Christmas Projects 2013: Lace Boot Socks

I was inspired to make these lace boot socks after watching an episode of one of my favorite tv shows, Shark Tank (small businesses pitch to millionaires/billionaires to see if they can land an investment in their company. It's more entertaining than it sounds!).  Apparently people will pay an arm and a leg for these pretty socks, but I thought that 1. my sisters would love a pair of these and 2. I could probably make them pretty easily myself.   

My first attempt consisted of simply sewing lace around the top of the sock, but I realized that the lace doesn't stretch, so my socks didn't fit once I finished sewing (total FAIL).  I worked on my next pair with another crafty friend and we found a few tutorials that mentioned needing to stitch the lace while the sock was either on you or stretched out enough so that you have enough lace to fit around your leg.  I ended up measuring the largest part of my calf and cutting a piece of cardboard half that size (so that it doubles when you put the sock on it) and sewing the lace onto the sock while stretched around the cardboard.  After hand-sewing the lace, I added a couple of buttons on the side. 

A cute and simple project for any boot-loving lady!

(Also, the white lacy bowls that I used to house the socks and yesterday's handwarmers were made by dipping a crocheted doily into fabric stiffener (I used Mod Podge's "Stiffy") and hung over an upside down bowl to dry. Love these!)

Christmas Projects 2013: Fleece Pocket Hand-warmers

After I finished the infinity scarves, I made a couple of extra little goodies for the girls. The theme this year seemed to be turning into "keep warm", so I decided to make everyone pocket hand warmers (besides my sisters, I'll share their gift tomorrow).

For my pocket warmers, I cut out 4 hearts from a piece of fleece, then sewed around the edges, keeping a little more than an inch open. I added some pomegranate vanilla essential oil to a bowl of rice and filled each heart with the scented rice. Next, I stitched up the hole and voila!

To use them, you simply stick them in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then put them in your pockets to keep your hands warm. Cute, useful AND they smell good! 

(hand warmers inspired by THIS post) 

Christmas Projects 2013: Infinity Scarves for the gals

This fall, my sister asked me if I had any time to make her an infinity scarf. When I started looking at patterns, I immediately thought that they would make perfect Christmas gifts for the ladies of the family this year. 

I used a couple of crochet patterns, one in a "V" pattern and another more lacy pattern, just for variety's sake. Both patterns called for a largish crochet hook and bulky yarn so even though infinity scarves are veeery long, they were relatively quick to work up. I used a nice (and somewhat pricey) yarn, so I took many trips to the craft store to get almost every skein with a coupon (I even Black Friday-ed it for the first time this year, just for the crazy yarn sales!). I'd recommend doing the same, since these scarves take on average, 3 skeins each. 

I think everyone really liked their scarves and they are super soft and warm. It's nice that you can wear them in a few ways; around the neck twice, three times or folded in half and tucked inside each other (nice and flat for putting on a coat) I liked how they turned out so much, I even made one for myself. :)

(V Pattern HERE, Lacy Pattern HERE - obviously this last pattern is just for a regular scarf, but I crocheted until about 65 inches and then attached the two sides together to make it into an infinity scarf.)

in the morning

"weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

Psalm 30:5

Thankful, for...

- this recurring conversation: Me: crying. Levi: Mama, don't cry! Look, it's the morning! (truth)
- the kindest and most comforting of husbands when I'm feeling anxious and overwhelmed and how he can make me laugh no matter what.
- a good transition back to school; fun with Japanese sumi-e painting, 2 point perspective and cubism.
- driving lessons for Levi, in a nor'easter
- being snowed in for a few days with my favorites
- normal and healthy heartbeats and growth ultrasounds for baby girl
- Levi's music: his made-up songs, his passionate drumming and guitar playing
- sweet morning wake-ups by my newly freed-of-his-confining-crib son
- a constantly warm tea kettle full of orange peels, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; a constantly sweet smelling sea kettle
- seeing people wearing my Christmas gifts
- newly cleaned and organized corners and closets
- old stuff, reused and repurposed
- settlers and sundaes to celebrate my sister's birthday, and of course Katie herself!
- warm drinks, warm blankets, warm clothes, warm husband..warm anything.

these days

these days, I'm - 

- thankful for a long and lovely winter vacation and a nice big nor'easter that kept Mr. James home for a couple of extra days
- eating way too much left-over Christmas candy
- enjoying the hilarious things that come out of my son's mouth and quickly filling our new "Levi-isms" journal (this morning: Levi: Kitties like kitty food. Brian: Yes, that's true. Levi: You're true, Daddy. You're always true.) 
- trying to finish lesson plans up 'til baby time
- listening to hours of my 2 year old's drum practicing - he's very serious
- building up my home management binder (or "Control Journal") inspired by The Fly Lady (and shining my sink nightly, of course!).
- writing lots of Christmas project posts
- nesting like crazy; cleaning and organizing the kettle, room by room
- using my label maker and washi tape on everything
- wearing my comfy new moccasins and wishing it wasn't so wet and snowy, so I could wear them out of the house
- feeling my baby girl twist and turn and nudge (much more gently than her older brother, so far), trying to keep her foot out of my rib
- giggling at an awfully cute and funny New Year's interview video from Levi (HERE, for those interested)
- getting back into my blogging grooove!

2014: Anchored

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

Perhaps I was inspired by the nautical metaphors in the prayer I read and posted yesterday, but when I started thinking about my word for 2014, I kept thinking about the words of Hebrews 6:19. This verse has always been a favorite and during this season of life, it seemed right to have my word of the year be "anchored".  

I have such a tendency to get overwhelmed and anxious. You name it, I can come up with a reason to be anxious about it...money, a new baby, lesson planning, making dinner, paintings, dealing with a two-year old's antics - the list goes on.  This year I want to be anchored more securely to my hope. I'm praying that Christ and his promises would be readily in my mind, in my heart and on my lips. I want each day of 2014 to be not be characterized not by my anxiety, but by peace in my saviour.

One way that I've decided to be more "anchored" is by committing to read through the entire Bible over the next 12 months.  I have tried this undertaking a few times before, but not necessarily with a great plan of action. I usually start with Genesis and get bogged down somewhere in the middle of Leviticus. This year, I bought a small paperback "One Year Bible" which divides the entire book up into 365 days with about 15 minutes a day of reading. Each day has a selection from the Old Testament, New Testament and a Psalm and Proverb. I'm hoping that this format will be less overwhelming and give me more of a chance to be successful. We'll see!

Now, obviously it's what INSIDE the Bible that counts, but visual beauty is obviously a big motivator for me, so I decided to cover my new Bible with some pretty papers, add my word of the year to the front with my label maker and use an old ship postcard for a bookmark.

Here's to an anchored 2014!

a prayer for the new year

O LOVE BEYOND COMPARE, Thou art good when thou givest,        when thou takest away,        when the sun shines upon me,        when night gathers over me. Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,        and in love didst redeem my soul; Thou dost love me still,        in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust. Thy goodness has been with me another year,        leading me through a twisting wilderness,        in retreat helping me to advance,        when beaten back making sure headway. Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead; I hoist sail and draw up anchor, With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past. I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead. If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,        thou wilt be with me in them; If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,        I shall not drown; If I am to die,        I shall see thy face the sooner; If a painful end is to be my lot,        grant me grace that my faith fail not; If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,        I can make no stipulation; Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,        as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use. -from The Valley of Vision