Plum Stitches

a little sleigh and village

The party's over!  It was lots of fun, but we missed some good friends that have moved back overseas or were traveling for the holidays. 

These were two of my favorites things:

 

The little red sled was made by a friend's husband, who's a set designer.  It was so cute, and I had fun driving it around on the roof of the car.  

And, the little cardboard village.  A huge hit with the kids.  Looking at it now, I see lots of things that could be improved (the blue tape holding them down, more snow puffs, etc.) 

After making 8 of these I've determined that the best thing to use are the cardboard wardrobe boxes.  At least for older kids, they're sturdier and hold up better to a bit of abuse. 

I plan on making another one once the holidays are over for Chloe.  Her request is for a 'pink house.'  Figures, right?

those crafty people

at Anthropologie have been at it again!  We made a trip there to pick up some small teacher gifts and this was what came along with the gift boxes.

 

Enclosed was this adorable felt circle ribbon.

 I think I was more excited about the window dressing for the gifts than the actual gifts themselves!

I'm going to try to replicate this myself as I do have TONS of felt just waiting to be used.

I've been crazy busy with an upcoming holiday party for a moms meetup group that I've been part of for the past three years.  I've been an organizer for most of that time, but  once the party's over, it's really over.  I'm planning to step down from my role.  It's bittersweet - I've met so many great friends in Jersey City through the group, but now that I have two kids and one in pre-school I feel like I'm being pulled in a so many different directions and am not focusing on what's important to me and my family.  Besides I'm ready to focus on organizing my own life and not activities for everyone else!

And...how about this adorable sweater that the very sweet and talented Knitter Sue sent last year after Phoebe was born!  It fits her perfectly now for room to grow.

 

That's all I have for the moment, but I sense a cookie-making-bonanza in our future.

croquembouche

I'm nutty about making one of these this year, either for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  Ever since I saw it on the cover of MSL. 

Something about all those French desserts/pastries have me hooked.  Gougere, Buche De Noel...

Hopefully I can pull it off!

A happy baby that enjoys her dinner

The bigger one that doesn't enjoy her dinner.  Wondering if it will ever get any better?  Of course, if she could eat a Croquembouche for dinner that frown would be turned upside down in a heartbeat.

wip

Despite my relative silence on the knitting front I have been plugging away.  A little Grey sweater sits on a table right now awaiting buttons, which I'm hoping to sew on tonight.  These two pieces are both for Phoebe.  The top one is the Little Sister's Dress - which I couldn't resist making.  Best part (again) is that it's yarn from my stash.

Another stash-buster is the bottom piece.  I was window shopping last week at Bonpoint and saw this adorable, simple little sweater with a shocking price tag.  I thought to myself 'I can make that!' and voila! I found an extra ball of Misti Alpaca in my stash. 

Well, almost 'voila' - didn't have enough yarn, but an additional ball is on order.  I'm using the Garter Stitch Jacket pattern from Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits Book.  A  few modifications and I should be able to reproduce the Bonpoint sweater, without the hefty price tag.  Will share the details once I receive the extra ball and it's complete.