W is for...

... Winter Weather Warning!
Those who make up the weather have us looking skyward for the first big snowfall of the season.
We were to have a "big storm" last weekend, but nothing happened.... maybe today.
We have hauled and stacked wood on the porch so it is dry; the snow shovels were found in the shed out back and are now at the ready just outside the kitchen door; the battery backup is charging in case the power goes; the house is heady with the aroma of pot roast and root veggies; and I am sipping from a big mug filled with Earl Grey tea with honey and lemon.
I have only one thing to say...

OK winter... bring it on!!!!snow storm 2007

*** update December 1st***
no snowstorm... just lots of yucky sideways blowing rainy sleet

It's fun... try it...

.... Buy Nothing Day!



If you live in the United States your day of shopping freedom is Friday, November 28th.
One second after midnight on that day you begin. Yippppeeeeee!

For some reason the rest of the world has to wait until one second after midnight Saturday, November 29th.... pooh!

Now... here is the only "rule":

Buy absolutely nothing for 24 hours!

How easy is that?

And, being the crafty sort I know you are, I suggest that you take this day to make some heartfelt gifts for holiday giving. Bake. Sew. Knit. Felt. Play with paper. Whatever your poison... make it!

Heck, if Saturday goes well I just might stretch it out to Buy Nothing Weekend!
Have fun and enjoy this catchy little ditty as you play...

Cold hands...

... need a warm gift.

I made these warm, snugly mittens for a young lady named, Marelis. She was born and raised in hot, humid, sultry Cuba. So, exactly why did I make her mittens? Well, she is about to endure her first winter in cold, damp, very un-sultry England.

They were quick to make!! I knit both hands--- while figuring out the pattern--- in one casual evening and then knit the thumbs, stitched the snowflakes and sewed up the seams the next. They are knit flat so the stitching can be done easily.

They are now winging their way across the Atlantic and will hopefully arrive before the first snow flies...

I have written up the pattern so you can warm some hands this winter, also.

Click here to download a free copy.

Now you have one less excuse to not gift handmade this Christmas...

U and V are for...

... an unbelievable vacation!

Oaxaca, Mexico...

for Dias de los Muertos.

With candlelit altars...

colourful carvings...
happy chocolate cake with hot chocolate chasers...

at a favourite cafe...

a wonderful face from the past...

a wonderful face for the future...natural dyed wools...

perfect Margaritas....

tasty Chapulines.... fried grasshoppers with chili, salt and lime. Really... tasty!!

and everything scented with Marigolds.

I will never enjoy this citrusy scent again without thinking of Oaxaca..... ahhhhhhhhhhh.....

It all starts with...

... the arrival of an envelope.

Inside one finds this...

And after a whole bunch of reading and re-reading one does this...

And with that, a new book begins!!

This, fellow knitters, is the start of my latest book with Interweave Press. As usual, I can share precious little about the project at this time. What I can divulge is all the projects will be of my design... there will be additions of very special non-knit thingies... publication date is--- fingers-crossed-- late Spring 2010.

Now, I am back to my drawing board and yarn basket to have great fun.... with spurts of mild dread. Don't worry, I'll share as much as I can... when I can!!

Thank you...

... America!

image from fffound