It's just my opinion

Recently I have acquired a few new tools. New toys... and coincidentally, they both have lights! The first one I bought during our road trip (really, it was just on the last day of the trip) so that I could continue to crochet in the dark. It was a desperate attempt to keep my hands busy - I tend to think less about my body aches and pains when my hands are busy.

I was reserved in my expectations for this hook. And really, out of 5 stars... I would probably give it a 4. It worked great... although my husband and I joked that it was going to cause him to have a seizure while he was driving. I'll probably use this more while I'm sitting in bed and I have low light... and less while my husband is driving. But it did the job. It takes a while to get used to the wider grip. I often roll the hook in my hand when I'm crocheting... and I wasn't able to with this hook. Not really a big deal. All in all, I'm pleased with it as an addition to my crochet hooks.

Before I left town, I treated myself out to a day of shopping and lunch with a few friends. We went to the store Stitches in Seattle and I picked up a seam ripper... with a light of course. I figured this would be helpful in my dimly lit work area.

I used it tonight when I needed to rip a few stitches out of a knit. Out of 5 stars, I'd give this product a 2. Yep, I wasn't impressed. I only give it a 2 because it still functions as a seam ripper with a pretty good grip. But the light was useless. It cast a bit of a bluish color which distorted the color of the fabric and the thread making it even more difficult to see the difference between the two. I ended up turning the light off and ripping the seam out with the low light that I am used to in my work area.

This new year I'm looking for things to make what I do, easier. Whether it has to do with sewing - or parenting - or just living. I want to do it easier this year. I'm working on purging my computer, my house, my work area, my head. I'm hoping that simplifying will lead me to a more balanced life and schedule. Wish me luck!

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Yummmm!

Let's talk yummy food for a minute. One of the highlights of my Las Vegas trip was these delicious cracker crisps that my aunt brought along. I was told that I could find them at Whole Foods (I'll be sending my husband to hunt for them this week). But I couldn't wait until I had them in hand to actually share them.

I don't ordinarily care for cranberries... so I'm sure that these are going to appeal to both those that like them... as well as those that don't.

Leslie Stowe Cranberry Hazelnut Raincoast Crisps

I can't wait to get a box of the these... then after I devour those, I'll be ready to try some of the other flavors. I suggest you do it too.

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Traditons

I admit, since my daughter was born... I've been horrible and maintaining traditions that we started with my son. We no longer make scarecrows for Halloween, we don't do Christmas cookies, it's been forever since I've pulled out the family tablecloth... I could go on and on. But those traditions aren't lost. I can pick them up again any time when I feel I can manage them.

Luckily, I have my mom's help with one of my favorites. Every year, the kids get a new stocking that incorporates elements of what they've enjoyed throughout the year. The socks from previous years are used as decoration.

This year, we opted for an I-spy on one side (my kids LOVE I-spy anything) and an applique on the other. Believe it or not... this was simpler than what it might have become. I think these are my favorite stocking so far (I say that every year!). I helped design the Jawa and Princess Leia around their Halloween costumes... my mom did the rest. Lyssie's sock has one of her drawings and a picture of her in the I-spy. My son's has his picture as well. Soooo cute!

Sorry, I don't have very good pictures of them. I'll try to get better pictures once we unpack them (could be a while!).

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Sunday Summary

Okay, I admit freely that I'm horrible at keeping up regular commitments. But I always have good intentions... and so I continue to come up with more commitments that I will most likely not be able to maintain. Today is no different :)

Yep, every Sunday I'm going to do a little summary of how I've managed through the week with the challenges I've given myself. For now, I'm starting with just one thing...

Every week in January and February, I will take one bag/box (big) to Goodwill. I'm making this just a two month challenge so that I can readjust it as needed. If I'm not making a big enough dent... then I'll increase it. This is to help cut our clutter! I think the condition of my house is one of the biggest things that affects my mood... and probably my health. So I'm hoping to get a handle on it. Besides, it would be nice to have people over again :)

I'm also hoping to do an occasional muffin tin Monday and maybe a Thursday tea party... but I'm sure they won't be as frequent... and they probably won't be shared until Sunday.

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Happy New Year!

I'm am excited to be starting a New Year... not that 2009 wasn't good to me. But it seems (with my business) every year that goes by just gives me more experience to make the next one even better. I have so many ideas to explore and changes that I want to implement. Although my focus this year will be on balance as the demands of my family seem to grow just as fast as my business.

Anyhow, I thought I'd start the New Year off by sharing some of the gifts that I made this year...

Alien family. I LOVE how these came out and hope to introduce them into one of the stores once I iron out the details. Each one has a small bell inside. The pet eye ball is my favorite... yep, I guess I'm a little twisted.

This was one of my more sentimental gifts. These two tiny little pots were made by my grandfather. I've mentioned his pottery before on this blog. His pottery brings back the most memories of my childhood. I love them... and so does the rest of my family. I chose these two little beauties with the intention of making them into pin cushions for my mom. I used cashmere scraps and polyfil on the inside. I did glue them in place. I don't normally use glue... but it was necessary here as the pots didn't have a lip or anything to keep it all in. I think they were well received.

I made these for a couple of my crafty friends. These tree pin cushions have a wood base. The cashmere tops are filled with polyfil. I glued some beads that I had made onto some pins. This is another idea that I'm still working out.

Of course, I had to use buttons for at least one gift. I made these for my niece. They matched a cute little necklace that I traded for at one of the shows I vended at. These are sewn on as well as glued in place to make them extra durable. It takes a little longer to make them when you stitch them... but I can't tell you how tiring it is for me to get hair clips only to have them fall apart because they were only glued.

Another item that I hope to have in my stores this year for the holidays. I made these for another one of my crafty friends. They are made from fleece scraps. I love ornaments and hope try out several ideas I have this year.

Also notice the tag. This year I tried to do as much of my wrapping from recycled materials. The tags are made from grocery bags and tshirt scraps. These are a lot of fun to make. I hope to do a tutorial for them at some point.

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I avoided my computer like the plague :) which is why there was a lack of postings in December. But I'm happy to be back and can't wait to share a few high points of our Christmas. Oh... and a little about my plans for the New Year~

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