29 People, 25 Weeks, One Chaotic Christmas Plan

29 People, 25 Weeks, One Chaotic Christmas Plan

Christmas? In June? Yep. With a family of 29 people and a love of handmade gifts, Christmas planning starts way earlier than most people expect. In this episode, I’m sharing my Christmas gift-making plans, the projects already on my list, and why my real deadline isn’t Christmas Day—it’s Thanksgiving. From crocheted blankets and amigurumi to family portrait paintings inspired by silhouettes and The Aristocats, we’re diving into the chaos of creating meaningful gifts for a very large family while balancing writing, streaming, creative business goals, and everything else life throws my way. Topics in this episode: * Why I’m starting Christmas planning now * Handmade gifts for a family of 29 * Crochet projects, paintings, and gift ideas * The reality of managing holiday deadlines * Balancing creative projects, streaming, and gift-making * Future plans for Crochet 101 and book formatting services * Why handmade gifts are one of my favorite ways to show people I care Grab your yarn, a cup of coffee, and join me for some Christmas-in-June chaos. Links & Mentions Website/Hub of Chaos: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Newsletter/Blog: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/]BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social]YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-6k9DwsNAu5r02Akw2E7w/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-6k9DwsNAu5r02Akw2E7w/] Fiverr Book Formatting: https://www.fiverr.com/s/aklReyg [https://www.fiverr.com/s/aklReyg] Thanks for listening to Chaos with Kat! Don’t let the chaos take you. Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

2026 the Goals

This episode exists because I recorded my goals video six times and finally realized I was overthinking it. Instead of chasing perfectly polished “goals,” this is a conversation about intentions! What feels achievable, what needs to shift, and how I’m actually structuring my creative life in 2026. In this episode, I talk through: * Why I’m shifting from a “200 videos” goal to 200 live streams * What consistency actually looks like for me (spoiler: I’ve already streamed a lot) * My realistic video goals and what counts as a video * Bringing the podcast back and experimenting with formats * Monthly crochet content and a Crochet Basics video series * Making, selling, and gifting handmade work * Returning to art and sharing visual worldbuilding * Writing goals for Briar’s Hollow and Rise of the Blood Queen * How first-draft chapters will live on Substack and beyond * Hosting my own writing challenge: For the Love of Words… (February) This isn’t a “new year, new me” episode.It’s a “this is how I actually work, and this is what I’m aiming for” episode. If you’re a writer, a maker, or someone trying to build a creative life without burning out—welcome to the chaos. Kat LinksWebsite: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/]Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [https://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe]Patreon: https://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [https://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe]Newsletter/Blog: https://katleo.substack.com/ [https://katleo.substack.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/]BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social]YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-6k9DwsNAu5r02Akw2E7w/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-6k9DwsNAu5r02Akw2E7w/] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The August That Ate My Words

August didn’t go as planned. Between ulcerative colitis treatments, babysitting marathons, sore throats, puppy chaos, and homeschooling prep, my writing took a backseat. A reflection on messy months, missed goals, and living through the chaos. Want to follow me on socials? Links: Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe [https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe [https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe [https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe] Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/] Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [http://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Patreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [http://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Crochet Scrunchies & First Draft Victories

Last week was my second official week as a full-time creative. But also the same week as my family reunion. And crochet math. In this week’s episode of A Study in Chaos, Kat returns after a chaotic but cozy week of puppy-sitting, crochet projects, and family reunions. She reflects on week two of life as a full-time chaotic entity—celebrating the completion of Draft 1 of Briar’s Hollow and the Archive, talking secret cozy packet projects, and sharing a few accidental holiday celebrations (shoutout to Lammas!). There’s scrunchie-making, granny square madness, and an emotional moment with her great-aunt. As always, it’s messy, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. Come hang out, check in, and remember: don’t let the chaos take you. Want to follow me on socials? Links: Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe [https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe [https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe [https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe] Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/] Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [http://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Patreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [http://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Tracking Life & Art with Two Planners and Zero Chill

In this episode, I break down how I’m using my planners now that I’m a full-time creative. I talk about the two main planners I use, why I prefer physical planners over digital, and how I keep track of everything from my writing goals to daily health stuff. There are no visuals for this episode—it’s all about the real talk on planning and staying organized in the middle of chaos. 2025-2026 Teacher Planner, Lesson Planner 2025-2026, 8.5" x 11", Jul. 2025 - Jun. 2026, Colorful Monthly Tabs, Inner Pocket: https://amzn.to/3UnP5lh [https://amzn.to/3UnP5lh] Happy Planner Disney Disc-Bound 12-Month Jul. 2025–Jun. 2026 Planner, Classic Size, Vertical Layout, Jazz Cats: https://amzn.to/4m69ozB [https://amzn.to/4m69ozB] Links: Website: https://katschaoscafe.com/ [https://katschaoscafe.com/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe [https://linktr.ee/katschaoscafe] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe [https://www.twitch.tv/katschaoscafe] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe [https://www.youtube.com/@KatsChaosCafe] Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/katschaoscafe.bsky.social] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/ [https://www.instagram.com/katschaoscafe/] Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe [http://ko-fi.com/katschaoscafe] Patreon: patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe [http://patreon.com/KatsChaosCafe] Get full access to 🐈‍⬛Chaos Cafe🐈‍⬛ at katleo.substack.com/subscribe [https://katleo.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]