July's Quirky Holidays

With th USA'S 250th Birthday coming this July, why not make a month of it and celebrate all month long.  July has a lot of holidays.  

Of course in the US, there is July 4th, Independence Day when it was decided to separate from Britain and form our own nation.  That is a big summer celebration with picnics, parades and fireworks.  But there are a lot more reasons to celebrate in July, especially if a picnic on July 4th isn’t enough.

There are all kinds of food “Days”.  July 1st is Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day and International Chicken Wing Day. July 3rd is Eat Beans Day.  Sidewalk Egg Frying Day is also on July 4th (not sure I would want to eat that egg).  Do you like apple turnovers?  Well, have one on July 5th, that is National Apple Turnover Day.  July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day.  July 7th is Chocolate Day, International Cherry Pit Spitting Day (got to eat the cherry to get the pit) and National Strawberry Sundae Day.  My favorite summer fruit – blueberries is honored on July 8th.(and then Pick Blueberries Day is on the 10th and National Blueberry Muffins Day is the 11th)

July 10th is National Sugar Cookie Day (and you could revisit the Chocolate Day and Strawberry Sundae Day by having aother sundae with a little chocolate syrup and a cookie).  Just to make sure we get in another dessert, Pecan Pie Day is July 12th.  French Fries are honored on July 13th (appropriate since French Bastille Day is the 14th).  We go back to ice cream with National Ice Cream Day (different from July 1st which is Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day, remember). Have some pudding on Tapioca Pudding Day on the 15th.  And with all these sweets, eat some spinach on the 16th for Fresh Spinach Day.

We do another flavor of ice cream on the 17th for Peach Ice Cream Day.  And to get a little fancy, try some caviar on National Caviar Day on the 18th but I wouldn’t combined it with the other food honored on that day, Hot Dogs.  And with all this food you do need a drink now and then, so for the adults try a Daiquiri on its day the 19th. Cakes are also back on the 19th with National Raspberry Cake Day.  The 20th brings another ice cream day with National Ice Cream Soda day.  Don’t want anymore ice cream but you do want something sweet?  Switch the ice cream for a lollipop on the 20th – it’s that sweet sucker’s national day. 

And so we don’t forget a favorite ‘unofficial’ food group, July 21st is National Junk Food Day.  Remember with chips, you can’t eat just one.  July still hasn’t had enough of ice cream.  We have to honor the basic, vanilla on July 23rd. You don’t have to live south of the border to get some tequila on the 24th.  That day is National Tequila Day.  The 28th is a favorite of children of every age: National Milk Chocolate Day.

July 1st was International Chicken Wing Day.  We also need to bring it home with National Chicken Wing Day on July 29th.  If you want more of a meal, the 29th is also National Lasagna Day.  And we finish off the food month with a sweetie on the 30th, National Cheesecake Day. 

Now if you can’t find something to celebrate with food during the month of July, you are just too picky of an eater.  To the rest of us, I say “LET’S EAT!”

©2018, 2023, 2026 Cheryl Fillion

 

 

Celebrate Christmas All Month Long

 I really love Christmas.  I tend to go all out.  I start playing my Christmas music before Thanksgiving.  I get out the books I have on Christmas customs and traditions and reread why we do the things we do.  I try to make my yearly ornaments to give out in early December.  I try to make the holiday last as long as I can.  And one friend described my decorated house as sensory overload.

While looking for a celebration to write about this month besides Christmas, I found there are all kinds of days in December set aside to get you ready for the big holiday itself.

December 6^th is St. Nicholas Day.  In some parts of Europe and even here in the States, this is the day when St Nicholas (Santa Claus) comes for an early visit.  There actually was a St. Nicholas who was an Archbishop in Turkey back in the 5^th century.  He became the patron saint of boys and December 6^th is his birthday and on this day he is known for bringing little gifts for the good children, and sticks for the bad.  

If you are Christmas Card sender, December 9^th is Christmas Card Day.  If you haven’t gotten your cards yet, this might be a good day.  Or maybe this is the day to make cards.  Wouldn’t Grandma prefer a hand made card from the little ones than a store bought one?

Poinsettias, considered the flower of Christmas, have their own day on December 12^th.  So make sure you get out to your favorite garden store to pick out your festive plant.  December 14^th is Roast Chestnuts Day.  If you are not much of a chestnut person, how about picking up those other nuts you might eat.  A favorite part of Christmas growing up was going to the local grocers to get our bag of mixed nuts (only available this time of year).  They would have bins of unshelled nuts.  My favorite then and now were the walnuts.

 And what is Christmas without the cookies.  Well, December 18^th is set aside just to get those holiday sweets completed for Santa’s visit with Bake Cookies Day.  And so you don’t forget that tree, Look for an Evergreen Day is December 19^th.  And while you are getting ready, why not take a break on December 20^th and celebrate Go Caroling Day. 

If by now in the month you are bogged down with shopping and decorating and feeling a bit overwhelmed, there is a day for you to go ahead and just feel a little like Scrooge.  December 21^st is Humbug Day.  Just don’t let it last more than a day. 

And finally on December 24^th, hopefully all the preparations are done and you can sit back and enjoy a little eggnog for it is not just Christmas Eve but also Nation Egg Nog Day. 

If you are one who likes to have Christmas last as long as you can, go ahead and celebrate it all month long.  And Merry Christmas to you.

 

©2018, 2023 Cheryl Fillion

 

 

 

 

August Celebration: Just Because Day

I have been having a lot of fun this year looking for unusual and creative ways to celebrate.  I have found some quirky holidays.  But as unusual as some holidays are, and there is probably a holiday for everything, this month has a holiday for anything you want.  On August 27^th, you have to celebrate Just Because Day.

The idea is that since we spend much of our days doing things we HAVE to do, why not have a day to do something for no reason than Just Because.  I like it.  Doesn’t everyone want to do something or like to do something for no particular reason. 

Maybe you see a new outfit at a store.  You don’t need it for an event.  You might have plenty of clothes.  You just want it so buy it, just because.

 aybe you want to go on a picnic but it is not a weekend day or a holiday.  So take the day off and have a picnic, just because.

Figure out something you want to do on this day and just do it.  Or better yet wake up that morning and do the first fun thing that comes to your head.  And make sure to let everyone know you are doing it Just Because.  Who knows if enough people do something just because it might become a national holiday marked in red on the calendar for no reason than just because. 

©2018 Cheryl Fillion

July’s Quirky Holidays

July has a lot of holidays.  Of course in the US, there is July 4^th, Independence Day when it was decided to separate from Britain and form our own nation.  That is a big summer celebration with picnics, parades and fireworks.  But there are a lot more reasons to celebrate in July, especially if a picnic on July 4^th isn’t enough.

There are all kinds of food “Days”.  July 1^st is Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day and International Chicken Wing Day. July 3^rd is Eat Beans Day.  Sidewalk Egg Frying Day is also on July 4^th (not sure I would want to eat that egg).  Do you like apple turnovers?  Well, have one on July 5^th, that is National Apple Turnover Day.  July 6^th is National Fried Chicken Day.  July 7^th is Chocolate Day, International Cherry Pit Spitting Day (got to eat the cherry to get the pit) and National Strawberry Sundae Day.  My favorite summer fruit – blueberries is honored on July 8^th.(and then Pick Blueberries Day is on the 10^th and National Blueberry Muffins Day is the 11^th)

July 10^th is National Sugar Cookie Day (and you could revisit the Chocolate Day and Strawberry Sundae Day by having aother sundae with a little chocolate syrup and a cookie).  Just to make sure we get in another dessert, Pecan Pie Day is July 12^th.  French Fries are honored on July 13^th (appropriate since French Bastille Day is the 14^th).  We go back to ice cream with National Ice Cream Day (different from July 1^st which is Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day, remember). Have some pudding on Tapioca Pudding Day on the 15^th.  And with all these sweets, eat some spinach on the 16^th for Fresh Spinach Day.

We do another flavor of ice cream on the 17^th for Peach Ice Cream Day.  And to get a little fancy, try some caviar on National Caviar Day on the 18^th but I wouldn’t combined it with the other food honored on that day, Hot Dogs.  And with all this food you do need a drink now and then, so for the adults try a Daiquiri on its day the 19^th. Cakes are also back on the 19^th with National Raspberry Cake Day.  The 20^th brings another ice cream day with National Ice Cream Soda day.  Don’t want anymore ice cream but you do want something sweet?  Switch the ice cream for a lollipop on the 20^th – it’s that sweet sucker’s national day. 

And so we don’t forget a favorite ‘unofficial’ food group, July 21^st is National Junk Food Day.  Remember with chips, you can’t eat just one.  July still hasn’t had enough of ice cream.  We have to honor the basic, vanilla on July 23rd. You don’t have to live south of the border to get some tequila on the 24^th.  That day is National Tequila Day.  The 28^th is a favorite of children of every age: National Milk Chocolate Day.

July 1^st was International Chicken Wing Day.  We also need to bring it home with National Chicken Wing Day on July 29^th.  If you want more of a meal, the 29^th is also National Lasagna Day.  And we finish off the food month with a sweetie on the 30^th, National Cheesecake Day. 

Now if you can’t find something to celebrate with food during the month of July, you are just too picky of an eater.  To the rest of us, I say “LET’S EAT!”

©2018, 2023 Cheryl Fillion

 

 

Sewing Machine Day – June 13

June has some wonderful holidays to celebrate.  Here in the U.S., there is Father’s Day and Flag Day.  But I found one that just fits me.  It is June 13: Sewing Machine Day. 

This day celebrates the humble sewing machine which changed the way clothing and bedding and now everything is made.  Before the sewing machine (patented in 1829) everything was sewn by hand. It took a long time to complete an item..  But with the sewing machine, clothing and quilts, home décor even shoes and purses could be done quickly and efficiently. 

Even now, so much in the fiber world is done by machines that are based on the sewing machine.  Long Arm quilting machines are just over sized sewing machines.  Monogramming and embroidery is now done by computerized, multi-thread sewing machines. 

So how can you celebrate the sewing machine?  For one thing, take time to clean and oil the machine you own.  If you have a machine that needs a little repair, take it in and have it done. Show your machine some love. If you use your machine often, you might give it a rest and sew a hem or piece a quilt block or do a little embroidery by hand.  Doing the stitching yourself will give you an appreciation for how efficiently and quickly your machine does this work for you.

I don’t know if June 13^th was the date of the patent for the sewing machine but even if it wasn’t, Happy 194th Birthday, Sewing Machine.  I don’t know what I would do without you.

©2018, 2023 Cheryl Fillion

April celebrations

 

 I have been doing blog posts on holidays for a couple of months now.  It is fun to see what people around the world celebrate.  This month I have two.  I just couldn’t decide. 

The first is actually the whole month of April.  It is National Poetry month.  That alone should tell you what I am going to recommend.  Yup, poetry.  Do you read poetry?  If not give it a whirl. 

If you are not sure you will understand poetry, start out with some children’s poems. If you don’t like the structure of poetry, read some freeform poetry.  My favorite poet is Emily Dickinson.

Have you ever tried to write poetry?  Try it.  Know that all the words don’t have to rhyme but that might be a lot of fun to try.  Here is an experiment to try: go to a page in a book or newspaper and randomly pick out 5 words.  No fair picking only words you like.  Then with these words write a 4 line poem.  If you want to start easy, go with a children’s book or the funny pages in the newspaper.  You don’t have to publish it.  You don’t even have to show anyone your poem.  But as a line from a commercial once said, try it, you’ll like it.

The other holiday is April 22, Earth Day.  This holiday was created in the 1970s when the environmental movement was just getting started.  It is one that has special meanung to me.  I recycle and reuse (and reuse and reuse) but it is a holiday when my dad would send me a Happy Earth Day card.  He always tried to find some card with a nature scene on it and make it into his own Earth Day card.

So on this day do something nice for the Earth.  Take your cans and bottles to the recycling center.  Plant some flowers (and if your ground is still frozen, plant some flowers in a pot).  Paint or embroider a picture of a natural scene.  Or take a walk and watch nature (and then come home and write a poem about it.  Ah, you knew I would get these two holidays together.)  Maybe even continue my dad’s tradition and send someone a nice card with a nature scene on it.

So                    Roses are Red

                        Violets are blue

                        Celebrate Earth Day

                        And poetry too.

 

©2018 , 2023Cheryl E. Fillion

 

 

 

Happy Holidays

I wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays.  There are a lot of celebrations at this time of year and whatever you honor, I hope your holiday is wonderful.

 

This year has been challenging for everyone but I hope you are able to spend the end of this year with those you love, enjoying great food, wonderful decorations and lots of love and laughter.

 

So  may the last week of 2020 be merry and bright.

 

©2020 Cheryl Fillion

Celebrate Christmas All Month Long

This has been a crazy year.  With all that has gone on, you might think there is nothing much to celebrate but I think you would be wrong.  This is exactly the time to celebrate and have some fun.  A couple of years ago I posted this blog about December celebrations and I think this is what we need to do again.

 

December 6^th is St. Nicholas Day.  In some parts of Europe and even here in the States, this is the day when St Nicholas (Santa Claus) comes for an early visit.  There actually was a St. Nicholas who was an Archbishop in Turkey back in the 5^th century.  He became the patron saint of boys and December 6^th is his birthday and on this day he is known for bringing little gifts for the good children, and sticks for the bad. 

 

If you are Christmas Card sender, December 9^th is Christmas Card Day.  If you haven’t gotten your cards yet, this might be a good day.  Or maybe this is the day to make cards.  Wouldn’t Grandma prefer a hand made card from the little ones than a store bought one?

 

Poinsettias, considered the flower of Christmas, have their own day on December 12^th.  So make sure you get out to your favorite garden store to pick out your festive plant.  December 14^th is Roast Chestnuts Day.  If you are not much of a chestnut person, how about picking up those other nuts you might eat.  A favorite part of Christmas growing up was going to the local grocers to get our bag of mixed nuts (only available this time of year).  They would have bins of unshelled nuts.  My favorite then and now were the walnuts.

 

And what is Christmas without the cookies.  Well, December 18^th is set aside just to get those holiday sweets completed for Santa’s visit with Bake Cookies Day.  And so you don’t forget that tree, Look for an Evergreen Day is December 19^th.  And while you are getting ready, why not take a break on December 20^th and celebrate Go Caroling Day.

 

If by now in the month you are bogged down with shopping and decorating and feeling a bit overwhelmed, there is a day for you to go ahead and just feel a little like Scrooge.  December 21^st is Humbug Day.  Just don’t let it last more than a day.

 

And finally on December 24^th, hopefully all the preparations are done and you can sit back and enjoy a little eggnog for it is not just Christmas Eve but also National Egg Nog Day.

 

If you are one who likes to have Christmas last as long as you can, go ahead and celebrate it all month long.  And Merry Christmas to you.

 

©2018, 2020 Cheryl Fillion

June Fun Days

Here are some fun holidays to brighten up your June. 

June 1^st is Global Day for Parents so do something nice for those who gave your life.  If you are social distancing from them, give them a call or maybe have a nice meal delivered to them as a surprise.  And add some olives because it is also National Olive Day.

Have an egg breakfast on June 3^rd since it is National Egg day.  In fact make all your meals that day egg related.   And burn off those egg calories byt riding your bike since it is World Bicycle Day.

Make sure cheese is in your diet on June 4^th for National cheese day.  Maybe even try some new cheese.  But don’t share the cheese with your cat as you hug your feline for Hug Your Cat Day, also on the 4^th.

If you have started getting out more since hopefully the weather is nice where you are, pick up litter you see for June 5^th is World Environment Day.

June 6^th is National Yo-yo Day so get out that childhood toy and try some new tricks.  I am sure there are videos on the internet.  And if you do learn any new tricks, celebrate the next day (June 7^th) with National Chocolate Ice Cream Day.  Ah, even if you haven’t celebrate with a scoop or two.

National Best Friends Day is June 8^th so spend the day with a friend.  If you can’t get close talk to them on the phone or have a online date.

For some different entertainment, find some videos of the Disney character and watch them on June 9^th which is National Donald Duck Day. 

Quench your thirst on June 10^th for National Ice Tea Day – either sweet or unsweeten.  And save some for June 11^th to drink while you munch on corn on the cob for that veggies national day.

Get out those stars and stripes for Flag Day on June 14^th.    And keep celebrating the flag with some fudge on June 16^th, National Fudge Day.  

June 17^th is a good day to go to a farmer’s market if one is near you sor it is National Eat your Vegetables Day.  How about a salad for lunch?   The 18^th is International Sushi Day but if you like fish but not sushi, it is also National Go Fishing Day.

Summer solstice is on June 20^th followed by International Yoga Day on the twenty-first. Also on the 21^st is National Smoothie Day and National Selfie Day.   So get out that camera while doing yoga or drinking your smoothie and snap yourself having some fun.

National Hydration Day is June 23td so carry water with you wherever you go.  Get out those old records and listen to the Beatles because it is Global Beatles Day on the 25^th.  June seems to be the chocolate month because June 36^th is another serving of chocolate in National Chocolate Pudding Day.

June 29^th is Hug Holiday so hug all those people you can (and give an air hug for those you can’t meet with) and maybe take a picture of someone hugging since it is also National Camera Day.

 With everything that is going on in the world today, it is good to celebrate those little things that make life wonderful.  Happy June Celebrating!

©2020 Cheryl Fillion

 

 

 

Holiday Wishes

This is one of the most wonderful times of the year. There are the various holidays that sneak up at year’s end.  There is the changing of the seasons from autumn to winter which for some means snow and hot chocolate and for others might mean sunshine and lemonade.

So for what ever the end of the year means to you, I hope you are with family and friends, exchanging gifts and cards, involved in sledding or swimming and are having a wonderfully creative time.

Remember to involve all your senses in your holiday activities.  Not just listening to the laughter of your family or the carols heard on the radio, but also tasting new things with new recipes or new restaurants, smelling all the wonderful fragrances from the pine tree to the gingerbread men in the oven to the sights of holiday lights or country sunrises.  And don’t forget to touch, not just the gifts that someone has given you but the someone themselves.  Enjoy those hugs and kisses.

I hope all of you have a great holiday whatever and wherever you are celebrating it and you gather up all kinds of memories and ideas to last you a year of creating.

Happy Holidays (whatever holiday you celebrate).

Cheryl

©2016, 2019  Cheryl Fillion 

 

Holiday Greetings

I am writing this the week before Christmas.  If you are like me, you are busy with holiday preparations.

I like this time of year with the decorations, the lights, the wishing each other (including strangers) a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holiday.  Everyone seems friendlier and homes and streets are dressed up and cheery.  We need more of that in the world these days.

I just wanted to take time to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I hope your holiday includes a lot of creativity in gifts or decorating, that you try something new maybe a recipe or a different way to dress up your tree, and you take time to care for yourself in all the holiday busyness (I bought myself some new embroidery threads for a little stitching during this holiday break).

So once again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Creativity in your Holiday Shopping

After attending the International Quilt Show in Houston recently, I was reminded that all the quilters who made those beautiful quilts had to start somewhere and so I decided to repost a blog from last year about adding a little creativity to your Christmas shopping.  You never know what you may start.

What do I mean by Creativity?  I mean make sure you buy someone you love some art supplies, craft supplies, or a craft kit or two.  You never know what life long love you will start in a young child or help someone older continue to enjoy a lifelong love.  You might even help a future artist or quilter end up in an international exhibit.

There are all kinds of activities out there from model airplanes and cars to assemble to adult coloring books.  The other day I saw a kit to paint a set of nesting dolls (I almost bought it for myself).  There are looms of every kind and step by step books to do all kinds of needlework.  And of course you could provide the supplies for one of the crafts I have done a tutorial on and show them this blog.

And also consider a gift of music or dance.  Either provide some future performer with lessons or an instrument or take them to a holiday concert or ballet.  I bet there is a Nutcracker Ballet going on somewhere near your hometown this time of year. Going to a performance is a memory both of you can share.  I still remember going to a simple children’s Christmas concert at a local junior high with my mother when I was visiting her one holiday.

So add a little creativity to your holiday shopping by giving a gift of creativity in whatever form your heart desires. You can never give too much. Happy Shopping!!

©2017, 2018 - Cheryl Fillion

Positive Thinking Day

With all the negativity on the news these days, September 13 is definitely needed.  No, not as in Friday the 13^th but as in Positive Thinking Day. This is a day set aside to think of positive things.

Now how do you celebrate Positive Thinking Day?  You can wake up thinking about all the good things that will happen that day like maybe what you are going to eat that day, who you are going to see, and how the weather will be (even if it is raining, the rain is a good thing for the grass and the flowers),

Every hour think of 3 things in which you are grateful.  Maybe it is the people in your life or your health or the job or school you attend.  How about being grateful for your 5 senses?  Or even grateful that it is Positive Thinking Day and it gives you an opportunity to practice positivity.

Give compliments to everyone you meet. Everyone likes a compliment.  Or maybe extend some random acts of kindness.  This could be as simple as letting some go ahead of you in the check out line to paying for the meal of the car in the drive thru behind you.

In the evening, turn off the news (and don’t read the paper).  Watch a funny show or read an inspirational book instead.  What is usually on the news is the entire negative events that has gone on in the world during the day.

And of course the best way to keep yourself positive and spread positive vibes is to smile.  It is amazing how smiling can change your mood.  And smiling is contagious.  Have you ever noticed when you smile at someone, they will smile back (unless of course they are a Scrooge).

So while one day might be set aside to be positive, why not spread it to the next day and then the next week and then every day after that.  Happy Positive Thinking Day.

©2018 – Cheryl Fillion

Inspire your Heart with Art Day – January 31

I like holidays.  Give me a reason to celebrate anything and I am there.  I like not only the major holidays (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc.) but I like the silly obscure holidays (Eat a hot dog day, Talk like a pirate day, National Scotch Tape Day, Cat day, Dog day).  They make life silly and fun.  I decided this year I would find an unusual holiday each month and do something special on them. So I guess for me, 2018 will be the year of the holiday. 

The one that attracted me for January (other than New Years day) is January 31 which is Inspire Your Heart With Art Day.  It seemed to fit not only the title of my blog but the subject of it.  And it is really so easy to do. 

Think about it.  Art is everywhere.  You can visit a gallery. Go see an exhibit you have seen before or one that is brand new to you.  You could check out any of the movie websites and find a movie to watch.  Find something commercial or even something a little ‘artsy’.  Listen to music.  Attend a play or ballet.  Go to a poetry reading or create a reading of your own with friends.  Pick up or paint brush or your needle and create something beautiful.

So whatever your heart desires (pun intended).  And maybe share that art with someone you love.  Invite a friend or family member to the gallery or play or dance with you.  Write your loved one a poem.  Paint a picture to send to someone on Valentine’s day.

Think of how art makes you feel.  What thoughts does it invoke, what feelings.  You might even want to try a new art form to inspire your heart. If you are not one to go to a ballet or dance performance, do so.  If you never stepped into an art gallery, today is the day.

So on January 31^st, do something with any kind of art that will inspire you or excite you.  And let me be the first to wish you a Happy Inspire Your Heart with Art Day.

©2018- Cheryl E. Fillion

New Years Resolutions

How many of you make New Year’s Resolutions?  Is it to stop a bad habit or lose weight or exercise more?  Getting healthy sure is a good thing to do. 

But what if your resolution was to be more creative?  What if you made a promise to yourself to do more art or sewing or learn a new craft? 

Every year I go through my unfinished quilting projects and decide which one I am going to finish for the upcoming quilt show in March.  It is amazing to me when I find I only have a little more to do on a project for it to be finished.

Other years I have promised myself to take advantage of the classes my quilt guild offers.  I have learned different ways to quilt on my home sewing machine, new ways to appliqué, new embroidery stitches (after a recent class with our guild I can now do a successful bullion stitch) and can now piece a Y-seam in a quilt block.

This coming year I want to try more sculptures in needle felting and expand my embroidery on needle felted items and I want to finish the log cabin sampler I started so many years ago. And I still want to take as many classes and try as many new crafts as I can.

Why not make sure you add some creativity to your resolutions list?  You can still break a bad habit, lose weight and exercise more but make sure you also create new art that represents who you are and what your 2018 brought to your life. 

Happy 2018 to you.

Cheryl

 

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

Happy Holiday (all year long)

This is truly is a wonderful time of the year.  The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, helping wishes come true and maybe being a little sneaky with who is getting what in gifts.

It is a time of year to dress up our houses in holiday decorations and string lots of lights everywhere (Kudos to the brave souls who climb on their roofs with those twinkle lights).  There is music in the air and even if you have hard the songs hundreds of times, it still brings a smile to your face.  And then there is time for family and friends and the holiday parties. 

Sometimes don’t you wish you could have the holidays all year long. Well, why not?  No I don’t mean keeping the tree up and playing the  Christmas music all year  But what about keeping the good spirits of smiles to strangers and visiting with family and friends. 

Where I work there is a holiday party for the staff.  I often can’t go because of various obligations.  Wouldn’t it be nice to get together in the spring when the flowers are blooming or the summer when the sun is shining later in the day?  A gathering at other times of the year would not compete with the busyness of Christmas or Hanukah or New Years. 

And what about decorating?  You don’t need Santa or trees or snowmen around all year.  How about decorating for the other holidays?  I know some people do for Valentines, Easter, Thanksgiving and Halloween (at least I do).  What about decorating for Mothers Day or Father’s day or Independence day? What about those months with no special holiday like August or September?   Wouldn’t it be fun to research a holiday for those months and decorate and celebrate it?  (I think I have a new idea for a blog post.)

Think about keeping the spirit of the holidays with you all year long. Find something to celebrate and some reason to party and find some music that makes you smile and you never tire to play.

Whether you try to keep this idea of the holiday spirit with you all year is up to you.  But for this holiday, I hope that it is wonderful and filled with family, friends, good eats and good memories.

Happy Holidays, Everyone.

Cheryl

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

 

Create Your Own Souvenirs

With the exception of thimbles, I am not a big souvenir person when I travel. And I don’t much care for t-shirts.  But I usually want something to remember a vacation or a special event.

This year I went to the Nutcracker Ballet at the community college where I work.  They were selling wooden Nutcracker Princes in all sizes and while they were tempting, I didn’t buy one.  Instead I came home and started working on an embroidery piece of the Nutcracker and a ballet dancer.  This would have a lot more meaning to me that a wooden nutcracker.

I realized while I have been working on this that I do create my own souvenirs.  I mentioned above that I am not much for t-shirts.  So when I went to Door County Wisconsin for my 50^th birthday, I bought fabric to make blouses.  Now when I wear those blouses (one had sailboats on it which is one activity Door County is known for) I think of that trip.

In Door County there are numerous lighthouses.  I went to one which was a favorite of my father’s.  Now I will admit I did buy a travel mug from the lighthouse but I also create a wall hanging of it.  I took a picture of it and printed it on a special treated fabric that could be sent through the printer.  And with that lighthouse picture on fabric I created a wall- hanging adding more trees and beach and water in appliqué to expand the image.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse wall hanging
(the above photo is in the center)

I work with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  I am working on a t-shirt quilt (I may not buy t-shirts but I do keep them from special events where they are given).  I didn’t want to make just a t-shirt quilt but one with meaning for me.  So for every year I do the relay, I prepare the front of the t-shirt to put in the quilt and also create a quilt block that represents either the theme of the relay or some member of it.

My first Relay year

Purple is the Relay's color.

While I was writing this blog I began to wonder how making your own memory souvenir would work for a Christmas holiday.  If a family is traveling to visit Grandma or just to spend the holiday somewhere new, the kids could draw a picture of their favorite activity or memory of their visit.  You could take pictures and make a collage to hang on your wall (it could be, but doesn’t have to be, done in fabric). 

Or how about make an ornament that represents this holiday.  Did you build a snowman in Grandma’s front yard?  Create a snowman ornament to remember it and don’t forget to make a snowman for Grandma too so she can remember it?  Did you go to the beach?  Collect some shells to decorate a framed memory of your holiday.

Store bought souvenirs are nice but making your own personal souvenir makes your special trip or holiday even more memorable.

 

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

Happy Fourth of July!!!!!!

It's summer.  It's the beginning of July.  We are about to celebrate our country's birthday.  What the heck are you doing inside at a computer?  For that matter what the heck am I doing inside at a computer?

Take your creativity on a holiday.  Do all the traditional things you love for the Fourth: the fireworks, the hotdogs, watermelon, sparklers, parades, picnics.  Do it all and maybe add some new traditions.

Let the fourth of July inspire your creativity.  And if nothing else, just have fun.

Happy Birthday, America!!!!!!!!

© 2017 – Cheryl Fillion

Holiday Wishes

This is one of the most wonderful times of the year. There are the various holidays that sneak up  at year’s end.  There is the changing of the seasons from autumn to winter which for some means snow and hot chocolate and for others might mean sunshine and lemonade.

So for what ever the end of the year means to you, I hope you are with family and friends, exchanging gifts and cards, involved in sledding or swimming and are having a wonderfully creative time.

Remember to involve all your senses in your holiday activities.  Not just listening to the laughter of your family or the carols heard on the radio, but also tasting new things with new recipes or new restaurants, smelling all the wonderful fragrances from the pine tree to the gingerbread men in the oven to the sights of holiday lights or country sunrises.  And don’t forget to touch, not just the gifts that someone has given you but the someone themselves.  Enjoy those hugs and kisses.

I hope all of you have a great holiday whatever and wherever you are celebrating it and you gather up all kinds of memories and ideas to last you a year of creating.

Happy Holidays (whatever holiday you celebrate).

Cheryl

©2016  Cheryl Fillion 

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Looking for a gift for someone?  Having a hard time finding the right thing?  How about giving them an activity instead?  What if you introduced them to a new craft or art form?

Giving crafts as gifts is the best way to create a lifelong memory.  My little spool knitting doll was given to me as a gift when I was a child.  I enjoyed it then and still do.  The first crewel embroidery I ever did was an embroidery kit.  The instructions, the yarn, the needle, printed fabric were all included in the kit.

Kits where everything is included (even any tools like needles) is the best way to start someone on a new creative adventure.  My love of needle felting came with a kit that included step by step picture instructions, the roving and the needle.  I don’t think I would have tried it if I had to find all the supplies separately.  Now I have gone crazy for needle felting.

If a kit isn’t available, why not sign them up for a class.  Many fabric and craft stores provide classes as well as libraries, community centers or non-profit organizations (YMCA, for example).  If there is something you can teach your gift recipient, buy them all the supplies they need to start lessons with you. This way they have their own tools and supplies.

Or give a gift card to a craft or hobby store, so they can choose their own craft.  And to add to your fun, go with them when they spend their gift.  It is another way you can share the experience.

Remember to start off small.  If they want to learn to quilt, start out with a pillow or small wall hanging.  You don’t want to buy all the supplies for a big quilt, only to find out that quilting wasn’t as enjoyable to your gift recipient and they get bored with it.

Not only is giving something crafty a great gift, it can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment. As the saying goes, it is a gift that will keep on giving. 

PS:  there is also nothing wrong with a brand new box of crayons for crafters of all ages.

©2016 – Cheryl Fillion