And the stockings were hung

I made most gifts this year and kept it simple for a change. 

Something I have had as a goal that each year I get closer to.

But they all love gift cards 

so I look for new ways to gift those.

This year I crocheted these little stockings which each hold a gift card.

The littlest granddaughters got toys instead,

but I decided the 2 year old may feel left out.

So tonight I will be making one more for her with an old gift card that she can play with.

Dinner is almost ready for me to finish it up so I must go

 as the rest of the family will be arriving soon.

Let the others pass the potatoes and gravy,

I plan on holding the new baby!

My wish is for peace to all

and Merry Christmas!!!

December's Walker Decoration

This month's decoration was quick and easy to crochet.

Holly leaves and berries.

I have been down with a bad cold this week and do not want to expose mom

 or the other residents so it will be next week before I can take it to her.

She doesn't really remember very often that these decorations

 indicate which of many walkers belong to her,

but the caregivers there can immediately spot which one is hers so it helps them

and of course she likes that I bring her something no one else has.

Afghan for my son

I finished this afghan for my son for Christmas last night.

It was a fast and easy crochet but quite a few ends to weave in.

Another gift finished, so today while the turkey roasted

 I was able to finish a cocoon for the grandbaby that is due in 2 1/2 weeks!

I am doing much better this year than last!  

November Walker Decoration

This month's decoration for mom's walker is of course a turkey!

Such a bright, cute, fast and easy fellow could of course

be worn in the hair with this elastic.

With a pin back attached instead it would make a fun brooch.

Or on a large ring it would be the perfect napkin ring.

It could even be glued to a clothespin and used as a place card.

Yarn Wreath - My Version

People keep showing me pictures from Pintrest of yarn ball wreaths.

They are very cute and very color coordinated.

However, it bothers me that I might need a dab of just that color and regret having it hanging on the wall, unusable.

So I came up with this version.

I happened to use a heart shaped wire base,

which I wrapped with some velcro I had laying around.

(the sticky side)

Then wrapped up leftover scraps of yarn,

which I spent too much time unraveling from tangled piles.

Yep, they just stick to the velcro.

So if I need one I can grab it.

If I want to change out the colors for the seasons

or the decor it is very easy to do so.

I just could not bring myself to wrap around styrofoam balls

as directed in the others I had seen

when I have so much stash and might want to use it again!

Now if I can just find those wire wreath hangers

so I can hang it up!

Halloween top Hat

 It began with a simple orange crocheted top hat.

Next a plain black crocheted band.

Then I added a pair of crocheted flowers with a few beads.

Last came the netting which took me a bit to decide exactly what the hat was calling for.

Yes, I was following a pattern, as I usually do.  

But still each item a person makes,

like paintings,

reflect the maker/artist.

And a lovely model!

October's Walker Decor

I found this pattern online at goodknits.com

Not a very good photo I'm afraid

but a good size and easy to add an elastic hairband for fastening.

Halloween Bat

would also look good in the hair or on a napkin ring.

Fall Leaves for Mom

It still feels like summer here but September always reminds me that fall is just around the corner.  So for this month I chose to crochet a few brightly colored leaves to decorate mom's walker.  I told her my plans and she is looking forward to seeing it.

Walker Decoration

I am still crocheting doilies for my son's wedding in the bits of spare time I find,

But decided to whip up a flower to decorate mom's walker.

I just tied it onto a hair elastic and fastened that around the top bar.

When the residents go to meals it looks like a mini parking lot of walkers and wheel chairs at the ends of the dining room.  Now at least it will be easy to spot mom's!

I hope to change it out each month or at least each holiday.

Gulf Coast Shrug

How could I pass up making a shrug titled "Gulf Coast Shrug" 

living as I do, on the Gulf Coast?

Well of course I couldn't.

And I had some yarn I liked for it though I did not think it would be enough.

I was right.  On both counts.

The good news is I did not like the sleeves 

which meant I had just enough!!!

Yep, meant to be.

I think it goes well with the dress I made 

two years ago.  Wow, I can't believe it has been that long!

This button came from my button jar.  

It is so old I cannot even remember what it came from originally.

But I think it is a great accent.

I just love reusing great buttons!