half way there

I bought myself a little time...I got the first 12 stockings done. They look a little silly on only one half of the window, but I know myself. Non-centered stockings will drive me crazy and motivate me to finish the rest. Sydney is very excited about them, which also makes me excited to complete the project.

Now that Thanksgiving is over I feel the need to kick it into high gear with Christmas festivities. I think the advent activities will be good for all of us to relax and remember what the season is really about.

Happy December!

progress

I'm thinking somewhere around this time (2 years ago) I started making miniature felt stockings to use as an advent calendar/garland. And to give myself credit, the stockings have been made for about that long. But they required numbers embroidered on them before they could really be used (why oh why do we do this to ourselves?) It is now my goal to have these ready to go for the 1st of December! I made a list of activities to put in them, and I will add some sort of little presents to fill out the rest of the days. Just in case anyway else out there is procrastinating I thought I would share what I came up with so far. Most of them are pretty obvious, but sometimes it helps to have a starting place. (Hopefully next week I will have pictures to share!)

Drive around and look at Christmas lights.
Have hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
Wrap a Christmas gift for someone special.
Give to someone we don't know.
Make Christmas cookies.
Make a Christmas gift for someone special.
Make a Christmas CD and sing to it all day.
Watch a Christmas movie as a family.
Read 5 Christmas books as a family.
Make garland for the Christmas tree.
Eat supper with only the lights from the Christmas tree on.
Decorate your bedroom for Christmas.
Write a list of the things you are thankful for this Christmas.
Make Christmas cards and mail them.
Play a game as a family.
Invite friends over for supper.
Read the Christmas story as a family.

And please, don't wait until you have the most beautiful advent calendar to start the tradition like I did. Grab some paper bags and a sharpie and do it already. I'm pretty sure the memories will last longer than the embroidered stockings.

confessions of a craft geek

Okay, so here's my confession. I'm hooked on Project Runway. I watch it hiding away in my craft room because no one else in my house will watch it with me. The designers work on their projects and I work on mine like we are all in the same room. (Hope I don't catch that nasty virus Carol Hannah had!) And honestly, I get so much done! For some reason Lifetime feels the needs to have 4 hours straight of the same 2 shows over and over and for some reason I feel the need to watch all 4 hours. Here's what I accomplished tonight! Three more checks marks on the Christmas to do list!

close knit

I've been knitting pretty much constantly lately. Thanks in part to this.

Close Knit is a knitting and crocheting group that my sister and I started at our church. We wanted a fun, relaxing place to meet people in our church and knit with them or teach them how to knit. (And yes, a logo was very necessary!) We have had a blast! We've been meeting weekly for about a month now and have been surprised and blessed by how much interest we've had in the group. We are focusing our knitting efforts on items to donate to a local homeless shelter. This is one of my contributions.

A scarf/neck warmer with coordinating hat.

Not only are we knitting for a good cause, but I'm cleaning out my yarn stash too!

I want you all to know that starting a group like this is completely out of my comfort zone. Meeting new people and leading a group are not exactly my strong points. But it's amazing what you can accomplish when you use your passion in a way that can help others. God has strengthened my confidence and stretched me as a person and I am very thankful for this opportunity. I'm not telling you this for a pat on the back, but to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, try something new, volunteer. You'll never regret it.

enjoying the season

Hope you are doing the same.

ready to go...

I've got my knitting all packed up for our trip to the funeral. I could probably be gone for 2 months and not knit all that yarn...but you just never know!

A couple things that have caught my eye recently:

Why not to sew your kid's costume (yes NOT!) Personally I'm looking for any excuse I can find!

Transferring images from your inkjet printer to wood. Using supplies you already have on hand. Seriously. Haven't tried it yet, but my brain is spinning a little from the possibilities.

Hope you have a great weekend!

In Loving Memory

Great Aunt Nellie

August 12, 1909 - October 12, 2009

A very special lady who will be greatly missed. We love you Nellie!