Wishing You . . .

Too Stinkin' Cute

It was one of those, "Hey, I can make that!" moments !

A friend (and wine lover!) at work was talking about some

cute wine bottle accessories she saw in a store recently:

hats & scarves for your wine bottle !!

So, with all the yarn I have leftover in my stash,

I thought I might whip a few up for a quick Christmas gift !

Finished the first one last night . . .

Can't wait to play around with a few others !!

So freakin' cute . . . and I don't even drink wine !

Take that, Pottery Barn !!!!

Empty Needles . . . Haven Is Finished !

Yaaaaaaay . . . "Haven" is done !!

I finished it about a week ago, and donned her for the

first time over the weekend . . . LOVING this sweater !!!

It's just what I was wanting . . .

(Quite a feat taking self-portraits . . .

especially in the snow & freezing temps . . .

. . . and using the timer for "flasher" shots !!!)

Looks like I'm giving a big hug here !!

And "Haven" feels just as comfy-cozy as a great big embrace !!

Love it !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Fun new baking toys to play with here at . . .

I found these lovelies at Williams-Sonoma this past weekend, and they just had to come home with me !! A little tricky to get used to at first, but really fun . . . so many possibilities !!! I'll definitely be using these with this year's office nifty-gifty . . . very cool !!!

Have a . . .

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

"For the beauty of the earth,

for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies;

Lord of all, to thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise."

For the Beauty of the Earth

Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

Haven: Flying Without a Pattern !

So, my lovely yarn the color of autumn leaves is on the needles . . . and on its way to becoming a cozy turtleneck ! And I've dubbed it "Haven" . . . because turtlenecks are my go-to sweaters to keep out the chill . . . and partly because I started it while watching the Syfy channel's "Haven" (based on a Stephen King story and set in Maine, of course !) and drooling over the gorgeous coastal Maine/fishing village scenery (always brings thick, cozy sweaters to mind !) !!!

This has been a fun and freeing knit for me . . . because I'm pattern-free on this one !! Just a few measurements and a basic formula for this type of sweater, and I'm set to make a custom-fit handknit !! It's a little daunting to just start something like this without a pattern to follow . . . but very liberating, too ! I can do whatever I want . . . no rules to follow . . . and no feeling like I've somehow failed if it doesn't turn out like the picture with the pattern ! Lovely !

Hopefully it'll look better on me than on my craft room chair !!!

Hope to be enjoying my "Haven" soon . . . !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

" . . . . 'I Sing Behind the Plow'. This affirmation of joy in work,

of art in the everyday, of hope in the face of challenge,

helps us in times of trouble and reminds us that we have

within us a lot of what it takes to make things better."

- Jan Davidson, Director, John C. Campbell Folk School

I had no idea what to post today. It was one of the those semi-blah days at work, and it left me feeling like a little bit of life had been sucked out of me !!

Then I read these words in the Folk School newsletter/funding letter that came in the mail . . . and I felt a little buoyed. Just the words I needed to hear today !

Happy Monday !

Another Smile

"These autumn colors are just gorgeous . . .

the Lord certainly did a good job !"

- an elderly patient -

Indeed.

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Happy, happy . . . joy, joy !!

The "Castle Hill" cardigan is DONE !!!

I just need to find some buttons, and then she's ready to roll !!

Happy (finally onto the next project !) Monday !!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

"Your best life isn't necessarily your favorite life

or the one you selfishly want.

It's simply the life you're best at."

- Josh Kilmer-Purcell, "The Bucolic Plague"

Happy Monday !

Vacation Part 2: Universal Studios

Comics and cartoons . . .

. . . and some dinosaurs, too !

The #1 reason for our visit here . . .

. . . the Harry Potter section !!!

The attention to detail was amazing . . .

. . . a must-see for fans of Harry Potter !!!

What a fun way to spend a day !!!

Vacation Part 1: Magic Kingdom

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge during our Disney vacation . . .

. . . and thanks to a surprise free upgrade, stayed on the exclusive "loft" floor,

complete with continental breakfast and all-day-long snacks !!!

The view from our balcony:

What a cool place to stay !

Down this walkway was the boat that took us

to and from the Magic Kingdom . . .

Gotta love Disney decked out for Halloween !

Hello, candy !!!

The scent of sugar just grabbed you from the sidewalk . . . !

My kind of tea party . . .

That's right . . . only a 10-minute wait for the rides and attractions !!!

Awesome !

Definitely a magical first day !!