Hi everyone! I know I haven’t posted my FO’s (finished objects) lately because I want to get some better pictures. I have a friend who’s great with photography and hoping to get some pictures in the next few weeks.

​This test knit by Liz Corke is such a great knit. If you have made a couple basic sock go ahead and give this one a try. It’s fabulous how the pattern runs along one side of the sock, and then continues up the leg on both sides. This is a toe up sock, which can be nice since when you get to the end, since there is no Kitchener stitch to finish the sock. This pattern is part of Liz’s “Four Seasons of Socks” patterns. Checkout this pattern and her other patterns.

Click Liz’s Ravelry link below for the Duilleag sock pattern.
​https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/duilleag
Click Liz’s Ravelry link below for the “Four Seasons of Socks” patterns.
​https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/four-seasons-of-socks/patterns

The sock details of my pair can also be found on my Ravelry page. Click the link below.
​https://www.ravelry.com/projects/paperandpurlgurl/duilleag---test-knit

I chose Legacy Fiber Artz Colorway Castle on the Hill on their Cozy Toes base. Cozy Toes is an 80/10/10 SW Merino/Cashmere/Nylon. This base is so soft and fabulous to knit with for any project. This base is so beautiful to use with a shawl to wrap yourself with on a chilly morning or in the winter by the fire. Please checkout their website and you can find sock kits with mini’s or buy their Steel Toes to keep those fabulous socks from wearing out too quickly.

I love this heel flap. It makes any sock look a little more fancy. I‘ve added it to multiple pairs of socks even if the pattern calls for a different heel flap. I hope you give Duilleag a knit. It’s a great toe up pattern and actually the first time I tried German short rows. Always great to learn a new technique.

This is the finished sock. This pattern is so pretty and fun to knit. I like how the lace work is deceiving and looks a bit like cables. This yarn was a dream to work with & I have plenty left to use with another project.

​As always, happy knitting and thanks for dropping by my page.

​Nikki xoxo

As we ring in the New Year, I wanted to share my last Christmas card from 2019. I chose this Corgi stamp set from Power Poppy. Marcella’s stamps are so beautiful and great for coloring. If you really enjoy coloring definitely checkout Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley. I stamped this little corgi on some shimmery white cardstock. I really like this cardstock when I’m coloring, as well as when I want my whole scene to be sparkly.

I then got all the pieces together for this card. I used Real Red cardstock for the base. Then I used Christmas plaid DSP behind the shimmery white cardstock. Plus my twine on hand for a little extra style.

I colored the corgi using Stampin blends in Crumbcake and Petal Pink. I used Real Red for the ribbon and Mint Macaron for the tag. Then I stamped the “No peeking!” sentiment over the corgi’s head in Real Red.

Then I used Real Red and Memento tuxedo black for the Christmas message and little paw prints. Those paw prints are adorable.

I folded my Real Red cardstock in half for an A2 size card. I adhered the Shimmery white cardstock to the DSP. Then I cut two pieces of twine to wrap the card like a package. I used pop dots to adhere to my Real Red cardstock. After that I used another piece of twine to make a bow.

I hope you all enjoy this card as much as I did making it. I haven’t been making as many cards lately, because my knitting seems to have taken over. My knitting is easier to travel with so it is taking a priority in 2020.

Thanks for stopping in to see what my latest crafty project is, and I hope you stop by again soon.

List of supplies:

Stampin Up products
Real Red cardstock
​Shimmery White cardstock
Whisper White cardstock
Real Red ink pad
Memento tuxedo black ink pad
​Stampin’ Blends: Crumbcake, Mint Macaron, Petal Pink
Stampin’ write markers: Real Red
​pop dots

Power Poppy products
Christmas Corgis stamp and die set

Lawn Fawn products
Perfectly Plaid DSP: Christmas collection 2016
Trimmings Twine in Red, Green, & White

​*paper trimmer, scissors, and double sided tape

My first Christmas card of 2019 began with Holiday Cheer from My Favorite Things stamps and dies. I have had this stamp on the top of my pile knowing I needed to make a Christmas card with her. She is so cute! This stamp was my first MFT (My Favorite Things) purchase a year ago.

I actually had the chance to travel to Florida earlier this month with one of my stamping friend to go to MFT for Kathy Rac’s Coloring Road Trip! MFT is a great space for finding those special stamps, paper, inks, and various other crafting items. Their space for crafting is fabulous! The area is bright and well lit with a large screen tv for you to see what the instructor is making. Each large table has 6 desk lights to ensure every person has enough lighting for their crafting needs.

I highly recommend if you are in the area to visit MFT you take the time to check it out. And if you can take a class even better! If you can’t make it to the store itself, you can always grab a few items from their website. Let’s remember we need to support our small business crafters so we don’t lose them.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Enjoy the holidays and thanks for stopping here to check out my blog today.

All my piles trying to organize all the pieces of this super cute card. Gotta color all the girls and their shopping bags! I used both Copic markers, Stampin’ Blends, and Stampin’ Write markers for coloring her.

I used the Krylon 18k gold leafing pen for her bells on her hat and the buttons on her coat. I then grab my white gel pen to highlight her hat, jacket, and shopping bags. A few lines and dots are always a great finish to any coloring. Oh, don’t forget about adding those eyelashes! I used my Copic multiliner 0.03 marker. This multiliner is always great for adding those little details!

Finally the completed card, I folded my Petal Pink cardstock in half for an A2 size card. I took a piece of Tip Top Taupe cardstock and ran it through my big shot with a stitched rectangle die. I then adhered it using my tape runner.

I took 1 of each of the stitched circle DSP in glisten and luster by KaiserCraft adhering with my pop dots for dimension. Next I took my Holiday Cheer shopper by MFT and used pop dots to adhere her to the card.

Last I used a simple sentiment “Merry Christmas” stamping it with Tip Top Taupe ink on Neenah Solar White cardstock, and lastly adhering it with more pop dots.

List of supplies:

Stampin Up products
Petal Pink cardstock
Tip Top Taupe cardstock
Petal Pink ink pad
Tip Top Taupe ink pad
​Stampin’ Blends: Lovely Lipstick, Mint Macaron
Stampin’ write markers: Tip Top Taupe, Real Red
​pop dots
​Big Shot

My Favorite Things products
Holiday Cheer stamp and die set

Neenah products
Solar White cardstock 110lb

KaiserCraft products
Sparkle Collection DSP: Glistening & Luster

​Gina Marie Design products
Stitched Circles nesting dies
​Stitched Rectangles nesting dies

Copic products
Multiliner SP 0.03
​Sketch markers: E0000, E50, R81

Krylon products
18k gold leafing pen

Sakura products
White gel pen

​*paper trimmer, scissors, and double sided tape

My Christmas socks are ready to wear for this midweek Christmas Day!

I bought this fabulous self striping yarn at Needles Up event from the Fibernymph Dye Works. Needles Up is an event Legacy Fiber Artz puts on the Friday before the New York Sheep and Wool weekend in Rhinebeck New York. This event hosts multiple vendors from fiber makers and dyers. Next year check out this event and see what you treasures you find.

I casted on my 56 stitches and started with the Forest color way. I did 12 rows of a twisted rib. I knit 1 TBL(through the back loop) and purled 1, to make the ribbing pop a little more. Then I did a little fade changing to the Cranberry color way. I knit 3 rows, then 2 rows, and then 1 row of both colors, alternating between the two colors. I then continued working with the Cranberry color way for the leg and foot.

When I got to the heel, I switched back to the Forest color way. I used the short row heel. I used the Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guide No. 11, Wanderlust. This field guide is fantastic and fits in your knitting bag easily for on the go sock knitting. If you haven’t gotten your's, treat yourself with a field guide or maybe even 2 in the New Year!

I finished the foot in Cranberry and began with a little fade when switching back to Forest for the toe. I did 1 row and then 2 rows alternating with Forest and Cranberry before finishing the toe in Forest.

I then did the other sock switching the colors so they were opposites. This is how Fibernymph Dye Works intended for this pairing that became my Christmas socks 2019!

Back in November I had a girls weekend for crafting with some girlfriends. We rented an AirBnB for the weekend and all worked on paper crafts. A few of us also knit so we did a little yarn therapy as well. This AirBnB was perfect with a great open space with the dining room, living room, and kitchen all open so we could all enjoy each other’s company even if we weren’t in the same room.

We decided to have a card challenge using the Gnome for the Holidays stamp and die set by Fun Stampers Journey. These next two pics show off everyone’s fabulous cards. Thanks Crystal, Dee, Donna, Laurie, and Sherry for a fabulous weekend of crafting inspiration.

For my card I started with Tranquil Tide cardstock which pairs beautifully with Perfectly Plaid in Chill. I stamped my gnomes with Momento black ink on Neenah Solar White cardstock then die cut them.

I used the markers I had on hand to color my gnomes. Unfortunately I forgot to write down the exact colors and since I had various markers on hand I used a couple different brands.

I used my Tranquil Tide ink on Neenah Solar White cardstock for the banner and heart. I then die cut them so I could arrange everything how I thought was the cutest.

I continued the Tranquil Tide on Solar White for the sentiment. Plus added a few hearts since it’s perfect to a add a little more flair inside the card.

My talented friends made some special gifts too. Donna made us some homemade paper! Sherry made us her delicious apple butter and a dishcloth! Then Crystal made us a treat bag and a treat box! Chocolate goes with everything!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Below are a few pictures of the beautiful AirBnB we rented. These were taken in the early morning just after sunrise, which I think makes it look so peaceful.

List of supplies

Fun Stampers Journey
Gnome for the Holidays stamp and die set

Lawn Fawn
Perfectly Plaid DSP in Chill

Stampin Up
Tranquil Tide cardstock
Tranquil Tide ink pad
Momento black ink pad

Neenah
Solar White 80lb cardstock

Markers
various copic
various Stampin Up

Gina Marie
Stitched Rectangles nesting dies

basic supplies: tape runner, scissors, pop dots, big shot, fiskars paper cutter
​

I started the Emilia wrap by Claudia Wersing because my friend Sarah had started it and was having trouble with how the pattern read. So I decided to make it myself to be able to help her out. I downloaded the pattern for myself and then when we got together I compared my copy with the printed copy she received when purchasing the Juniper Moon yarn at Webs. They read differently and I immediately understood why she was having trouble. So finally she was able to get her’s going. I really enjoyed knitting this simple shawlette with a pretty lace edge. You can download your copy from Ravelry today.

I really enjoyed knitting this simple shawlette with a lace edge. It’s a versatile piece that can be used as a shawl or as a winter scarf. Here in New England we always needs scarves or a cozy shawl to keep us warm.

I used some Malabrigo yarn that was in my stash. This was Arroyo in the Arco Iris colorway. It’s such a pretty colorway that used purples, greens, and yellows making it pop beautifully. The weight of this yarn also shows off the pretty lace edge.

The LYS, Creative Fibers, where I purchased this yarn closed a few years ago. Luckily we have another LYS, Ewe and You in Windsor CT. So if you are in the area looking for a LYS to support, the owner Rachel is always happy to help you find anything you need.

This is my second pair of socks I started with the the summer of Mason Dixon Knitting Field Guide #11 Wanderlust. I have enjoyed knitting socks for years but it was nice to see so many other people making fantastic socks.

I started with Barnyard Knits sock yarn 75%/25% merino/nylon color-way Shipwreck. They have beautiful colors so definitely check them out. I used the Hiya Hiya flyers in size us 2 and began working the picot cuff. This cuff is so pretty and definitely one of my favorites.

I bought my Hiya Hiya Flyers at Ewe & You Fibers in Windsor, Connecticut. Next time you’re in the north central Connecticut area check out Rachel’s shop. It’s a short drive approximately 5 minutes off I91, so no excuses not to stop and check her out!

I then chose the pattern Little Tents for this second pair. I typically do patterns that wrap all around, but I liked doing a front panel pattern for a change.

I then did a short row heel again on this sock too. I’m finding I like the short row heel because you don’t have to pickup the gusset.

Lastly here’s the finished pair! This color way “Shipwreck” from Barnyards Knit is fantastic! They have beautiful yarn so make sure you go check them out and grab a skein or two for your next project.

Glass hurricane is from PartyLite and I decided to fill it with yarn I need to cake for projects! There’s Mrs. Crosby’s which I bought at Webs in Northampton Massachusetts. Again 2 minutes off I91, so if you’re in the area it’s yarn heaven as many people know. Also there is Legacy Fiber Artz yarn in this picture so checkout their websites!

As many of my fellow knitters know it’s the summer of socks! Mason-Dixon Knitting has been hosting a sock KAL all summer long. I’ve at least gotten one pair done and I’m just starting a second pair. If you’re thinking about starting a pair of socks checkout the new MDK Field Guide No. 11: Wanderlust. It has all the information you need to make a new pair of socks or 2,3, maybe 4 new pairs of socks.

​There is still time to start your pair of socks now! There’s even prizes along the way! Checkout the link to the MDK KAL for all the information. https://www.masondixonknitting.com/the-wandering-socks-knitalong-is-coming-2/

I used Neighborhood Fiber Co. yarn in colorway: Stephen Towns. This is a 100% Superwash Merino. Checkout Mason-Dixon Knitting or their website directly. https://neighborhoodfiberco.com/collections

I started with the picot cuff for this sock. It’s just so pretty. Plus with the lace panel it’s so cute. These are so pretty.

This double eyelet rib panel is so pretty. I had thought about making a back panel on the leg too, but decided to just do the front. Maybe on the next pair.

Here is the finished pair! I just love how they came out. Now I’m looking forward to the fall weather to start wearing this beautiful pair of socks.

Finishing a pair of socks...

Clearly these socks were well overdue to get finished! I started them 6 years ago. Yes, 6 years is way overdue! Sad part I have other projects that are longer than that. Hopefully I will get 1 or 2 more finished for fall.

I decided to work on this WIP during my vacation. These socks only needed the toe finished, so they were towards the top of my list. After I finished my Sockhead hat, I moved this to the top of my list. I had completed the first sock quickly 6 years ago, because I was planning on showing a couple people how to knit a basic pair of socks. Unfortunately every time we tried to get together our plans fell through. I then started the 2nd one completing the cuff. Then a couple years later I did the leg portion finished. After that I worked on the heel a couple years later, continuing with the foot. But again stopped at the toe...

I used Socks That Rock yarn by Blue Moon Fibers. I couldn’t find the label so I don’t know the name of the colorway. Also since I was teaching a basic sock, I didn’t do anything fancy. I used a a 2x2 ribbing for the cuff and a knit 3 purl 1 for the leg and foot.

I was drawn to all the colors in this yarn. I feel keeping it simple really made the colors standout. As well, it even made some striping randomly on the legs.

Definitely more socks coming soon! They are actually one of my favorite projects thanks to Sue Stokes from Legacy Fiber Artz. She is an indie dyer with beautiful yarn now so be sure to checkout her website. I met her 7 or 8 years ago now, and her love of socks rubbed off on me. Thanks Sue for making sock knitting so much fun for many of us.

Happy knitting!

My local yarn shop, Ewe & You Fiber Arts LLC, has been collecting hats for the Hat Not Hate campaign started by Lion Brand Yarn in 2018. Luis Boris, the man behind Brooklyn Boy Knits, helps kids learn to knit out in communities with Lion Brand Yarn. This campaign has collected thousands of hats to date to help end bullying. Please checkout the campaign for more details and how you can donate and/or become active with their anti bullying campaign! #HatNotHate

​Details on both hats can also be found on my Ravelry page.

I picked up this Classic Shades yarn at my local yarn shop Ewe & You last month to make one of my hats to donate. The color changes gradually and subtly throughout this hat. The pattern is Jimmy’s Bulky Beanie by Laura Zander which is free on Ravelry.

Now my other hat I wanted to use the Perky Little Hat pattern. I needed super bulky yarn so I grab some leftover blues of Malabrigo Rasta. Rasta is my favorite super bulky yarn. The Perky Little Hat is by Sharon Lentsch and free on Ravelry.

Both these hats were fun to make, and I was happy to contribute to a great cause.

​Does anyone else have a cause or campaign they enjoy donating handmade projects to help people?

​Happy knitting, crocheting, and any fiber making you enjoy! 🧶