Posted on 13 Comments

Temporary insanity

Wintry mix

Today is the first day of my Christmas Vacation, which, if you were paying attention last year, you’d know is really not a “vacation” at all.

I closed the book store on Sunday, got the last of the orders on their way yesterday, and today I am diving headlong into holiday preparations.  I’ve been working on my swap package – the one that was supposed to go out on Saturday – remember that one?  My poor, sweet, patient swap partner got stuck with frazzled, way behind on Christmas-related things, disorganized me, and I am determined to get this package in the mail tomorrow!  That means I have to make the ornament today.

Wintry mix

Now, here’s where the temporary insanity starts to creep in.  The idea of putting away all of the sewing stuff, taking out all of the clay stuff, and getting it all set up the way I like, just to make one. little. ornament. seemed silly.  Clearly, it would be a much more efficient use of my time to make 15 or 16 ornaments, assembly-line style that I could give as gifts.  I mean, it just makes sense!  You’re with me so far, I trust.

Well, let me just take it one step further.  Assuming I am going to the trouble of making all of these ornaments anyway, what harm would there be in photographing the process and then writing a lovely little tutorial to share here?  Um…. what?  Ok, I’ll admit it.  I did take all of the photographs of the process, but thankfully common sense kicked in before I killed an hour or two documenting the steps.

Wintry mix

I stopped, looked at my work table and my camera, and my one little prototype ornament and said, “Get a grip, girl!  This is no time for a tutorial!” And with that, I suddenly lost interest in the ornament-making process entirely.  My little prototype sits there unbaked, while 15 undecorated stocking parts sit off to the side, waiting to be sculpted into something magical.

I’m hoping I can force myself back to the table tonight, but even if I don’t, I can at least pop this one in the oven and send it on its merry way tomorrow.

Stocking ornament prototype

And you know, that tutorial may yet appear here!  Maybe I have far less to do than I think.  Maybe, if I find myself twiddling my thumbs after getting the tree up, sewing a few more gifts, knitting a few more gifts, claying a few more gifts, doing all of my shopping, and planning the annual Day After Christmas Party, I will sit down and show you how I make a stocking ornament.   I mean, really.  How long can all of those tasks possibly take, anyway??

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

Sign up for occasional Polka Dot Cottage news and get a coupon for 10% off your next order!

Don't worry, we won't bother you more than once or twice a month!

Posted on 13 Comments

13 thoughts on “Temporary insanity

  1. Love that stocking ornament!

    See what Frivolitea has been blogging about: Place Card Holder Workshop

    1. Thanks! I tweaked it a little further since that photo, changing the shape of the foot part a bit. And I managed to make 14 more. Now, I relax 🙂

  2. That road looks slick! You would not catch me out there!! Nice ornament…your doing great girl hang in there. 🙂

    See what Kashoan has been blogging about:

    1. It wasn’t as bad as it looked – although, I was walking, not driving, so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt!

  3. New blog post: Temporary insanity http://tinyurl.com/5xkfda

  4. love it. i’m making pens right now – and i love that cane.

    Love it.

    🙂

    1. Thanks! It’s about ready to come out of the oven…

      Pens sounds like fun. You know, I *finally* finished those pens we started together this summer?? All they needed was a little Future on them, and I was just putting it off. I finally decided I needed them for my craft shows a few weeks ago, and finished them up.

      1. Pens are fun – I have made 21 pens in the last few days, and pads to go with them. Now for some ribbon and voila ~ instant gifts for teachers, etc. I just have to find the Future… and some sleep – I’m up too late at night making them!

        1. Pens and pads – such a great combination! I did that for my Dad’s birthday. If I can get my act together, I want to do something like that for teacher gifts. But I may just make the kids make their own things this year…

  5. Oh. my. goodness.
    That is the most awesome stocking ornament I have ever seen. in. my. life!
    Wow.

    See what wendy has been blogging about: Give-aways

    1. Well, thanks! I made 14 more last night, and assuming there’s time, I’ll probably make another dozen or so!

  6. Wow, that’s a beautiful ornament. If you don’t go insane and happen to write up a tutorial, I’d love to try it…for next Christmas that is! I am proud of myself for last night’s craftiness, 4 gifts were sewn up and came out pretty darn cute if I say so myself. There is still more I have planned to do, guess that is why I woke up at 2:30a.m. with my “to do” list running wildly through my head. Eeeks, Christmas is a week away!
    Stay warm!
    Pnut

    See what pnut has been blogging about: What I’m up to these days…

    1. Oh, I hate those 2am to-do lists! It makes you want to get up and just get started, if only your tired body would cooperate. Good luck finishing what’s left on your list. I still have to *make* my list – Eeeks, indeed!

Leave a comment!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.