Here's to 2008!

Well, I have been fiendishly busy trying to get all my crafts finished for Christmas as well as work, so my blogging suffered. I gave a lot of hand-made items for Christmas this year:

1. One Skein Scarf for my cousin Sherry - funny story, I rolled it up in lace and put a candle on top to make it look like a cupcake...and that's what she thought she got, a weird yarn cupcake...guess I need to put a description of my feeble creative efforts for presentation!

2. Crocheted Short N Sweet Bolero in white for my mom.

3. Crocheted Spiderweb Cardigan in dusty rose for my DMIL.

4. Knitted Minimalist Cardigan in cornflower/dutch blue for my DSIL (alas, this one is still being seamed, just couldn't get it all done by Christmas - see below for excuses...)

5. Knitted Ribbed Wrist Warmers in Cocoa brown for my DD.

6. Crocheted Glove/Wrist Warmers in Red/Berry Malabrigo for my Niece #2.

7. Custom knitted socks in "former" school colors for my Niece #1.

8. Knitted BeSpoke Pillow for DS in his favorite Celtic Soccer team colors for his dorm room to match his afghan.

Asa's pillow was knitted in Plymouth Encore Worsted from the Interweave Knits Holiday Issue and I changed the middle initial to lower case as that is how he signs his first name. I think he really liked it and didn't think it was too geeky (since almost all crafts to my kids are geeky!)

I will post on some of these in more depth later.


As for my Christmas, it was really great, with the exception listed below. I got a ton of things I really wanted and evidently I was a VERY GOOD GIRL! I registared a Wish List at my LYS Yarntopia and my DH, are you ready??, got me everything on it!!! I was so thrilled. Wow! I got:

1. 3 skeins of spring green Baby Grand Alpaca, which I plan to make a Persephone Purse from Karen's Pattern

2. 2 skeins of Panda Silk sock yarn from which I hope to make YarnHarlot's Earl Grey socks

3. 2 skeins of red variegated Plymouth Happy Feet sock yarn that I haven't picked a pattern for yet.

4. 2 Addi Turbo circulars - I am currently learning how to do Magic Loop with 2 Circulars - more on that in a later post.

5. Bully Woolies Hat Kit so I can learn intarsia and dream of future grandbabies.

6. Louisa Harding's Venezia book where I hope to make LUNA soon.

7. Southern Goose's silk and window project bag in burgandy (not pictured) that I already have a sock project in.

Did he do good or what??!!?? When I showed my DD what I got she said "Oh MY Gosh, It's a NERD SURVIVAL KIT!!" Here is my little smart mouth with my DS and DSIL.



Another reason that my DSIL's sweater is not quite finished is my DH's Dad had to have a double amputation. He previously had heart surgery in May and had a pacemaker put in but complications from Diabetes had him in constant pain and fragile health. The surgeons tried every method to avoid the surgery but a week before Christmas decided to go ahead. We made a quick drive (lol - about 10 hours) with DS (here in Houston to spend a week with us on his college break), our black lab, and a zillion presents. We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies with everything stuffed in our car, including 3 laptops for work and school. The real blessing of the season is that my DFIL is doing fabulous and is so happy not to be in pain the loss of his feet and lower legs don't seem to be a big factor.
See him here with all the grandkids, my DSIL and my DMIL. He was supposed to be in the ReHab hospital for 4 weeks but is getting out this Thursday another blessing from all the prayers said for him.

Here's to a calmer and more healthy New Year!

PS - DH and I are ridiculously ill with some kind of virus. The doctor says it's "unreasonable" for me to expect to be well before 7 to 14 days or even consider going to work! I have been sick for 5 days and DH 6. I wonder what planet she is from and if I can vacation there???