Christmas Wreath

About 10 years ago my sister made me a Christmas wreath that I have loved.  It has lasted well, even through a neigborhood kid vandal attack.  A couple of weeks ago when I took it out I realized that this was the year it needed to retire.  It was so sad and beat up looking.  There was no way to freshen it up even. 

About this time there was a 50% sale at Michael's on wreaths, but I didn't see anything that said, "Take me home".  I had been in the dollar store a couple of days before and they had a lot of ornaments.  I had also seen a tutorial on Pintrest on how to make an ornament wreath.  I decided to try it.

I bought 6 packages of ornaments at the dollar store and a couple of berry picks at Michael's along with a styrofoam wreath form.  (Boy styrofoam has gotten expensive!)  I started by doing the outside and inner rings.

Unfortunately it stayed this way for about a week and a half.  I quickly realized that I hadn't bought enough ornaments, and I was finishing up my Christmas preperations.  This morning my husband made me promise to finish it so we could have our dining room table back. 

I put all the larger balls on and then filled in with jingle bells and berries.  I wish I had been able to find some ornaments that were about 1".  I think they would have filled in some of my holes nicely.  Oh well!  Here it is after adding the berries and bells.

If I ever do another one I will do it a little differently.  I didn't have enough of the smaller balls.  It needs smaller stuff to fill in the spaces.  If you don't look too close it looks good.  Here it is on my door, where it does look amazing.

Spa Products

I have been playing on Pintrest for the last month looking for Christmas ideas. I found some homemade spa products that I wanted to try. I decided that I wanted to do something fun for my sister in law who has been so ill. She loves going to the spa, but since it is impossible right now I thought I would bring it to her. I also decided to do it for my daughter that loves stuff like this.

Christmas Candy Cane Bath Salt Recipe

Peppermint Salt Soak

You'll need:

• Glass or metal bowl

• 20 drops peppermint essential oil

• 3 tablespoons carrier oil (I used sweet almond oil or jojoba)

• Metal spoon

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt

• 1/2 cup sea salt

• 8 oz jar, tub or tin with lid

• food coloring (optional)

Step 1: Sterilized you materials in a hot-water bath (place in boiling water for 10 minuets, then set on a clean towel to dry).

Step 2: In a glass or metal bowl, add essential oil and carrier oil to dilute it. Add the Epsom salt and sea salt and mix thoroughly. I added one drop of coloring to make the mixture a soft pink. Mix thoroughly.

Step 3: Scoop into a 8 ounce (about 1 cup), wide-mouth container.

To use: Pour or scoop a fourth of the mixture under warn running water. Allow the tub to fill before sinking into the soothing waters. Enjoy!

The recipe is for one 8oz. jar, which is enough for four bath.

I actually made this with green instead of pink. I thought that was a little more Christmasy.

Brown Sugar and Honey Scrub:

Mix together 1 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup mineral oil and 2 T. honey.

This one was so easy. I thought it would be fun for feet and elbows.

Vaseline or Un-Petroleum Jelly

Crystal Light

a small container

a mixing tool

Fill the empty small container with your Un-Petroleum Jelly. Add the Crystal Light. Keep adding and stirring till you have your desired color. If you put it on right away it will be exfoliating. Wait an hour and the granules will dissolve.

I think I had the most fun with this one. It was so fun choosing flavors and colors. It was so easy too.

 

Sweater Update

Well, believe it or not, the pieces for my sweater are all done.  I just have to put it together.  I'm looking at the pockets though and it doesn't look quite like they are going to go together.  They look a little small.  Hopefully a good blocking/steam job will do the trick.  I would hate all of that work and yarn to go to waste.

Sweater For Me

I have been thinking for the last month or two that I would like a fall sweater. I don't have one anymore. I've been looking at patterns, but it has taken me a while to find one I like and can find and afford the yarn for. This morning I finally went through all of the old issues of Creative Knitting that I have. This sweater is from '07. The construction intrigues me.
                                 
Michael's is having a big yarn sale this weekend. Gearing up for Christmas. I got all of this yarn over half price. It only cost me $21. Not bad! I am using a bulky yarn from Loops and Ewes called Charisma in the Northern Lights colorways. It is turquoise, purple and blues.

I started it tonight. Not sure how long it is going to take since Christmas projects take priority at this time of year.

Valentine Placemats

This is something that I have been putting off for a couple of months. Valentine's is the theme for this years placemats for my nieces and nephews. Most of it has been the commitment to stand and cut fabric with a bum knee. I am doing a nine patch. It will go fast I just have to get them cut.

I got all the prints cut this afternoon. Tomorrow I will cut the solids, place setting section, and backs. Then to the sewing machine. Here are the prints.

Christmas Xstitch

CJ's cross stitch came in the mail yesterday. It came a lot faster than I thought it would. I opened up the packaging just to verify and then I put it away. Tonight I couldn't seem to help myself. I went downstairs and put a hem in both ends of the fabric. Mounted it on my frame and started.

I love starting new projects. There is just something about it. Imaging the possibilities and the power of creation. The ladies at work laugh at me all the time. They can't believe how many projects I have going at the same time. I do it so I don't get bored. I can change projects at the drop of a hat. It isn't like I have 50 UFO's. I eventually finish them all.

Cross Stitch Projects

Yesterday when I came home from work my husband greeted me with my Sitchery catalog in his hand.  He has been out of work for 2 1/2 months and is starting to get bored.

When we were first married almost 26 years ago I taught him to cross stich.  He is really good.  He hasn't done any for probably 15.  He had found a cross stitch that he really liked.  The kit was $44.  I looked around on the internet and found the pattern and just the fabric for $21.  I have every color of floss, so that isn't an issue.  He loves wolves and this is what he found.

I have been thinking for a couple of years I would like to do a set of big cats for my oldest son.  He loves them.  His favorite is the tiger.  While I was looking for this wolf I found this tiger and fell in love with it.  I am going to give him the kit for Christmas and then I will make it up for him.

Of course if I have a cross stitch for one son, I almost have to have one for the other.  It took a lot longer to find one for him.  My youngest likes dogs, but all kinds.  There are very few dog patterns out there that have several breeds in them.  They are all one breed.  I finally decided on this one since he loves puppies.

My husband will be doing his, but I will be doing these two.  I figure if I'm lucky I may have them done by next Christmas.  Maybe I can frame them as their gift next year :)