So the week before Christmas, I knitted my fingers to the bone to finish these items for my family.


Cabled fingerless mittens
Christmas present for Jill Berroco Ultra Alpaca color #6288 started 12/15/06, finished 12/18/06



I had been wanting to work with this yarn for a while, but hadn't any projects in mind, until I was looking for "blue" yarn for mittens for my stepsister. I loved this color, and the mittens ended up being just as soft and warm as I expected.


Elbow length cabled fingerless mittens
Christmas present for Alicia Classic Elite Wings color #2330 Started 12/19/06, finished 12/24/06


My niece asked for pink elbow length cabled fingerless mittens. And who am I to say no to her? Actually got this yarn on sale, so I didn't feel too bad about having to buy pink yarn. Speaking of which, I have lots extra. Any of my knitting or crocheting friends want some pink yarn?

Belated Crafting Day Post

With everything else going on in my life, I realized that I completely forgot to talk about how much fun I had visiting heathertea and everyone for crafting day, back on the 16th. Her new place is really nice, and there was lots of room for me, heathertea, ladygwyn, and sryder to spread out our crafting (and food) supplies. (In case you didn't know, food plays a very important part in crafting day.) So, it was much better than trying to squish us all into my living room. It was really great to see everyone. I've missed heather and am glad she and jon moved back to this general area, and even though they live nearby, I don't see enough of sarah and gerry, so it was cool to hang out with them too. So, thanks guys. You all were pretty much one of my only bright spots in this holiday season. =)

Also, I got a significant amount of knitting done, which enabled me, ultimately, to meet my goal of finishing my stepsister's and niece's presents by Christmas. Too bad I didn't actually get to see them, but that's a story for another time.

For now...enjoy some pictures:


mmm...cookies


ladygwyn's yarn: proof that actual crafting went on here.


sewing: I really like this picture


my knitting in progress


The best brownie cupcakes ever


Framboise lambic


Cheese!

Hooray for finishing things!

I think I may be done with everything for the Fairy Tale swap, which means that I will be sending out on time. Earlier this week, I was sure I was going to be late. I am pleased with everything, though I am a little disappointed that 2 of the items I attempted were complete and utter failures. =/

Still, this wraps up my swapping activity until after Christmas, which means I have a whole week to get my act together for Christmas presents for the family. Woo! I am feeling completely overwhelmed by the holidays, and more than a little uninspired. Here's hoping that our crafting day get together this weekend will help motivate me.

So I made some more yarn, and again, I am at a loss about what to call it. It is probably going to become fingerless mittens. It's very soft and squishy, and I like it. Also, it's the most even of the yarns that I've spun thus far, though a bit bulkier than I intended.

I put up my little Christmas tree at work. It's the only one I will get this year, so I am excited about it.



It is currently decorated with a strand of red yarn, some glittery crochet hooks, and a bunch of stitch markers Yes. I have hot dogs, skulls, and cheese on my tree. You gotta problem with that?

It still needs some sort of topper, and some other decorations. Suggestions are welcome.

Also, in other swap news, I recently got into the ATC phenomenon, and participated in my first two swaps. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of my first card before I sent it off to its new owner, so hopefully she'll take one I can steal from the internets soon. But I received this card for the Craft themed ATC swap:



I am amused that it is kind of piratical, because the second swap I participated in had a pirate theme, for which I made these 3 cards:









And so far, I have received this one:


Cool, huh? I am having fun with this art form. But then, I have always like the challenge of making tiny things. I am also busy at work making stuff for the fairy tale swap, and think I finally know what I am going to make. Now if only I could stop messing things up.