Are you ready?

This is always me at Christmas time. I love receiving home-made gifts. So, I try to make as many of my gifts as possible. Crocheting, woodwork, papercrafts, spinning, and sewing. When I was about 12, my mum taught me to sew. She was an accomplished seamstress - her seamstress aunt had taught her at about the same age. So many of my Christmas memories of my mum and I are of us downstairs sewing up a storm. Now, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without my sewing machine out and several projects on the go. Currently I have a busy book that I'm finishing for one of my nieces and then I've a skirt and top to make for another niece. But, it's only Tuesday, right? If I'm not up late on Christmas Eve, or up early Christmas morning sewing, something will be off :o). Anyone else like that? But for me, that's Christmas. Carols on the stereo, and the hum of the machine. I really love it.
Both sides of my family are infused with creative genes. It's been a huge blessing for me. And my house is filled with things they've made for me - shelves, cross stitching, quilts, pillows, nick nacs and ornaments. Its eclectic, personal and reminds me that I'm loved. That's my hope when I make things for others. While I make them, they are on my mind - I think of them and pray for them and hope good things for them. Doing crafts has kept me sane.
So, I'm not ready for Christmas in that my gifts are wrapped and ready, but my machine is still warm from last night's late session and I'm itching to get started. I'm ready.