Merry Christmas, Cat and Lizard

The Kitty Couch is finished!  I decided not to make a coordinating afghan like the original pattern has, and instead use fabric and make a mini cheater quilt.  It actually looks like a real quilt, because this block pattern has been around for eons.  I know it as Melon Patch, but I think it has many different names.  Added some toss pillows for fun.

Here's a picture of Duck the cat checking it out.  I'm nervous the thing is too small for catnaps!  Duck isn't exactly small.

Yesterday I also cleaned out Emily the lizards terrarium.  It had been awhile, and unlike Duck, she doesn't try to keep things neat and tidy by always doing her business in a designated spot.  After the scrubbing, it occurred to me that she might enjoy some Holiday spirit as well.  So I took the Christmas wreath from my daughters dollhouse and hung it on her treehouse.  :-)

Her treehouse is built from a set of knock-off wood blocks, like Lincoln Logs but square.

Why yes, that IS a crocheted rug!  Feels so much more cozy, don't you think?  She's in her warming spot there, on the roof.  In her little world that makes her close to the sun.

Emily, lounging on her lizard ladder
(photo take through the mesh top)

A blizzard is coming!

And it's about time!  After the non-winter last year, I'm ready for a Real Winter Storm.  Just in time for Christmas, too.

Lots of snow also means lots of hats!  I do love hat making.  It's about as close to instant gratification you can get in the world of handmade.  A simple hat can be completed in the time it takes to watch a movie with the family.  (Well...they watch.  I crochet.  And glance up at the screen from time to time and try not to miss any important parts.)

Recently my husband found this picture somewhere on the Interwebs.

It just oozes awesomeness.

And he jokingly said," I want one of these!"  At least I think he was joking.  Not sure on that.  Either way, the take home message here is Never Ever Joke About Goofy Crochet Projects with a Crocheter, because you never know what they might do when left alone with hooks, yarn, and a 2-hour block of time.

Yeah, that's my husband.

Absolutely it's hinged and functional!

And, he actually wears it.  In public.  Like, to stores and stuff.  He's a good man.  (on a related note, today is our 14-year anniversary.  Go us!)

I have no idea who the original designer of this Knight Hat is, but whoever you are, thanks for the inspiration!

My daughter also got a new hat this season, because I had some hot pink and white sparkly yarn hanging around that matched her coat.  I made this one weeks ago but I kept forgetting to snap a photo when she's home to model it.

So, I asked the cat to model it instead.

Hey lady, I don't recall signing a modeling contract.

Teddy Bear is more cooperative.  He refused to smile though.

Simple staggered shell stitch pattern

Love the big flower and button detail.

My daughter is also a crafter in her own right.  This weekend, after listening to hours of the "I'm soooo boooorred!" wailing, she made an owl from some fabric scraps.  I cut the pieces; she stitched it together and stuffed it.  This is a pattern I found at a delightful quilt shop in Wichita, KS.  The designer has a blog, here, and she has other stuffed creature designs.  They're really easy and fun to make.

Meet Olive the Owl

Between now and Christmas, I'm going to try and finish the Kitty Couch (just about done!) and a last minute sweater for me.  Because I'm always cold.  More to come soon!

Cornbread Cutouts

The Holidays are here!  Hooray!  This is the best time of year.  Everybody is nicer (most of the time).  The weather is colder, and I get to enjoy wearing a hand crocheted something almost every day.  And it's ok to publicly embrace my love of glitter and sparkles.

The kids are loving the Holiday themed dishes that emerge this time of year.  Really, though, this treat can be enjoyed any time, any season.

Cornbread Cutouts
Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Wisk all this together in a bowl.

1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 c. corn meal
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1 c. milk
1/4 c. oil
1 egg

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick spray and pour the batter in.  Smooth it out evenly.  Pop it in the oven for 15 minutes or so, until it starts to look brown and smell delicious.

Then the fun part begins.

Let it cool about 5 minutes in the pan.

Put a cutting board on top...

...and flip the whole thing over.

Put another cutting board on and flip it again, so it's right side up.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
There won't be much waste if you cut carefully.

So cute!

Cornbread cutouts with homemade white chicken and corn chili...Yum!