My dreadful cold turned into a terrible sinus infection and I’m finally, 3 weeks later, feeling almost completely normal and I plan to feel much better in a couple of days!  Huzzah!  Thank you so much for your kind comments while I’ve been hiding out in my little house recuperating.

The onset of winter has brought some bright and sunny yet chilly weather to these parts and it really feels like Christmas now.  Gosh, the holidays just seemed to sneak up on me this year - do you feel that way too?

I’m almost done with my stockings and the gifts are wrapped and ready.

Christmas baking is well under way.

Pie: Ah, yes, you say you’ll have only one teensy piece but you know that’s a lie.  Just have another blasted slice already.

Jen: OK, done.

Anyway, dears, have a merry, merry holiday! I’m going to enjoy a little break and I’ll talk to you soon!

{Shop Announcement}

My wee Etsy shops are closed until January 3rd but my own store, love Liette, will remain open.  Although physical goods won’t be shipped until the new year, you can still purchase downloadable items like patterns, printable paper and such.  The cold that I’m just getting over has taught me I need to slow it down a bit so I’m going to be taking it easy until January 3rd.   As always, please feel free to contact me during this time.

Thank you for all your support this year!

xoxo

My husband and I have been sick for the past 2 weeks.  Nothing serious but it’s been really, really annoying.   I was actually feeling better at the end of last week and made it to my needle-felting class (more on that in another post, once I finish up my project!) but then this weekend, maybe because of the heavy rain Saturday or the running around trying to run errands or the tiny glass of port wine I had (tiny it really was), I’m back to feeling crappy (hence the scarce posting).  Now the plumbers are here for an ALL DAY project which includes, but is not limited to, hammering, drilling and singing.  (Yes, singing!)  So I guess I won’t be able to crawl back into bed any time soon.

I managed to drag myself off the sofa long enough to do a wee bit of decorating, including wrapping some fairy lights around my antique dress form, above, in the breakfast nook.  (I know, FANCY.)  We have candles everywhere, burning in mercury glass holders when the sun goes down, more fairy lights and red & white candy-striped towels in the kitchen.  Somewhat minimal but really nice all the same.

And I even did some knitting!

I have 2 stockings to finish before Christmas and I’m making good time, even though I’ve waited until the last minute.   (Which is the only way it’s going to work around here; I can’t knit Christmas stockings when it’s 80 degrees outside.  It just doesn’t feel right.)

My goodness, drilling into ceramic tile certainly is loud.  I think that’s my que.  I hope you all are having a lovely week so far!

Update: Here’s the link to the Christmas stocking knitting pattern that I’m using: Personalized Christmas Stocking from 1945.

Hi sweets.  Some holiday gift tags, especially for you.

Look, Spoo Kee is dressed up like Santa!

Just print the pdf on letter-size paper and cut.  There’s room at the tops to punch holes, for ribbon or twine.

» Download gift tags

I hope everyone’s week is off to a good start!   This past weekend was nice and chilly and I spent a lot of time knitting for the holidays (a certain nephew needs a hand-knit stocking for his first Christmas).  Anyway, I have a little gift for you…

I’m giving away a bunch of “Our Tree Dresses” holiday cards!   A blank card for you to keep or use.

Instead of selecting 1 winner for a big prize I’ve decided to have a lot of little prizes for many of you this year.

SO, here’s how it works:

• Leave a comment: You don’t have to say anything in particular BUT I would love to know what you’re looking forward to this season. It could be holiday or non-holiday specific!
• Make sure the email address you enter is correct.  I’ll collect the emails and send you all a message (from dearliette {AT} gmail {DOT} com) at the end of the giveaway.
• Reply back with your mailing address.  (Don’t worry, your personal info is safe with me and won’t be sold, distributed, etc.)

The giveaway closes Sunday night, November 22th OR when I run out of giveaway cards, whichever happens first.  One card per reader; open to everyone.

Happy Commenting!

Update: Silly me, as Tracey kindly pointed out, I never mentioned what I was looking forward to this season!  Two every exciting things are happening: 1) My husband and I are celebrating our marriage (Reception #2) with my in-laws and 2) My dear little nephew’s first Christmas!