Crafty Niece

Check out the awesome Christmas ornament that my niece made us,

with a little help from her Crafty Mum (a.k.a. my Crafty Sis).

Secret Santa Success

We had a Secret Santa at work today.  A $20 limit for the gift.  

Everyone's name was put in a Santa hat.  One name was pulled out at a time.  When your name was selected, you had a choice of choosing a wrapped gift under the tree, or stealing a gift that someone had already unwrapped.  So, it's ideal to be selected last, because you can preview all but one gift that is wrapped under the tree...so a good chance of getting something good.  

My name was drawn about 3/4 of the way through.  I stayed with my tried and true stealing technique.  I stole this upcycled hat from one of the other girls.  One of the partner's wives made it.  

I love it!  

Ok, not the best photo to show off the hat.  Trust me, it's pretty cozy!   

If only every week could be this productive...

...crafting wise.  

I've finished knitting the sweater, 

buttons have been sewn on, and 

it is currently being blocked.  

Only a few stray threads to snip away once it's dry.

Yeah!

Musings from a chairlift...

We went skiing at Whistler yesterday.  I was keen to go, because each day could be my last for this season, with mini-me due in mid-April.  


As we were on one of our last chairlift rides to the top, our conversation was as follows:


Eliza: "Do we have anything on tomorrow?"
Crafting Widower: "No."
Eliza: "FYI - I'm going to be crafting all day."


So far so good.  I'm putting the finishing touches on some gifts for my nieces.  

Wednesday Night Crafting

I've made a start at a new project.

It's a Christmas project.  

I didn't do any sewing tonight - only cutting out pieces.  

Fun with Felt

My Artsy Sis and my 5 year old niece have been doing some inspiring felt craft.  

They did a little workshop together - and look what they made:

This purse is so pretty.  I love the felted ball flowers with bells in the centre.  

And a lovely yellow lining.  

Here's a close-up of the flower...this one was turned into a ring.  

It makes me want to felt again...

but I've got to finish a few projects before I move to that!

Tick

Legwarmies done.

They are "skinny legwarmies".  I used a smaller needle than the last pair...

...so they might end up being for my newest niece and I'll have to whip up a pair for her big sister.  

It feels good to finish a project!  

Our "Egg Like" decorative piece

I went to a couple of craft shows yesterday.  One was a pottery sale at Capilano University.

Check out this cool decorative piece that we bought.  

The edges at the top are so thin.  

I think I could fit a potted plant in it.  

Something different.  

New inspiration

I went to a pre-natal pilates class on Thursday night.  It's a new studio that I'm trying.  

I have discovered that I will have to be careful when I go, because across the street from the pilates studio is Urban Yarns...temptation, temptation, temptation.  

I gave into temptation this week.  

It'll be perfect to try out a new pattern in my newest knitting book- a birthday gift from my Crafty Sister.

I think I'll try to make this big lace scarf.  

I have to finish off a couple of other projects before starting this one though.

Christmas Traditions

I finally got organised to put up a few Christmas decorations this week.  

I bought a nice holly wreath for our door and a poinsettia for the table on the weekend...but my favourite part was putting up tonight's decorations.  Beautiful crocheted snowflakes, made with love by my Grandma Elsie.  

I'm so glad that I asked her to gift a few of them to me one Christmas.  

I've continued mum's tradition and hang them on the sliding door and on the windows.  It's especially nice to have them in North Vancouver...since there is no snow on the ground!  

They are so pretty.  They make me smile when I look at them.  

Grandma sure was crafty...I really must learn to crochet at some point.  

Leg Warmie Update

One down...one part way to go.  

These might be for wee Fiona...I used smaller needles, so they are quite narrow.

Leg Warmie Progress

I've made a bit of progress this weekend.   

Hopefully they'll be wide enough...

or maybe they'll be "skinny leg warmies".  

It's been 1 month...

My crafting updates have been really bad the past while.  Here are my excuses:
- A trip to Hawaii
- 2 sets of visitors from Australia; and
- it's just been really busy.  


While I haven't been crafting, I did mak it to a great Craft Show - Circle Craft.  One of my favourite booths were selling cute felt fish made by West Coast Mermaid Designs.  Too many other inspirational things to mention.  


I've hardly done anything myself crafting wise.  The only thing I managed to do was to make a bit of progress on that lone sock.  The first of the pair has been finished for awhile...the 2nd one still isn't done.   I also managed to block and sew in all the loose ends on that grey lace scarf....that's about it.  Quite pathetic for the month of November during my "Year of Craft".    


I've just started a test swatch for a new pair of leg-warmies.  I made a set for one of my nieces a couple of years ago...and now that her little sister has shown interest in wearing them, there is renewed interest in the leg-warmies...time to work on a second set.  Here's the test swatch:

I'll try to get back on track with my updates!