Barry’s aunt is a sock monkey making aunt. Every new baby gets one, and they are well loved. Even though they’re made from the same brown, white, and red socks, each one is unique– and they’ve got the kid’s names embroidered on them just in case. The thing that amazes me is that Ian can look at the letters and figure out whose is whose!
We’ve definitely got the 5 cutest monkeys ever.
The sock monkeys are pretty cute too.
I swapped this:
for this:
(I swapped the toys, not the cute almost 2 year old.)
I was lucky to live in the same city as my swap partner, so she came over to my house to do the deal so I wouldn’t have to venture out so soon ofter having a baby. She was so sweet with such a cute little girl. I’m excited to have a new crafty friend. Thanks Sadie! I hope your girls like the doll. My cowboys are certainly riding their horse.
(More pictures of the horse making here.)
So, has it really been since December 11th that I last posted? Sheesh! I’ve been so caught up in creating stable scenery for the ward Christmas pageant, a husband with Strep throat, sleepless nights with puking children (and parents), other intestinal problems of which I will spare you the details (they’re not pretty, let me assure you), gestating of course, and last minute holiday preparations and gift making, that it never even crossed my mind to make a blog post. There have been several days that I didn’t even take a glance at the computer. So, now I’ll play catch up, posting this week about the handmade gifts we gave this year.
These are my favorite, and the last ones finished.
I have wanted to try my hand at making waldorf dolls for ages and ages, but Brenna has never been much of a doll player and it always seemed frivolous to just make one for myself. But, this year I decided I’d make some for Brenna and Ian whether they’d really like them or not, just to indulge myself. I ordered my pattern and supplies, and then got underway.
Good news is, they are some of the favorite gifts this year! Ian’s Boy has been a constant companion since it was unwrapped. He snuggles him, sleeps with him, feeds him, and just carries him around. Brenna has left me little thank you notes all around and on Christmas day she kept telling me, “I just want to keep telling you thank you. I can’t say thank you enough times. I love her!”
So, I was up late on Christmas Eve stitching and trimming hair and finally realized that clothes just weren’t going to get made by morning. Barry had been saying the entire week that I shouldn’t stress myself out and just give the kids naked dolls. So, that’s what they got Christmas morning. But– the nakedness didn’t last for long. Look what I got for Christmas!!
A sewing machine and a serger!! Can you believe it? I’m still in shock. I quickly got to work and made some panties, diapers, and clothes.
Brenna even knit a hat, and made a coat and mittens for Julie so she wouldn’t be too cold here in Colorado.
I just can’t even put into words how excited I am at how well they’ve been received.
But, this isn’t all. We were hard at work on some other hand made gifts as well.
Stay tuned!
making… bread with my littles.
laughing… at Ellie helping Brenna fold the laundry.
loving… that 15 minutes of quiet scripture study has become a consistent part of our daily routine.
using… my craft space just a minute here and there– right in the middle of the action, just like I had hoped.
It was one of those days I just needed. Not totally smooth and predictable, I think it will be many, many years before I have a day like that, but the time flowed and we flowed with it, and I’m happy.