Yes, you read that correctly! It says Christmas. My husband and I went shopping today and I was amazed by how many Christmas items I saw. It’s July folks! I’m just getting over the whole “end of summer, back to school” transition. How could I possibly be ready to buy Christmas ornaments?! ‘Course at Hobby Lobby I only had to walk down a few aisles to shop for summer clearance items, fall decorations, Thanksgiving table settings, and Christmas ornaments all in one shopping trip!
I do think it’s pretty smart to start now if you’re one of those people who makes homemade ornaments and cards and wreaths and Santa ceramics. There are kits and supplies for all of those things and more. I just can’t work up the energy for any more projects. Besides, I feel obligated to save a few things for my retirement years.
Speaking of kits and supplies…am I the only person who needs a guidebook at Hobby Lobby? I don’t know what half their stuff is, much less what I would do with it! (And I’m not picking on them; I’m sure the same can be said for any major hobby store.) I kind of understand the ten aisles of scrap booking supplies because one of my daughters does that. I’ve seen her work and visited a few stores with her. I won’t lie and tell you she doesn’t have to explain most of it to me, but at least I get the general idea. However, some of the things I saw today have me totally baffled. I guess there is a hobby for everyone. I just want to know when and how someone decides they want to make their own “clay-trimmed gift tags”! And can someone tell me what a “leather novelty bag” is and what it would hold? The thing was only three inches long by one inch wide. The kit said you could decorate it and put your “keepsakes” inside.
And who knew you could still buy paint-by-number kits??? I remember when my grandmother bought me one for my ninth birthday. I thought I was quite the artist by the time I finished it!
I used to have hobbies. I was one of those “crafty people” who made things. And I loved it! I spent years making dolls like the ones in these photos. I sold them at shows and to friends of friends. Then for a while I made some baby accessories. I painted t-shirts. I tried macramé, crochet, candles, frames, stuffed animals, pillows. Once I discovered gardening the rest just sort of fell by the wayside. I still crochet and knit when it is too cold outside for gardening or when I just need a new afghan, but I suppose I’ve lost the patience for anything more precise or demanding. 
Okay, so I did buy a couple of earring kits, but those don’t really count. I just have to attach the little charms to the loops on the earrings and voila, “I made these myself!” Sounds good though. Maybe I’ll go back and buy one of those Christmas ornament kits. What’s your favorite color?
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