Cuckoo For Cowls...

Now that I'm truly in the homestretch of my holiday gift-making- I'm setting-up some projects for that delicious 11-day vacation I will be sailing into shortly!

You think the Yorkshire Cowl would have satisfied my craving for a cowl? Nope!

Look at this cutie I found tonight. So excited. I'm loving the twisty look, too.

!

I've been on the search for the perfect beret and I think I finally found one I like.

I'm thinking Winter White for this.

...Just thought I'd share and keep it all in one place!
Can you tell I've been obsessed lately?

Twinkle In The Snow

The beautiful snowfall inspired me to make these ornaments last night. I have been eyeing all of the yummy tutorials. But I think this one is nicest for the holidays.

It had been a loooong day and I couldn't bring myself to work on any of the other WIPs I need to finish before Friday. So, a couple of loved ones will receive one of these. I wish I would have made a bunch sooner. They would look so lovely tied to presents.

A lengthy phone conversation with a favorite person afforded me enough time to finally make myself a Yorkshire Cowl. Yipee!!! I wore it out yesterday and was asked where I bought it twice. Hee, hee!

I LOVE HANDMADE.

I love this cowl.

Want one in all those yummy colors.

So easy to make and so warm and snuggly.

A special girl in our lives will receive one of these in the color of her choice, too!

I'm so overtired, it's not funny. But I'm having a blast with it all.

Later on, I'll get to relax at the 5:45 showing of Princess and the Frog.

Happy Sunday to you!

Lil' Booties!

After crocheting many, many, gifts this season, these by far were the most fun for me!

They whip-up fast and are just so cute. We couldn't wait to see what they will look like on Winter Baby when she arrives. For now, Baby Jenny and Mia have warm tootsies...but only for six more days!

I'm thankful for the snow, which is already coming down.
It will force me to stay in without feeling guilty. This way, I can work on finishing the last of my gifts and baking oatmeal cookies.
Caramel-making will have to be put on hold.
I forgot the wax paper.
I'm blaming it on what I now call, Elf Brain!

Happy Days, All!

Thrifty Holiday Fun

One of the best things about going to make a donation at our local Salvation Army is running through the store afterwards looking for treasures. Tonight, we did pretty well: a lovely vintage white cotton dress for my girl, a vintage puffy-shouldered jacket that ties at the waist for moi, and these two adorable holiday finds...

A Little Luvkin votive candle holder, circa 1978. I actually remember these!

Who can resist a puckering Santa? He's so sweet.

And because you never know what you're going to pull out of a deep cardboard box filled with random Christmas-y stuff....

Looky, looky!

This is just perfect considering I've dubbed this a "very crocheted Christmas!"

I've made what feels like a gazillion scarves,wrist-warmers, potholders, washcloths, etc. Actually, not that many...but it's all pretty time consuming, so it feels that way!

Hope you're having fun preparing for the holidays and/or enjoying the present one.
Blessings and happiness to you all!
These are sweet days, aren't they?

Pretty Little Trees!

PEPPERMINT BARK TREES!!

Last year, I used this recipe. It was absolutely delicious and right on par with Williams Sonoma, as Soule Mama suggested. Wow! It went pretty quickly at the family gatherings, too. But I do remember it being fairly labor intensive and a bit messy with all the melting. This one looks a lot easier. However, they will have to be made at Grandma's, as we don't own a microwave. And I'll use Nestle white chocolate chips. This will make the perfect little gift, wrapped in little cello-bags and lots of ribbon.

Thanks to Dollar Store Crafts for all of the beautifully frugal holiday ideas!

Embracing Reality

I found this beautiful image tonight and then I found this:

"I am of the nature to grow old.

There is no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill health.

There is no way to escape ill health.

I am of the nature to die.

There is no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love

are the nature to change.

My actions are my only true belongings.

I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.

My actions are the ground upon which I stand."

:From, The Plum Village Chanting, by Thich Nhat Hanh

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!