Books I've read in 2012

Normally,  I'll read 50 or more books, but this year I've done 18 craft swaps on Crafster, and made many many personal and crafty gifts, so my free time has been more crafting than reading.  Nevertheless, today I finished my 27th book.

1.  Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
3. We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee
4. The 7th Month: D.D. Warren Story Especial by Lisa Gardner
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
6. Catching Fire (reread) by Suzanne Collins
7. Mockingjay (reread) by Suzanne Collins
8. This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury
9. Catch Me by Lisa Gardner
10. Bonnie (#3) by Iris Johansen
11. Eve (#4) by Iris Johansen
12. Blood Memory by Greg Isles
13. Quinn (#2) by Iris Johansen
14. Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
15. The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez
16. Sleepwalker by Karen Robards
17. Fifty Shades of Grey (#1) by E.L. James
18. Fifty Shades of Grey (#2) by E. L.James
19. Fifty Shades of Grey (#3) by E. L. James
20. Silenced by Allison Brennan
21. The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee
22. Heartbroken by Lisa Unger
23. Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee
24. No One Left to Tell by Karen Rose
25. Murder in River City by Allison Brennan
26. Charlotte's Web (with my daughter) by E.B. White
27. Waking Up Married by Mira Lynn Kelly

Embroidered minion---unfinished project

Sorry it's sideways! And small---just a quick shot from my phone camera.

And, crayon color tinting was suggested to me, so I added it...even cuter!

 

More Minions!

Christmas Crafting!

I've made LOTS of Christmas presents this year.

Me showing off the shawl I made my mother in law.

Me showing off the infinity scarf I knitted for my niece.

Me showing off the cowl I knitted for my sister in law.

Armchair pincushion my daughter and I embroidered for my husband's grandmother. It has the names of all of her great grandchildren. I think I have another blog post about this from earlier in the year.

Blanket I made for my nephew.  You may remember that I made my niece one for her birthday earlier this year.

Me and all my crafty creations.  There are still a couple of recipients who have yet to receive...once they do, I'll show close ups of those, too!

Time to get started for 2013?? I think so!  Many thanks to my then 6, now 7, year old daughter for many of the pictures!

600 Monsters Strong for Sandy Hook---Count Me In!

I know everyone has taken the CT shooting so difficult. The senseless murder of young children is so hard swallow. It's hit me so much harder than I ever would have imagined, I think, because of how much I relate to these families. Savannah is in 1st grade. I had, just an hour before, been at Savannah's school, dropping off cupcakes, and while she was at recess, I spoke to her teacher who said she was feeling sad and missing me. I left her a note. Then, just after dropping Jarron off at school, I learn of these shootings. It was too much, too soon. And, to top it all off, Savannah was having her birthday over the same weekend. She was turning 7, and I just couldn't stop thinking of these parents whose kids won't be turning 7. I keep thinking of these parents who may have presents under the tree already for their kids. Of these kids who were probably excited for the weekend. I'm sure each of us thinks of the same things. I am grieving so hard over this. I think I feel even some survivor guilt. I think I am too empathetic. But...... I was introduced to the group that is knitting/crocheting "monsters" (so that monsters won't always be scary to these surviving kids), and while I have only made one amigurimi before, I am working on at least one for this cause. Being proactive, and doing something to help this community is helping. And, I'm happy to say, that today, I've completed the ears, and the head! And, while my ami may not be one that is given to one of the surviving children at Sandy Hook, (there's a huge outpour of support!), it will give comfort and joy to a child somewhere. It feels good to do something.

Savannah's Birthday Cake

My daughter turns 7 tomorrow and we celebrated today. Here is the cake I made her. I used the Wilton's whipped frosting box, and it was yumm-o!

Rest In Peace

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and community of all the precious children and adults who lost their lives today in the senseless killing spree at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut..  I am not a raging Christian, but I know that Jesus has his arms around you, holding you tight, and while your families and loved ones and the rest of our country ache for the senseless loss of your lives, you are safely in paradise with Jesus, and you are now angels looking over us. And I  know from up in Heaven you are giving your mommies and daddy's as many hugs and kisses as you can.  Dear God, please help to ease the pain of this grieving country.

I have never in my life believed in Satan, or that there is a Hell....I may need to reconsider.

Craftster One Tiny Thing (OTT) Winter Edition

One Tiny Thing Swaps are fun....you get a partner, and you craft something for them based on their questionnaire, the only catch being--it has to be less than 4" squared.

I was paired with OllieOrange, and I chose her Sparkle theme. I saw on her Pinterest a wreath made from wooden spools....I put the two ideas together and it translated into this:

OllieOrange chose my Big Bang Theory theme and made me the most amazing Bazinga ornament!

Craftster Secret Santa Swap--Received

Ok, I cannot get the hang of making my blog pretty...this is not where I want this...but, she made me my very own Big Bang Theory Howard Wolowitz inspired name patch....but with my name!!!

I received from the lovely Calabaza. She was the very helpful co-organizer with me when I organized my first swap. She is such a wonderful person, and so sweet.

She sent:

Just like from The Sound of Music "brown paper packages tied up with string"

Cloth napkins, a hoop, a name patch

I didn't realize Calabaza had made one of these for another swapper in another swap, but she saw I had this pinned so she made  me my very own!

Craftster Secret Santa Swap 2012--sent

My friend rubylynns and I hosted the Secret Santa Swap on Craftster this year. We divided the participants up, and then secretly gave out partners. No one received from who they sent to! Secret Swaps are so much fun!

I sent to calixita, and she got:

I embroidered her this beautiful decorative pillow, and sewed it  to a  gorgeous poinsettia fabric. It was hard to give away! I made matching reindeer earrings.

I sent everything out in this fun decorated box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagine that, matching reindeer paper! I also sent her a Christmas mug and hot cocoa mix.