Christmas Preparations

I've been thinking about Christmas for a while.
Now that it's September, I think it is acceptable to give voice to my ponderings. 
So here we are. 

I make Christmas presents for my friends and family every year. Partly because I'm creative and enjoy it, partly because I put a lot more thought and effort into making things than if I went out and bought presents and finally because I can't afford to buy as many nice things as I'd like to and, this way, all my friends and family get something that I am proud to give them. 

This year I have been planning since about July, because I like to be organised. And I started gathering materials and formalising my plans in August. I think I actually started making on the 30th of August, nearly September... nearly not Christmas obsessed. 

I make Christmas decorations with the year and person's name on. So I have to be organised because there are a few to make! This year I'm using resin, so I have to be even more organised since each batch takes up to 3 days to cure (done in three layers, each layer takes 24 hours to cure). My 2012 decorations are my favourite so far. I'm very proud of them. 

I've also started making Christmas decorations to sell at craft fairs, since I have a few booked in coming up to Christmas. I've made some little glittery teddy bears:

I've also made some hanging plaques, with little Christmassy pictures inside and space for me to engrave a message on the bottom. These are the last of those I will be making, at least for a while since I have trashed the mould and it is no longer usable (the problem with resin is that it does weaken the moulds). 

I have also made a few other bits and pieces. 

  These are fimo modelling clay and will be hanging tree decorations, they just need some ribbon through the top. 

 This is a wireworked ring I made today. I'm practising my close work. 

This is a resin cupcake. It has multi-coloured sequins in it and the 'cake case' is painted white with acrylic paints. Since I took this photo, I have drilled a hole sideways through the cherry and will be threading some ribbon so that it can be hung. I think it's lovely. And... no calories!