From the Studio

We’ve been talking about home, projects, how to create the feeling you want in your personal spaces … and now the Holidays are upon us. If you didn’t have a pile of pocket change to spruce up your place, I’m guessing the gift-giving process will find you with a bit of a financial dilemma as well.

I was driving down the freeway last night, thinking about the Christmas stockings I’d been seeing in the last couple of weeks. We generally do Holiday installations for some clients, so I always check to see what’s new in that department. This year’s Christmas stockings show a wide variety of styles, colors, and materials … and it hit me: most of us have boxes, bags, crates … full of bits and pieces of this and that. You know, little scraps of fabric, short lengths of trim that we couldn’t do anything with but could not bring ourselves to throw away. So … why not make Christmas stockings?

Think about it … it is not that difficult, even for someone who doesn’t sew. And if you don’t sew, you could partner with a friend who does. You fix lunch and do the cutting, the ‘sewer’ puts the pieces together and you both leave at the end of the day with original creations that cost virtually nothing! If you want to take it one step further, you can fill your stockings with goodies from the Dollar aisle at Target, or from the Dollar store.

Now, if you don’t have remnants and trims available, it’s very easy to go to a fabric store and cruise the remnant aisle. Many times they run the remnants half price. And even if it’s not remnants, you don’t need much to make a stocking – about half a yard. So knock yourself out and get something you love!

Or better yet … look through your charity truck box; any old sweaters with a few moth holes in them? These can make beautiful stockings, just cut around the damaged areas and you’re good to go! Or you might have some old flannel shirts, old dresses, skirts, jackets … anything you’ve grown tired of could be given new life by making a Holiday stocking out of it! And if the items have any kind of sentimental value, making a Stocking is a great way to keep the memories alive, because they’ll come out and be remembered year after year!

Now, you might be thinking it’s too much trouble to do this, or you don’t have enough time, or you just don’t have the energy to get motivated. Well, here’s a thought:

If enough of you are interested, we’ll do a “stocking workshop” here at the studio. Bring your stuff, and we’ll have some materials and patterns available here. You can sip coffee, be inspired by the others in the workshop, and leave at the end with a new stocking, and - if you want to make more than one - others cut out to assemble at home. In some cases we’ll even sew them up for you after the workshop if there’s room on the schedule.

So think about it, let me know if you’re interested, and we’ll make it happen! Whatever your decision, know that gift giving is very much like creating your spaces: it’s never about the money, it’s about how you approach it, what you do with what you have, and the energy you bring to it.If you have any questions, if you want to sign up to receive info about our studio gatherings, or if you just need a nudge in the direction of Holiday spirit, write to me or comment below.
Just let yourself have some fun with it, and have no fear –

That’s why I’m here!


Create!


Cece D for DDG