My last post was on December 8th. I wanted to write a post today to kind of wrap up this Christmas gifting season. You may think that I was lazy and that’s why I didn’t post, but I promise you that was NOT the reason. Between the extra hours at work and all of the stuff I was trying to make, I just didn’t have the time. I warn you that this post may be a bit long so get comfy.

Let’s start with one of the projects that you saw in progress. For Christmas I asked Jay to make me a new recycling center. I was using an old trash can that had actually been my grandmother’s (no, it’s not an heirloom).

It was a lot like me: not much to look at, but it does the job. Except, I had the idea to try to keep the cat food cans separate so that I can take them to the cat shelter. They turn them in for scrap money. I didn’t want to add another basket to this area so I did some measuring, drew up a very bad picture, and asked Jay to construct it.

Yes, I had to do the finishing on it, but I didn’t care. It just meant that I would get the finish that I wanted. Are you ready to see how it turned out?

It’s a bit larger than I anticipated, but it works. As you can see we have two areas for the bags and underneath is where I can collect the glass. I might see if I can find a tote that fits a bit better. 

This is a bad picture, but I wanted you to see the top. I only stained as far as my arm could reach, but I don’t care. I had Jay attach binder clips to the middle insert (I could only find two with logos and one regular clip for the other side) so that the bag will be held on the inside and the top pins the other side of the bags to the box. The recyclables that can go out to the curb on trash night goes in the bigger clear bag and the cat food cans will go in the blue bag. It’s been a week and so far it’s working great.

Another project that I had to finish after Jay did the initial design and cutting were back scratchers.

I think we had 8 or 9 of these. They are actually laying on the table runner that my mom made me for Christmas. Isn’t it pretty?

Do you remember when we tore apart the last piano? This was the second set of piano keys that we had hanging out in the house. Jay and I were discussing what we could make with them and between the two of us we came up with a Key Board:

This one is a little dark, but there are hooks on it so that you can hang your keys on it. There are two wall hangers on the back. I tried to group the piano keys in groups that kind of made sense. I also tried three different colors of stains to see which one I liked best.

The entertainment center is a wedding gift and it’s not done yet, so you won’t see any pictures of it. I think that’s it for the wooden gifts.

Next up are the gifts that I crocheted.

The first one has actually been finished since August or so. And of course, I didn’t take any pictures of it because I thought I would have plenty of time to do so. *sigh* This past year I posted pictures of crocheted garments that I hoped to eventually make. One of these was the Everyday Cardi:

Jay’s mom commented on my post saying that she wouldn’t mind having this in a light pink color. I told Jay that I knew what I was going to give his mom for Christmas. I ordered some yarn from Ice Yarns and got to work.

I think it turned out quite nice. Luckily it fit her nicely, too!

I knew that I wanted to make something for my friend’s little girl. The problem is that the little darling is growing like a weed! I decided to make a dress in two different sizes in the hopes that she would fit the smaller one and can grow into the bigger one.

The nice thing about this pattern is that it can be worn as a type of tunic, too. 

When I was finished with some of the larger projects I was working on I decided to fill in my empty time with some washcloths. I think I made almost 20 wash cloths. Here are the ones that I sent to my friend:

I was trying to figure out what I could actually make my friend. I know how much I love the ear warmer that my mom made me a few years ago so I decided to try to crochet one. I couldn’t decide on the size, though, so I made three different sizes and hoped that at least one of them would fit.

With all of the crocheted gifts I let the recipients know that if they didn’t want them, or they don’t fit, I’m fine with them giving the gifts away to people who can use them. As long as they are being used then I will be happy.

Since I’d made about a zillion hats I decided a few more wouldn’t hurt. I made two for my brother-in-law and then two for my friend’s husband.

Jay’s brother was supposed to be heading out here for their sister’s wedding, but due to the plague they have cancelled their trip. When they were here the last time, though, our new brother-in-law (who had never seen snow) showed up without proper winter clothing. I decided that I would at least provide them with hats and some cowls. I wasn’t sure what colors they would like, or what hat style they would prefer, so I wrapped them and sent a note saying that they could pick whichever set they liked.

I figured a black/gray set should go with most coats.

This picture is a bit washed out so that you can see the yarn color a little better. Otherwise they looked like big black splotches when they are actually a mottled brown. I haven’t heard anything from them, but I hope they liked them. Or that they gave them to somebody who can really use them.

I made one more hat, but this one is so stinkin’ cute. Gary said that he wanted to model it for me.

It’s an aviator cap for my friend’s little boy. I’ve got a better view of it from the side.

The little boy is about four months old so I also made him a blanket that will be good for the floor.

This was made with a chenille-type of yarn. It is definitely not a type of yarn that I will look forward to using again. Because of its nature the yarn is very grabby and gives your hands a bit of a work out when crocheting.

Are you still with me? I just have one more item to show you. If you remember, I made some wraps for my sister and step-niece. I decided to make another one for my friend using the same yarn that I used for her minion hat.

It’s very soft. You can see that I added a button. It annoys me when a shawl I’m wearing falls off my shoulders so I figure that it would bother my friend as well. You don’t want to be trying to do something with your baby while trying to keep your wrap on your shoulders. I hope she likes it.

My sister loved hers. I gave her two… a black and purple one and then a gray one. She loved the button feature. Hopefully my friend will, too.

Hopefully know you will understand why I’ve been a little absent over the past few months. I have a Project Linus blanket on my hook that’s almost done and then I’ve got a list of gifts that I will start after that. There is never a shortage of projects!