I Tried my Hand at Mitten Making

In a previous post, I shared pics. of some great gloves my neighbor had kindly madefor me from shrunken sweaters and vintage buttons. They are the most wonderful, warmest, fleece lined, winter necessities a snow-blowing/ ice shoveling girl could ever want.

She graciously shared with me her pattern and materials, so I could try to make some myself. Four pairs later and I cannot believe the time that was involved in each one, but they're like completing a painting, well worth the time once you see the finished product. Two pairs for my mother-in-law, one pair for my own Momma, and one surprise pair for one regular reader out there.

Sorry to some of you who may be hoping this surprise pair will arrive in your own mailbox. I'll tell ya what though: now that I know I can eventually get four pairs done and actually trun out pretty good, maybe I'll make a few more as gifts for Christmas, but I better start now, if I hope to finish by year's end.

DIY Snowman Kit

With a snow storm on our heels, I thought I'd share a fun idea with y'all. I wanted Bits to have a snowman kit. I found a couple online and thought, "Hey, I can make something like that for less money." I'll share some basic (honestly, really basic) instructions on how to go about making your own.

What you'll need:

found at a thrift store (or raid your closet, I just couldn't spare any of my own mittens and hats-we live in the U.P. if case you forget):

hat

scarf

mittens

found at Dollar Tree:

fake carrot

bag of black pebbles (you could gather some of these at someplace like a Lake Superior beach and paint them black yourself, but come on who has the time, right?)

found at Walmart:

cookie pail (you could make or find a cloth bag with a winter print, but Bits saw this pail and I thought we'd splurge on the $2.50)

found in the backyard:

two sticks

Just about everything should fit in the pail or bag, minus the sticks. You'll need about 5 small pebbles for a mouth and two big pebbles for eyes. I also used 3 big pebbles for buttons, but if you have or can find three big buttons approximately 2-3", that would be extra sweet.

For more fun, I found a Daddy type hat and tie, and Baby type gloves to make a snowman family.