Gearing Up for Christmas - Yup, you heard me!!

(click picture to enlarge)

So I mentioned in my last post that I had started my Christmas crafting rush.  Well, now I am full steam ahead.  Though I didn't get to the apples Wednesday, so some of tomorrow will be used for that.  That will be the last of the canning.

 Anyway, I finished another hat last night.  It and my other current and holiday projects can be seen above (poor quality, will change it out later). I know a couple of babies whom I will make socks for.  I generally make a new pattern out on yarn other than what I want to use for the intended recipient first.  This way I make sure there are no mistakes with the pattern and can check my gauge.  All my "mockups" this year are going to charity through our local textile group, Headles and Treadles.

I haven't even begun making my Christmas Cards yet.  This is the first thought I have given to them.  Last year I just went the easy route and used store-bought.  I may do that again this year if things start getting too crazy (don't want to burn out on Christmas, it is supposed to be fun) but I would like to make them!

In other news I found a sweater knitting machine at the local Good Will that was in NEW condition.  Never opened.  I got it for $30.00!  I love knitting and crochet but generally don't have the time or patience for really big projects.  This thing cuts the working time tremendously.  I am already 1/3 of the way through a sweater in 2 days!  I have an old one I started a couple of years ago that I still only have about 1/4 done.

I have started looking for freebies and samples online.  My friend Sabrina got me started.  I have found it is a great way to try out something before I buy it.  It also helps the pocketbook a bit and provides entertainment.  I had to promise myself not to go hog wild though and get something just for the sake of getting it free.  Only things I think I, or someone close to me, can use.

My favorite three sites to check for are Freebies 4 Mom, I Love Free Things, and Totally Free Stuff.  They post some of the same things but each catches something once in a while that the other miss.  Other sites I have found seem to be not updated as fast or be as comprehensive.  Freebies 4 Mom also links to sites that track other offfers and sweepstakes.  Anyway, above is my first "Inbox" of freebies that I received in the mail this week (A pain relief patch for Ryan to try, a coupon for free cat food for Hansa and a sample and coupon of free dog food for Rat-Deer).

I am also going to be updating my deviantArt account soon and link it to here.  Makes sense to link the two.   I will add some more pictures of the projects I have been working on here and on dA as well as some poetry to dA.