Good morning!

Good morning, everyone!

I just wanted to pop in and say hi to all my new visitors from Scissor Quirk! I hope you enjoy your visit :).

I also wanted to give everyone a heads up that I'll be back later tonight with a pretty awesome "Learn to Crochet" giveaway featuring some of my favorite supplies and patterns! As always, you'll have to be a follower of the blog before you enter!

Have a lovely Thursday!

Perfect Crocheted Gifts

You won't be surprised that most of my days and evenings have been spent crocheting gifts for family and friends. I wanted to share with you a few patterns that are perfect for quick gifts for the approaching holidays! I found and love all the following patterns for free through various resources. I hope you enjoy them!

(If you aren't a member of the free online database Ravelry, you must go! You may need a log-in to see some of these patterns.)

This chic Coiled Medallion Necklace from A Common Thread blog is perfect for any trendy gal:

This comfy Circle Motif pillow from Crochet! magazine:

What about these cozy mittens for a special fella?

This Panda hat is perfect for any age with a special sense of humor:

What about Where the Wild Fingers Are puppets for the little guys?

There will be more crocheted gifts posted later this week!

Twinkie Chan & Elsie = bedazzled crochet hooks!

Oh my gosh! I am in love BIG TIME!

If it weren't too late to run out to the store, I would already be there buying gems and crochet hooks that I don't need.

If you haven't seen it already, you gotta check out the So Sparkly Crochet Hook DIY Elsie posted! This is so easy and such a super gift for the hookers crocheters in your life. :)

I am in love. If every single person I knew were to make me one of these, I would be so so happy for Christmas!

What other awesome DIYs have you found out in blogland?

Post a link in the comments!

My birthday in pictures...

I had a really wonderful birthday. I wasn't really sure how the weekend would go because a few days ago my plans were hanging in the air, but I spent the entire weekend with family and close friends and it was truly awesome. The weekend went a little something like this...

Cory giving me such thoughtful and wonderful presents all wrapped in file envelopes (which completely fit the theme: Future Small Business Owner)

Sorry for the blurry pictures... we have zero natural lighting in our house! He also got me a subscription to Vogue for two years--which I was very thrilled about!

On Saturday, two of my friends went with me to Baltimore to check out Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap show. Here are a few photos from the day...

Cory and I met up with two couples for sushi and had a lovely evening out on the town. It was the perfect way to end the day.

On Sunday, my step-father and mother cooked a delicious lunch for Cory and I. We had bacon wrapped scallops and tons of other delicious tapa-style dishes.

The only thing I wanted for the day was a simple birthday cake. In response, this is what my mother got me (which I found to be quite hilarious):

It was a great birthday. I felt so special and loved all weekend :)

A fun birthday!

Today, I hopped in my car with two girlfriends from work and drove down to Baltimore for Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap craft show.

(source)

We had a such a blast! I am excited to share pictures with you, but I wanted to pop in and tell you that if you missed today's Heap, you have to make your way to Charm City to check out Merry Mart tomorrow! Tons of the same (awesome) vendors will be there and it will be so much fun!

(source)

I'll be back tomorrow with a full birthday re-cap!

A little Q&A...

In the spirit of welcoming new blog readers and visiting guests, I thought I would share a little Q&A!

Enjoy!

1. Where did you grow up?

I was actually born in a small West Virginian town and lived there until I was almost 4. My parents decided to move 30 minutes away into western Maryland and build a house in the town my mother grew up in. I grew up in Sharpsburg, Maryland, which is a super tiny Civil War town (the battle of Antietam) where cobblestone and old cannons line the roads.

2. Where did you go to college?

I attended Fairmont State (College...when I was there) University for my freshman year of college, but transferred to and graduated from Salisbury University. I love Salisbury very much as it opened SO many doors for me. Salisbury really helped me branch out and become involved in so many activities, meet a wide range of people, and even travel to California with my mother for a research conference!

Interesting fact: I was Vice President of the Fishing Club when I graduated in '07. Fishing Club! Sometimes I can't believe it myself...

(If you're a younger reader, or have children who are interested in education, it is a phenominal teaching school.)

I made amazing friends who have always been so supportive (even when I'm not great at staying in touch...something I really need to work on ).

(I was also one of the chairs of Relay for Life my senior year. This is me and my grandmother (Donna) at Relay my senior year. She came down each year and walked for Fishing Club.)

3. What made you want to become an English teacher?

Honestly, I always enjoyed being around children of all ages, so I knew I wanted to be involved in education in some regard. My mother always jokes how I would read and write even before I knew "how to." But really, I had an amazing 8th grade Language Arts teacher who made me love reading and showed me how fun the classroom could be. I remember being a freshman in college in my first English class and so many students complaining about how much they hated English. I remember thinking to myself, "Why do they hate it so much?" and then I realized I had just been blessed with incredible teachers. I wanted to spread that joy to other students in the future... which is what I try to do today!

4. Favorite holiday movie?

Oh man. It changes so often this time of year. I love the classics, Miracle on 34th, etc. but I think my honest favorite is probably A Christmas Story, even though One Magic Christmas is a very very very VERY close second!

5. Favorite old-school TV show?

That Girl! Remember my post when I went crazy about Marlo Thomas. Sigh! I love, love it! I asked for Season 5 for Christmas :).

6. Favorite drink @ Starbucks?

Totally Peppermint Mocha. I love a good pumpkin spice latte, but that mocha & mint blend gets me e-v-e-r-y time.

Do you have any questions for my next Q&A post? Add them in the comments or email me at donnasdecembers(at)gmail(dot)com :)

xo,
Liz

P.S. I'll leave you with this cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesy photo of Cory and I that was snapped in New York.

More Holiday DIYs

I'm back with more goodies from blogland! Here are some other adorable DIY projects that were posted at some of my favorite blogs!

Laura from Violet Bella posted this yarn ball ornament DIY.

How cute and inexpensive!

Alli from One Pearl Button put a fancy handmade spin on some frostred votives here.

If you're on a tight budget or want to go a little more eco-friendly and now have a fresh wreath, I'm fond of this one from Design*Sponge.

Need to add a little extra to a package or gift? What about these cutie pie Christmas Tree Pins from The Purl Bee?

I'll be back with more!

What are you making to trim the tree or spruce up the house for the holiday season? So far I have...

--made many paper chains with pretty Christmas scrapbook paper

-baked a healthy dose of unhealthy cookies

-crocheted a million granny-square ornaments (more on that later!)

back to Santa's workshop I go...