weekly wrap-up // Christmas

this week i have been...

listening to...Christmas music

crafting...legwarmers...scarves

reading...moby dick...wives and daughters...a tree grows in brooklyn

enjoying...caroling...seeing snow {unfortunately, it rained for two days after we got snow}...finally starting Christmas vacation...wrapping gifts...anticipating Christmas...music...peppermint bark...

what have you done this week?

p.s. huge giveaway for a camera, kitchen aid mixer, and ipad mini here.

feather and fan cowl pattern

feather and fan cowl

supplies: size 11 needles

              leftovers of yarn; the amount depends on how long you make the cowl and how big you stripes are.

          for this part, i will tell you what i did, but you could make different sized stripes and a longer 

          knitted piece to make a scarf or a longer cowl. 

gauge: 

     not important

abbreviations:

     k2tog: knit 2 stitches together

     yo: yarn over

     ssk: slip slip knit

feather and fan stitch pattern:

     Row 1: [k2tog] 3 times, [yo, knit 1] 5 times, yo, [ssk] 3 times

     Row 2: purl across

instructions:

cast on 17 stitches. 

work feather and fan pattern, changing colors when desired {i changed colors every 6 rows}, for as long as desired. 

bind off loosely.

sew ends together.

my color pattern: white for 6 rows, green for 6 rows, blue for 6 rows, purple for 12 rows, blue for 6 rows, green for 6 rows, white for 6 rows.

enjoy your cowl!

calm, quiet, and i

at last,
calm, quiet, and i are able to meet.
we sit down together
with tea, knitting, and a good book.
i am oh, so glad
that they were able to stop by.
i do hope they will be able
to stay for a while.

weekly wrap-up // Christmas movies

this week i have been...

enjoying // a little bit of snow // flannel // bokeh // Christmas movies // caroling // yarn //

reading // moby-dick // wives and daughters // a tree grows in brooklyn //

watching // it's a wonderful life // white Christmas // inception //

inspired by // traditions // here and there //

overall, this week has been hectic but with a little bit of calm thrown in. our church Christmas program/play is tonight. i am praying that it will be meaningful and enjoyable to those who attend.

what have you done this week?

stressful and cheerful

stressful things

lack of sleep

long days

busyness

messes

homework

failure

cheerful things

Christmas music

pretty lights

tea

good books

completing goals

pretty skirts

bookstores

laughter

volkswagen microbuses

bokeh

thankfully my cheerful list today is longer than my stressful list.

what are some things that stress you out or make you happy?

weekly wrap-up

this week i have been...

crafting // hats // mittens //

reading // moby-dick // rose in bloom // wives and daughters //

listening to // all of michael buble's christmas album // christmas music //

enjoying // the christmas season // birthday parties // sock buns // rings // fuzzy socks // lots of tea // salsa //

pinning //

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what have you done this week?

what i wore // flannel

flannel jacket // birthday gift

blue shirt // kohl's

skirt // burlington coat factory

today was a nice, relaxing day. i had time to do my homework, take some photos outside, play a little bit of cello, and perform in a chorus concert. what did you do today?

handmade Christmas gift ideas

since Christmas is quickly approaching, i am working on finishing up everyone's Christmas gifts. i make gifts for all of my family {10 people, besides me} and some of my friends. this year, i started knitting back in september. i think it's my best year yet for planning ahead. even with planning it all out, i still have a few people to craft for. here are a few projects that look like great last-minute gifts; i hope they help you, too!

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Christmas tags from old Christmas cards.

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i have actually made one of these, and it took hardly any time at all!

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maybe i could put little letters in each envelope...

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if you are looking for more inspiration for a handmade Christmas, be sure to visit this post by the lovely miss grace.

what about you? do any of you plan on crafting Christmas gifts this year?

how did december get here so quickly?

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how did december get here so quickly? 

i love the month and all that it brings, but i love other months, too. it seems like just yesterday that snowbanks were melting; spring flowers bloomed at alarming rates; summer passed by in a blur; fall was here and gone before i could blink. and now we are ready to start a new cycle of seasons. christmas is just around the corner. 2013 is approaching with lightning-fast speed, reminding me of what i have or have not done as well as what i hope to do.

craziness.

faith friday // psalm 46:10

the script font? it's a jane austen's handwriting font. it's pretty much the best font ever.

happy friday!

fold. thump. turn.

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fold. thump. turn. fold. thump. turn. fold. thump. turn.

over and over again.

fold. thump. turn.

quick-moving hands.

flour spread all over the counter.

a recipe card sits next to a bowl.

later on, I will let the bread dough rise then bake it.

but right now, i just

fold. thump. turn.

repeat.

weekly wrap-up // put your head on my shoulder

this week i...

read // rejoice // reunion // moby dick //

listened to // put your head on my shoulder // where no one stands alone // faithfully //

enjoyed // baking bread // thanksgiving // family // Christmas music // travel sized items // comics // purple skirts // hats // school vacation // cranberry sauce //

pinned //

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what have you done this week?

1 Chronicles 16:34

i hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving!

birthday

on sunday, i turned seventeen. 

when i was younger, i used to think that teenagers were so old, wise, and all-knowing. but i don't feel old, i am not wise, and i am constantly discovering how much there is to know and how little i really do know. i don't feel prepared to handle big decisions that i need to make soon, decisions about college and life after high school. even with those things looming, i am still looking forward to enjoying things that don't scare me, things like family, singing, knitting, photography, flowers, books; things that i love and cherish. seventeen gives me enough time to savor things will also planning ahead. seventeen should be a good year. full of ups and downs, certainly, but still good.

{me last year}

{me this year}

what i wore // new skirt

shirt // sister's

skirt // the dressbarn

scarf // mardens

boots // mardens

on saturday, my daddy and i went out for breakfast in celebration of my birthday a day early. ever since i was little, we have gone out for breakfast near or on my birthday. i love it.

 well, we went to a perfect little diner called the bayou kitchen then shopped around for a while. he bought me this skirt {it was on sale, too!} i love the lace detailing and the belt that came with it.