Happy New Year

Blown Glass Sculpture at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis

It's not quite the same as the Time's Square, but if you ever get a chance to see this up close and personal, do it. It's amazing and 43 feet tall!. It's really stunning on a sunny day.

So many things to be thankful for in 2007. And so many new memories right around the corner.

Happy New Year.
Be safe,
Mike

Merry Christmas!

And may all your dreams come true.

Happy Holidays from the CraftyDad family.

Say A Prayer for Hershey

Our Chocolate Lab is very sick. She has spent the last two nights at the vet's office. She has a bacterial infection in her kidneys. Not good at all.

Her blood work is showing signs of slight improvement, but she's not out of the woods by any stretch.

So....please keep her (and her family -- we are all very upset over this) in your prayers.

We thank you!

--mike


UPDATED 12.21.07 -- Sad news. We had to put Hershey to sleep last night. She was so glad to see us and we felt SO, SO bad, but her kidneys are failing and there's nothing that could make them better. The boys were part of the process and I think it helped them put some closure to this. Oh...what a tough time.

A Very "Let it Snow" Kind of Weekend

The weatherman was right about this one. We got some major snowfall on Saturday and Sunday. My wife and I had a nasty drive home from my company's Christmas party that was held 25 miles from home. It was the stuff white knuckles are made of, to be sure.

I'm guessing there was about 18" of it in our driveway. Sure, some of that was from the wind making drifts of the pretty white stuff. But let me tell you that it was a TON of snow and it took us a very long time to get the driveway cleaned off.

Sunday was a great day to stay home, so we spent time making chocolate chip cookies (the best ones we've ever made). I also made up a big batch of sugar cookie dough. It's chilling in the fridge right now. Perhaps tonight we'll get out all the cookie cutters and get 'em done. The boys each have their own rolling pin. We got them at an Amish store not too far from home a few years back. So...the annual cookie cutting and baking tradition will continue at the Crafty Dad residence tonight. I promise there will be pictures.

Oh, and I've been working on my dad's stocking cap. And...I'm about 50% finished with a tote bag from my cousin who is in Swim Club. I received a request for one as a Christmas gift. Stay tuned for a photograph or two. It's my first official lined tote bag. So far so good. If you're looking for a great tutorial, go check this out. Thanks Mariko!

All I Want for Christmas ...

..is a real good tan. I'm not an official fan of country music, but I do like this Kenny Chesney song. I'm just sayin'

Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World

Have a great weekend. And safe travels to those in the winter wonderland states.

More Finished Objects

Tissue Holders
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Sometimes I surprise myself. Case in point: these tissue holders.

I've seen tons of these in the blogosphere and always thought they were pretty cool. So....I found a pattern and, voila, handy-dandy tissue holders.

I think they'll make nice little stocking stuffers.

Woo hoo...more gifts to give away. Gotta love it.

Barb: please turn away from this photo. You may be getting one of these in a few days! :-)

Stocking Cap for Dad

Stocking Cap for Dad
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Here's what's 'on the hook' right now. My dad has been asking for a stocking cap for quite some time now. So...with Christmas just a few days away (you knew that right? I mean the fact that Christmas is just 15 days away???). As in HOLY COW! I have a lot of gifts to make and wrap.

So anyhow...my dad wants a hat and when I asked him what color he wanted, he said 'green and white'. Well...checking the yarn stash, I had lots of green but no white. And with the goal of using up what I already have, I am making him a hat in this soft green and cream. I think he'll like it.

Now...let's just hope I can find some time to sit down and get it done.

This week is full of Cub Scout meetings, band and orchestra programs, birthday parties and some big school projects (including a time line project for my little guy). Whew! What a week.

Son No. 1 Makes Breakfast

2007_1208asof1208070008
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Yes, it's true. My oldest son said he was going to make scrambled eggs for breakfast. And a fine, fine job he did.

Thinking back to when I was twelve, I was cooking, cutting the grass, helping with laundry, babysitting my brother and sister (which is a subject worth a blog post all its own!).

So...it was really nice to come downstairs to a plate of scrambled eggs. Just add some ketchup and enjoy.

Thanks Son No.1! You can make breakfast (or lunch or dinner) for me anytime. :-)

Look! Finished Objects!!!

2007_1208asof1208070019
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Seems like it's been a long, long time since I've actually made (started and finished) a project.

These are my coasters. They are pretty much 'prototypes' as I tried a couple different techniques.

But...I really like the pattern of the fabric (a thrift shop find) and the coordinating linen-look backs.

I'm excited.

My trusty sewing machine

My trusty sewing machine
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

was very busy this past weekend. We hemmed SEVERAL pairs of pants for the boys. And...get this...we even did some C R A F T I N G. No kidding. We actually made some tissue holders and a few Christmas gifts (stocking stuffers).

More to come...

Crafty Dad - The Monday thru Friday Routine

Here's where I hang out during the week. It's the anti-craft, for sure. But...it's a great job, pays the bills and makes me think. Click on the image for a larger version and you'll see the little sign under the left-hand flat panel. That's my reminder. Every day presents new challenges. It's up to me (and you too) to think. Remember the old saying, 'work smarter, not harder'. It's pretty much true. ;-)