Simple Fleece Scarf

I guess my body is not used to all the rest it had yesterday, so I was up until 2:30am working on my handmade Christmas list. Finally, one of the few presents I'm making that is not crocheted. Yay! I found this over at Make It and Love It. It was a lot of fun to make and really does involve "minimal sewing," which was good for me so late at night.

We both love it.

But it is a gift for one of her cousins.

It looks so cute on her though, there may be time for one more before the big day!

Just Have To Share The Goodness

When we were growing-up, my grandma had the best vintage snow village I've ever seen. Over the years, and after all the grandkids handling 'em, they began to fall apart. Sadly, I think I only have one of two saved...broken and all.

When I saw Alicia's snow village, I became so nostalgic. She has the most beautiful mantle and the photos of her village bring me so much joy.

I'm tempted to begin collecting houses and churches, but we really don't have the room to store them, they are so fragile, too...and well, there are just other things to focus on.

We'll just add that to the "To Do" list when we have our own house with a fireplace, someday.

( Photo courtesy of Alicia Paulsen.)

In the meantime, I found this awesome Cereal Box Tutorial posted by Bella Dia, one of my favorites. We have a never-ending supply of cereal boxes around here because in my opinion, they are a MUST HAVE for so many reasons...from gift-boxes and bags to journals, bookmarks and photo-albums...The possibilities are endless. I've already begun cutting ours out. I plan to paint them in those wonderful vintage Christmas candy colors and then sprinkle with glass glitter. Hopefully, I'll be sharing these soon.

(Photo by Bella Dia)

Healing and Still Joyful...

Thanks to my dear family and close friends, I made it through the surgery yesterday.

Painful, yes- but not unbearable. I think I had the best sleep ever on that table. I remember being cranky when the anesthesiologist woke me up from a lovely dream yelling, "Your done! Who's your favorite writer?!" Ugh..."I actually wracked my fuzzy brain and blurted out, "Shakespeare!" And then there were more questions about writers. Whaaaaa! I wanted to go back to sleep!

Thanks to our Loves, I came home to a refrigerator stocked with food for the next month (seriously), a delicious dinner followed by homemade Rice Krispie treats for dessert, and a sleepover with one of our favorite people.

Cub woke me up bright and early today and I'm a bit sore...but thought I'd drop in, say hello, and thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. Hopefully, this will be the last of my surgical episodes. Keep the good vibes headed this way!

This morning I discovered that Brooklyn's wonderful BAM is celebrating 40 years of Sesame Street next weekend with a fun film festival. There were so many to choose from, but we finally decided on, "A Special Sesame Street Christmas" in keeping with the holiday spirit. Kristin and Kat, how I wish you and your girls could join us.

Peace and Blessings, Everyone.
Enjoy the weekend.

Joy

With the help of some dear friends, our tree is now standing proudly in my favorite spot of the apartment. We are so happy to see our artificial "Charlie Brown" tree and all the ornaments that are each so special in their own way. My girl was in her glory, singing, dancing, and decorating the entire tree. Our modest tree is now adorable. I am so happy to know my girl has inherited the "Ecstatic for Christmas" genes of her Great-Grandma (and Mama's) family. She is into is with her entire heart and soul and it is beautiful. I am so blessed to be able to spend these sweet days with my dear child. God is good!

And although I've been under the weather and am preparing for surgery tomorrow--I won't let anything keep me from my Christmas-elf crafting. This year, we are on a bit of a budget-so this is my gift for extended family and friends. My new favorite washcloth (crochet pattern here). It's so pretty and delicate with its ruffled edging. Each one will be wrapped around a bar of our favorite Ayurvedic soap and wrapped with pretty ribbon.
I just hope they can all dig the "hippiness!"
This year, I am only purchasing a handful of gifts. Everything else has been made with my two hands. It gives me the upmost joy to be able to make something for a loved one; knowing they will wear or use something I made especially for them.
Nothing too extravagant, but made with love just the same.

PS: Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers the next few days. I'm not great with hospitals and things like that. Thanks, Sweet Friends. xo

Me & She: What We've Been Up To

If all goes as planned, it will be a very simple and almost totally handmade holiday. Of course, there are always the unforseen circumstances that will not allow this single mama to crochet and craft every night from now until Christmas! But I'm hoping for the best.

This weekend, I stocked-up on some lovely yarn that will be turned mostly into scarves and wrist-warmers for family and friends. That seems to be my theme this year.

I am loving the look of this Homespun yarn by Lion brand, even if it is a bit fussy to work with. I think my friend is going to like her new skinny scarf. I'm finishing it up with some brown fun-fur yarn, too...Very "her."

Here are my first pair of wrist-warmers. I found this super easy pattern, but it took a little longer than I wanted to spend. Luckily, I found a shorter version. These look cute cuffed at the end, if you don't want to wear them long. Almost all the girlies I'm crocheting these for are getting them in black, which I think is a good choice. I will also use a smaller hook and some softer yarn. Cub says I look like I have "monster hands" when I wear these. But of course, she wants her own pair, "in pink and purple." Thankfully, she still has small hands. They should be fun to make, anyway.
She has been very busy caring for her "new" pets. I'm astounded at how much time she takes caring for these two. Baths, dinner, toys, bones, bedtime stories, the works.
I have always been touched by how she loves and cares for all her beloved dollies and stuffed friends. How I wish I wasn't allergic so she could have a real pet of her own!
Maybe a fish isn't such a bad idea after all. I wish I wasn't so creeped out by them.


...And this proud mama just had to share what I woke-up to the other morning. Cub playing school with her friends and name-tagged them, too. I think phonetically, she did really well!
Meet: Peanut Butter, Wally, and Sophia!

Hope everyone is happy, healthy, and peaceful.

Finally Inspired!

Well, I am finally emerging feeling stronger and more content than I have in a long time.

It's nice to feel inspired, too. First and foremost, I have my beautiful crafty-genius friend Jenn to thank. She has provided the necessary spark I needed to begin thinking about holiday crafting. Until she mentioned it, it wasn't even a blip on my radar. As always, her enthusiasm and overall attitude toward life and art are contagious...and so I crocheted a scarf and a simple pair of wrist warmers this weekend. I even started a hexagon afghan for my Cub, who put in her request immediately after seeing the one I completed for her future cousin.

Now, ideas seem to be sprouting up everywhere. This is one I particularly love and I am in love with the idea of pendants made with spoons and power tools. Awesome.

SPOON PENDANT BY JEAN

Gratitude

Yes, it has been over two months since my last post here. What can I say?

"Life" did get in the way and I guess I needed to give myself some breaks.

My energies were needed elsewhere, I suppose.

Anyway, I'm back for now. I thought I would share the progress I've been making on my very first afghan blanket. This hexagon pattern has been very therapeutic and meditative.

Now that I have the hang of it, I've been able to relax and enjoy it. I need 42 hexagons in total and I think I'm up to 27...not bad! This is for my daughter's first cousin, a baby girl who will arrive in December.

Just a little list of things I am thankful for:

My little Cub who keeps me going every day with her love and hugs.

The support of good friends, everywhere. Thanks for not giving up on me!

Family.

The changing of the seasons, finally. Goodbye, Summer- you were a tough one this year.

My challenging and wonderful job. My sweet co-workers and students, too!

A renewed sense of what is really important in my life.

This time, I will try not to forget, Universe. I promise!

Simple moments of peace and joy.

The books and music that are inspiring and healing my soul.

Love and blessings to you all. I have missed this little place.

xoxo