Christmas Eve. I hope that whether you are sewing, traveling, cooking or not celebrating the holiday at all that you are getting to spend treasured time with your family. I thought I’d share with you a little poem I wrote, adapted from Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. This is Twas the Night Before Christmas, sewing style.
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
My children were sleeping, and so was my spouse
The handmade stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
But I was not all snug in my bed
I had visions of just a few more sewn gifts in my head
A pouch for my neighbor, a cowl for my sister
A headband for my niece and a shirt for my mister
I sat in the dark stitching merrily along,
Sipping some cocoa and humming a Christmas song
When out of my machine arose such a clatter
I took my foot off the pedal to see what was the matter
The bobbin was wound with no threads astray
The needle was new, the tension okay
There was not a stray pin to be found
But still, the machine was making a sound!
“Oh dear,” I thought, as I searched desperately,
“I must find the problem to get these gifts under the tree!”
I searched and searched, finding nothing amiss
About to cry I heard a soft, “Tsk, tsk.”
And what to my wondering eyes did appear?
But Santa himself and on the lawn eight reindeer.
He had a knowing twinkle in his eye,
“There, there,” he said, “There’s no need to cry.”
“My dear,” he said, “Whatever is the matter?”
“Oh Santa,” I said, “I can’t find the source of this clatter!
The presents won’t be finished – you’re already here!
I really need to start sooner next year!”
And the wise old elf patted my arm
Saying, “There’s no need for alarm.
This would have happened no matter when you started
It’s a result of being very big hearted.
“The gifts of handmade are not just for December
You share your crafts all year, remember?
Your loved ones know they are loved a heap
Now please call it good enough and go to sleep.”
I nodded at Santa and the wisdom he said
Turned off the machine and headed to bed.
But when I awoke in the morning, what did I see?
All the unfinished gifts had appeared under the tree!
And in a box addressed to me,
Inside this note did I see
“My elves your projects completed
For they did not want you to feel defeated.
But I hope you recall and I hope you know
That all year every stitch that you sew
Clothes and comforts your family and friends
With the labor of love that it sends.
Sewing is not just for Christmas, as well you know
Sharing your talents is what makes love grow
So Merry Christmas to all, and a happy new year
Of sewing and crafting and spreading good cheer!
I’l be taking a few days off to spend time with my family and friends. I wish all of you a blessed holiday season, and thank you all for the blessings you share with me just be reading this blog.
Renee
Aw, so sweet – and SO true. I have last minute gifts to sew for the cats and feel a little crazy for it. (the kids expect new cat toys from santa)
Anne
You wrote that for me, didn’t you? I’ve got today to finish up my daughter’s Christmas dress and then make two presents for family. This all seemed totally doable last week!! Better get off the computer and into the sewing room!! I’ve linked to your post over at Craft Gossip:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/mellys-night-before-christmas-sewing-style/2013/12/24/
–Anne
EmSewCrazy
What a great reminder. Thanks for sharing this neat poem. Merry Christmas!
Rebecca H.
Great poem! Though I do wish the Christmas elves would come visit me! 😉
Merry Christmas!
Andrea
Ha! This is awesome. Merry Christmas!
Michelle
Oh I love this.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
~Michelle
emilia
Talent at so many levels…. great job Melissa.
Ally & Woozle
Merry Christmas Melissa and thank you for sharing this.
Ally
irene martinez
Melly, Merry Christmas to you and family. Thank you for sharing your tips, tutorials, and sewing skills throughout the year.
And I, too, was finishing up my son’s Rock Guitar quilt, yesterday….
Blessings to you during the holidays…
Tori
I love this! I am notorious for having to finish projects up on Christmas Eve, so I can definitely relate 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Karen
You are so talented! I love your Christmas Poem and am going to print it out to remind myself next year! Thank you for the smiles today!
Linda Lee Steaples
Awe Melly that’s so sweet thanks & WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!! Xoxo Linda Lee
pennyfp
Uhm, does that mean I shouldn’t start the quilt for hubs tonight??!! 😉
You are awesome! This is so cute and fun and true!! Thank you for sharing so much of YOU with us throughout the year. Your blog is a “gift” to us 365 days a year!!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and may 2017 be filled with dreams come true for you!
Dara
Thanks for all your wonderful and funny posts through out the year! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!