instead is have a calm, family & friend filled few weeks of parties, bringing hostess (thank you) gifts with us in the form of wine, food or handmade trinkets. We bring hugs, smiles and laughter, we bring love. If I know a friend has a pension for the color green and I just made a set of washcloths then I bring them. If I see something at a craft fair, a glass charm and I know my Mother would love it then I purchase it. But it will be given when I see her. Not held on to until Christmas. It took two Holiday seasons for family to realize that they didn’t have to “worry” about us for the holidays. They didn’t have to second guess their gift, fret over if they spent enough, if we will like it or if it arrived in the mail on time. We have literally been told “We love knowing you two are happy to be with us and don’t expect anything more then happy in return”.  So, although we do give gifts to others and ourselves we don’t let a holiday dictate the type of gift or timing of the giving, we give because we want to and hope you do the same.

When I Am Not Working, I Am Working

The thing that I create that calms me and helps me feel centered is crochet. Crocheted anything, as long as it is yarn and I have a hook I am happy. I have the standards that I make for the shop during the winter and holiday season. Scarves and all things that wrap around your neck to keep you warm or festive.

But when given the chance and a moment for a break, instead of putting down the hook I pick it back up, change the color of my yarn and let my hands go. I don’t analyze my work or question it. The outcome… a necklace, free form and in COLOR. A vibrant red to go with evening or day wear. Can’t wait to get this listed and make more Free Form Jewelry.