Christmas 2012

Christmas Vodka, looked super festive from day dot

 

Christmas this year seemed to appear from no where. I started to panic when I realised I had very little time to make the gifts that I wanted to give folks but I am happy with what I finally produced.

I first started knitting these gloves for my friend Gemma

 as she had said how much she had liked mine the year before

Then I found a recipe for a Spiced Aarancello (Christmas Spiced Vodka) from BBC Good Food App and thought that it would make a nice gift for some of my friends

- My flatmate makes amazing fruit liquors so it was nice to try my hand at something similar

 

As I mentioned back in October, I got a kindle pattern from a craft fair during Wool Week and was keen to make one for my Mam, Ii am really chuffed with the colours etc.

although it is a little on the large side

After the success of last years Christmas Jam I thought I would try my hand at my own recipe, Mulled Pear Jam, I liked how subtle all the flavours were although I would maybe put a little less

 sugar in it next time as it was super sweet.

I know that some people make/sell Christmas Pudding Hats but I thought I would try my own version. My own pattern so, again, proud of the outcome (would also make awesome tea cosies) can't wait to see pictures of the boys in them.

Ii also followed a Kate Davis pattern and knitted this hat for my Dad, thinking to make a girlie one for myself, once I have tackled the socks and jumper.

 

I really recommend homemade gifts, I got one this year (Blackberry Gin from Lynn) and I really appreciated that she has put time and effort into a gift that was for me.

 

Happy Holiday xxx

Peerie Catch -Up Before the Festivities

 

It's been a super busy month with several trips south and me maybe biting off more than I can chew with my homemade Christmas so I'm sorry that my blog has been quiet.

I flew home on Friday even though the world was ending and the weather was doing very little to disprove this.

Finally got my Birthday present from my folks (it was being knitted by Shetland Designers) .. I have worn it all afternoon and think it may be a permanent fixture in my winter wardrobe from now on.

 

My sister and Dave didn't manage to get sooth due to the weather so me and Em had a very nice afternoon making and eating Christmas popcorn and watching the very intellectual film 'Magic Mike'.

 

I was also faced with the welcoming committee who had lots of love and hugs to send my way - except for Meg who has decided that she isn't ready to forgive me for leaving (going back to Orkney)
.

Well I hope everyone has a Super Christmas and New Year and that you get to spend it with the ones you love!!!

... I will blog my Homemade Christmas post as soon as I know everyone has gotten their gifts

Secret Craft Fair Mission

Aamos Design Cupcake Pin Cushions ... beautifully made ;o)

 

It is no secret to Facebook or twitter that my sister Emma, Aamos Designs, has been working her socks off for the past month to make stock for this years Christmas Craft Fair.

Also got to celebrate my cousins recent engagement

... ching ching

I thought that she may appreciate a wee visitor and helper. So I booked a flight home to Shetland to surprise her... And although it was touch and go for a while, we managed to do it.

 

My welcome Party were very happy to see me

I keep forgetting to take cash but I think that was a good thing because I managed to work out a wee list of things I'd like.


Here's some of the beautiful crafts I found ...

I love my red hair slide by Donna Smith Designs

 thinking maybe mustard yellow and navy next

I have always wanted a sheep skin rug, and theses ones

 by Shetland Sheepskin Products  are amazing

 

Hoping to go back in and buy this today, pin cushion by Ella Gordon

 ...LOVE the colour and need it for currently quilting project

 

Of course there were lots of gorgeous Burra Bears

 

Pink Fish Christmas tree decoration, super cute

I may also pop back today for one last look ... Open 11am to 5pm today so pop doon to Clickimin for a look!!!

Shetland Rainbow Tam

 

I had never thought about making a tam until my sister sent me a link to a picture of this tam about a year ago, and I thought it was very bonnie but I didn't think I had the skills to do something so tricky.

Well a couple weekends ago I was home for a flying visit and decided to buy the pattern as it was now in my head and I kinda wanted to try it and see what it would be like.

The only tricky parts were casting on and keeping count (there were 144st) and a few of the new notations, which I got my mam to help with turns out they are straight forward.

Once I started the fair isle I had a little panic as I wasn't sure about putting the blue in the pattern (in future I plan to re-sketch patterns with coloured pens and 1/2 cm square paper) but I was encouraged that it looked good so continued.

 

The pattern is very obvious when you knit it so you don't feel like you have to keep checking the pattern ... Although on the long rounds I do sound a little like rain man.

 

It took me just over a week to complete but I am on holiday so have some spare time to do this.

 

I plan to make more of these in the future as they are so pretty but I better get started on Christmas presents ASAP .... Super exciting!!!