Almost done with the holiday preparations...

[ladyofthethread]

Well, I’ve finally managed to get most holiday stuff out of the way. ^_^ Cards went out last Friday and last weekend was spent holiday shopping and working on gifts.

I made three of one item using a technique I don’t do often and I think they came out pretty well. Won’t say exactly what it is yet since someone on the friends list is receiving one and I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Keeping one for myself and giving another to an old friend that I’m hoping to see next week.

Then, I made a pair of fringed cushions for my parents, using some of the red upholstery brocade I had left from my Ayame. Kind of random but they’re impossible to shop for and they got a new sofa earlier in the year that didn’t come with any cushions. Also made a tree skirt with the same fabric several days before that so I finally used all the leftovers. Now my costume can match the tree and sofa! XD;

Next, I crocheted a scarf for my grandmother with some fuzzy yarn. It was just rows of double crochet, nothing fancy. But it went more slowly than I was hoping because I’d forgotten fuzzy yarn is a nuisance to work with; you can’t see the stitches that well due to the fuzz so it’s hard to see what you’re doing. ^_^;

And now I’m off to make tangyuan which is traditional for Chinese celebrations of the Winter Solstice tomorrow. 

Comments

[sailor-asteroid.livejournal.com]

You are so talented to do all those projects for your family! ;_;

[ladyofthethread.livejournal.com]

Thanks. ^_^ They were pretty basic though. Things go so much more quickly when you're just sewing squares of fabric versus trying to make costumes!

[anodracs.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful Solstice!
I got your card. It's lovely, thank you so much!
Are you going to fill the tangyuan with anything? Either way, it sounds really good.

[ladyofthethread.livejournal.com]

Thank you. ^_^ Good to know that the card arrived.

Nope, we just make small plain tangyuan. The balls of dough themselves don't have any flavor on their own so my mother will either serve them in a sweet soup or a salty broth with bits of vegetable and meat. Have never had any of the filled varieties that article mentions.

[helena-lee.livejournal.com]

Heey ^^
I've been kind of... out of LJ these weeks [maybe the whole month or more? o.o], and when I came back I find out your 19th century D outfit just exceeds expectations, and I'm dying to see more pictures of it ^^
And about the holidays, I don't know if I'm coming to LJ before Christmas/New Year, so I wish you excellent celebrations ^^

sorry if it seemes too out of subject o.O

[ladyofthethread.livejournal.com]

Oh, hi! I hadn't seen you around LJ for a while so I figured you hadn't been able to get onto the computer.

And thanks! I should be putting up a few more pictures of the costume soon. ^_^ Hope you have a nice Christmas and New Year's!

[thimbles.livejournal.com]

That's awesome that you were able to make such lovely gifts for your family!

[ladyofthethread.livejournal.com]

I find making little gifts much preferable to dealing with regular holiday shopping. Must get pictures of the things I made and post them after Christmas. ^_^

Happy Holidays!

[spookloops.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you've gotten most of your holidays gifts done - I finished one project, but I'm still working through the others (embellishing - I gave up on finishing the cross stitch for the holidays, it will be done when it's done!) Then gifts sound lovely though, the cushions and the scarf. I gave a framed photo of a blooming tree that I took on a trip to the mountains, and another embellished piece. I feel your pain about the fuzzy yarn - my friend's son received a crocheted baby blanket I made.
I'm strongly considering making everyone blankets next year, but I'm wondering if that would be mad of me to try that though I crochet quickly. :p

Anyways, Happy Holidays to you and your family, and the warmest of wishes!!

Re: Happy Holidays!

[ladyofthethread.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Merry Christmas to you, too. ^_^

Blankets sound fun but yeah, that would probably be a lot of work. Hmm... Other than a baby blanket I did for one of my cross stitch friends several years ago, I don't think I've ever made it through an afghan pattern. Cosplay seems to be the only hobby where I've been good about not having a ton of unfinished projects. XD;