Handmade Holiday: In the Kitchen

This weekend our kitchen was filled with the most heavenly smells of ginger and spice and all things nice! We prepared jars of mincemeat and homemade cocoa mix as well as our traditional Christmas cake (dried fruit, almonds and spices).

We also tried the Honey Carrot Fruitcake from the latest Rhythm of the Home and it is amazing! It makes three loaves so it's great for gifting.

I take this opportunity to thank Tonya for hosting a Handmade Holiday this year. It has been wonderfully inspiring! 

Handmade Holiday: Cowls and Birds

This week for my Handmade Holiday I am on to my third Soulemama Wintry Cowl. Loving this easy pattern! I also knit an adult cowl in Quince & Co. Puffin (colorway Sabine) using this pattern.

Inspired by this post and by this book, I have made several little fabric birds. I have also made some fabric ornaments using some seasonal Spoonflower fabrics.

Spoonflower kit

And happy with these, just out of the kiln...

Handmade Holiday: Cowl and Doll Clothes

This week for my Handmade Holiday, I'm knitting some Wintry Weather Cowls from Rhythm of Family in Cascade 128 Chunky.

I'm also sewing some doll clothes using easy patterns from Mariengold.

Last but not least, we are already enjoying and sharing our Winter Tea.

Handmade Holiday: Nicholas

This week for my Handmade Holiday, I'm knitting a man's gift, a Nicholas neck warmer in Berroco Peruvia Quick.

Handmade Holiday: Pottery

During the fall months, I have the immense privilege of being able to come to this amazing pottery studio once a week to make clay dishes. Some of the dishes we use at home, some of them are holiday gifts for friends and family (part of my Handmade Holiday). I thought I would share some pictures...

View from the studio

Thank you Deb for most of the pictures and thank you Patrick of Studio Cap Blanc.

Encourage local potters!  

Handmade Holiday: Doll Sweater and Winter Tea

This week for my Handmade Holiday I am knitting a Little Kina doll sweater in Quince&Co Lark using size US6 needles (the pattern recommends size 4). I am hoping it will fit a regular size Waldorf doll...

This week I am also ordering my herbs to prepare some jars of our favourite Winter Tea. We loved it last winter and everyone who came to our home and tasted it loved it. I am also convinced it helped keep colds away. This year I will be preparing some extra jars for gifts. They will go perfectly with a tin of homemade Christmas baking.

Handmade Holiday: Knitted Animals

This week for my Handmade Holiday I am working on some little knitted animals from the book Knitted Animals using Quince&Co. chickadee as well as some Cascade 220. I am really enjoying this simple yet oh so sweet project.

Handmade Holiday: Felted Water Bottle Carriers

This week for my Handmade Holiday I am working on some Felted Water Bottle Carriers. They are fun to knit and turn out so nicely. I strongly recommend this pattern.

Handmade Holiday 2011: Breakfast Boards

This week for my Handmade Holiday, I made breakfast/snack boards in animal shapes. I was really inspired by the ones made by Our Ash Grove a while ago and was so excited to finally be able to make some myself, now that I have a new scroll saw!