It’s fair to say, as I have stated many a time on this blog, I love Christmas. Not just a little liking. LOVE.
It’s not just about Christmas Day – it’s the build up and magic. It’s the time spent with family, cosy nights indoors, the parties, the decorations, the FOOOOD, and of course the CRAFT – beautiful things we can make and create for loved ones, our friends, our family – and ourselves!
One of my favourite days as a child about Christmas, was (and still is actually!) Christmas Eve! It’s finally here – no more waiting, you’re suddenly allowed to eat chocolate whenever you want, you know tomorrow is going to be amazing – fun, food, a special outfit to wear, PRESENTS! I would always rush to be in bed early and a must to be asleep pre midnight! I didn’t want to be a naughty girl and mean Santa wouldn’t visit me… what a goody two shoes… Anyway, as part of the Christmas Eve rituals, I would always, ALWAYS read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ by Clement Clarke Moore (Otherwise known as A Visit From St. Nicholas). I have a special book, given to me as a baby, that has little moving paper parts, flaps you can lift, beautiful illustrations and of course the poem. I would take that book wherever I was on Christmas Eve – even getting my boyfriend, then fiancé, then husband to read it to me each year! Last Christmas Eve was a particularly special one, as I finally got to see The Husband reading that very book to our beautiful newborn son for the first time. Not going to lie, definitely cried!
I know it’s only November and for all those bah humbug scrooges out there – yes, it isn’t time to celebrate (yet!) but equally us crafters start early! If we are going to be making things – we need to get ahead, plan and then make! This weekend is the first of the new workshops in our The Crafty Lass Old Grain Store workshop studio (#CLOGS) and it sort of feels like Christmas already to me. The studio tree is being delivered tomorrow, ready for us to decorate, we have handmade fabric tinsel, we have fabric and embroidered ‘baubles’ (you’ll soon see – that’s a whole other blog post!) there are gold stars, Christmas songs, mince pies, lots of wreath and cracker and lantern making materials – and enough festive feelings to shake a (glittery cinnamon!) stick at! Basically, I’ve been planning Christmas since May, and now it is finally here, I am going to festively relish every moment!
Inspired by the seasonal excitement and my long standing tradition of reading the poem, I decided to rewrite my favourite classic at 3am last night (teething sleeping on me baby, why ever not – let’s just write a poem?!)
Anyway, herewith follow such poem, and if you’d like to see the original, you can see that one right here!
Enjoy!
‘Twas the night before Craftmas
‘Twas the night before Craftmas, when all thro’ the workshop,
Not a crafter was crafting; could hear a pin-drop;
The scissors were placed by The Crafty Lass with care,
In hopes that the morning soon would be there;
The ribbons were nestled all snug in their draws,
With visions of crafters soon through the doors…
The chores for the day completed and done,
We’d just settled down – our evening had begun.
When suddenly there arose such a crafty vision,
I sprang from the sofa to put it in to fruition!
Away to the studio I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of ‘The Old Grain Store’,
Brought a luster of glitter I couldn’t ignore;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But my papers, my baubles, my fabrics – oh dear!
– It might be quite late – but I can be quick,
And whip up some projects in a momentry tick.
More rapid than eagles the ideas they did came,
And I whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name:
“Now, POMPOMS! Now, PAPER! Now, BUTTONS and BOBBINS!
On, CROCHET! On, FABRIC! On, SEQUINS and RIBBONS!
To the top of the studio! To the top of the wall!
Now Craft away! Craft away! Craft away all!”
Things to be sewn, fabric to dye,
Sketching and gluing, and cutting; Oh my!
So up to the small hours, the time it just flew,
With my mind full of designs—and making them too!
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the drive,
The laughter and chatter – the crafters arrive!
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the lane, they came with a bound:
So full of plans, to make and create,
So happy and eager – they just couldn’t wait;
A bundle of thoughts were flung in the air,
To try and inspire with fun and with flair,
Their eyes—how they twinkled! Their excitement: how merry,
To make paper flowers, or crochet, ideas – so many!
With fabrics and ribbons drawn up in a bow,
Perhaps bunting in colours or as white as the snow;
And so I can teach them – my thoughts to bequeath,
And show them how to make a beautiful wreath.
So with plenty of tea, and cake in our belly
We crafted and laugh’d, full of chatter and glee:
“Just time out to relax, time for oneself,
Learning new things – inspiring myself”
Techniques and teachings, on boldly we tread,
Cotton and crepe, yarn, lace, and thread.
We spoke not a word, concentrated on craftwork,
We’d made lovely stockings; and sewn up patchwork,
And crocheted some toys – counting the rows,
And layering papers, they’d finished their rose.
They sprung to their cars, it was time for dismissal,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
But I heard them exclaim, as they drove out of sight—
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