:: 2009 ::

Happy New Year friends! Here's a way to cozy up!

Pattern here : The Beer Sweater

Knit with sport weight Nature Spun

Scandinavian Ornament

Whew! What a week. Add busy to an already busy time and you've got one crazy momma here.

I had a little elf working hard in her shop and she created these darling Scandinavian ornaments and sent them to me. I'm putting them in the shop so if you are looking for a last-minute gift or just something special for you or your tree I have 18 of them available. They should be up by later this afternoon.

That little elf is my other extremely talented Grandmother-in-law. I am going to showcase her work sometime soon on this blog. Most of my Christmas decorations I own were made by her. She is amazing!

PS. I have some knitting projects to post soon!

*Annie

In Honor of my Grandmother

I’m not sure where my desire to create with my hands came from but I have a hunch that my grandma had a big influence on me. My grandmother, who is 88 years old and still married to my grandpa who is 91 years old living on a farm in central Minnesota, is an artist at heart. When I was a young girl I would spend part of my summer vacation at my grandparent’s home and Grandma would always have some type of crafty project for me among other things to keep me entertained. I loved spending every minute there and have many memories I can draw upon when I need to reconnect with things that matter most in life. She was skilled at gardening, baking, crafting and had great intentions of opening a store to sell her handiwork. In fact, the store was going to be right there on the farm. Grandpa had even converted part of the garage into her shop. But unfortunately an accident prevented her from fulfilling her dream when she fell and broke her hip.
In 1991, she published a memoir titled “My Yesterday’s” and gave a copy to her children and grandchildren. I really need to reread it because she writes so eloquently. (I wish I would have inherited that trait) Towards the back of the book Grandma put together a list from A to Z about memorable things in her life and I read this:

C :: Crafts
My first try at doing craft work was to work with ceramics. I enjoyed doing ceramics but it eventually became too costly so I discontinued. I took lessons in rosemaling, a Swedish form of folk art, and painted the immigrant trunk which was in the attic of our house. I then had lessons in painting with acrylics. Other crafts I enjoy are counted cross-stitch, wood working, making dolls and sewing of any kind. I have also made quilts for each one in the family.

Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have received her quilts. This is the quilt I received from her when I was little. She uniquely made it mine. I remember the time when she asked me to sign my name and then proceeded to outline my hands. She included that in the quilt. There is also a piece of my mother's wedding dress embroidered on the quilt. Look closely at the dollar bill. I wonder how I managed to keep that intact.

This is one of the more recent quilts she made for my niece when she graduated high school.

So it is in honor of my grandmother that I open my Etsy shop. I wish she had a computer so I could show her the impact of those summer vacations I spent with her at the farm.

Stop by for a visit!

:: Annie :: Knitted Fresh Daily

Welcome December

I keep thinking I have lots of time before Christmas is here to knit gifts, decorate the house, etc. but it's already the first of December! This is the only decoration I have up. I love this. My mom picked it up for me at the Buffalo Nickel from this talented sewer.

To get me going here's a Christmas meme from this sweetie over here:

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? Love wrapping gifts

2. Real tree or artificial? Real.

3. When do you put up the tree? whenever I can drag my husband to the lot

4. When do you take down the tree? when it becomes a fire hazard (usually right after Christmas)

5. Do you like Egg Nog? not at all even the name makes me gag

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Dream House

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, a couple of them and my kids love setting them up

8. Hardest person to buy for? My mother-in-law

9. Easiest person to buy for? Me... it's not about me though is it...ok, my two kids

10. Mail or email Christmas Cards? I usually mail but this year I'm going to email (budget says so)

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Not a favorite but I find Elf very funny

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? black olives (don't ask)

13. Clear lights or coloured? Clear on Christmas tree; colored on outside trees

14. Favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night

15. Travel or stay home at Christmas? Do both so we can be with each side of the families

16.Can you name all of Santa’s Reindeer? I can come close

17. Angel or Star on the top of the tree? an Angel that Grandma B made

18. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? Both

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? the buy this buy that commercials on TV

20. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? I like both. The main tree is homey with lots of memorable ornaments and the kids' playroom is going to have a themed tree this year -white tree with lots of bright colors

21. Gingerbread or Sugar Cookies? To eat? Definitely sugar cookies and I have the best recipe (which is my grandma's) To decorate? Gingerbread house, just picked one up today, a kit that is.