Deborah Fillmer's » christmas

Week Fifty – Gifts

deborahfillmer — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:33:03 +0000

This week’s post is all about gifts. First I’ll start with the gift of an amazing husband who cares for me way more than I could ever deserve. This past week, my laptop that I use for doing my job died. My job is done completely online and there are several programs that I use that have to be configured just so in order for me to do my job properly. Thanks to my husband, and some awesome tech support from Liberty University (my employer), we were able to get my iMac configured for my work tasks within a few hours of the crash. The most amazing thing, though, is that my super hero of a husband had my laptop back up and running by the next day, complete with new hard drive and ALL my data files recovered. He is so amazing!!

Second on the list is a gift I made for a friend who is having a baby shower this week. Since I saw how much my kids keep my grandson in his sleep sack that I made for him, I decided to make one for my friend. She is a Bama fan, so, the addition of a patch to the front of the sack was a special added touch. I hope she likes it.

The third gift I would like to mention is the gift of doctors, friends, and pastors who care about me and were there for me this last time I was hospitalized. During my absence from blog posting, I was hospitalized again for sepsis and it was anything but fun. This time was not as life threatening as the last, because we caught it sooner, but going to the hospital once a year is not something I am interested in doing. The sepsis is an issue that, if caught quickly enough, can be treated at home with the appropriate antibiotics. I just have to make sure and watch closely for the signs. This is a learning process. This time, like last time, I really thought I had the flu or something viral. A few days into it, when we figured out that it was not viral and it was similar to last year, it was too late to treat at home and off to the hospital I went. Ugh! I am feeling much better now and back to sewing up a storm!

That brings me to the fourth gift. I have been teaching a friend to sew for the past few weeks and this week she made an absolutely adorable sleeper for a gift for a friend. The sleeper was made of fleece and went together so quickly that I decided my grandsons really needed to have one, too. So, I located some fleece on sale and a couple of patterns and have been whipping these things out like mad. I think they may be finished in time to get to them as additional Christmas gifts. Whoot!!

There is much more to post about, but it will have to wait till the next installment. For now I leave you with this quote:

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” ~ Douglas Adams

Week Twenty Five & Twenty Six – Labors of Love

deborahfillmer — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:56:08 +0000

This week I am playing catch up on my blog posts and so, for the two of you who read my blog, you get two posts for the price of one. The kids have come and gone, then come and gone again. They stayed with us a few days on their way to Disney World and then again on their way back through to the airport in Atlanta. Everyone is back home in Colorado safely now and life has returned to some semblance of normal. No major catastrophes to report, except for the kid’s dog (a massive Great Dane) who ate, literally, the banister railing at their home while they were away. Apparently, he was lonely.

While the kids were at Disney, I had the opportunity to make my son a kilt, which I did not get a photo of…darn it! I also was able to put the borders on a quilt that William’s Mimi and I are collaborating on. His Mimi is doing the cross stitch and I am doing the borders and putting the quilt together.

This week I was able to get back to Christmas knitting and completed this uber cute hat for someone special. The hat pattern is Dead or Alive? by Knitty. It was a really quick knit and is modeled below by my niece, Martha. After modeling for these photos, she announced that she would like an octopus hat. Oh boy…

The Flower Power test sock knit is no more. Although I really liked the pattern, the socks were not turning out as I had hoped, so frogged they are. I am using the yarn from the socks for another Christmas present, though, a pair of gloves, and they are turning out much more to my liking. Photos when they are done.

Finally, Scott was able to take some wonderful photos of Sara, Bryan, William and Baby Luke while they were here. Below is a sample, but you can see more from the shoot here.

On a fun side note, we (the family when they were here), got to talking about old, favorite movies and who would have them on disc. I have always wanted to secure a copy of a cheesy movie made in 1981 called Excalibur. We checked out the local Hastings and sure enough, they had it. Awesome!

That is about it for now. We are headed out to the Auburn 4th of July fireworks tonight. Scott should get some awesome photos of them, as he does every year! I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July!!

Quote of the week: “It is a lonely life, the way of the necromancer… oh, yes. Lacrimae Mundi – the tears of the world.” ~ Merlin, Excalibur (1981)

Scott’s Christmas Present // finished just under the wire

deborahfillmer — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:02:26 +0000

I have been working on these and avoiding these for the past two months. Last night I was able to finish them up just in time for Christmas. Since we are now here in Virginia, Scott needs something warm on his hands. So, here are Scott’s Christmas Gloves…

William’s 2008 Christmas Hat – Christmas Knitting Is Completed!!

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:55:06 +0000

Thanks, everyone, for all your great comments on my last post. I promise not to over do the new puppy posts, but I just had to share the cuteness. On the knitting front, I have completed my grandson’s Christmas hat. This means that all but one item of Christmas knitting is completed. Whoo Hoo!!

Warm and Wooly

Thanks For Asking, Snowman Stitch Markers

DK — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:18:30 +0000

I have a surprise for those of you who were interested in the snowman stitch markers and for those who didn’t ask, but read my blog anyway. I was able to put together two sets of the little guys (with white heads), and one set of gals (with pink heads).

Now the surprise, A contest!! Whoo Hoo! To enter,

Leave a comment on this post (1 entry in the hat of names)
Put a link to this post on your blog, myspace, facebook, whatever… so others can find this post (another entry)
Leave another comment telling me where you put the link (another entry)

You can get your name in the hat three times by doing all three steps. I will draw names for the three sets on December 1st and send them out to you as quickly as possible.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

The Cutest Things Ever

DK — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:17:19 +0000

Mr. K just said these were the cutest things ever! HAHA

I was trying to organize my beading stuff and somehow wound up making these instead. I can totally see a set of these as stitch markers. Can’t you?

Holiday Fun

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:53:35 +0000

The presents have all been opened, the decorations have been packed away, and we are all back to work. William likes his new Candy Corn Hat his Nana (DK) made for him.

Looking ahead to 2008, we have already booked our calendar full of travels and other fun stuff through June. The first change of the year to take place here at Nautical Knitter Designs is the opening of the new web site: KnitWith.us. The new site offers pod-casts, videos, the largest knitter’s blog-roll, technical posts, links to the latest knit a longs, and so much more. Stop by for a peek and let us know what you think.

The Nautical Knitter blog will still be up and running, but will be more tuned to family happenings and personal knitting projects. I hope you will continue to read my blog and throw me a little encouragement every once in a while when the design muse hides from me or the projects just don’t seem to be flowing. I love reading your comments and hearing what you are all up to out there.

I am working on a post for the new site on substituting yarns (including different weights) in knitting projects that I think you will be interested in. Additionally, I have three new books to review, so please stay tuned for those as well.

The Secret of the Stole II KAL begins in just 15 days and we are so excited to begin and share this new pattern with you all. If you have joined, get your needles ready it is going to be a fun ride. If you haven’t joined yet, please do. We are waiting for you.

Christmas Around the World Knitters Swap Surprise

admin — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:13:46 +0000

I have been gifted. I was so excited yesterday when we picked up our mail and there was a package for me. NOBODY, ever surprises me. So, while I could not stop giggling, I opened the package and this is what was inside.

The contents included a package of needle holder springs that will hold my needles together when I put my project down to go make a cup of cocoa. Of course, my Santa included a huge tin full of yummy hot chocolate mix and large coffee mug to make it in. Then Santa read my mind, or perhaps my questionnaire, and included a wonderfully pumpkin scented candle to light while I use the bubble bath called “Calm One, Calm All”.

I am overwhelmed! Thank you Secret Santa, whoever you are. If you all don’t hear from me for a few days you know where I’ll be.

Christmas Around the World 2007 Swap Questionnaire

admin — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:07:47 +0000

I recently joined the Christmas Around the World 2007 Swap and the questionnaire has been distributed for completion. Per swap rules I am to post the questions and answers to my blog by September 15, 2007. While I was answering these questions I realized that this information might be of interest to my readers as well. So here goes:

Are you religious? No
How long have you been knitting? Several Years
Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? Intermediate, with advanced aspirations
Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? Sailing,Writing, Sewing Historical Costumes, Reading, Learning
Favorite color(s)? To wear – Black, White, Navy, Earth tones (not partial to rust, teal, pink…)
Do you collect anything? Gargoyles, dragons, snoopy, yarn and lately extra pounds around the middle
Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? No
Do you have any pets? Yes, two dogs, Aubie (cocker spaniel) and Blazer (basset hound)
Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? Out of the three, Hot Chocolate (I’m a coca-cola junkie)
Cookies or Sweets? Is there a difference? I’m a very picky eater, and prefer milk chocolate, and very plain sweets. Everyone calls my eating habits “vanilla”.
Do you knit socks? On occasion
If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits) I am a self taught knitter and I like to knit what many people would consider tedious patterns. This includes lace and other intricate or difficult items. The first thing I ever knit was a beaded amulet purse on #000US needles.
Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do? I used to. We have lived in a motor home for the past 5+ years so I really didn’t have the space. Now that we are in a house again we have decided to use a live, potted tree, decorate it indoors and plant it in the yard after the holidays.
Favorite holiday treats? Cheesecake, Milk Chocolate, Cookies
Favorite holiday smells? Cinnamon, Pumpkin, Spice
Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate. It varies. I am a non-traditional gypsy at heart.
What are your favorite holiday traditions? I would have to say, if I could have a tradition, it would be no traditions.
Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about….” – the birth of Christ, visiting with family, eating, watching others open the presents you put thought into and photographs
If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? – a star or a chili pepper
What was your favorite gift you’ve ever received? Or given? Received – someone’s time, Given – surprises
When do you start your Christmas? Meals, gifts, etc. begin on Christmas Eve through Christmas Day
Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them? I used to send them, now it is e-cards all the way.
What is your favorite Christmas dish? Ham and mashed potatoes
Carolers are at your door. What do you do? Hide
When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning
Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Family, most of our friends are long distance

Christmas in January

deborahfillmer — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 20:29:59 +0000

Sarah’s shawl is complete. It was finished a little late, but still appreciated I think. This shawl is from the book Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle and is called the Stora Dimun shawl. It is a Faroese shawl and the first of this type that I have knit. I used “Essential” yarn from Knit Picks. The first picture isn’t that great, but the one of Sarah modeling the shawl is super. Have a look…