Christmas Miracles do happen......

They really do!! I say that because we've seen a bit of a Christmas miracle over here at the Chaos household.  It is something that rarely occurs....a bit like a full lunar eclipse. What could it be you ask........Well let me tell you.......I started early on my handmade Christmas gifts. Yep.  I did.  I can hardly believe it myself. My typical M.O. is waiting until about 3 days before Christmas at which point I am inspired to make the most intricately complicated yet heartfelt and adorable Christmas gifts for all friends, relatives, acquaintances, postman, water delivery guy and meter reader.  Unfortunately, each said complicated and adorable handmade gift usually will average about 10 days to make. Thus finding myself repeating the same thing to everyone during gift giving....... "I was going to make the most incredible, beautiful and personal gift for you.  You should get it sometime around Easter." 

So of course, because this is all new to me I am having a bit "PPCSD" aka Post Procrasination Crafting Stress Disorder".  It involves sitting down to do a project but then have little panic attack flashbacks. For example, I'll be working on a project and freeze thinking that Christmas is 2 days away and I need to rush, rush, rush. Make quick decisions.....pick a ribbon!  Any ribbon!  Just get this done!!!! Where did I put the scissors!!!!!! And then I remember...I've got time.  I can breathe.  I can relax. I can take all the time I want to pick the exact perfect ribbon.  Hrmmpppp. Take that procrastination!  I'm actually going to do a post on conquering procrastination later on.  Because one of my goals this year was to really get better about it.  And I think I really have made progress...... Speaking of progress.  Something really amazing happened to me the other day.

I was up early one morning last week before the kids so I decided to organize my pictures on my computer.  I had picture all over the place and could never find what I wanted when I wanted it.  So I finally made a folder of all my creations.  As I was dragging and dropping, it occurred to me that I reached a goal that I had set at the same exact time last year..... which was to be more creative.  I was floored by the amount of pictures that I was moving over into the folder. One by one...picture by picture..... I realized how much I had accomplished since one year ago.  I stood back a bit and took it all in because it wasn't until that moment that I had realized I accomplished what I set out to do.   It made my day!  

On to other stuff.......I FINALLY got Tricia from Vintage Bliss ornament swap items out the door.  I fell so far behind on it.  It was supposed go out out December 1.  Well that date came and went. So I did a couple extra special things for her to make up for my tardiness......I hope she likes it!

The next picture is gifts that I made for Carlos's teachers.  I am very excited about it because I actually came up with the idea, finished it, and am ready to give it to them all before his last day of school.  Usually what happens is I would think up this fabulous idea three days into Christmas break. Or, 9:00 pm the night before the last day of school......

I'm going to fill them with some candy and a gift certificate. 

Here's another little "Cream Puff" collage I whipped up as a gift.  I love doing these little 4 x 4 collages.

Ok....off to meet Carlos at school for his Pizza party and then return with 3 extra kids to do some Christmas crafts for gifts.  I have this really cute idea we're going to do.  I'll post pictures of it when we finish.... Talk to you soon!  Karin

Comments

[kari and kijsa]

These are wonderful! Congratulations on your beautiful work (and it is all finished so early) We will be inspired now to hop onto our gift roll, and try and finish ours!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

[Monicaa]

girl you crack me up!
Can you please whip us up (say that real fast a few times)a 12 step program to CURE PROCASTINATION!
It is especially bad at the Holidays, huh?
Love all your DECK the HALLS stuff and I am sure Tricia will too. Make sure to go post it to the group so everyone can see your LOVLIES :)
Heres the link again
http://www.flickr.com/groups/570126@N23/

[Amy]

Good for you in having a more creative year. All your sparkles and glitter and pretties are great!

[Karla]

Congrats! You are so ahead of the game and way ahead of me! I want to be Carlos's teacher - they get the BEST gifts from you!
Karla

[Cindy]

I'm proud of you for kicking procrastination booty...please rub some of that off on me! LOL.
Everything looks amazing.

[Lori]

Karin, your giftees are going to be just thrill with the lovely concoctions you have whipped up for them {in a timely manner...LOL...you are SO funny...i think i have a touch of that PPCSD} everything looks so beautiful!!!

[Lori]

make that "thrilled"!!!

[SONIA AUDELO]

I JUST LOOOOOVE YOUR CHRISTMAS CREATIONS. I LOVE TO LOOK AT
THEM. THANKS FOR LETTING US HAVE A PEAK AT YOUR BEAUTIFUL INSPIRATIONS. HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

[Alison Gibbs]

Karin, what beautiful creations.
Alison

[Natasha Burns]

oh wow congratulations!!!! how fantastic you've made such an achievement! By the way I love what you made for Tricia, that heart is so sweet, as is everything else you put your hands on!

[Lisa Johnson]

Hi Karin,

Love your little Christmas crafties. Ever notice how easy it is to focus on all that we haven't done? I'm glad you took the time to organize your computer photos so you could see all that you accomplished. We all need to give ourselves a break. One of my favorite things to say is, "no one ever died wishing they spent more time cleaning their house." Now, a life lived not creating, that would be something I would regret.
Happy Holidays!

Lisa

[Nerissa]

Hi Karin
What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing all the artwork. Everyone is going to love receiving the gifts you created.
Nerissa

[Lynn at The Rose Cottage]

I am happy to hear I am not the only one who procratinates, oh my, I am terrible. Can't wait to read your upcoming post on how to deal with it :)
Your gifts all look amazing as usual Karin :)

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Oh and buy the way, that little white tree I decorated was 4.95 at Walmart LOL

[cathy nash]

Beautiful things!
And LOL about the Post Procrastination Craftiness Stress Disorder. You have described me to a "T", except the part about starting earlier this year.

Hope you enjoy your stress-free crafting for Christmas this year.
Cathy

[beth]

oh girl - your stuff is beyond lovely !!!!!!!!!! you have lucky friends relatives and teachers - !! happy holidays - and if you get a chance leave a comment on my blog - i am doing a giveaway !!!
xo,
beth

[Rachael]

ha ha, you and I have some very similiar traits!!!! Was going to make Chrissy Cards, fabulous creations, went and bought them yesterday!!! And also only just got my Christmas swaps out the door!!!! Merry Christmas and Blessings :)

[kkarla nathan]

Its a rare and wonderful event when we get our gifts done early! congrats!

[Pam Aries]

Hee hooo hahah! You are ahead of me, sister! What? when is Christmas? Yikes...gotta go! Your creations are dreamy!

[Jeanne]

Karin, I just love all the projects that you've created. Especially that snowflake and the dream canvas and. . .well, I love it all! By the way, the cute little tags you made for the giveaway arrived in the mail today. They are beautiful! Did you open your Day 1 gift yet?

[Vickie]

How neat that you can start and finish so early! Everything is wonderfully. I'm sure they'll be greatly appreciated.

[Daisy Bouquet]

I am so happy for you and everything is soo beautiful. Mary

[jen]

I think the running behind with all the gifts you want to make is part and parcel of who we are as crafters/mothers/ daughters/ wives/etcetcetc. There's just only so many hours in the day! I adore the handmades you've shown here. I recently bought a bunch of those paper mache cones. I think a bit o' candy and a gift certificate is a perfect use for them. Thanks!

[Anastasia]

oh i can totaly relate...im so slow with my handmade stuff and i try to be faster but I dont want to choose any old image haha...its so cool that you've been more creative - i have too and I think blogging and sharing has helped....my next goal is an etsy shop!!!

[pink gate]

I enjoy looking at all you wonderful Christmas things...
I keep telling myself next year for sure...

Louise

[seeingred]

Stunning, absolutely stunning! Great job Santa!

[deborah]

So beautiful!!

[Jillian]

Just found your blog. Your creations are stunning! Merry Christmas.

[Jillian]

I just found your blog this morning. Your creations are stunning! Merry Christmas.