Year recap

2011 has been over all a wonderful year for me and my family. God has provided and we are all together. We have a vibrant family life and meet at my house at least once a week. I see and am involved in my granchildrens lives. My husband is as loving and attentive as he ever was after 32 years together. Our church life is booming and we have deep friendships with many.I graduated with honors from Bible College. These are the positive recollections, I refuse to consider the negative ones.

On the crafting side I have opened a handmade shop at Meylah/kathyscrafts.com. and have made a myriad of items as gifts and shop items. I estimate that I made 12-15 hats for soilders, 2 baby/diaper bags, 8 crochet baby blankets, worked on a twin sized quilt, finished a top into a coverlet for a friend, 5 purses, a laptop bag,20 or so hats in assorted styles and sizes,10 wraps/scarves. 10 or so cowls, 5-6 headbands, some potatoe people, and several pair of booties. I also made a minky backed baby quilt. I also mended and fitted several baskets of clothing for family and friends. I am overwelmed looking back on all I actually got done. As I write this I am reminded of legwarmers and hat,Pillows and custom bags for car rides. Oh and the bean bags, wow I think I will list my projects this year on Ravelry or even in a notebook. I didn't even get pics of the Christmas gifts;(. Wow I did a lot. I can only hope to do as much or more this year! Happy 2012!!

Christmas Week

For various reasons the holidays haven’t been my favorite time. Grief, bitterness and pain have been my excuse but are not a reason for terrible past Christmas’. You see it is a choice to be happy or not. If your happiness is dependent on circumstances we could all work up a good cry. Many people are entering this week with loss, loved ones too far away, or unable to have the circumstances they desire.  Christmas comes and goes and sometimes we don’t have that miracle or wish fulfilled. But should that make you miserable? When I was a teen in Miami I had friends who bought and wrapped presents for family who were restrained by Cuba. They could not visit there either. I asked why in March the gifts were still in the living room. My friend answered that they would be coming and they were ready for that day. Since then I have applied that idea to many things in my life, the hardest was losing a child. 25 years later I can still choose to cry or laugh; cry for missing him or delight myself in the antics of my grandkids. When I choose to make my desire the least important one and strive to help another, I experience joy. My gifts are unimportant and I would be very uncomfortable with extravagant gifting. I also do not stress with reaching the finish line of Christmas morning. If I find the best gift for someone I give it right away. I do not wait for December. And yes, I don’t have a lot of gifts ready on the 25^th. Yet I enjoy giving all year round and I will not be restricted by a once a year holiday to love on my friends and family. Christmas may come but once a year, but the spirit of Christmas lives in my heart year round.

Finished items

I have several things that I have put in the shop at Meylah.kathyscrafts.com but I thought I could show you here as well. The top one is Abby's quilt in progress. I have it pinned and half quilted , so not quite finished. The others baby blankets long since given away.

This book bag is large enough to hold schoolbooks and notebooks as well as a laptop.

This skullcap is warm and cool.;0, and this tote has a surprise flash of color inside. This tote is also refashioned from a ladies dress. Sorry for the sideways pic,but if I stop to fix it this post will not get done!

Just some of the things finished here. More to come soon. 

Craft blog directory

Hey there is a new project starting that lists craft blogs. I know that I am an advice blog but there is also crafting going on. Much of my crafting is targeted at Christmas right now but I think I can show ya'll some soon. Regardless this directory is seeking blogs to list and promote them. If you have a crafty blog check them out at http://craftyrie.blogspot.com/2011/10/universal-craft-blog-directory.html.

 

CHRIST mas Season

Christmas Season
I saw a very interesting blog entry at I Am Momma Hear Me Roar. A guest blogger from Kojo Designs wrote about Advent decorations. I never really liked Advent calendars with my kids because they would have meltdowns with too much candy and all the ones I saw had candy or toys involved. With three children (and half the neighborhood in my house thru any given day) it had potential for being chaotic and pricey. Times are still lean and I am not giving candy out to toddlers. I really like my DIL. But these ideas were so varied that any crafty person could make some version of these.
The reason for the season is Jesus, so 25 ornaments with diverse names of Christ. The styles can be childish or adult and anywhere in between. They can also be given to a newly grown adult (first tree, etc) or even a new believer. I would give scripture as to why He has that name as well. You can easily Google the Names of Christ but there are far many than 25!
In this very commercial,stylized,modern day I welcome a reminder of why we celebrate a baby born in a stable,lain in a manger, sent by our Heavenly Father to save the world. Peace
/http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/ to see that post!

Crafting during pregnancy

What do childbirth and crafting have in common? Creativity! While you are waiting the mind starts to dream and restlessness increases. I found for myself the nesting instinct cannot always be satisfied by grand projects like nurseries. Circumstances like finances, rental property (no painting) and bedrest can deter all manner of plans. Some of us already had a hobby or skill. Pregnancy inspires ideas for the new one coming. Baby blankets, sweaters and hats, mittens and booties; the list grows! Of course it is a time for learning new crafts and skills.
There was a time when you could expect some items gifted to a new baby would be handmade. There is indeed a resurgence of this but those items tend to be put away as too nice for a baby. I really try to make things that are washable and soft, designed to be safe and useful.
Childbirth and pregnancy will teach a woman that this primal bodily process. No matter how much we try to be clean and beautiful thru pregnancy and labor there is a mess involved. We are dealing with the human body here. Blood, poop, and tears are common and are nothing to be ashamed of. We clean it up and deal with it. It is a time to mature, and accept the things we cannot control and do all we can in those things we have some control of.
Small handicrafts can be a really good distraction. I love the trend for kooky knit or crochet hats with eyes and earflaps or braids like pig tails. There are plenty of great ideas for useful projects as well. I like decorated burp cloths, fleece blankets, nursing cover ups, and pacifier clips. Easy and fun to accomplish a special item for baby.
There are many places on the web to learn “how to”. Visit the library for books as well. It doesn’t have to be a grand work of art, just a pleasant pastime to help you peacefully wait as your body finishes the wondrous work that is your baby. If you want some projects and cannot find a tutorial I will look for you or possibly walk you thru it!

This is a blanket designed by Dad that I sewed for Little man. It is Minky on the back, Winnie the Pooh on the front with satin trim at the ends. I then took yarn and tied it together at the corners of the printed pattern, easy wash and lovable.

I'm still here

Ok, it is cliche` to have a post apologizing for not posting. I am still here, of course busy, crafting like crazy and juggling life. I have several items to be photographed and I am also enjoying one of my grans and her parents staying with me. They will be moving on soon so I was enjoying it while it lasts.
I am planning some posts and am working on a schedule to have a routine and a plan. So I apologize and offer a gratuitous baby photo of my cutie potooie (Em).