Christmas thread (secular)

[Kitty Tantrum]

Very pretty. Does he turn them on a lathe? Are the colors some type of acrylic? I don’t know a lot about this type of craftsmanship but I know the colored acrylics/epoxys seem to be very popular in hamdmade trends lately.

Yes, there are all sorts of acrylic "blanks" you can buy for pens, then turn on a lathe to whatever specifications to assemble with a "pen kit" (all the metal hardware, etc.).

Pens are his first foray into using acrylic. He's done a fair bit of woodworking and turning wood, but has mostly stayed away from acrylic/epoxy until now. He's made a handful of wooden-barreled pens as well. Makes good use of small scrap pieces and cuttings from other projects. I especially love the way those feel in the hand.

(Apparently acrylic as more finicky to work with. It seems to fracture/shatter more easily, and is a lot less forgiving than wood in terms of noticing any imperfections in the final finish/polish.)

 

[Leeloo]

Yes, there are all sorts of acrylic "blanks" you can buy for pens, then turn on a lathe to whatever specifications to assemble with a "pen kit" (all the metal hardware, etc.).

Pens are his first foray into using acrylic. He's done a fair bit of woodworking and turning wood, but has mostly stayed away from acrylic/epoxy until now. He's made a handful of wooden-barreled pens as well. Makes good use of small scrap pieces and cuttings from other projects. I especially love the way those feel in the hand.

(Apparently acrylic as more finicky to work with. It seems to fracture/shatter more easily, and is a lot less forgiving than wood in terms of noticing any imperfections in the final finish/polish.)

Interesting! I’ve seen people turning wood pieces that incorporate epoxy in some mesmerizing videos, but never saw it in an application like this. What a great gift!

 

[Kitty Tantrum]

Bumping for Christmas-related festivities!

I won't have my kids for Christmas this year. They've actually been at their dad's house and I haven't seen them since September.

I'm actually MORE happy than sad. I think I posted something before about how my kids were not exactly jazzed about going back to their dad's house again after their LAST visit. Well, apparently he has cleaned up his house and cleaned up his act sufficiently that the kids seem to be genuinely enjoying their visit, and have not even come close to begging me to come rescue them or anything like that. It is quite a blessing indeed if this is a sustained change.

One perk is that my husband and I got to pick our Christmas tree all by ourselves - and pick something we really like but that the kids definitely would have vetoed. They like the really full, conically-trimmed Douglas firs -- and we got a gorgeous, elegant Grand Fir that was completely untrimmed and has these beautiful, long, upsweeping branches.

I also don't have to worry about Christmas shopping for kids. And Christmas morning at my house will be quiet, and clean (while the kids will probably be ripping presents open alongside a whole gaggle of cousins and other family). It is not terribly hard to stay on the bright side in this particular matter, and I'm REALLY grateful for that.

I'm trying to make everything I give away this year. Mostly baked goods and candies. Some jewelry. Some "art." I'm going to put together boxes of treats for my husband to take around to all the places he does business with regularly. Plus a few we just like and appreciate having around. (I am making a list and checking it twice, you might say.)

Been sewing some Christmas ornaments. Planning a nice dinner. Things like that.

How 'bout you?

 

[Leeloo]

Bumping for Christmas-related festivities!



Been sewing some Christmas ornaments. Planning a nice dinner. Things like that.

How 'bout you?

Good bump!

I’d love to see your ornament creations. Will you post photos when you finish sewing them?
I love handmade gifts and I need some inspiration for some family members who are hard to shop for and appreciate a good, thoughtful handicraft.

 

[Kitty Tantrum]

I’d love to see your ornament creations. Will you post photos when you finish sewing them?

Yes! Pictures and a little how-to will be forthcoming. They're quite simple.

 

[IconWriter]

Secular Christmas for us involves putting on Christmas music, Hallmark movies, etc, while:
Sending cards with short personal notes. Some years I make cards by hand, beginning early. It's important to say a prayer for each recipient.
Some years we have a real tree. For the years we do not, I spread fresh greens around the house. Love the fragrance!
Baking: Each family member chooses their favorite cookie each year so we have a variety unless they all choose the same kind.
Gifts: Practical! We just ask each other what we'd like and gather wish lists from which to choose. For non-family members this year I'm giving monastery honey. I enjoy supporting the monks who raise bees and make their own. Another easy gift is to make tons of spiced/candied pecans to divide into pretty containers. One family member makes beeswax candles for friends at church.
Decorating: Depends on who is visiting, LOL! I love to put up decorations a few at a time over the weeks in December, taking the time to sort them and decide what to keep or give away. I don't like clutter so it's minimal.

 

[Lamkins]

We quit doing gifts years ago, and I like Christmas a lot more. I hated shopping. We have a tradition of hotdog roasts on Christmas and thanksgiving. We have a fire, roast some dogs, eat off paper plates, and sometimes play some cards or board games. I prefer quality time with family rather than shopping, prepping, cooking, then cleaning for hours. I make poultry, stuffing, taters, etc., throughout the year.

I sometimes send cards and sometimes don’t.

Hubby and I have a yearly tradition of watching the old claymation Christmas shows like Rudolph.

I havent decorated for years. I thoroughly enjoy the public decor and store decor, and I don’t have to put it all away in January.

 

[Kitty Tantrum]

@Leeloo - I had a hard time getting "pretty" pictures of a finished ornament, but here's a pile of unfinished ones sitting on my coffee table



And here is a how-to I put together, using a button instead of a metal accent, because it's WAY easier to show the method in photos - and I think it's pretty easy to adapt to anything that has holes or can otherwise be stitched on for the centerpiece. I hope it makes sense, I threw it together pretty fast!

The stars/stripes ornaments are made a little differently, out of 4" wired ribbon sewn into a loop and then folded, and a casing for the wire stitched along the fold (instead of stitching the wire to the edge). I can do up a little how-to for those as well if anyone is interested and I didn't explain it well.

 

[messaggera]

The ‘Christmas Comet’ Is Getting Brighter. Exactly How, When And Where You Can See Comet Leonard After Sunset This Week

Comet Leonard—the hoped-for bright “Christmas Comet”—is reported to have brightened yesterday. Here's how, when and where to see it by the astronomer who discovered it.

www.forbes.com

 

[Leeloo]

@Leeloo - I had a hard time getting "pretty" pictures of a finished ornament, but here's a pile of unfinished ones sitting on my coffee table

View attachment 35527

And here is a how-to I put together, using a button instead of a metal accent, because it's WAY easier to show the method in photos - and I think it's pretty easy to adapt to anything that has holes or can otherwise be stitched on for the centerpiece. I hope it makes sense, I threw it together pretty fast!

The stars/stripes ornaments are made a little differently, out of 4" wired ribbon sewn into a loop and then folded, and a casing for the wire stitched along the fold (instead of stitching the wire to the edge). I can do up a little how-to for those as well if anyone is interested and I didn't explain it well.

View attachment 35528

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing