Ready Or Not Here Come The Holidays

On my list of things to be thankful for--The holiday frenzy and madness comes but once a year. Thanksgiving down, Christmas and New Year's to go. It's not that I'm a Scrooge, I love the holidays, love being with my family, love our little traditions---all of that is the stuff warm fuzzies are made of. No...it's the false hype, unrealistic expectations, the push for the perfect holiday season created by merchants and corporations worried about their bottom lines, and traffic from hell--That's the part I don't like. But like everyone else, you'll see me trudging on, determined to survive another year.

I do a lot of spinning during the holiday season--on a drop spindle, not a spinning wheel. There's something about focusing on the drafting triangle and watching fibers twist into a strand of yarn that is akin to type of Zen...chicken soup for the fiber artist's soul. The transcending moment is short lived, but any moment of peace within during the holidays is a welcome respite--at least for me!

Tada! The dresses for the nieces!

I finished them a long time ago...But alas, took forever to mail them. I am truly working on getting things mailed off on time.The dresses are worked in size 10 crochet thread, DMC Traditions . The bedazzled effect is created by doubling thread--using a solid and a variegated thread. I like the "energized" look of the color combination. It's a a little harder to work with doubled threads, but I think the final product is well worth the effort!
*Side note---In keeping with the high hopes of overcoming the tyranny of the postal troll (of course there's a postal troll, that wicked beastie is the reason I can't mail things off on time--what? you thought it was me???) Anyway, where was I...oh yeah, in keeping with hopes of getting things mailed off in time. The snowflakes for this year are done, the cards have been bought, addressed and stamped, I'm just waiting for the first week in December to mail them out. This is a first for me! After the snowflakes are mailed, I'll post a picture of this year's offering along with the pattern.

So, in the works right now---a number of scarves--yes I'm still on that kick, a couple of new patterns for little girls' dresses, a few ideas for a vest done in tapestry crochet, some new texture combinations, always fun!, a few new yarns to try out, and as always, that tablecloth in size 30 crochet thread...One day I'll finish that project...and...a new idea for a crochet tote--I've been a busy bee in the pattern drafting department!
Plenty to keep my hook hard at work...but as someone near and dear to my heart is fond of saying...busy is a good problem to have...