What Was I Thinking???

          

What was I thinking????? We are going to be a little tight on money this year because of the whole I can't seem to find a real job thing, so I decided that I would try to make some things for X-mas instead of buying gifts for everyone.

First step was to look at my list. My very first thought was afghans, but that got shot down for a couple of reasons. 1) I haven't got enough time before x-mas. 2) They can be expensive according to what yarn you use, etc. I have one that I finished earlier this fall that I think I am going to give my brother and his wife. It is beautiful...looking around for a picture. Aha! I'm actually getting this whole graphics thing figured out! (Thank Goodness for Test Journals though <LOL>) As you can see in the first picture, it's good sized, and it's heavy <LOL>. I added a close up so you could see the pretty colors/pattern. It was done holding 3 strands of yarn and changing the colors out one at a time. WHAT a PAIN! It's also is really soft. The yarn in this thing cost me about $80 or so. I have some left over though, so I'm thinking maybe scarves for a couple of people.

    

Having thrown out the idea of making like 15 afgans before x-mas, I decided to get serious. Afgan for brother & his wife... that's one. Fudge!!! Yeah, I have people asking me in August if I'm making fudge for x-mas, and I haven't been home for 5 years to make it!!! So, that takes care of one of my best friends, her husband, all of my boyfriends work friends, most everyone coming into winter quarters. Course, I'll be making like 30 pounds of this stuff, but that's o.k.

What about my brothers kids???? Now, this is where the What Was I Thinking thing comes in. Seems the kids like the Hemp jewelry (info via their father). So.... I used to run a jewelry Mnfg Co. and help make the jewelry, how hard could tying some knots in some string be??  I'll get a book, some beads, Hemp.... I'll make them necklaces, throw in a scarf and voila!

Well, let me tell you, it ain't as easy as it looks! <LOL> I have a package of regular colored hemp and one of those big bags of "assorted" bead to practice with. I bought two books on how to do it and I -thought- I was ready to go! Turns out that this isn't as easy as it looks <LOL>. But, I'll keep plugging away at it. I bought some of the colored hemp for the actual present necklaces, and once I decide (and practice) the pieces I'm going to make for them I'll go out and pick out nice beads to match each piece. Wish me luck! I think I'm going to need it.