You Grow Girl™

Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Southern California

Anyone start their Christmas shopping yet?
I know I haven't.

Posted: 28-10-09 16:42

I'm just beginning my internet searches and requesting lists from relatives. Hoping to have it done by the end of next month though. Oh wait, I do have a few things- some clearance bird feeders/garden stuff I got for my mom at end of season sales. Does that count? Very Happy

Ancient Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Toronto

Ciao all-

I'm in the minority I'm sure in that I don't enjoy the shopping experience. I don't even like shopping for food. So I make things, all sorts of things.

This is a start of what I plan to give for Christmas this year:

Preserves from the garden
Herbal teas
Herbal bath salts
Soaps and lotions
Natural Christmas ornaments
Gift baskets with homemade cookies and tea breads
BBQ dry rubs, pepper flakes, and hot sauces
Homemade cat treats and toys

I may do some sewing and scrapbooking as well. It all depends on how much time I can devote to each task. I can't knit, it's beyond me. I'm left-handed and that makes following a book almost impossible. I can make things like tree skirts, though.

Posted: 31-10-09 10:58

Julianna - I'm definitely with you, I hate shopping. I never even buy clothes unless I just happen to stumble upon something by accident. The most shopping I ever really do is for Hallowe'en (spent 2 hours yesterday scouring the second hand stores for our costumes).

I have already bought something for my mom - it was one of those things I just fell on and knew she'd love. One of my sister loves knitted things from me, so that's what she's getting.

The other family members - haven't even started on them. I better get going!

Posted: 31-10-09 15:16

Julianna and Kelly,
Me too! Malls to be avoided like the plauge!!
Shopping to be done by myself, much more efficient! More time to garden, knit or cook or read.
Julianna, i am left handed and taught myself to knit. You have some amazing yarn store in Toronto with great supplies! i hibernate over at Raverly for the rest of the year when i am not gardening. Wonderful inspiration!
Gifts,... knitted slippers, socks, mitts or homemade yummy food for gifts as well.

Ancient Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Toronto

Ciao Audrey,

I'm really impressed that you taught yourself how to knit left-handed. Knitting's been a real puzzle for me. Munchkin wanted to learn so we got a book, but my mother doesn't knit and I don't have anyone close-by to teach me. It's a vast mystery. I can do the over-under finger-knitting thing, but the needles are beyond me completely.

Posted: 02-11-09 13:18

Knitting for Dummies has some good instructions with images for left-handed people (or at least, that what's some left-handed peeps have told me, I'm right-handed)
The Coates thread company also publishes some good stuff if you want to teach yourself to knit.
And there's always www.knitty.com

Of course, if you still find it too intimidating, have you thought about trying crochet?
Only one hook Smile

beet5, I take it Raverly is awesome? I usually shop at Lettuce Knit

Ancient Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Toronto

Ciao Tasha-

Thanks for those. Munchkin and I were using his children's learn to knit book which is packed with photos. It's the getting on and getting off of the needles that perplexes me. I think I need a left-handed instructor. I'm really good at making lumpy knots aka unintentional macrame.

Posted: 04-11-09 10:59

Hi Tasha,
Ravelry is an online visual, inspirational encyclopedia/forum/blogs.
Amazing site!! , endless information
http://blog.ravelry.com/

Lettuce knit, great store!
i also like : Romni Wool on Queen, huge supply
Knit Cafe on Queen
Purple Purl in the beaches
and my all time fav is in my Neck of the woods,
http://www.stitchonline.ca/
Also finding old wool - cotton - cashmere etc
sweaters in second hand store and ripping them apart before knitting them up again.

Julianna, i am left handed but knit to the left like a right handed knitter.

You Tube is an excellent resource for getting you started.
i love the option of pausing the youtube flic when i need to.

http://video.google.ca/videosearch?q=you+tube+left+handed+knitting&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=pqLxSt3fJZSINLfb7IcO&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQqwQwAA#oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=pqLxSt3fJZSINLfb7IcO&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQqwQwAA&q=youtube+left+handed+knitting

Posted: 04-11-09 13:22

I'm with all of the non-shoppers. Would rather make something. Canning sure comes in handy for that.

This year we'll be away through Dec so I won't be able to make gifts (except the stuff that was already canned). Instead, I'm hoping to make up gift packs of fresh tropical spices right off of the tree like whole nutmeg, cinnamon, and chocolate. Tasty

Ancient Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Toronto

Ciao Gayla-

Oh that's a lovely idea, but doesn't that fly in the face of your usual fear of the Customs guys? I figure if they take my seeds, they take my seeds. I mark everything with the botanical names and give them more info than they probably ever wanted or needed and then take my chances.

Posted: 04-11-09 23:27

Sorellina wrote:

Ciao Gayla-

Oh that's a lovely idea, but doesn't that fly in the face of your usual fear of the Customs guys?

As long as it isn't too costly I don't mind giving it a go.

Ancient Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Toronto

Hehe, buona fortuna. Laughing

Enjoy your trip and soak up that tropical sunshine.

Posted: 16-11-09 15:52

After years of hinting, we have finally drawn names for my husband's family. So now I just have to get something for my niece- handknit socks, and a set of kitchen knives (they're just starting out). The rest of my family is easy, mostly I get books for the nieces and nephews. I don't know if they love them, but I love shopping at bookstores.