Bird Advent, days 19-20

It is so odd, making these snow birds - I am so entertained by the infinite variety of little changes I can make, that I really feel like I could make these forever!

Bird Advent, days 15-18

Next to the green and pink birds, these are my favorites so far...

Bird Advent, day 14

Although photographing these is tricky, it's always fun to see the results. I'm really looking forward to snapping a big photo with all of them together...

Bird Advent, days 12-13

I wasn't ever planning to do blue and red - it kind of just happened, and I'm loving them.

Bird Advent, days 8-11

I completed these earlier this year - my favorite thing about photographing them as I finish is noticing all their little quirks and details.

Bird Advent, day 7

This all-white bird is one of my favorites so far. Maybe I'll make a few variations on this... :)

Bird Advent, days 5 and 6

I finished these two in January - my favorite part is still the black and white houndstooth felt on the back side - very cute, no?

Bird Advent, days 1-4

This year flashed by in record time for me! It's hard to believe I was making these beautiful birds 1 whole year ago, but there it is, the calendar, telling me what's what. These were made using the lovely Snow Bird pattern by Larissa Holland.

This holiday weekend I pulled out the birds, and started on these 4, half-finished and literally calling out to be sewn together. A marathon Gilmore Girls-watching later, I sewed these up and crafted another three.

Since I'm halfway there, I've decided to craft 1 a day for Advent - I can definitely crank out 25 of these beauties. Hope you enjoy them as I share them. :)

Stitching Saturday: Do What You Can Do

I'm in love with this free pattern by Mollie Johanson. Lately, Do What You Can Do has become my informal mantra - the busier my life becomes, between blogging, real work, family, and volunteering - the more I realize that life will always be decisions as to what's important, what needs doing first, and what is a priority.



Recently, I was sent these beautiful Merino wool threads by Mountain Meadow Wool, so I did a test-drive and review on Feeling Stitchy.

It was a lot of fun, and challenging, as I was juggling a couple of other projects simultaneously, someone in my family was sick, and I was doing a lot of volunteering for the animal shelter and my church.



I struggle with my perfectionist side, that wants to create this amazing, perfectly designed experience which I just don't have the time to create. So, Do What You Can Do takes over.

I hung this on my wall so that it's the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning, and its reassurance has helped immensely when I feel stressed at all.



But ultimately, I think I'm going to gift this to my sister, as she is famous for wanting to do it all, too. :) How about you guys? Is your crafting and life gearing up to an all-time busy high as well? May I suggest sitting down with this pattern, and taking a little time for yourself? :)

New Knit Stitch a Week: Pinterest Stitch

Well, I found this stitch on Pinterest, so that's what I'm calling it. :) I know I said I was taking a break from these posts, but I've gotten so busy lately with other projects, that I knit up a quick swatch as a stress-buster. :)

I cast on 16 stitches on size 9 needles, in a teal yarn from my stash. I really love the blocky, basket-y texture.

Knit from this pattern, found on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/222154194094356166/

Here's the wrong side:



Does anyone have a name for this kind of stitch? :)