Handmade Christmas

This Christmas is going to be strange – no family of origin whatsoever. I think this is the first Christmas in 20 years that I have not celebrated with my mother. Maybe that’s why I am starting so early. I am determined to be cheerful but already regret that she won’t be here with us. Anyhow, I already have the tree up and lights strung. Okay, so they have to be redone because we put them on with the business end of the plug facing the wrong way, but nevermind, we jury rigged the whole mess and will fix it tonight.

Or maybe tomorrow . . .

Back in September I began making fruitcake and I have already given four (!) away. Eight remain and I can always cut them in two if I have to.

To be sure, these will be dressed to kill before making their public debut.

Thursday, friends Tyler, Emma & Alex will be coming over to make cookies to add to the gifts of fruitcake that I plan on giving out to friends.

One of the great things about giving food is that it is a gift that doesn’t make the recipient feel bad about not giving you something in return. And that feels good.

Another thing that I thought I’d make for Christmas is a long (gladiator style) oven mitt. I often burned my forearm using a regular sized one so I designed these for my friends who love to cook and bake.

Here it is finished:

Close up – yes, it says Bunny Island!

Maybe some small, fun stash bags to sling over a shoulder – Japanese fabric, of course.

Handmade art from handmade stamps. This is made from a piece of interfacing and lumiere paints and stamps that I carved myself.

I am also an obsessive sock knitter.  I especially love the colorful moody stripe from Noro Silk Garden yarn. Even in the tropics we like toasty feet in our air-conditioned caves. So maybe I will wrap one of these for someone.

Speaking of socks, here’s a precious pair of Argyles my mom made for me about 20 years ago.

Not everything can be homemade. Some things are irresistible.

If you are not feeling particularly crafty but still sick of same old same old, Guild Hall Gallery is a great place to find handmade stuff from local artists and artisans. It is reasonably priced, and there are so many artists that something is bound to be to your taste.  Last week, I found these at Guild Hall – handmade tropical Christmas cards from Claire Perrault. These cards are $5 each and use hand loomed fabric for the body of the subjects.  Click on image to go to the gallery website:

At night our little house looks like Bunny’s Cantina; it’s festive and colorful and wonky. Christmas in the tropics is different. So far I have resisted the impulse to get a giant plastic Santa riding a pink flamingo but there’s still four weeks to go . . . .