Merry Christmas!

 

Signed, sealed, delivered

 

I took a break from gnomes this morning to work on my newest bejeweled tree. I took off the clef that Dad made, because it just wasn't working for me. The cluster of pearls at the top was supposed to work into an oval, but that's not working either, so those will be coming off so that I can do something different.

I did add on different sizes of pearls, and I've added quite a few to the tree this morning.

I've been using a combination of white and blue pearl head beads, and I'm very happy with the way this tree is working out.

As for gnomes, I worked like a crazy woman yesterday morning and I managed to finish and pass out gnomes to all the high school and middle school staff. Luckily, I took extras. I had forgotten to add two people to my list. All were delivered with one left over!

More and more!

 It's crunch time, and I am having a blast making gnomes!

Pearls

I love pearls! It doesn't matter if they're real or fake, colored or white, lumpy fresh water or smooth salt water pearls. I love pearls!

So, my second bejeweled tree will be loaded with pearls!

This tree has several treasured pieces. The G clef is actually a silver piece that my dad made. Janet gave it to me, and I used pearl head pins with the pin heads gently overlapping the silver. I'll need to do something special around the oval to hide the way the pins stick out. The bow pin at the bottom is one of Janet's.

Janet put three stands of red crystals around the bottom of her tree, and I really like the way it finished off the bottom. With that in mind, I decided that my tree would have pearls around the bottom. It helped to have three sizes of pearl beads on hand, and the blue pearl pins really set off the pearls the way I wanted them to. 

The square pin on the center left is one that I bought when Janet, Mom, and I went shopping years ago. Janet has quite a brooch collection, and she tried to get me addicted to brooches as well. I have a few, but not nearly as many as she does! The round pin with the drop near the bottom right is another of Janet's treasures. 

I'll be taking a break from bejeweling today. My finger tips are sore, and gnomes are calling!

O Christmas Tree

 Janet and I have been having so much fun!

I finished my little tree, the one on the left. The pearl bow on my tree was a gift from Janet.

Janet is still working on hers.

It's amazing that a few inches can take so much more time. Janet's tree is loaded with brooches and bits of costume jewelry she has collected over the years. Her tree has much more sentiment attached to it, and that takes a bit more time as well.

I started a second tree after school yesterday.

This time I have more sentimental pieces on my tree.

We've used up all the pearl head pins that I had, although I'm sure there must be more somewhere in the house. It's going to be so much fun making this tree sparkle!

Christmas fun

 

One little gnome was made yesterday morning. After that, we had a craft explosion!

My sister and I decided to make bejeweled Christmas trees!

After watching a couple of YouTube videos, we felt prepared to whip up gorgeous Christmas decorations. We've learned several things from this experience. First, one does not "whip up" gorgeous Christmas trees. We worked on ours for over three hours, and neither one of us is finished. Second, pushing pins into styrofoam for an extended period of time produces very sore fingertips. Third, we did not save any money by making our own instead of buying one someone else had made. Fourth, we have way too much of some supplies and way too little of others. Fifth, a good night's sleep brought on more ideas for Christmas trees!

We did stop around 7 p.m. so that we could watch a Christmas movie. While watching, I finished off a few more gnomes.

I made a list of who I would still like to give gnomes to at school. To reach my goal, I need to make ten more gnomes. I know I can do it, but I'll be working on gnomes right up until Christmas break.

Since I'm having so much fun, I don't see that as a problem!

In a rush

Yes, I'm in a Christmas rush and I'm loving it! It's not a stressful rush. Everything I need to do is taken care of. The rush comes in because of the fun things I'm trying to accomplish during the holiday season, and since nothing I want to accomplish is necessary, I am having great fun getting into the Christmas spirit!

We went to visit friends on Sunday, and I took along a couple of gnomes for them. 

We always have a nice, relaxing visit with them.

I decided that it would be fun to make gnomes for their grandchildren.

So, that's what I did yesterday!

Getting ready for Christmas

We still have so much to do, but we have a plan! My sister came down this weekend, and we did some last minute shopping with Mom on Saturday. Janet and I made plans for making some Christmas decorations next weekend, and Dave helped me plan out a re-model of our pantry.

While Dave went shopping for materials for the pantry, I wrapped Christmas presents. I still have a few to go, but the bulk of the work is done.

I also managed to finish some gnomes!

This one went to Stu.

Gus claimed this one.

My first girl gnome went to Stu's wife, Val.

Stu's two boys have very cheerful gnomes.

His little one kept telling Janet and me, "Merry Christmas!" I think he's really into the spirit of the season!

Janet's granddaughter Abby asked for a gnome she could keep out year 'round.

Daughter Carol said her grandson Wesley loved her gnome and is fascinated with red.

I still have several I want to make for staff members at school, and I am very eager to get started with my sock machine.

Today, I need to empty the pantry so that Dave can start working on it when he gets home. Mom and I have doctor and hair appointments this week. On Friday night I need to make to ravioli stuffing so that Carol and Dave can make ravioli on Saturday. It's going to be a busy week!

Sub day

Yesterday I subbed in high school math. I really don't have to do anything other than supervise. Our high school teachers post their assignments online, and even if they're out sick they respond to student questions. So, I knit dishcloths all day, and I managed to finish two.

Before it got dark, I managed to crank out three gnomes, but I only finished two.

I'm really fond of the braid in the center.

It just so happened that both of these gnomes seemed to need that braid. I think I'm going to fill my basked with gnomes before taking any more in for teachers. One high school boy has asked me for a gnome, although he keeps calling it an elf. He will probably get one, but after I have finished my gifts!

Skipping a day

There was nothing to post yesterday. Tuesday got away from me, and I just didn't get anything done.

Wednesday, I went to town! I managed to finish three gnomes before school. This one is for another of the p.e. teachers.

I think this one will be for my Secret Santa... unless I decide to keep him for myself!

I love the blue beard on this one! He went to one of our science teachers.

Mom and I went yarn shopping in the afternoon. Yes, we still have a boat load of yarn at home, but we were each looking for something specific. Mom has been making neck warmers for a women's shelter and was looking for cheerful colors. I was looking for yarns that would make good gnome beards.

After dinner, I finished the last of the gnomes that I cranked out when my brother was visiting on Sunday.

I'd like to say I'll get more gnomes cranked out today, but I'm subbing in the high school. So, I really don't expect to get much of anything done today. Maybe I'll have time to knit some dishcloths!