Here is our fireplace at the moment. I removed Gorgeous Girls pink dolls' house from in front of the fire, so Father Christmas can get in on Christmas Eve (The dolls' house can go back after Christmas). Earlier this week I suddenly realised that I hadn't hung any stockings up, and after finding only one that I wanted to put on the fireplace, decided I needed to make a stocking for myself. I found this white one ...
..and was inspired by it. I gathered some fabric and other bits and pieces, then used the stocking as a template. 
I used white velvet fabric, and cream cotton fabric for the lining. The front is made up of a layer of velvet, covered by a pale grey organza. It's topped off with some cream taffeta, a piece of lace (that can't really be seen), and a froth of net. A pink sparkly dragonfly sits in the centre. I don't know why I choose to sew with such difficult fabrics as organza and velvet, as they are a nightmare to use. But I pinned it all in place and sewed slowly on the machine. I planned to have a scattering of ribbon roses on the stocking, but changed my mind. I was in a hand sewing mood, so spent much of the afternoon stitching tiny seed pearls and silver beads in a random loose snowflake design.
Mine has turned out smaller than the shop bought one, but I'm not bothered by that. The shape isn't perfect but I don't mind that either. I like it because it's unique and personal to me, but most of all, I am so pleased with myself for taking some time to do something for myself! 
I'm assuming that most of you reading this are the ones who put Christmas together in your home. While it's lovely to work to make Christmas wonderful for your family and friends, don't forget to make a little bit of time to do something for yourself too.