While making the bowl cozies, I was doing something I don’t do often. I was using pins.

Despite the fact that I really don’t like using them, I have some really neat pins.

I still had them in the storage they came with (the cats in a little plastic box, and the unicorns on a plastic round. And honestly, it was a pain to pull them out and put them back. I needed some pin cushions!

I wanted something simple and I found this tutorial.

It’s super easy, and you only need four squares, and a button. It’s a great excuse to break into the “odd button” jar.

And just like the tutorial says, it only takes about five minutes to put them together!

I made one for each set…

And a third one for mom!

And just like that… the last Christmas present is complete! Work slowed down quite a bit and I had plenty of time to stitch away while waiting for work to find me.

As a reminder, the yarn is Knit Picks Stroll and the colour is Yeti. It was a very nice yarn to knit with, and I’m kind of wishing I’d kept this one for myself!

I have more Stroll in the stash, so the next pair will probably be for me!

In the mean time, I’m just going to enjoy this finish… and get started on my gift wrapping!

Though the sewing did slow for a couple of weeks, I’ve still managed to add to my pile of Leader/Ender blocks. The other day, Burton helped me lay them out and see how far we’ve gotten.

We’ve got 58 so far, and it’s a decent size. Of course, once they are all sewn together, those 1/4 inch seams will shrink it up considerably. I’m aiming for about 100 blocks, so I’ve still got a ways to go!

In addition to making bowl cozies, I also got a quilt top done on the weekend.

This one started with a bunch of leftover fabric that will look very familiar to you.

After finishing Ahoy Matey, I cut the rest of the fabric into 5 inch squares intending to make and Oh My Stars baby quilt with it. After they were all cut, I didn’t have quite enough (you need at least 56, though 64 or 72 is even better), so I went through the stash and scrap bins and came up with a few more prints to round it out.

As soon as I came across the yellow crab fabric, I knew it would be the stars.

I love this pattern, because it goes together easily. You really only need an afternoon.

It’s also proved very popular – every one I’ve made with this pattern has sold. And of course, it’s a great way to use up leftover fabrics. I’ve got a couple more cut and ready to go in different themes. The plan is to do another quilting weekend some time in January.

When I do, this one will end up with a fun flannel back, and some bold star binding!

It’s not the clearest picture, but I wanted to share a fun fact about our wee Fluffbutt

He’s got spots on the roof of his mouth. He’s had them since he was a baby, and its nothing to worry about – it’s the the normal pigmentation of his skin (you can see darker spots on the skin at the front of his ears where the hair is thinner too).

Any of your pets have spotted mouths?

True to my word, I whipped up a few more bowl cozies.

Three to be exact. They came together in about an hour, and I’ve got a good system going for making them, so there will definitely be more. I have two bags of Wrap And Zap batting and I’m not even through the first, so I have lots of supplies. I do need to get some black 100% cotton thread so I can make some darker ones.

But in the meantime…

… these three will be wrapped up with the fingerless mitts I made for my sister in law for Christmas. I think she’s going to love these!

The first of Dave’s Christmas sock is now complete.

And as you can see, I’ve got a good start on the second one. I’m challenging myself to finish this pair off by sometime next week. As nice as these are to work on (the Stroll is a VERY nice yarn for the price), I’m itching to start something for myself!

Finally! I was able to carve out an hour or so to try out this bowl cozy pattern.

I’ve had the material (wrap and zap batting, and 100% cotton thread) to make them for AGES. But I just never got around to it.

They are very easy to make and I had one turned out in no time.

Of course, my first one was made with cat fabric! You need two 10 inch squares to make one, so they are a great way to use up leftover layer cake pieces.

And they are an absolute purr-fect fit for my bowls! Don’t worry… there are more to come!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes!

As usually, I was completely and utterly spoiled.

First… I spoiled myself (Ever since I’ve had money to do so, I always buy myself a birthday present.

And… it’s usually shoes…

I’ve needed a pair of simple, but decent, black slip-ons for ages, so I decided to splurge a little and get myself some loafer mocs from my favourite moccasin place. I used to wear this style all the time as a kid.

And… since I could save an additional $10 if I bundled with a pair of slipper mocs…

Can you say toasty toes???? That’s real rabbit fur around the ankle too. SOOO soft!

Mom gave me a fat quarter bundle called Mod Cats

I’d actually bought a yard of the black cat fabric from the same collection so it was kind of serendipity! I can’t wait to play with these ones!

She also sent me a gift card for Home Depot which she really shouldn’t have – the fabric was more than enough! (Though you can bet it will be put to good use!)

And Dave really outdid himself this year. I don’t think I ever showed it, but last year he bought me a beautiful silver and ruby earring and necklace set. Its in a gorgeous vintage style, and I just love it. Well this year, he bought the ring that matches..

The pictures really don’t do it justice. It’s just stunning.

Sadly, I didn’t get my cake or Chinese food. I tried to get a cake on grocery day, but the girls working the bakery counter were too busy socializing to serve me, so I gave up and left without one.

And since I’d done such a big shop last week, the house was loaded with food. It seemed silly to go out and buy more. I made a nice roast beef, and told Dave we’ll save the Chinese for when the fridge is almost empty.

I did get lots of time to sew though. More on that will come this week!

… to life, the universe, and everything!

Yes dear readers, today, I turn 42!!!

(If you don’t get that reference, watch or read the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)

This is the face of 42-year-old me. Still in braided pigtails and probably will be until I’m 102. Normally, this is the part where I say I don’t feel 42… but this past year… that all depends on the day.

Working on this house has certainly reminded me of my age. I can still do all the things… I just know I’ve done them for at least a day or two afterwards. Especially after laying a floor!

And endless video conferences for work are reminding me that my face isn’t quite as youthful as it once was, even though it totally doesn’t look that bad in the mirror. (Seriously, all the technology we have an no one can put a decent camera in a computer????)

But still, I’ve had a pretty darn good 42 years so far. I haven’t done all the things that I thought I’d do, but if I died tomorrow, I’d have no real regrets. And I wouldn’t trade that for a stronger body or a prettier face.

Today I am in search of a decent birthday cake (our go-to grocery bakery doesn’t exist out here, so I have to put the local store to the test…wish me luck). We might try out a Chinese food place one town over (all the others we’ve tried since moving have been disappointing… I might kill for some decent egg rolls). I plan to do some sewing, as I haven’t touched the machine since finishing the tops on the three gift quilts. And I’m going to hang with my four favourite guys… Dave, Burton, Rupert and Relic. Sounds like the perfect birthday to me!