Final 2011 Resolution Complete - Yarn Bombing!

I can guarantee every single one of you would have been laughing your heads off if you saw my shaking hands and nervous glances over the shoulder as I attempted my first yarn bombing this morning. Sheesh. I decided to give it a try when I noticed it was the only resolution I didn't complete for 2011. So, last night I gathered some scrap bits of yarn, got out my giant knitting needles, and knit up something chunky and fast. When I got to this little fence I started stitching my piece up right away flinching at the sound of every car that drove by. Then...there it was! Something I knit, something representative of my colorful and yarn loving self, sitting out there for all the world to see. Ok maybe not all the world...but hopefully it will make the people who pass by stop and smile. :)

2011 has been an amazing year. I can't believe I completed all of my resolutions:

- Increase confidence in myself:
I definitely achieved this goal! Through my Blogging for Confidence series I took little steps outside      of my comfort zone that had huge results. I am finally feeling comfortable in my skin and boy does it feel good.
- Take more time to create:
I am so proud of the new additions I made to the shop this year like my granny square cowls and crochet bows!
- Apply to a craft fair:
I had the most amazing time at my first craft show, the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash! I can't wait to enter another show and go through the craziness all over again.
- Submit my work to blogs and magazines:
I am so humbled to have my work featured on Craft, Frankie Magazine, and Lion Brand Yarn's blogs this year. Thank you to all of the bloggers who took the time to write about my blog or shop. I appreciate it more than you know.
- Increase my social network stamina
I am finally getting the hang of Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest...all that jazz. I wonder what new form of social media I will have to master this year!
- Attempt some yarn bombing
I did it! Yay!
- Be happier!
Check. Check. Check. This year I found my voice and I will never let it go silent again.

Pictures from NYC + a Video Memory

Last week my mom and I packed our bags and took a little trip to visit New York City during the holiday season. This has been a big dream for the both of us so we were really excited. We had an amazing time right from the start. We had our first meal and a delicious cup of coffee at Chelsea market then we went on a holiday light tour to see all of the shop windows (Macy's was our favorite). An unexpected surprise was looking around the New York Public library. Inside it was warm and filled with so many books and free exhibits!  Then we stopped by the Lion Brand Yarn Studio and I oohed-and-aahed over the pretty colors. We saw "the tree" at Rockefeller Center, ate some yummy macarons, and just had fun running around the city. I was toting three cameras and doing my best to capture every moment. I even took a little iPhone video with the 8mm app.



Such a fun memory from an amazing trip.

New York, I can't wait to see you again!

Knitting Inspiration - In Black & White

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight

When it comes to knitting inspiration I'm usually inspired by bright colors and fun patterns, but I couldn't resist sharing these beautiful black and white photos and illustrations. All of these women just look so classy with their needles and yarn. I like to pretend that I am a classy "dame" too when I knit and listen to my Frank Sinatra records. ;-) If these pictures don't prove how elegant this craft is, I don't know what does.

Also, you should take a look at the Life magazine image archives on google. I typed in "knitting" and stumbled upon a wealth of gorgeous, vintage photographs. In 1941, the cover story was about teaching people how to knit and included step-by-step pictures with instructions. How cool is that?  I hope you enjoy browsing through these historical memories.

P.S. - Did you see this post of more old hollywood actors and actresses getting their knit on?

Sparkly & Sweet Moments from Christmas

Another Christmas, come and gone. I certainly enjoyed every minute of it! However, I am struggling to be productive again and do things outside, not wearing my new Christmas pjs. Here's a peek of my family's Christmas Eve & Day:

1. I give my mom an ornament every year for Christmas. She just loves this little version of my crochet teacups! This little cup will definitely be in the shop in time for Christmas next year. ;)

2. We just spent the day relaxing around the house. I had a little too much fun playing with bokeh again...haha. It's just so addicting!

3. Frank, Dean, and Johnny were the perfect mood music for baking sugar cookies. 

4. Sugar cookies: pre-icing.

5. Sugar cookies: post icing! I even tried a couple granny squares, but they were not even close to the pretty ones I posted about last week. Oh well. They still tasted good. 

6. More cookies and a name tag just for me. 

I always love spending Christmas with my little family. I hope we can maintain these traditions for the rest of my life. :) 

How was your holiday? What are some of your favorite traditions? Are you getting excited for the new year? 

Merry Christmas!

I tried bokeh for the first time and snapped some pictures of the pretty Christmas lights on our tree and staircase. I just love how it turned out! So magical! For the star bokeh I used this tutorial from The Friendly Fox. I highly recommend it! You should give it a try before the decorations are put away. :-)

I can't believe it is Christmas Eve! Today my family is going to spend the day baking sugar cookies, listening to Christmas music and remembering the importance of this holiday. I just want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I can't thank you enough for reading and supporting my blog this year. The sheer awesomeness of this community never ceases to amaze me and I am so thankful for each and every one of you. I wish you and yours a merry and safe holiday.

Love, Meredith

NYC Christmas Instax Pictures

I am home from NYC and had such an amazing time! I will post more pictures later (and possibly a video!) from my jolly adventures in the big city, but here are a few of my favorite Instax pictures.

1. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
2. Macarons from Bouchon Bakery
3. The ornament wall in Macy's.
4. LED star lights in the Time Warner Center.
5. Manhattan pigeons doing their thing.
6. A pretty fountain in Bryant Park.
7. The Bryant Park skating rink and tree.

Actually, my Instax was really popular around town. Several people came up to me oohing-and-aahing over the camera and one guy even asked to take a picture of it! Haha! So funny. I am so glad to be home for Christmas with my family. We are already playing Christmas records non-stop and making all sorts of delicious goodies. Merry Christmas Eve-Eve everyone! ;-)

Granny Square Cookies from Sugar and Meringue

When I saw these granny square cookies from Sugar and Meringue I'm pretty sure I squealed with delight! Baking cookies on Christmas Eve is a tradition at my house so I think I will have to slip a few granny squares into the usual mix of snowmen and Santa Claus. 

Only a few more days until Christmas! I'm getting so excited!!! What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Travel Project - Knit Stirrup Socks

 Thank you so much for all of the sock pattern suggestions to take with me on my trip. I decided to go with this pattern from Lion Brand. I thought it was really cute and the yarn needed for the project was readily available in my town. I love the stirrup sock idea to wear around my chilly apartment this winter. I brought this project along so I could knit on the plane and in the hotel, but hopefully I will be having too much fun to knit much, right? ;)