Happy New Year!

As we ring in the new year, I'm looking ahead. I don't make resolutions, but for the past couple of years I have made a short mental list of things I'd like to spend more time on. I'd like to share this year's list with you in hopes that in the coming months, you may pop in and leave a comment asking me how I'm doing with one thing or another that I'm working on. That way, you help me to remember what I wanted to accomplish.

OK here we go:
1. Leave more blog comments when I visit. I've already been working on this one for a week or so. I know how much your comments mean to me and yet, I visit so many wonderful blogs without taking the time to leave a comment. Now I don't mean to comment on each post of each blog I visit, but when something touches me, I want to let the blogger know.

2. Practice crochet. Learning to crochet was on last year's list and I did make one wonky looking dishcloth and a few granny squares that were actually square. But I don't really know how to crochet. I need lots of practice. If you crochet and have any tips or easy patterns to share, I'd appreciate any help. I want to make adorable things like these.


















3. Follow Fly Lady. If you are not familiar with the

Fly Lady site, she helps you get your house clean and organized. I need to spend time on this. I've started this program a couple of times and always fall off the wagon. But each time I also come away with a new good habit and less clutter in my house. Most important to me right now is to reduce the amount of paper clutter in my house. Things like owners manuals for things we don't own any more, receipt for the pizza we ate in 2008, notes with phone numbers but no name, etc. It's paper shredding time!



4. Reduce my fabric stash. This also was on my list last year and I did pretty well with it. Since May, I have purchased very little new fabric and sewed from my stash. I hope to spend more time sewing this year and reduce my fabric piles even more.














5. Pray. Each night after turning out the light, I thank God for the many blessings of the day and ask for his help for myself, and my family and friends. So many nights, I fall asleep counting my blessings. I would like to find another time during each day when I have a few minutes of peace and quiet to pray for God's help for those in need. I just need to decide on the best time and make it a habit.

Each day I receive an inspirational quote from this site. This is one of my favorites.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

---Maria Robinson

Wishing each of you, all the best in 2011.

Post Christmas Post

Yes I finished knitting the slippers for my husband with only inches of yarn and minutes of Christmas Eve to spare. I was happy with this pattern and hubby says they fit great and are so soft. Now I'm torn whether to make the same pattern for myself or a different pattern I found when I went searching for this one.










Our Christmas tree. I usually add red velvet bows, but I was just glad to call it done this year. Now to get it all put away again until next year.









Hubby and son know how I NEED my morning coffee. So look what they surprised me with for Christmas. Very cool!! Now I need to find out if anyone swaps the K-cups that go with these coffee makers. I've got a bunch of Bold flavor cups, from the variety pack, that I won't use. I'd love to try the White Hot Chocolate and the Hot Cider flavors without buying a whole box of them.

















And a couple of days too late for a white Christmas but winter has defintely arrived here in Massachusetts.




















Here's my sweetheart clearing a neighbor's driveway. Despite our very old snowblower that sounds like it's about to stall out any minute, he cleared our yard and three neighbors. Believe me, prayers were said that the snow blower would keep running as 8" of wet snow is very hard to move.

I hope Santa was good to one and all and that your Christmas was memorable.

Merry Christmas!

I wish you a joyous Christmas filled with family, friends, peace, beauty and love.

















To those of you still sewing and crafting into the wee hours of these last few nights to finish those handmade gifts; Let the thread spools spin and the glitter fly! Just don't forget to stop for a cookie break now and then.

**I find that I'm now one of those working up to the last minute. After seeing Twyla's post yesterday over at Two Crazy Crafters, (I hope I win!) I went looking for a slipper pattern that was close to the pair she made for her give away. There are so many wonderful free patterns out there that it wasn't too long before I found just the thing. So if I could find some worsted weight yarn in my stash, I would try to make a pair for my hubby. This morning I went digging into my yarn bin and was surprised to find I had exactly what I needed. So the first slipper is on the knitting needles. At least I don't feel any pressure about finishing on time as hubby will understand.

Update: December 23rd... One slipper complete despite hubby being home from work today. Now that he's going off to bed, I'll get started on the second one. I am trying to surprise him with these.

Apron Swap Sent

Here's the apron I created for my swap partner. Made from vintage fabric, (a flea market find I had been hoarding) and I used a vintage pattern from my Grandmother, then added some deatails of my own to make it extra special.













I also knitted a scarf in one of my favorite patterns.


















Then I made a jingly holiday banner. Very fun!









We had to choose a seasonal word and send an item for each letter. I chose SANTA and my items were
S- snuggly scarf
A- assorted chocolates
N- nostalgic holiday banner
T- three tea towels
A- apron
Here they are all wrapped up and ready to pack.


Now I just have to wait for my favorite part of the swap, hearing from my partner when she receives her swap package.