Humbug

 I have zero enthusiasm for decorating, but when I told my husband I was only putting up a tree, he was aghast--"But we always have three trees, it is tradition now!"  I told him the girls are too busy to help me and I just can't do 3 by myself, so despite the fact that the man works 100 + hours a week, he went and bought a real tree and put it up and got one artificial out of the attic for me and up and promises to string the lights, then all I have to do is ornaments.  I opened the Santa cupboard, which usually sends me into Christmas decorating heaven, but I just shut the door again, at this point, I don't want to do it.  Aren't you glad you stopped by for a cheery hello?  Hopefully, I will shut down the pity party by the end of the week and get myself motivated.

I have been putting all my efforts in to the shop.  I finished this red and green group late in the season, but lots has sold already, so glad I did.

It's All About the Claus

 I bought these scrap Santa faces a couple years ago and couldn't come up with a plan to use them until now--they are so perfect on these C for Claus and S for Santa blocks, plus a few more odds and ends that I used them for.

Back to the Christmas Workshop Madness

 Crazy busy, so many orders to ship, so that is good.  I can hardly walk through my workshop, which is now the upstairs hallway, there are half-finished projects strewn everywhere.  Fortunately for me, I over-bought supplies last year, because EVERYTHING is impossible to find unless I want to pay a premium.  My wholesale supplier has "out of stock" on every craft item I need, and it has been that way for 2 months.  Jingle bells are especially hard to find.  Again, last year, I bought about 500 tiny rusty bells, I think it cost me $9.  I found one person selling them--the cost for 500?  $40!!!!  And I thought the price of steak was insane.  Here is a group of things I finished with my precious hoard of bells.

How is it Mid-November Already?

 I have been working non-stop on Christmas goods, seems like I came up for air and can't believe how little time is left until Christmas is here.  I am currently thinking of forgoing my usual Christmas excess and  just putting up a tree.  The house is so depressing these days.  Life goes on, and I do like what I've been creating.

My Sister Norma

 It is approaching a year since my sister died, I spent the first six months pretending it wasn't true, the next six months trying and failing to accept it.  I miss her.  When I bring up her image in my mind, she is always giggling.  Like my mom, she in some ways had a difficult life, but always saw the light in the world.  As my mom once told me, "Oh, honey, the good times far outweighed the bad."  I'm trying so hard to learn that important lesson.

More Christmas Goods

 

Time to Create Christmas Goods

 

Bitter But Busy

 I decided to let it all out in my other post, but will set that aside to show what I've been doing.  I am pleased with my work, perhaps my angst is being channeled well.

My Latest Creations