“Merry” lettering by Shauna Lynn for OMHG

“I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into the holidays – let them overtake me unexpectedly – waking up some fine morning and suddenly saying to myself: ‘Why, this is Christmas Day!’” ~ ‪Ray Stannard Baker‬

Happy belated holiday wishes lovely friends, I hope your celebrations were filled with love, laughter, and so very much merry memory making!

Our family has been quietly resting up in our little pink Lunenburg house since winter set in with piles of snow and a lay off for Chris, making plans for the future and special memories together. After a difficult year we all needed to retreat,  let go of expectations have a simple, sweet season of birthdays, giving thanks and cherishing the people we love both off and online. There were no big parties or gifts or heaps of visitors but for our family there was handmade gifts, baking together, sledding adventures, crafting, and lazy morning reading in a big heap in bed. We left the phones off, computers closed, and our worries packed away to focus on giving our girls magical memories of home and handmade goodness. In the evenings, after the girls were in bed, for the last month I have pulled out all my art supplies to craft up little packages of love for the OMHG friends who have supported and strengthened me this year.

Being so honest publicly about the tough parts of this year along with the awesome opened up new depths of community and friendship-I have been humbled by the trust of everyone who shared their own unique stories with me in emails, letters, phone calls or in our amazing forums. In the forums and our chats we have welcomed babies, swapped gifts, had video parties and skill shares, sent each other letters, planned collaborations, launched projects and made life changing friendships. Thank you all for giving me the best and biggest gift anyone could wish for, this incredible community! If I could sprinkle fairy dust on everyone and grant just one wish for 2014 it would be that we have more time for making merry together all year round. If anything, this year has taught me that a loving community can make spirits bright even when our hearts are heaviest.

After this long break I am so excited to be getting back to regular posting and business here on January 2nd when we kick off our Project 2014 theme, (click here to learn more and submit). I’ve also got some big announcements early next month like updates on our letterpress collaboration and details on how to get involved in our 2014 Maker’s Retreat on Cortes Island October 17-22 in beautiful BC that is REALLY HAPPENING!

Before we leave 2013 behind with all its ups and downs and look forward to focusing on businessy goodness in the new year lets wrap up this one with a bow by sharing our celebration stories in the comments. Pop in below to tell us about how you made merry memories this year. How did you celebrate? Did you visit friends and family or have a quiet season? What was perfect about your holiday and what do you hope to do differently next year?

As for me, I am hoping to fill my days with “kindliness and humanity” and take my Christmas a little at a time throughout the year by spreading merriment here and at home!