with a little help...

Oh, the gifts in progress around here are plenty now. They're in every room and bag and on every chair and table and bed (yes, bed). The kids, naturally, have their own work in progress piles of super fabulous gifting. There's lots of whispering and lots of missing tape and cardboard. We're having a lot of fun.

Each day something new gets ticked off the list - either from completion, or from a little bit of letting go of what I realistically want to make between now and next week. For the latter, I'm relying on some friends to finish the job. Local friends, at that.

I'm thrilled to tell you that my dearest friend Jessie Fields has opened up her first Etsy shop just this week, with prints and card sets of her work. Some of you know her photographs from Flickr or one of her previous blog incarnations or you may have seen her work in a calendar, magazine or the cover of a book (like this one! hee.). She's amazingly talented, and I'm so, so thrilled that we can now buy her work as prints. I'm ridiculously proud of her and doing my very best to curtail the gushing about her photography (and her). Go check it out yourselves.

Another talented friend is up to some new good in her own Etsy shop. I told you about my cabin door a few months ago, but now she's doing some new things with patchwork and linen and red and grey. Okay that last sentence just had four of my favorite things in it. And clearly hers, too - I swear I do not choose my friends based on their love of linen and patchwork - it's just a welcome coincidence.

Continuing the local shopping love, I cannot wait to attend Space Gallery's Shop-a-do Holiday Sale (with food, music and drink too!) this very evening. Some really wonderful local artists are on that list, and I cannot wait to see friends and find some new-to-me local crafters to shop from as well. I'm crossing my fingers Maria will still have three little candy cups by the time I arrive. Letterpress candy cups! It's perfect. As if that wasn't enough, tomorrow night is the Old Port's Merry Madness, where the shops stay open late with all sorts of treats and sales and such. We actually have a babysitter, and I think I might burst from the excitement of winter shopping in the Old Port with my love. Well, that and the anticipation of the cupcakes I've been promised at Edith & Edna.

I know, I know. Calm down. But really - with all this handmade goodness at the holidays - from my studio, my kids' 'studio', Etsy, crafty friends, and local shops -  I get a little excited. I really do believe that in the big picture it has the power to flip this holiday that can lean towards consumerism right on into a holiday full of goodness and heart. At least, that's what I think and feel and tell myself everytime I walk into my studio these days and spy the growing little corner of handmade love - made by all sorts of artists and crafters - that are about to go out into the world. I swear it's radiating. (and yes, I'm a little idealistic like that.)

Comments

[bigbucketgirl]

The holidays with heart..i'm hoping ours are going the same way. We are trying to beat down the 'buy me, buy me, spend loads, spend more' with handmade gifts of all sorts! I LOVE sewing in bed..DH not so pleased when he finds that rogue pin that got away or when he wakes up with embroidery floss up his nose..but hey! it's the season to be jolly!
Oh..and your parcel arrived this morning..beautiful..as expected!
Happy making xxx

[Lori K]

I agree. There is something more to handmade goodies than just the object. The maker puts a little bit of themselves into each project.

[jean]

oh the joy of finding Jessie's work out in the world! it's just too good to be kept all in one place. an uncommonly talented person and good friend. congratulations bellablue.

have a wonderful night, soulefolk.

[Anne Marie]

I love the photo with the home made gift in progress.

I'm amazed by the fact that it seems that in the US you decorate the Christmas tree very early (relatively speaking). Here in Norway (and I think perhaps in Sweden too) it is tradition that you decorate the tree on the 23rd (also called "little Christmas eve").

[SOULEMAMA]

Anne Marie - yes, ours generally goes up the first weekend in December, which I think is fairly common here. And then it will come down shortly after Christmas Day.

If the tree goes up on the 23rd, will it stay up longer after Christmas?

[Jennifer]

I love you blog. I get excited when I see it has been updated. Your pictures are always beautiful and the "creativeness" that you blog about is so inspiring. I love making things especially to give as gifts. Keep on inspiring!
Smiles!

[mav]

oh i just had to order one of jessie's print for someone. it was perfect. and i will set aside a few candy cups if they get low ... they are filled with tootsie rolls & lollipops. i sort of love them too! see you tonight. xo

[Jen]

Well I am glad bellablue opened up a shop, her photos are fantastic and the scarves. I love the gray and red...yes, I can see one in my future.

[Heather Wilson]

i am also very excited about Shop A-Do...I think I will have my little ones in tow? (with the help of my husband) but still! I can't wait!

[jen j-m]

see you tonight!

[Nic]

Idealistic maybe, but also inspiring. Everyone in my family is getting a hand knit this year, as are most of my closest friends. More would be too, if I had the capacity to fulfil the ideas I had for them. Making something for someone, I think, shows so much more love than a CD or DVD - even if that gift would be more welcome in the short term!

[Madeline]

I'm idealistic in the same way. I am making a little book for someone (inspired by the Book Book) and most other gifts will be handmade by artists (two who unschool:) The kids and I are keeping the dining room table covered in craft supplies lately.

Have a wonderful time tonight.

[brandie]

oh! it is exciting. hooray for jessie and jean...those two ladies are so talented! and i love your work in progress. i can't wait to see your tomorrow night! xoxo

[Wendy]

I haven't bought (or made) nearly as much handmade stuff as you, but you do inspire me so!

Merry Madness sounds fantastic.

[Heather]

Idealism is a great thing! We are having another handmade Christmas this year and love all of it! When I was a kid, me and my siblings always made things for each other and the rest of our family. What a great memory that is. I don't even go near the big box stores this time of year, and rarely throughout the rest of the year either. I buy local...going to Montpelier in the evening with all the Christmas lights and cozy shops, well magical to say the least.

By the way, I am making Colin a "dress up" suitcase for Christmas this year. So much fun!! I know he will enjoy it as much as I am making it!

[Hickory]

Holiday shopping at it's best. I don't do malls very well, next year I'm doing it your way :)

[julia]

i completely agree- i think that handmade can and will take over the holiday shopping frenzy. i'm still trying to find the balance between wanting to make everything myself and supporting other amazing artists out there who are making beautiful things that i can't or won't ever make. there's just so much talent out there, how could i not go 100% handmade?!

[geek+nerd]

Oooh, Jessie's Flickr photos are amazing! I didn't realize that she was opening up shop - thanks for the tip!

[Anne]

I'm going to pretend that I am shopping with you and I have a babysitter as well...I'm sure you will find some lovely things.

[Emily/ Five Flowers]

Cheers to that! Here here!!

[Nichole]

Wow, I think its wonderful that there is such a rich community of artists in your area, thats awesome.
Handmade is great in that it TAKES TIME! You are not just looking in the aisles of the store to add one more thing to the basket.
I'm doing handmade- I finally got my candy thermometer and homemade toffee here we come (:

[Tonya]

We might just see you there tonight. I've been looking forward to Shop-a-do all year. Here's to holiday shopping in Portland! Always so much fun.

[joleen]

oh me too, me too! going right back into the studio now. :)

[Laura]

I'm glad you post regularly! I haven't made as much this year as I'd hoped, but the season is still young. I will say that shopping on Etsy has been fun. I've picked up lots of other people's handmade items, so I feel good about that at least. Great pictures as usual!

[Marissa]

Oooh...merry madness at the old port. Great late night holiday shopping. Add a cuppa from the joint down the row from Edith & Edna and the bookstores on the same row...a perfect evening.

[Amber]

The holidays are so full of merriment and excitement---thank goodness January is such a slow month.
Thank you for your links! What a great group of artists you have locally.

[coastalgirl]

Love your photos and craftiness! I noted a few days back that you have sold prints of your own craftiness. Sadly, I was not quick enough to purchase. Lovely color and inspiration in your's....do you also use "overnight prints" online store for your processing? or do you print at home?

[Diane Arias]

We love you for it!!!! This year is SO t-i-g-h-t for us, and I just took it as a personal challenge. And you've just given more ideas! Thank you for leading the way. And yes ... radiating you are!

[emily ruth]

i love this post...all full of talented friends & crafts & handmade & shopping & joy:)...have fun!

[Jodie]

radiating out here to from way down in australia with handmade things, and linen and patchwork too and giveaways and general good spirits and less consumerism.

[Lisa L.]

I love the idealism and the crafting. You inspire me to see the beauty and simplicity of a handmade,soul-drenched, heart-filled Christmas. Lisa

[Heather]

Radiate on, girl! The world needs all the idealism it can get; you and I share that lovely little quirk in common. It's what makes my world go round. Have a wonderful holiday season, my friend.

[nikki]

okay...i have to say that you are just so good. i recently have gone back to work and while i have always checked in to see what you are up to, it is during this busy holiday season and work/family/life season that i want to say thank you for your consistency and loving the things you do and putting it out there. so, as my fabric sits unattended and the ideas of gifts remain unmade, i do so enjoy reading about your creations and interests. as i always say...everything gets done--eventually and on the car ride home, it is nice to dream about that day and remember that there is time, there will be time--eventually...in my meantime--thanks!!! :) Happy Season!

[qalballah]

Yes I was fairly intrigued by how soon you people put your tree up. In the UK there is the tradition either of christmas eve decorating or twelve days before Christmas til twelve days after christmas.

[bellablue]

Hey Friend, thanks again for your sweet words... You inspire me xox.

[JB/Go-Go Mommy]

Okay, you got me hooked. My oldest daughter (3.5 year old Poppy) and I made our first attempt at homemade decorations for the holidays. Not quite on par with "Soule Mama" yet but I'm sure we had just as much fun!

Sending linky loves from California!
Go-Go Mommy

[Tasha]

I love the embroidery design! Is it your own, or is it available in a book somewhere?

[Greta]

First, thank you for sharing your work with those of us in blogland. I love it all! :)

I am drawn to the tree embroidery you show here. I see it's been already asked, but I'm wondering the same thing - is it your own pattern? Can you tell me where I can find/buy it?