Sewn Christmas Gifts

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway -- you still have time. It's open til Sunday!

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While most of my Christmas gifts were crocheted, I did manage to sew a few things. First, I made a sewing machine cover for my Mom in Law. She picked out the fabric and wanted a crazy pattern. So I just went with it. She really liked how it turned out, and I was glad to learn that I could wing it (no pattern) and make something fabulous!

I also made a cute little business card holder for my cousin. She works at a winery, so I thought the fabric would be perfect. I didn't have any of our full size Newly Wife cards, so I just put in my own (it needed to hold it's shape). I am supser happy with the final product -- and totally planning to make my own! Now... what fabric to use? Oh yes, and I used this tutorial.

Basket Case Giveaway

Sorry, but this giveaway is now closed. Three winners were chosen. Congratulations to Crafty Holly Louise, Da Crafty Lady, and Rengawk. Congratulations and thanks to all who entered!

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Happy Sunday! I'm teaming up with my girl Laurie to put on this fun giveaway for you. She is the one who designs those lovely scrubby patterns that I am always making. Can you believe I no longer buy sponges? I simply use a scrubby for a few days and then throw it in the wash (we have a bin for dirty rags by the garage door so they don't stink up / get moldy in the house). Anyways, here's what Laurie has to say...


In honor of the fact that I've been a total Basket Case lately, Megan and I are each giving away one Basket Case Three-Piece Set. This is not the actual finished project, it's the .pdf file which includes patterns for the scrubby, pot holder, and towel.

The rules are pretty straightforward. You'll have three chances to win. For each of the following, you will receive one entry:

• Stop by Megan's blog, Crochet Every Day, follow it, and leave a comment on any post except the one that describes this contest. If you're already a follower, just leave your comment.
• Stop by Laurie's blog, Big Girl Blog, follow it, and leave a comment on any post except the one that describes this contest. If you're already a follower, just leave your comment.
• Tweet the link to the contest with a cc to Megan @themegababe or Laurie @LaliberteLaurie. It doesn't matter which blog you link to in your tweet. If you're not on twitter, then post on facebook or Google+.

Here's the important part:  After you've done one or more of the above, return here and leave one comment telling us what you did. At the end of the contest, each of us will pull one name.

Here's the bonus:  If you tell both of us what you did, you double your chances of winning.

Don't forget we'll need your email to contact you and send your file. Each of the two winners will receive an email from downloads[at]ravelry[dot]com with Laurie Laliberte Designs in the subject line.

The contest begins at 8:00 a.m. GMT on Sunday, January 29, 2012. (That's 3:00 a.m. on the east coast and midnight on the west coast.) It ends at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 5. (That's Superbowl Sunday in case you're keeping track.)


Happy Crocheting!

Thanks for giving us this pattern, Laurie! Now go on and leave some comments and hopefully you can win!

Basket Case

I finished up this scubby this weekend... aptly called the Basket Case Scrubby. Since I'm feeling a bit like a basket case right now (Matt's Fire Academy has begun), it made perfect sense to finish this.

As always, I love how Laurie's patterns turn out. And want to know something better? You can win your own copy of this pattern later this week! Make sure you come back on Sunday (or all of next week) to get the details!

[Don't you love the bandaid on my finger? The cat got a little piece of me when I picked him up. Little booger!]

Recent Finishes

So I have gotten a few fun things off of my hook recently. Check it out..

April 21: Fruit and Veggie Basket

September 29: Granny Skull Hat

January 20: Gryffindor Hat

So happy to get some things finished -- great way to start 2012! I really love that green + brown color combo for the hat. So cute!

Home Improvement List

Awhile back, I saw John and Sherry's massive home to do list. Needless to say, I was inspired and Matthew and I spent out six hour drive to my parents (before Christmas) coming up with this list. We went room by room and created this MASSIVE list! This is more for me to reference, but feel free to read it over! :)

Buy your own here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/89503497/magnetic-note-pad-honey-do-list

Master Bedroom

• Caulk and Paint (casing, shelves, base)
• Trim around Closet
• Bathroom Door Trim
• Closet Curtain
• Window Curtains & Valence
• New Comforter
• Replace Ceiling Fan
• Wall Stickers
• New Door
• Matching Dresser Set
• Transition Strips
• Repair Termite Damage

Master Bathroom

• New Door
• Bleach Clean Shower
• New Tub or Walk in Shower
• Different Sink / Configuration
• Shower Head / Faucet Matching
• Linen Storage
• Paint Ceiling White
• Storage above Sink
• Repaint Walls
• Touch up Mirror Paint

Guest Bedroom

• Replace Ceiling Fan
• New Door
• Electrical (fix switch to fan)
• Closet Doors (repair or new)
• Clean Dresser / Desk
• Fix Dresser Drawers (eventual changing table?)
• Cover Plate

Guest Bathroom

• New Door
• Solar Tube
• Tile Shower
• Grout Shower
• Transition Strip
• Base Trim
• Drywall Mud
• Sink / Faucet / Stand / Cabinet
• Linen Storage
• Re-Texture & Paint
• Tile Front of Tub
• Repair Tub Surface Scratches
• Finish Hardibacker
• Red Guard Hardibacker
• Move Toilet
• New Art

Craft Room

• Replace Ceiling Fan
• New Door
• Base Trim

Hallway

• Bullnose Cornerbead
• Solar Tubes
• Gallery Walls (City, Wedding, B & W)
• New Quilt?
• Paint Egg Shell

Living Room

• Fake Beams
• Carpet
• Entertainment Area
• Fireplace Tools
• Mantle
• Above Fireplace Lighting
• New Couch Pillow Covers
• Christmas Lighting Plugs around Mantle
• Stocking Hooks
• Sconce Lighting
• Curtain
• Curtain Rod / Valence
• Bullnose
• Art

Entryway

• Bullnose Cornerbead
• New Door
• Gallery Wall (frames, mats, photos)
• Landing / Ledge Storage
• Tile?
• Artwork
• Cabinetry around Desk
• Plotter Space
• Window Seat / Plotter in Drawer
• Narrow Upper Cabinets
• Corner Desk Area
• Arch Hallway Entry
• Floor to Ceiling Cabinets
• Remove Hallway Closet & Replace with New Closet in Mud Room
• Vacuum in outside Mudroom Closet
• Replace Fixture
• Hall Light Fixtures to Entryway & Dining Room
• New Verse over Door

Outside

• Replace fan blades in patio fan with outdoor blades
• New Doors in Garage
• Mount Rear Hose Bib / Trellis
• Rear Walkway
• Grass Border
• Grass in front yard
• West Fence
• Grape Vines
• Front drip line
• Plants in front yard
• Rain gutters
• Front Bark
• Side Fence
• Rear Fence
• Rear Dripline / Bubblers
• RR ties for Border
• Wood or Trex Post for Mailbox
• Paint stucco and trim Outside
• Repair Beam (Back Porch)
• BBQ
• Fire Pit
• Shed
• Repair Fascia
• Front Walkway
• Front Patio Wall
• Front Patio Cover
• Rear / Side Patio Cover
• Paint Garage Door
• Film on Garage Windows
• Paint Roof Tiles
• Fix HUDCO PVC (Roof)
• Redo / Fix / Hide HUDCO Chase & Move Condensor
• Backyard Planters (Bark?)
• Replant Front Herbs
• Fix PVC Pipe in Back Soffitt

 Kitchen (complete remodel)

• Frame Back 2 Walls
• Run Plumbing
• Mount Spice Rack
• Electrical
• Plumbing In
• Cabinets
• Floor
• Counter
• Backsplash
• New Ranch
• Mountable Toaster Oven
• French Doors
• Back Door
• Header
• Window
• Stools
• Enclose Current Kitchen for Mud Room / Laundry Room / Corner Closet
• Shelving in Mud Room (cabinets, shoe rack)
• Cork Table 

Misc. and Whole House

• Double Pane Windows (bedrooms, living room, entryway)
• Ceiling Texture & Paint
• Wall Texture (hall, entryway, guest room, living room)
• New Wood Floor
• Electrical Panel (replace original, sub panel garage, Christmas plugs, living room sconces, garage plugs, outdoor landscape, backyard, attic light)
• Teapot (for Matthew to make tea with)
• New Pictures in Frames
• Organize Spices (50 jars, label jars)
• Etch Pyrex
• Fewer Magnets on Fridge
• Cushions for Kitchen Chairs
• Large Wedding Photo
• Frame with Three Wedding Pics
• New Pillows on Couch
• Chore list in Vinyl on White Board
• Organize DVDs / Front Shelves
• Plants in Kitchen Pots
• Vinyl Labels on Kitchen Pots
• Print Large Photos for Gallery

Christmas Celebrations

Our Christmas celebration lasted all weekend long. Again, I used my iphone to document it! :) You saw the Christmas Eve photos yesterday. Today, you get to see everything else. I also got a new camera for Christmas, but the iPhone is just so much easier to pull out and take a quick pic! I promise more +  better pictures soon!

We bought the pitcher from Crate & Barrel for my Mom and Matthew painted the spoon rest to match. Fabulous, right?

My Dad's handwriting... he totally gave himself a gift! haha

This Shaq bag has floated around for birthdays and Christmases for the past 10 or 15 years!

Wits and Wagers!

My cousin painted a tiki stein for my Dad

[pin]Striped wine glasses from my cousin. So awesome!

Emily explaining the Shaq bag!

My grandpa found really old home videos (that's him as a teen) and had them transferred onto discs and sent to my parents. Very cool!

Crocheting during the drive home (blanket is finished and amazing!)

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into our Christmas celebrations!

Christmas Eve 2011

Our family tradition is to have a nice, formal dinner on Christmas Eve. This year we decided to make it a bit more low key. It was low stress and lots of fun! Here are some pictures to document the night...

We went on a morning run. Crazy. I still can't believe I had the motivation!

Three soups (my dad & bro made the Tomato Bacon Basil, Matt & I made Baked Potato, and Mom made the Moroccan Lentil. All were delish!

New tradition -- good tequila before the guests arrive.

Pecan & Kahlua brie. So so good!

Emily and I -- NewlyWives!

My lovely mother, tired of me taking pictures. :)

Gift from Kaitlyn, Davis' girlfriend. She painted the pitcher so it is a chalkboard. Awesome!

New Christmas pajamas -- Santa always brings them on Christmas Eve!

There you have it. And have no fear... there are many more pictures to come. Some from my NEW CAMERA as well! :)

Christmas in the City

Matt and I were excited to spend Christmas in the Bay Area this year. We drove up to my parents at 3:30 in the morning on Friday. Whew. We made it by 9:30 (no traffic) and had a fabulous weekend. Friday night we went to the City (San Fran) with my brother and his girlfriend, and my cousin (and other half of NewlyWife) and her husband. We ended up meeting up with our other family in the City to see Santa. Here are some pictures from that night!

Also, you will see my digression between the pictures about the missing pictures and sucky blogger. I will soon be switching to a self hosted site through wordpress. A hassle, but I'm not putting up with the crappy photo editing / uploading / album storage anymore. So. I need a new domain name. I can do megncreations.com. What do you think of that? Any other suggestions? I have been thinking about this transition for a long time (because I am no longer a crochet specific blog), but this was the final kick in the pants. Any ideas for the name?

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) into the City. Excitement!

[Right here is where you were supposed to see all of these cool pictures of us in front of the Macy's tree and with Santa, but it's not gonna happen. Google has switched it's images into Picasa - Google Plus and editing just does not happen. So the pictures are all sideways and I cannot get them to rotate. Bummer. It also means I will be switching blogging platforms soon.]

Bart coming home -- tired faces! That's my bro and his lovely gf

Christmas Gifts

I finished up a bunch of projects as Christmas gifts. To read more about them and their recipients, check out their project pages.

June 15 - Pirate Can Cozy for my Bro

October 1: Diamond Ridges Hat for Kaitlyn (the bro's girlfriend). Plan is to have a better picture on the project page. So go check it!

September 27: Openwork Crochet Hat for Alex (little cousin)

After I made it, she let me know she doesn't wear hats that often. So she received this instead...

January 5: Gina's Shells Scarf

I also made October 6: Octoberfest Doily Blanket for a friend's new baby. Which I am passing along soon!

Lucky her! Anyone want that white hat?

December

I wanted to share a few pictures from this last month, before it gets too far away! Our Christmas season was a bit crazy. We celebrated on Wednesday, just the two of us, Thursday with his family and then Friday through Tuesday in the Bay Area with my family. I have other posts for the trip.

Most important picture here -- the third one! It is the letter that Matt received when he was accepted into the fire academy!  Yay!

"Christmas" at our home, Matt made me wall- mountable pots

Skweaks (aka girl cat) obviously loves (or is rather apathetic about) Christmas

Matt's Acceptance into the Fire Academy! Woo!

Assortment of Christmas cookies that I gave to friends

Our city. How gorgeous is it??

Check out those muscles -- and he is doing the dishes! Double win!

Matt was excited to open up Tony Hawk for Wii!