It was a 'funny peculiar' day yesterday. I woke at stupid o'clock after a restless night and just felt slightly under par all day long. I went to personal training though and it was absolutely the right thing to do as this morning I'm on top of my world again after the best night's sleep in a very long while.
If you've been following my blog for any time, you will know I do like to forward plan for Christmas (sorry, but it's less than four months away now so . . . inevitable).
I've started by thinking of advent stuff because last week, Beth gave me this, saying 'I know it's early but I know what you're like, Mum!' and it set me thinking.
Over the years since retirement, I've 'done' a variety of commercial calendars ranging from mini bottles of gin (I kept quiet about that one) via sachets of coffee (still going strong the following Christmas, if I remember correctly), make up (not my thing) through to better ones such as the M&S one last year (really good and some products are still going strong) and the Body Shop one (nice and supporting of overseas self help groups but a bit repetitive) and culminating in the Advent of Change which is now an annual event for both Beth and me.
The little one Beth gave me just has twenty four tiny motif patterns plus the necessary threads and fabric and one hanging ring but I think I will use a better fabric (I have some) and make a wee sampler with them instead. I need to look for a nice dividing patters and some cross stitch numbers so I can put the year at the top or bottom.
Again, as you know, I do love crochet so I looked up some crochet advent calendars but they are expensive for what you get and there's no guarantee that you want to make everything anyway.
So, I thought to myself, there's a lot of free Christmas patterns out there on YouTube and elsewhere so why not put one together myself. A granny square with a festive vibe each day and at the end you have a blanket. Or a little something like a mug warmer, a coaster . . .
Anyway, I am pondering and have some YouTube things saved in case. Now is the time to get started, isn't it?
Anyway, I am pondering and have some YouTube things saved in case. Now is the time to get started, isn't it?
What do you think?
(I will be off to the Knit and Stitch show again this year and will be looking out for projects there. Also, there may be another CAL coming up with a seasonal vibe. You never know!)
Today, Chris is over for a chat and, as I am doing the weekly shop tomorrow, I need to do next week's meal plans and make my shopping list. Nowadays, I'd be lost in the shop without a list!
So - better get the day moving! Have a good one, everybody! Take care, be safe and I'll see you again tomorrow. xx
I popped over to Amazon just to see all the different Advent Calendars - blimey there's one for everything!
ReplyDeleteHave fun choosing
There is, isn't there - so much. I do like the thought of doing my own and Temu has some cheap Advert bags to use too. x
DeleteGood idea reference the crochet advent calendar. Is it me but has the quality of commercial advent calendars gone down a bit with the increase in popularity?
ReplyDeleteI've decided not to be ' sniffy ' this year about Christmas being discussed /planned for - Bring it on 😍
Alison in Devon x
That's a good point - yes, I think so. And with the high end ones there's a considerable emphasis on how much 'value', regardless of the products' usefulness.
DeleteI've always enjoyed doing my 'Twelve Nights' one after Christmas but I want the Advent one to have more of a theme that 'what I like and would use' AND be something I find enjoyable. xx
I love the idea of a crochet calendar and hope you do that one. I have made many sewn advent calendars over the years for children and now I need to think about what I could do for me! Catriona
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I'm wondering what you will choose to do now! xx
DeleteI think it's a great idea to do a different granny square for each day of Advent. If you pick the sizing carefully you could end up with a nice little lap blanket that could then come out every December. You could also do a tiny version of each one with a hanging loop to hang on your Christmas tree. :-)
ReplyDeleteNow you have got me wanting to see what Advent calendars are available online ... can I resist the urge?
It's the sizing that's the issue. I've seen some quite nice Christmas 'things' that could be appliqued onto a solid backing square. That would ensure uniformity of size.
DeleteSomething to ponder on, for sure.
Go on - take a look. It's fun! :-) xx
I did ... but I resisted all of them ... the Tiptree jam one nearly got me though!!
DeleteOoops. Well resisted! xx
DeleteI'm starting to think about Christmas too, Joy. I always do this when September rolls around and, this week, we have cooler temps which is also reminding me about Christmas. I don't typically do Advent Calendars but after reading your post I think I will look at some to see if that is something I might do this year. Hope the rest of your day goes well.
ReplyDeleteBecause I do Blogmas, it's nice to have several themes going on but I must be careful not to be too spendy! I always do the Christmas Music thing for all my readers, of course. That won't go away because I really love it. And I will be getting this year's Jacquie Lawson one too. That's tradition. xx
DeleteOoops - sent too soon.
DeleteI hope you find something you will really love, whether commercial or 'make it yourself'. x
It sounds like you have a good head start on Advent. Your alternate version for the cross stitch will be lovely and I like you idea for an Advent crochet blanket. I'm not thinking Christmas yet. I have a big holiday before then. 😊
ReplyDeleteThat's so very exciting for you - where are you going? xx
DeleteI am hoping that once the garden is in and dusted I can concentrate more on Advent and Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.