Last Thursday, the ladies of Open Knit and I had a little Christmas party, complete with scrumptious eats and gifts of the handmade variety (we are, after all, a very crafty lot!). We exchanged our gifts "white elephant"-style, allowing us to take presents that we really liked from other people.
My problem? I liked them all!
But let's go back to the beginning, shall we?
The idea for this handmade gift exchange was brought up several weeks ago, but a date was never set. I had some thoughts in my head about what I could make, just in case, but nothing concrete. After all, these things are often discussed without ever coming to fruition, right?
Right. Until someone comes in and says "Ok, we're doing it next week"!
Now, it is not generally in my nature to repeat projects unless specifically requested to do so. If someone likes something I made and decides they would like more, possibly to give out as gifts, I will gladly make more! But even when faced with the prospect of giving a handmade gift within a week I found it difficult to stick with the tired and true!
So, let's see...these are "foodie"-type gals. I've made hot pads. They're easy, quick, fun. That's a good start, but I need a new design and something to go with it. Well, I recently discovered that the local craft store carries flour sack cloths and I've been anxious to play with the possibilities there... A little random doodling for a new design... And there you have it!
The hot pad was knit with my beloved Granite and then felted in the washer. I then "un-plied" some strands of luscious Tundra to sew the edge and needle felt the design. It was my original intention to use embroidery floss for the flour sack cloth, but as I was low on time I decided to experiment! If all went well, I could use the same techniques as on the hot pad and whip that cloth out in no time flat!
Well, I thinkit went well. I liked the looks of it after it was needle felted but it got a bit fuzzier around the edges after being hand washed than I would have liked. The long-term usability factor is questionable.
At any rate, the lovely ladies of Open Knit laid out a fine spread of goodies both sweet and savory, and the gifts were all lovely. I'm very sorry to say, however, that most everything was cleaned up and gone before I could get pictures! Luckily, one remained who had received my gift and one who's gift I happened to have received.
My two sweet little boys and I have had a grand time hammering off pieces of cashew brittle and munching away their snowy days! (The recipe for the brittle can be found on my friend's blog.) And when the brittle is all gone, I still have myself a marble tile, perfect for serving cheese (and that's an adorable spreader there with the multi-present-shaped handle). As a bonus, one of the other ladies brought in some crocheted snowflakes and bells for us all to bring home. Just because.
Nice!
I really wish I had more pictures for you so that you could appreciate the labors of love that went to happy homes that day. Not to mention the yummies that kept me going until dinner! Thanks to you all, all you ladies of Open Knit, for sharing your work and your passion for it!
