Out of Necessity

This tangled mess is another kumihimo braid.

I've made it rather long and I used plastic bobbins to hold the floss.

The bobbins are needed so that the really long floss doesn't get all knotted up.

The braid is 8 strands and the foam holder was purchased at a local craft store.

Directions for this braid come with the foam thingy.

This is what I wanted the braid for.

I very much need close-up glasses near me at all times,

so now I can hang them around my neck to keep them close at hand. :-)

The colors used are DMC 321, 603, 158, & 3839.

The black rubber thing that holds the braid

and the glasses together I purchased from an Etsy shop.

The little silver metal clamp is from a local craft store in the jewelry section.

The plastic bobbins I purchased from Knitpicks. Mine are the smallest size and you would need 2 sets--they come in a set of 6--not enough for an 8 strand braid.

l' Escargot

A very special delivery from some very lovely neighbors.

We shared a duplex in Germany back when all our kids were much younger.

They are still in Germany--oh I wish we could visit. 

This is the only way to eat those little snails--a chocolate version. :-)

Big Top

Have always loved the Humpty Dumpty Circus when I've seen it in magazines and toy museums. There was a set for sale at auction, so I got up real close. 

The Humpty Dumpty Circus was made by the Schoenhut Company between the years 1903-1935. I think this (above) is a reduced-sized set or assembly.

A website that has a lot of information about the circus is HERE. 

A short article about the Schoenhut Company and circus is HERE.

My girls think the clowns are creepy--they are a little. :-)

Dollies & Shoes

Meg and I stopped off at another doll auction. This time it was during the preview so we could take our time. I love these china doll heads. Those gently blushing cheeks. 

I love to see the tiny shoes as well. These are much loved blue button-ups.

It looks like the doll actually walked many miles in these.

More walking...... 

I guess I like the dolls that are well-loved, maybe the best. Especially if they are handmade. This doll is about 4 feet tall-wow! I like her polka-dot body very much and the polka-dot dress over it with ric-rac detailing. A dollmaker after my own heart!  :-)

Snow Day

Our first snow--not much at this time but still it is swirling around and making the roads a little slippery. It has kept me home, which is a good excuse to continue on my hat.

The pattern is Debbie Bliss, although I'm using charcoal gray instead of beige.

The fabric basket is my pattern. I figured it all out before Christmas to make presents for the girls. I just finished this one earlier this morning. 

Not very much snow, yet....... :-)

Welcome 2012

We celebrated last night with a party in our basement. 

Em hooked up a ball to drop.

(the pink box on the ball held confetti) :-) 

And it was all cozy with a warm fire.

An excellent farewell to 2011 and welcome to the new year!

Demitasse Candle

Easy-peesy!

I melted soy wax candle chips in a

little mason jar in the microwave

and poured it into the wick-ed teacup. 

There was plenty of time to make sure the wick was centered

after I poured the wax in and the whole candle cured in short order.

I didn't add color or fragrance because 

it said on the packaging that soy wax didn't take to these very well.

Has anyone tried and found out what works??

I will be on the lookout for more teacups in the future.

Wouldn't these make pretty gifts?

The little wooden peg doll is from Gail Wilson Designs.

Busytown

I made this felt rabbit 11 years ago about this time of the year.

I was pregnant with Em and had found a Richard Scarry activity book

with the pattern in it. 

I found another copy of the activity book this past summer

and couldn't resist snapping it up. 

This is the pattern for the mouse girl. 

This is my someday book....

someday I might use it....someday I may have little grandchildren. :-) 

Until then I can enjoy the illustrations and ideas for activities.

Richard Scarry books are great rainy day/snow day books

to be poured over, and over looking at all the details.

All is Calm....

Merry, merry Christmas!

Thank you all for visiting and enjoying my year with me.

Take care, stay warm and dry.

I will see you soon! :-)

To Market

I am thinking of a European Christmas Market today.

The stalls filled with all sorts of things....some very strange to us Americans. Like a stall full of socks or brooms and brushes of different sizes.

I wish I could pop over there and pop back without the long flight and jet lag. :-)

A Long Night

We had an evening filled with candlelight and a crackling fire.

Very quiet and soothing. 

This candle holder has been created with a very thin layer of polymer clay on the outside of the glass. I can't imagine making the clay "cane" that was needed for this elaborate picture.

Tick, Tick, Tock

Just so many days.

Not many more.....and a rush of wrapping and final tweeks to handmade gifts.

Sweet

I like that we have a whole week with Christmas landing on a weekend. 

We have time for cookie baking and maybe time to ice the cookies before they are all eaten. :-)

Socks of Blue

Busy, busy, busy!

(Berroco Sox color 1454)

Little ho ho

Gnomish wee santa in green gingham? 

Kind of an odd little bugger.

Loved making the tiny hat and sewing his little pink nose.

Sushi, Anyone?

A felt rice warmer for an ill special someone who adores sushi. 

A new twist on a penny rug, eh?

I filled the felt pouch with rice so that once heated in a microwave for 30 seconds it becomes a cozy warm heating pad.

Frosty

Cold, frosty mornings are sparkley

and lovely holly berries are so cheery. :-)

Christmas in Stitches

A little holiday stitching project for you!

You'll find the pdf HERE.

Please let me know if you have any troubles accessing the pdf. 

I made a wee pillow when I finished stitching.

I had the hardest time finding a fabric in my stash that made the embroidery POP! 

The back of the pillow is dotted (yeh!) from the same fabric line.

Have Fun!!!  :-)

Bumpy Red

Isn't this ornament unique.

It has little bumps all over its surface.

It is on a small tree in our bedroom where the sun pours in each winter.

Ahhhhhh!  :-)

Holiday Notes

Make yourself a little holiday notebook.

Just print off the page below or get the PDF HERE.

Fold it up like the Thanksgiving and Notion booklets. 

Keep track of gift ideas and holiday plans in a booklet small enough to fit any wallet.

Green & Red

Gorgeous colors of the season. :-)

All Set

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving. :-)

State of Being

Mostly, I am happy to live in a semi-chaotic state most of the time.

My house, somewhat messy, everyone going in opposite directions,

and my embroidery floss in a tangled ball. 

And then I go and invite everyone over for Thanksgiving

and I get totally nuts,

with cleaning, organizing and making everything

"just so".

I am happy the house looks so nice, but golly

it will be nice to pull out my messy ball of threads again. :-) 

Jammy Jars

I love red & white string and

I love the red gingham jar lids of Bonne Maman jam. 

I drilled a hole in the top of the lid and waa-laa I have a string dispenser.

Be careful drilling the hole because the drill can skip over the smooth surface.

I ended up with an off-center hole and had to even it up with tin snips. (not very easy or smooth)

I colored around the hole with a silver marker to cover-up the scratching I ended up with.

I made a second string dispenser for my sister

 which because of my practice with the first one was much easier and not as messy. :-)