Category Archives: Christmas

Catching some z’s

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I try to get enough sleep at night but sometimes I just want to take a nap.  It must be the after-breakfast-carb-crash that makes me sleepy around 9:00 in the morning.  I have on occasion fallen asleep at my computer at work.  Just for a couple of seconds and wake up abruptly when my head starts to drop to my chest.

Z-z-z-z Whiplash!

I’m making some felt ornaments for my grandchildren.

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I need to trim this one a bit more as the Z is not centered.  I think I’m going to stitch beads around the edge.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I feel a three-second nap coming on…. z-z-z-z

Usefulness

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I’ve had a couple of people ask me what is the use of fingerless mitts.

Mitts-for-Pat-2

Having fingers exposed allows one to use their fingers while keeping the rest of their han and wrist warm.  Think of buttoning you child’s coat or tieing their shoes when it’s cold outside.  Feeling for something (keys, lip gloss, tissues, gum) in your purse without taking your gloves or mittens off.  Answering your cell phone or texting.  Buckling your child into a car seat when it’s c-o-l-d outside.  Typing, filing, taking notes in a cold classroom or office.

The difference between fingerless mitts and fingerless gloves is (IMHO) is that fingerless mitts just end so the fingers are free while fingerless gloves have topless fingers.

I’ve made a combination of fingerless gloves and mittens once for a friend who loves to take photographs on the C&O Canal towpath in our area.  Ever try to take a picture with gloves on?  The pattern is called “Glittens” by Nuttinbutknittin.

Glittens for Mark 2007

Glittens for Mark 2007

On the other hand (no pun intended) many pairs of fingerless mitts have come off my knitting needles.

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Fingerless mitts for my office, Christmas 2011.

Mr Aitch's Musica Mitts 2010

Mr Aitch’s Musica Mitts 2010

Fingerless mitts for Mr. Aitch.

Leah's Musica Mitts

Leah’s Musica Mitts

Fingerless mitts for my friend Leah.

Mitts-for-Pat-1

Fingerless mitts for my friend Pat.

Chreey-Berry-mitts-001

Fingerless mitts for ME!

Have you made or own any fingerless mitts or gloves?

Do you find them useful?

Snowman kit

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The snowman ornament kit for a Christmas Wishes Craft.

From left to right:

  1. Naked tongue depressors
  2. Painted tongue depressors. 
  3. One bottle of white paint.
  4. One bottle of pealizing medium for the icy sheen.
  5. Painted tongue depressors with a ribbon loop attached by a glue dot.  The paper covering the top is to keep anything else from sticking to the glue dot.  Also penciled in eyes for placement.
  6. Strips of paper with glue dots attached.  Felt would be nice, too.
  7. Paper noses. (Orange Post-it)
  8. Black felt hats with glue dot on the back.
  9. Buttons with glue dot backing.
  10. Black marker.  Oops!  Not shown.
  11. Finished Snowman.snowman-kit-cropped

Actually I’ve prepainted the tongue depressors so the first four items aren’t in the real kits.  As much as 4-5 year olds would love to paint and use real glue, I’m thinking of the mothers and the ensuing mess.  This is supposed to be fun for everyone!  This is my first time with glue dots so I’m anxious to see how it all works out.

Opportunity

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Doing the NaBloPoMo (National Blog Post Month) has been a challenge to say the least.  My postings have been few and far between for well over a year.  When the opportunity to get back in the saddle came along, I decided to accept the challenge and post every day during November.

Todays post is about the Olive Oil Drip Catcher pattern I put in the My Designs page of this blog.  This little pattern has been one of my most popular.

Olive-oil-sleeve-003.1

It’s a quick knit using a small amount of fingering yarn.  Although I haven’t measured the amount of yarn, I do believe it is under 20 yards.

And it’s useful.

Want to learn how to knit with double-point needles but don’t want to commit to knitting a sock?  Here’s your opportunity to try this pattern.

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If you don’t like the ruffle edge, just bind off before the increases.

Are you planning on gifting anyone with a bottle of flavored dipping olive oil or vinegar for Christmas (or Holiday of your choice)?  The Olive Oil Drip Catcher would be the perfect accompaniment, well, along with a loaf or two of great bread.

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And while I’m at it, I’m taking the opportunity to plug one of my favorite stores:  Olive My Heart in Hudson, Ohio.  Yes, they do ship!

omh