carousel ride

If Christmastime is a little bit about magic then throwing coins in the fountain and a carousel ride in Bryant Park is sure to bring a little bit of it into the holiday season. Followed by gingerbread cookie making at home of course.

*I just noticed that S is riding a bunny as is the girl on her little tote purse she wanted to carry to the city. How funny.

craft room curtain

I made a curtain for my craft room. It's a pretty dark room with only one window so I wanted something that would diffuse the light.

I decided it was time to put away the piece of fabric that was hanging there though I miss the lavender clouds with the french writing the piece had sun damage. I've always wanted to incorporate vintage handkerchiefs into a curtain. I remember long ago having a conversation at work with someone whose sister had done so and had already amassed a collection of my own. I'm happy to have finally tried it out.

I used muslin and sewed on 6 handkerchiefs. I wanted it to be mostly pale in shades so most of them just have embroidery in the corners or lace edging. For the top I just made a pocket for the rod to fit through. The one with the blue edging was made by my Nana.

linen stitch bookmarks

A bookmark is a rather humble object and not one that too many people think about but, how nice to have a pretty one to hold your page. We all know it's sometimes those simple pretty things that make our days all the more sweeter.

The stitch is linen stitch and the project hails from the very same More Last Minute Knitted Gifts I've been babbling about. I'm getting good use of this book. I still have two projects to show you from it. 'Tis the season for quick projects.

One of these was gifted to my Mom today. I hope she likes it as much as I do.

liberty of london bunting

I always love to make party decor. In fact, I've been mulling over ideas for my daughter's 3rd birthday since this summer. It's in February if that gives you any idea.

My Mom's birthday is today and she is coming tomorrow so I made this bunting (I make a lot of bunting) and hung it up which I'm sure will be a nice surprise. My Mom doesn't use the computer (can you believe it?) so there is no chance she will see this. It will be fun to drink our tea and eat our cupcakes under. I hung some fairy lights too.

This is a no-sew bunting and was rather simple to make. The tutorial is here.

It made me want to get back to work on my cathedral windows quilt which uses some of the same fabrics. I have quilts/quilting on the brain a lot lately and I hope to get to work on them soon.

*I own one of Confetti Systems gorgeous garlands but I think that might a bit much for my Mom. Certainly not me and certainly not little ones which make up the majority around here. I think I will hang that for S's birthday.

doll dress with matching hat

This doll dress was quite fun to sew up. All the tiny seams, the collar and puff sleeves.
A matching bonnet was made too.
The pattern is still Simplicity 4707.
I found the red thread afterwards but I don't mind the white stitching on the red ric rac portion.
I used stick-on velcro on the back for a closure- it works well and is great for little ones to dress the dolls.
I do hope she likes all these doll clothes but, I'm not expecting much. I know she will like them but, of course it's not going to elicit the exact same response as this. She has wanted one of those for at least a year. It's the only thing she asked Santa for. Well that and a real horse which unfortunately she's not getting this year.

I think this may be it for the doll clothes for Christmas.

* A sweater was knit for her Purl Rabbit. The rabbit raglan sweater and the pattern for that is here

cotton candy wrist-ees

Knitting these I kept thinking of spun sugar and how long am I going to have to wait for the yarn to come for the second pair. Rowan Kidsilk Haze is dreamy. I know I have been on a bit of a knitting spree lately but, I can't help it.

This is a mohair/silk combination and they are fuzzy and soft. I made the smallest size thinking these would fit Ms. S but, instead they fit me. Apparently, I have tiny wrists. How dainty.

The pattern is White Rabbit Wrist-ees by Tiny Owl Knits and I'm going to make them in the the same yarns as intended because who doesn't want to feel a bit Alice-like sometimes. The pattern is actually not in her etsy shop but a free pattern on Ravelry so if you are on there you will find it. These are knit flat and then stitched up leaving room for the thumb.

I have the pattern for the Meow Mitts too and now just need to get my paws on some yarn for those. Look at those robin and nest ones too.

Some yarn pulled for more projects.

seed stitch bracelet, sugar scrub and a nickel

Hmm, what can I say. I've just gotten home from the hospital with my kids. My 5 year old boy swallowed a nickel. Thankfully he is fine and sleeping now and the coin is safely sitting in his intestines waiting to well, pass. I can not tell you how often I tell him not to put things in his mouth and have warned him about such things but, it seems to go in one ear and well now out the bum!



Another project from the previously mentioned More Last Minute Gifts except instead of using 2 different Koigu Yarns I just used one: Koigu Mori which is merino and mulberry silk (gorgeous) and finished it with a fabric covered button in a Liberty of London print. This sort of bracelet has a simple beauty to it that I just love.




Also, made some sugar scrub recently for gift giving. I made one for myself too. Just raw sugar, a little olive oil to coat and a 4 or 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil all which I had at home. Thanks to Amy for the link.