Things I've Made

I made a total of six stockings last year.

I made ninth nephew Griffin a Harry Potter birthday hat.

I cross-stitched a Frodo and Sam for my dear Jennie.

I made a topsy-turvy firehouse/Dalmatian for cousin Davis.

And so much more.  I have missed blogging, but Instagram hits a lot of the same notes.

Long Time, No Blog: Update #3 (I'm still making stuff)

I've made more things than a hat these last few months. 

(I knit socks through three national parks!)

(I knit stockings for my cousin and his bride.)

(I knit mini rockets for my nephew Ellis's third birthday!)

(I made a quick baby hat for my dear Hannah's new baby.)

(I finished a long-gestating cross stitch project for Mr. Cool.)

(I made a great little cross-stitch project my sister gave me for my birthday.)

Yellowstone Trip Souvenir Hat

When we arrived in Jackson, WY prior to our trip into Grand Teton and Yellowstone, I had the boys drop me off at the local yarn shop.

It was a delightful little shop, and I found a lovely Wyoming made yarn, in the colorway Grass--a perfect choice, as we had been blown away by the gorgeous green grass we found in a wetter Wyoming.

I found a pattern I loved--and it was called the antelope hat--another perfect choice, as we had seen plenty on our tour!  And now it's done--and I'm ready for winter!

National Park Road Trip 2014: Grand Teton Highlights

Neither Mark or had a big memory of Grand Teton from our childhood trips, so the sudden pop of mountains as we drove north from Jackson took our breath away.

Our first stop was Jenny Lake, where Lincoln experienced his first boat ride across the lake to our Hidden Falls hike.

We loved the small Episcopal Chapel with amazing views--what a place to worship!

I would probably struggle with paying attention to sermons!

Our cute little cabin at Colter Bay was our base for exploring Jackson Lake.

Our beautiful hike on the Lakeshore Trail took us all around Jackson Lake--and all by our little family's self!

We toured some other views across Jenny Lake--stunning.

And in our afternoons and evenings, Lincoln was able to indulge in his favorite lake pastime--throwing rocks!  And I was able to knit and soak on the grandeur of these amazing mountains!

We loved Grand Teton, and can't wait to go back!

Way, way behind

Lincoln and I have taken to pizza art:

I've knit a few things:

Lincoln has gone sledding:

We have done some crafting:

We welcomed a tiny nephew:

Lincoln worked on writing his name and drawing silly people:

And suddenly, it was the middle of February!

Christmas Crafting

The gifts are all distributed, so it's time to share what Manda Claus crafted!

I made Mr. Cool a new red hat:

I made Lincoln a slightly off Spock Monkey,

And Mr. Cool and I crafted him a Lego table:

For my dad, nephews, and friends I made fancy pillowcases--the blue cowboy fabric was one my mom and I had made together:

For all my related ladies and friends, I made Chapstick cozies:

I made ornaments:

I knitted bracelets for my knitting posse and sister:

I knitted a hat for my ninth nephew:

Stuffed some stockings with play dough building kits:

I crafted Cinderella sculpture hair bows for my niece, and sewed her Cinderella aprons:

Whew!  Manda Claus is tired!