Christmas Gifts

Geesh! Almost 2 months without posting! I couldn't post about the things I was making for Christmas, so I had a hard time keeping up with this blog. And of course, Christmas crafting was taking up most of what would have normally been blogging time. I got photos of almost everything I made for Christmas and almost everything was sewn. My friend Kim is letting me borrow her machine right now and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to be able to whip things up in a matter of hours rather than weeks!

Not the best picture, but probably the most satisfying project. I made a taggie blanket for little Timber that was so cute I almost couldn't give it away. It's black on the underside and so soft. :)


For another special little girl, my neice Kaeleigh, I made a doll-sized baby sling. I didn't make the doll, it came from my favorite local boutique, Luticia Clementines. And here's a photo of my little guy modeling how it's worn. He'll love me for this in 15 years. ;)


Kaeleigh's big sister Skylar is becoming such a little lady that I made her her own adjustable apron. She'll be able to grow into it for years. This photo is of me wearing it:


Quite a few relatives got variations of rice, barley, and flax seed filled heat and cold therapy packs based off of the ones on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog. What a wonderful tutorial! And everyone enjoyed them. yay!


My little sister Patty got a cell phone charm, the only non-sewn gift this year, based off of the crochet pattern from anapaula:


And would you believe that I made the same scarf for my friend Kim and my mother and failed to get a picture of either of them? geesh!

There are at least three things that I didn't get finished this year that are on my list for next year, and I got a ton of ideas. Hopefully by this time next year I will actually have an area in our new apartment dedicated completely to crafting! yay!

Finally finished wool wrap!

Wow, this darn thing took me forever! It certainly wasn't because it was large or challenging... I just... *couldn't* keep at it. Have you ever had a project like that? For whatever reason, you reach a point where the motivation's just not there? I am very happy to have finally completed it! Today is my baby's 9 month birthday and I started the wrap a few days before he was born!!! It's a good thing I made it extra big! At least I knew myself well enough not to expect my newborn to wear it!!

I used the Warm Heart Woolies pattern and country 8ply by Cleckheaton in this amazing green color. I should have sewn the buttons closer together, but I have a big boy and assumed they would need to be further out. I'll fix that sooner or later. For now it's still a little bit either way.

It Itches Winner

The winning caption for the It Itches contest was:

"Never stand too close to a knitter when you have an end dangling."

Teehee. :) Congrats!

20 uses for Pumpkin, Squash, and Gourds

I wrote this article last year and it has been featured on Associated Content now for the second time!! Yay! Enjoy!


Just in time for Fall, I've compiled a list of fun ideas for using up your garden produce and celebrate the season with your family. Many of these projects can use gourds, pumpkin, or other squash interchangeably, but some are fruit specific so definitely check out the links listed. Enjoy!

1. Make Musical Instruments

Get creative and make shakers, maracas, drums, or even banjoes! This Website has everything you need to know about creating and caring for your gourd music makers!

2. Make a Bird House

This is a fun way to get your children interested in observing the natural inhabitants of your back yard, and they will be ecstatic to have the opportunity to keep their little flying friends warm as the cold weather sets in. Visit Amish Gourds for tips on how to begin and for supplies.

3. Make a Snowman

Speaking of cold weather, this project will have them day dreaming about wintry adventures all the way up to the first snow. Get ideas here and here.

4. Eat Them

Mmmm! Pumpkin pies, breads, soups, and more! There's almost no end to what can be done with squash in the kitchen. Get great recipes at Epicurean.

5. Decoupage Them

If you have a little one who just can't get enough of gluing things together, have them cut out pictures in a theme and make their own three-dimensional pumpkin or squash collage! See an example here.

6. Make a Gourd Ghost

One of many things you can do with fruit and a little bit of paint, have them create your front porch Halloween decorations using gourds or squash! Here's a ghost to begin with.

7. Carve Them

The internet makes making a jack-o-lantern or squash-o-lantern a cinch with printable pattern ideas. Find some here and here (scroll down for free patterns or order the pattern book). Check out her home page at http://www.pumpkinlady.com/ for more fun info also!

8. Make a Bowl

This Fall project using a sturdy dried gourd could be craft or art! Either way it will last for years to come. Directions here.

9. Make Candles

Candle making may already be something your family does together, but even if it's not, this fun twist on a wonderful hobby is just right for these upcoming months. I have found two different tutorials, one at kids crafts and one at homeschoolzone. Use one or both!

10. Bake the Seeds

Did you know that you can bake butternut or acorn squash seeds just like you do pumpkin? A little salt and olive oil to coat lightly and a baking at about 275 degrees for 15 or so minutes will give your family a bowl full of yummy and healthy snack for after school munchies or to put in sack lunches.

11. Make a Pumpkin Seed Flower

To get your littlest ones involved you may have to give them something a little smaller than a giant pumpkin to work with. Pumpkin seeds are great for art projects, check out this idea.

12. Dress Them Up

Have your kids design their very own Halloween costume for a squash, or create a miniature of their own. The possibilities are endless.

13. Make a Purse

This one might take more than a little guidance, but it's a wonderful ideas! Visit Martha's Gourds to find out more.

14. Candle Holder

Some people use decorative squash as a dining room table centerpiece. Take it one step further and make it a candle lit dinner! Here's the tutorial.

15. Make Dolls

Check out this website full of inspiring professionally painted and decorated gourd dolls, maybe your child could be the next Diane Piccola!

16. Make a "gourd dog"

Are your kids always begging for a(nother) pet?? Have them give this (much quieter) alternative a try.

17. Make Pumpkin Candy

An old Pueblo recipe with a tad more nutritional value than most Halloween candy!

18. Dry Strips of Squash

Native Americans traditionally dried pumpkin to eat as pumpkin leathers or even pounded the strips and wove them into mats!

19. Make Shoes

I can't guarantee that these would be comfortable, but this is a fun and educational project nonetheless. Please let me know if you endeavor to make high-heeled gourds, I'm dying to see it done! Here are instructions for shoes.

20. Use Them as Soup Bowls

You've heard of soup in a bread bowl! Soup in a pie pumpkin or acorn squash makes the whole table festive. Pureed squash makes a wonderful soup, too! Here's a whole slew of soup recipes.

BONUS!

Just in case you are ever in need, gourds can also be used as a national currency! That's right! Who says money doesn't grow on ... vines?

Sock the Vote

I don't need more yarn, but I wish I did so I could justify buying this:


Anne Schaefer has created four colorways of this yarn to "celebrate the women making an impact on the 2008 presidential election." There's one for Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the one I've pictured is Sarah Palin. They are only available until election day.

I'd love to hear her walk through the colors she chose and why. Check them out for yourself.

It Itches

Franklin Habit (and Interweave) has released a book of knitting cartoons called "It Itches: a stash of knitting cartoons," and I want it!!! You can read about it by clicking the title up there or here. He's also holding a contest over at Knitting Daily for a chance to win this print with your own caption. My caption entry is below the picture. Click the picture to enter your own and try to win!

"The clothes you girls wear nowdays are so tight, it looks like you can't afford clothes that fit! I'll just let this out a little..."

My Queue

I'm going to add to this later today - this is just what I found in my bookmarks.

Free Patterns from around the web that I *will* get to:

Toys:
Fuzzy Lamb (k)*
Baby's First DNA Model (k)
Toy Net (c)
Mouse and His Cookie (c)

Babies:
Punk Knitters soaker (k)
Curly Purly Soaker (k)
Baby Yoda Sweater (k)
Baby Legs (c)
Baby Legs (s)


Children:
Sundress (k)
Pillowcase Dress (s)


Women:
Isabella (k)


Accessories:
Hearts Scarf (k)
Warming Belt (for Rob) (k)
Pretty Puffs Slouchy Hat (c)

Misc:
Breastfeeding Advocacy Cloth (k)
iPod Nano Warmer (k)
Dog Bone (c)
Birthday Banner (s)
Wool Dryer Balls

*(k)- knitted (c)- crocheted (s)- sewn