Rockin around the Crafting Tree 🎄 Fran’s Festive Crafting Plans for December!

Let it sew, let it sew, let it snow!

Season’s greetings to each and every one of you! Can you believe it is already December? Here in the true spirit of the season, I’ve been reflecting on what an incredible journey 2025 has been. When I started this project back in January, my goal was simply to see where this crafting website would take me. Now, as the snow begins to settle and the holiday lights twinkle, I’m proud to say we’ve produced 98 videos! By the time we ring in the New Year, we’ll have surpassed the 100-video milestone, documenting every trial, tribulation, and triumph of the crafting world.

Grab a hot cup of cocoa (and maybe a butter tart or two!), and let’s walk through the festive highlights of my craft room.

🧸 November’s Menagerie: Sailor Bears and Christmas Bunnies

November was a whirlwind of creativity. I started the month by finishing off a darling Mini Sailor Bear. This little fellow was a true labour of love; the pattern came from Pinterest and wasn’t even in English! It just goes to show that with a bit of patience and a keen eye for diagrams, you can create something wonderful regardless of the language barrier.

After the bear, I found I didn’t quite have the room on my tree for more traditional ornaments, but I couldn’t stop crafting. While clearing out some old patterns, I fell in love with a bunny design and decided to give it a festive Canadian flair as a Christmas Bunny.

The Details: I used faux-fur “yo-yos” and delicate snowflake accents.
The Accessory: I even sewed a tiny Christmas tree out of two pieces of green felt, stuffed it firmly, and decorated it with snowflakes so the bunny would have his own little holiday corner.

Educational Insight: When you’re working with felt, remember that “doubling up” and using a blanket stitch not only adds durability but gives your project that classic, handmade heirloom look. It’s a fantastic way to use up those smaller scraps of fabric you’ve been saving in your stash!

📂 The Joy of an Organized Craft Room

One of the less glamorous but most essential parts of my November was tackling pattern storage. Over the last few months, I’ve been printing patterns from the computer and bookmarking books, but things were getting a bit cluttered and heavy.

I spent two full days cutting out every pattern I hadn’t yet prepared and filing them into dedicated folders. It was time-consuming, certainly, but it was during this “big clean” that I rediscovered the bunny pattern!

Pro-Tip: Never underestimate the power of a “pattern purge.” Organizing your workspace isn’t just about tidying; it’s about rediscovering inspiration that has been buried under a pile of paper.

🎁 The Gift of Learning: New Resources for Your Stash

As we look toward a new year of making, I’ve come across two wonderful resources that I simply had to share with you. If you’re looking to expand your skills or find your next big project, check these out:

Maison Couture (Facebook): This is a fantastic stop for those who love plush toys and designer doll clothing. Their patterns for bears and rabbits are incredibly interesting and high-quality. It’s a great place to find that “next level” project.
Daily Knitting Ideas (Facebook): I am particularly excited about this one for January! They offer patterns for tiny knitted animals—foxes, pigs, mice, and more.
- Why I love it: These projects are quite intricate. Working on such a small scale is a brilliant way to improve your knitting skills, which then makes knitting outfits for larger projects feel like a breeze!

🚂 Memories in the Making: Scrapbooking and Upcycling

In January, I wrote a list of “Top 10 Christmas Tips for Crafters,” and this month I’ve been putting them into practice.

1. Documenting the Journey

One of my favourite tips is to document your memories. While many prefer digital files or USB sticks, I’m still a fan of the traditional scrapbook. I’ve been documenting our family memories from 1978 (when my husband and I were married) all the way to the present. There is something so special about flipping through physical pages during the holidays.

2. The Art of the Upcycle

I also focused on recycling items around the house into festive decor.

The Heirloom Train: My son received a train set for his second Christmas from his grandfather. It had been sitting in boxes for decades! I finally gave it a festive makeover, and now it runs beautifully underneath our tree.
Zek’s Contribution: Even our dog, Zek, got involved! I took one of his old chew-toy trains (complete with a few teeth marks for character!) and turned it into a whimsical holiday decoration.

🧵 Looking Forward: A Bird-Themed December and Beyond

As we move through December, my theme is “Rockin’ around the Crafting Tree,” featuring my festive AI avatar that my son helped me create!

What’s on the Cutting Table:

Festive Tableware: I have a lovely fabric featuring birds that I’m planning to turn into a handmade placemat and napkin set. It’s a simple project that adds a lot of “pop” to a holiday table.
The January Project: I have a beautiful red-and-white fabric that I’ve decided to use to “keep Christmas alive” all through 2026. Each month, I’ll create a new piece for a table arrangement—like cutlery holders or centrepieces—using this specific fabric.

💌 Join the Conversation

Looking toward next year, I want to expand how we interact. I’m thinking of starting a twice-monthly Q&A session. You can email me your specific crafting “troubles,” and I’ll do the research to help you find a solution. Whether it’s a tricky stitch or a fabric choice, we can solve it together!

Crafting has been my sanctuary this year, especially while navigating some health challenges. It keeps the mind busy and the spirit bright. I am so grateful to have you all as part of this journey.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas, a happy holiday season, and a wonderful New Year filled with creativity! I’ll keep posting all through December, so stay tuned.