Christmas in the Village

 

Today was our town's Christmas in the Village, and I'm so glad I went. I saw many friends, most of whom I haven't seen since last year's celebration. I was thrilled to run into two former colleagues, both named Julie. 

The first Julie I ran into taught special education classes at the high school. She now teaches in a larger school north of here, but after she switched schools, she moved here! 

The second Julie I ran into had a booth where she was selling these wonderful pot holders. I met her when I first started teaching in GP. I was in the library, and Julie taught art. She moved to take a classroom position in the town where she lived. It was good to catch up with her!

The Methodist church ladies were selling their fabulous cookies, which we enjoy every year. My friend Rhiannon was selling her sugar scrubs, something my sister and I love!

I came home inspired to finish another button ornament. I need three more for school, and four for my daughters. I hope I have enough time!

Getting ready for Christmas

Blog posting has taken a back seat to decorating for Christmas. I have been doing some crafting, but not much. I'm making slow progress on my button ornaments. I still need four more for my friends at school, and I haven't even started making them for family!

It's Secret Santa time at school next week. I know I have a girl, so I've spent the past few days crocheting this hat. Who doesn't like a white hat in the middle of a cold snap?

Both Dave and I have gone overboard with decorating the house, both inside and outside, for Christmas. I think we have way too much stuff, and it just might be time to start sharing that stuff with others!

 

Nasty bug

There's a nasty bug going around, and I caught it! It's been two full weeks, and I still have a lingering cough. If you start to feel sick, please tack extra precautions. I don't wish this one on anyone!

I finally decided on my Christmas ornament for this year, inspired by these adorable candy buttons that I found on Amazon. 

The pattern is very simple. I used size 20 Lizbeth thread. For the first round, all rings are 6-6-6-6, and chains are 6-6. Three rings are joined to each hole, and all rings are joined with the side picots. I joined the final chain with a lock join and proceeded to the second round.

For the second round, chain 6, lock join to picot from first round, make a self closing mock ring of 5 picots with one double stitch in between each picot. Close the self closing mock ring, chain 6, lock join to base of ring from first round. Tie off and hide ends.

I'm adding a date charm to the back of each ornament. 

I only have four finished so far. I'd better get tatting!

Time for an update!

Well, I certainly have been slack with my posting!

Mean Green Goes Pink Night was a great success. Daughter Carol and I attended the volleyball game, and we both think it was the largest crowd we've ever seen for Pink Night. One of the high school girls won my pink and green tree. Adeline told me right from the start that it was her goal to win that tree. It makes me so happy when something I've made goes to someone who truly loves it!

I haven't made much progress on my Concentric Rectangles doily. Dave and I have been busy shopping and working on finishing up our room addition. We're trying to get as much done as possible before the holidays.

I brought my Addi 22 pin knitting machine out this week so that I could start making Christmas ornaments for the Drama Club fund raiser.

Of course, I wasn't satisfied with my limited yarn choices, so I went shopping for some more. These work up pretty quickly, and the kids at school are very excited to see what color choices will be available. I purchased the shatterproof ornaments on clearance last year thinking that I would get them all made up over the summer. That did not happen!

I've been wanting to knit a Christmas stocking for several years, and this Bukkesprang Stocking from Arne and Carlos called to me!

I finished the toe the first night, 6 rounds the second night, and only 2 rounds last night. I'm really enjoying it so far. I have a whole series of Christmas stockings I'd like to knit. Why? Just because!

Happy at last!

I wasn't thrilled with my tree for Mean Green Goes Pink Night. So, I've been fiddling around with it. I've taken some pieces out, added others, and embellished the bands of green and pink with pink and green pins. Now I'm happy!

The tree is ready for delivery tomorrow. The raffle is a week from tomorrow. I'm excited to see who winds this on!

Nothing

I have accomplished absolutely nothing related to crafting in the past week. Why? I was caught up in reading The Lindisfarne Series. 

Every spare minute was spent reading this five book series. Although I'm not fond of reading stories in the present tense, I found the story so intriguing that I was able to get past the writer's style. I'm also not a fan of incomplete sentences that are used frequently, but I did survive reading outside my comfort zone.

I've always been fascinated by lighthouses and what life might be like for a lighthouse keeper. After reading this series, I think I'll keep my feet on dry land!

Round 2

 

I'm so happy to have finished round 2 of my Concentric Rectangles doily. I finally caught on to how to tat the corner by the 4th corner. I hope I remember what to do when I get to round 4!