Smile & Wave GIVEAWAY!

Hey ya'll!

Hope your Tuesday is treating you well (I know I'm glad that my work day is over)! I just wanted to let you know that I'm sponsoring a giveaway over at Smile and Wave. Hurry up and check it out; Rachel is drawing the winner TOMORROW!

Here's a pretty picture of the pretty necklace I'm giving away!

Don't forget--if you don't win, the necklace is also for sale in my shop :)

Happy Tuesday!

Manic Monday

I just wanted to pop in for a quick "Happy Monday" message!

I'm looking forward to this week because it's the mark of a new month, a long weekend, and the end of summer.

I hope it goes well for you!

Maryland

I thought it would be interesting to see what weheartit had to offer about my home state, Maryland.

Have you ever searched your state to see what beautiful pictures you could find? You should do it! Here are the best of the best of the Old Line State:

I was pleasantly surprised that people had posted pictures of not only Baltimore, but the eastern shore (which is where Salisbury University is, my alma mater).

What could you find your your state or country?

Fall Collection

50 % of the Fall Collection is posted on Etsy!

I'm busy crocheting this week to have all our new pieces up and posted by next weekend!

Here I Am.

Here I am.

I had a really, REALLY rough day yesterday.

So today. I'm slappin' a smile on my face, wearin' a pretty dress, and running errands without makeup on and with flat straight hair. That's right.

I'm just being me.

Prettiest Thing

I was born on the eastern panhandle of West Virginia in the town where my father graduated from high school. Before I turned 5, my family moved to western Maryland for a better school system and to be closer to my mother's family. Growing up in a small town on the Antietam Battlefield, I was always driving around gorgeous wheat fields and running through corn stalks. Now, I choose a more metropolitan lifestyle, but it's hard for me to ignore my admiration for fall and simple country life this time of year.

One of my favorite things about fall: barns.

Barns have such a charming structure, and if you're lucky, they have a really cool design and color to them as well.

 Here are some of the prettiest barns I've ever seen:

(Source: search barns)

Do you live close to any pretty barns?

Let me see them!

Take a picture. Post it. Paste the link in the comments!

Happy Saturday!

A week in review...

What a busy blog week!

I posted a lot of important information... if you've been disconnected from the blog world, you might want to check out the following highlights!

The Giveaway winner?

The Garland DIY that is PERFECT to add a little fall spice to your home? 

Stitch n' Pitch NATIONWIDE today?! I am so excited!

Donna's Decembers Fall Update (more coming soon!)

Whew...what a week!

What I Need...

I've realized that being a teacher comes with very little personal time. I know that I signed up for this gig, and most days I really love my job. However, I am becoming increasingly aware how much quiet time I need as a result of my job being so loud and crowded.

(source)

So I'm going to try very hard to take a few hours of every week to myself. It might be for blogging, crocheting, or reading, but it will be at a place where I am by myself and is relatively quiet. I think I really need this to remain a happy and "normal" person.

Do you need quiet time? Or am I just crazy? ha :)

Happy Thursday!

Wooly Bullies

I know this has appeared on a few blogs, but if you haven't taken the chance to watch it, do! It provided a much needed chuckle for me after school today!

Meet & Greet!

Okay, followers, it's time to introduce yourself!

There are so many of you who follow this blog that are new and fresh faces to me! It's so nice to meet other crafty people in the blog world. So, wouldn't it be nice to really get to know one another? All I'm asking is that in the comments section of this post, you answer the following questions! Maybe you'll find a few new daily reads along the way!

1. What's your name?

2. What's your blog's name & give us a link!

3. What do you blog about?

4. Favorite craft/hobby/activity?

See?

1. Liz

2. Donna's Decembers! http://donnasdecembers.blogspot.com/

3. I'm usually all over the place, but my posts typically have something to do with crafts, teaching, and day-to-day life.

4. Crocheting! I love it! I can't get enough yarn! It drives my husband crazy--but he's becoming used to it :)

Easy peasy! Go ahead...introduce yourself!

And here are three pictures that make me happy on this gloooooomy Tuesday!

(pic source)

Stitch n' Pitch!

Are you in the Frederick, Maryland area?

Do you love baseball and needle arts?

I have the PERFECT community event for you!

The Frederick Arts Council is hosting a Stitch n' Pitch as part of their annual Art in the Park event this Friday at Keys Stadium.

There will be interactive art, music, artist designed jerseys, and fun for all!

They are welcoming all crafters and their families and friends. Be sure to bring along your current knit, crochet, embroider, quilt, cross-stitch, or needlepoint project! What a fun way to meet new people with the same interest!

Also, they will end the night with an awesome fireworks display!

If you aren't from this area, check out your local baseball stadium--this is a nation wide event!

What a great way to start your weekend! I love it!

See you there!

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

And the giveaway winner is...

Lindsay C!

Lindsay C said...

I am looking forward to going back to school ! I am so excited to see all of my friends and live on campus again :)

August 16, 2010 1:38 PM

 

Email me at donnasdecembers@gmail.com
and we'll go from there!

 

 

Congratulations!

 

what to do with extra yarn...

Have some extra yarn lying around?

Looking for something to add a little seasonal/holiday color to your home?

What about something to do to get a head start on Christmas decorations?

 Last year, I pursued the goal of having an entirely handmade Christmas tree. As I was researching various crochet patterns for ornaments, I realized, I needed garland for the entire tree! 

I found this DIY from one of my blogs Making Chicken Salad, by Katherine Jalaty.

Now, I know it is SO early to be talking about Christmas trees, but this is a DIY that uses just a little yarn and can bring a little fall color into your house as well! I have been whipping up SO many of these garlands (I have them hanging around my classroom in a mustard yellow color), that I wanted to share this with you!

Here is a picture of Katherine's final product:

Go here for Finger Knitting DIY plus so many other very cool projects!

I make them in 6ft and 10ft sections. I have so many colors already and plan on adding them in my shop very very soon!

Enjoy :)

Donna's Decembers Autumn Update

Happy Saturday!

I have been so busy getting used to being back at school full time, planning out lessons, and crocheting, that the blog had to be pushed to the back burner this week. It's okay though! Things will slow down soon enough!

I just updated Donna's Decembers shop over at etsy! There are lots of autumn-friendly pieces ready for purchase! Also, the giveaway winner will be able to use their $20 credit towards ANY of the new or previously existing merchandise. They can even custom order a piece to their own liking! Have you entered the giveaway yet? You have until 7 p.m. Sunday night! I will be announcing the winner on Monday!

Here are a few of the updates:

Pumpkin Beret Hat

Navy Chunky Cowl

I can't wait to make a matching set for myself! My classroom temperature is unpredictable, so it's nice keeping one of the cowls in my desk drawer just incase! They're so cozy and will last all autumn/winter.

A few colorful wedding photos

Here are a few photos from the wedding that Pang captured... Aren't they so colorful and beautiful?

Hey, have you entered the giveaway yet? Go here to get started!

Black and White

I love black and white photos. Do you? There is something so elegant and timeless about them...especially this time of year. Here is my favorite b&w photo that Pang snapped on our wedding day!

This was captured on a private road on the Antietam National Battlefield (which is where my hometown is located...for all of those who can remember Civil War history from high school).

P.S.

Don't forget about the GIVEAWAY!

4 Simple Goals

(source)

Elsie, over at Beautiful Mess blog and Red Velvet Art, has challenged her readers to creating 4 simple goals to complete before 2010. I love this idea. I love goals, but I am bad at getting them accomplished if I find them too overwhelming. Are you like that, too?

I want to spread the challenge to my readers as well! What do you think?

My 4 Simple Goals:

-Spend at least 2 evenings a week crocheting.

-Only bring home papers to grade once a week.

-Spend more valuable time with those close to me.

-Bake delicious pies and breads this fall!

Yum. I am so excited for fall, as you know. This task only excites me more!

What are your 4 Simple Goals?

Don't forget to scroll down for the giveaway!

END OF SUMMER GIVEAWAY!

You guys have been so incredible patient as I have been scurrying around to bring my giveaway together.

Drum roll please...

• vintage straw embroidered handbag
• vintage owl pin
• 2 vintage men's neckties (great colors for fall & crafting)
• TASCHEN 60's Vintage Fashion and Beauty Ads collection (I <3 it)
• $20 credit to Donna's Decembers

What do you have to do to enter?

1. Be a follower of this blog.
2. In the comments, tell me what you're looking forward to for the rest of 2010!

Winner will be selected @ random early next week!

Good luck!

DIY

Two of my favorite bloggers Lindsay from Pixies and Bears and Carol from That is Charming have joined together in an awesome DIY (and I mean AWESOME) because it is so affordable, so easy, and is so multifunctional.

Check out Carol's DIY T-shirt Yarn post!

I see myself making so much t-yarn and using for a myriad of holiday projects (first thing that comes to mind: a wreath covered in red/green t-yarn).

I hope you like it!

P.S. Have you seen any other awesome DIYs that you think would be great for this time of year/the holiday season? Send me a link!

Back to work...

Hey guys! Man, I am so tired! I didn't realize how "out of shape" I am pertaining to thinking/working. I hate to complain, but I am overloaded on school-wide initiatives, copies to make, and books to collect from the supply room. Oh well--it will all come together when the kiddos show up next Wednesday. It always does :).

You'll never believe this, but this summer has been exhausting unto itself. We have had very few days below 90 degrees and it hasn't rained since a slight drizzle the night before our wedding (7/9/10). However, yesterday it poured and poured for hours! I was so thrilled! Today it has been overcast and drizzly. I love cloudy days like this. It's just a nice reason to relax and cuddle. Don't you think?

So in other news, I am so excited for the rest of this year. 2010 has been a pretty special year, but I think the next few months will be particularly magical. Whitney from The Muse emailed me a list of holiday requests for her shop, all of which make me so excited and inspired to spend some quality time with my crochet hooks.

I finished up my first scarf of the season (soon to be posted in my etsy update over at Donna's Decembers). I folllowed (and improvised) the pattern from Crochet Today. Here's a look at the final product the magazine features, but mine is a beautiful plum color.

Tonight, Cory and I are grabbing some Mexican food with a close friend of mine from work and his wife. I'm pretty excited to take them out and around Frederick.

I'll be back this weekend with loads of posts.

(Mainly about the GIVEAWAY I've been talking about for WEEKS! ugh!)

Also, thank you for all your sweet comments. It's so fun getting to know you! Keep it comin'!

Have a lovely Friday!

Liz

Back to School

So I go back to school (officially) on Thursday, but will be working most of the days this week setting up my classroom and so forth. I'm sad to leave summer behind, but I am so ready to back into a schedule and meet my new students. I have so many ideas for crochet projects that are back to school themed. Once I have some time to sit down and get busy, I will share them with you!

Watching the Leaves Change

I am so ready for autumn. I am ready for pumpkin patches, apple orchards, football games, flannel shirts, good books, slow music, cold nights. I am so ready. Autumn is my favorite season; everything feels like it glows in the sun. I love to go on long drives and look at the leaves. I love rainy autumn days. I'm ready. Here are some pictures I found (weheartit) that make me crazy about the second to last season of 2010! Enjoy :)

What are you looking forward to?