a p p a r e n t l y

I don’t want to sound cynical. I try to find the positive in most things. But after ten years in and around the advertising industry, I’m fairly adept at negotiating the fine line between spin and spit.

So if this seller thinks I’m going to pay $65 for a rusty piece of red metal “that got dug up near the barn,” he’s crazy. And if you give it to your beloved as an alternative to an engagement ring…then you’re crazy.

Seriously?

My holiday season has not exactly been filled with the warm scent of gingerbread and the harmonies of carolers this season. Mr Apparently has been working day and night, and I’ve purchased every gift via the Web. So you’ll forgive me if I’m feeling more humorous than warm-and-fuzzy this week. I hope at least one of these elicits a laugh. Especially if you’re at work!

These are my three favorite holiday amusements of this season. Feel free to link to your favorite in the comments!

1. Jon Stewart asks Stephen Colbert if he’d like to try a little Hanukkah.

2. The Story of the Nativity as Told Through Social Media

3. What Happens When You Try Too Hard to Make Christmas Meaningful (and You’re Six)

Hyperbole and a Half: The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to #185, Jeanne, who won!

The lovely ladies at Sew Mama Sew! have organized their semi-annual Giveaway Day, and I’m delighted to take part again. Thank you for all your helpful comments back in May!

One technique I grew particularly fond of this year was patchwork. I tend to save all my little bits and pieces, and I enjoy watching how my brain starts to make visual sense of the various colors and patterns that collect in my scrap drawer. I gravitate towards organizational projects: buckets, bags, pincushions…and this adorable needle book pattern from Patchwork Posse (which I first saw during Sew Mama Sew’s stash buster month).

To win this handmade needle book, along with a charm pack of 42 5″x5″ squares from the various projects I’ve made this year, just visit my Etsy shop, Petite Legume, and leave a comment on this post telling me which item is your favorite. (If you “favorite” it on Etsy, too, I’d be so very appreciative, but it’s not required.)

The needle book contains 4 double-sided eco-felt pages and secures with an elastic around a vintage metal button.

And if your holiday shopping needs a kick in the pants, please use coupon code APPARENTLY2010 for 10% off anything in my Etsy shop. Happy holidays!

The Fine Print: This giveaway will remain open until 6pm EST on Friday, December 17. The winner will be chosen by random number generator and will be contacted by email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents, with apologies to those who live elsewhere, but if you’d ever had to wait in line at my local post office, you’d understand.

Very Manly Coffee Sleeves

Actually, that’s not quite true. Last May would have been the season to start working on all the stockings, little Santa head ornaments, garlands, wreaths, vanilla extract and the many other projects I’d like to display and eat Right Now. I was sewing sunhats then, and visions of sugarplums were nowhere to be found.

So many inspiring tutorials and catalogs have passed through my hands in the past two weeks that I’m half-considering devoting all of next year’s craft output to holiday items. Seriously. Look at these little Santa wine toppers from the At West End catalog. Could they be any cuter? They make me want to needle felt a whole little entourage of Santa heads. Purl Soho has a stocking tutorial, and I’m ready to whip up another batch of felted mittens.

Warm Wool Baby Hat

This is all folly, however. I have two more knit projects and at least four sewing projects to complete before December 25. By the time January rolls around, I’ll be ready to start the amigurumi anglerfish I’ve promised to the little one, and I’ll be itching to dig out my stash of spring fabrics again.

My Etsy experiment has been totally educational. It’s more apparent than ever that if I devoted quality time to promoting my shop, I could perhaps turn it into a serious endeavor. That’s not how I’d like to spend my time right now, but I’m grateful to and humbled by the many friends and strangers who have purchased my handmade items. And so in thanks, here’s a coupon code for 10% off anything in my Etsy shop, Petite Legume: APPARENTLY2010. (This code is good on any item currently in the shop, but not on custom orders.) Pass it along, and be sure to visit again on Monday December 13. It’s Sew, Mama, Sew‘s Giveaway Day, and I’ll be participating!

Have you seen the incredible Book Carvings of Brian Dettmer? Go look.

photo from Brian Dettmer

via Incredible Book Carvings by Brian Dettmer.