What is it about the holidays that puts me into creative-overdrive? You would think with all the books I write in a year, and all the other writing I do, that I’d have exhausted my creative tendencies. But there’s something about the holidays, some buried instinct that kicks in the minute I hear Bing Crosby on the radio.
And I start going all Martha Stewart.
It starts simply enough. I decide to bake some cookies–just chocolate chip. Nothing fancy. One set of cookies turns into two–and the stakes have risen to gingerbread whoopie pies–then three–now chocolate topped meringue kisses–and then before I know it, I’m making my own hot cocoa mix and homemade marshmallows (which are DA BOMB, by the way). I start watching all the Martha Stewart specials on television, then get even more hooked on the creative thing.
Yesterday, I spent a couple hours folding a magazine into a Christmas tree. In my defense, the lady on the show said she could make three and a half trees in an hour. I figured it’d be an easy, quick craft. Overly ambitious 
It wasn’t hard but it sure was time-consuming. When my youngest asked if he could do the spraypainting, I sent him off with a can of gold
While I was folding the trees, I was baking Maple Bacon Baked Beans. And waiting on my glittered branches to dry after spending an afternoon gathering them from the yard, then painting them silver and gold to use for extra decorations around the house. And today…
Well, there’s a pile of cookie recipes waiting for me on my counter, and a jam recipe sitting beside those. Not to mention the bags of fake holly and silk flowers sitting on my dining room table, with dreams of becoming arrangements that will bedeck the halls. I’ve got three more episodes of Martha on my DVR, and a folder filled with ideas I’ve torn out of magazines I bought this month. Not to mention the pile of ideas left over from last year’s fit of creative mania.
There’s one problem with all of this. I’m not a particularly crafty person. My greatest achievement in the creative arena is the kids’ Christmas stockings, which I made from a kit (one of those idiot-proof, stitch and bead kits). I’ve burned myself with a glue gun, turned my fingers silver with a wild can of spray paint, and had some baked ornaments go horribly awry. But that doesn’t stop me from watching Martha, et. al., and THINKING I have the ability to copy their creations.
Truly, I should just stick to books. I’m good at those, and they expend my creative energy. At least, they do the other 11 months of the year. But as soon as I put those turkey leftovers into the fridge, I’m dragging out my back issues of crafting magazines and flipping through the channels for some Martha ideas. I’ll never make an entire wreath out of threaded cranberries, but there’s a gilded string ornament project that’s just calling my name.
Shirley
No related posts.
Oh, do share the marshmallow recipe! That sounds like fun!
Tami,
I should be posting it on my blog soon (I don’t have it up there yet, but it’s on its way, LOL):
http://www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com
I’ve been tinkering with it, trying a few things that Martha Stewart, LOL, recommended. the recipe I have is from Food Network Magazine, but I want to try the MS version, too, and see which i like better.
OMG! Another one! I’ve got this exact same problem. I’m currently sewing a stocking, contemplating cutting a cardboard box into a gingerbread house pattern and baking up some gingerbread so I can make a house then doing cookie boxes, and then thinking of something crafty to make new ornaments, and bake a snowman cake!
I swear, it is a seasonal virus.
I admit to doing some crafty gifts each year. I cross-stitched some bread covers this year this year and book markers with snow flakes on. When in doubt though I buy everyone their favorite wines for Christmas.
Tami,
I should be posting it on my blog soon (I don’t have it up there yet, but it’s on its way, LOL):
http://www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com
I’ve been tinkering with it, trying a few things that Martha Stewart, (of course!) recommended. the recipe I have is from Food Network Magazine, but I want to try the MS version, too, and see which I like better.
Susan and Jess–you’re women after my own heart!
I made a “Host of Ghosts” cake at Halloween from a recipe on Epicurious and this Christmas, I’m going to do it as snowmen instead. It’s a sickness, LOL.
Great idea, BTW, Susan, on the wines. Always a good gift idea!
Those marshmallows are amazing!!
Truthfully, I can’t really relate to your post.
Except, one year Martha-mania did get ahold of me. I made a set of three candles, using some special gourds which I cleaned out for the molds. It made scalloped edges. I only did this once and I gave them to my sister as a Christmas gift.
I really don’t think she appreciated what I’d gone thru to make those….wonder what ever happened to them.