I realized that I never posted the projects that I finished through December, so here you go (photo heavy).

The army of monsters for the children…

monster & wrist warmers…

and another set of both…

Last set of both wrist warmers and a monster…

Littlest one with a knit hat & a cuddly monster…

A few pictures of one of the lap quilts…

And a few pics of the shopping totes…

A simple navy quilt for another Grandma…

and last but not least, my knitted flower hat with crochet trim.

There are more but I forgot to take pictures of them.

I have been busy and am still knitting and sewing requested items. :)

It’s not even about doing good by supporting charities, or saving the earth, I just love thirft stores. Going through thrift shops and second hand stores is like a treasure hunt. There are wonderful vintage finds and items that are unique. I get tired of the same ole’ same ole’ that is in every department store and discount center, I prefer to be original.

Furniture would have to be my favorite find. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to and I would rather have a well built older piece that is more unique than a press board from sawdust piece that will disintegrate when it’s time to move. I don’t even mind if I have to refinish it.

I am off to the thrift store today to hunt for a few jars, baskets, or tins to put the gifts I am making in and also to hopefully find some old felted sweaters for 50 cents that I can turn into several pairs of wonderful mittens.There is just something wonderful about making something that is no longer wanted into something useful.

This is post number eight in a series of 100 Things About Me.

It’s a week into December now and I am on my way to a Homemade Christmas. I managed to finish several things last night and tonight and I think I will actually complete my goal of handmaking every gift I give this year (of course, Santa brings fabulous toy store goodies). If you are knit and/or crochet and are on Ravelry, feel free to friend me there, I am linuxchic there too!

Here is where I am:

Wrap: Complete! I got hung up making this so it put me several weeks behind schedule. I don’t like to start things until I finish something else (not that I always follow my own rule).

Baby hats: One down, one started.
Estimated time for completion: One hour.

Two sets of arm warmers: Not started yet.
Estimated time for completion: Four hours or less.

One hat: Not started yet.
Estimated time for completion: One hour.

One scarf: Not started yet.
Estimated time for completion: One evening.

One water bottle cozy: not started yet.
Estimated time for completion: One hour.

Two lap quilts: both started.
Estimated time for completion: One week each.

Unfortunately I will be up late into the night the few nights before Christmas because I still haven’t decided exactly what I am making the kids. I am thinking a doll (simple pattern) for the littlest one, the oldest girl wants mittens (I might sew them out of fleece since I am terrible with thumbs), a hat for the youngest boy, and a brimmed knit hat for the oldest boy. Last year it was just me and back to back reruns of Amadeus into the wee hours of Christmas morning while I made two fleece no-sew blankets.

Don’t let not being crafty stop you from giving and getting handmade. Take a pledge to buy handmade whenever possible. Etsy is full of wonderful items!

I LOVE to make things - just about any kind of things with the exception of scrapbooks (I will never understand the whole addiction to scrapbooks). I like to crochet, loom knit, paint (canvas & crafty stencil things), sew, quilt, glue, glitter, and all other sorts of stuff. The problem is I don’t follow instructions well. I read them, but rarely follow them. I prefer to see the end product picture or sketch that usually comes with instructions then I change it to my liking and build my own instruction set as I go. I just like to create and I use patterns & instructions more for inspiration.

This year I made a pledge not to buy already made gifts. I have been making everything I have gifted this year because I am tired of the hassle that comes with shopping for people. It usually winds up with buying something that someone *might* like because it is in my price range. For the kids, I have always made their gifts (Santa brings the other junk they ask for). Every year they are guarenteed to have a new blanket, scarf, pajamas, stuffed toy, or other homemade thing under the tree and they *always* ask to be able to open it on Christmas Eve and that makes me feel good. They enjoy the homemade and know that time was spent on making it and they cherish it. At least my craftiness has instilled at least one good trait on the children. :)

Homemade items are personal and take time and if someone makes something for you, it is way more valuable than anything they could have grabbed at the mall. If someone took the time to make something for you with their own hands (even if it is just a tea mix, card, or letter) then they consider the relationship you have important enough to spend time on.

This is post number seven in a series of 100 Things About Me.

alternative: the power, right, or opportunity to choose

The alt.podcast is an ongoing conversational podcast covering tech related subjects that is sometimes highly technical but most times everyday geeky. Not a news program, and not a review show, alt. covers the interesting, clears up the confusing, laughs at the absurd, and informs of the must know.

The alt.podcast is the natural next step in the evolution and growth of Alternageek and it’s hosts.

alt debuts in December, 2008. Watch for it.

Amadeus (1984)

This is post number six in a series of 100 Things About Me.

Running the Alternageek Tech Show for over a year put me into a scene that was fun and incredibly annoying at the same time. There are some really awesome people out there writing blogs and publishing podcasts but there are even more either regurgitating other writers’ work or just writing blog posts about how awesome they think they are without an ounce of valuable content. You can network until your contact book won’t hold one more name however, all the contacts and PR in the world won’t keep you afloat if you have nothing but handshakes and propaganda to share. Eventually people will figure out that you are full of hot air.

I don’t care if you publish five posts a week, it means nothing if you are just writing to jump on the bandwagon trend. Write something valuable, write something from a new perspective, open your mind to possibilities, and for the love of all that is holy and good, think for yourself.

When I was in school we had writing exercises that required us to write position papers from a point of view that we disagreed with. This was challenging and educational at the same time. It required research and an open mind to the other side of the argument. Make this type of an assignment part of your writing routine. This is an excellent practice to get into especially when you are stuck in a rut. You don’t have to publish it if you don’t feel comfortable with it, but do it regardless.

Popular opinion is a dime a dozen. Don’t make me feel like I just lost 5 minutes of my life that I will never get back.

This is post number five in a series of 100 Things About Me.