We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

I know, I know! The title of this blog is enough to take you over the edge. But, the sad fact is that there are only 170 some odd days till Christmas. It doesn't sound so bad when it's put that way, so you may be thinking what's the big deal? But, if you are anything like me, and you qualify your time by available blocks of knitting or crochet time, then that translates to only 20 or so Saturday's left! If I really want to give myself a panic attack, I have to remember that since I really only find time to seriously knit about once a week, then that means I only have have about 20 days in which to complete all of my handmade Christmas gift giving. Lord, I feel faint.

That being said, I felt it my responsibility as your friend to bring up this unsavory topic and see if I couldn't help get you on track this year. That's right...on track! For the holidays! I have a plan this year. I have decided that this is the year when I FINISH all that I intended to originally make for Christmas gifts. How? Well, it starts with a list. Over the next few days, begin making a list with the names of each person you would ideally like to make a gift for. Be as ambitious as you like. Make it the, "If I ran the World, This Is What Would Happen" list. Shoot for the moon. Then, write down a suggested item that you might make next to each name. For example, Dad - argyle socks, Mom - cashmere gloves....and so on. Then, (heres where the rubber meets the road) take out your calender. Take a realistic inventory of your upcoming schedule from now till Christmas. Next, SCHEDULE in your crafting time! That's right, if you know you have a dentist appointment on August 13th, plan for 20 minutes of knitting in the waiting room. if you know your darling hubby is going on a business trip, or that the kids are going to camp, plan to use at least some of that time for knitting. You could get really crazy and start to number the projects in matter of importance, set drop dead finish dates, and so on. The vision is that by the beginning of December will find yourself PREPARED for the holidays! Can you imagine that feeling? Yeah...me neither, but I'll bet it feels good!



Now, I know that this plan sounds rather ambitious. Especially for those of you who actually know me on a personal basis. :) However, I have a secret weapon that is going to help me make this plan a success. Have you been to http://www.ravelry.com/? Well, if you haven't yet - go there ASAP! Aside from all of the organizational help you are going to find, you are also going to find Torey and Diane and me from the Knit Affair. There is a spot on the website to sign up for "groups". Knit Affair has their own group! It's open for anyone to join. It's a place where we can all hang out and discuss this pesky Christmas plan together, or anything else we care to, anytime of the day or night! Now, if you are at a loss as to what to knit for your beloved's, not to fear! Torey has a whole Christmas project plan for us. Over the course of the next few months, she is going to be offering classes in smaller, quick to knit projects that will be the perfect thing for someone on your list. To start with, this Saturday, July 19th - you can begin either "animal toe slippers", or " take along teddy blanket". Either is sure to delight the small people on your list. The class is from 12PM-4PM. Or, if you are just looking for a block of time to get started on something new, and would like Torey's expert advice and direction , you can sign up for that too! Just stop into the shop, or send her a message on http://www.ravelry.com/!



See? The holidays aren't going to be so bad after all....IF you stick to the plan!



Meet you by the wool,

Rob