Every year I have the exact same conversation with myself.
“They’re only little ornaments.” “It’ll take a weekend.” “I’ve got plenty of time.”
Cue hysterical laughter.
About six years ago, when Gary and I moved into Brunswick Forest, I thought it would be fun to introduce myself the only way I really know how, not only with cookies, not with a casserole nor not with one of those awkward, “Hi…we’re your new neighbors…” conversations where everyone pretends they aren’t peeking inside each other’s garage.
Nope.
I decided to say:
“Hi! I’m a quilter. I make things. Here’s a little taste of my passion. We’re so happy to be your neighbors.”
It started with just a few new friends and neighbors.Then I made them for my new pickleball friends. Then for everyone on our street. Well…apparently everyone kept moving to Brunswick Forest. What started as maybe 40 or 50 ornaments has quietly snowballed into well over 125 neighbors, plus another 25 or so close friends. Let’s just say my little neighborhood gift has become less of a craft project and more of a seasonal production facility.
Every year I design a brand-new North Carolina-inspired postage stamp. The first year was the state of North Carolina itself. After all, most of us are transplants who came here searching for sunshine, warm winters, lower taxes…and grandchildren who still think we’re cool.
Since then I’ve designed places like Wilmington, the Biltmore, Cape Hatteras, and this year’s ornament celebrates our hometown—Leland.
People always ask how I make them.
Well…
First I design the artwork digitally on my iPad and computer.
Then I print it on fabric.
Fuse it to 1/4”foam.
Fuse coordinating fabric to the back.
Trim every ornament to exactly 2” × 3”.
Punch every hole.
Thread every ribbon.
Write every greeting.
Package every ornament.
And finally…
I transform into the Neighborhood Ornament Ninja…quietly taping them to front doors one by one before Christmas. If you’ve ever wondered why you occasionally hear rustling in the bushes in December… It’s probably just me.
This year’s ornaments were actually finished…sort of. The artwork was designed.The fabric was printed. The supplies were ready. Unfortunately…The artist was temporarily out of order. This year was a hard one for me. My motivation packed its bags, my creativity hid under the bed, and every time I walked past those unfinished ornaments they whispered,
“Soooo…you gonna finish us?”
Nothing like being guilt-tripped by inanimate objects. For months they sat there. Waiting. Judging me. Then something unexpected happened. Last week I sat down, turned on some music, picked one up…and started making them again. No fireworks.No magical creative fairy. Just one ornament. Then another. Then another.Today they’re about 70% finished. Which means if you happen to find a Christmas ornament hanging on your door in the middle of July…
Please don’t call the HOA.
It’s just me.
Running approximately seven months behind. I’ve decided these ornaments were never really about Christmas anyway. They’re about friendship. Community. Kindness. And letting people know someone thought about them. Turns out those things don’t have an expiration date.
So here’s my challenge to you.
What’s chasing you?
What unfinished project keeps following you around, whispering, “Hey…remember me?”
Maybe it’s a quilt. A painting. A letter. A closet. A garden. Or maybe it’s something only you know about. Whatever it is…pick it up. Don’t worry about finishing it today.
Just start.
One ribbon. One stitch. One brushstroke.One tiny step. I can’t tell you how much lighter I felt after finally sitting down and making these little ornaments again. Sometimes finishing something isn’t about checking it off a list. It’s about reclaiming a little piece of yourself.
And here’s something else I’ve learned…
Making something for someone else has a funny way of healing the maker, too.
The gift may hang on their Christmas tree…but the joy stays with you.
Now, if you’ll excuse me… I have about fifty ribbons to thread before I start convincing myself that next year’s ornaments “won’t take long.”
P.S. Many of you have asked about Gary. I’m happy to report he’s almost completely recovered from his surprise gallbladder ambush. Recovery has taken a whole lot longer than either of us expected. Apparently that’s one of the less glamorous perks of getting older and grayer! The good news is he’s doing great, I’m feeling more like myself again, and around here we’ll happily take progress over perfection any day.
P.S. Also …. thank you so much for your wonderful comments! Please keep them coming and share my blog with anyone who you think it might inspire!
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