Basking in the Chrimbo Glow

You can tell it's the day after Chrimbo because I ate toffee, fruitcake, and cold, leftover Chinese food for breakfast. Plus, I haven't showered or left my pjammies in a few days, and my only goals for the day are to shower, to sled, and to nap.

In years past, I've gone crazy making gifts of Chrimboness for the various people in my life. This year I just tried to keep up with special orders for sales and the baking of various Christmas candies and cookies. However, when asked for her gift list, my sister specifically requested with respect and love, "I don't really need anything. I don't know. Why don't you just make me one of those little crafty things you do." Free reign crafting? Yes!

crochet stockings

I really wanted to make her crochet slippers. When we were children we got crochet booties from some old lady every Christmas. My sister always wore hers. Now I get to be that old lady! Last year I made my family stockings in the style of Great Aunt Lolly's crochet stockings that we'd grown up with. Once after a bit too much eggnog, we snatched those stockings off the window and wore them around the house on our feet so I knew they were functional. And since I wanted them to be really warm, felting was a must. I used a big crochet hook and double-stranded the yarn. When I finished them, they were huge and I was convinced I'd have to also give my sister a foot stretcher if I wanted them to fit her.

However, they felted up very, very nice.

 

I totally love the way they turned out. I wore them around for a while. You know, to ensure quality. I gave them to her yesterday, and she either liked them or is an excellent liar.

Little Man asked me for an all-green hat with a pom-pom. I think he was just trying to make me feel good, but it totally worked. I made the Girlchild a hat with a flower on it. I made some for special orders this Chrimbo that she'd asked for, but they were selling like hotcakes in the store. It was nice to give them hats that were first draft rather than all the "too ugly to sell" ones that I typically give them. Here they are in them and their handmade pjammies that my blogmate Alison made and gave them.

And there's the whole family (although I am behind the camera) doing our annual Chrimbo Day Sledding with warm heads.

  

Now that I've showered and spent a few hours sledding, only one goal remains to be accomplished.