Maybe Elvis had a Blue Christmas but I will have a Pink Christmas.  Let me show you why.

​What do you get if you add. . . 

this to. . .

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this?  Let me tell you the story before I show you.  I was just getting over my weariness from the Spectacular Shades Of Pink chair for the Chairity Auction.  As a matter of fact, I was thinking, "That couldn't have been as stressful as I remembered and it felt great to honor Breast Cancer Survivors."  I was thinking about starting next year's chair right now (what a foolish girl) when I got an email from Catrina.  Catrina taught me everything I know about blogging.  In times of crisis, I still call her crying, "HELP ME!"  She has rescued me from many iPad, Macbook and blog catastrophes.  How could I possibly say, "No" to Catrina!?!?! The email from Catrina asked if I would be interested in decorating a Christmas tree for the Lenawee Historical Society Museum.  After seeing the Chairity Auction chair, she through I might like to do something similar (Yarn Bombing for Christmas! Novel idea!), and it would be a great way for more people to learn about Knitting: A Love Story.  Like a magnet, she attracted two things of which I very proud.  I had just been thinking about how to get the word out to new people about Knitting: A Love Story.  I had also just been celebrating, after two months how good the Spectacular Shades of Pink chair made me feel.  Wham! Bam! Just like a piece of steel, I was sucked in.  

I started by thinking about how could I decorate a Christmas tree using pink yarn that wasn't as time consuming as straight knitting.  Boom! Hairpin lace garland! (picture #4)  At first I had started thinking about a garland made from an I-cord.  Then I realized it would be next year at this time and I would still be making an I-cord and I would have become the I in I-cord..   Next I thought of knitting little Christmas balls which would require double pointed needles and stuffing.  Boom! Pompoms (picture #5)  Now I was rolling and it seemed possible to actually finish this before Christmas.  It really had to be finished and up in the museum before December 1.  Then I remembered crochet is much faster than knitting. Boom! Crocheted icicles! (Picture # 6)  Then I found these great snowflake buttons (picture #7) at Yarn Envy and all of a sudden I was hooked.  Finally, I found a Survivor Shawl in the making (picture #3), bound it off and Spectacular Shades of Pink the Christmas tree edition seemed more and more possible.  

Dick and I went to the museum last Saturday and trimmed the tree and here it is.   

Please let me share with you Spectacular Shades of Pink: A Tribute To Breast Cancer Survivors.  I smile inside and out every time I look at it.  Oh, I just realized I now have The Spectacular Shades of Pink Collection!  

Well, I must go up to The Stash Studio and see what trouble I can get into.  My next post will be so amazing (even if I do say so myself).  I can't wait to share.

Of all of the things I'm thankful for knitting is right up there high on the list.  This year I'm probably more thankful than most years. Every year I love, crave, desire, and enjoy knitting.  This year I needed it and it got me through an emotionally draining year.  Knitting filled my tank with strength when life had drained it.  

It started in January when Dick and I went to Sunset Beach for the month without Mom for the first time.  Even though she is in a safe and caring place, it was the first time I was away for so long and not there to take care of the day to day issues.  This beautiful afghan helped get me through the month.  When I was knitting I wasn't worrying.  

In March we learned of Dick needing heart surgery.  We had 8 months of waiting, surgery and healing.  

This beautiful shawl helped me focus and keep my head on straight.  Then there was Dick's bicycle accident right when he should have been released from restrictions from surgery.  Once more I turned to knitting to easy the worry.

​Through the year Mom became a little more confused and forgetful and less sure on her feet.  

Knitting was my best option to stay focused and calm.  Playing in the background and the forefront was the campaign leading up to the election.  It seemed you never really could escape the drama and stress that has become political campaigns.  It seemed I lived my life scared, depressed and anxious.  When I felt my heart racing and my blood pressure climbing, I would pull out knitting and feel myself calm.  

I am so thankful for knitting as a stress reliever.  I doubt that stress will leave the picture but that is ok.  I have knitting to bring things back to normal; to make me feel focused; to help me get my feelings under control.  For all of this I am thankful and wish you all a Happy Thanksknitting. 

That is how I started the "3 Things You Can Finish Before Christmas" class.  The event which heralded the words, "For The First Time Anywhere," was my friend Thea and I teaching a knitting class together.  I think we gave the term dynamic duo a whole new meaning.  We were knitting at Ann's By Design one day with both Ann and the Marvelous Melissa present.  We were kind of trying to decide if it was a good idea to have classes in December or not.  It was during this time, we came up with three out of the box, smashing ideas.  One is to have a Black Friday Knit-In for all of those people who hate the crowds shopping and are sick of watching football.  Another was to have a Knitting Marathon.  The store will be open from 10 to 10 and people will bring in projects they are working on using yarn from Ann's.  We will take a picture when they check-in and one when they leave so they can be overwhelmed by their progress.  The third was the best idea of all; Thea and I would co-teach "3 Things You Can Finish By Christmas."  We started going through our fast and fun patterns until we came up with three, then we put the class on line and people started signing up.  I must tell you that brainstorming at Ann's By Design is one of the most fun, exhilarating experiences.  NO BODY EVER SAYS, "THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE."  Anything is possible and the impossible can be tweaked to make it possible.  I think one of the things I miss most about my fabulous position of Assistant Superintendent of Consultation and Planning at Lenawee Intermediate School District is brainstorming.  Sometimes I brainstorm with myself.  It is fun but it isn't the same.  It lacks the element of surprise.  I could pretend to surprise myself but it would be in-genuine.   

I wish I could post pictures of the class in session, but for some reason they are all laying on their side when they appear on Knitting: A Love Story even though they are not in the album. I can't figure out how to turn them around.  Once again I would like to stress, "I am a knitter and a storyteller not a photographer or a writer."  Maybe some day I will figure this out and you can see just how much fun people had.  When you stepped out of the classroom all you could hear was people laughing and talking.  Ann came in and said, "This is what a class should be like."  Now let me show you what 3 things we picked out.

Our first project was brought to the table by Ann.  It is the Seafarer's Scarf and is a free pattern from The Seaman's Church.  We made it out of Cascade Splatter a heavy worsted yarn.  The blue one is made out of a finer yarn.  This is a great pattern for either a male or female.  It is warm and easy and very attractive.  It can easily be finished in a week or two.

Now, you all recognize this.  It is one of my two go-to patterns for travel or gifts or just relaxing.  It is the fabulous Bandito Scarf designed by Hazel's Grandma and Meg's Mom the amazing Anne Campbell better known on Ravelry as Knitterly Anne.  Bandito is a free pattern on Revelry.  We made the Bandito out of Cascade Melilla.  This wonderful accessory can be easily finished in a week.  I have given this many times as a gift and the receiver always loved it.  Whenever I wear my own Banditos (and I have many) someone always stops to ask if I made my scarf and sometimes asks if I sell them.  Once you get started it is a one row pattern.  That's right, every row is the same.  

This is the Anne Norling scarf.  It looks very complicated but it isn't.  The fun comes in using variegated yarn.  Thea is a virtuoso on this pattern.  She has made many, many, many.  You name a fiber and I bet she has used it for Anne Norling.  We did notice the room got very quiet when we were working on Anne Norling.  We weren't sure if they were a little tired or a little overwhelmed then all of a sudden conversation happened again.  I think they got serious when they thought it was going to be hard then when they realized it was pretty simple they were relieved.  This can be completed in about a week or 2 depending on how much time you are devoting to it and how long you want it to be.  

That is our 3 Things You Can Finish Before Christmas.  You really can finish all 3 things.  Just as I suspected, Thea and I make a great team.  We both love knitting and want others to love and appreciate it as much as we do.  If you would like to experience the Dynamic duo, come to Ann's By Design most any Friday from 10:00 to noon and you will find us knitting together.  Because of all of the things going on in December like my Mom's 92 birthday and our Christmas trip to Lawrence, Kansas and my sister coming from Atlanta for Christmas, social knitting on Fridays will be without Jan in December and January.  January is our trip to Sunset Beach.  That reminds me, it is time to pick out my travel knitting.  I have some really great things to choose from this year thanks to the Fall Fiber Expo, Noble Knits, Earthfaire, Knit-Purl, Pinterest and Ravelry.  When you had to look through books to find something to knit, you didn't have as many overwhelming choices.  WOW!  I think I just discovered a new topic for Knitting: A Love Story.

You must think I'm obsessed devoting two November posts to Christmas gifts.  Just to clear things up, I Christmas shop all year.  By the time December rolls around, most of my Christmas shopping is done.  I seldom if ever fight the December mall crowds.  The thought of that sends chills up my spine and sends me running for a glass of wine.  I used to be a champion mall shopper.  I would just go to the mall to see what was there.  I would spend the day wandering in and out of stores with no purchase in mind.  I wouldn't have a list of things to search for.  I would just serendipitously shop.  Some where along the line I would have a soft pretzel, a Mrs. Smith's cookie and sometimes a Cinnabon. It was on this carb induced, sugar high that I would buy things I didn't need and would never wear.  I was "SHOPPING UNDER THE INFLUENCE!"  Now I buy most things on-line and become claustrophobic if I even get near a mall crowd. I blame Dick for this change.  But I have two fabulous gifts you can find in your LYS that would be perfect for knitters on your list or, well, you.  Ok, now be honest.  Don't you buy a little something for yourself for Christmas!?!?!?!

Does any knitter or quilter or embroiderer have enough project bags?  I know I don't.  This set of bags has four different sizes from baby bear through jumbo bear.  (Remember "The Three Bears?  Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear?)  And besides that, these are clear so you know exactly what is in each bag without opening it up and pulling stuff out.  What a time saver!  Less time to search equals more time to knit!

This is called SeeYourStuff The Clear Storage Bag and is $44.00.  I bought mine at Ann's By Design and will buy several more as gifts as soon as the next shipment comes in. I think there is one coming in that is Michigan State green.  Hurray for me! If you live near Adrian or want to shop Ann's By Design online, she has many colors.  How easy is that!

This is so cool, I can't stand it!  You know I am a knitting needle addict.  Well, here is Knitter's Pride Melodies Of Life LIMITED EDITION knitting needle set.  You heard me right.  LIMITED EDITION.  You know what those words do to me.  It is exactly like saying "discontinued yarn."  Once I hear those words I MUST, MUST, MUST have MORE, MORE, MORE!  Because after all, when they're gone, I'll never be able to get them again.  I got an email from Knitter's Pride (first of all who told them about my addiction!!!) announcing the release of their holiday set of knitting needles Melodies of Life.  I immediately started searching for places I could buy them.  I went to the Knitter's Pride website and they directed me to a Michigan distributor who only sells wholesale.  They asked the name and number of my shop.  I could have made up a name for a shop but that number stumped me. I always thought if I had my own LYS it would be called "In Stitches." That says knitting and fun to me.  Yarn and laughter every where.  Just my kind of shop.  I decided to come clean and tell them what I wanted; TO BUY THOSE BEAUTIFUL NEEDLES.  They cheerfully told me they don't do retail.  They are a whole sale supplier to LYS.  They made me say the names of LYS near me, and then they would tell me if they were a supplier to that shop.  I struck out with Spun, I knew Ann's By Design wasn't a customer and finally I said Yarn Envy.  Hurray.  I immediately called the shop and ordered three sets.

The needles are so beautiful.  I got kind of nervous, so I went to Web's and ordered one set but they were on back order.  Time passed but still no needles.  Then I decided to go to Jimmy Beans.  They had 50 set so I ordered 2.  Are you keeping track of how many sets of needles I have committed to?  Then I went back to Web's.  Now they said they had 50 sets.  I emailed them and asked when I would be getting my needles only to learn they had been sent.  Doesn't this sound like an addiction?!?!?! 

They finally came (all of them) and it's not just a box of knitting needles.  There is a beautiful pouch filled with knitting tools AND two set of stunning earrings.  Ok now, limited edition knitting needles AND earrings!  If this doesn't have my name written all over it, I don't know what does.  

Aren't they beautiful!?!?!?! As you can see the earrings are wood.  Ok, so I have six sets of knitting needles and 12 pairs of earrings.  That does sound a little over the top.  Some of these are Christmas gifts.  

This is the pouch of goodies that comes with Melodies Of Life. In it you will find cords of various lengths, keys to tighten needles to cords (these are so important! If you've ever had a needle separate from the cord in the middle of a row, you understand why.  DO NOT TAKE THESE FOR GRANTED! PUT THEM IN A SAFE PLACE!),stitch holders, and this little package of things I don't have a clue what they are. They look like knitting needles with a plastic loop on the end.  I believe that when I figure out what they are, I will wonder how I ever lived without them.

So, in these two discoveries, I have purchased 6 gifts for Christmas and 5 gifts for me,  I am trying to decide if I should wrap my gifts or not.

It's that time of the year when I make the trip up to the Stash Studio and ask all of my knitted treasures who they want to go home with for Christmas.  Remember, usually, I knit what I love all year and it just becomes obvious who they are for.  Not so this year. I have had many knitting distractions.

Spectacular Shades of Pink: A Tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month took lots and lots of time.  I loved the chair, loved doing the chair but it did take time away from "knitting the things I love and giving them away for Christmas."  I'm also currently working on something similar to the chair to put in the Lenawee Historical Museum for Christmas. I really can't wait to share this project with you. It is smashing!

Then there was the hospital knitting for Dick's surgery.  I loved doing it but I wouldn't give it away for anything.

Then there was getting ready for the Survival Shawl class.  Survivor Shawls are true labors of love.

Then there was Knit the Sky and the Knit the Day I'm working on now. This may be one the my favorite things I have ever knit and I absolutely NEVER could give it away.

Then there was the beautiful shawl I knit for my friend Kay when her husband Ron died.

Then there was the shawlette I knit for my friend Clara from North Carolina when she had back surgery.

Then there was the knitted necklace I gave to Barbara Hooberman, my retiring Gynecologist.

Then there is my Caterpillar Green shawl I gave away when I hosted bridge.

Then there is the shawl I made out of yarn I bought in Hawaii and gave to Evie who invited us to Hawaii.

Then there is the Anemone hat I made for a class at Ann's.

Then there are the things I knit this year and can't bare to give away.  

Like this rainbow afghan. 

and the Beacon Shawl.

I was a very prolific knitter this year but I just haven't accumulated things to give away for Christmas.  This realization led me to a fabulous idea.  I will make a trip to the Stash Studio but it won't be to see where my treasures will go for Christmas.  It will be to go through my tubs and see what I have that is almost finished.  I will finish these treasures and they will become Christmas gifts for my friends.  If you remember I declared 2016 "The Year Of The Finisher."  I set three goals which would contribute to the declaration.  Goal 3: Finish 2 things that are partially knit.  Goal 4: Finish 2 things from yarn and patterns I have but haven't started. Goal 5: Make 2 projects from my UDY (Undesignated Yarn) collection.  My year has come full circle.  I am back to my goals to save me for this Christmas season.   FABULOUS IDEA!  I am really stoked to do this.  This has added a new level of excitement to Christmas giving.  I think I will make my scavenger hunt this weekend, then I will report back on what I found.  This is what a yarn stash is all about and why not always finishing every project is a good thing.  I know I'll have much to choose from but it will be a surprise discovery for me.  I can't wait.