Wednesday, December 31, 2008

What's New?

What's new for you on the very last day of 2008? Now that the Holidays are coming to an end (at least for now) i have been able to finish up some projects, and am even noticing some changes taking place around here.... I finally finished that baby sweater. This one is for The Paper Sparrow. So many little baby sweaters were sold as Christmas gifts (including one of mine! WooHoo!) that the racks need to be filled again!
I edged this sweater in a soft grey and embellished it with these little car buttons. What a difference those little buttons make to a plain sweater!
I finished another hat and scarf set for a child too...
And there are more knitted teddies on the way! Two of my bears were sold at the shop and the proceeds will go to the Mother Bear Knitting Project.
In the Change department....
On the home front, the plants are starting to wake up! It seems for them Spring is a - comin'! The orchids are throwing out flower stems, and the cactus are blooming...The violets are perking up and the bonsai are starting to wake up.... But if you look past the plants out the window, you can see we are getting new snow on this last day of 2008. It's cold out there but very pretty....
Still on the warm sill, the cactus are thriving regardless of the weather outside.

This is because they are perched high up on the window sill and Pollyanna the plant eater cannot reach them!
I love these white blooms with the pale pink throats....
As many of you know, my Dad is recovering from heart surgery, and doing very well. Again, i thank each and every one of you who prayed and thought of us during this stressful time. In this process, i've noticed one thing about myself....At the ripe old age of 54, when i get stressed, i buy TOYS! And i don't mean games and electronics, but....

real, honest to goodness toys...Like Natsuko the sock dog, from Stacey at Three Red Trees
And Pinky from Felicia at Fluffy Flowers
And i have new pattern books ordered and a handmade teddy bear coming from Jess's brand new Etsy shop too! Ok, enough chatter...time to get to work on those bears and start getting ready for New Year's Eve! Lola will be spending the night with us for the first time!
HAPPY NEW YEAR Dear Friends!

7 comments:

Phill said...

Happy 2009! Can you believe it? It seemed like eons when I was a kid. Such nice stuff in the photos! I haven't picked up looms or needles in ages. Etsy was DEAD this year. However, you're encouraging me!

Archie and Melissa said...

happy new year mare!
what a wonderful post!
i love your sweater, hat, scarf and teddies!

wow! You have been busy my friend!

here's to another great year!

xo
m & e

Sunny Bower Art Studio said...

'Love those knitted teddy bears!

Kelli said...

Hi Mare, I hope you have a wonderful 2009! I love all of your homemade gifts! I hope to learn to sew this year (can you believe I'm in my 30's and don't have a clue? Ha!) and hopefully, eventually, take a knitting class at the local university! :)

Mare said...

Thanks Everybody! Hey CM, i have been thinking of opening an Etsy shop....hmmm....maybe not?
Melissa- NOBODY could be busier than you my friend! And Kelli, don't worry about how late you are getting started with a new project. The only time it is too late is when we are gone, as far as i'm concerned! I LOVED learning how to knit this year. Good luck to you! And Vinyard Painter-so good to hear from you! Thanks for visiting my blog!

crimsoncat05 said...

Happy Belated New Year, Mare! Beautiful cactus photos... I'm glad to hear that your father is doing better, and I say we ALL need toys no matter how old we are!! (I looove the sock dog!)

Mare said...

Hey Crimsoncat! Thanks for stopping by and posting! Happy New Year to you too! In my opinion, it's all brand new till the end of January! ;)