elliebelle

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

...Everywhere in my house!  Do you see the sweet little Sophie present?

She's actually not trying to eat the lights - that's a first!

And look at our fun little shelves.  Joe did most of that actually!  Isn't that great?  I have a soft spot for cuddly Christmas toys that look jolly. 

Here is my Nativity scene that was made in Peru - I love the chubby characters!

And my cute painted dollies from TooCute that I bought on Etsy last year.

And the Mary Engelbreit wallhanging that I bought at work and whipped up over an evening or so. The sewing isn't great - but see the cute, jolly Santa?  I just loved him.  I was a little embarrassed to buy this as it feels very small town of me - but I guess that I should probably embrace that part of me, just a little. ;)  I might be here a while.

So along with some Christmas decorating, I've been working on some gifts!  I think I can show these here as I don't think my aunt checks my blog too often - but if she does, Laura, don't read on, or be prepared to see Hazel's gift!  (Hazel is my 2 year old cousin) 

Here is the too cute skirt I whipped up for Hazel.  It is made from the Favorite Things pattern Little Hip Skirts.  I love this pattern - it is so fast to sew.  I actually made this same skirt with Joe's niece a little over a year ago.  It sews together quickly and is just adorable.  I made it out of bamboo/cotton corduroy.  This fabric is amazingly silky.  I would love a skirt for myself out of this fabric.  Hmm, I may just have to buy more!  I added a little vintage crocheted trim that I got at a thrift store.  Oh, and the pocket isn't part of the pattern, but I thought every little girl should have a pocket for her treasures! (sorry, the photo isn't great...)

And lastly, the cutest little thing ever!  Lottie and Little Lady.  I made this from a Melly and Me pattern.  I think Melly and Me make the most adorable stuffed animals.  I want to make ALL of them! But I thought this one would be fun for Hazel as she could take Little Lady out of the purse, or take the purse off of Lottie...It's a little hard to give her away - she's so darn cute!  

Little Lady was supposed to have fabric antennae too - but turning those teeny tiny pieces was awful - so I gave up and used flat elastic instead.  It was bad enough turning all the legs and antennae for Lottie!  I think my version is just as cute! :)

See her cute little wings!

So that's what I have been working on the past few days.  I have a few other things to pump out this week/weekend before I head up north for the holiday.  I am sooo looking forward to Mom's cooking, reading, knitting, cross-country skiing, family, and pure coziness.  What is everyone doing for the holidays?

A tote and snow

Isn't my title creative? haha

So, the Christmas sewing is still in full swing - hence the very quiet blog.  (one of my New Year's Resolutions is to post more frequently!!!)  I thought I could show you one Christmas gift for a recipient who i don't believe reads my blog.  This tote is for Joe's mom.  She loves Elvis. :)

Again, I used the Trace and Create Bag Templates as I did here and here.

The flower on the tote has a pin back so it can be taken off and worn!  I like how this tote turned out.  

And because we live in Wisconsin and have already had a lot snow, I have to show a picture.

Dad, don't you love our cornice?  Now Dad, I can't really figure out where you got the origin of that word to mean snow...it seems it is for architecture...Either way, isn't ours gorgeous????

And of course, some pictures of Chelsea in the snow.  She just loves the snow - she'll run around, jump, roll and dig in the snow.  It is hilarious to watch.

There are even more Chelsea pictures on my Flickr.  Heehee...I got a little carried away...

And lastly, I wanted to thank everyone who sent me nice messages from my last post about little Liam. I am extremely happy to report that his genetic work-up has come back normal!  He does not have a metabolic disorder.  His parents are over-the-moon.  He does have bacterial meningitis which should have kept him in the hospital until today.  I haven't heard yet - but I'm thinking he was able to go home today. :)  So again, THANK YOU for your kind words.  

Oh, and on more little thing.  What are you guys working on for Christmas gifts?  Are you in the middle, finished, or just starting your gift process?  Are you buying most of your gifts or making them?  I'm curious to see what others are doing for this years gifts.

I just can't stop knitting

I keep knitting, and I continue to love it.  I think it is a combination of the smallness, the portability, and the ability to do it while I watch tv or a movie, have a conversation, all of those good things.  I know I am not the only one who share these lovely feelings.  So over thanksgiving weekend, I worked on these two things.  And they are both for me!  heehee!  I didn't do any working on gifts over the long weekend, though I probably should have.  I'll get back to those soon.

Here is my Felicity hat.

And another view

Somebody please tell me why this entire year of blogging I hadn't bothered to touch up my photos in Photoshop??  Seriously, I have the entire Design studio on my computer...and I never use them!  That's terrible!  So, if the pictures look a little weird, it's cause I was playing with them. I think maybe I needed to save them at a higher resolution though...

And of course, another view!  You have to see all sides.  I like this pattern and the hat is very cozy on.

So the other project I've been whittling away at is a basic scarf I've been working on with my Noro yarn.

This is a slow going process as I am doing a basketweave knit - at least that's what I think it is called.  I think it looks kinda cool, and I just love the way the yarn gradates from color to color.

Here's another shot.

The next project I need to work on is not a sewing or knitting project.  I need to put my new (early) Christmas present together!

AHHH!!  Isn't it super exciting?  I can't wait.  I really think this machine will help my quality of life. Here in Wisconsin, winter can be long, cold, dark and snowy - which can lead to cabin fever.  I need exercise to keep myself upbeat and healthy through these months, and since going to a gym has never been my most favorite thing, (I'm a homebody) I thought this would be a great thing for me.  I can pop in a DVD and run/walk/stride - whatever you call it as I watch the tube.  I'm hoping to get in a nice routine of doing this in the morning - since the evenings are spent on projects, dinner, errands, movies, etc.  You all know what I mean!  I think I will be more dedicated if I get into a morning routine, and actually it will probably help me get to work on time.  I've been so bad lately, strolling in around 9am. (it doesn't really matter, but most people are at work around 8am)  So there you have it - my new (hopefully) obsession!

And, Joe will probably kill me for putting this picture up - but I just had to show you...

He looks a little crazy in the pic, but it is so funny!  He's been growing his beard since I was in Cancun, and before I took the picture he made sure to brush it out so it was nice and bushy.  After this photo he rubbed his face all up against mine as I screamed and squirmed! haha!

And lastly, on a more serious note, after all of my mad sewing, I was unable to gift the presents as it turns out the new baby had to be admitted into the hospital for an infection which turned out to be meningitis.  They have not determined yet if it is bacterial or viral - could be 7 or 27 more days in the hospital!  Yuck!  Also, it is looking like little Liam also has a metabolic disorder that will not allow him to process long chain fatty acids - which means a life long diet of low fat, high carbs.  That has not been confirmed yet by a genetic test, so there is a sliver of hope he doesn't have it, but at this point it is looking like he does.  Liam is doing well and little by little is getting better. But, if you are the praying type, I am sure Stephanie, Nick and little Liam would really appreciate a little positive energy sent their way.

Thanks everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend.  Are you all getting cozied up for the next holiday?  We are - our Christmas lights are up and shining brightly. No tree yet - that will come next week.  :)