For Me

Remember the green scarf I made for sister-in-law for Christmas? The one I had to force myself to mail and not keep for myself? Well, I got my hands on more of that yarn (Cascade Magnum), only this time in charcoal gray, and I knitted up a scarf last night for me.

That's right--this yarn is so bulky, you can finish a 70" scarf in one night. (I used size 35 needles and seed stitch the whole way.)

I have no idea where I'll wear a bulky, 100% wool scarf, but wear it I will. It is absolutely luscious!!

Just how bulky is this yarn? Here's the green balled up before knitting. You could bowl with this bad boy. :)

The Christmas Workshop Entry

Packages have been sent to most of these recipients so I think I can safely post this now without ruining suprises. Here are the fun projects I've been working on in Aunt Tif's Workshop...

Tag Cloths for my twin nephews. Twins don't need everything to match, right? Who's with me on this? I am in love with both of these masculine, but crazy fun color schemes.

Tag Cloths for my nieces. The front (the polka dot) is the dreamiest, softest fleece ever and the back is a pink flannel plaid. Delicious!

I'm still quite new to sewing--it took my brain a long time to get how the ribbons would be facing the right way when you turn them right side out. Anyway, I used this tutorial to help. (Pattern note: I prefer to start with 15" square pieces of fabric instead of the 18" the tutorial suggests--the 18" one just seems too big).

Okay, now this was F U N. Felt Sugar Cookie Cooking Set for my niece. Found the little mini rolling pin on e-bay and the sprinkle jar is a real sprinkle jar with tube beads in it. (We glued the top shut with industrial strength glue for safety).

And then I found this bag at Hobby Lobby--how cute is it all packaged up?

Homemade gifts are the best, aren't they? I love making them because the whole time I'm working on something for someone, they are on my mind and I'm picturing them and thinking about how much I love them and how much they mean to me.

And oh, how I love being an Aunt! My "babies" are getting too big for this stuff, but my little angel nieces and nephews are just the right age. I love it!

These little blocks are for the sweet girls I teach at church. They are 11 and 12 and they loved this quote, so I put it on a block for them.

Now a couple for the grown ups. This scarf is for my sister in law. I was really unsure about the yarn when I started it--it's soooo thick I had no idea how it would turn out. But now I LOVE this scarf so much--it's so soft and lux--I had trouble actually putting it in the mail and not in my closet! :)

And one other scarf for my brother in law. He's a Buckeye fan so scarlet and gray was the obvious color choice for his scarf. Did I mention they live in Alaska? If anyone needs scarves, it's them!!

IF - Voices

“We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power.”

--Starhawk

Inspire Me Thursday - Mistletoe

Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
Well I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet

Ho ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

School Gift Exchange

This little cutie is for a gift exchange for one of my kiddos' classmates. This is the first time they actually drew names and knew who they were buying for. So we decided it would be fun to do a name sign. This is a little one--just 4" x 6" (plus the wire hanger). Isn't it fun?

Newest Teacher Signs

These shipped out today. I'm guessing that may be my last batch for Christmas since school lets out for most kids this week. Teacher Name Signs are always available in my ETSY shop and make a great gift any time for that special teacher in your life.

Music To My Ears

This morning my daughter said, "Mom, when can I learn to knit?" Uh, how about NOW. So I pulled out a short pair of size 8's and we went to work with some pink (of course) yarn.

I had my doubts...okay, I had A LOT of doubts. I didn't think little 7 year old fingers would be able to do it, but she did really well! We made a little scarf for her bunny (from beadyeyelass, by the way--so cute!) and there are several rows on that scarf that she did herself--the whole row, by her own 7 year old little self. Aren't kids amazing?

She really enjoyed it too. Yea, a knitter is born. :)

My First Original Knitted Design

This is the first time I've ever taken a knitting project from here:

To here:

I have, in the past, always worked from someone else's pattern. Although as I've mentioned before, I rarely stick to them exactly.

This fun set is for my niece for her birthday.

A Commission

The Moore Family, 6" x 8", acrylics and mixed media on 3/4" MDF (SOLD)

This was a commissioned piece. It went out into the world yesterday. I am working on a couple other painting like this right now. One is a wedding gift for a friend, the other will eventually be for sale in my ETSY shop--after Christmas when things (hopefully) calm down a bit. :)

Merry Christmas To Me!!

I am such a nerd. I can't even tell you how excited I am about these. Double pointed knitting needles size 1 - size 15. Just got them in the mail. It's my Christmas gift to me!! :)

Deck The Halls with...Name Signs!!

These are all from a large order I've been working on this week. They went in the mail today. Name Signs are in my ETSY shop.

And Teacher Name Signs!

Two of these teacher signs went in the mail today. The other one is for my daughter's teacher. Teacher Name Signs are available for a little bit longer on e-bay and ETSY for Christmas.

New Set Just Added to ETSY

Just added this cute set to my bumblebina ETSY shop. I'm selling these as a set because I just can't bear to break them up...but you can. Buy the set and you have gifts for 3 friends! :)

*SOLD*

I Need Your Input

I did these little paintings last year and I just pulled them out. They were packed up with all the Christmas stuff. I like how simple they are, but what do you think? Should I add something to them--text? distressed edges? What do you think?

Now in My ETSY Shop

Snowman, Acrylics and mixed media on 1/4" plywood, 5.5" x 5.75" (Available)

I showed this guy a little while ago and I have finally gotten around to putting him on ETSY. He's in my shop now. Isn't he sweet?

*SOLD*

T. Matthews Fine Art Studio and Aunt Tif's Workshop...

are busily buzzing with activity but I can't post anything because most everything I'm working on is a gift and I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. So once packages are mailed and opened, I'll post pictures of all that I've been painting, sewing, knitting and crafting!!

Inspire Me Thursday - Table

The theme this week for Inspire Me Thursday is TABLE. I am having so much fun working on smaller paintings that will stand alone on a table. I think it's sort of fun to have a piece of art that you can hold in your hand and display anywhere you'd like. This is Chloe...

Chloe, 6" x 4.75", Acrylics and Collage on 3/4" MDF (available)

*SOLD*

New Name Signs

This one was ordered for a brand new baby. How fun are these colors?? Pink, tan, black and white. I love the addition of the tiny black polka dots. It really makes the other colors pop.

These four are for siblings. Isn't it fun how different they each are? Each with their own fun personality.

Name signs are available in my bumblebina ETSY shop and are a great Christmas gift!