I had a little last minute merry making to do, and these tiny Christmas sweaters were the perfect quick little stocking stuffer treats.  I duplicate-stitched on some last name initials, and they were a hit with both mine and Joey’s families.

Pattern: Cheers by Cheryl Niamath

Yarn: Cascade 220

This project has an added bonus of being charming even while laying around the house in its in-progress state, which is a good thing because this is going to be a very long-term project for me.  I started exactly three months ago and I’m only up to 27 puffs, which is yielding about one square foot of quilty goodness.

Its so much fun pulling all the hexipuffs out of their bowl and laying them out to get just a glimpse of what the finished quilt might look like.  It also gives you a chance to consider adding additional colors to the mix, which I’ll be doing very soon.

First up is my mother in law.  She recently started making wreaths and centerpieces that are just stunning.  I was the lucky recipient of this wreath.  She let me pick out the baubles and then she whipped this up in an afternoon:

Next up is my sister in law, who started knitting not too long after I did and has also found her place in the crochet world.  One of her specialties is customized amigurumi, and I once challenged her to make a basset hound (Henry, specifically) and she knocked my socks off with this:

And then there’s my Nana, who inspired the beginning all of my crafty endeavors. After reading my blog post where I talked about her teaching me to embroider when I was young, she was inspired to pick up her embroidery needle again.  She very sweetly gifted me a set of pillowcases that I will treasure always:

My mom was also inspired by that same blog post– she found the piece of embroidery that was my first foray into all things crafty.  The piece of embroidery that I wasn’t sure still existed.  I’m sure glad she saved this for me.

I love having inspiration everywhere, and inspiring others in turn.

The first time I went to the NY Sheep and Wool festival in Rhinebeck was after Joey and I first moved to NYC from Texas over three years ago. We had just made this momentous life change; we had let go of everything that kept us grounded and safe so we could see where life would take us. That day turned out to be so much more than a trip to see some sheep and buy some yarn; the drive up was one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had as we listened to music, experienced the changing fall leaves and enjoyed each other’s company. It was one of those iconic days where everything comes together- the sights, the sounds, the smells- and after it’s all over and done with you know that you just experienced a magical day that you will remember forever.

In the years between that trip and now, as October rolled in bringing fall winds and changing leaves, we would try to plan another trip but life would get in the way. “Next year,” we’d say, knowing that it was a trip that we both really wanted to take again. This year as October rolled in, we found ourselves again with life getting in the way. Only this time it’s because we’re on the precipice of another big change; we’re moving back to Texas to follow an opportunity that’s presented itself and we couldn’t be happier. But we also knew that this year would be our last chance to recreate that magical trip.

So it was no surprise to me that this past weekend I found myself getting chills as we drove upstate on those small winding highways once again, as I watched fiery orange and yellow leaves let go of their stable trees and start blowing about in the strong winds, unsure of where they would finally land. And I was left with was a sense of completion, a sense that we’ve come full circle with what we came here to do. The path that we knew we had to follow is finally leading us back home, only now we’re wiser and changed for the better from the journey.

I wanted to knit Joey something special for our anniversary.  It was supposed to be a surprise but here we are, still a couple of weeks before the actual anniversary, taking pictures for the blog.  I was never very good at keeping surprises.  In fact, I spilled the beans and told him I was knitting it the day after I cast on.

I was just so excited to tell him about it because he had found a hat he liked at Allsaints and I told him I could knit him one just like it.  Then I sat down and charted out a pattern and gave it a go.  It came out pretty great.

The brim can be folded up for a less slouchy look, but this is his favorite way to wear it.  The alpaca in the yarn I used (Blue Sky’s Techno) makes it super soft and warm.

Warmth and love for our ten year anniversary for my dear Joseph.  A saint if I ever knew one.

Not only are Fairy Castles completely adorable, they also hide a magical little secret:

They’re the cutest needle storage around!  The pattern includes instructions for three fairy castles- one sized to hold DPNS as shown above, one sized for crochet hooks, and a tiny little castle for darning needles.  You can bet I’ll have a few more fairy castles sprouting up in the coming weeks.

And because Henry was lying around while I was taking pics, I couldn’t resist:

He’s quite the grumpy gnome today.

I’ll make some tea and knit while my floppy doggy warms my side.

I was so excited when I finished framing it that I hung it up on the nearest nail in the wall.  Its definitely not a permanent home, but that will take a little more planning and moving things around.  For now, I just wanted to be able to share it with you.

and visited the Book of Kells at Trinity College.

Then just meandered around the town

and enjoyed the beautiful sights

and some of Ireland’s other pleasures.

I was picked up by Joey and the band in the TOUR BUS

and we arrived at the festival grounds in County Laois

And enjoyed all the backstage amenities for the bands.

And I enjoyed a fabulous show.

We travelled by night across the Irish Sea and into morning across the stunning English countryside.

I spotted the black sheep amongst a bunch.  (Can you see him on the far right?)

Then I enjoyed another fabulous show

and we hopped back on the tour bus and travelled overnight to wake up in London.

We enjoyed the sights in London for the next two days.

It was the trip of a lifetime to get to see my husband play some fabulous music in front of thousands upon thousands of people in two amazing countries.  Now we’re home, spending lots of time snuggling with our Henry who we missed dearly, and getting back into the swing of life in NYC.  I picked up some framing supplies for my ABC sampler and some yarn for a new project today. Fall is in the air and I’m ready to get some wool on the needles.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait to see the finished product for just a little while. You see, I just don’t have time to pick up those additional supplies and frame this puppy because later this week I am flying to Dublin and then traveling by TOUR BUS (!!) with Joey as he plays guitar with Midlake at festivals in both Ireland and England.  I am so excited to finally get to join him during some of his travels.  I guarantee there will be lots of pictures when I get back and a fully-framed ABC sampler.  Until then, please enjoy a little sneak peek: