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The Games Are Coming: Ravellenic Games MMXII

Nicky5 Comments

I’m not going to go into detail about the now shelved name Ravelympics, the USOC, Ravelry, the Olympic Games and the now ready to happen tomorrow — Ravellenic Games.   Google it and you’ll find more than enough!  What I will say though is as a former athlete (sprinters stand up!!!!!)  I love the Olympics.  I love the hard work, the sweat, the tears, the victories, the camaraderie, even the losses.  I love it all!

For all the fibre artists participating in the Ravellenic Games, the energy is the same as being on an Olympic athlete.  I’m not saying that the two are equal or not equal.  What I’m saying is that the spirit of honing one’s craft, challenging oneself, further developing skill-set are as common to knitters, weavers and crocheters alike as those things are to Olympians.

Although I’m not formally participating in the Ravellenic Games, I’m challenging myself to make 5 gifts from this list during the length of the games.  Tomorrow night at 7:30 pm Eastern time, I’m going to join the world of knitters, crocheters and weavers in supporting our athletes and each other as crafters.  During the 17 day event, I’ll be striving to complete:

  • The Gaptastic Cowl for co-worker Nik with this lovely Paton Classic Roving wool:
  • A set of washcloths for R that is to be a part of a spa set.  Yarn choice  — Sugar N Creme cotton:
  • The Dropped Stitch Cowl for Val (maybe, still going back and forth on what  I should give her).  If I complete this “event”, I’ll use Lionbrand’s Thick n Quick:
  • Another spa set for Raya with Lionbrand’s Kitchen cotton:
  • For my booski Mar — this bookmark that is to be a part of her overall gift.  Yarn choice —
  • And for me — Malabrigo Neck Thingie with this baby:

Whether you’re part of the crafting community or not, whether you’re supporting a specific athlete or country — enjoy the games!!!!  For crafters on Ravelry, enjoy the Ravellenic Games and the Olympics!!!!

Merry Christmas Baby

Nicky22 Comments

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No, you didn’t read wrong — the post title does say “Merry Christmas Baby” and I mean it.   No … I’m not going crazy, I’m just trying to prepare.  With everything going on with me and anticipation of some major events by the end of the year, my goal is to be as thrifty as I can be with regards to gift giving for Christmas this year.   Thrifty but beautiful.  What that means is  that I’m going  to have to do a “Handmade Christmas”.

I’m temporarily postponing my YOP in favour of Christmas production, but I’ll try to make as many items from that list in between my “Santa’s workshop”.

Since I love lists, of course I’ve made a preliminary list of what I’m going to make.  Since no-one in my family’s crafty or even know this blog exists, I’m okay with posting my initial list and updates to the projects.  On my list are:

Adults

Children

  • Om           Windschief
  • Marley     TBD
  • Iza            TBD
  • Jewel       TBD
  • Liv            Bag: Fit To Be Tied
  • Dari          TBD
  • Mal           Boyce Bruin
  • Nick          TBD
  • Nev           TBD
  • Munchkin TBD
  • Maya          Rainbow Scarf for Maia
  • T                TBD

Co-workers

  • Nikki       Gaptastic Cowl
  • V             Spa Package (3 Washcloths and soap made by me)
  • Ruth       Coasters
  • Raya       TBD
  • Ann         TBD

Right now, I’ve listed ideas of what kinds of gifts I want to make.  Some of the adults might end up getting food related gifts like home-made granola, fruit spice cooking oils in pretty bottles, chocolate covered strawberries or chocolate bark, macaroons … stuff like that.   I’ve also been messing around with rope knotting and have found some great inspiration for jewelry making with that craft. 

I’m starting May 1st because I’m a slow knitter and frankly, there’s stuff I’m still learning about knitting.  Crochet goes much faster for me so I might trade out some of the knit projects for some crochet ones.  I’ll see how it goes.

The question most  I got from some of the people I shared this rest of the year long project with is ” what if the recipients don’t appreciate your hard and time consuming work?”  Honestly, I don’t know how to answer that, but I think for the most part, everyone will appreciate what they get.  My family knows that I knit, but they don’t know how much or how far I want to go with this.  I think they’ll be speechless that I actually made the items I intend to gift.

I’m already sourcing the net and local flea markets for creative packaging.  I have more than enough yarn in my stash to do these projects.  Even if I have to purchase yarn, I’m positive that it wouldn’t be that much so I’ll still stay under my $100 budget for everything.

What about you?  Anyone started or plans to start their Christmas gift production anytime soon?