I checked out a few holiday books from the library ("Colorado Christmas", "An Old Fashioned Christmas", and "Christmas Poems, Stories, and Carols".) Reading some of these tales of Christmases past has re-awakened the Christmas Spirit in me.
Gone are the days when handmade gifts filled ones stocking and there might be the rare treat of a storebought gift. How easy it is to buy that certain something from a store, or even online! But how much thought and care really go into purchasing that special gift card?
I've been relishing my time with my needles, crafting my humble little gifts. Time is such a precious commodity...can we ever have enough of it? And I think that's what a handmade gift symbolizes...that the recipient is worth your precious time. That you've thought about them throughout the entire process, and woven good wishes with each little stitch.
Wishing you many sweet hours of blissful stitching :)
Bliss. That's what I feel when I see each little completed project. And that's what I've relearned to feel while making them too.
Wishing you many sweet hours of blissful stitching :)
39 comments:
Sometimes we forget ourselves in the holiday rush, don't we? I'd much rather be still and enjoy my friends and family than waste time standing in the checkout line being grouchy and broke. Handmade gifts are the best.
I love your post, Staci. For the few friends/family that I make gifts for, it is indeed a token of how much I love them that I'll gladly spend my free hours creating something special for them. :D
Staci, this is an AWESOME posting! It couldn't have been said any better. I am with you all the way, handmade gifts are much better and have much more meaning than something you can just go buy. Love your little ornies. Have a great weekend! :)
P.S. You also just reminded me to get going on mine!
What a nice post Staci! It reminds me that we need to slow down and enjoy life. I am in Colorado Springs visiting my family this weekend, it's so pretty here!
I love handmade gifts. I wish other people were as appreciative of them. Fortunately my husband and son love them as well. Maybe it's because of the long hours of laboring in love that they see me putting into them. :-)
Thanks for the great post. Makes me want to go put on Christmas music, pour some cocoa and stitch on some ornaments.
Beautiful stitching!
Thank you for the bliss reminder. Even if I could get by on 2 hrs sleep the day would still not have enough hours in it! I am seriously challenged when it comes to finishing. Thanks for the reminder of how to do a beaded edge...so simple and yet such a beautiful border!
I agree completely Staci. If I didn't have stitching friends I wouldn't be able to make any gifts, except for one or two. Imagine someone preferring a store bought gift to handmade. Your ornaments look lovely, and since you shared your Christmas gifts you made last year, I have been looking forward to seeing what you make this year. I will be working on gifts this weekend, and I think I just might make a trip to the library too!
Handmade gifts are special.
But, playing devil's advocate: ever received a present that you know you'll never use? That just isn't you? I know lots of people who prefer gift cards and such so that they can pick their own presents.
I hate it when people try to buy me books, because they always get me something from popular general fiction and that isn't what I read. I'd rather have a gift card so I can pick what I like.
Not saying handmade presents aren't good, they're awesome. But they're really hard to get right.
Staci,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I don't know if those who don't craft can really appreciate all of the time that goes into the making of a gift. I know that it's lost on some but those who understand it are deeply touched by it.
Your beaded edge is a beautiful accent.
What a lovely post. I totally agree and wish that more people appreciated the effort that goes into homemade gifts and that each stitch is stitched with love.
I loved reading your post Staci. I think there is nothing better than a handmade gift as it's made with love:)
I do just love that beaded edge! Good for you for living a mindful life. :)
Beautiful sentiments. I agree with you--sometimes we need to slow down and remember why we are making these gifts. And looking back, the handmade gifts I received were the most memorable.
I love the way you finished your ornament. I hope you don't mind if I try your method--I've just stitched two ornaments and have been wondering how I'd like to finish them.
This is a beautiful post Staci. Love it. I bet whoever the recipient is of your lovely hand made gifts will treasure them. I know I would. Love the books too. I have a lot on my to do list this year as well it seems. I have had to order special aida band from France amongst other things. The pressure's on esp with all the postal strikes in the UK! Hopefully I'll make some progress tonight ;-) xx
"Good wishes woven with each little stitch"... now that's precious!! But oh! Time... *sigh*...
Thanks for the great post! It really puts my gift stitching into perspective...I'm enjoying every stitch!
what a beautiful post Staci...we all need to take the time to reflect as we approach this very busy, yet very meaningful time of year. Thanks for the gentle reminder!
I agree that a gift card has the warmth of an iceberg, and I feel like I'm not putting any of myself, or any thought into picking one up, but increasingly, my grandchildren, and even my kids, are saying that they like getting gift cards so that they can have the fun of picking out something.
Besides me, only my dil still makes gifts by hand, and my son told me that she is backing off, haven gotten discouraged, and downright hurt by the comments that some of the other side of the family, members have made to her. This is her own immediate family!!! It is a sad, sad shift in what is valued.
What lovely sentiments, Staci! And lovely work, too. :) I am lucky in that my immediate family, a few friends that also stitch, my BIL's wife, and my brother and his family like my stitching. Last year I extended my ornament stitching to my other brother's kids and not one of them thanked me or acknowledged receipt until I asked if they got them. I have horror stories of things my MIL has done, too. So, I stitch for who enjoys them, and that's enough for me. Like you said, good thoughts and wishes are woven into each stitch.
Very nice blog post. Your little ornie is so cute. I love making hand-made stitchy gifts. I sure hope the recipients appreciate them.
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy your bliss.
So true! Lovely, heart-warming post.
Nicely said. Love the finish! I'll take handmade anyday!
I totally agree!!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful craftsmanship!!
What lovely finishes and whoever receives these I'm sure will cherish them. All too true, there are times it's so easy to be caught up in the 'rush', rediscovering the bliss is a much nicer way to head towards Christmas.
Lovely ornament. The beads just set it off. You are so right in that we forget the journey rushing towards the destination too many times. Thanks for reminding us all to take time.
the beaded edge is beautiful
happy holidays!
peaceful stitching and a warm cup of happiness
Beautiful post, you're so right :)
Happy stitching Sunday!
I completely agree with you, Christmas has become too commercialized and I know I enjoy making something and I definitely enjoy receiving a handmade gift more than store bought ones :) Beautiful finish!
Hi Staci, finally finding time to go a blogging, sorry for not dropping in for sometime!!
Love your little stitched things and I know what you mean about trying to get things done for the holiday.
Just wanted to let you know that I am going to make your midsomer fingerless mittens as a gift for my daughter for Christmas, Thank you for sharing, will post a picture when I get going on it. Do you think I could use sock yarn??
Take care and happy stitching
Roberta
I was just telling a co worker last week that one of the reasons I love this time of year is because I get into a 'crafty' mood. All I want to do is sit, stitch, do some finishing, etc. I wish more people appreciated homemade gifts. They truly are from the heart...lately the next generation is so wrapped up in the 'technology' of things...I hope that changes.
Nice thoughts to remind us of the importance of the season. Love the ornament too.
Your finish is very beautiful. I have found that this year I have tons of Christmas spirit. Last year I spent Christmas on vacation away from my family. Now I know that I will never do that again and this year I have already put the tree up.I feel like I'm ten again, counting down the days til Christmas. I am glad you have found your spirit back and I wish you many holiday blessings.
~*Candi*~
Hi Staci, Blessings on your holiday preparations and on your Christmas. Can you tell me how many stitches apart you put the beads in these pictures - I have never had the courage to bead an edge but your photos are almost a tutorial:-)
I just love reading your blog. Makes me want to slow down and take life a little easier from time to time - to just enjoy the people and things around me. Thanks for posting. Take care.
such a perfect post Staci, definately perfect for this time of year. I have a ring I found a few years ago at a local crafts fair that says "Follow your bliss" and I wear it every day as a reminder. I find/follow my bliss when I make the special something for a friend or relative or when I purchase that perfect something .. it truly is the thought that counts .. that's why I don't do gift cards .. I really enjoy spending time looking for the perfect thing :)
I love your ornament! the beads are lovely :)
Wahouuuu, I't very very nice... I love your christmas ornaments...
fred
Well said. Handmade gifts really are the best.
Staci hi, :>)
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading this post. I don't know what made me just think of browsing back your blog this morning but I think there must have been a need to read your words. It's been a year where time has had claims on it and trying to fit in personal things has been at a premium so, everything has been done as quickly as possible with no time for the luxury of thought but, now, I have a lot of time to reflect and realise that time spent making things for special people in your life is a wonderful way of showing you care.
I've loved looking at your ornaments and the loving way you finish them. Giving the making of each ornament, and each friend receiving it, a share of your time is giving more than a gift, it's giving love too :>)
Warm hugs Angela
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