Sunday, November 8, 2009

weekend fun and holiday thoughts

Sometimes I don't post anything because I don't have any good pictures to accompany my words. Then again, sometimes I feel I'm not sharing any words that are all that significant. But I shall write anyhow...

Our weekend was very nice. We have been blessed with absolutely perfect autumn weather. Sun, warmth, blue Colorado sky! We are taking advantage of it by getting as much outside work done as we can. Jason is working on a stone wall and a small fire circle. The girls are busy with mud and clay, and lots of running through the tall golden grasses. We are also trying to complete some additional garden beds. We should have about twice as much growing space next spring!

I tried to get some sewing done, but really much more time was spent in the kitchen. Bread baking this morning, and we had homemade pizza for dinner tonight.

I did do lots of thinking about sewing though... made a list of gift ideas to make for the girls... New dresses of course, something I have done since Chloe's first Christmas. They want long sleeve dresses, and I'm thinking of using some beautiful printed flannels that I have, I'm just trying to figure out a style that won't come out looking like a nightgown. Kind of challenging, but I have some ideas.

I am also going to make them new aprons. Their favorite game to play lately is "Waldorf kindergarten" and Chloe keeps going on and on about her need for a new apron. I have some special embroideries in mind that may find their way onto the aprons.

I would love to knit them some warm wool mittens but I have never knitted mittens before. Would anyone like to recommend a very simple, very easy beginner mitten pattern? I actually spent some time on Ravelry last night looking for one but didn't find anything very appealing. (And speaking of Ravelry, oh my, it's pretty neat. And did you know that you can have "friends" on Ravelry? I had no clue until someone mentioned that she had added me as a friend. Maybe after I'm done here I will have to go find some of you over there...)

I will probably also make new doll dresses and maybe doll quilts and pillows too. (Kind of cheating here cause I already have one little doll quilt from this summer, so I just have to make one more. There, now I have already gotten started on gifts. Yea.)

I may also make them pin cushions or little needle books as stocking stuffers. Felt headbands are another idea. I'm not sure if this is a too big, too ambitious list. Hopefully I can get it all done. We usually do not buy any gifts other than a few special books. Anyone else want to share some of their gift making ideas??

One last thing before I go... did you all see these beautiful crowns? Chloe is so looking forward to St. Lucia day! She has many plans for it, and is very concerned over what she will do for a crown. I haven't mentioned it to her yet, but I thought we could make a felted one, wool candles and everything. Of course I wasn't entirely sure how I intended to go about making them, so I was very excited when I saw these one. And Cadi was kind enough to explain much of the process to me. (Thank you!) If you look in the comments of my last post, or in the comments on her blog, you can get more details.

See you later this week!

p.s I just remembered... I might make knitted sweaters for the dolls. And maybe some felted bowls. I don't know how to make felted bowls, but I would probably just crochet some a little extra big and then put them in a pillowcase in the washing machine. Or maybe that is a totally bad idea and very wrong way. These are just ideas anyways, I would say nothing is definite except for the dresses and aprons. Maybe Jason wants to make them some little baskets....

17 comments:

sarah said...

what an enjoyable post :-) I loved reading your birthday gift ideas.

Jessica said...

What an amazing mum you are to make most of your christmas gifts!You have inspired me:)Under two months to go so its time to get busy thinking down here as to what might be a good idea:)

Sarah said...

Have fun figuring it all out. We were just talking about gifts yesterday. Nels, as usual, has his all planned out. I, on the other hand, know that I'm not knitting this year--I'm too slow. The first mittens I ever knit were on 2 needles and sewn up the side.

the nest said...

for a mitten pattern, I like Ann Budd's Basic Mitten Pattern because it is written for any gauge (it's in Handy Book of Patterns).

if you like the doll sweater on my projects page ("budaknit" on Ravelry), I'd be happy to email you a copy of my rough-hewn pattern notes.

I'll be making doll clothes too. Also some items for the doll house. So many plans...!

Simple Mama said...

Oh, your girls are so lucky! I wish you were my mom. :) I'm also trying to figure out how to make felted bowls. But, seeing as how I don't know how to knit, I need to figure out how to do it by wet and needle felting.

Heather said...

You are an amazing mama! So many sweet things that you are planning for your girls. I can't wait to see how it all comes out

Indigo, madder, marigold said...

Isn't it fun to make things for Christmas> Feels more connected and cozy somehow.
i did post some ideas on my blog....simple green frugal co-opis mentioned there too...they have some nice ideas.

momma rae said...

i REALLY miss the colorado sky. one of the things i can't get out of my head. that and your beautiful family! ;)

pretty ambitious list there, gal! mine is too. i have no doubt that you can get all that done and then some! love you.

thanks for the link to the st lucia crown. beautiful!

momma rae said...

p.s. here are some felted bowl links for you:
http://www.heavydutydesign.com/alicethelma/2009/03/free-pattern-felted-nesting-bowls/

and:

http://kneek.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/felted-bird-nests/

i also feel like this has been in living crafts, but i can't remember which issue.

Hullabaloo Homestead said...

I think it is wonderful to set big plans for crafting gifts, especially for those most important to you. I also have to remind myself not to get too carried away last minute, but everything that needs to get done always winds up getting done somehow. Ravelry is awesome. Usually on the side of the pattern page there is a difficulty gauge, so you can pick how difficult of a project you want. I usually stick with relatively easy ones. Happy crafting!

:)Lisa

Stacy said...

What a wonderful list of handmade gifts! The long-sleeved flannel dresses sound lovely, and so does the embroidered apron. Aprons are very popular right now! I haven't found an easy mitten pattern either, but there are some simple patterns for cute fingerless gloves. My Ravelry name is goldenbird if you'd like to friend me :o)

farmama sara said...

Hi Renee,
You have all sorts of great gift ideas! I love the Saint Lucia crowns!.....I have a good Saint Lucia book you can borrow if you would like.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday!
Love, Sara

Grace said...

I don't have a good mitten pattern, either, but I would love to find one...

You can find me on Ravelry as uncommongrace.

Tonya Gunn said...

Hello,
I have a really simple two needle mitten pattern I will post on my blog today or tomorrow.
Your list of handmade gifts for your girls sounds wonderful! They are very lucky.
I look forward to seeing your creations.
Warm wishes.

Nicola said...

sometimes the daydreaming and mental planning of the crafting is nearly as fun as the crafting itself! wonderful ideas. thank you for sharing!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Sara said...

I think one of the easiest mitten patterns is the one in Knitting For Peace. My daughter made herself a pair of mittens using that pattern, too, so it's simple enough for kids to follow. Ann Budd's pattern is also one that I've used with success.

I haven't even begun to think about my Christmas crafting-- ack! Thanks for reminding me! I had better get planning. (oh, and I'm tinysheep on Ravelry!)

Cadi said...

Renee -

I'm cadilily on Ravelry. :-)

When I first started knitting mittens, I found thsi pattern very helpful, well-written etc. http://halcyonyarn.com/products.php?type=patterns&item=40600017&rel=google_base&?utm_source=gb_products&utm_medium=gb_listing&utm_campaign=gb_products

While it is for felted mittens, I just choose a smaller size & never felt them.

Happy Martinmas!