Sure Feels Good...

to finish up a few pieces of needlework that have been hanging around. This one is called Sew Nautical by Carol. You can order it as a PDF for $4.00 (I think) by going to http://istitchcharts.blogspot.com. Carol's piece was stitched on white linen with blue, teal, red and gold threads. I did mine a bit differently on aqua linen with silk thread. It's funny how if you change the linen and thread you get a totally different look. I made this for my brother and sister-in-law for Christmas to go along with their pillowcases I made a few posts back. I'm not sure if I'll finish it as a pillow or a heavy weight. Either way, I'll take a pic when I'm done.

This is another little piece I completed last night. I really want to make several more of these babies. This one is Be Mine by the Love is in the Air leaflet by Blackbird Designs. I would also like to stitch February's Violet also in the same leaflet. I have several other patterns, too, that I'd like to do. I will finish this one as a little stocking as this is an entire series of mini cross stitch stockings. They are so beautiful when hung on a little tree. If you hit Mary Kathryn on my sidebar, you can scroll through her blog entries and see some. The are so beautiful.
As a little side note, I just added the "Follower's Gadget" on my sidebar. Would love to have you come visit me often!

Snowflake Hat and Mitten Set

I'm so happy... two posts within a week! I made this Snowflake Hat for Kaleigh for Christmas. It's a free pattern from Knithats.tripod.com. It's the same pattern I made several hats out of last year. I really like it!
I started out making the mittens using Noro Kuryeon yarn I had in my stash. Seeing I had quite a bit left over, I decided to make the hat to match. The white yarn is angora; nice and soft.
I'm not making too many Christmas gifts this year. I found a few very nice things on sale while shopping for Corey and Kyle's girlfriends and a beautiful pants, top and jacket set for my mom. I'm still going to give each of my daughters a home made gift along with their 'regular' gifts, as they really like something hand-made by me. This will free me up to make fewer gifts and just concentrate on things I really want to make for our home or ourselves. I guess what bothers me is so many people think that home-made equals cheap. When you buy quality materials, it is not cheap! Many times I can go to the store and buy ready-made costing me much less than if I purchased the materials to make it myself. Add time in there and you've got one expensive gift! So instead of making myself crazy, I'm rethinking how to handle Christmas this year. I'll let you know how it works out!

Gravy Train and Crocheted Slippers

The Gravy Train is Back! Yes, we're celebrating as my husband is back to work! After fourteen months of unemployment, his old work called him back. We thought a cake and balloons were in order. Let the partaaaay begin! We've been surely blessed the past year and God provided for all our needs. God is good!

Kaleigh found the pattern for these little slippers free on the net. I think she found it in Ravelary. Aren't they cute? She made them for a friend's birthday.

I'm not much of a crocheter, myself but she held my hand and guided me through.

Both pairs are for Jen, Kyle's girlfriend. She likes pink so we thought both pairs would be perfect for her. I think they'll keep her tootsies nice and cozy.