Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Blog Hopping



I'm blog hopping with Jessica's Coupons this week. I'm actually excited about checking out some new blogs...what better way to find some new inspiration than to find a new pool of blogs to read!

Hope you all had a great Christmas!  I hope to be back to blogging a bit more next week.

Happy New Year Ya'll!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Quick Knit Ornament

I promised the other day that I would share the pattern for the sweater ornament with you....Here it is:

Cast on 13 stitches
Work 3 rows of K1P1 rib
Work Stockinet stitch (starting with a knit row) for 9 rows
Knit 13, Cast on 10
Purl 23, Cast on 10
Work in Stockinet stitch 3 rows
Purl 13sts, Cast Off 7, Purl 13
Knit 13, Cast on 7, Knit 13
Work Stockinet st 3 rows
Cast off 10, knit to end
cast off 10, purl to end
work 10 rows Stockinet St
Work 3 rows of K1P1 rib
Cast off

Using a contrast yarn, and long stitches, add initial to front of sweater
Fold sweater in half, with intial on the inside and sew up the sides and sleeves
Turn right side out, add a hanger (I would just use a loop of yarn) and you're done!

You may have noticed that I didn't give you a yarn or needle size....that's because you can really use any size yarn. For the example I used Cascade 220 and size 6 needles. I have also done with with Homespun (Lion Brand) and size 8 needles....the size yarn and needles you use will determine the size of your finished sweater. I think using some scrap sock yarn would make REALLY cute little sweaters.

I can finish one of these in about an hour so there really is still time to get some done before Christmas.

If you run into any trouble with this pattern, please let me know so I can correct it. Also, I'd love to see any mini sweaters you knit up.







Friday, December 17, 2010

North to Alaska!

YAY!! The bulk of my Christmas crafting/shopping is done and on it's way to our Alaska family. It's always such a relief when I get that Christmas box mailed out. All I have left to do is 17 stuffed owls, 5 wreaths, 1 set of placemats, and another market skirt...did I mention making chocolate covered pretzels, turtles, baking cookies, the church Christmas program, one shopping day with a good friend and getting ready for Christmas dinner? I think I can handle it!

Hope you're all making lots of progress on your to-do lists too.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Only 10 More Days

It hit me today....we only have 10 days till Christmas!!! EEEEEKKKK!  So much to do!! After I had a mini-meltdown (ok...maybe a little more than "mini") I got to work and got quite a bit accomplished. As usual there are things I can't show you...but here are the ones that I can:

I made a couple of great t-shirts for some young boys...I'm pretty impressed with myself on these. I looked at monsters online and then just started doodling. I had probably a hundred to choose from so both the boys get the same little blockheaded monster - they live so far apart they won't run into each other at a party so I think I'm safe

This one still needs to be stitched down, but it's all fused

Here is one that's finished....SO cute!!


I also made a market skirt from this tutorial over at MADE. If you haven't checked out her blog, you really should...Dana has some amazing stuff going on.
This skirt is actually WAY cuter in person!
This skirt was SO simple! It went together really quick and is going to be perfect for the girly little girl getting it for Christmas. I was going to put pockets on it, but I ran out of time....this and one of the monster shirts had to be delivered last week....oh well, pockets will appear on a project soon.



I made these boxes for one the projects that I can't show you....I just couldn't find anything else to fit it (them) so I made my own. I found the directions over at Not So Idle Hands. It took a bit of trial and error to get the measurements just right. I never thought I'd make my own gift boxes, but I think it was worth it!



I've also been working on knit sweater ornaments. I have to trouble shoot the pattern a little more, but I'll try to have it posted in the next couple days. Honestly, I wrote the pattern and knit the first one in just a couple hours, so there is still time to get a couple done for last minute Christmas gifts.
This one is for my secret santa at work....if you know her shhhhhh!!

A little side note:  The cat has found a new napping spot...on my basket of fabric. If you get something from me and find a hair or 2 I'm sorry....just think of it as Bonnie saying hello.
I promise Bonnie is still just a kitten....but she looks awfully big laying there

I joined these parties....check them out for some great ideas.


Friday, December 3, 2010

More Christmas Crafting

I'm reluctant to even call this a craft, but it's my favorite new Christmas decoration....and I kinda made it.




Sorry the picture is sideways....just turn your head to the side and it looks right. I don't know what the problem is I just can't get it turned upright - sorry. Anyway, all I did to make this totally awesome tree was pick up a felt cut out tree from the Dollar Tree (greatest store ever!!) and use a little glue (I used my scrapbooking roller tape) then stuck it onto a tall glass candle holder - if you don't already have one they sell them at Dollar Tree. Eek!!! I LOVE this...it looks great on our entertainment center.



These are a couple of the owls that I'm making for all the kids in the family....I love these guys....I think they are SUPER cute! I might even have to make a couple for myself.
On the stuffed animal front, I also made this snake for my super cute little nephew. I know, I know it's not sewn up yet in this picture....as my Grandma would say "it's all done but finishing"


These are the start of a couple other gifts that I have started....of course these are ones that I can't really give any details about since they are for people who might be checking in here.


Hope your Christmas crafting is going well....As of tomorrow we have 3 weeks to finish, wrap and deliver all our crafty gifts.



You can find this posted linked at

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Shutterfly Christmas Collection

Shutterfly has revealed their holiday cards for 2010 and I'm excited! There are a lot of fabulous designs this year. We normally don't send out photo cards, but I've decided that we need to. Heck, if you know me very well, you probably know that I have great intentions to send cards every year, but they don't always make it to the mail. That's going to change this year....seriously.....I've been working less on planning and more on follow through.

Also, I've decided that there is no reason to not send updated photos to people just because we don't have kids....I hope people care about us too.

Anyway, here is the design I think we're going to use:

Of course that isn't Brad and I....but I don't want to ruin it for everyone.

If you're in the market for Christmas cards you really should check out Shutterfly. They also have some great gift ideas including calendars and canvas wall art. If you want great personalized items be sure to stop by their website and look around....I'm sure you'll find something you like.

PS - If you have a blog you can go through this link, make a post on your blog about Shutterfly and get a code for 50 free Christmas cards.

OH....one more bonus.....if you're a member of Upromise, you get 8% of your Shutterfly purchases back!! Love it!