Alayassa announced the other day that I should make her a skirt. So yesterday we went to Hancock Fabric to "just" look at patterns.
Fifty dollars later we walk out with a pattern, fabric and notions for her skirt, some adorable fabric destined for greatness as an apron and a project bag, some new sewing scissors that were on sale for dirt cheap, other random bits as well as a scheduled night to attend a "Get to Know Your Serger" class. This is for a serger I've owned for maybe 8 years and haven't been able to figure it out (hangs head in shame).
She selected several other patterns that she'd like as well and I told her that I'm determined she learn to sew, so I'm going to make her help me. I've tried to teach her off and on over the years but it's not something my little artist has been interested in. This probably won't change anything but I think it's a useful skill to at least have the basics on.

Today I'm starting off the day making turkey stock to use in making Butternut Squash Chowder. We had it for Thanksgiving at Lewis's moms and fell in love with it. It was soooo good. Then I'm making a raspberry cherry pie and packing up the lot to take to grandma's for dinner.
If I have time I'm going to make her a card too. She was in a car accident Thanksgiving Day and while she's "fine" by Dr. standards, she's bruised and sore and more than a little down at the moment.

So I'm off, wish me luck in all my endeavors and have a grand day.

Wilfred the Snowman Block

I'm in a block swap on Ravelry and our December theme is...wait for it...Christmas. Big surprise on that one eh? Yeah, not so much.
The heart stopping surprise here is that for once I'm ahead of the game and have my block done *gasp* early! We haven't even had partners assigned yet.
I fudged a little though, rather than a blatant Christmas theme such as a tree or ornament or whatnot I decided to do a snowman dressed in his holiday best.

I named him Wilfred and he's very happy to make your acquaintance

Materials used:
Lion Brand Hometown USA in New York White for basic block
Red Heart Holiday Red/Silver for scarf & pom pom
Deborah Norville Everyday in Snow White for pom pom
Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Silk in color 4005 for the hat
I found the stinkinest cutest carrot button by JHB for his nose and the eyes and mouth are cut from felt then glued on with Aileens Ok to Wash It before I blanket stitched around them with black thread.
I think he turned out pretty durn cute and I hope my swap partner enjoys him.

As the Seasons Change so Does My Blog

Tonight I treated myself to my first "just because" bath in a long while. While I was fighting a nasty head and chest cold they became more of a necessity for breathing than a relaxing interlude. For those I would put Vicks rub under my nose and add a heady dose of oil of Eucalyptus, pine needle, lavender and rosemary to my bath water and do my best to inhale deeply.

Tonight I brewed a pot of perfect British tea (decaf since it is after midnight, and yes it was perfect, I'll never go back to a bag in a mug again.) Drew my bath, added some drops of oil of lemon and rosemary and let myself sink into bliss for about half an hour. Now I'm deliciously warm to my cockles and oh so relaxed.

I've been thinking about this blog as of late, it's slipped to the wayside while my nail blog and food blog have seen fairly regular use. It's settling into cold weather though and that has always been my time to hole up and entertain myself with my crafts. I have several knitting UFO's (unfinished objects) and at least as many sewing projects needing to be finished. There's also my paper crafts and beading, spinning and dying and other fiber crafts... Yes, I am rather chronic but I know myself too well to limit myself to just one or two. Variety is the spice of life right?

In the coming months I think this may turn into a log of my different crafts and musings of things in general...more of a journal than anything I suppose and perhaps if I'm feeling particularly creative I'll create tutorials to remind me how to do things.

I want this blog to be about me, for me. There will be no apologies for not posting and no excuses. I don't want this to turn into a "how many followers can I get?" or "give away every other day". I would love to have followers but I want them to be here because of a shared interest...me. :) I'm only halfway teasing, that's pretty much what blogging is isn't it? Sharing yourself with others? Now I don't think my life is terribly fascinating and I'm not nearly as creative as some of the other women who's blogs I follow but I should be able to entertain on occasion.

So if you like, join me in another cup of tea grab a comfy seat and lets sit back and watch this phase of my blogs evolution take place.