Cute Friday Reindeer … Moose? Bird?
I think it must have been Alaska that led me to pick this. I got off the plane last week and was met by stuffed animals decorating everything everywhere at the airport - fish, moose, deer, goats, polar bears - I kid you not. So weird!
Well, THIS is a MUCH MUCH cuter version of a stuffed animal head. Hey, I even LIKE this one! Can you see him looking at the bird nesting in his antlers? So cute! The “Christmoose Reindeer” is from Dawanda seller Knitting by Freda.
(Can I just mention November is over? I’ll be back Monday - break!)
Indie Holiday: Pretty Cards!
Just about everyone I know (with the exception of me) sends holiday cards out to family and friends. I have aspirations of sending cards, now that I’m not in college doing finals. But if you’re sending cards, why not get some really cool ones this year. The kind you know that no one else will send. The kind that are handmade and original and creative.
Show ‘em all how truly awesome you are this holiday season - and you’re participating in the Buy Handmade pledge, right? So this just goes right along with it. 
L: The Snowy Forest Cards have a shape that’s out of the ordinary. Simple, classy, pretty… and there’s a red snowflake version on still dottie’s Etsy site too!
R: the “bursty snowflake design” is simple and evocative, and the color choices with the card and envelope simply inspired. Try Happy Holidays for a similar color scheme from Michelle Brusegaard.
L: This 3-D snowman on blue from Card Goddess is so cute! Just look at that scarf!
R: I love this modern, colorful assortment of holiday cards from Muwan. People will know you’ve got good taste.
L: The color, the outline drawing - beautiful! Beautiful Ornament cards by Angel D’Amico.
R: I like the design juxtaposition on this card - it’s a modern twist and reminds me of the whimsical combinations of scrapbooking. Christmas Magic by Candyragz.
L: Perhaps the Zombie Plague has got your Christmas? Feel like having a little fun with your family? Try this one from Tina Seamonster.
R: So elegant, so beautiful, so that little reindeer punch at the end is totally unexpected. From Electric Boogaloo.
L: The whimsical nature of these Joy cards is joyful itself, isn’t it? Pass some along! From Lea’s Letters.
R: The Swirls and Stripes card is a good example of the vaguely retro-feeling, vaguely ornate style of A Punkin Card Company.
L: Gatefold Wreath - beautiful and totally non-traditional, send something with a decorative band and a beautiful wreath!
R: Think you can’t get a handmade photocard? Think again! Try this beautiful red, modern, flourished card from Heather Hales Designs.
BONUS ITEMS!
L: Don’t forget the shipping package gift tags! You wouldn’t just want to write in magic marker on a plain box, would you? Ornament tags from Plaid Valentine.
R: For your memories, don’t forget a special tabletop memory flip book. Hey, this is gorgeous enough to give as a thoughtful gift! Just fill it with photos and gift away! From Jennifer Priest.
I’m wearing the silliest slippers …
But the good thing is that I’m wearing them while sipping tea AT HOME! I love traveling, but I think that coming home is just as nice. The trip to Alaska was awesome, over all. I have two more pictures for you - both of these were taken while standing on the Matanuska glacier. Maybe it’s just me, but the idea of a massive moving ice formation is humbling, and to be standing on one is … wow!! You can see where I am (the green arrow) on the glacier in the picture.
The one on the left is me. The one on the right is my brother, Jeremy. He is the reason I traveled to Alaska, as he’s been living there, and I wanted to spend Thanksgiving with him. My brother and I are very close - he’s been such a great friend to me over the years, a really loyal supporter, always willing to tell me like it really is, and hash things out with me. The way he lives without fear - of change, of opinion, of ideas, of danger, of disappointment - is inspiring to me.
In crochet news …
So today my mother-in-law gave me the silliest possible slippers. They should be called “elf shoes.” I don’t know who made them - her sister? - but look at the balls on them! And they’re laced! Aren’t they hysterical? I’m absolutely going to have to wear these. How could I not wear something this silly?
Finally, a new project I’ve been working on while traveling. (just what I need while those other ones aren’t done, right?). This is supposed to be a Christmas present (if it turns out right). This project is an afghan for my grandparents. Like all of my projects, it is designed to be a crochet learning experience among other things. Because I’m (1) a slow crocheter and (2) it’s late-ish to make a full blanket, I decided that investigating this whole speed hook thing would be profitable at this juncture. So this afghan is being made holding 3 strands together with some ridiculously large hook - like an N or a Q or something (which is smaller than the recommended S, but that one’s just silly). It makes very puffy fabric. I used three colors and will be using them together for a border, and striping the colors in the middle. So what do you think so far - like? fail?
