Hello From Santa’s Workshop!

Hi all! Hope you’re not in Christmas stress overdrive, and taking the time to the savor the magic of the holidays. Lovely busy week going on here, and I’m in full gift mode. And I know expecting myself to make most, if not all, of my gifts this year may not be the smartest move, but I just can’t force myself to do anything else…especially when I have really special gifts envisioned for everyone. Breaks my heart to just hit the mall when I already have handmade goods in mind.

First up, SS swap at the shop. My partner knits (don’t they all?!), and I was SO in love with the foxy sketchbook I made last week for my Twitter SS Swap partner, that I had to get foxy again with this lined knitting bag, filled with cozy coffee goodies & some cute gloves.

She’s all about the Japanese prints, so I had to do Mr. Fox in some delicious Heather Ross (don’t worry, I don’t think she reads my blog so it should still be a surprise!). This was a stash-only swap, so luckily I had some of the orange on hand!

Thanks Sonja (Artisania) & Jeni (In Color Order) for the awesome patterns! Fox HERE & Drawstring Bag HERE.

Love this measuring tape fabric I used on the back! I’ve had it for quite awhile and was just waiting for the perfect project to use it on. Perfect for a knitting bag because the measurements are to scale so she can check her gauge!

Speaking of knitting…I’m on a beginner knitting extravaganza trying to get a few special snuggly items finished for my hubby. (Thank goodness he’s so busy with finals this week that he won’t be reading this!). Started this super chunky scarf last night…

….to go with this hat that I finished up last week. I’m so proud that I actually made a hat! And the colors are so him. I’m just hoping it fits.

Both my husband’s and my families are both doing Secret Santa partners this year- so I need special gifts for those, but I think I may cave and just hit the store for a couple of them. Not going to kill myself over it, but was reeeeally hoping to make a table runner for my mother.

SO much inspiration on Flickr…hard to settle on a design.

Oh, I almost forgot!! Santa picked up a lonely little vintage Raggedy Ann at the thrift store yesterday!!

A gentle run through the wash, a little TLC, and she’ll be ready for tea parties in no time! Can’t wait for her to officially join our gang on Dec 25.

Let’s wrap this up with a little tune from Ellsworth, who’s now officially taking notes (thanks to Russell’s ridiculous miniature replica skills- ie toothpick pencil & spiral notebook from a ballpoint pen spring).

“You better not draw on the walls with a Sharpie,
You better not poop on the carpet,
You better not climb the pantry in search of mini marshmallows,
I’m telling you why,
Santa Claus is coming to town!”