Not quite after Christmas

This is the second year that I have had two christmases, one with my family and one with Mr.Monkey's family. For the first time in I don't even know how long, my mother worked on actual christmas, so we didn't have to divide the day (and miss out on prime rib and pumpkin pie, as we did dinner with my folks last year and brunch with Mr.Monkey's folks). Christmas Eve is just for us. Our little family. I wanted to establish that tradition early so if/when the kids come, it'll already be there and the grandparents won't be jockeying for christmas eve time. Families are complicated.

My knitting for christmas was wrapped up on christmas eve (exactly 23 days AFTER i had naively hoped to have it all done). Pictures on that tomorrow, as the two remaining recipients haven't opened them yet, and I hate to ruin the surprise (and i don't have pictures anyway).

The bat went over well with my grandparents. The Fetchings went over very well. My future aunt was very exciting because she can't wear gloves while taking care of the horses or riding, but her hands get cold...so these were absolutely perfect (thank you Jen for the suggestion). Although if I hadn't been knitting on a sock when she was opening them, I don't know if she would've realized I had knit them. She was a little floored. The best kind of reaction to a knitted gift.

One more present to make, and then this christmas is complete. It's been good so far, and even white, which is rare in the Pacific Northwest (it usually rains...shocker). Hope every one was as blessed by the holidays as I was. Merry Christmas...a day late :-)

Boo!

Boo the bat is complete. He'll be mailed to sunny (i think) Florida this afternoon. I think he's stinkin cute.
I have two knitted things left and one sewing project and then the christmas presents are done, complete, finito.

The northwest is still covered in snow. We have a total of close to 4"...with a lovely sheet of ice underneath. The roads are hazardous. Good time to stay home if you don't have to be somewhere.

Going here tomorrow. Mmm, cake.

Snowed In

Not really. It has been snowing, and it's really quite cold out, but I'm snowed in by choice. The folks in the Pacific Northwest are not used to snow, and are therefore not used to driving in the snow. There are some, those with 4WD, who think that because they have 4WD, they have no stopping issues. They, would be wrong. Especially in weather where the roads melt and then refreeze at night.

The smart stay home. I like to think I'm one of those. Luckily, my job is such that working from home is a possibility.

I have been putting the stay at home time to good use. Behold a pair of Fetchings.
Made for Mr.Monkey's aunt for their secret santa christmas. Elsebeth Lavold, Baby Llama. One skein with some leftover (used as stuffing for another present).

I'm also working on this guy for my paternal grandparents. He's super cute. His wings are drying, so pictures when he's all assembled.

And I finally ordered a zipper.

How close is christmas???

I just realized that I haven't posted anything since before Thanksgiving...2 weeks ago. There's really no excuse. It's not that I haven't been doing anything blog worthy or I don't have finished stuff to show off...I just haven't felt inspired to share. Apparently I'm feeling better now.

I finished a pair of socks.
Pattern is Leyburn (rav link), sherman heel, colorway is a mill ends from last years Blue Moon Fiber Arts de-stash sale...more on this years below. I literally almost ran out of yarn...I was nervous. This is how much I had left. The tape measure is 2 inches in diameter. Not sure if it's because it was mill ends, or if the pattern just used a lot of yarn (easy pattern, goes quickly, looks cool), but it was close. And the socks aren't that tall.
I had a plan, maybe more of a goal, to finish all the christmas making of stuff before Dec. 1. Totally didn't make it. Blew by it without even blinking. One sweater is almost done, it just needs a zipper (and has for at least 3 weeks...note to self: order one already). The second sweater is getting close. I have the back and am about halfway through the front. Then i'll knit sleeves and seam. There's also sewing in my future, which shouldn't take all that long, now that i've finally bought the supplies. And then there's just a couple of purchases to make and the shopping is done. Although i just realized I haven't planned for my paternal grandparents. crap.

Anyhow, Genypher and I went, last saturday, to the now annual Blue Moon Destash Sale. We got there early this year (and didn't get lost, unlike last year) and waited patiently in line...where Joanne came around with free swag.
Genypher's is the one eating the brains of the lady next to her.

The drive was good, it turned out to be a beautiful, although chilly day. And we bought loot (which i don't have a picture of...suffice it to say i bought 4 sweaters worth of yarn, my mom's bday gift, and some future socks...and i stayed under budget because i'm that awesome).

Yay yarn!