Handmade Holiday Rewind, Part One

I know, I know. You're over it. Me too. I called my sisters and mother by 9am on the 26th, and we had all removed our holiday trees (ours now resides in the new banner above. Well, there, and in the middle of the yard where the kids continue to decorate it with bits they find). After the fabulously busy and fun holidays, then a week of 'nothing' (also known as 'slothing' around here), we're ready to move onto the cleaning, purging, organizing that January brings. I think I love it almost as much as the holidays themselves. BUT before I close up on the holidays, I want to bring you a wee bit more of the crafting that came with it this year, both by me and others. In three parts. Because it's January and I'm organized like that.

So, back to the crafted holidays for a minute. There was a bit of crafting for others - scarves, placemats, and other bits and bobs. But only a little, and none of it was photographed. The most important pieces on my crafting list were these capes, which alongside skis, were the only requested item for Solstice from my babes.

"Superhero Six" - a 'character' Calvin has been working on for a few months. He's been dictating exactly what kind of a cape Superhero Six would need - color, style, what should be on the back, etc. And being the critical lover of details that he is, I was hugely relieved when this was just what he envisioned. The best kind of crafting success.

"Jack Frost" - based on the version from one of our all-time favorite books, Ollie's Ski Trip by Elsa Beskow. My grandmother gave me a large bag of this fake fur this fall which I quickly regretted taking on (seriously. a large garbage bag. Um, where am I supposed to put that?), until Ez asked for a Jack Frost costume, thereby relieving me of my burdensome bag of fur. This cape is so cozy, I think I want one myself. And Ezra is pleased, as now he has full powers when wearing it to turn everything he touches to frost simply by breathing on it. Quite magic.

Adelaide's Red Riding Hood cape was the byproduct of one of those last minute 'letting go' of expectations, and didn't make it in time for the Solstice celebration. Onto the January list it goes!

Comments

[Sarah]

I'm over the holidays here too but unfortunately have a backlog of holiday gifts yet to make. I've decided to buy a few of the gifts I still need to give but I'm still wedded to making others. I'm trying to reorient my thinking so that the making of these things for people I love doesn't seem like a chore but I'm not meeting with much success. I'm hoping this lack of a sunny outlook has something to do with three of our family of four being sick.

Glad you enjoyed your holidays and your slothing. Good luck with accomplishing everything on your January list. And if you don't, I hope the things that bleed over into February don't get you down.

Happy New Year!

[jean]

Those are fantastic, Amanda! Maybe Superhero Six and do something about the snowlessness. What with his skis and all.

[sarah]

I love the Superhero Six cape. So darling! Your children are so blessed to have such a crafty and intuitive momma.

[Kara]

I'm not over the holidays, but then again I am also sick like that LOL

Wonderful capes! Could you ask Jack Frost to frost a little over Indiana? We could use a pretty frost and some snow after all this holiday rain. Thanks LOL

Best Wishes!

[Sarah]

I was overly ambitious and already completed all the organizing and cleaning BEFORE January 1! A cape is still on my to do list though...but since my little guy is only 2, I need to figure out a safe way to close it around the neck part.

[martha]

Oh -I love these capes! Your guys are so imaginative.
Happy New Year and on to the purging!

[christina Gomez]

very creative with the capes. Boys are really into them, I know mine are. The jack frost cape is beautiful. Cant wait to see Amandas red riding outfit.

[Katherine]

And people think I'm taking my decorations down early - today. I think most people in the UK leave them up until Twelfth Night (Jan 6th) but I can't bear going back to work with them still up (someone did ask me if that meant I took extra holiday!).

Those outfits for the boys are just brilliant, lucky them having a mum who can make (literally) their dreams.

[Sasha]

Cute capes, I love that Calvin has devised his own character, very cool, great work mamma! And my kids go around breathing on everything to freeze it without a fabulous cape, if they saw that one...

I love the Elsa Beskow books, we have been reading Peter and Lotta's Christmas, my girls love the Christmas goat.

I have two unfinished little red riding hood capes that were part of my own letting go this holiday season, along with ten pounds of chocolates that didn't make it to being truffles this year (I really do this every other year, but this seemed to be the year for making peace with it.)

Best Wishes For the Coming Year!

[heidi]

how i love those capes! my parker has one similar...with the same highly detailed expectations!

[Cristina]

i love how you marry the childrens books with their active play.

[melissa]

lucky boys- those capes are wonderful! I also love the idea of basing creative play on the books you're reading with the children- I think a Little Red Riding Hood cape is in order for Keira, too.
Happy New Year!

[Grace]

I love the Superhero 6 cape and the story behind it. We love Ollie's Ski Trip, too, and Elle saw Ezra's cape and loved it!

We are NOT over the holidays yet ... we are some of the rare people who actually leave our decorations up until Jan 6. We try to keep celebrating, too, and the children receive a few small gifts on the 6th. Intense, I know, but I love it so very much. One reason I try not to start too early, though.

[mary]

As always, just wonderful. I think Superhero 6 and his ski's need to meet my Super Annie and her bike-because "your cape flies when speeding on your bike". (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/161419718_d7de27b4c3.jpg)

[bigbucketgirl]

Our tree is in the garden...it was shoved, pushed and barged out of the house at 7am New Years Day! We are thankful to our tree for allowing us(?) to dress him up and adorn him with multi coloured baubles and lights...BUT he knew he had to leave. His time was up and he only put up a little resistance by the front door..so he's gone..waiting for the ride to the tip to be recycled. ;)
The other holiday bits and pieces are a little harder to pin down. I'm sure they are jumping out of the boxes as soon as my back is turned. My gift basket that has held presents in our lounge, now holds feather dusters and polish, refuse bags and vinegar to CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN.
Love the capes..we had ornate, embellished gold sequinned ones here! Wizard style.
(Wish we could buy skis. :( They'd only get to use them on the stairs!)

[Dreamer]

Hi Amanda, I'm new to your blog, kinda.

Those are some awesome capes!

[Dee]

Love those capes.

[Erin]

Funny I thought I was the only one who took my tree down on boxing day! After having it up for a month I can't wait to take it down. If it were up to the kids it would be up 365 days a year! The capes are fantastic. It is so great that Calvin designed it himself! Happy cleaning, purging and organinzing.

[Wendi Gratz]

I love the capes - especially Jack Frost - and your post inspired me to post about one I just made for my daughter. Sadly, several adults have commented on the fact that it looks like it was made from the pelt of Elmo. . .