Vacation's End

Christmas break was extremely busy at our house. From work (my husband worked Christmas Eve and Boxing Day) to travel to relatives visiting, I would say our break was not as relaxing as I would've hoped. Not being relaxing doesn't also mean unenjoyable though. Probably too enjoyable, as I got very little school planning done-- but live and learn!

Sister in law brought Jamberry nails for us to try- I'm not sold, but it was fun. 

And JT got to hang with cousins! :-) 

I give semester exams in a week and a half. Then we'll be on the trek to the school year's end. Seems odd, but exciting at the same time.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Yarn-Along

It's been a while since I properly shared with Ginny's yarn-along, as work and baby have kept me busy. Oddly enough, I don't have any pictures of finished gifts. They were finished just under the wire, and gifted to my family out of town.

because I need more cosy blankets

My mom and sister have a tendency to pick up Lion Brand Homespun for me, for my craft show projects. So although I just started my 2015 Stashdown-- with the Knit Picks (and more!) Stashdown group - 6000 g net loss by Dec 2015-- I got a few **cough**8**cough** new skeins of yarn. To counter the yarn gain, I started another Rectangular Sampler Blanket. This pattern is great in any weight yarn- for the homespun, I just take out the bobble rows and do more granny rows. Also, since this is a bulky weight yarn, I may do fewer rows-- or just keep going for an adult sized blanket. 

My little one is getting so big!

My little bundle of love is four months old now, and loves chewing on things, wiggling, and standing. He's not crawling yet, but with the way he's moving, we expect it soon. I still have a few WIPs for him, but hopefully will get them finished before he gets too big.

Linking with Ginny!

Busy Elf

I said the painting would return. I got inspired Sunday night, and put my inspiration into action during JT's afternoon nap yesterday. Last year, I received as part of a gift exchange a multi-media Christmas canvas- "O Tannebaum" would probably be the theme- and I was really struck by its beauty and simplicity. As mentioned before, Michael's had canvas on sale- plus I had a few that I had snagged from my little sister- so all my supplies were on hand. These are planned as gifts, though still incomplete at the moment. All of them will have some form of crocheted embellishment added plus maybe some paper or fabric. 

in need of some pink hearts

I may add more yarn to this one

in need of a border to create balance

Painting hasn't been my only adventure since Christmas break started. I've been struggling to finish some blankets, and the first one is nearly done. There are a few ends left to sew, and the possibility of a bigger border, but the largest part is complete. The pattern is Sunny Spread, and is quite enjoyable. Full notes on my Ravelry page. I really hope it will be received with as much love as it was made with.

a sunny snuggly lap blanket

The next few days are going to be extremely busy, with lots of traveling. E is working Christmas Eve, and the day after Christmas, but we will be able to attend Mass as a family on Christmas Day before adventuring to my parents' for celebrating with my family. JT and I will be celebrating with my aunts on Friday, and Saturday all three of us will celebrate with JT's godparents. Sunday will be a busy day with all of my husband's family in town. I love having a season of celebrating, though it sometimes can be a struggle to remember to slow down, too. I'll get reminders of that, I'm sure. 

JT's favorite snack: his hands

If I don't get back before Christmas, I want to wish everyone a safe and blessed holiday. Thank you for you love and support and encouragement this year- it has meant so much to me!!

Love, 

Mary

Cutting it Close

Christmas gifts for this year are still in progress. I was swamped with a few custom orders right at the end of November, and was struggling to find time to crochet for me.

I'm getting close to catching up now. 

The painting's a new thing. I thought I would try my hand at another artistic outlet, and while it's not Picasso or anything, I'm mostly content. Bob Ross was great inspiration. 

Michael's had a great sale on canvas yesterday, so a few more things will pop up here over the next few weeks, I'm sure. 

Christmas Crochet Giveaway

Robin's hosting this giveaway at her blog- you should check it out! It's Edie Eckman's Christmas book, and Robin's added a few things of her own to the mix! Only 4 more days left to enter!

End of the Season

Weather's getting colder, and the craft show season is over for me. Last weekend, I went to my last show for the year. I'm scoping out a few more, to see if I can add a few closer to home (as I'm still going back to my parents' town for the others).

I am hoping to move stock, so I can have more new product next year-- check it out-- Mary's Crocheted Creations! My hats are posted right now, but I'm hoping to get my scarves up soon.

Since I'm back to teaching, I really have only been able to restock between craft shows. These are my only real FOs in the past few weeks.

Baby Monster

Baby Owl

Baby Snowman

A Blanket

A giant hook and super bulky yarn make a blanket come together rather quickly.

It's a rather large granny square, with modified corners to give it a more substantial weight. Lion Brand Homepsun yarn is a bit finicky to work with, but makes beautiful cozy home items. This blanket will most likely become a Christmas gift, but I'm still debating about adding more yarn. It is finished for now, hence my sharing it. I love how cozy it is!

The granny square style is also perfect for little ones, because the holes give them something to grab. 

My photo doesn't do the colors justice. The darker color is a rich purple-blue, with flecks of teal, and the lighter color is white with blue, purple, and green alternating. 

Infographic- Christmas Gift Making 4KCBWDAY3

Day 3- Make an Infographic

In my student teaching, we were asked to make graphs to assess the improvement of our students' knowledge over a unit of material within our subject area. So I had bar graphs on the brain as I prepared for this KCBW challenge.

My motivation to finish Christmas gifts, and how productive I actually am

With lots of extra time in my last week of student teaching, I prepared this graphic to show my motivation versus my productivity throughout the yarn in regards to making Christmas gifts. As you can see, motivation and productivity is high in January, as "I don't want to repeat last year", and it slows down come spring, with a "Christmas in July" peak in motivation (though not necessarily in productivity), a productivity increase during craft show season, and finally in December "lots of motivation, but so flippin' busy".

I had a lot of fun coming up with an idea for this challenge, and I hope you enjoyed viewing my infographic.
 

Finishes

This week, my finishes are all small, as I have been reluctant to start on any big projects when I already have several looming.
As a gift for my mom's friend who is getting married tomorrow, I made a pillow.

Front

Back

On Christmas Eve, the Jesse Tree was also finished.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus at the top

O Antiphons

I finished crocheting a "scarflette" (basically a short scarf) on Christmas Eve before Vigil Mass. This one is short out of necessity, as I ran out of yarn. But it drapes well, and I might hunt for a matching button. (The yarn is KnitPicks Felici in Tyrian Purple)

More infinity scarves were finished-- but a super boring finish, because I make these all the time.

Yesterday I finished making my Terribly Simple scarf, which was indeed simple. However, the endless rows of boring knitting got to me, and I cut it short because I wanted my needles free in case of another project.

It was lovely spending Christmas with the family. Here is my fiance, helping cook the bacon:

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas, and wishing all of you a safe New Year!!

Linking up with Tami's FO Friday!

Waiting in Anticipation

Two days before Christmas. The hustle and bustle of last minute gift wrapping, cookie baking, and making sure everything is just right.

Preparing for the birth of a Savior. Our Jesse Tree gets one last ornament tomorrow on Christmas Eve.

This will be the first year my fiance properly spends Christmas with my family, and I'm looking forward to it. Christmas Vigil Mass, and Christmas morning at my parents' house.

Being surrounded by the love of my family on Christmas is definitely the best.

I hope you all are surrounded by love this Christmas.

Merry Christmas, and blessings for the New Year.

Done and Done!

No pictures today, because I'm at work, but I wanted to share my joy with everyone!!

I am officially (minus end-weaving) finished making all the Christmas gifts!!! Yesterday I finished off the last infinity scarf for one of my good friends, and this morning, I started and finished the second fingerless mitt for my aunt!

Anything I make after this is just an added bonus-- I can think of at least 2 projects that would be nice to have done by Christmas, but are not necessary to have done.

E and I are spending Christmas with my family, and New Year's with his, so I'll be busy this coming week. Christmas Blessings to you and yours!!

(Linking up with Tami!)

Pinspiration

My cousin T has totally inspired me to actually use Pinterest, as she is doing a totally hand-made Christmas this year. I think that is super awesome, and I want to do the same next year.

My first Pinterest project was based on this idea which used pipe insulation as a wreath base. I purchased several packages of pre-cut insulation, unlike the original poster. Each package came with 4 pieces, and they are cut in 3 foot lengths, which works well for me. I've made several wreaths using this method, and I like it.

Number Two came from my cousin, who made this cool project for my mom, who has used it at numerous parties this summer. I bought Christmas-y dishes on Monday when out with my mom, and while they will probably stay apart for now, I'm hoping to assemble them by next year.

The third project comes from a need for a better craft show display. Using items I already have on hand, I will be making this "bow holder" for my flower hair clips for next year's craft shows.

I'm actually in the process of making 2 more wreaths for Christmas gifts, as the greatest inspiration comes to me in the shower, and I realized I had the perfect yarn to make some holiday wreaths.

My post is up late(r) today because I spent the morning working on two of the above projects. Both of these projects are under $10, as long as you have the supplies on hand.

For the wreaths, I used masking tape and hot glue to hold the ends together (A Note on the hot glue-- it melts the pipe insulation, but provides enough of a bond to hold the ends together while I taped).

Wreath in foreground, frame in background

For the picture frame, I used acrylic paint, not because there was no spray paint in my house, but because Michigan weather in the winter does not agree with the spray paint requirements of "between 50 and 90 degrees".  And I am impatient. Luckily, I have 2 artist (in the traditional sense) siblings, so paint and brushes are common in our house too. It helped that I did the wreath forms first, because then I switched to the frame, but then back again to the wreaths while the paint dried.

Even though I am in the midst of several projects, I always feel the need to start one more. I've had this beautiful skein of Fyberspates yarn in my stash since June, and I know what it wants to be. But with all my other projects, ones that really need to be finished, I can't really ball this yarn yet. Soon though, really soon.

Linking with Tami and Ginny for WIPW & Yarn-Along 

An Update from the Weekend

An increase in my stash occurred this weekend. It wasn't anything terribly excited, just more Homespun yarn for the infinity scarves I sell at craft shows. But, it was an incredible sale, and a few colors that I haven't used before.

Being on vacation from school for 2 weeks is nice, as I am able to finish up Christmas gifts and mix in a few "work" crochet projects too. I've also been cleaning, and managed to get rid of a large bag of stuff, just because it was NOT going to get used, and I did not want to move it into another space in 8 months time. Lots of stuff is disappearing due to that reasoning, and E totally supports it. However, he did come to the conclusion this weekend that I actually don't have as much stuff as I think I do.

Speaking of this weekend, E was here for the day on Saturday. We got our Christmas tree (with my parents), and then ran some Christmas and wedding errands. My mom wanted some sugar cookies decorated, so we helped with that too. We tackled more books after that, and I have regained some of my closet space. He took a large box home with him (we are planning on living in his hometown) and I took two bags to the library.

                                            

Sunday after Mass, I cooked some breakfast before heading down to my cousin's for the day. Her two girls are going to be the flower girls in my wedding, and we wanted to try on dresses. David's Bridal adventure! (Looking at dresses was marred by my frustration in searching for the perfect shoe. They advertise a nice pair online, but apparently are discontinuing it. What I can't understand is why they don't make a comfortable, attractive shoe with proper support. Oh well. Rant over) 

The darker blue is the color I am using

On the chance that we might find something cheaper  else at the mall, we spent a bit of there too. Nothing at all. Actually, we found this dress at Justice, but the color combo was just slightly wrong (we needed a blue base, not a pink base)

Monday, Mom & I ran errands, and then I wrapped gifts. The tree was put up, and some decorating has occurred.

Wednesday!

Wednesdays are fabulous days, especially when my semester is OVER!! It's been a really stressful semester, but it's over and I get to spend next semester with a variety of high-school students, teaching them about my favorite subjects: Government and History!!! All while planning a wedding and looking for a house and a job in a different city. Yay me!

In Progress

But for now, I'm in a Christmas gift-making frenzy, hoping to finish orders for a few close friends (who ordered ages ago and deserve to have their stuff finished) and FINALLY spending time with some books.

One done, 2 to go!

Even though I swore off infinity scarves, I actually am supposed to be making some for people. So, I have more Lion Brand Homespun in my bag for my 5 hour shift at work. It's okay though, because I like the mindlessness of making them.

For my reading, our priest recommended I look for something to read and reflect on as I prepare for marriage. So off to the bookstore I went yesterday, and found Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for your Marriage, by Kimberly Hahn, which reflects on Proverbs 31. It looks really good, and since Fr. Dan told me not to look for stuff about being a mother, and go more towards reading about being a wife, I thought this would be a good fit. Though I am totally open to other suggestions, if people have them.

Excited to be reading new things!

My other 2 reads are also non-fiction: In the Garden of Beasts (about the US Ambassador in Germany pre WWII) and Six Armies In Normandy.  As you can tell, I'm on a WWII kick. I'd welcome some historical fiction, but 1) I haven't actively searched, and 2) I don't have that much free time.

I'm hoping to have a few more interesting crochet projects soon, so stay tuned for those!!

Linking up with Tami and Ginny today!

End of the Season

Saturday marked the end of my craft show season this year. I was fairly successful, especially with the popularity of the infinity scarves. I attended 5 different craft shows, and each one was different. One of our shows this year was a complete dud, but a learning experience as well.  My aunt and I are looking into adding one more to our "regular schedule" -- which means there will be at least 4 shows for me next year (my fifth this year was independent of my aunt).

This is what my stuff at our last show looked like.

It is an enormous relief to not have to worry about making more items to sell-- Now I can work on it as I please.

It's also 2 weeks into Advent, which is the mark of the new liturgical year. After seeing a number of fellow bloggers (JOYfilled Family, Karen @ A Servant's Memories, Ginny @ Small Things)  talking about Jesse Trees, I remembered that we once had a Jesse Tree at my house. It's been many years (1996, we think), but I wanted to bring it back.
So there is a Jesse Tree in our kitchen. I've been slacking, because of finals, but my dad has been adding things. I love the idea of another mediation for Christmas.

Bare, for now

Holiday Stashdown Challenge Week 26

I am procrastinating. I'm waiting for an email back from my caterer of choice, and hoping and praying that she has the weekend of my wedding free so we can book her. Wedding stuff gets me in a tizzy, and my parents are trying to prevent me from overloading, but there are about 5 things that need to be done super far in advance: set the date, book the church, find a pastor, book the reception hall, find and book the caterer. So this is the last thing on my list until we need to start marriage prep. Then the list is divided into "What needs to be done before May?" and "What can be done after May?" I officially graduate from college in May, but will be student teaching from Jan to late Apr. So we have time over Christmas break to get some stuff done, and everything else will be done slowly, or will have to wait until school's done.

But ya'll didnt stop by to listen to my ramblings about wedding planning. I'm supposed to be Stashing Down!

I had a craft show on Saturday, and my stock was seriously depleted. And I have been working on mainly that sort of thing.

My rug for my aunt:

It hasn't moved in a while.

Right now, my goal is to finish projects for my nearest and dearest, which means I still have:
Hat for Bro #1
Scarf for Bro #2
Rug for Aunt #1
Fingerless gloves for Aunt #2
Scarf for Mom
Hat for Fiance

It seems like a long list, but my hats are half done, and the scarves are both simple patterns. I've also taken the afghan off the list, because it keeps getting pushed to the back. I want to finish it, but it will be last on the list.

Honestly, right now, I am attempting to finish a wrap for me, to wear to a formal event this weekend. It's a little silly, as the weather is FREEZING and I'll still have to wear a coat, but once inside, I want to have a cover.

Anyway. I keep saying that the "regularly scheduled" stuff will come back, and I really think it will, but it will be slow. I only have 4 and a half weeks left of the semester, and have several huge papers to write, so crafting will be less. I hope you still stop by, cuz you never know when I'll have a few free minutes!

Holiday Stashdown Challenge Week 17

Last week Marie wrote out a list of weekly goals, and I thought that was a great idea. First I had to decide when I wanted all my projects finished. I figured either the week of Thanksgiving, or the week after. It would give me 11 to 12 weeks to finish things up. But because so many of my gifts are fluid and subject to change, I'll plan goals through mid October, and re-assess from there.

But before I get into writing out my goals, I want to address last week's goals. Last week, I expressed the desire to finish 5 afghan squares, 5 star ornaments, and one of my knitting WIPs. Both crocheted projects were easy goals to meet. I even went over my ornament goal, making double what I had planned to make. The afghan square goal was nearly met, as you can see from the photo above. 4.5 instead of 5. But considering the time it took to make them, if I tried harder, I would've done fine. (Counting the half square as a whole square, I am now at 18/30 squares)

However, the knitting goal was not met. I am very close to dividing the front of the vest for a V-neck, but not there yet. I know if I spend a whole day working on it, it will definitely be finished. The scarf for my sister is taking a backseat to the vest, as the vest was basically a gift promised nearly 4 years ago. My brother's birthday is next week, so my goal is to have the vest completed by then. Only problem with that is I will need to find something else for him for Christmas.

Anyway, onto my goals for the next 3 months:

By week of 9/11: Finish knitted vest for Brother 1.  4 more afghan squares (to bring the total to 22).

By week of 9/18: 4 more afghan squares. 5 more star ornaments.

By week of 9/25: 4 more afghan squares. Finish scarf for Sister
By week of 10/2: Afghan completed- squares pieced together and all ends woven in.
By week of 10/9: Scarf for Brother 2, fingerless mitts for Aunt 2, Scarf for A.
By week of 10/16: Hat for E, Start activity rug for E's nieces & nephews.

Be sure to check out Marie's post for this week- more inspiration!