Knitting Christmas Socks

Three days ago I got it into my head that I needed to knit socks for the kids to have on Christmas morning. That's three pairs of socks in nine days. Basically, I have three days per pair of socks. Sure! I can do it!

In the picture you can see Gavin's finished socks, Irene's almost finished first sock, and the yarn for Henry's socks. Since taking that picture I did finish Irene's first sock. Still have to start the second.

I have a ridiculously bad headache right now. I am taking a coffee/blog break before casting on again.

Well...Damn

 I just finished knitting socks for my brother. Peter has size 15 feet. It takes a lot of time and yarn to knit him a pair of socks. BUT. He loves them, always thanks me, and even asks for more. Makes him knit-worthy in my book!

Anyway, he asked for a particular shirt for x-mas. I got an awesome deal on the shirt, so I decided to knit matching socks. Also got an awesome deal on the yarn for the socks. I put the shirt away as soon as I bought it. Never bothered to check the color because I was 100% positive it was red.

Guess what happened next...

The damn shirt is a kind of muted burgundy color. Not red. Ahhhhh! The yarn even comes in a similar shade, but I was so sure that shirt was red. Soooo sure. Now, I do not have enough time to buy more yarn, have it shipped here, and knit socks that'll fit size 15 feet.

I'm hoping he'll appreciate red tweed socks.

In other, more happy, news I do have Irene's teacher gift ready to go. It is two hand knit wash cloths, lotion (which I LOVE), soap, and lip balm (which I also LOVE) from The Humblebee. From my older posts you know that the bus drivers are getting a small gift that includes the Humblebee lotion and lip balm. I love this stuff. Seriously, check it out HERE.

Cards, Cards, and More Cards!

 Nineteen holiday cards so far! Every time I look over at them I smile. It is such a simple thing, but it makes me feel good.

I joined the holiday card swap in my lsg group on Ravelry. Each person on the list sent as many cards as they were able to the people below them on the list. There were a mix of countires, although the US had the most sign-ups. I sent to Canada, the UK, France, Germany. I wish I could have afforded more international postage because I would have sent out more.

The kids and I have had fun opening the cards and hanging them up. I think I am getting far more excitement out of it than they are though. I remember being young and my mom hanging all the christmas cards on the curved archway between the living room and family room. Perhaps that memory is why I love getting cards so much.

Here are some close ups of a few of the cards...

 Our group is very much a 'not safe for work' group and this card summed that up nicely! Our card swap did offer a 'family safe' option if needed.

 Santa from Hawaii! I liked getting a card that identified the state so easily.

 Canadian bears wearing sweaters! This card got everyone excited the most. We really love Canada in this house. Please adopt us, Canada!

 It's a knitting/crochet/fiber group, of course you gotta have sheep!

My hands are currently covered in glitter from opening and hanging up today's cards. I'm sparkly, dammit!

Little Gifts

It is no secret that I LOVE the lotion and other goodies from The Humblebee. The lotions and lip balms make perfect gifts for bus drivers/teachers/etc.

With the kids riding buses to school this year I wanted to put together a little gift to give the bus drivers. Humblebee lotion, lip balm and a $5 gift card to Tim Hortons made up the perfect gifts!

And yes, Irene's teacher is getting a slightly different version of this gift bag. Plus, my father and father-in-law are getting some lotion and lip balm as part of their gifts. And while I would love to hoard all the lotion for myself (seriously love this stuff on my eczema!) I also want to spread the love. Check out The Humblebee by clicking HERE!

I love holiday cards. I love to send them, I love to receive them. This year I got a terrific deal on cards from Amazon. I addressed them to family and friends and still had a lot left over. Then I just happened to be on Ravelry in my lsg group when the card swap forum started. I signed up right away! The card swap is a list of people willing to send out any kind of card to other people on the list. There is no 'set' number of cards you have to send out. You just send out as many as you can afford.

I sent mine out right after Thanksgiving. Then I bought holiday postcards and sent out more. Then I ended up having 4 stamps left so I bought an inexpensive pack of cards and sent out four more. I sent out cards to multiple states, several to Canada and the UK. Two went to France and I think one to Germany.

I wanted to send out more international cards, but I did have a set limit on what I could spend on postage. Next year I will start buying stamps and cards earlier!