Plath’s Adventures

Sigh. Only a few days of Christmas break left. Do you get that panicky feeling when vacation is almost over and try to think back to everything you accomplished on all your days off? I don’t feel like we got anything done, but at least we relaxed. The Christmas decorations have all been packed away, the tree is waiting to be taken outside to the burn pile, and all the presents have found new homes somewhere in the house.

Speaking of presents, Jason really spoiled me this year. I really didn’t expect to get much, since we’re leaving for England in 10 days, and he bought me a hardtop for my Jeep, but he also got me an ice cream maker (I made yummy homemade vanilla last night!), a personal dvd player (great for the airplane trip!), and Tivo! Talk about spoiled! We probably won’t be able to hook up the Tivo until we get back, as we have to buy a $50 adapter to hook it to our wireless network since we don’t have a phone line. We went cell phones only a few months ago.

I also got a gorgeous Hand-knit Aran sweater from MIL. Yes, I could knit it myself, but will I ever do it? Who knows. She also got me the Lion Brand Just Scarves book, and there’s a cabled scarf pattern in there that looks interesting. The other knitting related gifts came from my Mom and Dad– the Knitting Pattern a day calender, Yarn Harlot and Wrap Style. Yarn Harlot, is, of course, hilarious, just as I suspected. My mom also gave me, among other things, a fantastic Diane Von Furstenberg carry on bag for our trip.

Jason’s favorite gift this year was the Bad Mother Fu**er wallet I gave him. He can’t wait to show it off to all his friends, since they love quoting Pulp Fiction anytime they can manage to fit it into the conversation.

I hope everyone has a great New Year’s Eve. We don’t celebrate too much around here– we’ll probably go see Narnia and pick up some Blockbuster movies to watch. I may be able to convince Jason to stay up to watch the ball drop. We’ll see; I haven’t managed to do it the past 2 years. We always seem to start the new year that same way– me ticked at him for not being able to stay up. teehee

Christmas Eve’s Eve Craft Project

While Jason is still working, I needed another craft project to occupy my time. Yesterday was the day of the knitted Christmas tree, and today has become the day of the beaded snowflake.

Another pic, a little closer:

I used this pattern from Craftster. It’s an amazingly easy way to use up all those beads I bought to make beaded stitch markers! 1 more to finish up.

Also noteworthy today; I recieved my Ornamental Swap package, just in time, all the way from Australia!

Here is the beautiful package before I opened it:

And here it is after I tore into it

Thank you so much Rachael!! I love everything She sent the cutest yarn & needles ornaments and Australian candies. Yum Yum. Just what I need, more sugar *wink wink* LOL.

Before I go, Marzi wanted to wish you a Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas

Thanks for all the compliments on my Knit Christmas tree, but the compliments should really go to the Crafty Modster for such a great pattern . I will warn you though; if you’re planning on knitting one up, they’re addictive! I’ve already knit up two, and am about to start my third! Here’s a pic of the first two together:

I already posted what yarn I used for my first one, but for the second, I used the same Red Heart Symphony and Target flag yarn, but combined it with some lime Target cotton yarn I bought in one of their yarn kits. It’s a bit washed out in the pic because of my flash; it’s not yellow, it’s a nice pretty lime green. I’m now noticing, however, that I need to dust LOL. Boy the flash really picked up the dust that I can’t see IRL.

And here is a picture of Patches displaying what I made for my Dad (and will be finishing another for MIL once Jason is around to help me sew):

It’s a microwaveable rice pack. The outside is knit and felted, and then Jason sewed up a little muslin pouch which I filled with rice and lavender buds. I used some Hemp/Wool yarn I had in the stash and it felted up beautifully! I really like the texture it ended up with.

The tree pattern is up, and here is my version.

Here is a pic with the right side out

but I think I like it better with the garter stitch side showing

I cheated a little, and didn’t stuff it or sew up the bottom, but because I knit it so tightly (on size 5 needles I believe) it stands up and holds it’s shape quite well. I used one strand of Red Heart (the green), one strand of Target’s “flag” yarn, and one strand of Red Heart Symphony. Talk about a cheap project!

That’s it; I’m done!

My last bit of Christmas knitting is going in the washing machine to be felted shortly! Just a few last minute touches– sewing on a button, and using the sewing machine a tad, which I’ll more than likely make Jason do anyway. He’s great at sewing!

I’m so relieved. All the wrapping is finished, except for the 3 gifts that are not entirely finished yet. Still a last minute present to buy, but it’s so great to have the knitting and wrapping done! The chocolate fudge, Christmas cookies and peanut butter fudge are all finished and mostly stored away except for the little containers I saved for us to nibble on

The only problem? Now I’m drawn to create more stress for myself by knitting up a few cute Holiday projects! Check out Tara’s adorable Santa Hats or the Crafty Modster’s upcoming knitted tree pattern (she plans to post it tonight, but you can see the ones she knit up here), which Lolly was lucky enough to test drive, or even these cute little munchkins from Knitty.

We’ll see how I do in fending off new projects. I’ve already flip-flopped a lot of gifts I started in November. This felted lunch bag for my mom will not be given to her. I wasn’t happy with how floppy it was once I finished it. Remember these Chocolate Waffle socks I started for my Dad, way back when? After I realized I wouldn’t get them done by Christmas, I figured I’d keep them for myself. Well, once I kitchenered the first sock, I noticed how stretchy they were, and they just happen to fit Jason as well as me. So, since I didn’t knit him anything for Christmas, I’ll be giving them to him once they’re done. I really like the idea of the Naked Stix by 2006 knitalong, but I’m not feeling like a joiner right now. Too much pressure. Besides, I know that if I join, then I’d immediately want to start a new project. Currently, only two projects left on the needles– the Chocolate Waffle socks, and my brown Raglan sweater. I do have the urge to cast on for a quickie pair of socks for myself though. See what I mean about the Naked Stix? It just ain’t gonna happen LOL.

A Christmas Story in 30 seconds.

I have pulled a good old Christmas disappearing act. And I was being such a diligent poster. Oh well, you’ll have to forgive me.

Just working on the usual holiday madness. I am thisclose to having all the gifts done. Just one more gift to buy, and I’m finishing up the gift knitting. I have what I thought was the last one felting in the washer right now. That is, until Jason saw what I knit for one person, and told me his mom would LOVE one of those. Arg.

The butter is softening right now for the Christmas cookies I plan to bake later, and I have all the gifts sitting out in the living room as a subtle reminder that I need to wrap today LOL. Yesterday I made peanut butter fudge, and will make chocolate fudge later this week. I love my (ok, it’s really Alton’s, but I can call it mine) peanut butter fudge recipe. It’s so easy!!

Terribly fattening, yes, but hard? No way!
(courtesy of Alton Brown’s Good Eats)

1 cup butter, plus more for greasing pan
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound confectioners’ sugar

Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and confectioners’ sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with waxed paper. Place a second piece of waxed paper on the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Oh and one more thing:
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You have just been hit with a blog snow ball!

(The first one of the winter.)
It’s the start of….. Snow Ball Fight 2005-2006 !!!!

One rule to this game….
You can’t hit someone who has already hit you!

Now… go out there and get as many people as you
can, before they get you!

I got you first! and you can’t get me back!

We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow
old because we stop playing.

If you read my blog… I got you!!!!