Decking the halls, or hall :).

December has arrived! I'm ready! It's snowing outside and it feels like Christmas. My family had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, I hope yours did as well. Thanksgiving with friends is super fun. If you've never tried it, it's the way to go. That being said my family is coming in just a couple of weeks to stay with us for a few weeks, and I couldn't be more excited!

December first is here. My two oldest have been waiting for it to arrive so that the advent calendar fun could begin. I made this calendar last year and it has been by far the most popular, most responded to project I have ever done. I've had multiple people ask me if I'm selling them or have templates for the project. All of your interest has encouraged me to take this project to the next level. So, I'm planning on creating a PDF pattern of this advent and a limited number of handmade ones to be available online for next year (November 2012). I'd love to hear your feedback, and if a pattern is something that you would be excited about. Anyway, that's the plan. I would be excited to and would love to be able to share this with as many people who would want to make one!

As far as decking the living room, I made some felt mistletoe (tutorial here) and completed our set of four Christmas stockings. I made stockings for my two oldest a couple, or three years back. And am now getting around to making Henry's (sorry buddy, but you didn't even notice what you were missing last year) and Audrey's. My focus with decor and gifts this year has been working with what I have. It's so satisfying to go look through my little fabric stash and make things come together without spending a dime. H and A's stockings may not be as elaborate as the first two, but they're still nice and they coordinate...and I didn't have to spend $20 on ribbon, for real. I've also hung some paper snowflakes and reused garlands and things from previous years. I love having the Christmas tree up and lit. The coziness of our home automatically doubles. Makes me want to listen to our Dean Martin holiday album on a loop.

I've been working on Christmas gifts, some of which I won't be sharing until Christmas has past. Some surprises in life are very fun. But you'll get to see some of what I'll be making, be sending your positive crafting vibes so that I can actually finish all the things on my list! And I did make a lovely table runner for the Thanksgiving table that I'll be sharing soon...also made from items in my stash :).

Well, Happy December to everyone! Enjoy the beginning of the holiday fun and all that comes with it!