Christmas 2024. And no, I'm not joking. Christmas - my favourite season - starts with preparation, and when I say preparation, I don't mean candles, lights, and jumpers (how could I? - there is no chance for extra layers in the Hungarian summer heat...), but trying to think in advance, especially if you want to be sustainable: using what's around - and taking sweaty, tiny, sun-soaked steps throughout the hot season.
Here are my summery recommendations (with varying levels of unavoidable mess) - for all kinds of souls:
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1.) Making Paper
why:
I experimented with making paper a few summers ago and enjoyed it greatly, but it is a pretty messy process (possibly the messiest one on this list)... which means you need space (possibly a garden) and the willingness to try and re-try over and over and over again. You'll need to wait for your paper to dry too - so, when to start it if not in June? It provides a GREAT tactile joy though, with an endless horizon of potential dried flower design.
how:
I'm a beginner but have watched quite a few videos on making paper. Let me share my favourite ones with you:
And an amazing coffee edition - which I might actually try with tea!
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2.) Pressing Flowers and Plants
why:
They are lovely in letters, but especially lovely on wrapping paper! True beauty is so rare nowadays.
how:
I found varying opinions as to how long you're supposed to press your flowers. My experience is that the longer, the better. But certainly for a few weeks (if not months). It isn't too late to start the process in late summer, but it is better to start it in June...
If you're using books to press the flowers, be careful to use plenty of paper on both sides of the flowers, otherwise, your books might get murdered by all the liquid exiting the flowers. (I learned this the hard way.)
So, when you think you've added enough paper....just add some more...
These are my first-round flowers selected... and my doggo ❤️
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3.) Knitting! Duh.
What can I say, I'm in my frantically knitting era.
why:
Just because. Once again, if you invest time in projects - far in advance - they might manage to warm someone's heart...just at the right time. (Both literally and metaphorically.)
how:
As a beginner, one very conscious decision I made in the spring was that instead of investing my time in learning plenty of fancy stitches, I decided to knit a seemingly endless, albeit very thick and warm blanket as a Christmas gift. I'm knitting this blanket in one huge piece - instead of smaller squares and crocheting them together. I like the feeling (and idea) of the endlessly growing - floating - yarn and can totally imagine myself being wrapped in it while knitting during Advent. The downside of this plan is that I cannot take it with me on a bus or public transport, it's already slightly too bulky. But I'm not really planning to go anywhere this summer - so it shall (might?) be fine. We need to wait and see. :))
This is how far I've gotten! Will I be finished by Christmas? Time will tell.
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4.) Finding lesser-known Christmas poems & potentially writing a few lines on my own - to add on cards
why:
I found it pretty challenging to find lesser-known poems (or at least quotable ones) last Christmas. I also started researching the thing too late - something hopefully different this year.
how:
I might go to a library (library tours in Budapest? It could be a good blog post idea!). But also, I just need to sit down with my laptop and dive deep. About my poetry: I don't want to overthink it. I will probably brainstorm very Christmassy things and try to come up with a few lighthearted lines. Come back and read my results - hopefully around late November!
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6.) Look for Christmas card designs - ones that harness nature
why:
Why not? I learned recently that many of the wrapping papers out there are non-recyclable and I presume the same goes for Christmas cards.
how:
Pinterest...
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7.) Making my own rosemary oil
why:
It's great for hair and I have a huge rosemary bush I could harness.
how:
This is also not my area of expertise, but it seems to me that making rosemary oil is fairly easy. (Magic word: seems... :D We'll see - this post will have a 'Part II'). For now, I'll share two videos with you I found very informative:
This is all for today. :)) Cosy, loving, you know... just nice things.
See you soon!
Hugs from the Fearless Frock!:)
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