What I was working on, among other things, was handmade gifts-things for the holidays. I turned to my muse for inspiration, although in one case, I just did what she had done, exactly.
I thought about this for a magazine article because that’s the one thing that annoys me in Christmas. That you have to stand in queues and buy things your friends may not need/want/like. That spoils the fun, doesn’t it? So why not make something yourself? As horrid as it may look, nobody is going to tell you off.
Joking, my real solution is this: Give me a list of presents you’d like Santa to bring you. Yes, Gina, I will publish mine this year too. I think it won’t be as long as last year’s, but maybe it will be more meaningful. It won’t be just spiritual things though. That wouldn’t be meaningful to me.
However, the one gift I want from my friends and M is time. I would like more time with them. More things to do with them with an open heart. Open heart: not thinking too much about the hows and whys. Pure, silly joy. We have been thinking for too long. Much longer than it’s good for us. It sounds like a cliché but that’s what I want. Perfumes are clichés too, but nobody complains when you ask for perfume. We are running out of time, whereas there is too much perfume in the world. So, if you can sign a cheque for me for 24 hours with you, I’ll be grateful.
Back to the things I made:
Coasters and placemats out of felt
Tablecloth and napkins with iron-on motifs
Mint Pot-pourri
Christmas stockings
Lavender wine
Homemade mustard
Red pepper pate
Bath syrup
Bath salts (from scratch with coarse salt, the best)
Sugar body scrub
I also made a few small cards to go with the gifts. But I am saving those for an actual Christmas post. No grumpiness for the rest of the week, promise.
November 15th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I am going to remove time from spammers, and send you and M a surplus amount so you and M can have all the time in the world for your friends.
November 15th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
thanks Papa. But they have to give it to me. However, your time is appreciated. You give me lots of it already by reading my silliness, so i can’t complain.
November 15th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Everything you share is exquisite
Love you
November 16th, 2007 at 1:22 am
These are great selfmade gifts. You are so talented *ftuftuftu*
This year I will make a wishlist, too. They always give me money or vouchers… and that’s so un-creative… unless there would be a time-voucher, but there is no such thing… I could use a little more time myself.
Greatings from Munich, it’s cold and snowy here…
November 16th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Even I don’t have time, let alone you!
I have a terrible problem with time. It literally slips away from me. I spend too much time sleeping or trying to sleep. And way to much time thinking.
So precious moments with friends are treasured because even if we don’t say anything, it’s uplifting.
November 16th, 2007 at 3:39 am
Isn’t time evaporating away this holiday season? Amazing, really… Uf, I need a good time recipe.
Meanwhile, I was thinking about it, and this year I’ll actually make something for my siblings, myself. Yup. They’re getting something from ME and not superficial stuff they’ll put away by New Years…
Soft scents soothe me
November 16th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Time would be great… but you know, you may not have enough time but there will always be more on the way.
You take such beautiful photos, Chloe, you’re so talented! Your presents sound awesome. I’m going to try to figure out what to buy people for christmas before I actually go shopping.
I love perfume. I use it every day. I have a different perfume for work to home. I like to have a few different bottles in reserve. I used to be embarrassed (many years ago) about wearing perfume at work (who do I need to impress on a minesite, after all), but I don’t wear it for anyone else. It’s for me. I like to smell nice, if a little sweaty as well.
I think your christmas wish list is a great idea.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:37 am
I would love to spend time with you~
shopping for perfume!
Just kidding ~ I would have loved to
just help you make those gorgeous gifts and
sip tea and make our lists.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:33 am
You are fast becoming my favorite person that I’ve never met.
Which sucks.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:42 am
just beautiful! I’m completely useless when it comes to making stuff myself, but yours are wonderful
Incidentally, I asked for _time_ for my birthday too! hmm. didn’t get any, though, might have to try again for Christmas…
xxx
November 16th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Is there a contest for most beautiful blog on the web? I’m sure you would win.
November 17th, 2007 at 3:29 am
You are so talented…Everything looks wonderful.
Hope you are doing well. I haven’t heard from you for a while. Wishing you the best.
Hugs,
Connie
November 17th, 2007 at 4:29 am
Your time seems to be spent devising oases of such creativity, I wonder whether you ever have any left to spare!
November 17th, 2007 at 5:30 am
That sounds so wonderful. It must me so fun to be at your house for christmas..
November 17th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Time is one of those things that we can actually make for ourselves…but it’s just such a difficult recipe! If I learn how to make it in bulk, I’ll send some your way.
November 17th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
There really isn’t anything I want that can be store bought.
For me, I love watching my nieces and nephews delight in gift opening. I love eating dinner after midnight mass with my family. And my cherished memories of childhood when Christmas was about opening presents. Today, I know it is all about thoughtful gift giving and small tokens wrapped in brightly colored paper to say “I love you” to friends and family.
November 17th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
You express my own sentiments so well Chloe. You’re my heroine!
November 18th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Your pictures are amazing, as are your gifts, and the gift tags — oh my god — are so perfect they are scaring me. But what I want to know is what exactly is lavendar wine and how do you use it??
November 21st, 2007 at 6:45 am
love the image and what the header. simply inspires me to write.