Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it. We'll be hanging with family and won't be around for the rest of the week. I hope you all have a good rest of the week no matter what you do.

Pictured above is the hat that Son will be wearing to celebrate.

Besteam feature: Leo and Junie

I'm kind of wondering how someone who dislikes coats can live in Eastern Pennsylvania. I hope that she never freezes or just stays in all winter making jewelry. I'm hoping it's the latter. Whether you need something to wear out to the shops or to wear out to the black tie holiday party, she's got it. And it's gorgeous.

These earrings remind me of a pair that I once saw on another website. They were pretty, unique, and sophisticated, but they were $80. These are all those things at a much more reasonable price.

I have short hair so I don't wear hair pins or ponytails anymore and Daughter is extremely stubborn so I don't get to do much with her hair (it's just not worth the fight), but if either of us did these would be so much fun. They would add a pop of color to an otherwise plain outfit (in my case in Daughter's case it would just fit in with all the other color - did I mention she's begun dressing herself?) and keep hair out of the face. What's not to love about that?

So, go check out Leo and Junie on Etsy, Facebook, and Blogspot.

let's go fly

Did I show you the aviator cap I made? I'd give a pattern, but I pulled it out of my ass and forgot to write it down. Sorry. It's just a basic crochet hat with bulky yarn and squared ear flaps. I added a front flap and buttons and called it cute.

Husband said it looks like it has eyes in that picture. This is why use Marge, but some people said she was a bit creepy. That is why I need more friends who are willing to model my stuff.

Two Novembers ago

Every November Husband needs to be reminded as to why he should just donate for No Shave November instead of participate. This is why. I love Husband, but there are a few things that just don't go well on him those tiny round glasses like John Lennon used to wear and beards are two of them. So Husband (if you read this which you should) this is your reminder.

In other news, there are snack bags up in CharlesandSarah! Currently there are three designs, but we're working on more. Plus, ours are a little larger so you could use them as a sandwich bag or for bulk foods at your grocery store (if they're offered).

BESTeam feature: As You Like It

As You Like It is filled with loads of handmade art, cards, and jewelry. It has many things that make you smile and kind of wish you were rich. These cards also make me wish I still had a pen pal. I'm sure that opening one on a bad day would make it better.

Everything in As You Like It is created by Stephanie who lives in the Boston area. By day, she's a teacher, but by night she creates. She's a woman of many crafts and as well as her cards being awesome so is the rest of her wares. I am especially in love with the turquoise necklace. I love the combination of blue and orange (so much so that I put it in my kitchen).

Check out As You Like It on Etsy and on her blog where she also features shops (last week she featured mine).

Winter time

I have short hair so hats make me look like I've shaved my head and then I take them off and my hair's sticking up everywhere. This is the best thing I've ever made for myself. Because the scarf is attached it doesn't fly off my head (and I used this in downtown Chicago) and I lined it with flannel so it's toasty and keeps my ears warm.

I tend to always have a black winter coat so I thought the gray would like nice with it. I was afraid that if I went with black it wouldn't be the same black and then it would be mismatched or look like I was trying to hard.

I love the pleat detail. The pattern is by Jamie Christina and came with five different designs for hood scarfs, but this was my favorite. It was sophisticated yet still fun. As a bonus, I completed it in one nap time. For people without children that's about a couple hours in my world (when I'm lucky).

Thanksgiving

There is one very lucky baby getting this hat. It turned out so cute even though the legs were a bit uneven. I don't think the baby will care though.

For this hat I followed the pattern completely. I didn't love the hat pattern, just too boxy for my taste. There are a few errors that are not addressed on the website (unless you look through all the comments and there are a lot) note that on the leg part of the pattern there are two rows of 16, 17, 18, and 19. They really should be 20, 21, 22 and 23. Not difficult, but it did confuse me at first when I was just glancing at the pattern and I ended up repeating a few rows and having to rip back. The other errata is with row 3 of the leg part of the pattern. It should really read k2, m1 repeat around. If you do it as written you'll end up with 32 stitches and get really confused when you realize you should only have 24. At that point you may go read through all the comments.

Look at that drumstick. It really is cute. I've done a couple more, but I did not follow her hat pattern at all. I just wasn't too keen on the decreases. I also tweaked the legs a little, but that was for my benefit. They're perfectly adorable as is.

BESTeam feature: Ardent Reverie

This shop is gorgeous! I can't say that enough. Ardent Reverie is owned by two sisters who work in their "tiny room" in San Diego. I can totally relate to tiny as I have two tiny people running around which makes my house seem tiny. I really wish I had space in my tiny house to hang this painting though.

If only broken hearts were so easy to mend. There would be like a million and ten happier teenagers out there.

In this shop you'll also find winter wear and jewelry. The cool kids tell me that slouchy hats like this one are all the rage these days. I'm kind of amazed I know cool kids too.

You should go check out their shop because I'm sure with the tons of variety of beautiful items you can find something that you or a lucky person would love. They also have a very nice website where you'll be able to find everything you need.

Want

After seeing this post on NotMartha I totally want that step stool. Currently I have to drag a step stool from the laundry room every time I want to reach something off the top shelf of a cabinet, but this step stool would fit perfectly in the two inch space we have between the refridgerator and the wall.

Nov. 2

It's voting day in the U.S. If you live here, I know who I'd like you to vote for, but even if we're not in agreement you should go vote. I'll be voting after Husband gets off from work and I'll possibly bring Daughter with depending on how she's feeling. Son's still a little too young and a little too crabby.

If you don't know you're polling place you can find it here with some foul language and here without the foul language.

And some links for those not in the U.S.

I really want this kitchen conversion chart. I promise to frame it and keep it on the wall.

I want this in my backyard for my own personal oasis/studio. Just imagine children not getting into the sewing stuff and a garden on the roof.

Turkey hat pattern for wee ones. I'm working on one now in a bit of a darker brown.

For Pleat's Sake free handbag tutorial.

BESTeam feature Little Peach Fuzz

I really want Little Peach Fuzz to be from Georgia, but Rachel is actually from Orlando. On her profile she states that she's new to the crafting scene, but you would never be able to tell. All of her unique items are very nice. If I had hair I would be wearing this to hold it back all the time.

Since I have very little hair, I would totally choose this necklace. I absolutely love the green and how the black beads set it off. Very nice and it would match almost everything I own.

I threw this in for my sister because she loves to torture her cat and this really would be perfect.

You can visit Rachel's shop here and view her blog where she features shops and has a recipe for pumpkin spice latte.