Saturday, January 7, 2012

2011 Happy Tree Favorites

So I declared 2011 as my year to "get stuff done"...and am happy to report that I did accomplish quite a bit. My top completed five projects from 2011, in no particular order.

1. Silhouette gifts. I made two silhouette gifts for a Christmas gift for my sister. I was hesitant to use this turquoise color, but I love, love how they turned out. My nieces were so funny when I bugged them to take profile photos...4 and 6 year old girls are used to looking at the camera and plastering smiles on. They looked at me like I was a bit crazy, but thankfully, I got the shots and proceeded with my secret gift project.

2. Blanket projects. I made four knitted blankets this year, which sounds impressive, except that three of the four were actually baby doll blankets for my daughter and nieces. I knitted a whole bunch of squares last year and FINALLY got it together and completed the blanket. My mom also finished my 10 year blanket project from my college t-shirts. I am currently snuggling with this special blanket on the sofa. It holds so many fun memories and turned out just how I imagined it would a decade ago.
 3. Seashell photo frames. We live close to the beach, but also vacationed at the beach with my in-laws this summer. It was quite a week. My teething toddler did not care a bit about the beach, but I loved the time spent in total beach relaxation. I bullied everyone into taking family photos on the beach and I spent several days collecting tiny bits of shells to bring home for this project. I made a large frame for my sister-in-law and smaller gray-toned frame for one of my sisters. They both seemed to like them. 

4. Cozy pink hat. I have a big head and unfortunately for me, big hair as well. This big head/big hair combo makes winter months frustrating because I can't find comfortable beanie hats. I decided to take matters into my own hands and make a big head hat. I love the color, the simplicity of the hat, and most of all, the comfort factor of this hat. Sometimes I just wear it around my condo...it is true hat love.

5. Birthday cards. I love making and sending birthday cards. I love that moment of opening my mailbox to find birthday cards instead of bills. It is nice that loved ones can send well wishes on facebook, emails, and texts, but for me, they don't replace an actual card. I love cards and I had a great time creating cards in 2011.

Not sure what my project list looks like for 2012, but I am sure it will fill up fast. Here's to another great year of patterns, projects, and photos.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Good-bye 2011

Our holiday season and 2011 have gone by in a blur...another memorable year full of my favorite things. Will post a project round up sometime soon...much accomplished and much left untouched. Dessert recipes, patterns, and new projects are calling my name. Maybe I can accomplish it all in the new year?!



on the road again

Friday, December 16, 2011

This Moment 12.16.11



{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (From Soule Mama...love this tradition so I am striving to do this as well...I need to take more time to savor and it will be such a treat to look back and remember these moments)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Dear December, where have you gone?

Wow, I have seriously ignored this blog as of late. I realized that I was rapidly running out of time and had to get busy crafting after Thanksgiving. Throw in the required holiday baking, shopping, family time, oh and working full time, and here we are...10 days from Christmas and rapidly approaching the end of 2011.
I have been working on lots of gifts for the holidays as part of my GSD craft year...I made cookie jar gifts and paper ornaments for my coworkers. I gave them out today at our holiday lunch. Hopefully they liked them and will make more cookies at home. I will post more craft project pics after the holidays...I don't want to spoil any gifts ahead of time in case any of my friends or family check the blog. I am hosting a cookie swap this weekend with my sister, so expect to see some photos of delicious cookies soon!

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cup Cookies!

Paper Ornaments for their trees

Friday, November 18, 2011

This Moment 11.18.11




{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (From Soule Mama...love this tradition so I am striving to do this as well...I need to take more time to savor and it will be such a treat to look back and remember these moments)

Monday, November 14, 2011

More Norfolk Nuptials- Jamie and Tim's big day!

I had the great privilege of being a bridesmaid in my pal Jamie's wedding this month. I feel like that character in the movie 27 Dresses after being in so many weddings, but the truth is, I have been thrilled and honored to be a part of so many happy days with friends and loved ones. Weddings are such beautiful and joyous occasions. This wedding was at a wonderful location--the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The ceremony was held in the garden's Rose Garden. The flowers I carried were gorgeous. The bride was glowing, as all brides do. Jamie and Timmy did a lot of prep work prior to the wedding and the small touches were lovely. The bridesmaid gifts were great handmade gifts ordered through etsy.com. Love, love personal handmade gifts. I loved many things about this wedding, but most of all, I loved seeing my true friend radiate happiness.

rehearsal dinner
Robin and Kevin


Jamie, her mom Cindy, and sister Carrie

getting ready...the green twins

flowers I carried


the happy couple
the girls

the new Mrs. of 2011

my Mom loves to hold the babies!

happiness- J and I sandwich the bride

Saturday, November 12, 2011

It's pumpkin "go time!"

I am adventurous in many aspects of life, the one area my adventurous attitude does not apply is food. I do not venture happily into food unknowns. I like predictable foods and flavors. I know, I know, incredibly boring. When my husband and I started dating many moons ago, he got very excited when "pumpkin spice" latte season rolled around. I had never had one, but decided to try it since he was so excited about the coffee. One word for these lattes: delicious. Oh my goodness delicious. He was so right to love those lattes. He also loves pumpkin beer, which is really interesting to sample if you are a craft beer drinker.
Pumpkin flavored drinks, breads, and desserts are one of my favorite things about the fall season. I have recently consumed pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin pie...can one consume too much pumpkin? I am looking forward to a Thanksgiving feast in a couple weeks full of my favorite traditional Thanksgiving fare and lots and lots of pumpkin pie. What is your favorite pumpkin creation?

Craft Hope Spreading seeds of hope one stitch at a time