Julenisse of Kindness

Finished up my Julenisse doll and the pattern is now available.

This project was inspired by a blog I read on Kindness elves. I liked the idea so I decided to make our own version.

In upholding our families traditions of celebrating the Nisse and Tomte I wanted to capture that spirit in a little visitor, someone who can hang out every year with Julebukk.

You can find the pattern for this doll with outfit in my stores, link here... http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/julenisse-of-knidness

To read the original blog that inspired this doll click here... http://theimaginationtree.com/2013/11/alternative-elf-on-shelf-tradition-kindness-elf.html

Wool donations for warming centers

Our local area has warming centers for the homeless that are invaluable during cold snaps like the one we just suffered. I am taking up a project for just this cause.

If anyone has any wool, alpaca, or other animal fiber yarn that they would be willing to donate I will use that yarn to knit donation items for the warming centers. It must be wool, wool blend, or animal fiber of some sort.

Cotton lowers the bodies natural temperature especially when wet and can cause hypothermia, whereas wool is a natural insulator helping the body maintain its natural temperature even when wet. Another good quality of wool is that it can be water proof. I have lanolin on hand and can waterproof every item before donating. This makes wool very superior for donation purposes as it can keep folk warm and dry even in the worst conditions.

Any weight, color or amount would help! Washable wool and super wash is fine. Sock yarns would be great even if just ball end scraps as I can work those into the  feet of 100% wool socks making them more durable. Any amount of wool yarn will help greatly! Mill ends, partial skeins, whatever you have on hand!

I will also happily accept raw locks of fiber, again must be animal fiber such as wool, alpaca, llama or other. I can use these raw locks to make thrummed items for donation such as thrummed mittens and partially thrummed hats. This will add extra warmth for folks.

My goal is to start collecting donations now and work on knitting items for the Egan Warming Centers and other charities year round. It would be great if no one had to be cold!

For more information on the Egan Warming Centers please visit their fb page at... https://www.facebook.com/EganWarmingCenters

Local tragedy fund raiser

This is the little boy of one of our local mamas. This is some one from our own little community that many of us know. Today he took a hard fall and ended up needing surgery to repair a massive brain bleed. Please help if you can. Any little bit will help. This is not a stranger, this is one of our own!

I will be donating a portion of all December pattern sales to this family. If you are able to contribute directly that is wonderful, and if you would like to give by buying a pattern that will contribute that is great too.

http://www.gofundme.com/5qjjm4 To donate directly.

And visit any of my pattern shops to give via purchase.
http://www.ravelry.com/stores/full-knitted-jacket

http://www.craftsy.com/user/346836/pattern-store

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FullKnittedJacket?ref=seller_info

Mittens for charity

I am knitting up some wool toddler mittens for charity. With sub freezing temperatures, ice and snow along with power outages and burning bans there are lots of little cold hands out there.

These Charity mittens will be knit using cuffs with the Brioche technique and the pattern will be available when done. Like all of my patterns a portion of the funds goes to buy yarn to knit items for charity.

Little Red Tomten Cap

I finished up the little red cap for Bear. Ended up making two of these one for my grandson and one for little Bear.

I was inspired by Tomte or the Julenisse on this one. 

Tomte leading his goat, laden with packages through the snow. 

I wanted to capture the spirit of the kindly Nisse and all the joy he brings. 

You can find the pattern in my stores, here is a link. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-red-tomten-cap

Gifts and goodies

I have been working on gifts and goodies for Jule. Wanted to share some of the finished goods.

I made two sets of lovely Dainty cable leg warmers for my daughter. I really think they turned out lovely!

You can find the pattern for these in my shops here is a direct link. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dainty-cable-leg-warmers

I also made a matching hat to go with them.

You can find the pattern for this cap in my stores. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dainty-cable-fishermans-hat

Juletide Projects

I have been very busy working on Juletide goodies the last couple of months. I had a few Jule gifts to get knit up, that I went back and forth between a  shawl and them. There will be a new hat pattern coming out of the gifts I made so be watching for that. The shawl has been back burnered and is awaiting frog status as I am not really happy with how it was turning out. After the holiday crunch and when I decide what to do with it I will get back to it.

I have also been working on a Krampus doll. His body is all done, he just needs horns, ears, a tail and the rest of his face. But seems the inspiration hasn't been flowing so he has been sitting for a couple days. Once the pattern is completed I will be publishing him so that others can make their own Krampus dolls for next season. 

Last night I started on the little Julenisse of Kindness doll for little Bear. I have the body form done and the pants. Tonight after she goes to bed I will get started on the sweater. 

And today I am casting on for a little red Tomten cap for Bear in the brightest, softest, holy berry red yarn. If all goes well you can expect to see the pattern for it very soon as well. Perfect for knitting up a little cap for your favorite little nisse next year! 

Post Sinterklaas visit

I hope the Holiday cheer is treating you all well. We awoke to having had a visit from Sinterklaas last night. I love that little Bear had zero expectations for Sinterklaas and was oh so very happy and thrilled with her apple, tangerine and treats! He left just enough goodies to fill her little boots. There were two little socks filled with Yule tree taffies, a few chocolates and a marshmallow pop. Bear is a happy kiddo who has been running around the house saying "Thank you Sinterklaas! Thank you for your kindness Sinterklaas!" She is also being sure to pass on the cheer by sharing her treats and being kind.

 I hope this sunny and cold, snowy white day finds you as happy, warm and blessed.

Belated Sinterklaas Night

With all of my plans to put Sinterklaas's visit off until Jule, we went and visited Sinterklaas today and when we got home, after some playing in the snow, Bear set all of our boots out for Sinterklaas to fill with treats tonight. And this makes sense, of course he should visit while he is already in town, right? So little change of plan Sinterklaas can come tonight and Juletomten can come on Jule eve.

Julenisse of Kindness

I saw this blog on Kindness elves, a spin off of Elf on a Shelf, who honestly creeps me out! http://theimaginationtree.com/2013/11/alternative-elf-on-shelf-tradition-kindness-elf.html

So today I picked up some beads to give these a try on my own, since I have no clue where to buy them. I figured Juletomten can leave a little Julenisse of kindness for little Bear. I am now trying to decide the best way to attach the beads. Maybe a little crocheted chain body inside? Like chains going to each leg and arm with beads for hands and feet, then back to a main body and up through the head and securing to a braid of hair? Then knit the clothes to go over?

My Grandmother used to make me the most amazing and beloved clothes pin dolls with little Bead heads when I was a child and I now wish I had paid better attention. This will be a bit of a learning experience for me but will update how it goes.

I think these little guys will fit in nicely to our current traditions and holiday activities. Today while visiting Sinterklaas at the mall we picked up an ornament to get some one a Secret Santa gift. We picked some one in a retirement home and got them a Knitting Loom pack. We are all very excited about this one since we are such a crafty family.

We also have been thinking of ways to be giving to our neighbors this season with thoughts of gifting the neighbors with St Lucia cakes and then maybe Julebukking and taking cookies about. If you think of any great ideas please leave your ideas in the comments.

Julebukking

I wanted to share A couple really great blogs on Julebukking that I found while trying to think of a way to incorporate that into something doable for little Bear, a little something fun to do after Yule and Hogswatch and all the festivities. Yulebukking is traditionally celebrated after Christmas but it's origins of course are far older.


 http://www.asatrublog.com/2012/11/30/what-is-the-julbock/


http://ojhoff.areavoices.com/2010/12/05/lets-go-julebukking/

Happy Sinterklaas night!

Happy Sinterklaas night to everyone who is celebrating. Get your klompen set out for Sinterklaas to bring by treats and sweet meats and fill your shoes to the brim.

This year we didn't do Krampus night on Nov 30 and we aren't doing Sinterklaas night tonight Dec 5th, I think he will wait till Yule eve to come and visit our house. He will bring little Bear apples, oranges, chocolates and sweet treats, but no big gifts. All the big stuff comes from mom and dad. I just really wish we had some klompen for Sinterklaas to leave the treats in.

I think this year we will do a mini St Lucia Yule eve or Yule night, instead of the 13. Just a little march up and down our street with little l.e.d. candles in crowns. That sounds fun. Something simple yet festive. Maybe I will give Bear a basket of little treats and she can go and take a gift bag of cookies to each neighbor and leave it on their porch, or something like that.

As little Bear gets older We may spread the festivities out through the month on their traditional days if I have the energy for that. Add in Julebukking after Hogswatch. For now we do a month of Yule Tide gifts. Bear has been opening a book a day and each Saturday she gets to open a larger gift.On Yule we sit around feasting all day and evening while sipping hot cocoa and hot buttered rum, we open our gifts as a family and just enjoy time together. This year sissy is visiting after Yule so we will likely have a Hogswatch to celebrate with her and baby nephew as well.

What ever your family celebrates I hope you have a wonderful Holiday and a very blessed new year!

Holiday Words of Wisdom

This Cold December day I gift you with a few Holiday words of wisdom to remember.

I would like to impart some self learned lessons to you, this knowledge comes from me personally as a crafter, mother and member of a family that tended to treat the holidays with stress and dread.

1) Plan ahead, start early.
For shoppers and everyone: No shopping on Black Friday is not getting a jump on holiday shopping. Hubby and I are already buying for little Bears Yule next year. Not kidding. While things like clothes can not be planned too far out, You can predict your child's development in stages a year ahead with some accuracy. No you can no buy into what the media will say is the hot new toy next year, but you can get good quality toys year round. Buying ahead allows you to save up and get better quality items. Know your child, know their likes and focus on what they will genuinely enjoy. Not what will be a fad they will play with once and discarded before the Yule tree is down.

For crafters: No one wants to craft holiday goodies in May or June, no one! We all want to wait till mid November then think we are getting an early start, then come the first week of December or in some of uses case third week, the panic sets in. We  all do it every single year! Every Year! Do not do it to yourself! Do not give in! Start in September or whenever the first signs of chill hit and only pick a couple of projects to get done. After they are finished you can approach any further crafts with no expectations. Stick to day or weekend projects. Keep them small, keep them simple. And Know your own pace. It is good to know how long it takes you to complete different projects of different size.

2) Lower your expectations.
Shoppers and everyone: Take a deep breath and know it will all be okay! No one "needs" stuff. Shopping, baking, decorating, it is about the joy of the season, and giving not about stuff. Once things are in perspective you can move forward. Do what you enjoy and only how much you can. I suggest creating a mental flowchart, those you feel most driven to do for at the center then work your way out. Only allow your focus to remain on the middle of your bubble and then when chance or luck allows you to bubble over feel joy from that. If you plan ahead and start early for kids and close family, then you may be surprised as you get closer that you have a little extra to splurge on buying things for those folks you normally wouldn't. It feels super good to give to those who don't expect it.

Crafters: Set realistic goals, be forgiving of yourself, and keep it simple. Know what you can get done, don't commit to more than that. Be realistic how long it takes to do things. Set achievable goals and once they are completed enjoy the extras you get done as just that, extras. Focus on gifts early, way early, once gift are done focus on fun stuff for yourself.

3) Remember what is important ad where the focus should be.
SHoppers and everyone: Remember where the focus should be. I am not talking religion. What dose the holiday mean to you? Giving? Time with family? Joy? What ever the important things are to you, hold that message tight and stick to it. Put those priorities first for yourself and make sure everything you do keep that in mind. If giving is what it is about for you, keep that message in mind. Be careful getting caught up in commercialism traps, wants and expectations. Instead maybe focus on giving the unexpected to those without expectations. If family is important to you maybe switch the focus to crafts you can do together or baking and decorating cookies and treats together.

Crafters: Be realistic when deciding what is important. Keep priorities realistic and in mind from start to finish. I suggest keeping gifts useful and only made for those who will use and appreciate them for you own sanity. Keep fun crafts limited to things you can reuse, will use and enjoy. Hats, scarves, socks, and mittens for the poor can be made year round in your spare time. Edible garlands and decorative treats for outside animals can be made with kids and family. Family can have fun baking treats to give as gifts. Just keep it fun and not overwhelming.

4) Have fun!
Shoppers and everyone: If it is not fun stop!!! I am serious! If you are not enjoying it why are you doing it? Little Timmy will not die without the latest Turbo Man doll! This is not a competition! Remember why you are doing this and what is important to you. If little Sally doesn't deserve a Potty Patty doll and you resent "having" to buy her one, then don't! Maybe Sally needs to spend the Holiday feeding the homeless and doing for others while spending time with you. Which gift will benefit her more in the long run?

Crafters: If you hate it set it down! No really! Walk away now! Go for a walk, sip some tea, read a book, pick up another project and come back refreshed. No one wants a gift filled with hate, rage and anger! We all want gifts made with love by someone who had fun making them for us. Something made by someone who wanted to be making it. So, if you do not want to make it, DON'T!

Remember traditions are what you make them, and what do you want other people to remember when they think of you and the holidays?

Feel free to share this wisdom by linking back to our blog if you think others could benefit from these bits of wisdom.

Painting and sewing and rain

It has been raining all week!!!

View of the rain from our front window, as seen from my sewing table.

Which means inside projects. The first half the week John primered the little bedroom and I worked on a little dress project. It has an embroidered bodice featuring a hand sketched version of Sun Bonnet Sue and a colorful little skirt. The bodice work has taken me most of the week to complete.

I have always loved Sun Bonnet Sue and you know about my passion for gardening! This is inspired by a darling quilt my great grandmother made me when I was a wee one. (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

I decided to go with a thread tone that would compliment the skirt fabric I chose. (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012   

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

I love adding all the little accent touches, they are what really make a piece special! (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012   

I decided that it was silly that every little Sue I had ever seen had white skin, so I chose a beautiful, warm, chocolate tone for my bodice. (c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012   

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

One of my favorite things to add, the flowers!

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

Missy Cat said I had been working hard enough through the nasty rainy weather that I deserved a break. So I put my embroidery aside long enough to make Short Round and the rest the family a healthy treat. I made two batches of power balls, little healthy energy snacks.

Then it was back to work for me!

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

The chickens wondered what had happened to mom, since they hadn't really seen much of me all week.

But Chewy Dog assured them I was working away inside and would be back out as soon as the weather cleared up.

I just love her little braid! it finishes her off so completely. Very happy with how she turned out. 

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

Bear decided she really liked the fabric I picked!

So much that I had to chase her down to get it back! But in the end it worked out, She helped mom pin pleats and sew the skirt to the bodice. One straight pin at a time.

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

I am presently finishing off the bodice edge with a  lovely blanket stitch. I will then turn my attention to the hem line and it shall be complete!

But it hasn't been a week of all sewing. I have painted and baked some as well.

Calzone half fail. Still tasty, but not right. 

I made calzone, which didn't turn out so great due to old yeast and I made lemon cookies which turned out fabulous enough to make up for the calzone and then some!

Yesterday I even took a day off, simply called in sick to life with the blahs. Today I was back to work though, I got a first coat of my base colors on the little bedroom walls.

You can see the original brown ceiling paint through my pink texturing. The ceiling and all of the trim was that deep brown originally. And all the walls were the color that the door presently is.

Bear was really excited about getting her own room! This was the girls' room, but Short Round has moved into the big bedroom now that grandpa is gone and Bear has been waiting in anticipation for a room of her own. She was so excited when dad started primering the walls and mom painted the ceiling. However...

When she woke up from her nap to see I had transformed her room to this... I simply do not have words for the look of horror and disgust that contorted her face. Apparently Bear does not approve of pink walls, no matter how many times mom tells her it is a lovely rose color and it will be assuredly beautiful when it is done. In her defense, it is very pink.

Too bad she can not share my country cottage vision. The two wall shades will have a textured over layer to blend them and tone down the colors. The window will be framed in roses and the ceiling and walls will have a border trim of little flowers and vines when it is all completed.

Not sure if you can see the floral pattern on the blue tile flooring in these photos, but I just love this floor!

I think it will be lovely when it is all done. Let's just hope Bear can bear with me. I think I may even have enough paint left to do the big bedroom as well, though I may end up having to buy a bit more. I keep thinking I would love to paint the walls of the big room teal with a painted white picket fence and roses on the fence. Guess we shall see how the mood strikes me and what my inspirations are when I get to it. I originally was going to paint the big room light mint green and a light lilac or lavender purple, but why buy more paint if I have enough of this one left? Hmmmm, sudden thoughts of a light minty green on the walls and lilacs painted into the corners or framing the window with the painted fence and roses. Ohhh!

(c) Full Knitted Jacket, May 2012

Anyway, that's been my week. The little dress is almost done! And the weather forecast is supposed to warm up, with clearer skies ahead. Which means back outside to button up the coop and clamp down on our gardening.

Which reminds me, I have much blogging to catch up on in regards to both the coop and the garden!

All photos in this blog are the soul property of Full Knitted Jacket. Please contact me for permission before using any images from my blogs. All product designs, descriptions and images copyright Lae Morae / Adina Higdon and Full Knitted Jacket unless other wise specified. All Rights Reserved.