Christmas Comes Early...

I enjoy making things as gifts for the holidays. I don't make everything myself, but I generally make several items for those closest to me. Partly, it's healthy for the budget, but even more than that is that it's really satisfying to put a little bit of myself in the presents I'm giving away.

It's not so unusual to start in August thinking about what I might give to folks, but I don't typically start the creation process until after Halloween. This year, however, it has come to my attention that the timing of things is going to have to be a little different. This year, there's the arrival of a little bundle of joy pending which is sure to change up things pretty dramatically. 

The other night a bolt of inspiration hit and I waffled a bit about whether I should start now (while the creative energy was hot) or wait 'til it was a little closer (to help alleviate the torturous anticipation). Then, I started to do the math. Say this baby comes in October, as scheduled.. the next several weeks will be ever so busy with baby stuff, I'm sure Christmas present making will be the furthest thing from my mind. That takes us into November, and this year I'll be mailing most of my gifts, so they have to be packaged by the first week of December..... Conclusion: Making things pre-baby is best; I'd better get started!

So, I did. 

Now, in as much as making things is super fun and brings me great joy, the secret-keeping is a little bit torturous. So, to vent some of that pent up excitement, here is a sneak peek at some of what I've been working on!