My Race To Christmas 2015

Well, it is exactly 5 weeks from today until Christmas.  I think last year about this time I smugly talked about how I never do last minute knitting any more.  Remember when I said I knit things I love all year then they tell me where they want to go.  Once again this year, I knit things I love all year.  Once again, I will make a trip to the Stash Studio to find out where all of these treasure will be going.  Yesterday I sat down and made a list (God, I love lists!) of all of the Christmas gifts that needed to be finished.  I must say I overwhelmed myself.  HOW AM I GOING TO DO THIS ALL IN 5 WEEKS??????????  The issue is something I just learned to do that has nothing to do with knitting.  

I am totally smitten with this adorable little purse made out of a candy bag.  The second I first saw this, I was totally hooked.  I haven't been hooked on anything outside of knitting in a very long time.  Remember I am a knitter.  I am not a quilter.  I am not much of a seamstress but I decided I had to make one of these little darlings.  Ann's By Design had a class last night taught by the incomparable Kathy Tripp.  She is something else.  Quilter extraordinaire.  She'll come into Ann's By Design one day and be back a couple days later with something finished for display.  I loaded up my candy bag, sewing machine, zipper and all of the other necessities needed to make this little cutie.  There were three of us in class and I was definitely at the bottom of the Bell Curve.  I remarked that it was the first time in a very long time that I was the slowest person in class. I felt like the last person to turn their test in after everybody else was gone home.  I could easily been labeled remedial.  I did finish and I have a confession.  I plan to make 14 more of these beauties before Christmas!  I have searched for the perfect candy bag for each friend.  Barb loves Dove Dark Chocolate, so her purse is a Dove Dark Chocolate bag.  Erin's favorite candy is Mike and Ike.  Who knew.  I had to do a little searching for this since Mike and Ike comes in a box.  The wonders of Amazon!  They have everything.  Kathy's favorite flavor is Irish Cream so this bag must be her's.  Once again, I have gone overboard on something.  The story of my life.  I have put myself on a schedule with plans to have all 14 bags finished by next weekend.  Isn't this just the cutest?!?!  M & M's and Hershey's have such adorable Christmas bags of candy, I just couldn't resist.  

In addition to the 14 bags, I have the following to finish:

1.  I need to hide all of the ends in an afghan I made for Evie and Butch.
2.  I need to steam a shawl for Mom for her birthday. (You will absolutely love seeing this when I write about it.  It is beautiful!)
3.  I need to steam a beautiful shawl for Andi. (You will be impressed with this.  I thought it was mine until I said to Dick, "Who does this look like?"  He said, "Andi." and it was no longer mine.)
4.  I have a scarf for Erin that needs to be put together.  This is so funky that I can't wait to show you.
5.  I am making a fleece Red Wings wubby for Dick.  Not rocket science but it will still take a little time.
6.  I am also making a fleece Spartan hubby for Kathy.  I have fabric for one for me too but that may have to wait until after Christmas.

As you can see, I have a little work to do.  How did I get myself into this mess!?!?!?!?!  In addition, I must knit every day.  I am just a nicer person when I knit a little every day.  I will be checking in to show you my progress on all of these wondrous treasures.