Sunday, January 10, 2010

You Put A Spell On Me


Well, it’s the 2nd week of the new year and I’m just finishing up with the Christmas gifts. Yep, that’s right. Up until a few days ago, I was still working on the last present – this too cute little fused shoulder bag for my 16 year old niece. (I hope she likes it, because I’m really tempted to keep it for myself.) I got a little extension on her gift. She and her family spent the holidays abroad, so I didn’t have to have things to them by the 25th – but still, I should have had it done a long time ago.


The last quarter of the year is always crazy for me -- too many birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, obligations, etc. But this year was particularly bad. I’ve never been so behind. I didn’t even send holiday cards. Even the year Ladybug made her expedited arrival 2 weeks before Christmas, I still managed to get the cards out. I definitely hit a new low this year.

I’m not accepting responsibility for it. I know I have a problem, but it’s not my fault. I know just where to put the blame. I’m placing it squarely on the cyber-shoulders of a little website most of us know and love. That’s right, I’m blaming ETSY!


I’ve always been one to get personal when it comes to gift giving and I’ve always loathed big-box, mass-produced merchandise. But ever since I stumbled upon Etsy…well, things have gotten out of hand. Sure, I voluntarily took “the pledge”, but I was under the brainwashing influence of guerrilla crafters. They validated my obsessions. They fed me ideas. They lured me in with beautiful photos and tutorials on how to get things done just right. They made it all seem so…so…so possible.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all possible in the time allotted. Oh well, I had a good time with it anyway. And nobody really wanted to read that boring Year-In-Review letter or look at another picture of my kids all dressed in red anyway. I just hope I can take a few lessons away from this passed handmade holiday season into the next. 

So, how were your holidays?  Did you make it a handmade Christmas?  If so, do you have any time management tips for me? I’m all ears!

Oh yeah, and as for you, Etsy...yes, I’m still under your spell.  Pretty sure I'm hooked for life.

7 comments:

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Happy Ne Year! So nice to see you back :)

Very funny :) We are definitely under the wonderful spell of Etsy and I think for me blogger :)

I did gift several handmade items, my key is to be thinking ahead, I am a huge list writer, I start at the beginning of the year with a new B.Day list and Xmas list :)

Have a great DAy, regards, T. :)

Teddy Started It said...

Great idea, T. I've actually started working on a Christmas list, but the thought of a birthday list has never crossed my mind - probably because there's too much traffic in there for anything to get across;p I'm going to put one together.

And it's great to be back. I've been missing all my blog buddies.

Alyssa S. said...

That is a true beauty! You'll have to tell me how you do that!!! I did an almost totally handmade Christmas...and it was exhausting. I had zero time to dedicate to my Etsy shop because I was too busy with my own gifts...and finals. I bet your niece loves it...even if Christmas came in January :)

w said...

oh that target bag is awesome. you hit the mark with that one. hahahahaaha. hahahaha... ha? eh.

happy new year!

Aunt Cindy said...

Very cute bag! I didn't do cards this year, either. I think I'll do Groundhog Day cards. Nobody expects a card for Groundhog Day :) Plus, I may be caught up enough to do cards by then!

Teddy Started It said...

Alyssa - there's a link to a link to a link in my June post "Something Very Cool" (along with my lessons learned.) You should give it a try, it's a fun way to get rid of a bunch of bags.

Wendi - hahahaha, you so funny! I just hope Target doesn't target my niece for my unauthorized use of their copyrighted target.

Cindy - Groundhog Day cards...now there's an idea! I bet GoodGosh could come up with something great for that. So, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow does that mean we get an extra 6 weeks to get the cards out?

w said...

no no no. target understands the necessity to repurpose. the earth isn't getting any greener unless we make it. that was deep. i must rest now.