A year of knits (and crochet)

What a year! I wonder what 2009 has in store. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the feedback, encouragement, inspiration, praise and friendship throughout the past year, this blogging thing would be not be worth it if it were not for you all!

(Click picture for larger image)
Ravelry Links: 1. Snowflake Tree (blogged only), 2. Feather and Fan Blanket, 3. February Lady Sweater, 4. Thrummed Mittens, 5. I Hate Camping Hat, 6. Socks, 7. Amelia Hat, 8. Baby Viking Hats, 9. Mushroom Rattles, 10. Little Bunny, 11. Fan Bookmark, 12. Savannah Stole, 13. Baby Babette, 14. Chanson en Crochet, 15. ballband dishcloth, 16. garterlac dishcloth, 17. circle dishcloth, 18. Felted Slippers, 19. Urchin, 20. French Press Cozy, 21. Somewhat Cowl, 22. charity baby hat, 23. Fan bookmark, 24. Swallowtail Shawl, 25. Princess Hat

the only snowflake I want to see

While I adore the efforts of those who deck the halls, I am not one to decorate for the seasons. But a little something got into me this year. Starting in December I felt compelled to crochet snowflakes. I started with three from Better Homes and Gardens, then made a few from this website. Not satisfied, I purchased the Leisure Arts booklet 99 Snowflakes to quench my thirst. For almost two weeks I did not knit a stitch, I only wanted to make snowflakes.

Then came the blocking... I usually do not mind blocking projects, especially lace (my favorite!) but this was oh.so.tedious. I think the fact that the 'flakes has to be soaked in glue so they would be nice and stiff contributed the ass pain of it all. I was constantly finding little pieces of fiber stuck to the flakes. Some I recognized from other objects in my knitting basket, some from the red snugly blanket of choice that lives on the sofa. Do you know how hard it is to pick out little colorful fibers from pristine white soaked-in-glue-snowflakes when one also has fingertips that are soaked in glue? Thinking back, I bet tweezers would have made the entire process a bunch easier... I still have half a dozen that need to be blocked and I will be sure to have my tweezers handy.

My desire to make nothing but snowflakes cooled a bit after the time-consuming blocking experience. But what to do with them all? I did not want to put them on my Christmas tree because I knew the tree would only be in the house for a few short weeks. Mother Nature came to my rescue when she blew the perfect snowflake hanging branch out of a tree and into my line of sight in the backyard. I strung the 'flakes onto fishing line and hung them from the branches. The kids gingerbread duplex (they shared a house and decorated each side as a separate house) fits in quite nicely and brightens a very dark corner of our living room. I think it just might stay there until spring...

Happy Holidays!

Man, what a year it has been! I can't believe Christmas is only a day away. The gimme, gimme of the season has been ignored for the most part this year and I am much happier as a result. Of course, I still have to wrap all the kids presents, but we tend to focus more on the spirit of the season instead of the commercial aspect. I tell the kids (with a smile), "What makes you think you deserve more presents than baby Jesus got on his own birthday?" But it is so true. We have found in years past that the more the kids get, the less they play with it all and it so quickly turns to clutter. So a few of the things they want the most will be under the tree, along with a few things they don't expect. The Gaming One and I never exchange presents. We just don't feel the need.

The family and I were talking a few weeks ago about the coming Christmas season and I asked the kids to tell me their favorite thing about the holidays. The Girl Wonder said all the delicious food and spending time with all the family. The Boy Wonder said seeing all the cousins and getting to play with everyone. I have to admit, that made my day.

I have, for the most part, managed to fight off the blahs I usually have this time of year. I have even been singing Christmas songs (which I never do) and have been quite merry. It may help a bit that the weather has been unseasonably warm- just a few days ago it was almost 70 degrees! Perhaps, it is mind over matter. Whatever it is I am enjoying it.

I hope each of you have a very happy holiday, whatever you celebrate. Hug your loved ones tight and let them know how much they mean to you. Hugs to all you as well.