Finished Object Friday - Ravenclaw Beanie

Hello again!  Well it appears as though the world did not come to an end today.  Somewhere in Asia, it already December 22nd so I think we are good.  Anyway, even though my birthday is right around the Summer Solstice, the Winter Solstice is my favorite.  We are going through the shortest day of the year but tomorrow is a little bit longer, and the next day is longer.   How can you not be encouraged by a little more sunshine each day until June.

Anyway, I am dreadfully behind on Christmas.  Shopping is far from done, some baking is done, some decorating is done.  But all in all I have a busy couple of days ahead of me until Christmas and then it's off to Anaheim.

Well enough blather for one Friday, let's get down to yarn.

If you will remember, I made the Gryffindor Set for my Boss' daughter as a going away present for college.  Granted she was home on break when she got it but it was still warm out.  As a result, of my efforts I began to feel bad about not making anything for my Boss' son so when she approached him about it, he was super excited to get a Ravenclaw Beanie.

I love making hats because they are instant gratification when it comes to projects.  Round and round and some decreases and voila your done.  I am really pleased with this hat because it looks nice and masculine but is totally Harry Potter through and through.

Look ma!, a Ravenclaw!

While the move made the accessories in Blue and Grey, I chose to go book style and use a coppery/bronze color to accent the blue.  The picture is showing the color as more Royal but it's navy.

I already passes this along to my boss and he will get it on Christmas.  I hope he likes it!

There is a huge part of me that wants to whip up a Hufflepuff hat for myself.  I have enough Black and Gold. Keep your eyes peeled for another hat from this pattern.

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

Now for the Details:

Ravelry Page - Hogwarts Beanie - Ravenclaw
Needles - Size 8/5.0 mm Circular Needles/Double Pointed Needles
Yarn - 
0.56 Skeins of Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted in 848 - Navy
0.05 Skeins of Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted in 175 - Jewel Gold
Duration - 15 hours of work
Pattern - House Hats from Charmed Knits

WIP Wednesday - An Oldie by a Goodie

Hello all,  this has been a busy week.  Now that the paper I was working on for my research project is complete and I got an A in the class.  Woot!

I am now focusing on Christmas.  I got the tree up at my parent's house and my apartment.  I have some presents bought but really need to get out and finish shopping.  Plus I have cookies to bake.  I am participating in my friend's cookie exchange and need to bake 5 dozen cookies by Thursday.  I have been cleaning up and baking commences tonight!  I am making Mexican Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cookies.  I found the recipe on Pinterest and new I needed to make these for the exchange.

Otherwise, I am moving along toward Christmas but I had quite a scare yesterday.  I am traveling to Southern California for an  Alpha Phi Omega (my college service fraternity) Convention on December 26th.

Me at a Leadership Training in 2007 for APO

While I was thinking about it, I managed to dig out my flight confirmation to email to my dad so he knew when I was flying.  As soon as he got it, I got a call.  "Honey, do you know this says your departing on November 26th?"

It indeed said November.  I booked the flight in July and missed that I booked it for November instead of December.  So last evening, I was on the phone with United trying to get my flight re-booked.  I was originally told, that it was going to be a $500+ difference.  I cannot afford that.  I then talked to some people about it and called back.  By this time, I was near tears and a gentleman operator answered the phone.  I think he didn't want me to cry and worked with his supervisor to get my a flight that was only $77 dollars different.  This was reasonable and I am so thankful.  As a result, I was late for my haircut but at least I can get to Anaheim after Christmas.

So enough drama and onto the yarny goodness.

STV Spiffy Iffy Peresphone's Return! Socks

Let's turn some heels!

I finished all of my gift knitting so now I can pull out some things that have fallen into the WIP pit.  I picked up my socks that I started for Sock the Vote and got to work last night.  I had the heel flap done and turned the heel.  I have to shift stitches around all over the place but I am back on track.  I realized I miss read the gusset and have to jump down and remove some decreases but I love making the gusset so these should be done soon.

Well, that's it for this weekend, now onto the paper!

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Sometimes there are no words.  The shootings recently have sucked the life out of me.  I am....was excited about the Christmas season.  I don't remember much of last December and was really looking forward to a joyful season even without my mother.

But that changed on Friday.  As I watched the coverage unfold and the number of innocent defenseless children rise, my spirits waned.  I still want to have a good Christmas but I am praying for those families.  Praying for that community.

Lately, as I make my way through the second round of Holidays without my mom, I could feel her presence. Just an inner strength that wrapped around me like a hug that made everything okay.  On Friday, that presence left.  Knowing my mom, that she went where she was needed and is comforting those children in the afterlife.  She would be there with a smile and a hug to whomever would need it.

Oh boy do I miss her.  This entire weekend, I just wanted a hug.

As I listened to the children's choir sing Silent Night on SNL on Saturday.  I truly hope and pray for  heavenly peace for those children and teachers.

<3 Heather