Ten Days of Christmas…our new tradition~

Posted on December 20, 2007 by gettinitpegged

Personalize the back!What is celebrating Christmas like in your house?

Several years ago…after rushing around madly, like all the rest of the mobs to get ready for Christmas…baking, shopping, wrapping, cleaning, decorating, cooking, more shopping, more wrapping…etc…only to have the celebration complete in one frantic rush…then the great,  inevitable, anti-climax ensued…

…we decided to slow ours down a little, while (hopefully) making it more meaningful and our kids more appreciative.  We decided to make our holiday giving like the song, and begin our season the week before Christmas, if not an entire 12 days. 

We purchased (or made) our regular type of gifts that we would normally give to each other, and several little gifts that were just fun, or sentimental, or tastey…and began each opening one gift a night, building up to Christmas day, when the remainder of the packages (even if just one 🙂  ) were opened.  We also spent the evenings together doing something fun as a family…like watching a favorite movie (or new one!), or going to a Christmas play, or driving to view the holiday lights, playing a game…what ever came to mind.  We would also have on hand all those yummy comfort foods and goodies that are craved so this time of year.

Since adopting this…”our tradition”…we have been able to make the holiday pace seem so much more leisurely, and tons more enjoyable.  We get to savor the good parts of the season a little longer, and really appreciate the generosity of our loved ones  all the more… as well as developing ourselves into more thoughtful givers.

As we  celebrate our fifth day of Christmas, we hope that you are finding as much enjoyment and peace as we are, and that the traditions you are creating with your family are just a memorable.

God Bless,

Bethany~

Posted in Crafting, Family Fun, Growing Up, Kids, Life | 3 Comments

Beading & Looms~ya gotta luv em!

Posted on December 18, 2007 by gettinitpegged

Loom Beading

Isn’t it great what you can whip up with a few beads & a loom?

This was the result of a class I’m teaching at the college all about Holiday Gift Giving Ideas~this is a super fast, but elegant project that any one would be pleased to receive!

 This one uses regular beading wire in black, on which beads are randomly threaded, then knitted into every loop of a 2 peg I-cord, a few at a time.

How easy is that?!

 

 

 

 

 

Add a lovely clasp and charm!The bracelet is finished as you would a regular jewelry project…with beading crimps, and, in this case, a pretty toggle clasp. 

I dangled an old fashioned silver key charm, just for good measure.  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow! Great Detail! :)My favorite thing about beading with a knitting loom is how the beads are delicately encased by the swirly black wire…lovely!

 

 

 

 

 

*Also lovely….

the AMAZING closeups brought to you ala my new camera!  YES!!!  😀

Bethany~ 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Crafting, Jewelry, Knitting, Loom Knitting, New Projects, Tutorials | 3 Comments

Lots of Holiday Freebies! :) …updated 12/16

Posted on December 15, 2007 by gettinitpegged

There’s one more full week for those flying fingers to whip up some extra special goodies for those extra special people on your gift giving list.  There have been some excellent freebie patterns and tutorials listed on some of my favorite sites over the last month or so, that I wanted to point out, in case you might have missed them…

1. First, and most freshly released…Loom Knitter’s Circle Magazine: Winter Edition is out!  This is packed with lots of great holiday ideas and wonderful tutorials.

2. Isela, aka: Purling Sprite  😉  , has created 3 sweet little miniatures: Itty Bitty Mitts, and over in her side bar you’ll find: Tiny Socks, & Mini Sweater.

3. Brenda, our lovely Loomlady, has created 3 beautiful holiday designs: Snowflakes, Victorian Lace Ornaments, & Poinsettias.

4. Denise, at Knit Chat, has posted 2 delightful embellishing ideas: Loom Knit Corkscrews, & Yo-Yo’s!

5. Over at Hankering for Yarn, Noreen has oodles & oodles of holiday ideas, but the ones I love the most are the Crochet Along Easy Mittens & Wishing Windows Loom Comfort Bear.

6. Anne, at Loom Knitting, has a toasty new pattern for a Neck Warmer!

7. And here, at the Loom Knitter’s Clique, you’ll find Candy Cane Characters , Christmas Goodie Greetings, Bling for your Tree, Raffia Handbag, Loomy Beaded Bag & Felted Bottle Hugs!

This should keep you busy for the countdown to Christmas!  I hope your fast flying, gift making fingers enjoy!  😀

Bethany~

Posted in Crafting, Family Fun, Free Loom Patterns, Kids, Kids Crafting, Knitting, Loom Knitting, My Favorites, Peggin' Pages, Project Preview, Tutorials | Leave a comment