Friday, January 1, 2010

not a political post

a week ago, i wasn't sure what was the worst of things - that our world leaders decided to ignore basic scientific facts and experiment with the future of the human race, or the fact that i hadn't sent any yule cards yet.
hm.
well, since this is not a political post, i'll skip right to the essentials;
never, ever, ever be tempted to think that you have everything under control if the calendar says 'december'.
you don't.
don't be tempted to try out your newly aquired stress management skills. they don't apply in december.
i did try that out, only to wake up to (literally) "Holy Shit!" on the 18th. i've never had so little preparations to do, yet never had such a stressful pre-yule time as i did this year.
to me, the beauty of yule is in all the handmades, and this year there just were'nt enough of it to make me happy.
i managed to squeeze in this little project for my daughter - a last minute project made the night before.

this is something i was inspired to make last year, after a friend sent me this link. i decided i could do it myself, and bought a ready made cardboard suitcase.

i only had a few hours, so there was no time for fancy decoration. i didn't have any shiny new objects to put inside either, so i used the stuff that was already hers - only making a tiny needle book and giving away my own measuring tape.




i'd love to have given her some proper knitting needles and some embroidery thread, but that will come later. so far, she's thrilled and loves it very much. i put a new piece of linen on her embroidery hoop, and she immediately started embroidering a bright yellow sun. out of ordinary sewing thread, but still - very appropriate!
did you make any gifts this year? please leave me a link to your blog so i can admire it and get inspired - i'm always hunting for good, homemade gift ideas!
(btw, i have to admit, that by now, i actually really miss blogging - and you guys!)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very clever gifting! Happy New Year!! I've been missing my blog-world friends, too! No crafting here, but hope for the new year (and, who knows, maybe even a trip to Bergen in the next few years thanks to my committee members' ties to your gorgeous town!!)

jane said...

welcome back! i´ve missed your outlook. wishing you a new year filled with health, laughter, love, and peace. warm hugs-jane

Mona said...

Åh, hvor blev den fin!!!!

Helene said...

Kjempekoselig koffert, ideen er herved rappet. Jeg har til og med de samme Mary Cecily Barker-glansbildene liggende :P

Her ble det sydd, strikket og heklet før jul, en strikka kjole, to hekla luer, to par lappeteknikk-grytekluter og to hjemmesydde toalettvesker. Mesteparten av slikt som allerede var i heimen, så forholdsvis "miljømessig forsvarlig". Bra, siden jeg også gav bort to svært miljøuvennlige flybilletter. MEN noen (som f.eks. islendinger) har problemer med å komme seg hjem på andre måter... Det måtte da evt. bli med vikingskip... he he...

lise said...

Så kjekt å "se" deg igjen! Hobbykofferten var kjempefin, og en veldig god idé, synes jeg. Det er slett ikke umulig at jeg hermer..

Det ble ikke mye hjemmelaget fra oss i år. Noen koffertlapper og en nettveske, tror jeg. Til neste år derimot, satser jeg på hovedsaklig hjemmelaget. Jeg har også ambisjoner om å ikke kjøpe verken klær, sko, garn eller stoff til neste år - eller andre ting jeg strengt tatt ikke har bruk for. Det er også mitt viktigste bidrag i miljødebatten.

Ha et flott 2010 - og håper vi får se mer av deg her i bloggen fremover.

Forresten, nå har jeg funnet boken der beskrivelsen av pennalet står, så om jeg får adressen din, kan jeg ta kopi av de sidene og sende til deg. Om du ikke vil låne boken en stund, da.

Fortsatt god helg!

Elizabeth said...

I have totally missed your blog and am glad that you're back! And that little sewing kit craft you made is wonderful -- I'm very impressed that you did it on the fly, despite your own misgivings! I think this year's Christmas was stressful for everyone, and I haven't met a single person who wasn't thrilled for 2009 to be over. Happy New Year to you!

Unknown said...

This is a very clever gift! Love the idea, I may steal it.. to make one for myself.

Hope all is well-- Happy New Year!

fish-fish said...

Så fin koffert... Og det er virkelig en inspirerende blogg du har! Har smugkikket her en stund.
Jeg laget mye julegaver iår. Men det tar tid! Har ikke rukket å ta bilder (og blogge) før de ble pakket inn og gitt videre, bortsett fra kjedet du kan se i den nyeste posten her: http://filletantefishfish.blogspot.com/
(- Et kjede laget til ei venninne som sydde et skjørt sist hun besøkte meg i stoffet cord-perlen er laget av.)

likeschocolate said...

What a lovely present! Happy New Year!

dandelionlady said...

What a sweet sewing kit! I'm totally inspired to make my oldest something like that! I just posted a couple of photos of my own handmade gifts over at my blog. I'm totally envious that your daughter likes linen, my two would pout that it's not pink. Maybe I could find pink linen! I also am glad your back!

Iris E. said...

Happy New Year, Therese!
I adore this little kit that you made in such a thrifty way for your daughter. Lovely and inspiring.
XO
Iris

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