Mittens and stars

Normally it wouldn't take me two days to finish just one mitten, but that's precisely what has happened. I've been seriously distracted these days by things like Christmas, a certain little girl's 5th birthday fast approaching, making sure I'm on top of all that's going on with the kids, shopping for gifts on Etsy, and going on a very long search for the perfect Christmas tree topper.

We put the tree up last Sunday and when it came time to set the dilapidated angel up in its usual post, Kevin and I both said, nope, not this year. It needs to be a star. At which time the debate ensued about how I thought when we bought that angel he said we HAD to have an angel on top of the tree when I wanted a star and how he said we just bought it because we couldn't find anything better. I think we've had this same conversation every year for the past 10 and the end result is the same. The junky ol' wicker angel goes on top of the tree. Yes, I said wicker. Last year I remember thinking it was cute (that was the first time for that) but now it just looks sad and so I'm on a quest for a star.

I came up empty handed today, even searching out some of the cutest boutique-y places in the city. But I'm probably kidding myself because even if I find one I like I'll probably think it's too expensive. I came close at one store, Smith and Hawken, and of course their star was $42 and in my opinion waaaay too glittery. The girls would have loved it. Isn't $42 alot to pay for a star? I thought so, but then my idea of prices tends to be stuck back in the '80s and so when I see stars for $42 or jeans for $175 I'm taken aback.

And so one of two things may happen. Either the angel will go back atop the tree, or in true diy fashion, there just might be a home made star in the works.

Bits and pieces

I tried to think of one title for this post that would encompass everything but it was nearly impossible. This may be a bit list-y but here goes.

Above you see the chocolate dipped pink lilac booties I finally listed in the shop. And on the topic of booties, I've been seriously remiss in announcing my rekindled friendship and affiliation with an incredible website called Craftsbury Kids. I sold some dolls with her back almost a year ago, and now she's offering a nice selection of my baby booties too! The link above sends you directly to the "meet the artists" page where you can see me :) and while you're there if you click the picture of the baby bootie it will show you the whole selection. We've already had our first sale and I'm so excited for what is to come. Thank you, Cecelia!

Currently on the needles (between making booties) are a pair of hot pink mittens. The brown one is from my favorite personal pair, the ones I wear nearly every day and from the pattern I made up as I went last winter. They are so warm in wool and mohair so I decided to spread the love and there was this hot pink yarn just sitting there so I said, why not? I'm getting them ready for a show this weekend.

I much prefer making mittens on two needles rather than in the round, I think they're much quicker.

As for the last bit, I thought I'd share the story from last night's dinner preparation. One of my favorite things about my kitchen is the under the cabinet radio with CD player Kevin bought me for Christmas a few years ago. It makes cooking so much more fun, since we have an old house that doesn't have a great room with stereo or TV access or people access for that matter. The radio keeps me company. So last night I had one song on repeat (I love that feature), "Old Man" by Neil Young. Now I'm not a huge Neil Young fan, but I definitely have admiration for the guy, anyone who can write and sing a song like that has something special, no matter how off beat he may be as a person. So I was dancing and singing and cooking and repeating off in my own little world, with the strange need to hear that song over and over and over and Kevin walks in and says facetiously, "gonna listen to a little Neil, honey?", raises his eyebrows as if to say, "what has gotten into you?" and walks out.

I love being married, and comfortable, and secure, not having to worry about what he thinks about me, just knowing that I can be a little off beat myself and each day we do nothing but grow closer together. Anyway, he should be happy, it's his CD.

Change

The chicken sweater has flown the coop! I know it only had a brief and partial debut here online, but it had been in my head and the planning stages for quite some time. I never had a great feeling about it. Project and yarn not suited to one another. My real motivation for knitting the pattern was to learn a certain technique so I perhaps can design a sweater requested by Aunt Pat. The sides and back are knitted in one piece up to the armholes, but the knit stitches on the sides angle off at 45 degrees. So in my mind the mission was accomplished. I learned how to do it, now whether or not I can design one with completely different yarn and a different stitch pattern and a much more fitted sillhouette is another story. I'll letcha know if I can do it, Pat!

One the bright side, the fantastic Lamb's Pride yarn I was using has dissolved into several projects. The first of which is mittens:


My own little creation. They turned out exactly how I want them. The best thing is how warm and cozy they are. We were outside last night on New Years' Eve and my hands never knew it. These seem impervious to cold and wind. And like all things made with good wool they breathe so my hands didn't sweat either.

The rest of the yarn is currently in use for a felted bag and felted slippers. Rarely do I feel like felting, so when the urge hits I run with it. This is also my favorite yarn to felt with which helps. The 15% mohair just gives it such a great look.

I debated whether to talk about change on New Years Day, it seems so cliche and predicatable, but it's really what I've been thinking about lately. I remember sitting at the computer most of the day this time last year. It was then I started a Pay Pal account and my Etsy shop. At the time I knew how to email and do a Google search. That was about it. Kevin set everything up for me and laboriously taught me how to get the digital photos from the camera onto the computer and then uploaded in my shop.

With that knowledge I've figured out much more, including setting up this blog by myself. With all that has taken place during the last year I can't really imagine what this year will bring except change itself.

I have many goals and dreams for the new year. Alot I want to do with the business and alot I want to see happen personally. But I know not to be so set in my ways that I miss an opportunity when it presents itself. The results of which are usually much better than I could have imagined or planned on my own. An ever present reminder that there are forces greater than myself at work, leading me in the right direction if I just let go and let them.