Hat's Off

I stumbled upon this tutorial a couple weeks ago and thought it would be perfect for the girls for Christmas.  I already had one of these started for one of the boys and plans for another for the other. Both sets of hats were quick to put together and the kiddos will love them. The granny hat was really fast and I was able to put both together in about 4-hours. I can see doing these for last minute gifts in the fututre. I just have to make the cording for the boys' hats and then all will be ready to go into stockings Friday night.

Cables

I was inspired by the pillows/cushions on this blog and gave her directions a try. I love the way it turned and am looking at making a few more for other areas of the house.

Topsy Turvy

What an amazing expression of love my girls received today from their Nanny (grandma). My mum worked all year despite the arthritic pain in her hands to make these 2 absolutely amazing topsy turvy cinderella dolls for my girls. For those not familiar with topsy turvy dolls, when you hold these particular ones one way they are  cinderella in her "rags" dress. Turn her upside down, pull the dress down and it is cinderella in her ball gown. They are about 15-inches or so and just amazing. You would never know that mum has such terrible pain in her hands looking at the beautiful quality of her work. She always says she does not do a very good job on the things she makes, boy is she wrong. These dolls will be a treasure that can hopefully be passed on to the next generation.

I had fun watching S playing with "Rags" cinderella tonight pretending that she was scrubbing the floors. Mum even personalized each doll by putting the girls' name on their cinderella's dance card.

A New Obsession

I've started out the new year with a new obsession. A kind woman from church gave me a bag full of yarn about a month ago and I was thrilled with all the possible projects that came to mind. Then I discovered 5 skeins of sock yarn. My mother taught me to kint at about age 11 or so but I have always preferred crocheting. Then I made my husband these wristlets for Christmas and I started to like knitting. After making another pair of wristlets for a neice I decided I was ready to try my hand at making socks. Boy am I hooked! I made these for Sarah using a random skein of yarn from "the bag" as a practice run and I love them, as does Sarah, the new proud owner. The boys and Ivy are now clammoring for a pair of their own and so I think it is time to bring out the sock yarn and give it a try. From the remaining yarn from Sarah's socks I had a go at a scarf pattern a friend shared and made this for Ivy. When I went to take a photo of her modeling it I found her like this and so Sarah became my model. Isn't she CUTE!

Those Mitts

I stumbled upon this blog a couple weeks ago while hunting around for ideas for Christmas gifts and immediately knew that I had to give Leslie's tutorial for the mitts a try as a stocking stuffer for my husband. Now if you know me, you know that knitting is not my favorite hobby. Give me a crochet hook or sewing needle any day. But in starting and completing this project over the weekend I may just be converted to enjoying knitting. That and both of the boys are quite enamored with them and have been asking nonstop for a set of their own. With homeschooling them, doing them in secret will be a bit of a challenge. This pattern is pretty quick to do though even for a non-knitter such as myself and I found that I actually enjoyed doing it. So a big thank you to Leslie for sharing her talents and the pattern.