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Krissy of PonyBoy Press is just the best for many reasons, but I’m going to be specific about one: she has some really great ideas.

Krissy writes:

Every year I make a list of the people I am buying gifts for and I make a list of people I am sending Christmas cards to. Sometimes I record how much I have spent on people and sometimes I keep a record of Christmas cards I have received too. I also use the journal for any other Christmas lists including things I need to do, craft ideas for gifts, Christmas mix tapes, ideas for next Christmas and whatever else comes up.

Each year when I take it out I look through the previous years. I moved to Portland in June of 2000 and this journal starts that December. It is neat to see what I got people in the past. Most of those gifts I would have long forgotten, but I can be reminded each time I look through the journal. It is also neat to see the crafts I made or considered making.

I am definitely going to start one of these this year! When I’m picking a notebook/album for my purposes, I think I’ll make sure there’s space for saving some extra-special Christmas cards as well as space for making lots of lists. LISTS!

I feel fortunate that my family and social circle is not one where gift giving is laden with obligations and expectations. When it comes to my immediate family, my problem is that I have to rein myself in from buying too many gifts (I love getting gifts for people I love!). I always take joy in picking up small items to give as unexpected gifts to dear ones. Sunday’s craft sale provided plenty of inspiration in this regard.

My gift list is such that I only have a few people I’m “obligated” to buy for; the rest I can do as the spirit moves me (which, of course, it often does). I’m looking forward to recording all of this in my new Christmas journal!

Beforehand, I wondered if the below-normal temperatures would put any sort of damper on this year’s This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Craft Sale. I should have known the answer to that question. The answer is no. There were 500 people through the doors… in the first hour alone! And everyone’s $2 admission fee went to Art City. Win!

I have prepared this image for you. Click to see a larger version.

TAYGCS is held each year in the Park Theatre — an old movie theatre transformed into a concert venue, coffee shop and movie rental place. In between some of the rows of seats there are tables (back in the day when you could set your snacks on a flat surface in front of you rather than balancing them on your knees!), and vendors set up their wares there as well as on tables brought in for the occasion.

Last year was my first year at TAYGCS, and I made the mistake of thinking I could run my table alone. This year I brought help, and good thing, because it was even busier than last year! Also, having a helper meant I could browse the other vendors more. I bought a couple of gifts, but of course I indulged in items for myself, including this:

Manatee stuffie by marathon1981

I love manatees (they are so fat!), and Kami sold me a sweet ornament (actually, her husband Mike did).

Adding to the festive and fun atmosphere: Wanda June’s clutch of little girls, who would appear from beneath the rack displaying her wonderful handmade clothing. Also, Grumble Toy’s adorability was in full effect even with the absence of Ainsley, one half of its two person creative team. Still, Chris was there with his big smile and fantastic plush as well as his Japan-made, self-designed, hand-painted plastic toys!

Grumble Toy plush

Speaking of plush, a thrilling new discovery for me at this year’s sale was Jill Zurzolo. A maker of bags and handmade buttons (right up my alley, obvs!) she has recently ventured into doll-making, and the results are nothing short of wonderful.

Drew Bear by Jill Zurzolo

As I write this now, I’m kind of regretting not buying one of these rice-bag weighted dolls. She also makes girl-shaped and rabbit-shaped ones!

Last year’s sale was such a success, I couldn’t imagine anything topping it, but Roy, Dallas and Kylie continued the tradition with force, curating a diverse and fantastic combination of crafters. No wonder people flock to this sale — it’s solid gold in terms of content, and you’re guaranteed no sellers of Norwex or gourmet dips. (Don’t get me wrong: I love Norwex and dips are delicious, but they don’t belong at a “craft” sale.)

James Howard is (once again, after a year away pursuing a master’s degree) Winnipeg’s cleverest blogger, who brings a genuinely fresh view to civic matters at Slurpees and Murder.

His latest innovation is “Winnipeg Cat” — a macro-style image of a cat’s face in a colourblock background, adorned with text that describes or mocks some aspect of Winnipeg living.

(That reminds me — I need to make some vinarterta for Christmas this year.)

(That reminds me — I need to go to the Bay basement after work.)

That reminds me — Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? was a freakin’ awesome computer game to my ten-year-old self, and it was also an excellent TV program starring Lynne Thigpen and Rockapella.)

The exciting news is that Winnipeg Cat now has its own daily blog, and James will even be posting some reader submissions made with the Winnipeg Cat Generator.

Winnipeg Cat: “Canada’s only, and therefore best, civic meme!”

Last Friday my mom hosted a dinner party where half the guests were children under 12. For dessert, she made it interactive — and not just for the kids! She baked sugar cookies and got everyone to get wild with icing and candy.

Now that I think about it, it’s kind of her thing to throw parties with a craft-related activity. It really does make things more fun.

Here’s a sampling of the evening’s creative output. The kids overwhelmingly chose the large snowman cookies as opposed to the smaller teddy bear and gingerbread men .

Craft supplies from China

Order of zines from Learning to Leave a Paper Trail Distro

I highly recommend Paper Trail Distro for your zine ordering needs. Ciara runs a super tight operation, and all of her stock is high quality — she’s really picky about the zines she distributes. She’s also an excellent writer, and you can either buy her own zines or check out her new blog, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say, Come Sit Here by Me. She always amazes me with her wit and incisiveness.

It’s that time of year again! Winnipeg’s best and biggest indie craft sale is back for a fourth helping of excellent local creativity. This is a REAL craft sale — not the kind where you have all kinds of people selling Norwex and dip mixes  (not that there’s anything wrong with those things. They are useful and delicious, respectively. But they’re not crafts).

I will be tabling at this sale, with button jewelry, some plush stuff, knits, and some special holiday ornaments. I hope to see you there! This year’s sale will be the biggest ever, with more vendors and longer hours.

For more info on the sale and a complete list of vendors, visit thisaintyourgrandmascraftsale.blogspot.com.