5 things for the weekend 23.42

on practice, ginger soy fish, mason jar gifts, sketchbook workshop, crochet ornaments

Okay folks, it’s on like Donkey Kong! (Do people still say that? I’m showing my age, aren’t I?). I can no longer hold back my excitement for the Holiday season! I’ve been trying to contain it, while (somewhat) quietly making my plans, but now I’m going to let it all hang out! While I won’t be putting up a tree, or major decor just yet, December 1st is in one week, which means that it’s time to set up the Advent Calendar corner. Actually, I lied about the tree. I do want to put one in my office, so that will happen soon! Are you excited too?

(That’s my sister’s Advent calendar that I sent her above. You can see how I made the sacks here.)

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5 Things

1. Kiese Laymon has some advice for writers on why you’re not good enough to not practice. It’s totally applicable whatever you create.

2. We’ve had this ginger soy fish with noodles twice this week, and I can’t wait to make it again!

3. Mason jar gifts are a wonderful idea for gifting to teachers, neighbours, and friends. Here are 30 ideas for making your very own mason jars as gifts.

4. I’m a sucker for anything to do with sketchbooks, the actual items as well as workshops using them, so this free Sketchbooking Your Style workshop is a definite must-do.

5. It’s full steam ahead with Christmas decor now right? Use your crochet skills to make ornaments from this list of 30 ideas.

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News from The Callaloo Collective

(there’s a lot going on!)

• I have a few special offers running right now as we head to the end of the year:

  • 30% off all printables in the shop (with code ThankfulU23) and at Patreon (no code needed)

  • get a paperback copy of the Craft Supplies and Project Planner when you become a Couch or Kitchen Table member

  • a few of my planners and journals are also on sale. See them here.

• What books do you want to read in the club next year? Drop your suggestions here so we can vote in early December.

• Ready to get your Christmas Cards done and dusted this year? Use my five steps to streamline the process and get them done. Stoop. Couch and Kitchen members in the planning circle get the class with both the PDF and videos. As a special offer, anyone can watch the first video in the series from today through Monday November 27th.

• I’m excited to announce that for the third year I will be holding the Hygge Self-Care CraftVent! 24 days of self-care, mindful, and creative living prompts to help you slow down and enjoy the countdown to December 25th. Sign up here.

• If you’re looking for Advent Calendar gifts or stocking stuffers I wrote a list of ideas here.

• This week the Live on Instagram will be on Sunday 11 am EST. Let’s chat about what we’re making, reading, or doing. Bring a drink and a snack, and let’s dish!

• If you haven’t yet, take a look at my recent letter outlining plans for the Collective in 2024. If you know someone interested, an annual or monthly subscription would make a wonderful gift!

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I am:

Reading: Hamnet

Eating: candied chestnuts

Watching: Blacklist

Listening: Black Stars novellas

Making: soft fingerless mitts

Loving: my bursts of creativity

“Every life has its kernel, its hub, its epicentre, from which everything flows out, to which everything returns.”
― Maggie O'Farrell, Hamnet

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