Today, rather than my usual mumblings, I give you some virtual Christmas gifts....to you, from me, with love....
First of all, I give you the gift of music....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D-DH9aT3bs
You'll be glad to know that my supply of bulky yarn is dwindling and so the Grande Hat Caper of 2024 is nearing the end. These are the latest...
Here at Chez Magpie we are as ready for Christmas as we'll ever be. Gifts are pretty much all delivered, social engagements are pretty much at an end, and there will be no more shopping done until after the day. The only errand I foresee is to pick up some 'on hold' books from the library. Time to cocoon and do a whole lot of nothing!
- You might enjoy THIS concert. I know I certainly did!
- HERE is something that would be easy and quick to make for gifts.
- If you have leftover fleece from making other projects, perhaps one of the ideas HERE might help use it up. Or perhaps THIS.
- Must say that THIS is a novel way to give a monetary gift!
- HERE is another quick-to-make little gift that someone on your list might like.
- And I wouldn't mind being your official taste tester for some of THIS!
One of my favourite Christmas quotes is from the Grinch... “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!”
I found a couple partial balls of Lion Brand Go For Faux as well as some balls of Lion Brand Hometown in my stash, all of which are a bulky weight. What to do with them was the question. An extensive search online led me to think I could use it up making hats for donation so here is what I've accomplished so far....
I think there's enough left to make two more hats. Using 8 mm needles so they work up really fast.
- THIS takes you to a PDF for a really cute quick project that would make a nice gift.
- THIS is most definitely an awwww-worthy thing!
- There are all kinds of ideas HERE for presenting a monetary gift.
- I'm always rather fascinated by THIS technique, but I really don't know how my machine would like it. Anybody tried it and can tell me how it went?
- If I did more decorating for Christmas, I would love to do THIS.
- I keep the cards we receive and use them as gift tags the following year, but I like THIS idea too.
Today the quote is from Donald E Westlake..."As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same"
Yes, a number of things on my calendar this week means there's been little time spent being creative. I had the second hat well underway and ended up frogging it back to the brim to start over (how can I not remember to utilize ALL my fingers and toes when I'm counting I ask you?). So....no pictures to share. Sorry!
- THIS is a fun thing to create for your Christmas decor.
- THESE would be fun too. And so would THESE.
- One of THESE would make a fun gift or an addition to your own decor.
- I know several people who would appreciate receiving one of THESE.
- Lots of fun ideas HERE too. And HERE.
- If you need a gift for a man in your life, how about one of THESE?
- I definitely would love THESE in my stocking! Or some of THESE!
- THESE look yummy!
Today's quote is from Tom Baker..."Some Christmas tree ornaments do a lot more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago"
There are days when (to quote my mother) I should have stood in bed for all I accomplished. I thought I would be thrifty and use up some leftover flannelette and make a couple extra pillowcases for us. Despite having made lots of them over the years, I screwed up and had to end up reverse stitching and adding pieces to bring them up to size. What should have taken me likely an hour to do ended up taking nearly four. The burrito method is so easy - provided you remember which way on to place the fabric. Argh.
Monday was a good day to stay home because we had freezing rain most of the morning. Luckily we didn't have plans to set foot outside the door so all good as far as we're concerned but there were a lot of people out there dealing with it. So far there's been three school bus cancellations in the space of less than two weeks so one wonders what the rest of the winter will bring.
I'm knitting another 1898 hat which, at this point, looks pretty much the same as the one I showed you previously, so I won't bother showing it to you again.
- There are links HERE to some really pretty Christmas-themed table runner patterns.
- THIS is a great idea for a gift if you are handy with power tools (or know someone who is).
- Although THIS project isn't exactly for Christmas, it would be a pretty way to present a plant.
- If you have leftover fleece from other projects, perhaps making THIS would help use it up. And while you're there, check out some of the other free ideas HERE.
- There are tons of links HERE to ideas for Christmas decorating.
- I don't know who created THIS (and it's not Christmas-y) but it's an awwwwww thing.
- THIS is really simple and yet a nice gift.
- Some good foodie ideas for gifting can be found HERE.
Today's quote is from Lisa Heckman..."In a society that has you counting money, pounds, calories, and steps, be a rebel and count your blessings"
One hat is done. Pattern is the 1898 hat and I used Vanna's Choice yarn. I add a few additional rows to the band as well as to the 'height' in order to better fit a man.
- THIS is adorable - and rather than use it as a purse I think it would make a great gift bag.
- If you have a dog on your Christmas list, perhaps you'd like to give them some of THESE.
- I make THESE for our grandies every Christmas but don't know if I've shared the tutorial before. If I have, it bears repeating.
- THIS might make a nice gift, particularly if it was accompanied by a bouquet of seasonal flowers.
- I should make THIS gift for myself!
- THIS would make a cute little gift for someone.
- If you are wanting to make some quick ornaments, how about giving THIS idea a try.
- There are a number of gifting ideas HERE.
- If you have little ones in your life, perhaps THIS might be fun. After all, sometimes Santa needs a little help!
Today the quote is from St. Francis of Assisi..."For it is in giving that we receive"
