Friday, January 03, 2014

Yes, please.

To a new year, that is. :)
Like many, many others I've seen - I don't think 2013 was the best year ever
Still here in one piece though so I can't complain too much. 
Onward to 2014!

Oh, that might be a little unfair though because the holidays were quite nice 'round these parts and I've enjoyed the break. A nice finish to the year is appreciated after the depressing grind of the middle parts, yes?

I tried to put up my little 'Charlie Brown' tree in place of the 'missing' large one. Yeah. Someone kept knocking it over and trying to chew the electrical wires to the lights so that only lasted a few days before I packed it away again. So I was not wrong in my assessment of Fitz's abilities to behave with a tree - any tree. PLAYAS GOTTA PLAY.

 I kept the twinkly lights up in my picture window so at least we had that. (They must come down now though because he was caught trying to chew the light bulbs today. Grrr.) I did manage to put up most of my stitchy ornaments still. (See above.) I usually have a garland going around the banister and downnnnnn the stairs - works nicely for pinning ornaments it turns out. On the other side of that part of the bannister, I had my wee knitted stockings and sweaters up...

Turns out as long as I have a tiny bit of twinkly lights and my handmade ornaments up somewhere in the house, I don't miss the tree all that much. (I still want one again next year though.)

Oh, in lieu of any major gift giving this year, we decided to upgrade our phones so all pictures are brought to you via my smashing new iPhone. That newest version has quite a lovely little camera on it, doesn't it? Sooooooooo much better than my 3+ years old last iPhone. (The camera on that was laughable. And I haven't had a speck of space left on it in monthssssss to do any updates or add music, etc. And goodbye waiting a full minute for apps to open up!)  It served me well but I'm quite glad to move on from it. :)

So what did I do with my break? Gosh, a whole lot of nothing. IT WAS LOVELY. 

I finished one book. Just one.(Art history book. Boring to 99.9% of people, I'm sure.)

Started/finished one ornament. Just one. 
(L*K stocking design. Called for threads, random linen that I don't quite love but it will do and I added my own mini buttons. The linen has blotches of pink, blue and brown on it and it's origins are TOTALLY unknown. Anyone?)

Ha! That might be it. (I also finished a scarf just last night that I started last summer but it's still damp and can't be photographed in all it's glory yet. He will have to get his time in the sun, so to speak, in the next post.) Oh! I did catch up on three months worth of Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair magazines that were 'piling up' on my iPad. And I rewatched Series 4 of Downton Abbey because the hubby never caught it on the first go round. (Yikes. Did not love that Christmas special though. *snooooooze* Just me? Anyone?) And, course, there were lots of kitty snuggles and endless mugs of hot tea. :)

This week has been less of a break though because I've doing some New Year's cleaning and getting set up for 2014 with my business. Just really tossing things about and giving everything a good scrub. Took me 3 days to finish upstairs and now I get to start on downstairs. (Bleh.) Some things, like the linen cabinet, were an epic disaster. So glad they are all sorted out again. (I don't have to cringe anymore every time I go in there for a hand towel or a new set of sheets. Bless!) Back to work this weekend though. All good things must end at some point.... maybe? Or is that a really depressing view of things? Heh.

Oh! I have to post the hubby's last woven scarf as well. Another one I would have liked to keep for myself, for sure. The colors are ridiculously off in this photo but it's already gone on to someone else as a gift so it will have to do.

This one is all Paton's wool in a sock weight. The warp (length) is the gray yarn in the fringe and the weft (left to right) is the top most yarn in this pile from March 2012:
God love him for using up more of my yarn stash. It brings a tear to the eye, it does. *sniff*
I could - conceivably - get to the end of it now before old age. IMAGINE THAT. 
I just need a solution for my cross stitch stash now. :)

16 comments:

valerie said...

Happy New Year Melanie! Love the sub of displaying your ornies on the bannister garland. Bad Fritz for playing with the tree and lights! Love your stocking and scarf finish! I really need to get on the new year cleaning and purging. Most of the closets are freaking me out! :)

Annie said...

Love your stitched ornamnents and mini-knits. That's a beautiful display.

The stocking is such an interesting design. Nice perfect stitches on it too. And yea for DH and his newfound love of wool!

I had no idea that phone cameras worked that well. Did you get the latest model iPhone? I'm jealous!

Hope you are safe and warm in the nasty winter weather and hope your 2014 is fabulous!

Bianca said...

I love the ornaments on the banister. The littleLk stocking looks great.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a very good start to the new year!

Love your decorations. They are all so CUTE!

Penny said...

What a pretty way to hang your ornaments and I love the little knitted pieces! Did you knit them? I'm glad you enjoyed your break. Sometimes doing a whole lot of nothing is nice. Although it sounds like you were actually pretty busy. :) Pretty stocking ornament and I love the scarves your husband weaves! A pretty talented couple! :)

Vickie said...

Your banister display is fantastic!
Those tiny knit sweaters are too adorable. The H one in the center made me think of my Henry immediately. He is only 4 lbs, but I think that little sweater is still a tiny bit too small. ;)
Glad you got to rest up. Now back at it!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Lovely parade of ornaments. I really like your LK stocking. You're husband is doing really well with weaving. I still think it would make me feel a bit territorial about my yarn stash. At some point he's going to want the stuff you want to knit with!

Happy New Year!

Margaret said...

lol about your kitty troubles with Christmas decorations! That little one is a mischief maker! I find it interesting that it's just Fitz and not his sister. The boy/girl thing rings true in all species?? Love seeing your ornies -- the little knitted things are my favorites probably cause there's no way I could do that. What size needles did you use to knit them?? I envy your knitting ability. I don't feel capable of complicated patterns. Love the scarf your DH wove. Every time you talk about his weaving it makes me want to pick up weaving again. Ahem.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Happy New Year. I did put my tree up this year, but Zeus was driving me crazy, constantly trying to chew on my fake tree! I love how you displayed your handmade ornaments instead.

Julie said...

Your banister looks beautiful adorned with your stitched pretties.
Beautiful scarf made by hubby, he is clever.
Hapoy new Year to you.

Carol said...

Happy New Year (just a bit late!), Melanie! I am with you on being happy that 2013 is over--let's hope 2014 is a better year for both of us...

I love the ornaments hanging on your bannister and oh, those teeny sweaters are too cute! I may have to commission you to stitch one for each of my sons :) They are so sweet!!

The LK stocking is so cute--I got that chart for Christmas...

Glad you're loving your new iPhone--you would laugh at my phone! Not a smart phone and a worthless camera, but I rarely even remember to take it with me...

I'm so impressed with your husband's scarf--you two are obviously one creative couple :)

Wishing you only happy things this year, Melanie!!

Delusional Knitter said...

Here's to us all having a better 2014!! Lovely scarf, I'd want to keep it myself too.

Maggee said...

Oh I don't know that 2014 will be any better. Just got my car out of hock for a LOT of $$! Starting the year off in debt is not a good year to me! Love the LK stocking ornament--wonder if I have that one in my stash? And your bannister display--great idea! The husband has made some wonderful things with your yarn--congrats! Hugs!

geeky Heather said...

Hooray for actual relaxing breaks!!! It sounds like a wonderful time. Kudos on getting anything done at all. =) That woven scarf is nummy..I approve of the hubby's efforts. I keep trying to get Michael to start XSing, but no dice on the stash reduction. I just have to watch that he doesn't toss everything but the peacocks out in order to "focus" my efforts...

geeky Heather said...

Hooray for actual relaxing breaks!!! It sounds like a wonderful time. Kudos on getting anything done at all. =) That woven scarf is nummy..I approve of the hubby's efforts. I keep trying to get Michael to start XSing, but no dice on the stash reduction. I just have to watch that he doesn't toss everything but the peacocks out in order to "focus" my efforts...

Catherine said...

Love all of your goodies! Ad that scarf ~ love!!!