I know it's a little early... You haven't even opened your sweet little eyes yet to see the last hurrah of summer or the softly approaching fall. You're still incubating, growing, like a little pumpkin awaiting your season. And even once you have come into our world, you may not notice the swift succession of Halloween and Thanksgiving and, my favorite, Christmas. And once Christmas is upon us, you probably won't yet have the ability to enjoy what I'm sending your way this year, but I think you will, eventually.
For the last 25 years, since I was a little toddling thing, I've looked forward every holiday season to this countdown... the countdown to Christmas. My mom's cousin started this tradition decades ago, hand-making and sending Christmas Advent Calendars to her nephews, nieces, cousins and so forth. My mama rekindled and continued the tradition a few years ago by creating new patterns to pass on to her nieces and nephews; and now it's my turn. I'm making two this year: one for my dear sweet niece, Fern Rose, and one for my best friend's little one, you. Although you're not in my family by blood, your mommy is my sister in God's family, truly my kindred spirit; so by the most abiding records, I consider you my niece. I hope in a few years you enjoy counting down to Santa Claus and Baby Jesus as much as I still do...
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| My toolbox, given to me by my mama last Christmas, in hopes that I would take up the tradition. Thanks, Ma! |
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| Christmas Heart Cookie -- in action! |
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| 14 handmade ornaments -- Others still in process! |
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| Christmas Tree Advent Calendar, sans ornaments |
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| Ornaments in their pouches |
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| Christmas Countdown! |
There isn't yet a Baby Jesus pattern -- that's a new feature that I'm planning on creating in the next few months. Your mama knows I'm a procrastinator, especially in the arts/crafts area (Please don't ask her about the Ireland scrapbook!). But, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, preventing me from working on this because I'll be in shock wondering where that creek came from and how it could possibly rise given this drought, it should be all ready by the time you're able to put them on the calendar yourself!
Love,
Your auntie Carrie
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This post was made as part of Jenna's Virtual Baby Shower, organized by Veronica of Veronica's Cornucopia. (Thanks, Veronica!!!) Other awesome contributers to Jenna's Virtual Baby Shower are:
4 Little Fergusons (Midwest USA): 11 Lessons To Determine If You Are Ready For Parenthood
A Little Lunch (Eufaula, OK): Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice Scones
City Songbird (Greensboro, NC): Merry Christmas, Alice!
Eats Well With Others (New York, NY): Peanut Butter and Honey Ice Cream
Hunting for Bliss (Bozeman, MT): Garam Masala Deviled Eggs
Pinking Shears & Broccoli Spears (Newark, DE): Making Food Good For Your Baby
Sydney Shares (Eugene, OR): Baby BLTs
That's Some Good Cookin' (Salt Lake City, UT): Cheesecake Cookie Bars
The Pajama Chef (Bloomington, IN): Iced Tea with Ginger-Mint Simple Syrup
Two Dogs In The Kitchen (Sterling, MI): Spicy Asian Meatballs
Veronica's Cornucopia (Wichita, KS): Raspberry Almond Fudge Cookies
Very Culinary (Sacramento, CA): Toasted Orzo and Chickpea Salad
Words on Wendhurst: A Gift For Jenna and Alice
Wow! So cute and creative. At least you have the gift of crafting, whether procrastinated or not. :) Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! As my nature dictated, I was one of the last links up. :) I'm not really a foodie, but I'm glad I could contribute something to the shower -- So fun looking through the other blogs! Adorable BLTs, by the way. ;)
DeleteWhat a talented friend you are! Just stopping in to say hi from the 4 little Fergusons... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in, and "hi!" LOVE your parenthood-readiness list!!! Had me in stitches. ;)
Deletereally cute! You don't happen to have a PDF of those patterns, do you? I was wanting to make something like this myself.
ReplyDeleteOh snap! What a great idea! I don't have PDFs at the moment, but I'll put that on my to-do list. My mom & I were thinking of creating an Etsy shop for these calendars, if we can figure out how to boost our production, but in the meantime I'd love to get the patterns out there for other creative souls. I'll work on that and let you know if/when I have them available. Thanks!
DeleteAlice will be twice blessed with your shower gift/Advent calendar, Carrie. This isn't a craft project -- it's an heirloom! Beautiful work and beautiful sentiments.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kimby! Always so encouraging. :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful, perfect gift for baby Alice! I'm sure it will be treasured all through her childhood! Thank you so much for joining us and putting up with my ineptitude as a host. I think we managed to pull it off pretty well despite my inexperience! :)
ReplyDeleteNonsense - You were a great host!! Thanks so much for pulling it all together! :)
DeleteI always loved Advent calendars as a kid, and I have making one on my to-do list for my little guy now. Love the one you made for little Alice! I'm sure she'll be enchanted by it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey're so fun, aren't they?! I still get excited when I put mine up!
DeleteOhhhh, such a nice gift. My mom and I made an advent calendar (with a burlap backing, too!) when I was 8 or 9. After I got married, she gave it to me and I raised all of my kids using that same advent calender. I have had to replace a few of the ornaments over the years, but all in all the calendar has held up really well. Now I have started using it with my grandchildren. So, the bottom line is this: you have made an heirloom for Alice that she will be able to use for generations. So cool!
ReplyDeleteWow, I hope these calendars last that long - that's awesome! My mom gave me all new ornaments my first or second year away from home, but I guess that first batch from my childhood lasted a good 30 years, and is still going on the home front!
DeleteCARRIE!!! You are bringing tears to my eyes, you sweet friend you! This is so precious and thoughtful and . . . (sniff sniff)
ReplyDeleteI miss you.
P.S. I'll help you kick that Ireland scrapbook's butt into shape when we visit next spring. =)
Love you, Jenna! YES, I need HELP with that SCRAPBOOK! Oy vey.
DeleteJust popped over to meet the other guests...this was fun. And I love that you made a craft!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping over! I am inept in the food department, so I'm glad a craft worked for this shower! :)
DeleteCarrie, what an awesome tradition to pass on to little ones. This was my favorite by far today! So sweet.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much! :)
Deletewhat a sweet tradition. i may have to get in touch with you later for some tips... my parents' basement flooded over the summer & their christmas decorations were ruined, including some family favorite handmade felt(ish? i have no clue) ornaments, so i'm going to try to repair/remake them. so fun to meet you through this shower. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, so sorry to hear that! I'm not sure I'll be much help - my mom's been guiding me through this process. But feel free to contact me about it and if I can't help, perhaps she can. :)
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