Miscellaneous yarn talk

Here's some odds and ends of "catch up" to share with you!

During December, some of my fantastic mom friends from the kids' school asked if I could teach them how to knit. Nothing makes me happier than recruiting new crafters into the obsession, so I was more than happy to oblige. We all gathered for a spirited stitch-n-bitch...we may have had more wine and treats that knitting, but it was awesome. We hope to make it a regular gig!


My one holiday-themed craft this year: another yarn wreath, as a gift. Click here to see last year's set.


Also knit up this simple ribbed neck warmer for Big G:


And a few more finished knit projects to show you soon, just waiting to be received!

In progress? A sweater for ME! The yarn I am using is Madelinetosh in Candlewick, and I love the golden tones. Hope to finish this before summer, but it may take me awhile!

This yarn bowl was a gift from my BFF Samantha for Christmas...how gorgeous is that? Prevents your yarn ball from rolling all over. You can get one here.

While I'm talking Christmas gifts, Sam also knit a set of rainbow legwarmers for each of my daughters for dance class...how cute are these?? They are well loved :)

And for Big G.... she ordered custom vinyls for a white magnet board to make it look like a hockey rink! With matching Winnipeg Jets magnets!! How cool is that?!? His head pretty much spun off its axis when he saw it. It is now home to all his prized Jets ticket stubs.


Hope everyone has a great week!

Gifts revealed: Christmas Wreaths- a second version

I hope you all have had a fantastic Christmas! The merry merry is still continuing for us this week, but I thought I would start to reveal a few things I gifted over the holidays. More to come!

Last month I showed you my yarn wreaths made using the tutorial at Take Heart. I have a second version of wreath for you today! I gave it to my most loyal and supportive followers, my parents, and since I know they rarely miss a blog post (hi Mom and Dad!!), I wanted to save this post until they had received it.

These Christmas wreathes are made from a tutorial in a magazine (which I have since misplaced....sorry can't remember which one it was!). It uses cable knit sweaters bought thrifting (see, I told you I would not use them as sweaters!), where you cut off the arms and use them to cover a foam/straw wreath and pin in place.

About a million felt poinsettia-type flowers are then cut out by hand (or, if you have a nice friend like Kathy who will lend you her Big Shot, that saves a ton of time!), and pinned all over the front of the wreath. Hang it with a bow, and voila! Christmas Wreaths, Version 2.
My favorite detail is the turned cuff at the top.

The magazine had instructions for ball ornaments using the remainder of the sweater, but I tried those and they did not work for me at all. Can't win 'em all!

Christmas Wreaths- one way

Feeling a little festive over here....Let's hope it lasts because I have a huge pile-o-crafts planned to get done before the Big Day!
Found the tutorial for these lovely yarn wreaths here. I love them. So many color and texture combinations with the yarn and ribbon!

(can't find the beautiful aqua ribbon I had bought to go with this wreath....maybe it is hiding somewhere with my still-missing sewing ideas notebook??)

They take a bit of time, but now that I have my yarn-wrapping-rhythm, it's all good. And aren't these felt flowers wonderful?
Hang 'em on your front door, rest them on your mantle....and if all else fails, The Middle Child also thinks they make a great fashion accessory!
I have another set of different wreaths planned....will be back! Linking these up at Sew and Tell.

Just wanted to say thanks for a bunch of great blogs that have been featuring my stuff lately! Craft Gossip and One Pretty Thing both featured my Mini-Monet Christmas ornaments, Katie's Nesting Spot showed my rendition of Noodlehead's Mail Organizer, and Sew Mama Sew is featuring my Messenger Bag Tutorial on November 22, as part of their annual Handmade Holidays roundup. Thank you so much!