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made

The holiday gift making kept me up into the wee hours recently.  We decided to go handmade for our family and friends and created a bundle of goodies in which all members of the household participated in the making.  I'll share more on the collaboration once the last of the gifts are given next week.

For my daugther, I knitted a hat.  One I've made before, and one I'll make again; though sooner than I had anticipated.  I made a mistake in the measuring, or she grew considerably, so the hat is a wee bit small.  This one will be donated for an upcoming silent auction, and another will be cast on. 

I also sewed a dress from this Japanese craft book.  Pinstriped denim, elephant pocket, vintage button and orange trim.  I'm pleased with how it came out and too that it's such a hit:  the pachyderm dress is in heavy rotation.

The handmade holidays rounded out a pretty good year of sewing, printing and knitting for me.  These are the finished and photographed.

For 2009, I'm aiming to use more of what I have; make more of what I think about creating; finish more of what I start; and clean up as I go.  And too, to photograph all of it. 

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and abundant new year!

solstice to solstice

It's been busy around here lately.  Keeping warm despite the subzero temperatures.  Shoveling the daily snow.  Tromping new trails on the snow shoes.  Knitting and sewing and stamping and binding and wrapping and packing and sending.
 

And celebrating.  On the darkest night of the year we strung a garland popcorn and cranberries and festooned a little cedar tree in our yard.  It's our version of the Night Tree.  We're hoping to spy the critters of the neighborhood enjoying these gifts.

We're gearing up for some quiet festivities at home as well as a visit with family.  And then, a long stretch of time away from my work.  I can't remember if I've ever taken time to be home without plans, but I know that it's the best gift I can give myself right now.

And, I've decided to take the challenge.  A photo a day for a year; 365 : solstice to solstice, since photography is all about the light, after all. 

Happy holidays to you and yours, my friends.

striper

Here's the latest from my go-to book of knits for new babies.  I finished this simple crew and gifted it a few months ago, but neglected to take a picture of more than the process.  The sweater is as easy as they come, knit in the round from recycled cotton, using jogless stripes.  The buttons are wooden, but have a bit of a tortoise-shell look to them.  The lips?  They belong to my sweet nephew.  Aren't they divine?

i am...

I am weaving random bits together under the guise of a 'seven random things' tag from Right Out Loud.  I am also...

...hoping for the speedy recovery of Hazel Ana.

...eying the roasted pumpkin in the freezer and thinking about making a wheat-free version of Emily's pumpkin muffins.

...the lucky winner of this bundle of goodness, thanks to Leslie and Amanda.

...happy to be wearing green striped Smartwool tights on this chilly day.

...considering a photo-a-day challenge for a year; starting on the solstice.  For those of you that are wrapping up 366 in 2008, am I nuts?

...fascinated by that which is created by moving water and freezing temperatures and really look forward to a sunny day to photograph the iciness down by the lake.

I am now supposed to call out seven others to share random things about themselves, but I'm known to never follow an assignment to the letter.  If you're looking for an excuse to share seemingly disconnected bits about yourself (and photos, for that matter), have at it...