Border problems

Somebody forgot to renew HIS passport and our trip south was cancelled.  Reservation made at Tulalip resort and we eagerly looked forward to winning more American $$.  Luckily...we were able to rebook.  Since it was less than 24 hours for cancelling, I really thought our $145 was gone, but I was able to rebook for next longweek...in April, as we'll be gone for March break, hopefully.  Last March, he forgot to renew his driver's license and I had to drive while in Las Vegas, which didn't go over too well, as DH likes to be master of the car.  I don't mind not going, as I get to reorganize my studio - yarns and scrapbooking materials.  And work on a prayer shawl for Jean.

My 3rd Sock Monkey Adoption

I had an order for a Sock Monkey at the fair, so as usual I procrastinated until the weekend before Christmas.  It got done, although I redid the ears, as I didn't like how they looked.  Also redid an arm.  It's quite a lot to redo the bits, as I triple-sew them for strength.  All the stitches have to be carefully unpicked. I wanted to make an adoption certificate and kept on going, adding a picture of the SM's "cousins", Ricky and Mattias.  I had some time before the new owner's mother arrived to pick up the SM, so I knitted up a red toque and matching scarf.  Then I had to take some pictures, as I make SM cards.  I posed the new SM in front of the Christmas tree, and in other places in the living room, with and without Ricky.  I have such fun with this!  The new owner is an 8 yr old girl who wanted a traditional sock monkey, and that's what she got - Canadian style.

Christmas Day

A nice day spent with our family.  Wish it was a white Christmas, instead of rain all day.  Got some PJs for a scrapbook crop in February.

Knitting and more knitting all year long

Beautiful yarns
October 2010

I spent a lot of the year knitting--and crocheting--items to sell at the craft fair.  I browsed Etsy for ideas, used patterns and sometimes made up my own.  I wrote the pattern for the green neckwarmer on Ravelry.

Jean adopts a Sock Monkey

Mattias, my second Sock Monkey,
gifted to Jean in July 2010

For my friend Jean's 60something birthday this year, I made her a sock monkey and included a SM birthday card and cup cozy.  Very frivolous!  Jean has such a great sense of humour and I always enjoy her hilarious comments on life.  She promptly got in the spirit of sock monkeyism and named her SM Mattias.  She even sent me some pictures of Mattias misbehaving while on vacation in their trailer.

"The Happening"

"Ricky" Ricardo - My First Sock Monkey
Born in Spring 2010; named December 2010

Went to my first Christmas Craft Fair in over 20 years--as a vendor, that is.  I decided last year, after seeing what was on offer, to participate, bringing in knitted and crocheted items, as well as sock monkeys.  The cost of the fair was $120 and I made about $250 over the 2 days.  I watched a vendor across from me sell-out with some snowmen popcorn sleeves ($3).  Very simple and didn't involve a lot of work.  I sold sock monkey cup cozies, hats, cowls, scarves, wristers and took orders for sock monkeys, as I had just my first sock monkey on display.  I got one order for a SM, which I finished last weekend.

Christmas Time 2010

Not sure what I'll put on this blog, so that's why the title is non-specific.  I wonder if anyone will read my blog.  How will they find me?

It's December 22nd, 2010.  I'm only part way through my Christmas shopping.  As usual, I leave things until close to Christmas, as I hate spending so much money on things we don't really need.  Christmas is such a retailer's dream.