Quick post

I am completely overwhelmed by the holidays and have zero time to blog, but I just had to write about the gingerbread house templates I found on Bob Vila's website! I was surprised he would have anything like that on his site, but there are some great templates and detailed funny instructions! Check it out. We will be making a few of the designs for Julia's 8th birthday on Wednesday. I will post pictures most likely after the New Year. Who knows maybe things will quiet down and I can do it before then... I also finished my Swirl Hat just in time for Julia to wear it to school this week. More on that later too!

I took my daughter, Julia, to the Hale Center Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol." I was sure what to expect because I'd never been to this theater before. When I walked in and saw that it was theater in the round and a pretty small round at that, I thought "well at least I didn't spend that much for tickets." Once the production began though, I was pleasantly surprised. We had the best time! The actors and actresses did a remarkable job, the blocking was impeccable, the singing was excellent-- I walked out of the theater with the biggest smile on my face and full of Christmas spirit. Most of the cast was even outside in the bitter cold singing Christmas carols and thanking you for coming as you left. I really was just so impressed and highly recommend the Hale Theater to anyone in the area. Julia had a wonderful time, and the best part was watching her face light up as she was transported into the story. Going to this play brought back fond memories of when I was a theater major in college, and oh how I wish I could have been a part of it all! I do miss it, but motherhood is definitely worth the sacrifice. Hearing her laugh and tell me all her favorite parts took any longing for another life completely away.

Trying to catch up

I banned myself from blogging, knitting, papercrafting, and baking until I got caught up on all the little household projects I've been letting slip by for far too long. I did manage to reorganize the office and most of my bedroom, I reorganized Jul's room and Daddy did the toy room, I finished the evil evil blanket, but still have so many projects to go. So why am I posting? Because I just couldn't resist sharing some photos!

Halloween Houses:

Back in October I volunteered in my daughter's classroom to do "Friday Fun Clubs." We chose to do Haunted Houses. The kids had an absolute blast and made the biggest mess ever! We used chocolate graham crackers for the house, royal icing in neon purple, black and white for the glue, candy corn, m&ms, spider rings, gummy worms and kids, teddy "mummy" grahams, and crushed butterfingers for the fall leaves. Some kids used the butterfingers to bury their teddy grahams- my daughter included! Yeah, she's my kid!

Bubble Love!

Now Sydni loves her bubbles. The girls would spend all night in the tub if I would let them. Now I just need to find bubbles that won't upset my oldest daughter's delicate skin.

Finished Unblocked Projects

I have finally accepted that I will most likely never block these or any other project I make, so here are the pictures.

Mason-Dixon Ball Band Dishcloth

Materials: worsted weight cotton yarn in white and variegated yarn

Needles: size 8

Notes: lots of fun to make!

Vine Lace Dishcloth by S.M. Kahn

Materials: ww cotton yarn

Needles: Size 8

Notes: I really love her patterns, they are so much fun and turn out so beautiful!!

Diamond Lace Dishcloth by S.M. Kahn

Materials: ww cotton

Needles: size 8

Notes: I did these on my bamboo needles and really enjoyed them. This is my favorite dishcloth pattern so far. She has a TON more I can't wait to try!!

So there you have it! That's some of what I've been up to lately. Hopefully I will get pictures of Julia's finished bedroom soon and maybe the office. I really have to get the house decorated for the holidays and I need to finish my holiday shopping! Christmas is coming much too quickly for me this year.