Making

Now that Christmas is over, I can post pictures of the things I made for gifts. I did some collage pictures, some bleach design t-shirts, and some bracelets and necklaces.

This is the rooster for my sister, Cyndi.

Copper wire family on wood for my brother, Ron

button tree for my sister, Sheri

book flower and twigs for my sister, Karen

mountain collage for my brother, Chris

button tree for my sister, Kathy

bleach design t-shirts - the star for my nephew, Jim (the lion was my test shirt, which has found a good home)

star with barbed wire for my nephew, Josh and eagle for my nephew, Dawson

ninja star for my nephew Tyler and pirate skull for my nephew Bradley

chef pirate shirt for Keven and waffle shirt for Craig

cat pirate shirt for Becky

bracelets for my nieces, Kira and Morgan

bracelets for my nieces, Harley, Katie, and Gina

twine and bead bracelets for Katie, Harley and Gina (separated so you can see them better)

leather wrapped bracelets for Katie, Harley, Gina (separated so you can see them better)

stuff for my mom - necklace, button bracelet and stretchy bracelet

necklace for Denise - close up of key pendant

overall view of necklace for Denise (with bonus apple in the background)

I'm finishing up some fingerless gloves for a couple other people who I'll hopefully see for New Year's. Otherwise, they'll be getting a New Year's package....

Birthday Quilt

So, part of my crazy November was doing a quilt for my brother's birthday. I made one for him when we were both much younger... with denim patches on one side and bandanas on the other. This time, I did the denim (from old jeans), but a plain back. It's tied, instead of quilted (which is how the original was done). He likes it, so mission accomplished. Here Callie is doing some quality control, inspecting the underside.

the quilt (complete with pockets)

Cat tested, and approved

And happy 50th birthday to my brother....

My how time flies

when you're buried under papers.... This has become a pretty typical look for my desk.
This is becoming typical of the rest of the house, crafty piles here and there.
Between working at home (hence the desk), and working on Christmas and birthday gifts (the crafty piles), the house is not exactly as organized as usual. Birthday present will be mailed Monday or Tuesday, as will the Christmas present going to London. The rest are moving along. I'm hoping they'll be mostly done by the beginning of December. That will give me time to clean up so I can go on the great tree hunt and have another lovely tree we've chopped down.

I'm looking forward to that - a clean house and decorations and a lovely tree with lights. It's become my carrot, pushing me forward. Unfortunately, I can't post any crafty pictures until after they are received (no Christmas spoilers here, sorry).

Things I've been up to...

1. Job Applications
2. Reading
3. Putting myself on the waiting list for the LOEX conference
4. Various crafty things as demonstrated by photos

earrings (because you can never have too many)

beading experiment with wire, beads, fiber and the bead loom
finally socks! (yes, they are not the same, but the pattern adaptation is almost perfected)

One of the baby blankets I'm working on, using a beginning lace pattern

Callie inspects the other blanket (she's really trying to play with the end of the circular needle)