handmade kate

the gift post

I guess the countdown is on!  Can you believe it's only 3 days until Christmas? I had a few more handmade gifts I wanted to finish up, but I've decided to call it quits at this point. It's time to relax. 

But I did manage to finish all of my Rose Hills.  Oh, this is awful light--nothing but cold rain for the last week.  The darlings were the prettiest of colors, but here they're rather washed out and icky with my flash.  Bah!

And a lone Thorpe gifted to my brother-in-law.  I enjoyed this pattern so; I wish I had had time to make a few more.  My husband and son requested one after they saw this one, but the crocheted edge tripped me up, so it will have to wait until after the holidays.  It will be a good winter project, now that I can do that half-double!

A few cozies, coupled with a gift card to you-know-where.  These are what became of my bundles (with plenty of fabric left over). Nothing more than tracing a little cardboard coffee sleeve and lining it with insul-brite.  Easy and fast, and so satisfying all lined up and ready to go!

I added a gift tag a-la-Erin, because I thought they would be more fun with a coffee quote.

 

Finally, a couple of requisite Amy Butler Bags because they're always a favorite with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.  This year it was Frenchy.

 

The rest of the gifts were finished up by my husband.  A few matted and framed black-and-white prints taken with the old Deardorff.  He cut all of the mats by hand.  Oh how I wanted to give him his gift a bit early! 

brrrrrr

Miss Margaret and I tried a few beaded snowflake ornaments as a day-after-Thanksgiving-project, but I had no idea that our little project would bring on the cold weather. 

For the last few years, we've had the most wonderfully mild winters.  But it's stinkin' cold here now!

So last weekend I tried out my first Rose Hill Hat (thanks Erin!), and I loved it so much, I made some more.  Number eight--yes that's eight--is on the needles right now.  Don't you just love it when a pattern is so warm and good that you have it committed to memory?

Hmmm, take a guess at what is going to be the present of the year?

transitions

After nearly 10 days at the lake house, home again, then back to the lake, and finally a last-minute trip to the beach, we are back home to finish up the summer. It proved to be quite easy to settle in to a new and wonderfully relaxing routine while on vacation.  I was able to do all of those things that I plan to do in my everyday life, but somehow things always seem to get too crazy and I fall into all of the same old bad habits.  But on vacation? 

I ate fresh blueberries and peaches and cantaloupe from the farmers' market every morning for breakfast.

I slept until 8 am (yes, that's late for me) and drank coffee on the deck and watched the blue heron "fishing" in the cove and the otters frolicking with each other.  I stretched my morning routine out until nearly 10 am, and then I proceeded lounge down on the dock, reading or knitting for a few more hours.

There were long walks on country roads in lieu of my daily workout, and I got to meet new friends along the way. 

Fishing, water-skiing, tubing, and swimming with the kids filled the afternoons.  I finally learned to drive a boat, too! 

And in the evenings there were ice-cold peach daiquiris, something yummy on the grill, and dining on a picnic table with a gingham table cloth under the stars.  There were no phones, televisions, Internet.  Yes, I got very used to it all.

So now back at home, we have less than a week before school begins for the kids.  I'm catching up on laundry and taking an inventory of clothes and supplies we'll need.  New tennis shoes and haircuts are always a tradition for us!  And  I finished up the last item on my summer to-do list:  my last round of projects for the Sewing Republic were finished up last night and I got them mailed off this morning.  (I hope to post a sneak-peek in the next few days) 

This is a week of transition for me; preparing and planning so that we can ease into a new fall routine.  I've been thinking a lot about how I can carry a bit of that summer-time peace along with me.  So far, watching the Olympics in the evenings with a pot of hot tea and a snuggly kitty by my side have been very good.  Nothing special, I know, but it's more than I normally take time out for. It's a start.

And for those of you who left such lovely comments on Margaret's birthday quilt--thank you so very much! I don't know if I will be able to answer all of my emails, I''ve gotten so far behind on them, but I did want to tell everyone how much your kind words and birthday wishes for my sweet Margaret meant to me!

11th birthday quilt

Someone had a birthday last week, so in keeping with the new tradition around here, I thought another birthday quilt was in order.

Even though it was finished a few days late, I think it was a success (the pink loop-de-loops were key)

Besides, there was a second gift as a back-up, and it was immediately "cashed-in" the next day for a pair of pink rhinestone daisy earrings.

Still, I was a bit worried that the glitz and glamor would win out over something handmade by Mama.  I didn't even hope to compete with the 'tween mecca, Claire's.  But this morning, I peeked into Miss M's room, and I couldn't have gotten a better "thank-you."  Emmy Gee was snuggled up and her toes were peeking out from her new quilt:

Phew.

hello there!

Just popping in to say a quick "hello," and that I'm still here.  I've been visiting as I can, but haven't really had the energy to put much into my own little blog.  We had a rough couple of weeks, but after an unintentional little blog-break, I'm quite happy to be back. 

My father-in-law passed away a little over two weeks ago, and although it was a difficult few days leading up to his death, we are all OK.  Lots of "family-time" alternating with lots of sleep around here.  Such a seemingly surreal situation was so exhausting. But all of the support Gary's family received was quite overwhelming.  I had to smile and send up (more than) a bit of thanks as Southern traditions took over and family and friends truly held us up during this time.   Simply Amazing.

And I have so many thanks to send to all of you.  The emails I received while I was "MIA," meant so much to me.  Amazing, again, that so many of you were thinking of me!  I'm trying to respond to you all, but I may be a bit slow.  Until then, know that I was so touched!

I did manage to sneak in a little project over the weekend:

A Built by Wendy hoodie in a soft wool flannel.  I had originally intended to make a matching skirt from my Sew U book (gracious, I've certainly made that pattern enough), but decided it may be a bit overkill, even with some cool brown boots. (I'm thinking lumber-jack kate)  The hoodie turned out to be the perfect weight for a Sunday afternoon hike at Umstead, though.

And look who we got to meet along the way! 

a quick post on the way in from the mailbox

A sweet surprise from dear Valerie.  An Amy Butler Weekend Travel Bag pattern.  Tea, just in time for the cooler weather due in this weekend.  Lovely, lovely Liberty fabric (you are creating a monster over here Valerie!).  And precious, kind words on a scenic postcard.   Thank you, my friend!

Next, a necklace made by such a gracious lady. Lisa's blog is such an inspiration, and when I saw this necklace that Blair commissioned, I fell in love.  I did my initials too, because, like Blair, I'm Southerner, and monogrammed silver jewelry really is a wardrobe staple around these parts.  But what a nice alternative to the usual--I can't tell you how many compliments I received when I wore it to work today!

Finally, a quick "thank-you" to Tracy.  If you've never visited her blog , please pay her a visit.  The lovely handbags and accessories she makes are so beautiful in their simplicity, and her blog is so full of genuine kindness and goodness. Such a comfortable and cozy place! (and she's a fellow anglophile, too!)  I received an email from her a few days ago just to check in on me and say "hello" since I haven't posted in a while. Oh, that meant so much to me!

And my absence lately?  My husband and I are struggling with his aging parents, and, well, my father-in-law is pretty close to dying right now.  It is something new and incredibly hard to navigate.  So that's where I've been.  But I've been visiting around to all my favorite blogs when I can, and it has been such a blissful escape.

So thank you all for sharing these bits of your lives. 

And for sending me unexpected packages "just because"
and for offering handmade loveliness for the best kind of adornment
and for quick emails just to "check in"...

I feel quite spoiled.

 

from now on, we'll be wearing cow bells around our necks

Well, I’m back from the land of the big, bad flu.  The kids were sick the entire week, last week; meanwhile, as I was congratulating myself for having such a strong immune system the nasty little bugger was planning his attack.  By Sunday, I had climbed in the bed not to emerge until today, still feeling weak and wobbly.  I thought that I could pull the laptop into bed with me and at least compose a post, but after having not posted for so long, I was feeling a bit intimidated. (And my mind was still a bit fuzzy)   Instead, between marathon naps, I read archives of Crazy Aunt Purl.  Ye gads, she is a funny one.  A good read for this southern girl at least.  (but, oh dear, now I have the urge to knit a hat)

 

Finally, this afternoon I happily sat in front of the TV, making a few headbands for some special little twin girls (they’re turning 1 tomorrow--happy birthday sweeties!), eating girl scout cookies, and drinking Diet Coke. I'm so grateful to be feeling better.     

a light dusting of happiness

 

We had such beautiful big snowflakes this morning.  I was just as excited as the children.  Because when we have a snow day, that means I don't have to go to my "it-pays-the-bills" job.  I get to stay home with my kids and do fun stuff. 

Snowball fights, ruddy-cheeked children, cold noses, a lunch of hot macaroni and cheese, a game of chess, comfy-cozy blankets.   *Smile*

   

wow! long time, no see

So much for my new year's goal of getting this blog really up and running, as well as posting every day.  What is it now, January 12th already?  I think in many ways I'm just intimidated as hell when it comes to writing a new post. And don't even mention the fact I am having a really tough time figuring out how to make the side bar stuff come up right.  Yeah, and how do I create a banner?  Do they have a blogging for dummies book out there?

O.K.  Enough of my insecurities.  Let's get on...

The results of last Friday's WIP that I had intended to post:

 

Before and after.

My very own ironing board recovery project!  Directions from the purl bee; inspiration from this amazing designer's blog.   And then, I went on to make this:  (patchwork is addictive, isn't it? any excuse to hang on to every bit of a precious bit of fabric!)

I know these fabric cuff are probably so last 2 years ago in the craft world, but they really were ever so much fun to make.  However, being here in the southeast, I'm getting a few odd looks when I wear it out.  Oh well, maybe one day someone around here will get it!  (Yes, I'm entitled to say such things--I've lived here in NC all my life.) 

We have boy scout camping trips (and consequently) mother-daughter crafting time on slate for this weekend.  Such fun!

Have a happy weekend--

K