christmas 911 - keepin' it together.

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if i had all of the time in the world, unlimited amounts of yarn, patterns, and caffeine.... i'd be the most incredible christmas elf ever. i really would. ...

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my little man would have so many awesome knitterly gifts!

source: 1. google.com 2. crankypants on etsy

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of course, he's into castles, knights, princesses... so i'd for sure knit him this too...

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remember, i said if i had all the time in the world, unlimited amounts of yarn, and caffeine.... yep. the operative word here is if.. sigh.. but that would be sooo awesome!

but christmas knitting 911 is a support group. (also a little bit of an enabler) but really, we want you guys to be able to finish your projects, and still remain decently sane to enjoy christmas. xo

so where do you start? how do you keep it all together? my tip? be really organized.. and, of course realistic. that castle would totally make my kid poop his pants with excitement, but i can't do that, plus the sweater i was intending, robots that he wants, stuff for the hubs... not to mention gifts that have to be sent away in what, less than 2 weeks now to arrive in time for christmas?

then of course, there's the baking, planning the christmas dinner, christmas cards... wowza, how much time is left? maybe we could ask santa for the ability to function without any sleep whatsoever... yeah, that would help.

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ok. so we're a month away.. no, less. we're just a few weeks away! (eeks!) but before panic sets in, make yourself a planner of sorts...  better yet, i've found a few sites that have free printables to help you out in this crazy, but wonderful and exciting time!

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• organized christmas - you'll find printable calendars, christmas planner pages, covers, countdown checklists and more!
• christmas your way - you'll find a christmas planning e-book, including baking planner, budget and cards worksheets and more!
• tip junkie - here you'll find everything including a party planner, family gift planner and more!

this is just a few to get you started, but i know you can find lots out there....it's so nice to know that we're totally not alone. and it's completely possible to have it together, and still get everything done! woo hoo!!! 

but back to the knitting front.... how do you keep realistic goals with our knitted (and crochet) gifts? these gifts are time consuming. and frankly, we don't have a lot of time... for you smarty pants out there who have already started and finished many of your christmas gifts good for you! planning ahead is probably the best way to get it all done... but for those of us who still have a list and a trip to the yarn store yet.....

i would consider bulky knits for sure. yes that would be wise... and also, really not everyone you know needs a knitted gift because you're a knitter.... (though it's fun).... i like to knit only for the people who i know will really appreciate the work and the love that goes into the gift...  and have a plan that x many gifts will be done per week... allocate times in the evening (if that works better after kiddos are in bed) for your elving time...

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don't forget we're all here for eachother.. come on by to our ravelry group, and all things christmas 911 on luvinthemommyhood. and be sure to check out shannon's post today for her wish list for girls, and a little gifty too :) because, 'tis the season.  as for my christmas knitting list? it's still a work in progress... but i'll let you know really really soon. i promise.
and really, try to get some sleep. xo

how is your christmas planning coming along? any of your fav ways to keep sane? (besides coffee) :) i want to hear what's on your list! xo

staying focused...

it's time for lots and lots of coffee.....
a little bit of sleep, and a lot more coffee!

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handmade for the holidays is this weekend! i've got the sewing machine out now, making sure everything has labels. then it's figuring out pricing, (always the hardest part, isn't it?) and display.
i'm excited, and nervous. it's my first market. and i hope it goes well!

i've got lots to do, as well as bake a ton of cookies for a cookie exchange the day after the market, and remembering to start the advent calendar on dec first. (i almost always forget about it every year...almost) and let's not forget about the chrsitmas gift knitting! and i've even got a surprise in store for you! (i seem to love piling things onto my plate) :)  

how is your week looking so far? do you have it all mapped and planned out? that's the name of the game here, so it can all get done! now for another cup of coffee:) happpy monday! xo

celebrating snowmen!

i wish that we actually did have snowmen already, but as it's usually far too mild for that in this neck of the woods, the knitted variety will have to do (for now)....
these guys are the cutest little things! i made a few as party gifts for our toddler christmas party last year, and they were such a hit, i had to make them again.

here are the deets:
pattern: mochimochi snowmen by anna hrachovec

needle: 3.25mm
            2.5mm (for the scarves)

yarn: stash yarn. (sadly i can't quite remember, though i looks like a patons worsted weight)
the scarf i do remember, is noro sock yarn. either the kureyon sock or the silk garden sock. (yes they are fancy schmancy snowmen).. they eyes and arms are vanna's choice. and are just embroidered on.

i also made these little guys into ornaments, cause they're so cute that way. and i think they're happiest when they're hangin' around :)
if you want to check out last years little men, here's the ravelry link. :)
i am actually going to be selling these little cuties at "handmade for the holidays" winter market next week. (with permission) and i think they'll be a hit! of course a few extras had to be made for our tree too. we'd just be too lonely without them.

the pattern is great, and very easy to follow. the beginning rounds are a little tricky what with small needles, but i don't mind. the outcome is just totally worth it.

these little guys are my final entry for celebrate color. i can't believe that the series has come to an end already! i have so enjoyed participating, and seeing all of the wonderful and inspirational projects that have been created! a huge thank you to rachel hauser of stitched in color, emma lamb, mollie of wild olive, and shannon of luvinthemommyhood. this has been such a fun event, and i am so looking forward to the next one! (totally assuming we'll do this again next year) :) the work that went into this must have been huge. i greatly appreciate it!

i know we are now all more than inspired to be crafting away for christmas! i know you can tell i sure am! :)

i am keeping very busy this weekend with finishing up things for the market, and we're going to my son's best friend's birthday part today! it's going to be fun! gymnastics with rambunctious 4 year olds. yesss! ;) we honestly are so excited. amy from family feedbag is baking the cake, so it's gonna be glorious! then after that is the santa claus parade! here's wishing you all a fun filled and exciting weekend too! xo

and so it begins!

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christmas is officially a month away! and as you've guessed it, there is constant knitting going on here :) not just for the market (i'm excited to say i think i might be just about done the knitting part of that!) but also, some needed woolies.  i absolutely love living out on vancouver island, but i do miss the snow :)

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of course, i don't need snow to put me in the christmas spirit (though having a winter wonderland does help) we've got the christmas tunes playing, and crafting is under full force :) it's important to me to teach my little the value of giving handmade, and so i make great efforts to do as much handmade as i can, especially in this season. sure it means less gifts, but the gifts that we do share are that much more special.
i'm not saying that we shouldn't appreciate gifts that aren't handmade, (some just simply don't have the time or materials) but i think the effort going into the gift is so important.

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for me, when i'm knitting a gift, every stitch is for the person intended. the item is created with that special person in mind. you know? and it could even be in baking cookies for a friend. or sending a dry mix in a mason jar, like cake, or hot chocolate,... just add milk.
i have almost as much fun finding ways to wrap a handmade gift! the possibilities are endless! but there will be more on that during our christmas 911 posts ;)

 

the lovely shannon of luvinthemommyhood and i have created a support group of sorts for christmas crafting 911. we know that this is crunch time, and we could all use all the support and encouragement, and ideas we can get. it's a crazy crafting time, but it's also a fun crafting time! so come on by and join our group!  you can find all of the info on shannon's blog and on our ravelry group.
we'd really love for you to be a part of it.

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so let's get to my first mission :) my little has asked for me to knit him another "stuffie" as we call them. (soft toys). though he specifically wants a robot. i've made him muno (those of you with littles who watch "yo gabba gabba" will know who he is) and for those of you who don't.. he's a one eyed monster. muno has friends too, and a robot is one of them. but i'm wondering, does anyone know of other robot patterns that might be a good fit? i'd appreciate any tips here :)

how has christmas crafting been going for you? for those of you with littles, how do you go about teaching the value of making gifts? are any of you experienced in crafting toys? i need your help! xo

drumroll please.....

before i get to the prizes for the carefree cowl knit along (!!!) i wanted to give you a little sneak peek. :)  i've been working hard here, and it's all starting to come together.

you likey? i'm getting super excited! handmade for the holidays is just over a week away! but let's get to our kal, shall we?

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well it's here! the day we announce the winners of the carefree cowl knit along!

 

woo hoo! i think it's a great step into the christmas frenzy of knitting, don't you? but i'm not going to announce it here....haha you guys know the drill... head on over to luvinthemommyhood. we'll tell you who won, annnd what we've got planned for you! shannon and i are super excited about this feisty group of knitters :) we know that the crazy christmas crafting is on our doorstep, so we thought a christmas knitting 911 was in order... of course, we've got a button for this too! yes, we're prepared! of course, we also have a ravelry thread on this too! so head on over to luvinthemommyhood to grab this new lovely button and see if you're one of the winners of this awesome knit along!

we've had so much fun with you ladies! now let's get christmas crafting underway, shall we? can't wait for the next knit along! tell me, what's the first christmas crafting on your needles? your fave go-to pattern? xo

a confession... sorta...

i know i totally said that we would wait until dec 1st to start ... but....

we just couldn't wait! haha.
i also have to confess that we've been listening to christmas music for at least a week now... and with all of the elving taking place, well it just had to be done.

truth is, every weekend is starting to fill up!! and since i really am one of those people who take everything down the day after christmas...it's better to put the tree up earlier rather than later.
one day we'll have a real tree.... but that's when i have my dream farm house :) there's a cute little shop around here that has the best candles.. they smell like a real christmas tree... i've gotta find me one (or two) of them stat.

less than 2 weeks now until "handmade for the holidays" winter market. i'm getting excited! we've taped out the length of the table, and i'll be planning the display within a couple of days! i tell ya, my fingers have been working like mad! i can't wait to show you all what i've been working on!

but back to crafting... and then candle searching... and let's not forget baking! yep... we're in the christmas zone now!!

how about you? have you started decorating yet? of course, our lovely neighbours in the US still have their yummy thanksgiving... so perhaps after this weekend, yes? i'd love to hear about you're fav part of decorating, and christmas crafting. xo

pleasently surprised

so a fairly cool thing happened to me last week. i was awarded the versatile blogger award, by rosa of flutterflutter! i was so surprised, and excited i actually did a happy dance ;) pretty much had the jazz hands out and everything :) haha.

for those of you who might not know what this award is, lemme tell ya! it's basically a very cool way to learn of other blogs and a chance to spread the love, so to speak. and part of winning includes me sharing 7 things about myself...

now rosa had a wonderful idea of using photos to help share about herself, and i think i'd like to do that too. besides, it makes the whole post prettier :)

one -  i learned recently that continental knitting vs. english knitting is also known as picking vs. throwing. i'm a thrower... but i also want to be a picker. it would probably make me a more efficient knitter. (yea, i think about that kind of stuff)

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two - i bake all my own bread. not 'cause i feel i have to but 'cause i loove to. this includes bagels, and pizza too. and hopefully one day english muffins.

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three - i only like dancing when no one is watching. but i secretly know that if anyone were to watch... i'd be really, really good.

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four - i am a flautist. it's been a while since i've played regularly, but i used to play with a group in weddings and wineries. (i also used to sing alto in a quartet. and we sang a lot of a capella... so i couldn't fake it)

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five - i would looove to learn how to spin. (totally not talking about the bike here... though, i could probably do that too) ;)

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six - though i'm pretty rusty now, at one time, i was pretty good at speaking german, and french. and i miss it. a lot. i love languages... and actually got my TESOL certificate online. even with all the crazy grammar studies, i kinda liked it.

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seven - i am happy. i really really am. i am a very lucky girl, living in beautiful british columbia, canada. i still love being married to my man, and look forward to a long life with him, i have the most adorable kiddo (yes a little biased.. but that's allowed), and i have the best friends a girl could ask for.... some of these people i know only online! but it's true. i really like this life that i have. it's a swell one :)

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and i've also got to put in a little self promotion :) handmade for the holidays is less than 3 weeks away! i'm super excited about it, and a little nervous. it's my first market.. and i hope that there's traffic! regardless this is a great opportunity for me, and i can't wait to show you all pics!!!

and now to pass on this award to some awesome bloggers!

• melissa @ misocrafty
• jana @ a stitch in lime
• liisa @ socks-a-plenty
• kimberly & terry @ vogeljoy
• buffy @ passionate design
• allison @ little lovelies
• grace @ juniper grace
• amy @ family feedbag
• shannon @ luvinthemommyhood
• mae @ eat, run, knit
• jane @ jane richmond
• sarah @ the aftercraft 
• pam @ falling open 
• christine @ drives my soul
• brea @ brea herron photography 

here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend! probably full of crafting, and preparing for christmas?! let's get elving! and thanks everyone, for taking the time to read this and to learn a little more about me xo

you're the star!

i'm over on luvinthemommyhood today and it's the day of carefree cowl posting.... shannon and i have been so inspired to see what you've all come up with! it's incredible! everyone did such a wonderful job, and now i've got several more cowls in my que :)

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once you ladies got out your cameras and started showing off these ah-mazing cowls, we were just so impressed! come on by to luvinthemommyhood, there are lots of pretty pics of your work (we wanted to fit everyone in, but there were just sooo many!) and we'd love for your to check it out!

and we have a couple of prizes in store too!!! so head on over! as that's where the fun is :)
also be sure to check out our flicker group and our ravelry group, you'll find all of the lovely cowls there.

i really had so much fun with this KAL. can't wait to start another with you lovely ladies! xo

mail bliss!

soo look what came in the mail yesterday afternoon!!!

isn't it purty? i loooove it! i won this gem on misocrafty's blog! she sews these awesome project bags and sells them in her etsy shop. so you can have one too! this is one talented girl, i tell ya! not only does she sew, but she's a crazy awesome knitter too! you should check out her ravelry page. honestly, she can pump out sweaters like i've never seen!

and the crazy thing, is that she is local to me, but we've still yet to meet in person! one day soon!! i love that we've gotten to know each other through the blogging world, and through ravelry. but i would looove to knit up a storm with her :)

... but back to the bag (lol)
i think it's just the perfect size.... it holds just what i need, and my poor knitting doesn't have to get tangled up in keys, camera, toddler snacks and sippy cups all in my bag ever again! yippeee! and this is really just the right timing, what with all of the market and holiday knitting i've been doing lately. there's always several projects on the go :)

and also, look. at . the. print! so so cute! and colourful.

yah i love it. and it made my day. thank you so much, melissa!

wanna check out more of her awesome goods?  be sure you do! and tell her i sent ya!

etsy | blog | ravelry

does getting gifts in the mail make you as giddy as it makes me? are you one who uses project bags? what's your fave way to take your knitting along with you, and how do you keep it all organized? xo

keepin' on

how was your weekend? ours was wonderful! the hubs took of some extra days of work, so we had lots of family days. so nice. unfortunately i didn't get as much knitting done as i should have. yikes.

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but you know what? i'm just not gonna stress it. i'm working hard on it, and i believe it will all work out in the end.

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i just can't believe that christmas is coming up already! some have even started decorating, and putting up their tree!!! we'll wait until december.. but i did put up a winter wreath on our door this weekend. that felt christmas-y. are you beginning to feel the stresses of gift making, and decorating, and holiday baking yet? or have you started already to help organize yourself into a fairly mellow holiday?  i'll admit it, i've started listening to the christmas tunes... but not when the hubs is at home. he'd make fun of me.

but anyways, i have to get back at 'er. i'm getting so excited to show you what i'm going to be stocking my booth up with! and maybe get some of your much needed advice on display.... ahem. sound good?


what's on your needles right now? i honestly and for truly wanna know. i promise i've got goods to show you this week! but now back to knitting.. and bagel baking...!!! (yesserie you heard that right) xo

taking time...

today i am taking time to remember.

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the brave men and women and their families... who through their efforts, and their incredible strength have made it possible for us to have our freedom.

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i think it's so important that we don't forget.

just so you know....

it is quite possible to down a cup of piping hot coffee in less than 2.2 minutes.

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so i was up until 1:30 am... knitting.. yes. i am more than dedicated. and maybe a little crazy. it wouldn't be so bad if my little hadn't had a nightmare at 5am, and then just after 7am i thought... whatever, and crawled out of bed. :)
the hubs gets a couple of days off from being at sea... so here's hoping these knitting needles of mine do anything but catch fire. hah.

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of course i'm not just talking about market knitting... i have ridiculous plans. it's ok though, cause it will get done. owen's mittens are just about done! and i totally have plans for a sweater for me before the market. what? stop laughing. oh yah, and there's christmas. but i don't need to start that until december... right?


how's your week looking so far? anyone else on the same line of irrational thinking as i am? what are you crafting on these days? i'm already on my third cup of coffee, and i'm more than ready to chat! xo

hiya!

i bet you didn't expect to see me here today, now did ya? hahah. well i like to throw in a surprise or two...
i'm actually only kinda here. i'm guest posting today over on luvinthemommyhood.

our awesome carefree cowl knit along is coming to a close... so come on by and see what other goodies we have in store for you!!
pretty please? xo

long overdue....

back in late summer, early fall.. the cloth castle did some major shifting of their inventory. ... and as a result, the yarn, knitting, crochet, and embroidery supplies got their own room! it is lovingly called, the knitting nook.

it's so easy to find the yarn you're looking for, everything is beautifully displayed! it's a cozy little room in the front section of the store. if you've frequented the store lots in the past, it's where the office used to be.

there are lots of samples knitted up, to give you a sense of your finished product. and let's not forget the cloth castle has a great selection of jane richmond's patterns! including her new cowl , "shannon". yippee! perfect for the holidays. these patterns will be fully stocked soon. and you'll have plenty of time to get some great christmas pressie knitting in!

the cloth castle is also carrying sweet georgia yarn!

these colours are just drool worthy. honestly, perfect for christmas knitting! this yarn is what rae was designed for. you remember, the gorgeous scarf that jane richmond designed a few months ago? and if you're not a knitter yourself, this makes a beautiful gift for any knitter. trust me. (i'm working on my 3rd!)

as you know i've been a busy bee.... and i thought i'd give you a sneak peek at what i've been working on... just cause you've been so patient with me! xo i so hope those of you who are in the area will be able to visit me at handmade for the holidays on december 3rd. it will be held in the wellington hall in nanaimo.  i'd be so happy to see you!!

.... and there's lots more to come! see? i don't just say i'm busy. ;)

and now i have to get back at 'er! too bad my needles just can't magically knit things up by themselves! i've got to get on a pair of mittens for owen too....

i'd love to hear what you've been working on! and if you live in the area, come on by to the knitting nook at the cloth castle! you'll feel cozy there. i'm pouring myself another cup of coffee... want one? xo