Happy New Year!

I can't believe that today is the 'Sunday' of my holidays....a time to organize and prepare for the return to reality tomorrow, when I return to work. This past two weeks has been the most wonderful rest for me. I've read (and read and read some more), watched some great movies, played games, gone tubing with the kids, almost knit a shawl, prepared and eaten many yummy things, visited with lots of family, and, of course hooked on Jumbo. It's been a time for relaxing and retreating, and I've enjoyed taking a bit of a tech break from my blog, reading other blogs and answering e-mail (and I will be spending time later today getting caught up, and clearing out my inbox).

A new year is usually a time for contemplation about changes you would like to make in your life. It's definitely not a clean slate -- and there is no reason why you need to wait for January 1st -- but for the first time in many years, I've been thinking about some resolutions that I would like to make. They are not so crazy that it will be impossible to accomplish them, but I do realize that for me having a defined goal is very important.

One of my resolutions is to read more books. I used to read A LOT, but in the last few years, I've been putting books aside in favour of other things, like hooking and knitting. Reading takes a lot of time and single focus, and I tend to gorge on books (reading at the exclusion of most everything else until I read the last page, for fear that I won't find time to get back to the story otherwise). Over the holidays, I was reminded how much I enjoy reading. I also took my time and read the same book over the course of 3-4 days...and re-learned that it's possible to savour a story. My reading goal for 2011 is to read a book an average of every 2 weeks, for a total of 26 novels over the year. I will be tracking my progress on the sidebar, if you're curious. I have quite a stack of books awaiting my attention, but I am always open to suggestions for a great read....and if you are looking for something new, might I recommend Louise Penny? I have just started book number three.

I also want to get my website online this year. I registered my domain a couple of years ago, but just haven't seemed to be able to move beyond that first step. My technology goal is that www.fisheyerugs.com will be a reality by Fall 2011. I think it's going to take a lot of time, thought, creativity and learning to make this happen.

Of course I have a whole list of other things I want to accomplish this year, some personal, some business, and some very vague notions....but that's the beauty of a new year: it's a time of hope and endless possibilities.

lucky me!

I've been fortunate to have many pairs of socks hand-knit for me.....but of all of those pairs, my absolute favourites have been knit with Noro Kureyon Sock yarn. Not only are they beautifully colourful, they also felt just a wee bit upon washing, so that they become the most comfortable handknit socks ever (IMHO). I don't feel any ridges under my feet with these socks, and I can comfortably walk for miles in them.

They are so much my favourites, that I really don't like to wear any other kind. The only problem with this preference has been a lack of supply. I only had 4 pairs – and one pair had sprouted a hole.

With winter on its way, I asked my mum if she would knit me a few more pairs – if I bought the yarn. I delivered 3 balls of yarn sometime in August...and my mum quickly got to work knitting the socks. There is enough yarn in one ball to knit 3 socks, so she had quite a selection of yarn leftover when she was done. She mixed it with some other leftover bits and also frogged the shawl I had been knitting on....and ended up making me six more pairs, for a total of NINE new pairs. Plus, she was able to repair the holey ones, so I have lots of socks to keep my feet warm this winter -- and I won't need to wear anything else but Noros.


Since Noro yarns are self-striping, she separated the leftovers into colours and divided each of them in half, forming two balls (one for each sock). To join the strands, she knit several stitches with both -- and since it's a fine yarn, it is barely noticeable. Some of the pairs have the same subtle changes as the original balls....and others have more dramatic switches.


As the leftovers were getting used up, it became more of a challenge to choose the colours. There are a few pairs that are more lively than the others....which will be great for the dark days of winter than lie ahead. When things are looking gloomy, I can always look down at my feet for a smile ;-)

Handmades received....

I've been making handmade gifts for as long as I can remember. [One of the earliest was a major flop -- I grated soap and mixed it with water and shampoo to make bubblebath. Luckily there haven't been too many that turned out like that....so gross (and slimy, too).]

A few weeks ago, Wendie and I were having our usual MSN marathon at work....and she wondered about whether or not I received very many handmade gifts (which is what I call items made especially for me by the giver, not by a craftsperson/artist who's a stranger), and if I liked to receive them. To be quite honest, I don't really receive too many of them compared with the number I produce (which, in recent years, has resulted in fewer of these time-consuming gifts being given).

Strangely enough, this year there was a bumper crop of handmades for me under the tree...all beautiful -- and all greatly appreciated ;-)

Wendie made my this cute little fella.

This pretty scarf was knit by my Auntie Betty.

My Mum finished my gorgeous quilt top (and promises to have it finished for my birthday in March...yippee!)

My Auntie Betty knit me the cozy socks I'm wearing today.

There were two other handmades I recieved: an "I love you" candy bracelet from Sienna (did you know they have such toys/kits?) and a felted pillow from my mum.

My mum took one of my favourite Kaffe Fassett cardigan sweaters, felted it, and turned it into a pillow cover (perfect for one of those inexpensive down pillows I blogged about almost 3 years ago!). I haven't worn the sweater in years (I knit it about 20 years ago and it has the boxy look of the 80s), but couldn't bear to part with it either....so it was great to see it given a second life. The pillow was accidentally forgotten at my folks place -- it's so cozy that it hasn't left the couch since it was unwrapped! -- but I will be sure to snap a pic as soon as it comes home.

I think that the key to holiday crafting is to not wait until the last minute to get started. So if you're at a loss for project, you can always get a head start on next Christmas! ;-)

time for a break

If you'd asked me last Thursday morning when I would be finished hooking my new purse, I would have definitively said "by the end of the weekend". Instead, it's now Monday....and I've only spent a couple of hours hooking since then.* In fact, I'm still on the first side.

Consequently, I'm starting to feel a little bit like I'm drowning....so before paralyzing panic sets in, I'm going to elect to take a bit of a blog holiday this week. I will return soon, and when I do I'll (hopefully) have pictures to share of a couple of finished bags....and a brand new purse brochure. Have a great week!

* Instead I've been shopping in the city, picking up my folks at the airport, playing Mexican dominoes, going to a baby shower, watching The Wrestler (I found it depressing), looking at hundreds of photos from my parents' trip to Africa (I will try to post some soon - amazing!), and eating and sleeping (of course!)