Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas, from my family to yours.

May your homes and hearts be filled with

love, laughter, peace, joy, and contentment

today, and every day.

The Real Christmas Story

Day 24: Silent Night

Day 23: Last Minute Gifts

Gifts of time (you could print and wrap a certificate for these):
     *A scrapbooking/baking/crafting/whatever day at your house
     *A night of babysitting
     *Help with the housekeeping (in general, or a specific and hated chore)
     *Pet sitting or grooming
     *A movie night at your house - you supply the movie, popcorn, candy, etc.
    
It is, admittedly, a bit late to be getting things mailed off. If you don't mind running late, these ideas could be adapted to be shipped off. For example, you could put together a baking basket with ingredients, supplies, and recipes; a scrapbooking basket with scapbooking supplies; a movie basket containing a movie or gift card with popcorn and candy, etc.

Tomorrow being Christmas Eve, I hope everyone is ready, and that you will be able to just relax and enjoy this holiday and the people you are sharing it with.

Day 22: Decorating Traditions

All of us have collected decorations to bedeck our homes and trees at Christmas. The most interesting ones, in my opinion, are the ones that have a story.

Like this ornament and musical globe that my dear husband and I received as wedding gifts.

Or these ornaments, sent throughout the years, from dear family and friends.

Decorations I made while in high school, and others that my dear son has made over the years.

Or these stockings and nativity set given to us by my dear mother-in-law.

Each object tells a story of a place in time, and a person so dear to us. Being able to pass these stories onto my son, and hopefully, someday, his children, is what makes putting up the decorations special to me.

I hope everyone is able to share their stories with the ones they love.

Day 21: Crochet Ornaments

These little beauties are quick to crochet, and look lovely on a tree.

Group a few together and you've got a fantastic gift.


Details:
Pattern Name(s): Drops Extra 0-571 (Heart); Drops Extra 0-585 (snow stars)
Pattern Designer(s): Drops Design
Pattern Source: Garnstudio/Drops Design
Yarn: Crochet thread -- I don't have the details as I don't have the labels
Hook(s): Size 5 and US C

Day 20: Geeky Decorating

I was browsing through the blogs I read, when I saw that Coggie had shared these.

That's right. Cut out snowflakes in the shape of Star Wars characters. My favorites are

R2D2

 Yoda

and C3PO.

I think I need to make some with my family.

You can find the pdf files for these and many more here.

Credit:  Anthony Herrera at Anthony Herrera Designs

Day 19: A Hat to Match the Gloves

When I finished the fingertip-less Treads mitts, I had about 1/2 a ball of yarn left over. I decided the best use of it would be to make a hat that goes with the mitts.

The pattern is very simple. I cast 88 sts onto a set of US 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles, dividing them evenly between the needles. I then worked in 1x1 rib (k1,p1) for 2". Next I knit one row, then the next row was a lateral braid. Another knit row came next, followed by a band of linen ridge stitch, 2 more knit rows, and another lateral braid.

I then went back to the 1x1 ribbing, and worked for 2 1/2" before beginning the decreases. The decreases were worked in pattern, with p2tog, and either a k2tog (if the first 2 sts on the needle) or a k2tog tbl (if the last 2 sts on the needle. I decreased 2 sts per needle, for a total of 8 sts per round. After the first decrease row I knit 2 rows, then did a decrease row every other row until there were 12 sts remaining on each needle, then every row until there were 8 sts remaining on each needle. On the next row, keeping in pattern, I decreased 4 sts per needle using the same decreases as above. Then next row I did a decrease row again, then using a tapestry needle, wove the end into the stitches, pulling them taut.

The hat was finished, and just as easy to complete in a brief period of time as the mitts, making it another excellent last-minute knitted gift.

Details:
Pattern Name: A Hat to Match the Mitts, based on the Treads pattern by Victoria Ann Baker
Pattern Designer: Brenda McCunn
Pattern Source: This is it!
Yarn: Krystal Acres Alpaca's Awesome Alpaca Yarn in Topaz
Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) Clover double-pointed needles