A Loom from Diana

So the backstory is that every year we go to the Sheep and Wool Festival in Montpelier. We eat lamb sausage sandwiches and overpriced lemonade, watch the sheep dog trials, and sit on the tractors. Oh, and zip around the stalls despite the disapproval of my family (me) and sit and do stuff in the education tent (J).

Last fall, J hung around for 30 minutes, patiently getting off the loom to let others have a try but ready to get right back on as soon as the loom was free. So when I mentioned to Diana that we would like to borrow a loom and did she know anyone who'd loan one to us, I was thrilled that she happened to have a sturdy table top loom we could mess around with.



I did a lot of the weaving the first couple of sessions, with J helping. Sometimes he's more interested in working the levers and beater than weaving, but he spends 5-10 minutes every couple of days at it. And is getting better and better with practice!



The loom has found a home in the hallway upstairs - mostly out of the way, but accessible when the weaving urge hits.

Thanks Diana!!

Stinking. Cute.

But, also, a surprise giftie. To be revealed soon.

From My Grammy

A very sweet bonnet. Found too late to fit my own toddlers but inspiration anyway. What a simple pattern. I had a fair-isle phase in high school, maybe it is time for that trend to come back.

Needlepoint canvases and odds and ends of yarn. Thank you mom! Now to choose another Charles Harper print...

... Update: we chose the blue bird and I've started on it! I haven't done needlepoint since high school, a zillion years ago, and doing it from my own design is a definite challenge. And I'm realizing what a pain it will be to fill in the background, but there you go. Each craft has its little idiosyncrasies, doesn't it? Will post a WIP photo soon.

Total Thrift Store Score

Old Crate and Barrel cabinet, a good fit style/color wise for our old kitchen but not so harmonious with our new dining room. Ok, with our 2 year old dining room, where it was hanging out until we found this TOTAL SCORE at the thrift store.

It's about 8" shorter leaving lots of room on top. Suggestions? I thought maybe some artfully wild-looking branches but maybe some neat and matching baskets or bins would be more sophisticated.

The black cabinet is finding new life as the toddler arts center.

Now, explain to me this thrifting character flaw - this cabinet came with a matching low cabinet, which, at 60" was waaaay too long for any space in this house with its radiators every 3 feet and windows every other foot. HOWEVER, when another woman in the store asked after it, and ended up buying it, I was ... miffed. I wanted it, it was a bargain, and it matched my cabinet. How could she take it and how could I let her? I keep saying to myself "It wouldn't fit, we have no room, I can get more other stuff with the money I saved on something that didn't fit" and a little voice comes piping up "but it matched." Which is hysterical when you consider that there was a dining table and chairs that matched also that I had no lust in my heart for. What was up with that extra cabinet?

Handmade Holidays Recap

From my extra-ordinarily talented sister G.

Crochet hooks (already full. How?) Double pointed, straight. Plus, three clear bags for circular needles. Finally, finally, all my needles and hooks where I can find them. At least until the toddlers strike (these holders are some of their favorite things to "help" me arrange. Happily worked to the tune of "just don't lose any of them!")

Pebble for the Boy

Inspired by the ever inspiring Soulemama, when J said he'd like a vest I thought of the Pebble (plus, the pattern is free). I modified it a bit by working it in the round rather than with the side opening and making a deeper V neckline. I stash busted some yarn which I had been storing together since it seemed to belong together - I foolishly thought for a hat for me but now I see it was meant for this vest. Very manly, and now Mr. Sycamore has also asked for one. Which will be even more manly, indeed.

Grammy Crafts - Toddler Sweater

I kind of wish I had a bigger version of this fabulous fifties-style pea green sweater with the patterned base and raglan 3/4 sleeves, don't you? What kind of hints do you think I'll have to drop with Grammy to get on the knitting list?

Another Last Minute Knitted Gift - Family Ribbed Hat

After only two weeks, two projects done done done. Either I've just suddenly got lots of time on my hands or suddenly got really motivated by my new good book. My gauge was much smaller on this than the pattern called for, but I just did the math and figured with a hat, who would care? I love how it turned out - very springy, and very very warm. I've actually been wearing it around the house instead of turning up the thermostat and finding it makes me just as comfortable.

Putty tat likes it too.

Voila! Mr. Sycamore was busy with bath time so here is *ahem - "self portrait with hat." See? Comfortably sproingy. I saved some of the pink to accent some fingerless gloves in the queue. Have no idea how long my motivation will last, but there are some very pretty ones in this book so maybe I will just keep going.

Update: this is absolutely the most comfortable hat I've ever had. The stretchiness means it covers my ponytail without squishing, perfect perfect perfect. Thank you Joelle!

Crewel Heron and Reusable Gift Bag

Inspired by Soulemama I tried again at reusable gift bags and think I like this version over the drawstring kind. It looks more like a present.

My mom loves Charles Harper, and great blue herons, so I swiped this image and adapted it to a little pillow with some leftover wool from this project. I'm really pleased at the way it came out, and I think Mom was too. His images really lend themselves to a quick project like this - very graphic and minimal. I did the whole thing in about one week of bedtimes.

Guest Post: Grammy, Gramp, and Auntie Crafts

And a mommy crafted Santa's Helper costume from two old shirts of mine, a pair of red pajama pants, and some craft fur trim. The doll house was mine made by my dad and refurbished by Grammy. Check out the chic scandinavian furniture from the 70s that had been stored away with it. Everything old is new again at some point.

Hand crafted, with love. Gone by morning.

Auntie's contribution to our handmade holidays - prince and princess constumes, complete with swirly capes. And tiaras. A tiara completes ANY outfit.

Happy 2011!

May you have much peppermint hot chocolate in the New Year!