22 Sep Are you thinking “Holidays”?
I admit I’m not one who gets started on my holiday shopping early. I prefer to wait until the first two weeks of December when the holiday mood starts to kick in. EXCEPT for things I plan to make – I try hard to start those gifts as early as I can.
The 2012 issue of Quilting Arts Gifts is here to help! It’s packed full of great gifts for those you care about (and a few you might like to make for yourself). I have such a hard time resisting cute notebooks and journals and there are several colorful and creative ones in this magazine. Also included is a fantastic variety of home decor items, pouches, bags, coasters, ornaments and lots more. Cookie recipes are included again this year too. Lemon bars and molasses crinkles, anyone? Yum!
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| Carry-All Pouch, page 88 |
You may have guessed that I have a project included in this special issue. I made a pouch like this for myself several years ago and couldn’t live without it! It lives in my purse to corral all the miscellaneous stuff I NEED to carry around with me. It’s the perfect size for hand sewing supplies or make-up too. The contrasting piping and zipper add some great punch. I have to say I’m a huge fan of the “long pull” zippers from zipit on Etsy – no relationship here, just a very satisfied customer. These zippers are a little more heavy duty and can stand up to the wear and tear they get in my purse. Plus, they look great too.
So, would you like a copy of Quilting Arts Gifts 2012? I have an extra one to give away! To enter, just leave me a comment telling me your best tip to avoid holiday craziness – and if you have any success in actually doing it 🙂
I’ll choose a winner at the end of the day on Tuesday, September 25. Don’t forget to include your email address so I can contact you!
Lis
Posted at 18:57h, 27 Septemberhave you picked a winner yet?
Ginny
Posted at 00:28h, 26 SeptemberI stopped buying all the extra's for friends, teachers, co-workers. It's not like I had lots of money and found they really didn't need it/want it anyway. I DO find time for my friends to go to lunch with them, invite them to a party, or plan a day trip and celebrate the holidays that way. Last year due to some craziness my family actually celebrated the Holidays in January and you know what everyone enjoyed it! I do love to give handmade gifts tho! Would love to win! Thanks! Oh-and Happy Holidays!
janice
Posted at 18:23h, 25 SeptemberI love to bake and do lots of decorating around the house, but with a full-time job and a long arm quilting business it doesn't leave much time to play in the kitchen. Last year I had planned a day to make cookies and then got called in to work. So the cookies never happened and honestly I don't think anyone was too disappointed except me. I'd love to win the magazine. I'll find time somewhere.
Kimberly
Posted at 13:47h, 25 SeptemberLots of good ideas here for avoiding the craziness. My family makes a conscious decision to slow down as soon as Advent begins which means we make very careful choices about what activities make it on to our calendar– no more than one per week– so we can savor and enjoy.
Lis
Posted at 13:36h, 25 SeptemberI am a very blessed woman in that my husband loves to shop. He is a firefighter and so he is on 24 and off for 48 hrs, he tries to shop early in the mornings to avoid the crowds and we try to be through by the 15th of December. This year I am making lap quilts for all the females in my family so I will have 3/4 of the shopping/quilting done and we will be WAY ahead of the game. Thanks for the chance to win this book, sounds amazing. Also, I love ZIPIT also! lisamcgriff at hotmail dot com
Anonymous
Posted at 03:13h, 25 SeptemberPresents are good anytime. We don't do much for Christmas as there aren't any little kids in the extended family any more. But I'd love to have a source book for gift ideas.
Rosemary
Artsy-Craftsy Ivy
Posted at 16:47h, 24 SeptemberI simply try to stay out of the stores that time of year 🙂
Merry Perkins
Posted at 13:19h, 24 SeptemberLast year we learned a great lesson, less is more. I had a broken arm and lifting was problematic. Everyone took on making two dishes. The men did the cutting/serving and clean up. The adults all drew names and the grandkids got a nice mix of clothing, home made items and toys. I see no reason to change anything this year. And yes, I'm one of those people that make things and buys things all year. With three adult daughters, your bag would be a great gift for them from Mom.
lucymp53@gmail.com
Marianne
Posted at 12:39h, 24 SeptemberMe too with a list! For family we picked a theme last year to keep the gifts in control (and we choose names). The theme was "ornament". It was so fun to see the ornament chosen specifically for that person. This really helped to reduce stress.
Lucinda Miller
Posted at 12:37h, 24 SeptemberPlan ahead, and stop doing everything. All that 'less is more' stuff is actually true. Love the zip bag, by the way!
PT in SC
Posted at 01:20h, 24 SeptemberThat's easy, I do not buy "Christmas" gifts. When I see something I want to buy for someone, I buy it whenever it may be throughout the year.
Ann
Posted at 15:19h, 23 SeptemberLists, I try to make lists to keep on track. Would like to find time for making more gifts and I think people will be getting a lot of zip bags this year.
YC
Posted at 18:18h, 22 SeptemberI stopped worrying if presents were "on time" for Christmas/holidays a long time ago… 🙂 I just focus on the couple events that are time critical (Secret Santa exchanges).
cinzia
Posted at 12:30h, 22 SeptemberI would much rather sit in my studio making gifts than to be in a mall during the holiday rush. I sometimes make little projects throughout the year and save hem for gift giving time.
Gill
Posted at 09:26h, 22 SeptemberEvery year I plan to start early and every year I fail miserably! perhaps I should just give up and plan to leave everything till the last minute!!
highwaycottage
Posted at 07:24h, 22 SeptemberI only buy for immediate family, and as we have a bunch of birthdays then too, I try to buy a few things throughout the year, then in October I start a list of things to purchase or make. This year it will be pretty much all make.
What Comes Next?
Posted at 04:01h, 22 SeptemberI cut back on lots of presents for grown family members, making donations to local food banks instead, but I still go all out for the kids. Coffee and Baileys works for me!
sophie
Posted at 03:21h, 22 SeptemberI always plan downtime and a meal or two during the holiday season with a small group of people chosen for their lack of drama and crazy making.
I was just thinking tonight I want to make a couple zipper pouches to keep me organized for an upcoming trip. I like the proportions of yours. Nice work!
kitkabbit
Posted at 03:05h, 22 SeptemberBest tip? travel off date for the holiday (like we are doing this year with my mom!), and stock up on presents anytime you find the perfect gift, not just at holiday season! and start crafting right after xmas for the next one, otherwise you'll kill yourself in the month of december and be as cranky as a bear!
Nicole H.
Posted at 02:50h, 22 SeptemberStart early (Remembrance Day ish), but keep it SIMPLE, eg you don't need ten kinds of cookies when two is plenty.
I'm not a spoilsport, I'd rather just have lots of successes/completions instead of a feeling of perpetual "day late and dollar short".
Molly
Posted at 02:33h, 22 SeptemberYears ago I stopped buying little gifts for co-workers, teachers, friends, etc. Just let it go! I throw a Christmas party for my family and a Christmas lunch for my friends and we all talk, laugh and make memories. I enjoy baking and decorating and don't enjoy shopping so it's made my holidays soooo much nicer.
jayne
Posted at 02:23h, 22 SeptemberI think my best tip to avoid holiday craziness is to stay home! Being in retail I can get all I need on a daily basis! i love the holidays, really i do! Actually, this may be my best tip…coffee and baileys! That I can have success at!
jaynebug[at]comcast.net
ann
Posted at 01:59h, 22 SeptemberHow would you know if it's the holidays if they weren't crazy? I say, bring it on! The crazier the better. No strike that..but some craziness must ensue so the holiday feelings are well and truly felt. I'm ever so helpful, aren't I? You're welcome.