Yarn Party for Shelter Animals

This past weekend, my crochet and knitting group (also here on Facebook) had a yarn party with the purpose of Stash Bust for Charity! Each month, we dedicate a few meetings to stitching up our extra stash of yarn into items to donate to charity. This month we were stitching blankets to donate to animal shelters.

Since the blankets are for pets in need, they don't really care how their blankies look, just as long as they're cozy! So as you can see, they came out a little wonky, but by the end of the night we completed about 5 pet-sized blankets.

Of course, we needed snacks to stitch by.

Macaroni & cheese and broccoli stuffed pizza.
Lauren's husband works at a pizzeria and was experimenting. 

Spinach dip and bread bowl.

Cupcakes!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

We helped my parents decorate their tree this weekend. They have some of my favorite ornaments from growing up.

Ta da!

And here's how the weekend looked through Instagram.

 

Vegan banana bread | Out for sushi Friday night

Whoville-style tree on our table at the sushi restaurant | Carrots from my garden. Plant earlier & thin better next year
Blankets made at Stash Bust for Charity night | My favorite ornament picture

Pumpkin Maple Fudge

So good, and so very very sweet. You've been warned. Now here's the recipe!

Pumpkin Maple Fudge

Adapted from Sugar Crafter

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 cup pureed pumpkin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 bag (4.4 oz) mini marshmallows
3 Tablespoons maple syrup

1. Line a 12 x 8 baking dish with foil, letting it hang over the edges. 
2. In a large sauce pan, whisk together the sugars, butter, evaporated milk, pumpkin, and spices.
3. Bring to a foil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling for 10-12 minutes or until the candy thermometer registers 235 degrees Fahrenheit – soft ball stage.
4. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the white chocolate chips, then the marshmallows and maple syrup.
5. Stir until melted, and then immediately pour into the prepared pan.
6. Let cool on a wire rack for 2 hours or until completely cooled. 
7. To cut, lift the foil from the ends of the dish.

Tis the Season

Bow Boot Cuffs

I have a girly boot cuff pattern for you. Christmas is coming, whip up a few sets of these in different colors in an afternoon!

Bow Boot Cuffs

Skill level

Beginner

Finished size

Width: Make to fit your calf! Mine pictured is 4 3/4 wide

Length: About 4 inches

Bow: 3 inches wide

Supplies

Worsted weight yarn (For mine, my one skien of Simply Soft will make many sets of boot cuffs)

5 mm crochet hook

Yarn needle

Skills

Ch - Chain
Sl st - Slip stitch

Sc - Single crochet

Dc - Double crochet

Sk - Skip

Instructions

Cuff

Make 2

Ch 36
Or enough to fit around your calf with a little bit of stretch, and sl st to join. Rows 1 - 7 are worked in continuous spirals. Use a stitch marker in the last stitch of each row to keep track of how many rows you work.

Row 1 - 7: Sc in each around until piece is approximately 1 1/2 inches tall, or more until piece reaches your desired height

Row 8: *2 dc in next sc, ch 1, sk 2, repeat from * around

Row 9: Ch 2, turn, dc in next ch space, *ch 1, sk 2 dc, 2 dc in next ch space, repeat from * around, sl st to join

Row 10 - 13: Repeat row 9 (or until desired height is reached)

Fasten off and weave in ends

Bow

Make 2

Ch 25, sl st to join

Row 1 - 5: Sc in each around

Fasten off and weave in ends

Bow Center
Make 2

Ch 7

Row 1: Sc into 2nd ch from hook and in each across

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each across

Fasten off and leave tail long enough to sew on bow

Assembly

Wrap the bow center around the bow and sew it tightly to cinch the bow in the center. Sew bow on to back of cuff at center, and on both ends.

Now the Calendar is Just One Page

December is here! Everyone officially has permission to get into the Christmas spirit. I think a lot of people try and hold off until after Thanksgiving. We say "Ugh! Too early!" when Christmas decorations start appearing around Halloween. While I can't disagree, it's hard not to get excited! Well, no more! December is here! Haul out the holly!

Here's how my first weekend in December went!

Morning in Hope.

Cozy snowflake socks.

Walking around Hope for the annual Christmas Market.

Antiquing continued into Sunday.

Some instagraming occurred.

 

 

Advent calendar | Crocheted a new headband

Vintage ornaments | Dave's favorite Indian restaurant in a train car

DIY: Simple Pinecone Garland

Now that December has arrived, I have a simple Christmas decor project to share. Some pretty pinecone garlands, and you likely have two of the three essential supplies on hand already.

For the garland above, I used some hemp string for a natural, rustic feel. For a second garland for my stairs I used red yarn. I have a random assortment of ribbon on hand from past projects and gifts. I just needed to make a trip to the craft store for some pinecones.

Pinecone Garland

Supplies

String or yarn - enough to go across wherever you plan to hang your garland

Ribbon 

Pinecones

Sharp scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a length of string long enough to span across where ever you want to hang your garland.
2. About 8 inches from one end, tie your first pinecone.
   
   
3. Cut a piece of ribbon about about 6 inches in length. To get the forked end, fold the ribbon in half and cut on a diagonal so the edges of the ribbon will become points.
4. Use just one knot to tie the ribbon on to the string about 4 inches or so from the pinecone.
   
   
5. Alternate tying pinecones and ribbons for the length of your string.
   
   
6. Hang your garland in its new home to enjoy for the season.