Yarn Along, Other Crafts, and Christmas Snaps

Now that Christmas has passed, I can post some photos of the handmades I gifted to family. You'll probably remember the piggies I was working on a few weeks ago. I'm so happy with how they turned out. These lucky pigs now have a home in Hawaii!

 I also tried my hand at candle making this season. With these little Japanese tea cups I scored at a thrift store I followed this tutorial, adding lavender essential oil to make them fragrant. I think next time I'll add more. :)

 For another sweet nephew I made this aardvark, another Mamma4earth pattern.

 The construction of this paper lantern was therapeutic for me. I worked late into the night before Christmas Eve, and then just sat there and watched it glow while everyone slept. Tutorial found here.

 And another Dory Shawlette for my sister. Seriously, this pattern is so quick and easy to wip up, I want to make one in every color!

 Upon request, I made my husband an extremely warm hat using a combination of Malabrigo worsted and some qiviut (musk ox) lace yarn I won from this blog. Having little desire to try my hand at knitting lace, I knew I wanted to double the qiviut with something equally as decadent and warm, and what could be better than merino wool? The pattern is a simple knit 5, purl 5 which I found on Ravelry. I had made Hans the same hat last year, and wanted to make it longer this time so it could be folded further over his ears for added warmth. It seems my efforts may have been a little too exuberant, as now Hans says the hat is too warm for this unseasonally warm weather. Picky, picky!

 So that's what kept me busy the last week before Christmas, and consequently my progress on Hannah's Milo vest/dress took a hiatus. Maybe I'll have it completed for her birthday in March. I'm not stressing. :)

 And here is what our Christmas looked like. Fondu dinner, a wonderful time with both sides of the family, and my very favorite part, a beautifully crafted handmade Waldorf doll for Hannah. Daria of Nobby Organics made this very special doll for us, and I couldn't be happier with how she turned out. Thank you, Daria!!

My little poser, in her Christmas dress.

Fondu Dinner!

Ready to open presents

Opa tells the Nativity story.

Amazing puppet theater made by Aunt Kerri. Can't wait to use this for preschool!

Every new homeowner's dream come true.

Hannah's new friend, whose current name is "Felicity." We will see if it sticks. The tiny baby doll was another giveaway from Little Chips Handcrafts. Perfect for a little girl expecting a baby brother in 2 months!

 

 I hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along at Small Things, Creative Friday with Linda at Natural Suburbia, and Friday's Nature Table at The Magic Onions.

Family Evening at Home

I didn't know my heart could hold this much joy, love and light.

Holiday Baking

I know I know, Christmas break and blah blah blah shut up Suzie. Before this post is out of date I do want to show off the baking magic we three ladies of orient pulled off a couple weeks ago. Lacy's killer oven was capable of baking two trays of twelve cookies at a time, so we were able to make quite the array of devilish delights. Our holiday baking day consisted of:

• Peppermint Bark
• Peanut Butter Bars
• Cherry Almond Shortbread cookies
• Chocolate Almond Surprise cookies
• Pecan Turtles

Top it all off with Sufjan Steven's ethereal Christmas album and a viewing of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and we had ourselves a nice little party. Thank you, Lacy and Janelle, for a wonderful Christmasy day. Now that I've spent 3 years bringing home to Japan, I'll probably spend the next three bringing Japan home. Sigh. Damn you greener grass.

Christmas Break

Hey. I don't know why, but I've been feeling guilty whenever I don't post at least a couple blogs a week. I set these goals for myself not really knowing why, and then beat myself up over them. Ever do that? Ever pick up a book you've been c-r-a-w-l-i-n-g through and have to psyche yourself out before beginning your nightly chapter? Yeah me too. Usually I'm ok with a little self torture motivation, but with the chaos that is my life right now I'm not meeting my usual goals, and frankly I'm rather tired of kicking my own ass over it. I love blogging. I want to keep it that way. Things are pretty hectic here with Christmas and our departure from Japan fast approaching. I have about a million drafts with fun ideas for blogs (get excited!), I just don't have time to sit down and tinker with them right now. Maybe after the holidays I can get back in the blogging spirit. Until then my posts will probably be sporadic and sparse, which now that I think of it isn't much of a change. Huh. Ok, disregard everything I just said. This blog won't change a bit.

Happy Holidays, friends. I love this community.  Thanks for giving me a reason to write. You've helped me more than you know. See you in the states.