Finshed Jewelry Sets

Here are two jewelry sets I made as Christmas gifts.

This set was requested after seeing a picture in a magazine. I tweaked the design a little, but the overall product was very similar to the photograph.

This set was my own creation. A friend gave me the white pearl stones (a family heirloom) and wanted me to make a necklace from them. Here is the finished product.

Getting Ready For Christmas

Alison was really excited about Christmas this year. In this case, pictures are worth a thousand words, so here we go....

My Little Elves Putting Up The Tree





Hanging the Ornaments


Alison's Angel (she had to pick out an Angel tree topper)


Making Gingerbread Men








Class Christmas Activities and Program

Gingerbread House


Ryan, Alison, and Ms. Patsy (teacher)


Alison and Ms. Amy (teacher)


Alison and Aunt Lisa (a.k.a. Rudolph)


Ryan and Alison


Singing Christmas Caroles


Early Christmas Gift from Aunt Molly (yes, they are watching TV)


Cookie Maker and Taster Making Santa's Snack

Voila. Santa's Snack and "Sign"

Ok....this is to toot my and my "twin" sister's (a.k.a. Lisa) horns regarding a gift we made for a friend and co-worker. We were so proud of the finished product!

Thanksgiving at Nanny's

Mike and Alison went up to Kingsport over Thanksgiving while I stayed home and tried to get a few things OFF my To-Do list.

Here are some pictures of Alison with her Nanny and cousins.



Alison and Nanny



Tori, Alison, and Emily (Emmie)



Alison and Ethan (Little E)



Emmanuel and Alison



Alison and Matthew

I Have Powers!

Apparently Alison has some traits only her dad would have dreamed up....she can open doors with sheer will, make things disappear, can fly, and change personalities within a nano-second. Yup, she's a super hero. Needless to say "Daddy is SO proud!"

Her latest display of "power" consists of standing in front of sliding store doors, holding out both her hands and, with a forward motion to the doors, exclaiming (as they open)...."See, I have powers!"

With all the hidden talents being revealed, we thought it high time to concede to Alison's desire and invest in some appropriate attire. So, what did our little hero select? Super Girl...complete with dress, cape, and "boots".

The selection could not have happened at a better time! We had just completed the fitting when the distress call was received: "The neighborhood is under attack. Mass numbers of ninjas, storm troopers, zombie prom girls, werewolves were invading the area!" There was no time to waste! Alison put on her attire, I pulled her hair into pony tails, and Dad added the "pièce de résistance" - face paint.

The transformation was complete just in time. Some fellow heroes (Spider Man and Batman) stopped by to let us know they were in the neighborhood helping. Then we started seeing the "villains", no time to lose. Alison, er, Super Girl, grabbed hero support ("Titan Man") and headed for the door. She paused long enough for her mentor ("Queen Bee") to give her some final advice. With that, Super Girl was off.

I am glad to say, Super Girl and "Titan Man" made it back, not only unharmed, but bearing spoils from this latest mission to "save the neighborhood".


Getting "The Finishing Touch"



"I'm Ready. Let's Fly!"



"Last Minute Huddle"



"Off We Go!"



"Checking the Spoils for Contamination"

"What a Great Night!"

Zoo Ghouls

Last night Alison met Elliot for "Trick or Treat" in the Zoo. The zoo began hosting the event a couple years ago, but this was actually our first time attending. The event is a chance for everyone to come dressed up in Halloween attire, go trick or treating, and have fun doing some typical Halloween activities.


Waiting to get in


Trick or Treating is done while playing "Boo Bingo". Everyone receives a map of the candy stations are set up throughout the zoo. You receive a stamp and candy at every station and present the completed "Boo Bingo" map at the "Boo Bingo" Finish Tent for a "reward". In actuality, everyone receives the "reward" upon exiting. This year it was an orange glow stick necklace with a pumpkin head. Very cute for the kids.


Main Inside Entrance



Alison and Elliott Greeting Each Other


There were a variety of activities for everyone. The "Monster Mash" had dance music with strobe-lights. There were inflatable jumping stations, and a "pumpkin" patch filled with artificial pumpkins, lights, and displays perfect for pictures, a "Gypsy Mystery Maze", and "Monsterpiece Theater". They had a "Carn-Evil" consisting of carnival type activities with a Halloween twist (e.g. Bat-a-Pult, Spider Sling, "Boo"wl-a-Rama), a kid friendly haunted house called the "Monster Lab", and a "Scary-go-Round" (carousel).


Posing in the Pumpkin Patch


Last, but not least, what Halloween event would be complete without a "Haunted Hayride"? This was really neat. We loaded up and sat on a hay bail while the tractor pulled us through a haunted forest.


Heading into the Haunted Forest


We then capped off the night with a trip to McDonald's. As you can tell, Elliott and Alison had a blast.


Having fun at Mickey Ds

A splishin' and a splashin'

These are a few pictures of Alison and her little buddy Elijah having some fun at the local Splashpad before the official end of summer.

"Let me help you with that"


"Time for some Goldfish"









"Getting Wet....Sort of"

Fabulous Fiber Flock

O.K. I have been hounded for not updating the site....blush. Not even going to try and go through the excuses. Let's just say I have been swamped and leave it at that.

Anywho, I have finally decided the only way I can get from under my backlog of projects is to set up a new sleeping schedule. Up at 4:00 a.m. and in bed by 11:00 p.m. Week 1 went ok..by Friday it finally started feeling like a routine. Every morning I have been knitting sheep (yes...instead of counting sheep, I am knitting sheep). These are not your average sheep...as you can see. What's the point of knitting sheep if you can't have a little fun with color variation?

These beauties will be felted and then find their new home as a display at the Knaughty Knitter (my LYS). I will also be doing a tribute to fall...her name will be Autumn. And last, but not least, what "Fiber Flock" would be complete without a Black Sheep (Twilight). I hope to have all four completed (felted and stuffed) by the end of next week.

Meet the Flock:

SKY - (waiting to be felted and stuffed) was made using single strand Lite-Lopi

SWEETHEART - (still in process) was made using double strand Lite-Lopi

AUTUMN - (waiting to be started) will be made using single strand Lite-Lopi

TWILIGHT - (final flock member) will be made using single strand Cascade 220

Pattern Felted Flock (mine will have color character)

Batter Up!

Alison has officially started cooking...she made her first batch of cupcakes from start to finish.

We were at Cracker Barrel one afternoon and while we were waiting one of the employees was making sample cupcakes with a little cupcake kit. Mike took Alison inside so she could get a sample and the lady let Alison decorate her own miniature cupcake with icing and sprinkles. Alison got a kick out of it, and since I am always trying to find new things Alison and I can do together, Mike thought we should buy it. The kit has a tray that makes six miniature muffins, miniature muffin liners, an icing ejector, and five or so different decorating tips.

She was so excited. I got an apron out for her, gathered all the ingredients, bowls, measuring cups, and the mixer. The enitre time Alison was going a mile a minute. What's this for? I want to break the eggs by myself. We can do teamwork. You get the point. I was laughing so hard. She was just adorable!














I recruited Mike to be the photographer during her first "cooking session". It went so well! She did it all.

Poured everything into the mixing bowl











Cracked the eggs











It took a while to get her courage up, but she finally held the mixer











Placed muffin liners in the tray











Put in the batter











Alison took a bath while the muffins baked and cooled.

After her bath....it was time for the fun part....icing!!!











What good is icing...if you don't do some quality control (i.e. testing)???











Now for the finishing touch...SPRINKLES!!











VOILA!! Cupcakes!











It's official....they are a hit!!!