I wish I was a Witch!

So, maybe you don't look at knit wear when watching your favourite movies, but I do.  Recently we watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince for the first time, and this hat called to me:

 First of all, did you notice that there are no lenses in Harry's glasses?  That made me laugh.  Secondly, check out Hermione's hat. Beautiful, eh?

So, I just had to make it.  I'm certainly not talented enough to make it sans pattern, so after a pretty easy search I found this pattern, and voila!

This one actually was just a sample, made out of yarn from my stash.  I have some other yarn I am going to make another from, now that I've figured out sizing.  This one (and the other one I made) will be added to the giveaway pile!

Now I just have to find a pattern for Hermione's scarf!

Easter Fun

Well, this week we went to my parents cabin in Sandpoint to enjoy the Easter holiday, sans internet.  My sister Phoebe, her friend Heidi, Alice and the boys and my folks were all there.  It was a blast.  Eli, for better or for worse, learns so much from his cousins.  I just love watching him observe them, and then trying to imitate them.  We did lots of fun stuff, but here's just a sampling:

Phoebe and Grandma read lots of books to Eli. 

Oscar and Winston put away past differences... well, mostly.

We had a Family Home Evening lesson on knowing the Shepherd's voice, and made some hand print sheep. (Have I mentioned that I LOVE hand print crafts!?)

Silas and Mari became aquainted.

Andy taught Eli how to wrestle.

My mom and dad ate like Macrobiotic fiends!

Easter egg decorating.

Silas modeled all the hats I made (blog giveaway, here I come!)

The Easter Bunny came.

Oh, and the HOT tub. 

Living in Spokane has really blessed us with being so close to family.  Eli has learned to fit right in with all his cousins.  He declared MANY times this week that he "just loves the cabin" or Grandpa, or Grandma, or even the stairs.  I love it so much.  However, this Easter we also really missed our home in Michigan.  The past two General Conference weekends we have spent at our friends the Paxton's. We missed them a lot knowing that we will probably not do that ever again. 

And, because it was Easter weekend, let me declare my testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ.  As I spent the week with my family I was reminded how grateful I am to have a Saviour who loved me enough to atone for my sins so that I can return to my Father in Heaven, with my Eternal Family.  I am so blessed to know of the gospel of Jesus Christ here on the earth and testify that it is true.

Happy Easter!

Shots of our Day

I can imagine the oooohs and aaaahs you are all expelling right now.  Yes, they are cute.

But, like most photo shoots, we ended up like this.

Eli helped make quesadillas for dinner.

He was sad because he "burned" himself on his barely warm pan.


And then there's this gem:

The Golden Eggs

I just loved making these.  They were easy, and oh so beautiful.  And, in an attempt to live a natural life, who can argue with pure wool, naturally dyed, eggs? 

I could have made them entirely out of roving, but in an attempt to use up supplies I already have, and save a little money, I just made different sized balls of leftover wool yarn, and then wrapped them in various coloured roving.  Then, with a little soap and hot water, I felted them and shaped the balls like eggs.  Because they are felted, they are very dense and will keep their shape. They will look beautiful in our Easter baskets this year.  I LOVE THEM!

Giveaways!!!

Many blogs offer giveaways as a way of promoting various products.  When I see one that I like, I often enter.  Why not, right???  Well, I have actually won two different giveaways.  I won a $50 coupon at Old Navy (Eli's summer wardrobe!) and today I won this cute switch plate.  Not sure what I'm going to do with it, as I don't have any girls, but it's really about the thrill of winning anyway, right?  (If you have a room that matches, let me know?)

Seeing as I aspire to being more than the blog I am, I think I am going to host my own giveaway.  You see, I  haven't found out if I'm having boys or girls with either of my pregnancies, so I happen to have a lot of little girl hats and such that I have made that I am willing to offer up.  We are moving in two weeks, so as I am packing I will find them all and post pictures, and one lucky "follower" will win!  And, for those of you with boys, I might even whip up a few hats for you!  So, stay tuned for the first ever {hands full of happiness} giveaway!!!  You are excited, I know.

Dollies!!!

 Pretty much, my crafty inspiration, the woman I look up to most, the mom I want to be, is Cheryl Snell.  I couldn't post what I am about to post without giving her credit of having this idea first (as I know she is a little touchy about it).  She made this darling dolly for her Ruby before Christmas, and I had to copy her.  It is Cheryl's brilliance that has brought this post to you, and joy to the seven little girls that will receive these sweet dolls... well, Cheryl's and Martha Stewart's... well, actually, Cheryl's, Martha's and the woman who created made the pattern.  But hey, just know that I love Cheryl, and without her these little gems would not exist!

They were so easy to make.  Cheryl (brilliantly I might add) suggested that I make the legs and arms a little wider than the pattern called for, so I did just that.  Also, I embroidered on the eyes and mouths rather than paint them on.  I think they turned out pretty adorable!  And, tomorrow, they will be en route to Michigan via the wonderful workers of the United States Postal Service.

Strings and Sealing Wax and Other Fancy Stuff

The hard part about trying to do a crafty thing each day is materials. I can't afford to go to the craft store for each day's project, but I do want to make things with Eli that are worth the effort, so I have to be creative with what I want to make.  For instance, I wanted to make this hand tree, but I certainly didn't have the right fabric.  So, I rummaged through my craft boxes and amongst the "strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff" I decided I could do the same thing with a canvas I bought on sale at Joann's months ago and scraps of scrapbook paper.  (Coincidentally, I recently met the wife of Leonard Lipton's biological son - RANDOM.)

Our first go at the hand tree was for a postcard exchange that we are participating in.  It was pretty rudimentary, but we had fun making it.  

The second time we used Mod Podge, and cut up the background paper to be a little more scrappy. Eli passed me the leaves and I put them on.  I love hand print art!  Here it is: