Monday, December 22, 2008

Fourth File

Leslie suggested we all play along with the photo challenge. So, as instructed, here's the fourth photo in my fourth file.
It's a diaper cake that my daughter created for her cousin's baby shower. I helped her put it together - it takes two people to construct because it wants to fall down. It was loads of fun - you roll up diapers (we used disposables) and build the cake from the inside to the outside. Then you just build the layers up from there. We tied it all off with some pretty ribbon. She also added little goodies - most are hard to see except for the stuffed dog on the top.

This photo was taken on the kitchen counter at the "beach house" on what appears to be a beautiful day in June. I sure wish we had that weather today - this morning I returned from 5 days in Houston to a foot of snow!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Really


I stopped by Home Depot on my way to work and this was the scene in the parking lot.

That's a lot of trucks!

Many families have been without power since the New England ice storm on Thursday, including my daughter and her family. They have been staying with us since Friday afternoon, but are hoping to have power back sometime today so that they can go home. At least today's forecast is for warm weather; Saturday was really cold. The power outage has disrupted their holiday plans - they were going to put up their tree this past weekend, decorate the porch - but instead they hung out in the condo. At least we live close enough to help. I feel sorry for the families that have to stay in a shelter.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

What do you think?

I changed my template and added a header. Do you like it? Thanks to Leslie for the great photo!

Am I crazy?



I decided, on Monday, that I should knit a scarf for my mother. I'm flying down there on the 17th for a few days. Do you think it will be done by then? I'd love to have it done before I go - then I could block it here - but if I can't get it done by the 17th, maybe I can knit on the plane? It's moving right along (although I must admit my left shoulder is sore - from too much knitting time??).

I must be crazy.

Monday, December 08, 2008

Happy 3rd Birthday Sugar!



Yesterday was C's third birthday. I can't believe it. She is looking SOOOO grown up. So thank you, Sugar, for being such a great little person, and being such a special part of our lives. We love you!

P.S. Nice earrings!

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Wow


I love Brooklyn Tweed's design aesthetic. He's outdone himself this time.

Gorgeous. And I can think of tons of beautiful yarns that would be great for this project. If only I had more time.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Do you see what I see?



There is a tall smokestack in my town, and every year they drape it with lights to mimic a Christmas tree. This is the view from my office window. I was delighted Monday night when I noticed that it was there - really makes it feel like the holidays are just around the corner. I hope you are seeing and enjoying the holiday lights in your neck of the woods.

P.S. C loved her new Advent Calendar. She got to pick two surprises last night (a fancy crayon-like drawing device and some JellyBellies). I wish I could remember what today's surprise will be!

Monday, December 01, 2008

Advent Calendar


My daughter thought C would like an Advent Calendar this year. About a day later, I saw this and knew I wanted to make one instead of buying one, especially since the bought version would probably be filled entirely with candy. So I purchased all the materials and set to work. The embroidered numbers were done on the way back from Thanksgiving at my brother's house. And my new workspace was perfect for laying out the squares of felt. Purl Soho made a slight error in my order, so I only had one of the two red shades they recommended. I had to do a little rearranging of the colors, but I think it turned out well. (I photographed it lying on the floor so it's not the greatest picture.)


Yesterday I went looking for 24 little things to go into the pockets - the pockets are only about 2.5" square, so each day's surprise has to be small! I mixed in some candy along the way, but most days are little goodies like post-it tags, a couple of ornaments, hair do-dads, and some little jewelry items. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Oh - I split it in two pieces (unlike the original which was one long panel) so that it can be hung out of the reach of inquiring little hands. Each panel is 12" square, and there are four of them, so the original design was quite long from top to bottom. By making it in two pieces, it can be hung at normal picture-hanging height. I also got some tension-mounted curtain rods, so H can hang each panel in a window if she wants.


I can't deliver it until tomorrow night, but I can't wait to see the reactions! Can you guess what December 20th's goodie is?