New Pattern - The Polar Ice Cap

I've been working on a new hat pattern but put it up to play Christmas for awhile. Today I have almost finished it! I just need to proof it a few more times and then I will list it. So at least here are some pictures of it! So I present to you: The Polar Ice Cap!

It can be made with either 2 strands of any medium or worsted weight yarn, like this red and white one. I used 100% wool in Briggs and Little for this one so that it will be nice and warm.

Or you can use the Homespun Yarn from Lion Brand for a really soft hat. They have the nicest selection of colours too.

I really like how this hat frames your face and you can actually wear your bangs out, instead of tucking them in for minimal "hat head". I also added some matching ribbons in the braids for a real personal touch.

Smiles All Around!

I simply love Christmas Decorations, they just make me SMILE!! It's the one time of year when you can just go WAY over the top!

This is part of set of Santa mugs that we used when we were kids. My two big brothers and I would come in from the barn, or ice skating on the pond, or a big snow ball fight and Mom would have hot chocolate heated on the wood stove for us. I smile every time I bring these out and think of those happy, happy times.

I picked this little guy up at a craft show I was in quite a few years ago. His pipe cleaner legs are starting to fall off, but he still makes me smile.

This fantastic elf was bought in a Christmas Store in Fredericton when I was at University (UNB). He traveled with me to every new apartment or house and was gently placed on my bed stand so that at Christmas time he would be the first thing I would see in the morning. He would put a smile on my face to think that exams would soon be over and I could go home. The little wobbly doll is something I've had since childhood and now, because of her colours, I bring her out at Christmas time.

This is another thing that always makes me smile. I love to pick out a tiny little Poinsettia, add some moss and plop it in a teacup. This the first year I couldn't find a pink one that I liked, but I'm pleased with the dark rich red of this one.

Oh Deer!

Look who came for breakfast at my Mom's yesterday morning!

As she was inside the house taking pictures of him, he got more and more curious and was peering in the window to see just what she was up to!

Wildlife Christmas

I like to decorate my kitchen window in a wildlife theme. Of course this lets me buy more blown glass ornaments!

A cute little bunny sitting next to a pine cone.

A raccoon begging for kitchen scraps!

Chickadee, squirrel and a little rabbit.

Another bunny with a silver acorn bell and a golden walnut.

A brother to the brown bunny, a beaver and that tiny little ball sitting in the tree is a hedgehog!

Sneak Peak

I'm working on my kitchen window sill, but I haven't quite got it right yet. Here is a sneak peak of what I have so far! More to come tomorrow!

Christmas Music and Special Memories

Last night while I was decorating the house, I was listening to a Christmas CD that I made of some of my favorite Christmas music. Notes of brilliance wafted through the house...Ave Maria, Greensleeves, Silver Bells, Edelweiss, The Muppet's.....The Muppet's?! Yes, the Muppet's Christmas Album is my all time Christmas favorite! Growing up in the country we didn't have access to all the Christmas music that we have today. Albums were hard to find and the money was tight, but John Denver and the Muppet's filled our old farm house with such cheer! I laugh at Miss Piggy's dismay at "Piggy Pudding!?", smile at Animal's break out of Christmas Cheer, dream about Alfie the Christmas tree and cry a little when I hear "When the River Meets the Sea". I had the best childhood! Thanks Mom!

Trimming The "Trees"

I simply love trees and having grown up in the forestry industry and then marrying a Forester, I allow myself to collect "Christmas Trees". I don't really have a choice, do I?

My forest of trees has expanded over the years and I have to move it to a bigger and bigger surface. The last two years it has found a place of honour on my fireplace in my bedroom.

This little Charlie Brown tree followed me home today!

This little tree helps me cover two collections: tree AND blown glass!

Opps, this little set followed me home today too!

And So It Begins....

Every year I start my Christmas decorating with my china. The decorations all fit in one box and it is the perfect place to begin.

I simply LOVE blown glass ornaments. My Mom, Grandmother and Great-grandfather all decorated their trees with these Christmas marvels, and I'm lucky enough to carry on the tradition.

My Christmas Rabbit. I don't remember the origins of him now, but I'm quite sure he was a gift from Mom. She always finds the best things!

A treasured piece of china given to me by a favorite aunt.

The china pattern is Rose Bouquet by Johnson Brothers. Inside it is one of my favorite blown glass ornaments. I don't really know why I love this ornament so much, it just speaks to me.

A little purse my Mom bought me in a tiny shop in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. She thought I didn't know she bought it, but I did! I have mentioned that I like pink, right?

Christmas "Wreath"

A few Christmases ago, when the money seemed to be extra tight, and I was sick with a cold, I just couldn't bring myself to spend the $15.00 it cost to buy a wreath for my door. So in desperation, out I went dressed warmly and with pruners in hand and headed for the woods. I cut boughs of spruce, fir, white pine, red pine, beach branches with their papery brown leaves still attached and wild rose hips from the roses that thrive along the side of the road. I wired them together with snare wire and attached a recycled bow from a special present from the year before and ta da, a tradition emerged! Now every year I look forward to making my special Christmas "Wreath".

Santa Claus III

I hope you are not getting tired of seeing Santa Claus pictures, but I just have to post a few more of a Santa that I finished yesterday. You see, he sold last night and I didn't even get to add him to my blog! He's going all the way to Florida!

He is a little bit smaller than the other two Santa's, but his belly is twice as big! I suppose that makes sense, Santa needs all the energy he can get for the big day, so the closer we get to Christmas, the fatter he gets! At least that is the philosophy that I live by!

Me holding him. My hand can hardly fit around that big belly!