Now that's just so cool!

I love to make or bake gifts for people for Christmas and while I seem to be in good company with many bloggers who are similarly like minded, I insist that my gifts be cool, inexpensive and fabulously made. In the spirit of giving, I want to give to lots of people so I have to be very creative in what I give as gifts so I don't go broke. For instance, my 17 y/o niece is going to receive Cashmere mittens I'll be making from a sweater I picked up at a garage sale for $1. Someone else made the mistake of drying the sweater. They thought it was ruined and therefore of no value. I snapped it up knowing full well I could make felted mittens out of it. Seriously, wouldn't you love a pair of Cashmere mittens to slip your hands into?

If you're into hand made Christmas presents and projects, you simply have to start at the November posts from Sew Mama Sew. The good folks over there do all the searching and scouring of blogs and then post the coolest ideas for the rest of us peruse. I found this link and look what I made my nephew for Christmas.





I didn't buy the wooden blocks for mine. I have a friend who gave me a bunch of Formica sample chips that are obsolete and they worked wonderfully. I only made 16 because my nephew is 2 and I didn't want the game to be too difficult for him. I sanded the chips lightly to knock off some of the sheen on the front and to smooth out the back. Then I used Liquitex Matte Gel Medium to adhere left over scrap paper to the front and back. Once dry I lightly sanded the edges and put a slight curve on the corners. I added stickers to a couple pieces that I thought were a bit bland and now I have the coolest Memory Game for my nephew, and it didn't cost me any extra money. I'll make a little drawstring bag to hold his game with some of the left over thrifted pillow case material. You can not beat gifts like this when you have lots of people you want to give to.

(Rubbing my hands together with glee!)

I finally woke up to snow on Friday morning. Brent and I took my grandson to the symphony Thursday evening and I mentioned somewhat expectantly that I love it when it snows after a Christmas concert. Hey, it happens frequently for me so I didn't think it was too much to expect it to happen again. I had also been feeling a tiny bit envious of those of you who had already received a good snowfall and I was being patient, but seriously, it's December and I wanted snow. Well, wadda ya know....it was snowing when we walked out of the concert.

I thought my morning view was beautiful.

This was so worth the wait.

So, what did snow mean to an outdoorsy, nature loving girl like me? It meant a snowy walk in the woods Saturday afternoon, that's what it meant.



Aman Park is close to home and has great hiking trails that wind along Sand Creek. It was a little late for taking pictures, but the walk was beautiful and the snow was really crunchy. We purposely went out late so we could be hiking in the dark.


Then, we did this on Sunday. There is nothing like winter paddling. The rivers have little or no traffic, it's quiet and beautiful, and you feel like you own the world. And, to answer your questions, no, we don't get cold. At least not any colder than someone who's gone skiing because you dress for the weather and you do NOT fall in the water. Not to worry though, I carry a dry bag with extra clothes....just in case. Okay, okay, yes, I've rolled my kayak (twice) in the winter and it was really, really freakin' cold! Okay? Now you know. Furthermore, I sold the boat that made me swim because it just wasn't working for the sort of paddling I was doing and I bought this pretty little thing this past summer.

This is her first time in the snow. She didn't mind at all. In fact, I think she rather enjoyed the snowy day and she certainly behaved well since I didn't do any swimming - not even close.




Look, I'm sitting on the ice right now.


And how nice of them to light up the river just for me!

We've got 'the blizzard' blowing in now. Perhaps I'll take another walk tonight when the weather is absolutely frightful. Won't that be fun?

Don't do this!

Take pictures while you're driving - that's what I mean. It's just not safe driving practices! However, I thought the view was fabulous and seriously, how often do I get to see a nearly full moon in front of me while the sun is setting behind me? Sorry about the quality of the pictures but I really didn't have time to worry about the composure last night.



I noticed this when I glanced out the window this morning so I ran for the camera and tripod and skipped on out to the front sidewalk. So I was in my robe and slippers. So it was freezing outside. So the neighbor walking his dog thought I was crazy. It's all about the pictures right?



Perhaps I should take up astronomy.

Gonna give it away.

I believe Michigan now has the dubious honor of having the highest rate of unemployment in the country (15%). Along with that comes a large number of newly homeless who have no more resources to fall back on. It's tough man! Really tough here. Someone in my city, I don't recall who, started a project where you take your hand knit hats and mittens downtown and clip them to a tree or fence along with a note explaining that the item is free for the taking. What I should do is take pictures of the items hanging around town. I don't see them often because, frankly, the items don't stay on the fence for all that long. Anyway, this one is ready to go. Bear says it's nice and warm.

Doing what I love!

Did a little baking.....

Found the recipe for the Pumpkin Brownies here. My gosh, if you want to try an easy and absolutely delicious brownie recipe, you must try these. I mean it, easy. There's only one problem with the brownies....they're gone! Yummm......

Finished a little knitting.....

No, this isn't Maris, but it is her hat that I promised for her birthday. Thanksgiving isn't too far past her birthday.The flower is one of the embellishments found on Ravelry, but I don't remember which one I used. The heart button came in a sewing package I received from FreeCycle. There were lots of goodies in that package.

Founds some flowers in the yard.....

How fortuitous (love that word and it must be pronounced for-tui-tous!) that I still had flowers in the yard just at the time I was wondering how pretty my vase might look with flowers.

Did a little sewing......

I picked up pillowcases for pennies at a local thrift shop and just knew they would make great bags. Love the bright colors and stripes. I especially needed something pretty in the basement to hold the bags I use when I clean the litter box. My assumption is that one needs a pretty bag holder since the job is so dirty. I'm right, aren't I? By the way, I made up the design for the bag and I'm pretty proud of my self for it.

That's what I've been up to this past week. How about you?

Whoo Boy!

That was not fun. I have the lingering cough, but otherwise, I'm back to normal. Thanks to each of you for the good wishes in the comments and via email. That was very kind of you and much appreciated.

Maris received her leggings, but sadly, not her hat. Huh, I should remind you that I haven't been knitting all that long so there are things I didn't know, but I do now after many frustrating attempts to get the hat to work. Really, the pattern is so simple, but I didn't know that Stockinette Stitch in-the-round is different than on a flat piece. I tore that 'lovely' hat out at least 1/2 a dozen times before I took the whole darned thing into my LYS and begged for help. The clerk was gracious, if you can count laughing at me as being gracious, and quickly explained my troubles. So, it's still on the needles, but I'm hoping it will be done in a couple days and then I'll be able to take a picture of Maris in her leggies and her hat. I also have to mention that I did the leggies in my incorrect version of the Stockinette, but it actually worked out for the better because there is a lot of up and down stretch to them and she'll be able to wear them longer. And yes, she loved them.

I managed a walk or two in the woods during my sick spell. I didn't see any wildlife, but that was probably because my constant cough scared them away. This might be the last of the fall pictures. There's nothing left on the trees so I'm waiting patiently for the snowfall. I'm envious of those of you who have already received your first snowfall.







When I was nearly recovered and no longer contagious, I spent a few precious hours at my favorite pottery show. Will you look at this pretty little piece?

My goodness, she just jumped in my basket and insisted on going home with me. How was I to tell her no? As soon as I brought her in the house she climbed right up on the table and nestled in next to the pumpkins and a pretty little bowl that shares the same color blue glaze. It's as if she were meant to share my home.

Added: I just found this via Flip & Tumble. Check it out....very cool. Anyone know how to play the piano?

Nearly better.

And, my goodness, did this take a long time. It's been quite a while since I've gotten by backside kicked by sickness and after this, well, I'm hoping it's much longer before it happens again.

I did, however, put the time spent recuperating to good use. I finished Maris' leggings last night and then decided she needed a cute little hat to match and the hat must have a cute little flower to go with it. Soooo......I cast on for more knitting.

Here's where I was this morning before breakfast:


Let's hope I finish this by Saturday. The girl needs her hat.