Welcome to a Handmade Holiday

Today is the first day of December (or the fifth if you are going by Little Girl's chocolate advent calendar) and it has not disappointed.  As I type, there are beautiful snowflakes floating down, Christmas music playing, and tea in the kettle.  As Little Boy said, "It's the best day ever!"

And, now it is time to get cracking at the homemade gifts for the season.  If Christmas wasn't enough I also have nine birthdays to contend with in December and January.  I must confess that I added two birthdays to that total with Little Girl and Little Boy, so I can't even complain about it.  Alas.

I've been scouring the blogs for the best inspiration to solider through this season and below is the best of the best.  So, get poking around and see what inspires you.

The Ultimate Handmade Holidays Master List 2010

This list saves me every year.  The link is for their master list of tutorials for this year and also contains link to prior years.  I can't thank these ladies enough for putting this together.

Rhythm of the Home

Rhythm of the Home is an on-line magazine and blog that offers oodles of ideas that focus on natural living.  Each seasonal issues is divided into four sections: warmth, play, celebration and connection.  Reading through this wonderful resource is always so relaxing and inspirational. 

The Purl Bee

This blog belongs to Purl Soho a yarn and fabric store that is on my list of shop to one day visit.  If you scroll down the right-hand side of this blog you will find lists for knitting, crochet, sewing and embroidery tutorials.

 Happy Together Tutorials

I don't know what is more amazing about this list of tutorials, the variety or the quantity.  I warn you, though,  this can cause inspiration overload.

Chez Beeper Bebe Tutorials

A lovely listing consisting mainly of baby and kids projects.  They may be for the little ones, but you will want some of these for yourself.

I hope some of these got the holiday juices flowing for you.

Anticipation

Such a strange fall we have had around here.  It is fifty-five and grey as can be today.  Not the weather that inspires grand holiday plans.  Luckily, all that is about to change.  Under an inch of snow is forcasted for tomorrow, but the Little Ones are vibrating with anticipation.  I am too.  I'm looking forward to some swirling flakes to bring out the coziness of staying indoors and working on Christmas presents.  I recently read Hundred Dollars Holiday by Bill McKibben and highly recommend it to anyone who is striving for a simpler, less-is-more holiday this year.  This book is so inspirational in helping you focus on what is important to you in the holidays and stresses that there is no right way to celebrate and there has never been in all of history a set way to enjoy all that is Christmas.  So, in honor of all of that, I will be sprinkling in some Homemade Holidays posts over the next couple of weeks.  I have visions of an all homemade Christmas one year, but until then I try to add a few more each year.  I'll be sharing some of my favorites this year and hope you will join in and share some of yours, too.  Off I go now to craft away.  Time to pop in the John Legend holiday collection (my all-time favorite), munch on a cranberry scone, and get down to business.