Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Christmas Looming

With Christmas looming, all my time is being manipulated to completing handmade gifts. I finished the scarf I was working on in the last post, and have started on the next one (nothing really to show just yet). I know I'll get it done, but at this point I think it's going to be tight!

My son helped me drag the Christmas tree and boxes of ornaments from the crawlspace early last week. He then helped me get the tree assembled and it sat unadorned in front of the living room window for a week. This past weekend I picked up some clear lights and set to decorating it in a style that we don't normally do. Normally we just pile all the decorations we have ever purchased onto the tree complete with many coloured lights with a programmable lighting sequence. Each year the tree looked more and more chaotic! I was determined to try something different this year with the hope that less really is more, and I quite like it! Although I do miss that personal touch of all those familiar decorations, and the clear lights seemed foreign at first, everyone seems happy with the result. Now I have added a few very special ornaments that have been gifted to me or have special meaning. I like it a lot better now.

One thing I have been working on feverishly were these little dolls to send out as gifts. They are fairly easy to make, and I got them completed a few weeks ago. The tiny flower pots weren't meant to be part of the dolls, I just popped them in the pots for the photo shoot. I kind of like the flower pot base though :)








The sad part about this story is that when I took them all to the post office to be mailed out, the bead I used for the head wouldn't fit through the slot to measure "letter post" which would have cost $1.80 for each envelope. Because of that the envelope was bumped up to "parcel post" and would have cost me $9.00 for each envelope I had to send out! I wasn't about to spend $45 on this. Needless to say I didn't send them, and I had to start on the gifts all over again. I didn't have the heart to rip off all the doll heads to rework them because they're very well secured onto the dolls, and I think it would have ruined the entire doll. Anyway, the new gifts have been made in a complete frenzy and are now off in the mail. Lesson learned.

I've been unable to post or visit anyone properly with all stuff I've been working on and I'm quite busy with the daycare kids as well. I also chose this crazy time of year to advertise for new daycare kids, and have been busy with interviews. The difficult part about having interviews for daycare is keeping my house really clean and tidy all the time! The whole house is open for inspection which becomes tricky when I have kids in the house all day and Christmas stuff threatening to take over. I don't know what I was thinking.

Anyway, yesterday I didn't have any kids in as two are sick and two were not coming because they had hockey games out of town. It snowed heavily Sunday night, so it was a good day to knit ... and clear the driveway :[  If I can squeeze a few photos out of the camera (which I mentioned earlier is not working properly), I'll share some Christmas pics and snow pics. I'm sure you're all dying to see those ha ha! Today is again going to be spent on my own with the two littles still ill at home. I can't say I'm sorry for another unexpected day off (who would!). Back to knitting and clearing away empty Christmas boxes and cleaning house and generally getting all ready for Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope to be able to visit everyone very soon!

🎄


Wendy


25 comments:

  1. That's really too bad about the doll's heads. Canada Post's rates are really expensive, aren't they? I've heard that letter mailing guide called "the slot of doom."
    We still don't have our tree up. It's in the garage and perhaps we'll put it up tonight. I'm so looking forward to the end of the week when school gets out. There are sewing projects all over the dining room table that need completion. But I'm determined to not let it cause me to fuss and worry. I'm enjoying the days. Have a great day, Wendy.

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  2. Running a home daycare is hard work! I'd never be able to do it because I hate cleaning, and with kids around its next to impossible! Your fairy dolls are soooo cute! Too bad about the heads. :(

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  3. The little dolls are just adorable! But shipping is so crazy! Hope you enjoy the rest of your projects! I need to get busy on mine today! Holiday hugs, Diane

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  4. You sound so busy Wendy, those dolls are lovely what a pity you couldn't send them but I don't blame you one little bit the price for sending things is ridiculous. Christmas has had to be cancelled in my house this year but I will be making up for it big time next year. Try and take time to breathe and have a cuppa with your feet up or you'll make yourself ill! :) xx

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  5. Your little flower pot dolls are absolutely darling!! What a shame you were not able to send them off as gifts. That was a huge difference in price.

    Christmas blessings to you~~

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  6. Your little flower pot dolls are absolutely darling!! What a shame you were not able to send them off as gifts. That was a huge difference in price.

    Christmas blessings to you~~

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  7. Tis the season,huh? Always tends to be a crazy frenzied time. Ugh! So sorry about your dollies - they're adorable if that helps? ;)

    Hang in there and keep taking one day at a time. Remember what the season is really about take a deep breath. Lol Blessings on the rest of the holiday season Sweetie!! xoxo

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  8. They're so wonderful, what a shame you couldn't mail them at a decent price. I think it's horrible what we pay for mailing.

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  9. Now I've got this image of you sitting there ripping heads off dolls!

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  10. Those dolls are ADORABLE! The shipping fees are ridiculously expensive...it's no wonder Canada Post is losing business. Sheesh!

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  11. Well, sorry about the unwelcome surprise at the Post Office. On the other hand, if this means you get to keep those charming dolls... ;)
    In recent years I have put up a tree on Christmas Eve, and have decorated with only little multicolor lights and a plush porcupine to rest nearly hidden at the top - just like a real porcupine, except this one isn't destroying the tree.
    This year I don't think I can have a tree in the house, as the kittens are so active. I may put lights outside instead, so I won't miss the cheery effect of the lights during evening chores.
    I hope you are taking some time to just relax :)

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  12. You do know that you are amazing, don't you? Looking after children all day AND decorating for Christmas AND making gifts?? Impressive, Wendy. And like everyone else, I think those dolls are bloomin' gorgeous. x

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  13. Those little dolls are so exquisite Wendy, just gorgeous. I don't know how you find the time!! The Post Office can be so disappointing, and I would have done the same as you. And now you have all those sweet dolls, perhaps to keep, or to give to another lucky recipient. It is always a good feeling to get the tree up and organised, and move onto the next thing in the Christmas routine. Take care, and enjoy the season. Have a Happy Christmas.

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  14. Oh, Wendy, I was so sorry to hear of the post office debacle. Still, handmade gifts are the best!
    Amalia
    xo

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  15. Oh I hate to hear about that episode at the post office. Your little dolls are adorable though. Shipping cost has gotten out of pocket these days. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  16. Oh my, those are the sweetest little dolls. I love them.

    And I know about that smidgen too big for the $1.80 post vs. parcel post. Rats in a poke!

    Haven't been for a while, so I'm having a little visit while I'm here.

    Wishing you a wonderful week...
    Brenda

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  17. It's quite understandable that all of that keeps you exceedingly busy.

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  18. The dolls are sweet Wendy but I understand and know all too well myself about beads and things that stick up on my handcrafted cards that add postage. Ah well, we'll become the queens of flat crafting won't we? lol

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  19. Your dolls are so sweet! I'm sorry they weren't able to be mailed to the recipients. What a disappointment. Canada Post is insane. Those dolls couldn't weight much more than a letter that will go on one stamp.

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  20. The dolls are so pretty! I am sure your next set of gifts are just as lovely. I wish you all the luck with the interviews. I hope the kiddos feel better soon. In the meantime enjoy the alone time :)

    -Soma

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  21. Hello, sorry about the expensive postage. The dolls are so cute, I like them sitting in the pots. You must be very busy with your daycare and Christmas. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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  22. They are adorable little dolls, too bad they cost so much to mail out. I have given up mailing anything via Canada Post due to the cost unless it is totally flat. Happy holidays to your and your family.

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