Although I love Christmas I noticed I was stressing more and enjoying less. For starters, the tree needs to go up, the lights need to be hung and the house needs to be decorated. For me decorating the house is no small project because I can literally spend an entire month decorating and redecorating my home (love doing it though). Then of course there is shopping for gifts and of course there's Christmas cards (I would love to know who came up with the whole Christmas photo card deal). Since I am such a procrastinator with things like this, this has become my least favorite holiday chore. I have to literally schedule a day to get my family (four kids) dressed (without T shirts). What's worse is trying to get them to smile simultaneously especially when their asked too. I try to at least choose one shot where two of them are looking at the camera. Oh, I forgot to mention Christmas Dinner! With eleven siblings, Christmas Dinner is more like a catering event, especially when you factor in the in-laws and nieces and nephews. It's now over 40 people. Of course since my husband is a chef we always host Christmas. Thankfully we honestly love doing it. The point is this, other then shopping for gifts and Christmas Dinner it's my sole responsibility. As much as I enjoy the holidays the list seems to grow every year making it a bit harder to actually enjoy it.
Well I found a way to actually stress just a little bit less and enjoy just a little more. It started almost by accident but ever since it started I can't seem to stop, nor do I want to. Every once in a while I get the urge to paint or create something for myself. I do it all the time for my clients but when you actually get to paint something for yourself its a real treat. Several years back I was shopping at local home store. I was looking for the perfect holiday gift for my daughters teacher. As I was browsing through the Christmas isle I came across some really beautiful items. Little sleds or door hangings and for some reason and idea came to me. "I can make this". So I did. Of course it was much more time consuming then I originally anticipated but it was completed I just couldn't stop. I always come up with ways to alter my inspired pieces by adding my own creative twist but it has really made the whole gift giving more enjoyable. Now, every year I create or paint something during the holidays. It may become a gift or something I hang onto. Now I have photo's of thing's my past creations, it really makes the holidays so much more enjoyable. With Pintrest, the ideas are overflowing.
Below are sone example of my creations. It's a mini sled made out of MDF. Almost two feet in length. I painted and creates several of these over the years. Too much fun and it makes the perfect gift! I would love to know your opinion's?
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| Santa Sled |
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| Cardinal sled |
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| Snowman Sled |
