Christmas Creativity Has Occured Here

One of the things I love most about Christmas is the opportunity it provides for me to be creative. With all of Sweet Hubby's family coming for dinner on Christmas Eve, I've been really decorating up a storm. This week I got into flower arranging mode. I needed a couple table centerpieces, so I took a visit to Michaels to purchase some greenery, and dug out the box of silk poinsettias and whatnot in the stash. Here are the results.

This one is for the main table in the dining room.

This one is going on the table we're setting up in the sun room.

There are going to be 23 of us for dinner. We don't have enough room in any one room to set up one table for that many, so I decided to set up a couple tables instead.I'll serve the food buffet style on the island in the kitchen. People can sit where they want.

This one I purchased. I wanted a potted Poinsettia just because. However, I have a knack for killing them just a few days after bringing them home. So this year I went with fake. I found this at Michaels and it was half off to boot. Can't complain about that.

It's still alive after a whole week. And I don't even have to water it!

Here, we have the necklace I've made for my niece Heidi. Pink is her favorite color.

It was inspired by the beaders on the French beading forum I inhabit, Ile Aux Perles. Even though I am hampered by a language barrier, I still have managed to learn a lot from them. Thank you, ladies, for all that you share with me.

Here's a closer view of the main attractions.

I used 10mm fresh water pearls dyed pale pink, size 8 seed beads in silver lined deep raspberry, and size 11 matte silver lined pink seed beads. I actually did some wire work too. Each bead is a wired link. As much as I would have liked to use sterling silver chain for this project, I had to settle for silver plate. The beautiful pink lampwork beads were found at Michaels.

Close up of the focal bead, which is the much loved Octahedral Cluster.

This is called the Bubochkis bead. I found the tutorial on a Russian site. (I think I mentioned it in an earlier post.)

I also managed to take a picture of the finished fingerless gloves I've made for my daughter.

Pattern: 93-8 Open Finger Mittens in Alpaca by DROPS Designs.

Yarn: Stitchjones Tribute Merino DK
Color: Angelica
Content: 100% Superwash Merino
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 3.
Size: Ladies Medium
Cast on: December 11, 2009
Bound off: December 19, 2009

Comments: I love the way this yarn pooled, and I'm very pleased that I managed to make the two gloves match, more or less. This yarn is nice to work with. The pattern is fairly well written, easy to knit. There is a basket weave pattern in the hand part. Although it doesn't show in the picture, it does show in real life.

Today I'm finishing up the gift wrapping and baking cookies. I'll let you know how that goes.

Have a nice day.