Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmas crafts with kids and looking forward to 2015

The Christmas season is well under way at our house. We broke up a week earlier than most schools in the area and I really needed that break. To be honest, I have been very ill this last term on and off and even now, after having a full week off, I am still full of a head cold and sinus trouble. My face is in a lot of pain. So I haven't actually wanted to do very much other than stay in and hunker down in my own home.

A few days ago, knowing the kiddos were getting a little bit stir crazy, I set them off doing some Christmas crafts using this book that I had purchased a year or two ago.


We made paper chains...


And snowflakes....
these were a bit trickier..


And I was very proud of my wee man who spent hours on making stuff. 


I still need to write cards and do a bit of baking but truth be told I'm really not in the mood this year. I'm just plain old worn out! 

So I thought I'd start looking ahead to next year and begin to make some goals. I failed miserably the last few years at making and sticking to my goals so thought I'd try a different approach. I have seen a lot of people doing the stitch from stash thing which looks good but I think I need to be even more stricter than that with my finances. So I'm not sure. I had thought about having a kind of finishing pot so that every time it finished something I would pay myself a certain amount and put it in the pot so to speak. Then after I have a few finishes under my belt I can treat myself to something new. 

I have a few charts already kitted up in my stash that are waiting to be started. One of which I have just started as a bit of a Christmas treat. It is Heartstring's Samplery The Stars are Brightly Shining. 

I have done quite a bit on it already and looking forward to squeezing in another finish before the end of the year. 


I am loving working on this which uses GAST threads and is stitched on 32 count desert sand. 

I have also recently finished CCN ornie number 3 and now awaiting for the next one. It seems to be taking forever for these designs to get over here. 


I have decided to stitch them all up first and then "finish" them off into ornies. I hate the finishing bit. 

The other project I have started is another ripple blanket which is a gift for my sister for her birthday but I literally only have about 6 weeks to do it in so I need to get this done quickly. The colours are turning out quite pretty although I wasn't so sure at first. 


I hope she likes it. She might not, truth be told, but at least I can say I have tried to make my peace.

So stitching plans for 2015?

I desperately need to finish Elisabeth Lillie.
I must finish Lizzie Kate ABC Christmas
I must make some considerable progress on A Quaker Christmas
It would be nice to get at least 2 or 3 blocks done on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow
I should really get going on A Most Noble Pursuit
Helen Bell's multiplication sampler has been sitting far too long 
and these are just WIPs

I won't mention the Just Nan, the HEADS and the Yiota design. 

I would like to start more - like I said I do have some ready kitted up to start but I do need to get some of these BAPs finished first. I think looking at how much I have to do on them, I should start with Elisabeth Lillie and get her finished up. Also the Lizzie Kate one won't take long, I'm sure. 

This is going to be my year of finishes! 
Watch this space. 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


21 comments:

Vickie said...

Good for you Hazel. You just keep making progress, and you will get there. I love the blanket for you sister. I am praying your visit with her goes well.♥

Carol said...

Sorry to hear you've been ill, Hazel, but when you have young children AND work with them, I suppose there is no escaping the germs... Feel better soon!

I love the crafts that you and your kids made--I so miss baking and crafting with my sons now that they are all grown. I suggested stringing popcorn and cranberries to them a few years ago and they literally laughed at me! So, enjoy these days when they are young--tired as you may be, they end all too soon.

Merry Christmas to you, Hazel!

Lana said...

Looks like you and the kiddies had lots of fun! Love your stitching! Good luck with your goals!! Looks like a good list!!

Unknown said...

The blanket is looking lovely - I'm sure your sister will love it; its a big peace making gesture and I like to think she cannot fail to see that. All of your stitching is beautiful. Have a lovely Christmas xx

Melody said...

Hope you feel better soon. It's no fun to be sick at the holiday time. The paper crafts the kids did look like fun. You have some great finishes. I don't like the final finishing either...

Melissa said...

Oh Hazel, I'm sorry you've been ill. On and off just means you get more and more worn down. I hope you feel better soon but also that you've get a break during the holidays to recuperate!

Merry Christmas to you!

ps Lovely stitching and the blanket is looking great!

Angela said...

Love the paper chains and snowflakes you all made, it looks like fun. Lovely stitching, I'm working on that ornament too. Love the colors in the blanket :) Hope you feel better soon! Merry Christmas.

Von said...

I hope you can take some extra nap time over the holidays to recuperate from that nasty cold!
When my kids were small, we would make paper chains too - I still love them. :)
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Hazel!

Linda said...

The crafts the kids made are adorable. Great stitching Hazel.

Merry Christmas
Linda

Helen Philipps said...

Love your sweet stitching, Hazel. And the colours of the ripple blanket are gorgeous. I hope you feel better soon and have a nice rest over the holidays.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Helen xox

VeggieMummy said...

Sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. I think the sinus pain is the worst thing about a cold; poor you. Love the Christmas crafts and your stitching is beautiful. I'm sure your sister will love the ripple blanket. Have a Merry Christmas and get better soon. x

Colleen said...

Lovely stitching and blanket. I'm sure the recipient will enjoy the colours and thoughtfulness. What I did last year, and worked at least reasonably well, was to alternate projects already started (as in thread in fabric ) with new ones, either from stash or bought new. Good luck - I think this is a challenge most of us share.

Colleen

diamondc said...

I do hope you are feeling well for Christmas eve and Christmas day, I hate head colds.
Love your idea of stitching and then putting money away for more stash, great idea.
The paper ornaments are so lovely, nowadays not many young people make things with paper or anything.
You are a wonderful Mother to get your Children involved in doing the ornaments for your tree.
Merry Christmas.
Catherine

Margaret said...

I sure hope you are feeling better soon. Don't let the sinus problems develop into an infection. Get it treated. My DH lost his sense of smell because of too many sinus infections and not treating them. Love your stitching, and the blanket for your sister is beautiful! Love what your son made -- good for him! Merry Christmas! Get a lot of resting in and feel better!

Margaret said...

Merry Christmas. I hope you get better real quick. I do love the idea of a Finishing Pot and a reward system. Do let us know what you decide and we can cheer you on.

Clare-Aimetu said...

Christmas is a great time for crafts and cooking all together, it looks great fun. Merry Christmas to you all

Andrea said...

Wonderful stitching. I hope you feel better soon.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas.

Julie said...

What a great book, looks like the kids had fun.
Hope you are able to enjoy the Christmas celebrations and are soon feeling much better.
The blanket looks lovely.
Good luck with your plans for next year.
xxx

Heidi Kuijer said...

I hope you are enjoying a warm and happy Christmas celebration with your family Hazel! The preparations with the kids look like it was great fun.

Hugs from Holland,
Heidi

Brigitte said...

Oh Hazel, I hope that the break from school has brought you some much needed rest and some recovery time. I remember when I was still teaching I gathered all the germs floating around during the first years, only after about 10 to 15 years it became better.

My kids were always loving me crafting with them, particularly for Christmas. And I still have some of their decoration and we use it every year on our Christmas tree.

What a wonderful blanket you are making for your sister. I love these colours because as always your colour combo is fantastic. I hope that she will like it.

Good luck with all your goals.

Brigitte said...

I just wanted to add that I love your idea of a finishing pot. That will make the whole stitching thing even more interesting .
Great CCN ornament and nice project you are stiching on.