Old to new... some projects done... some not....

I can't seem to get my bloggoing mojo going again.... what with all the Christmas and New Year's activities.. and company... and last minute things to do.... so thought I'd just post some random things of "old to new" and what I got finished and what I didn't! Here goes:

FINISHED AND DONE WITH:

Christmas tablecloth on the table finally (by December 24th)!!! This was my mom's...... she made it herself and it always speaks CHRISTMAS MEMORIES to me. My dad worked in a shoe store in Portland and this fabric was one they used for their window displays.. then it would come home with him when the holiday was over. (Thom McAn shoes - does anyone remember them?)

The BEST EVER banana walnut raisin bread made (gluten free of course)... to give to neighbors and friends.  I made 7 loaves... we ended up eating one medium sized one and the big one!  I've got a recipe here on my blog somewhere, under recipes, but this was even better as I tweaked it somewhat, and added some maple extract. Boy was it good!

Made two batches of shortbread cookies and butter cookies... gave away most of them.

Got some Christmas pillowcases made for our bed.. finally done on New Year's Eve!

Found this RED CUDDLY BLANKET at our local Bi Mart store (kind of like a K Mart or discount store - got this in early December and put it on our bed.. and it screamed to me - "you need some Christmas pillows on here!"

I had so much gorgeous Christmas fabrics I've been  hoarding.. so thought why not use it for some pillowcases? The smaller pillows are one I covered with a washable cover, and the smallest one that looks like patchwork, I bought at a local thrift store for $1.00!

GORGEOUS fabrics!

See the little white birdhouse? I got that in early November in Astoria on our trip there. Love it!

I finished a cute little (4x6) wool felt "foxy" pillow for a Christmas gift and even got it mailed BEFORE Christmas!

Got a little bit of the house decorated, probably right on Christmas Day! I was a little slow this year:

Got presents wrapped for my sister and hubby who were coming on New Year's Day for our Christmas.... the kitties joined in.

Maddie, my year old (rescue) calico... is finally warming up to Rudy, our recent rescue kitty! A little "paw touch" saying "hey you're not so bad little Rudy!"

Rudy is pretty laid back.. he likes to be in the midst of everything! (Wrapping included).

FROM OLD TO NEW:

Change up the old calendars. I love love love this Susan Branch calendar.. I've used it for two years by whiting out the dates and changing them for the next year, but decided it's time to move on. This was a 2015 that I also used in 2016.

Now for the new 2017 calendar in my craft room:

WHAT I HAVEN'T FINISHED YET... THAT I WANTED TO GET FINISHED!

Little desktop calendar that I started making before Christmas... as a gift for my sister... but this is only my prototype and didn't get one done. These darling month printables can be found on Free Pretty Things for You.  Just darling!  I'll finish this pretty soon and show you the finished "real" one!

I had started a baby blanket for a friend of my son's new baby, but got about 5 large blocks done and decided I didn't like them... so tore them ALL out.. .rewound the yard... and decided to try this Virus Baby Blanket.... yup, that's the name!  You can find the pattern here on YouTube.

I was doing my squares in bright colors, but decided to do this one in only white, teal blue and a veriegated teal and gray and white. I've only finished two sets of 4 rows, and need to do at least three more sets of 4 rows.. but I think it will be really pretty. Will show you the finished product (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks.  It's hard to sit and crochet with a new kitten around!

Oh.... and we just got 4 more inches of new snow today! and more on the way..... plus a cold front with below zero temps by Wednesday.... and now they say another 9-15 inches!..... on top of the 6 inches still on the ground....... Oh no. Me no like that news.......

Good time to craft this week...............

Now onward into 2017...... we'll see what surprises it holds.


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Pancakes and bunnies.....

What do you do on a day when a big winter storm has hit your area and the snow is pouring down and piling up?  

Eat of course!...... and sew.........and play in your craftroom..............

Gluten free sourdough pancakes covered with agave nector and powdered sugar.

Hubby had made some gluten free sourdough pancakes a few weeks ago, and we froze the leftovers..... RECIPE HERE. So I pulled one out and nuked it for 30 seconds and added a couple of organic eggs. Yum!

What else do you do?

Oh yes..... crochet of course! I've been kind of stalled on making a baby afghan (8" squares), so decided to try using some chunky Christmas yard I got at the thrift store for ONE DOLLAR. I found this pattern for the simple, 1 skein mini-cowl from the Fiber Flux Meringue cowl pattern. I follow Fiber Flux on YouTube and she had this tutorial there. You can find the pattern on her blog at the above link. I LOVE this because it isn't too long and big and doesn't hang down over my chest. It just wraps your neck in warmth.

And the most fun I had was making a sweet little wool felt bunny. I LOVE working with wool felt, but don't do it very much. I had checked this book out from the library when my son and his girlfriend were here over Thanksgiving, and she LOVED this little bunny (see the little light brown bunny on the lower left corner on the book). What a wonderful book too! I want to make everything in it!

I loved this book so much, I went to Amazon the day after they left and ordered a used one. I received it in 3 days. I buy almost all of my pattern books, etc. USED as you can usually find one that is in good condition or "like new", and the price is way cheaper. This one was about $8.50 I think.

So here's my bunny. I used gray felt for the body, as she has a real gray bunny at home!.... with a white tummy and tail, and little pink ears. (many photos here):

All of the stitching is by hand. This is my first attempt at a stuffed animal that had panels for the head and tummy. I've usually only made flat things, so this was a little bit of a challenge.

I tied a pretty lavender shimmery ribbon around her neck as my son's girlfriend's favorite color is purple.

But of course she has to have a Christmas bow too! I'll add this red gingham ribbon to the package so she can be "dressed" in lavender or red.

Such a cute little white tummy.

Here are some more projects from the book:

That's a chicken "cozy" for a hard boiled egg cup. Love.e.e.e.e.e.e. it! And I HAVE to make the Christmas pixie with the little pointed red hat.

Aren't these houses just precious?

Swoon..... LOVE this butterfly... can you imagine several in different colors on a ribbon that hangs on your wall or as a banner?

Oh my..... owl pillow anyone?

Well.... that's been my fun for the last few days. My Christmas cards are done and sent! I made those during the last few weeks. I'll show a few in my next post.

Snowing HARDER now and we have about a total of 10 inches. Supposed to snow until about midnight tonight (Wednesday).

Stay warm everyone (in the U.S.) I think the entire U.S. is having a cold wave and lots of snow!