Bowling

I bought Leia a toy bowling set for Christmas and I'm not sure who had more fun with it today, us or Leia. She quickly picked up on the fact that it was OK to knock the pins down. It's the way she was doing it that cracked us up. Meet Leia - the human bowling ball. She'd set up a pin or two (or we'd sneak behind her and set them all up), put the ball in her mouth, mow down all the pins, and then applaud. We were in stitches. The only one not amused was poor Lily. She heads for the hills whenever Leia or Payton* show up (Payton, 18 months, is the daughter of Gary's girlfriend, Samantha). Lily wanted to get to me but Leia was between us, so she hid under the couch, trying to sneak past when Leia wasn't looking. I love that you can see her six toes in the top photo.

*Teaching Payton to weave. Whenever a camera points her way, Payton spontaneously says "cheese". So cute!

Year of the Shawl - FO #1

Finished the first of the ten shawls I'm committed to making this year. This is Seraphina's Shawl, done in Fearless Fibers Alpaca and Wool DK (color: Pumpkin Spice) that's been in my stash for awhile now, awaiting just the right project. Love how it looks and feels. Still planning to wear this to TNNA this week, just can't decide whether to wear it Thursday to class and the Ravelry party or on Sunday to class and when I work in the spinning/weaving booth on the TNNA floor. Decisions, decisions . . . .

This is Leia's 'not again, grandma' look.

I also finished the Tunisian shawl that I designed (pattern coming soon.) This is Misti Alpaca's Baby Alpaca Grande in 'Eggplant', done with a size "N/9mm" Tunisian hook that Dick made for me. This shawl won't count towards my total for the 10 Shawls in 2010 group; I was working on it before the official 'start' date. I love how soft and squishy this feels. I wanted a simple, warm shawl that had enough detail work to make it interesting - both to look at and to make - and that's exactly what this is. And even better - both shawls were made with yarn I already had in my stash. Hooray for stash busting!

Year of the Shawl

I don't especially like setting 'resolutions' at the start of the new year - most seem doomed to failure - but I do like having project goals. About a week ago, I spotted a Ravelry group that looks perfect for me - knit or crochet (or Tunisian) 10 shawls in 2010. I love both making and wearing shawls and I'm annoyed with myself for not having finished more of them this year, so I joined up.

I'm also in the sub-group that plans to make 5 of the shawls with stash yarn - I'm hoping for more like 8 done with stash - since another of my goals is to decrease the amount of yarn I've accumulated. (Yes, I know I'll just buy more . . . . but I'll at least have some room to store it!)

This one won't count for the group since I 'hooked on' before January 1, but I'm in love with this. I pictured a warm, simple, batwing (extra long 'arms') Tunisian shawl made with yarn already in my stash - and that's exactly what I got. I'll write up the pattern as soon as I finish the last 4-5 rows. I can't wait to wear this before it goes into the shop as a class sample. (Class info here; scroll down to Tunisian Shawl.)
The first 'real' shawl is also my first 'frog' for the year. I started a Seraphina's Shawl with my handspun but didn't like the texture or the look, so I ripppppppppppped it. Started again with some in-stash Fearless Fibers Alpaca and Wool DK in 'Pumpkin Spice' and I like it much better. I want to have this done by Thursday night so I can wear it to the Ravelry party after my class at TNNA. Which means I need to get cracking on this.

Ho, Ho, Ho

My Christmas present arrived today. A new screaming-fast Dell computer with 23" HD monitor, Windows 7, and wireless mouse and keyboard. Can't wait to get all my files and programs transferred so I can play!

#5

Ornament #5 is done and gifted. I'm still enjoying these patterns - never thought I'd take up thread crochet again but these have been a lot of fun. Still planning to make a set for us to keep, after I finish the last two gifts.

Christmas

Another great Christmas is in the memory books, after lots of food, presents, laughter and best of all - togetherness.

PopPop and Leia

Naia and Miles

Playing 'airplane'

Gary and Samantha

Paul and Marie

Almost overwhelmed by all the presents. Almost.

Leia learned to open presents. This ball was her second favorite gift.

Can you guess what her very favorite toy was?

Miles loved his Razr big wheel.

Chris and Naia

We loved having family around us all day.

Excitement carried Leia through most of the day but she finally had had enough.

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The tree is decorated and so are the presents

Our outdoor decorations - a light-tree

Paul and Marie(looking shorter than usual) waiting for Helicopter Santa