Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge - DEADLINE EXTENDED!

[Abbeeroad (Abbie - she/her)]

Oh man. I NEED this to get my butt in gear for those holidays that will be here before I know it!

[Magpie (Straight, not narrow 🏳️‍🌈 🇨🇦 🌎)]

We’re going to my parent’s in FL this year (I’ve never been) so will be doing zero decorating or gift exchange! Do I lose this challenge or do I win? LOL

[Jazzybelle (Jasmine)]

Ooooh, I’ll have to think about this! I’ve been trying to do less this year for holidays…but I also usually start crafting for the holidays in August and I’ve missed doing it already!

[gozer (Becca)]

Bookmarked this. I need the inspiration! Great contest idea.

[sheepBlue]

I’m on board. I’m planning gifts for some of the family so this will help me stay on track hopefully.

[LovelyMiss (Ashley - Nerd Games Chief Morale Officer)]

Here is my entry! Thanks @Abbeeroad and @MistressJennie for the prompting!

Felt Bowls/Baskets - Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge Entry

I’m going into holiday crafting mode, and these have been on my list the last few years. I finally decided to make them happen! [felt bowls - Copy] [felt bowls 2nd - Copy] They are made with 12" x 12" 3mm felt, and 3mm leather cord. [supplies - Copy] I made the pattern with a piece of 12" x 12" paper, a ruler, and a compass. I just cut it out with scissors because I was trying not to be too fussy. [pattern 1 - Copy] The two rounded edges touch in the middle, so those flaps need to add…

[sheepBlue]

I finished a holiday present, and completely forgot about this challenge. I’ll have to get my ish together and get pictures/make a post.

[MistressJennie (Moderator - Jennie - she/her)]

ANNOUNCEMENT! Since we only have one entry so far, I’m extending the deadline on this Challenge to November 6th!!! I’ve altered the first post to reflect the new deadlines.

So what are you doing still reading this?!?!? The holidays are hurtling towards us! Go get crafting!

[Immaculata]

I forgot all about this challenge! I’ve finished a couple of things over the last few weeks.

[MistressJennie (Moderator - Jennie - she/her)]

Be sure to pick one and post it!

[sheepBlue]

Whew, had my cowl done for a bit now, but finally got around to taking pictures!! Here’s my entry.

Unisex Knitted Cowl - Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge Entry

I’ve been on a mission to destash yarn that I’ve accumulated over the years. Gorgeous, soft, fluffy yarns. I decided to knit some holiday gifts for my partner’s aunt and uncle who routinely send us random gifts out of the blue and the kindness of their hearts (the most recent was a gift card when we adopted our pup - so sweet, and appreciated!). For uncle, I made the Rusty Cowl, with a camel beige fingering yarn as well as a beautiful deep blue/green fingering yarn from knitpicks. I wish I had …

[Immaculata]

It’s no a super special project, but I really enjoyed making these. Sock knitting is very meditative. And I’m sure these will get a lot of wear, even after Christmas. I wear hand-knitted socks all winter.

His and Hers Christmas Socks - Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge Entry

Over the holiday season, we always try to plan one day of lounging on the sofa together watching Christmas movies. I always try to make an item of clothing for us for that day. I previous years I’ve made a couple of pairs of flannel pants, and they’re nice, but we have enough pants for now. And as I’ve been on a sock knitting kick this year, I decided to knit us each a pair of socks. [20231008_165553] His on the left, mine of the right. The yarn is West Yorkshire Spinners Signature in two col…

[steiconi (textile junkie)]

Thank you for the inspiration, it got me to actually make the project in a timely fashion!

Aloha shirt, “Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge Entry”

[IMG_20231021_145407637] Hubby loves his party shirts, and I haven’t made him a new one in ages, so Merry Christmas, baby! I had only two yards of this fabric, and the pattern called for 2-3/8, but challenges make life worth living! They always tell you to buy more than you need, right? (I could have done it in 1-3/4 yards if I didn’t mind the birds being sideways on sleeves and collar. But that would bug me, so good thing I had plenty.) The buttons were among hundreds I accumulated last …

[TheMistressT (Tara - she/her)]

D’oh! I forgot about this and should have submitted my stump favor box place cards. That hasn’t diminished my enjoyment of seeing all the great projects y’all are coming up with one bit, though!

[MistressJennie (Moderator - Jennie - she/her)]

@TheMistressT

D’oh! I forgot about this and should have submitted my stump favor box place cards.

Tara, you still have time! The deadline was extended and we’d love to have your submission. Just alter your project post to include 'Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge", and post a link here.

[TheMistressT (Tara - she/her)]

I thought that was cheating! I will do it. I have done it. THANKS!

We're Stumped! Thanksgiving Place Card Favor Boxes - Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge Entry

We’re hosting some out-of-town family for Thanksgiving this year which gave me the opportunity to use this log box svg file. I did a prototype awhile back and made some adjustments for the final project. [2023TdayPlaceCardLogBoxes01=2] The modifications include a different embossing folder to make the bark and “carving” names into the log. The bark layer is not part of the original svg file, it’s just a strip cut to size with a guillotine and embossed with a Sizzix Big Shot using an Altenew fo…

[wittychild (Jen 🇨🇦)]

I’ll be darned! I managed to finish a Christmas scarf for my mom in time.

Grinch Scarf - Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge Entry

A couple of years ago, I crocheted myself a Grinch scarf using this pattern. I get tons of comments on it every time I wear it, but one of the more meaningful ones (aw!) came from my mom, who really, really liked it. I had offered to make one for her, too, but she demurred; she “didn’t want to look like I was copying you”. She kept commenting on how much she liked it, though, and I decided it was time we twin. I put the finishing touches on the face last night, so made it in this challenge b…

[MistressJennie (Moderator - Jennie - she/her)]

Here’s my entry, right at the last minute!

Rabbit Wishes Lino Prints - Get Ahead of the Holidays Challenge Entry

[prints banner] Recently I got to take a class on lino block printing with the lovely @endymion. The instructor gave us an overview, and helped us each carve a 4"x6" block. I knew I wanted to use mine as holiday gifts, but I didn’t want them to be specifically Christmassy, so I went with a symbol of good fortune for the coming year. The humble rabbit! [IMG_7747] I enjoyed the carving portion, but I do wish I had designed some of my detail bits to be a bit thicker. [IMG_7897] I …

[MistressJennie (Moderator - Jennie - she/her)]

This Challenge is CLOSED! Now it’s time to VOTE! Please vote in the poll at the bottom of the first post of the thread.

[MistressJennie (Moderator - Jennie - she/her)]

Just for fun, here’s some more getting ahead of the holiday fun. I made 3 spiced pear & apple crisps and froze them. I can either bake them during the holidays, or gift them to friends and neighbors.