Monday, December 31, 2012

What I Did on My December Break (Part 2)



New Year's Eve 2012 Sunrise over the Cascades


What I did for my December Break Continued...

Gryffindors sprawl around the Seventh Floor in the wake of Professor McGonagall's Theme assignment, discussing what they might write down.  "What are interchangable needles?"  James Potter asks, a bit peevishly.  "I thought we couldn't use magic in our knitting."

1. What is your favorite project you worked on during December
2. What was your favorite gift you made (if any)
3. What was your favorite gift you received
4. What was the best thing you ate

1 and 2. I just crocheted a scarf for Ari yesterday! That’s the only thing I’ve done since we’ve been moving! lol Oh, I take that back, I did a hat for Dan’s boss, too. I guess that’s my favorite since it’s the only one I’ve gotten done this year!
3. My set of interchangeable bamboo needles
4. Mashed potatoes. I do so love mashed potatoes!

1. I’m currently working on the Windschilf shawl* 

(last half of the edging, here I come!) in KnitPicks Chroma Fingering, Elfin color way. The pattern is well written and easy to follow. Interesting enough for an experienced knitter, but easy enough for a new knitter.
2. either the Chaperon I knit for my MiL* 

which I turned in for DADA in November, or the Korknisse I knit - I knit 8 total this year, all a little different.
3. My sisters commissioned commemorative pendants for the three of us and our mother that are really beautiful, and YARN, YARN, YARN
4. Christmas Eve my brother in law barbequed a prime rib, that was probably it, but I’m spending this week with foodies so anything can happen!

1. My Wisp! The yarn was an early Christmas present from a knitting friend, and I couldn’t help but cast on immediately.*

2. The Brambles hat that I made for my sister. She wears it all of the time, which is super gratifying, and she’s always requesting matching mittens.*

3. An excellent pair of winter boots that I’m very excited to start wearing every day.
4. We made my very favorite cookies this year, lemon zest shortbread. We did cherry cheesecake pie, too, and chocolate peanut butter chip cookies.

["Does it matter that I’m going to be Ravenclaw next term?"  Of course not!  You were technically a Gryffie when I sent the pm.]

1. I worked on Technical.* 

These socks are for my Sweetheart and he loves them (even though he says it’s torture for me to put them on him and take pictures).
3. My son wasn’t sure he’d get his leave approved (since he’s nearly through with his enlistment) and had told me that he wouldn’t see us until late January. It hurt since he was in Afghanistan last year, but I knew that these things happen in the military. So, I’d resigned myself to be cheerful anyway, and let him know that we were going to hold off the presents & such for a month. Instead, I saw his smiling face at my door on the 14th at 4:30 in the morning! Having both of my kids with me this year was the best gift of all time.
4. The best thing I ate (not the tastiest, but still awesome) was my daughter's birthday cake.*


toffle  

1. My Sahara top…started in October? Finally able to wear (apart from cutting off all ends or tassels as I ref to them…) and ready for wip the first!

2. Sewn twirly skirts.

3. Fave gift moisturizer! I never buy it for myself.

4. Turkey? Pudding? Salad at DP’s dads house? So much to choose from.




1. I (gasp!) took a break from knitting this month. I only finished up a partial blanket square for WIP the First.

2. I made a Star Trek Potholder for my dad and stepmom.* 

It was my first double knit, and it turned out great! Plus, they loved it!!

3. a pair of gorgeous green socks in Hermione’s cable and eyelet pattern from Mienna.

4. Cupcakes and “snowman poop” (Oreo truffles)




1. I’m THIS CLOSE to finishing a sweater for my husband! just need to sew on the sleeves and add the collar ribbing!

2. hats, hats and more hats!

3. YARN!

4. my BIL’s ham!



AmyPC  

1. I really enjoyed the countdown to Christmas and made many quick gifts including soap sacks, * bath puffs, and bulky cabled mitts.

2. I love the cabled mitts pattern that is repeated over and over again in my project page! It’s a hit, and it’s quick!*


3. My 5yo bought me a candle at the Santa Shop at school - I love the Santa Shop!

4. I made a raspberry trifle with creme anglais sauce that was just to die for!! yum!




1. The crochet cuffs I made on the store bought slipper sox I bought.

2. Favorite gifts were the Snowball Buddies.*


3. A scotch tape dispenser that looked like the tape was the dog’s tongue.

4. Best thing I ate: Banana Cream Pie :-)



dobarah  

1. & 2. My favorite project (s) were French Press Slippers* for my dd and the son’s gf. The first pair ended up fitting the son’s gf, which shows me I need to make dd a larger pair.


3. The best gift I received was having my children home…that and having the kids ask for a new knitted items.  it was also a great gift when I found out dear son was wearing the current pair of socks* I had created for him.


4. Having the apple-onion-celery dressing with the turkey made this a very special meal for me…my dad would have been so proud of me!




1. I finished my springtime bandit shawl! I’m so relieved to have it done. I’m also enjoying working on my not your boyfriends sweater, but it’s not done yet.

2. I made mittens for my mom and she loved them.*


3. I received some books that I’m excited about. Some knitting mysteries and running books.

4. Green bean casserole! Love it! And my Mom’s swedish cookies and fudge.




1.  I was busy trying to get my nephew’s stocking (cross stitch) done! I did not succeed, so he will be getting a birthday stocking in February.

2. I made the One Skein Scarf for a friend, and it turned out beautifully.

3. My husband bought me a pearl drop necklace! It’s gorgeous.

4. I can’t speak well to any food right now.  But, uhh… in other news, we announced that I am pregnant! First baby is due in July. :)



frick  

1. My younger brother’s socks in worsted weight. I got them done in 6 days.

2. Dalek hat for my older brother.

3. Yarn swift and gift cert to LYS.

4. Homemade turtles candy my step-MIL brought.




1. I made a pair of socks

2. I made coasters and felted them*


3. My favorite gift was a big ball of blue-green fiber that I can spin.

4. I loved eating turkey on Christmas Day




1. My favorite project for December would have to be the Seychelles Shawl. It was released along with the Dream in Color Dream Club yarn for December, and I was asked to knit the display model for my LYS, which was quite the honor!*


2. Favorite gift made is a hat for my husband. I got a skein of BadAmy yarn in the TARDIS colorway and knit up a pattern that I consider to be reminiscent of the actual TARDIS. We’re both huge Doctor Who fans, so this was awesome.*


3. My favorite gift(s) were a gift certificate to my LYS AND a gift certificate to Etsy. Can’t decide yet what to get with either!

4. Best thing I ate - chocolate & coconut macaroons!


James scoots closer to stitchywitchy to see her new interchangeable needles, while Sirius holds out his hand to Meriadoc who hands him a skein of her new yarn.  They mutter about their boring gifts, and try to think of ANYTHING that is as wonderful to write about as needles and yarn.



To be continued...


 *Note:  All photos are the property of the House Member in whose update they appear.  Use with permission only.




Sunday, December 30, 2012

What I did on My December Term Break








Professor McGonagall enters the Gryffindor Common Room and simply stands.  The students notice her bit by bit, and with much nudging, become quiet.

"This year," she says, "we will begin by writing a ... Theme.  What I did on my December Break."

Students look at each other in disbelief.  Muggle-borns laugh to themselves, very familiar with this type of assignment. 

"First years are excused from this assignment, as they were not officially students at Hogwarts this December."

McGonagall leaves the Seventh Floor.  There is a moment of stunned silence, then a ROAR sweeps through the Gryffindors as then begin to tell each other about the December Break, answering:
1. What is your favorite project you worked on during December
2. What was your favorite gift you made (if any)
3. What was your favorite gift you received
4. What was the best thing you ate

1. The Christmas stocking for my brother’s fiancee, which didn’t get done in time, but she knows that it’s in progress
2. It was an ornament set for my mom - I fill clear glass ornaments with kosher salt, 5 black peppercorns, and a rolled up strip of orange paper. It’s supposed to look like melted snowmen!
3. penguin socks!
4. The party potatoes my MIL made us!



1.  I made my children socks and a chubby chirp.  *

2.  My son’s afterthought heel stripe socks. I used ShaylaMyst’s silver base in the Shere Khan color way, a self striping yarn.
3.  My Signature DPNs, size 2.5mm for more socks!
4.  DH makes a great French silk pie!


1. The Bearded hat I made for my boyfriend’s brother. *

2. The Bearded hat I made for my boyfriend’s brother.
3. YAAAAAAARN
4. Christmas breakfast (eggs, bacon, french toast)

1. some woolen spun art batts. Very enjoyable, fulfilling, and exciting for me!
4. Paleo Almond Joy Bars and Chicken Curry with Romain lettuce for wraps. So yummy!


1.  My favorite project that I worked on was a pair of socks that I knit for my sister! *

2.  Which also happened to be my favorite christmas gift :)
3.  My favorite gift that I received was my little kitty Samus *

4.  The best thing that I ate was apple pie!


1.  Swedish hiking socks -- I took a Swedish pattern and used google translate to translate the pattern to English *

2.  A hat for my church’s homeless ministry -- from the Gryffindor advent countdown pattern from 
Dec 1
3.  A necklace
4. Cream cheese coffee cake


1. My favorite project is my new sweater. Pivot by Cookie A.
2.  I’d have to say the black lace shawl I made for my mother.  
3.  My partner and I gifted each other with a 7 day cruise in the Western Caribbean. It was a glorious adventure! I got a deep brown tan to prove it too!
4.  chocolate melting cake. WOW!! It was a mini chocolate cake baked in a small souffle dish. The center was a melty chocolate fondue like substance. Dipping fresh fruit in it was divine!


Galena  
1.  I’ve been working on a baby blanket for my sister-in-law. It has to be my favorite as it’s the only project I’ve worked on.
2.  I got half a pair of feet eaters done.
3. the book my nieces and nephew bought for baby due in April. It was just nice for them to think about him, and it was completely unexpected.
4. The best thing I ate was pop-tarts (don’t judge the pregnant woman).


RayOLR  
1. I’m working on a hat and I’m having fun with it, but it’s not finished yet,
2. My OWL, the girl with the pearl earring*, 

was a present for my dad and I really love it, but I knit it in November. During December I made an octopush for my niece. I totally hated working on it, but I’m happy with the result.*

3. I got a book about baking good-looking artistic sweets and the other one is a collection of Brother’s Grimm fairy tales.
4. Rabanada! It’s like a little french toast covered in sugar and cinnamon. Absolutely decadent!


1. I loved working on my ruffled scarfs! They are quick, easy, and make great gifts *

2. I made a pair of polka dot crocheted stockings for a swap partner! They were a bit tedious, but came out lovely.*

3. Knit Picks yarn
4. My Dad's cavatelli (type of pasta) & meatball Christmas dinner!


1. snowflakes for christmas gifts
2. snowflakes (only gifts I finished)
3. crafting gift was white cotton yarn and huge tiedye kit from my fiance who is not a crafter at all. Fav other gift was kingdom hearts for the 3ds
4. Kielbasa and pierogis


1. My son’s very first Christmas stocking!  *

2. A family tree embroidery with all my brothers’ and sisters’ names on it
3. Everything I got was amazing! I got Sublime Tussah Silk from my SIL
4.  Peanut Butter Temptations cookies :)


1. Favorite project would have been finishing the Ice Crystals Afghan for my grandmother. That thing took way too long, but it’s done now. I’m working on a hat now that will be finished before the new year, and I’m hoping to finish my Dr. Who scarf by then, too.
2. probably the snowflakes for my secret Santa. I found the crochet pattern in a Martha Stewart magazine.
4.  Krantz! It’s a German holiday bread and it’s fantastic. Cinnamon, sugar, and walnuts inside “sweet” dough, with icing and decorations on top. Yum!!!


1.  My favorite project was 1722 yards of laceweight I spun up,"Before The Treetops Had Absorbed The Night" hopefully to use to knit an Evenstar for my OWL this term.
2. I didn’t craft for anyone this year.
3.  a set of bread tins my fiance got me (I was begging him for some for months!)
4. Probably my sister’s Challah bread.



haizle  
1. my Granny Square sweater. As of this morning, it’s still not complete, but I am determined to have it finished by Jan. 1st!
2. the Belize Wrap I made for my mom.
3.  My honey and I are exchanging gifts in January. So far though, my favorite gift was my Entertainment book, given to me by my bff when she visited us. She lives in Miami and tries to spend some time with us around Christmastime. She gets freaked out by the snow and decorates my tree. I enjoy the company. It’s a tradition!
4.  I made a maple and brown sugar glazed ham in the crock pot and it was delicious!!



1. My favourite is definitely the Owlet sweater Owls for Eli *

2. Same as above. ;)
3. A Mockingjay bird brooch (from the movie Hunger Games).
4. Vegetarian herring. :)  (f1bercat here:  What the heck is vegetarian herring?)


These Gryffindors seem to be well on their way to some nice Themes.  What will the rest of the house write about?

To be continued...



* Note:  All photos are the property of the House Member in whose update they appear.  Use with permission only.