I take my hat off to teachers

I haven't posted a lot of the things I've made over the last several months because I've been a bit distracted (studying for the boards, playing with my game-obsessed son, cutting up all the veg in my CSA, etc etc).  I'll try to get back into it so we have something to talk about when you visit, Win :)

This is a hat that I made for one of E's teachers.  I ran out of time in the Christmas rush and gave her this:

And so we worked out that she wanted a thick warm hat with a brim that she could wear while standing out in the carpool line ushering kids into cars.  And she's all about the color RED.  So here it is.

Pattern:  Anja's hat

Yarn:  Berroco Vintage Chunky

Love the pattern so much that I think I'll make one for myself :)  but in a different color.  Perhaps a brown tweed?

Fairy houses

My in-laws have a beautiful property with some lovely old trees that are just perfect for these fairy houses that she has created.  Check out her new landscaping!  Apparently a new nursery recently opened up that has a focus on miniature plants.  They have found their perfect customer :)

American gothic revisited

Another stunning work in progress by my mother-in-law.  She loves these Santas and has made a different Santa for all the children.  This is her latest.

Napa valley in needlework

We are visiting A's parents this week.  Here is one of my mother-in-law's latest finished needlework creations;  she was working on this the last time she visited us.  The sky is interesting in that the thread is merely woven through the canvas instead of trying to cover it all up.   This purposefully reveals the painted canvas, thereby highlighting the gradations of color.

I also especially love the rows of lettuce - they have great texture when you examine them closely.

Busting stashes, taking names

Seen on Buzzfeed - several great ideas to bust your stash!  Here are some of my favorites.  I already wrap presents with some of that acrylic / eyelash yarn that is no fun to actually knit with.

Cabled tree covers for corks

Wrap a wooden block and use as a stamp

It's about time

Star light star bright

Made this a few months ago for my next door neighbor's 2nd birthday.  Apparently he is a huge fan of Sprout TV's bedtime star, yet there is no stuffed star that is marketed.

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Drew a huge circle on some butcher paper using a string and a pencil,  and made a star pattern from it.  I used fleece, safety eyes, and appliqued red felt on.  The stars are appliques that I purchased and sewed on.  The hat is separate, made from my too-plentiful flannel stash.  I originally was going to use these cute little star buttons, but decided that would be both a choking hazard as well as not very huggable.  I hear this guy was a hit :)

Dolled up

Cute ... or bizarre?  Check out the latest yarn fad to go viral: