It's Not Over - Yet...

"It's not over till it's over"
-Yogi Berra

I hope all of you had a fabulous holiday and are now enjoying some much deserved downtime. I know I am!

This is going to be a very short post - I am taking the day to regroup & recharge before we head northward into the frozen wastelands of Michigan.


I just wanted to take the opportunity before the madness of a large family Christmas takes over again, to remind you that there is only one more week to get Spruce, the limited edition Christmas pattern for 2009.

This pattern is my gift, free of charge to any and all who purchase the entire 2009 Garden Variety Collection of beaded lace shawl. For those of you who may be new to this blog, the four previous releases in the series are:

PAMPAS

ROSE

DELPHINIUM

AND CHRYSANTHEMUM

$32 FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES THROUGH JANUARY 3RD ONLY.

2008 SERIES ALSO AVAILABLE (FOR THE LAST TIME)

I will be taking my laptop to Michigan with me and will be filling orders daily.

Thanks to all of you who have made the last month (and year) so special and memorable.

And now, for the last time...

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Thursday's winner is Crafty Cat & yesterday's winner is: Suz B Email me, girls...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

I hope some of you will continue to do so...

Press Pause

"God walked down the stairs of heaven with a Baby in His arms."

- Paul Scherer

And now we pause for a message from our sponsor...

Wishing all of you a blessed Christ-mass!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Dr. Jackie. Email me, girl...

White Christmas Wednesday

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Irving Berlin

I realize that those of you on the East coast may not be humming along, but for many of us, white Christmases assume mythical proportions.

I well remember the Christmas Eve when my mom & I attended midnight service at our local Presbyterian church and came out to see a fresh dusting of white that had fallen while we sang Christmas Carols and partook of communion. It felt like a Christmas miracle.

This year, unfortunately, we here in central Indiana will be singing, "I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas."

sigh...

But it should be a white apres-Christmas for our family as we travel north to Michigan to celebrate the holidays with kith & kin. they are supposed to have fresh snow on Saturday to add to that already on the ground.

So today's deal is White Christmas Wednesday!

And we all know that an essential part of a white Christmas (in fact the ONLY necessary thing) is snow & ice.

Today only, buy the Snowdrift Wrap ($8) and the Icicle Scarf ($4) is yours as my gift.

Because a little snow & ice can be a good thing!

And those of you dealing with the real thing this week, buckle up, drive safe, walk carefully, and try to keep both your sense of humor and sense of wonder at nature's power and beauty.

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Ikkinlala. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Green Tuesday

"The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir"

Holiday greens are everywhere in my home. The tree is up (fresh, never faux - love the smell and the good organic nature of the real thing) the extra greens are decorating the creche, and my Winter Forest candle casts a warm glow.

Even I smell like Christmas. I am wearing Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir, which should smell like pomegranates, but instead seems to me to exude the comforting scent of warm cedar.

And I am wearing my forest green sweater.

It seems to me that you see red this time of year more often than it's shy partner in Yuletide. Green doesn't scream XMAS! It whispers it.

The very name "evergreen" reminds us that the deep winter will not last forever. Brighter days and greener pastures await the breath of spring.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of winter between here and now and there and then.

Especially on the east coast. OY!

But even as we shovel ourselves out, we know that this too shall pass...

Just not as soon as we might like!

So today, in honor of the evergreen, we are celebrating

GREEN TUESDAY!

My three Zen Collection patterns are knit in organic yarn, so they are green - get it?




All three - Mantra, Namaste, & Vinyasa - can be yours today for $15 instead of the $18 they cost individually.

Meanwhile, enjoy your Christmas greens and remember the eternal promise of spring. Yesterday was the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.

It's all downhill from here, folks...

So what kind of green do you have around your house (and the kind you spend doesn't count!)

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Cayli. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Doorbusters

"It takes two to make a bargain."

-American proverb

I have been posting so frequently this month that I am running out of things to say ( those who know me best had better stop that snickering in the corner - I KNOW who you are):

• I'm knitting Xmas presents
• I'm baking cookies
• I'm designing patterns
• I'm trimming trees
• I'm running a contest
• I'm lining up test knitters

Now what?

How about a special one-day-only SALE!

We all love that word, right? I KNOW I do...

I hereby proclaim this to be: BLACK MONDAY - tah dah!

For the rest of the day (midnight EST) it's Buy two - get one free!

Here's how it works: Put three patterns in your cart, send me the order through PayPal, and I will immediately (if not sooner) refund you the cost of the least expensive one & email all three patterns out to your hot little yarn lovin' hands. Or, if you are the suspicious sort and think this might be a scam, buy 2 and put your choice for the 3rd pattern (must be the least expensive) in the comments area.

Offer is good for any single pattern on the site, but not the 2008 & 2009 Garden Variety $32 offer. If I gave you one of those for free, Evelyn would probably accuse me of undercutting her sales. But if you want to round out your collection by adding one of the individual patterns, that qualifies for the deal.

If that means you now have all the 2009 GVC patterns, you would also get Spruce so you would get TWO free patterns!

Look for more doorbusters every day this week. Get a pattern for a friend or get something for yourself. You know it will fit and I can absolutely guarantee pre-Xmas delivery (LOL)

And I didn't even make you get up early...

Tomorrow? Green Tuesday!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Saturday's winner is Nancy in VT and yesterday's winner is: bluebunny. Email me, girls...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Taliesin

Fair Elffin, cease your lament!

....Though I am weak and small,

On the wave crest of the the surging sea,

I shall be better for you

Than three hundred shares of salmon.

Elffin of noble generosity,

Do not sorrow at your catch.

Though I am weak on the floor of my basket,

There are wonders on my tongue....''

-from the Book of Taliesin

Most of us recognize the name Taliesin from the architectural work of Frank Lloyd Wright, but in actuality, the name is much older.

Taliesin was a renowned Welsh bard who is believed to have sung at the courts of at least three Celtic British kings. The Book of Taliesin is one of the most famous of Welsh manuscripts, dating from the first half of the 14th century - though many of the fifty-seven poems it preserves are taken to originate in the 10th century.

Taliesin was also a shape shifter, which is why I am naming this cowl/scarf design for him.

This pattern can be worn many different ways, and knit in many different variations. It too, is a shape shifter.

I have written up the directions, but many of you who volunteered to test knit in January did not leave me an email and all I got from blogger was the dreaded "no comment."

So, if you want to test knit and you haven't already got the pattern in your "in" box, drop me a line at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I will reply with your free pattern.

Remember, I am looking for completed projects in January so to paraphrase Johnny Cochrun,

If you want to knit, you must commit!

Thanks to all who are helping me bring this pattern to a wider audience.

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: KayKatrn. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

NO STASH SALE NEXT TWO WEEKS DUE TO HOLIDAYS
MAY DO ONE ON THE 3RD
HAVEN'T DECIDED YET.

Once More with Attitude!

Man's rise or fall, success or failure, happiness or unhappiness depends on his attitude... a man's attitude will create the situation he imagines.

- James Allen

Bet you all thought I wasn't going to post today! I spent the morning emptying out my bank account (common this time of year) and the afternoon just plain got away from me.

At 5:00, Baby Boy/Family Man brought grandson Conner over for us to babysit. Every thought of Ravelry, knitting, plurking, blogging, etc. went flying out the window and took off like Rudolph on steroids.

I see that little smile and there is nothing in the world but that sweet face and even sweeter disposition. Yeah...I've got it bad!

Now the little charmer is sound asleep and I am picking back up the reins of my little endeavor.

The chat boards over on Plurk have been chock full of snow forecasts and Christmas preparations. And I have noticed that the same thing that brings joy to one, is a source of aggravation to another.

One person can't wait for the snow to begin; another speaks poetically of the big fat flakes drifting gently downward. Someone else is complaining about digging his driveway out and yet aonther can't believe all the idiots at the grocery store and on the road.

Some are looking forward to time spent off from work; others have had plenty of time off, thank you very much, and would do just about anything to be putting in some 40 hour work weeks.

Some revel in the baking, the shopping, the knitting, the wrapping, the decorating, the partying. Others pull the blankets over their heads, mutter "Bah Humbug" under their breath and wish the month long bacchanalia was over.

It seems that one person's "[dream] of a white Christmas" is another poor soul's "Nightmare Before Christmas." It all depends on who you ask. And sometimes, when you ask.

We are all short on time this month and many of us are tired out. We ask a lot of ourselves in December. We want to be Martha Stewart, but we wind up Erma Bombeck.

But that's OK. Face it; we can't do it all. We can try, but there is a cost to be paid in our sanity and serenity.

Most situations we face in life are double edged swords. The snow is beautiful - until you have to drive in it. The presents are generous outpourings of love - until you have to pay for them. The cookies are absolutely delicious - until you step onto the scales in January.

Conner is so thrilled by everything this Christmas - the lights, the shiny ornaments, the bright colors of the wrappings & ribbons, his first taste of hot cocoa or pumpkin pie. It is all a never-ending adventure, a source of giggles and smiles of wonder. It is all new to him; all looked upon with fresh and unbiased eyes.

Happiness and contentment are fleeting things at best. But joy - well, joy is ever-lasting. Our circumstances are often out of our control, but our attitudes are not.

We shape how we see our world. And how we see our world shapes us.

Dream or Nightmare? YOU decide...

I'm going to go peek in on my own little babe - and say a simple prayer to God.

Lord, let me see the world through his eyes...

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Kristin. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Christmas in the Country

At Christmas time I believe the things that children do.

I believe with English children that holly placed in windows will protect our homes from evil.

I believe with Swiss children that the touch of edelweiss will charm a person with love.

I believe with Italian children that La Befana is not an ugly doll but a good fairy who will gladden the heart of all.

I believe with Greek children that coins concealed in freshly baked loaves of bread will bring good luck to anyone who finds them.

I believe with German children that the sight of a Christmas tree will lessen hostility among adults.

I believe with French children that lentils soaked and planted in a bowl will rekindle life in people who have lost hope.

I believe with Dutch children that the horse Sleipner will fly through the sky and fill the earth with joy.

I believe with Swedish children that Jultomte will come and deliver gifts to the poor as well as to the rich.

I believe with Finnish children that parties held on St.Stephen's Day will erase sorrow.

I believe with Danish children that the music of a band playing from a church tower will strengthen humankind.

I believe with Bulgarian children that sparks from a Christmas log will create warmth in human souls.

I believe with American children that the sending of Christmas cards will build friendships.

I believe with all children that there will be peace on earth.

Daniel Roselle

I was on line this morning when I came across this wonderful Credo. It has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas in the country, but I just loved it so much, it made its way onto the top of this post anyway!

Thank you for your many generous offers to help me spread the scarf/cowl pattern I shared yesterday. I'll be writing up the pattern asap and will email it out to all of you who have agreed to test knit.

*****************

Every year on the 27th we pack up our winter coats and our galoshes, our presents & our packages, some warm socks and a good book to snuggle up by the fire with...

And turn both our car and our hearts northward, towards Leland, Michigan.

Those of you who have been reading for a while, know that my grandparents built a home on the lake there during the war. You know my father & step-mother, my sister and her family make their homes in this quiet pastoral corner of the state. You know DH & I are eagerly awaiting January 8th when we close the deal on our own little corner of paradise - 9 wooded acres on a ridge overlooking the lake. You know how much I love it there.

And now, those who are new to this blog know it also.

I was raised a city girl, but was lucky enough each summer to spend glorious weeks at a time, enjoying what the country has to offer. The peace and quiet, the simple evenings spent playing cards, the quiet afternoons reading or knitting on the porch, the Sunday night community sings.

I am blessed beyond belief to have this place in my family, in my heart. And every summer I make my way to the little cemetery on the point where my grandparents are buried and say a simple "thank you."

This last summer, I took Conner for the first time. He is 5th generation and I hope he will come to love it as much as I do. As much as his father does.

So when I needed a name for my latest free cowl design, my heart reached out to the windy snowy reaches of the land where we will eventually came to ground and make our home. I pictured putting on this warm and comfy neckwarmer under my jeans jacket and heading out for a winter hike through the snow.

What else could I name it but Christmas in the Country?

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY COWL

size: 6 in. tall by 22 in. around
materials: dk weight yarn MC: 85 yds. CC1: 75 yds. CC2: 33 yds. model done in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light: MC: steel cut oats CC1: redwood mix CC2: fern Size 5 (US) 24 in. circular needles
gauge: 5 ½ st. = 1 in.

Here is a shot of the back of the cowl, showing the stranding.

You will have a little jog at the beginning of each round, but just put it to the back of the cowl and no one will be the wiser.

DIRECTIONS

Notes: This cowl is knit in Fair isle style by stranding the three different colors across the back of your work. For an excellent tutorial in this method, go here.

With CC1, cast on 154 stitches. Join, taking care not to twist stitches. Place marker at beginning and work in round.

Rounds 1-4: With MC, K1, P1; rep to end of round. You may carry CC1 loosely up back of cowl or may choose to cut cast on yarn and begin anew on round 5.

Round 5: Begin Chart, working in stockinette stitch.. Work right to left in 14 stitch repeats, carrying unused colors loosely across back.

When you have completed all 36 rows of chart, repeat rounds 1 through 4. Join in CC1 and bind off loosely in rib. Weave ends in.

Pattern is also available as a free Ravelry download.

It is my heartfelt hope this holiday season that you will enjoy Christmas in the Country as much as I do...

From my house to yours, blessings & happy knitting always!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: A 30-something femme createrix Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Secrets

I know that's a secret, for it's whispered everywhere.

- William Congreve

I bet there are more secrets kept this time of year than any other...

except maybe tax time!

We hide presents in the trunks of our cars. We wrap packages after the kids are asleep. We knit while DH is at work. We don't let our families anywhere near our email account or desk drawers or knitting basket, or any other place there might be evidence of Christmas magic.

One year, when I was eight or nine (yes children, they had Christmas back in the olden days when dinosaurs ruled the earth) I went looking for Christmas presents in my mother's bedroom in November. I pulled a chair over to the closet and felt around on the high shelf until I hit pay-dirt.

And then my mom walked into the room.

Busted!

She didn't yell at me; she didn't punish me. She DID haul EVERYTHING out of the closet, laid it on the bed, said, "Take a good look!" and then piled it back up on the top shelf again.

Christmas was no fun at all that year.

And it taught me more about the delicious joys of anticipation than anything else she could have done. Stopped this little peek person dead in her tracks.

I reserve the right to shake, however. I believe that is protected in the bill of rights alongside the right to bear arms, yes?

My younger brother Bobby was so bad that one year my stepmother, having found a few too many peeled back corners and disarranged bows, came up with fake names for all of us. That way Bobby couldn't tell which ones were his.

She handed us a cheat sheet with every one's pseudonyms listed on Christmas Eve right before opening commenced. I don't remember any of them, except one:

Razzy Ratranker. We later gave the name to our German Shepherd.

Yesterday I promised to show you the project I have been keeping under wraps the past 2 weeks. Knitty demands that no pics appear anywhere public of any pattern you are submitting, so until I knew for sure that I was not going to make the deadline, I kept this scarf/cowl flying under the radar.

I considered holding the pattern over for the Early Fall issue, but I just can't keep it to myself.

In addition to being a peeker and a shaker, I am a blabbermouth!


This is a picture of the front side of the piece. I have designed a 60 inch long scarf with buttons on one end. You can wear it many different ways, You can wear it open like a traditional scarf, or looped like an infinity scarf. You can wind it twice around and wear it like a cowl. Try the buttons in the front or in the back.

And it's reversible. This is the back side.

One side displays a rounded fluted rib, while the other looks like a deep twisted stitch rib on a purled background. It doesn't curl, needs no blocking, and does a wonderful job of blending multicolored yarn with no pooling.

And it's easy. Two row, 4 stitch repeat. Knit, purl, & slip.

I made mine in Manos Silk Blend in Abalone. I wear a lot of gray in the winter and thought this soft color blend of lavender & sage green would lighten up its darker days.

You could do this piece in any weight from fingering to worsted. Just do a swatch, measure your gauge, run your figures and go from there.

I think I'm going to use these pottery buttons from my stash.

I have managed to snag one of the featured pattern slots on Ravelry for January 1st through the 15th and I am thinking of using this pattern for the ad. The price is going to be a minuscule $4.

As I said yesterday, I want to get as many projects on Rav as soon as possible, so people can see how the pattern looks in many different yarns.

If you want to take a whack at it, just let me know and I'll email you the pattern free of charge. All I ask is that you complete the scarf during January as soon as you can. If you don't have time, please don't scam the pattern from me.

The pattern calls for 600 yds. of DK yarn.

Hope some of you will take a flyer and help me test knit this pattern - like 30 to 40 of you?

No more secrets - not between friends anyway...

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Adrienne. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Energy Crisis

"Energy and persistence alter all things."

- Benjamin Franklin

Feeling sluggish this evening - don't know why - maybe it's adrenalin let down after several VERY busy days. Today was catch up day on the Sunflower farm.

Laundry, closet cleaning for a trip to Goodwill, tackling the kitchen of doom...

Things tend to slide around here when there's a release date around.

And don't even TALK to me about Christmas! No decorations up, barely any gifts purchased. I am really behind this year. I have however, baked cookies and started knitting some presents which cannot be shown here.

Speaking of which, another of yours should be ready by the end of the week.

Now that Spruce is out, I have been devoting my knitting time to this

Yes, it's another free Xmas Cowl pattern: this time in colorwork. I am well past the midpoint in the design and back to using only 2 colors at a time with no pesky long carries to twist and tangle the yarn. The rest should go pretty smoothly. And it's DK weight so it goes quickly.

Missed the deadline for submission to the Spring/Summer issue of Knitty - darn it! It is today. I could have finished my pattern, but realized I didn't have time to adequately photograph it. If only I had the idea sooner - sigh!

But things continue to roll along. I really want to make a splash with the design so will be contacting a lot of you to test knit in January. Maybe if I can get a number of projects on the Rav boards quickly, I can make an impression.

I'll share pics of that project later this week.

Other exciting news looms in the New Year. A new website over on Wordpress with a real store!

Long overdue, I know...

Didn't realize quite how bad it really is until I heard Lime & Violet's most recent podcast. They went on and on about my designs and it was obvious they were on line at the time because they kept saying things like, "Down there, at the bottom of the sidebar" and "I know it's here somewhere!"

The segment about me lasted a good ten minutes and probably would have been half that, had my blog been easier to navigate. Y'all have been very patient with me.

I know I should have something inspirational to say, but my energy crisis has gotten the better of me this evening, Maybe tomorrow...

After all, in the words of the immortal Scarlett O' Hara, "Tomorrow is another day!"

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Lois poohknits. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Gifted

"Give -- and somewhere, from out of the clouds, or from the sacred depths of human hearts, a melody divine will reach your ears, and gladden all your days upon the earth."

- George Burba

This time of year, we are all about the business of giving. We are crowding stores at the mall, jamming phone lines at the mail order catalogs, and causing website slowdowns right and left.

Even Ravelry has gotten into the giving business. We can now gift our fellow Ravelers directly from the Ravelry pattern store. How cool is that?

But the best gifts are those which come from our hearts. We are blessed, as knitters, to possess the ability to bring a smile to a dear one's face, just by the toil of our hands.

And perhaps, just perhaps, that is the greatest gift of all: our ability to spread love and joy this holiday season and in all the days and months beyond.


Spruce went out today to Garden Variety subscribers. If you didn't get yours, please let me know. As with all human endeavors, my mailing list is far from perfect. Don't want anybody to fall through the cracks!

Anyone ordering the complete series from now to January 3rd will get the full set of five patterns in one email.

If you have purchased all the patterns separately, you may have to wait a little longer, while I compile all the orders and see who qualifies. Evelyn will be emailing the pattern out to anyone who ordered through Knitty Noddy.

Speaking of Knitty Noddy, I guess Evelyn is out of the special "blue"ish Cedar seasilk she ordered in especially for this project, but I understand more is on the way and she is taking orders.

*****

I am so inspired by all the unselfish acts I see around me: in the "plurk"-o-sphere, on all the blogs, and here in my own backyard.

We are indeed "gifted" this cold month of December. While the days grow shorter and our lists of things to do get longer, our hearts, like the Grinch's, "grow three sizes [these] days!"

So, today's question is: What was the greatest gift you ever got at Christmas?

I am tempted to name mine as the year my DH got me a washer & dryer, locking them in the closet and telling me (truthfully) that was where he was hiding my Xmas presents. He just didn't tell me how BIG they were!

I hated the laundromat at the apartment complex where we lived then. The windows didn't have screens and during the summer months, the Junebugs, being attracted by the light, would dive bomb you and get caught in your hair. EEEEEEK!

This gift was special, not because it was expensive or convenient. It was special because it meant my then new husband was paying attention to my needs and fears, and was doing everything he could to make my life just a little easier.

I have gotten many more glamorous gifts over time, but none has ever been given with more concern for my well-being and happiness.

And the gifts just keep on giving. That washer and dryer are now 34 years old and we have never had a service call in all that time.

Now that's a great gift! Thanks Hon!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Saturday's winner is: clarbineds and Sunday's is Nancy N. Email me, girls...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Bakin Cookies

Cookie Monster: Me not *take* cookies, me *eat* the cookies.
Robert McNeill: What's the difference?
Cookie Monster: Eat begin with an E and take... Begin with a T.

I am baking cookies today so not a lot of time to post.

Just a couple housekeeping announcements:

The Spruce KAL is up on Ravelry here. Pattern will be emailed out on Monday to all subscribers. Those who have purchased GVC patterns separately may not get theirs until Tuesday as I will need to compile the orders.

I am wondering if a better prize for the contest would be all my 2011 patterns. That way anyone who had purchased patterns from me in 2010 won't get duplicates if they are the eventual winner next December.

Or would you guys rather have the contest earlier in the year - Christmas in July maybe?

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

AND/OR...

Tell me what YOUR favorite holiday cookie is and why. Is it an old family recipe? A new favorite? Is it special because of how it tastes? Or how it looks?

And now it's time for me to go ice my gingerbread snowflakes.

Catch ya' on the flip side...

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Karen. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

We Need a Little Christmas

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

- Jerry Herman

How do YOU decorate for the holidays? Traditional? Avant Garde? (sp?) Red & Green bursting out everywhere? Tastefully understated?

Well, now's your chance to shine! One of my readers had a great idea!

I'm going to run a contest next December for the best "decorated" Spruce scarf.

And the winner will get every single pattern - yes, that's right - every little pea picking idea that comes out of my head - that I publish in 2010 for a prize.

We'll need a couple judges also, so bear it in mind and let me know if lace just isn't your thing but you'd like to judge.

I'm going to set up a KAL on Ravelry for the contest where we can all share ideas and links for beads & charms & such.

But you can't win if you don't play - Spruce is only available through January 3rd (have extended deadline to allow for those of us who have no time to think, let alone, knit something for ourselves this busy holiday season - um - like - all of us?!?)

Pattern is FREE, exclusively to those who purchase the entire 2009 Garden Variety series: Pampas, Rose, Delphinium, & Chrysanthemum.

The button over there on the right sidebar puts the four already released patterns in your basket and Spruce in your email on Monday.

I love December - too much fun!

So-o-o-o-o-o...

MONDAY (MONDAY!) Spruce will go out in the email to all of your hot little hands!

I blocked her last night, will write her up tomorrow and give Evelyn at Knitty Noddy time to get her up on her website before sending her merrily on her way...

Wanna peek?

OF COURSE YOU DO!

SPRUCE

Size:
16 in wide by 60 in long

Materials:
1300 yds. seasilk or other fingering weight yarn
1500 size 8 seed beads
110 star or other accent beads/charms
size 4 needles
crochet hook for beading

Gauge :
5 st = 1 inch (blocked)

Charted Design
Intermediate level

So which of the pictures should I use for the ad & the pattern front?

I'm leaning towards one of the two above.

Let me know which one you like in your comments...

Pretty please with peppermint sprinkles and jingle-bells on top?

Here are a few more for your viewing pleasure this fine December day...

NO STASH SALE TOMORROW - BUSY WITH HOLIDAY JOY & SURPRISES!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Lisa. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

O Tannenbaum!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They're green when summer days are bright;—
They're green when winter snow is white.
O, Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
How oft at Christmas tide the sight,
O green fir tree, gives us delight!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
Forever true your colour.
Your boughs so green in summertime
Stay bravely green in wintertime.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
Forever true your colour.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
You fill my heart with music.
Reminding me on Christmas Day
To think of you and then be gay.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
You fill my heart with music.

I don't want to gush, but could not BE happier with this design! It came together perfectly - first time - no frogging!

How many times does THAT happen?

hint- how often does hell freeze over?


Three tall trees stand in the forest, a little silver star hanging upon the end of each branch...


under the stars, which I randomly sprinkled across the sky with single silver beads

I even included the big dipper (over there in the upper left corner) and one big star dangle to represent the star of Bethlehem.


I love the line of beads & stars that make the ends of the scarf pop.

Face it. I love it all...

BUT!

HERE IS WHERE THE FUN REALLY STARTS!

I could change the name to Trim-a-tree.

Because you could go so many ways with this design.

You could get hang some of these multicolored silver lined beads on your trees. Don't they look like little ornaments?

Or if you want to be fancy-schmancy - some of these gold frames with Swarovski rivoli stones in them

I tried to steal pics but they won't let me - bah humbug!

Or you could hang some of these off the ends of the branches like icicles and put some of these snowflakes in the air.

You could hang candy canes on your tree.

Or you could get some of these and string them on a line of single crochet and drape like garlands on your trees.

Could a pattern BE any more fun???

You can make it your own personal statement of Christmas style.

Better than a sweater, any day of the week!

And remember...

this pattern is FREE, exclusively to those who purchase the entire 2009 Garden Variety series: Pampas, Rose, Delphinium, & Chrysanthemum. This is a limited edition pattern - available through the end of 2009 only.

The button over there on the right sidebar puts the four patterns in your basket and Spruce in your email this weekend.

Off to block - have I mentioned how much I LOVE MY JOB?!?!?!?!?!?

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Annie. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?