Orthodox Advent Calendar

Since we are Greek Orthodox, we start our advent fast 40 days before Christmas and it is impossible to find an advent calendar with more than 25 days. So I created one of my own based on ideas I'd seen in different places. Here's what it came out like:






DIRECTIONS:

You will need:

1- regular large sized cookie sheet

3 - 12 x 12 sheets of Christmas themed scrapbook paper cut down to size.

2 - 12 x 12 red and green cardstock (I used textured)

I had 25 wooden nativity themed pieces already so I needed to find 15 other pieces to have enough for 40 days. I'd like to find some tiny wooden icons like pin sized of Sts. Savva, Nicholas, Katerina, Herman, etc. that celebrate during the Nativity fast to put on their dates, but for this year I just used snowmen, etc.

Permanent scrapbooking tape

40 magnets

various stickers and embellishments; ribbons, buttons, etc.

pack of letter stickers (number stickers optional) I used 3-D stickers

1/2" Christmas ribbon ( about 1 1/2 ft. long)

hot glue gun

permanent marker

ruler

drill

Directions:

First you'll need to size your papers, I made a border of about 3" on top and bottom in contrasting paper, to your cookie sheet (you'll be using the back; the right side will face the wall and will hold your extra pieces), then cut it to size and tape together on back of paper and place on cookie sheet. Then you'll measure out room for 40 squares for the days. I used the width of a ruler for the length and a $10 quarter roll (flattened) for the width of the squares. I did 5 per row, and pencil them in lightly in case you need to erase anywhere. Next I traced my lines with a permanent marker and wrote in the numbers from the 15th of November until Christmas. Then I put my stickers on the top and bottom (Christ is born! Rejoice!) and taped some decorative ribbon on the top and bottom of the these phrases. Next you'll cut out 40 red and green squares slightly smaller than the squares on your cookie sheet and glue your pieces to them and then glue the magnets to the back. Make sure you glue the magnet on the right side or it won't stick! Finally add whatever other embellishments you'd like, I used some regular stickers, some metallic ones and some 3-D ones. Last you will drill two small holes in the top of your cookie sheet and put your ribbon through to hang it. Put all pieces on the inside (front) of the cookie sheet and take off as you need them!

Now you have an Orthodox Advent Calendar!

Christmas Projects (to-be)

Well, I finally started working on the list of items that I'd like to knit for friends and family.

Brother - a tie (he thinks I'm nuts, but he's a young guy and I know he'll love it, if he doesn't he better wear it anyway)
My two boys - matching fair aisle hats
My Godson - a scarf in Buckeye colors!
My niece - leg warmers in asst. colors (she lives in NC and needs to keep those little legs warm under her dresses)
Girlfriends new little girl - cupcake hat to match the cupcake outfit I bought
My nephews (2) - crayon scarves

So far this is as far as I'm taking it. If I get these done, I'll be a happy camper. I do this every year, I make this long list of gifts I hope to knit and don't get halfway through. This year I have a new little one (4 months) with us, so between feedings I get 1 hour and 15 minute intervals to get everything else done. So I have down sized my list and am working realistically this year.

Does anyone else do this?? Hope everyone else is getting started! Happy Knitting!

Felted Bag

I love to felt and my felted bags end up being my favorite! They hold up great and you don't have to sew a lining inside!

This is before it was felted:



This is after it was felted:
Details of the embroidery before the felting process:

This pattern is also from Interweave knits, I believe it was the Fall 2006 issue. It was quick to knit, but the embroidery took some time! Well worth it though! It was fun to do and I get tons of compliments on this bag!!

Interweave Knits Summer Shawlette

This was knit in Ambrosia 'mulled wine' from Knit Picks. This is a fabulous yarn at a great price!

This pattern is from Interweave Knits 'Sweet Somethings' collection. It is an arrowhead lace pattern. This particular pattern was designed by Sandi Wiseheart, she designed it using the shawlette pattern from women of the Faroe Islands who knit them centuries ago.

http://www.interweaveknits.com/freepatterns/pdf/sum_06/Sweet_Somethings.pdf

Ann Norling's Fruit Hats

These are great gifts for people! They work up super quick, you can use cheap yarn and people LOVE them! I've done pumpkins and apples for fall, lemons for spring, and here is a blueberry and a strawberry! I was pregnant this summer and we didn't know what we were having so I made one for a boy and one for a girl!

Knitty has a great pattern for a berry tart hat. The brim is the "crust" and purple bobbles are the berries! It's awesome!
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTbabytart.html

My FAVORITE scarf

I absolutely love this scarf! This is one of the few projects I have kept for myself. It's a mock cable pattern. It took awhile to knit, but was well worth it. It is knit in a cashmere/silk blend. This scarf went everywhere with me for a long time. Everyone who seen it finished said "Oh that's the scarf you were knitting!" It really came everywhere with me. :)

Birthday Socks for "Ma"

These are socks I made for Ma's birthday last year. I used a self striping yarn from Knit Picks. The color is Sunset. (I LOVE their yarns)

Baby Raglan Sweater and Socks

I made this for a good friend of mine for her baby shower. It's just a typical raglan sweater and socks. They both worked up super quick.
I used Jaeger Matchmaker merino double knitting yarn. I absolutely loved it! It felt so soft going through my fingers, I wished I could wear it! Hmmm.....there's a thought.

These are both knit in the same color, the bottom one is what it really looks like.

I love Debbie Bliss' baby cashmerino

These little booties are bonnet were made for my neice when she was born. I love Debbie Bliss' baby cashmerino yarn. Even a simple stockinette stitch takes on such a beautiful patterned look with this yarn!

The hat pattern is Miss Dashwood from knitty. http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTmissdashwood.html

The bootie pattern is Bobbles & Lace booties from Debbie Bliss' Cotton Knits for All Seasons book.

They were both very quick to knit. I think I remember the start off them being a little tricky, but maybe it was just me :)

Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers

I got this awesome idea from a blog somewhere while searching.....

They are ruby "slippers". I made them for one of my best friends who was pregnant with a little girl. She had a blue and white gingham dress made for her to complete her "Dorothy" ensemble. She looked adorable!

I purchased a paper box from Hobby Loby and spray painted it a red glittery color. Then I found a picture of the Emerald City and the yellow brick road, printed it and glued it to the lid. I wrote "May she always find her way back home" on a tag and burned the edges, punched a hole in it and strung it with a pretty ribbon to tie the box closed. She loved it!

I wish I could find the blog I found this idea on..........