We have an angel for the tree-top! A bit of card, gold pen, wadding, paper clips and some wired ribbon left over from a bouquet of flowers (yes, I keep all those bits and pieces; you never know when they might come in useful), and the top of the tree doesn't look quite so bare. Things like that are great fun to make, and proof, yet again, that it isn't necessary to spend a fortune on decorating the house.
Reindeer production is also in full swing - two have been sent by post to children living away, and hopefully the others will be finding new homes (and maybe trees!) in the next couple of days.
I spent much of yesterday focussing on the quilt borders, marking the pattern in preparation for machine quilting. I've had to use a home-made stencil and white chalk pencil to mark the fabric, and got a crick in the neck for my troubles. But the two short sides are fully marked, and I want to start quilting those tomorrow. I didn't have enough backing fabric, as I suspected, so I've had to rummage through my stash to find something suitable, and it will just have to be pieced. Ah well, a pieced back as well as a patchwork front!
In amongst all this crafting, I have been ticking lots of odd jobs off the never-ending list. I keep telling myself things are getting done but there always seems to be a certain panic around Christmas and the New Year season that's difficult to avoid. I'd like to clear my head, if only for a short time, and spend some time in reflection of the past year and give some thought to the year to come (well, there's a wedding, for a start :-) ). I think I must deliberately take some time out over the next few days to do just that.
We have quite a busy week ahead, friends to visit and share meals with, places to be and appointments to keep. We may even buy a present or two - neither of us have actually bought anything yet, although certain things have been decided, just not paid for yet. We have never succumbed whole-heartedly to the consumerist hype surrounding Christmas; that has meant, on occasions, that our small gifts have been overwhelmed by others more lavish and expensive. I do believe it is important to stick to your principles rather than feel obligated to spend money you don't have on presents that aren't wanted. That's just my view; for other people, the presents are an integral part of the Christmas celebrations and maybe they have it right. But it's not for me. I don't think Christmas needs to be a time to max out the credit card; it's more than possible to have a great time without spending a small fortune. Home-made decorations are cheap and fun to make (and haven't been mass-produced in China), and home/hand-made gifts that someone has taken time and effort over should be cherished and appreciated every bit as much as the latest must-have gadget. Enough said.
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