What I did on Christmas vacation is….
by adustyframe ~ January 11th, 2009The first week of Christmas break, I mostly got ready for Christmas.
The second week my wonderful siblings were here. (Minus one–boohoo!) We enjoyed just being together.
The third week, I tried to do some of the projects that I had been wanting to learn.
#1. Kool-aid dyeing wool. I read on some blog that she froze the kool-aid (no sugar) and just plopped the ice chunks on the wool. Well, it looked cool, but it didn’t work quite as well as hers did. It’s cool anyway.
2. I learned how to knit cables. They are soooo easy! I can’t believe I put them off for so long. This is a scarf to match my mittens. I still have quite a way to go until it’s finished, but I like the way it looks.
3. I learned how to make soap! The first batch is almost done drying. I already tried a bar and it’s so yummy! I’m partial to homemade soap and I’ve wanted to make it for years. I finally found a simple recipe that didn’t overwhelm me. I have used up essential oils and things I had in the house. The second batch will be ok, but it doesn’t look pretty.
This is the batch I made yesterday. I was trying to swirl the colors, but I didn’t get there yet. Each time I learn so that’s a good thing. It’s getting closer to how I wanted it to look.
I’m waging the natural vs. synthetic ingredients battle. I lean toward the natural side of things–essential oils, natural coloring, and additives. Some of the colors and scents I’ve seen that aren’t natural look awfully tempting though!
Did you do anything exciting during your Christmas holiday?
January 11th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I had the stomach flu right before Christmas, which put me *days* behind in preparations – which made me sort of crabby. I learned a good lesson from it though….to focus on the REAL reason for the season. Once I did that, I enjoyed myself. Between Christmas and New Years we stayed home, shoveled lots of snow, and ate waaaay to much good food.
Oh no! I hope you’re back to normal!
January 11th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Pretty soap Lizzie! If you add some coffee and coffee grounds it makes a nice kitchen soap and helps get rid of onion smells on your hands.
Good idea!
January 11th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Cables are fun. I made matching sweaters for my brother & sister-in-law years ago with lots of cables. The scarf is really going to be beautiful. I am wondering if the dyeing is permanent or will it come out? All of your soap looks good enough to eat.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:56 am
That scarf is beautiful.
I had the stomach bug right after Christmas and felt lousy for a whole week. I did manage to get my grandson’s first year scrapbook done.
Are you going to sell the soap?
I haven’t been scrapping much lately!
Hope you’re feeling better!
I hope to sell the soaps but I have to perfect them first!
January 12th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Your soap looks good enough to eat and I love the color of the yarn you used in your knitting.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
That is so cool that you dyed the yarn with Kool-Aid! When I was a girl, my friends liked to dye their hair with red Kool-Aid. I always felt left out because I have red hair.
aww!((hugs))
January 12th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Rest, Rest, Rest! Yes that’s what I did on during the Christmas Holidays. I don’t regret at all!
Happy Monday.
Rest sounds good!
January 12th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Oh… I just started knitting again.. I knitted a few scarfs, a baby sweater and then learned the purl stitch… but I want so badly to learn how to do cables. That scarf is beautiful… I find knitting helps keep my mind off where my husband is.. it is very relaxing!
That’s exactly why I started knitting!;)
January 12th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
In one way, I didn’t get as much done as I wanted to, but in another, I was able to do more. A 2 week dog sitting job fell through, and I ended up working on projects around my condo. I’m ashamed to say, I still have boxes to unpack from my move back home in ’07. Got a few more taken care of, moved some furnature, and did some deep cleaning. I was going to get a jump start on a quilt, but that is going slower than I had hoped. It doesn’t need to be finished until Easter, so I guess that’s ok. It’s for my BFF who keeps inviting me over for ‘craft time’. I know she just wants to get a peek at her quilt. =) I’m definately going to try your soap recipe when I can open windows in the spring. Maybe that’s what I’ll give everyone for Christmas next year. . . You’ve given me a great idea Lizzy! Thanks!!
You are welcome!
January 13th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I LOVE the scarf and can’t wait until you have your soaps for sale!
January 13th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I saw my siblings and it was lovely. There was plenty of ill health though! No particular projects got done- it was enough travelling and being organised and then spending new year with the in laws. Do you have a particular space in your house where you do your various crafting activities? I am in a 2 up 2 down and with 4yr old and 1 yr old hands around nothing is sacred! If I tried it would end up destroyed
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
[...] am creating… a hat for myself with the yarn I kool aid dyed at [...]