Roadmap to Spending Christmas Alone and a Christmas Tree for One

 Hello Friends! Today’s the first day of “new” restrictions. I say “new” in quotation marks because this isn’t our first rodeo is it? Thus far, December has gone by in solitude and it is likely that Christmas will be spent alone as well. I wrote about spending Christmas alone last year.  If you are in the same boat as me, fear not. It truly isn’t that bad. In fact, it can be a time of inner reflection and contemplation. Relieved of the pressures of having to buy gifts for difficult family members, juggling the inevitable family squabbles and trying to come up with multiple menus for people with different requirements, it is possible to actually discover the peace and joy that lies at the heart of Christmas.

I stopped putting up a real tree a few years ago. It was just too physically arduous for one person. I have several tabletop ceramic trees that I adore bringing out but it really isn’t possible to stack gifts under or around them. I don’t have a modern artificial tree either due to a severe lack of storage space. Last year, I tried stringing lights around my miniature indoor palm tree but it just looked like a sad, feeble rendition of a Christmas tree. For some reason, I forgot about the vintage artificial tree that was buried in a closet. I had never actually assembled it and just assumed that it was a short miniature tree because of the size of the box. Imagine my delight when I hauled it out and put it together. Fully assembled, it is a little over 6 feet. The genius of it is that it packs down into a very small, lightweight flat box, perfect for a lone person with no storage. I have been collecting bird ornaments for years and lo and behold, I had exactly enough for my bird themed tree. There is something so sweet and charming about a vintage tree. It is miles away from its modern, over the top counterpart. Of course all trees are lovely in their own way but a vintage tree has that indefinable charm of yesteryear before rampant consumerism took hold of our collective consciousness. 

After a panic stricken 5 minutes thinking I had neither angel or star, I remembered that I DID have angel.  So up the top, she went. How can you not love that face?

Just because you are the spending the holidays alone, doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in festive cheer. Bring out those cherished decorations and string up those twinkly lights! The goal is to make your home a sanctuary and a haven. 
So tell me, do you prefer a real or an artificial tree? Angel or star?

How To Make A Snow Globe

 Hello Friends! Can you believe that Christmas is steadily marching closer and closer?  Today I have another Christmas craft to share with you. As the title of this post suggests, it is a snow globe. What could be more magical than making your own snow globe that you fill with meaningful memorabilia? It makes an unusual and thoughtful gift as well.

You will need:

A small glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Jars with an interesting shape provide visual interest.

Small figures that are waterproof to create your tableau

Cold water

Glitter or sequins

Glycerin: this is optional but it helps to keep the glitter or sequins stay suspended in the water

Hot Glue Gun

Instructions:

Use a hot glue gun to glue your figures to the underside of the lid. Fill the jar with cold water. Add the glitter or sequins. I used large silver glitter in mine. Add a few drops of glycerin to the water. You may wish to glue the lid to the jar as well to provide extra security.

I have found that setting aside time to engage in crafts has had a wonderful nurturing effect on me. What sort of crafts have you been doing lately?

Christmas Gift Ideas Crafting with Felts

 Hello Friends! It’s been a long while since my last post. I needed a break to take care of my mental health. It just got to a point where I needed time to do a lot of soul searching and healing. Lately, I have been discovering the calming effects of crafting. I can forget all of my worries for awhile. It feels so satisfying to create something with my hands.

I have always had a fascination with pincushions. It is such an unsung hero in the crafter’s toolbox. Swallows symbolize a safe return home and, as we are spending so much time at home these days, I wanted to add a swallow to my pincushion.

Pets are such an integral part of home and family life, aren’t they? I designed a pincushion to reflect that as well. This pincushion above which I called “Cat Love” features a cat playing with a ball of yarn (a vintage button). 

With my creative juices flowing, I have been busily crafting felt flowers that multitask as brooches and hair clips as well.

I just think there is something so sweet and wholesome about painstakingly crafting a gift to give away. It truly is a gift from the heart.