Oct. 3, 2008
Show and Tell Friday...
Posted in Show and Tell Friday
It's Show and Tell Friday with Canadagirl again, and we would love to come visit you! If you would like to take part, please first go visit our lovely hostess Mary for more information.
Last week I shared with you the afghan I made for my mother-in-law for Christmas. I highly encourage everyone to think of the holiday gift-giving time as an opportunity to begin returning to simpler times. Your gift need not be spectacularly expensive, nor even rather spectacular. Instead, give of your time and talent: find something you enjoy doing and that you do with moderate success, and bless others. I discovered that I have an affinity for crocheting; not only do I enjoy it, but I seem to be reasonably good at it. I expand my repetoire of different stitches as I feel comfortable, and I treat myself with time spent crocheting at the close of every day.
10 days ago I began an afghan for my husband's grandmother. Working diligently and steadily, I spent 9 days on it. It is now finished, and I have two Christmas gifts done. It is such a wonderful feeling! I was telling my husband last night that I think I may make some lavendar-scented sachet bags, wrap them in the center of the afghans, wrap the afghans in Christmas paper, and get them in a box to be mailed back home. That way, I need only add some goodies from the kitchen at the last minute, and those two households are complete. What a time, money, and energy saver! It's not too late to start making your own Christmas gifts; just make sure you make them a daily priority and habit, or you'll wind up frustrated.
Here is the afghan I completed just last night.
It took a little longer to start than previous afghans, because I decided to teach myself the double-stitch for this one. I crocheted 10 rows of single stitch, then 10 of double, and repeated through the afghan. I paid $2.28 per skein of yarn, used 5 skeins, and so spent a total of $11.40 + tax on this. The value isn't in the money, however, it's in the labor and love that goes into any homemade gift.
As we approach Christmas, I will be sharing other ideas to help keep the cost of Christmas down. If you have any suggestions, please do share!
Comments
Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mojmommy
It is beautiful. I love the colors. I sewed yesterday, so relaxing. I love to create. I need to start thinking about Christmas. My sister is getting married in Dec and it is a destination wedding, so we are all focused and excited about that....I tend to not think about Christmas (gifts and all)
Be blessed,
Chasity
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mamakaren
Your husband's grandmother will be so blessed to have this wonderful and warm afghan. You are so organized! I do not think about Christmas until forced to do so. (-:
Karen
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
That is so pretty!
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Oct. 3, 2008 - We have that blanket at our house!
Posted by bubbebobbie
Same stitch, same yarn, but smaller as it was my granddaughter's baby blanket. Isn't it just so soft and cuddly?
You did such a nice job and I love the lavendar sachet Idea. Wrapped in it now until Christmas, it would be so fragrant when the box is opened.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
Edited by bubbebobbie on Oct. 3, 2008 at 12:16 PM
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sonoranstamper
My address is... he he he!!! I wouldn't keep saying that if you weren't so talented and I wanted what you're making!! : }
It looks absoultely beautiful!! And, it's a bonus that you enjoyed yourself while doing it!!! You're right about the doing a little bit everyday!! I'm working on getting pics every month to make a calendar for my family!! It's such a relief to know what I'm doing and that I've been working on it little by little!!!
And when the time is right, I get to bake! Whoo Hoo!! One of my favorite times!!
Thanks for sharing the beautiful afghan with us!!! You did a great job!!!
((((HUGS))))
Robyn
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by blessedwith2angels
Another beautiful afghan! What a blessing those will be on cold winter days.
I chuckled when I read about making gifts for Christmas. I am all for it!
However, one year I made crafts for Christmas gifts for my in-laws, and my SIL told me she hated crafts for gifts. Sigh.
Pam
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by letshomeschool
It's awesome. I used the same color for Minnie's shawl. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenn4him
I can't believe that only took you 9 days! I tried to learn how to crochet this summer at my grandma's. Not so good for me! Oh, well. I admire those who can!
Jenn
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by crazybusy
Wow Shani, that's REALLY nice! Excellent work! I'm impressed! :) I love the colors and it looks so snuggly! I bet your G-I-L will love it! I somehow missed the other one you posted- that one's nice too! I'd love to learn how to crochet like that sometime!
Love, Alyssa
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Oct. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by flmom
This is really lovely - great colors!
http://a-skip-in-my-step.blogspot.com/
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Oct. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Canadagirl
Shani,
You did a BEAUTIFUL job ! Wahoo and the price was sooooooo good too !! Have you ever thought of looking into the crochet socks ? I LOVE love love knitting socks. Thank you very much for nudging me in the right direction about making time for my knitting in this time of madness. Yes, I HAVE to do it for my sanity or otherwise I start biting off heads and that is NOT a good thing. lol
Sending you a big bear ((HUG)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
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Oct. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sandpiper
Where did you learn how to crochet? Or did you teach yourself? I have a friend who is an avid knitter, but I think I might like making afghans rather than sweaters etc.
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Oct. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Haflingerhorses
What a beautiful gift. I love the colors!
Antoinette
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