Well I think it looks great -- congrats on finishing! Your explanation of how your kids claim their treats is hilarious!

I love it! How hard a project would you say this would be for a beginning knitter?

Well, at least you have that done in time for the holidays. Looks really pretty hanging on the mantle. Have wonderful holidays full of warmth with your loved ones Leslie!

I can see what you mean. I think if I were doing something like this, I would sew the mittens and pick one or two holiday trim fabrics but keep the mitts themselves the same color.

Happy holidays!

Looks great! What an accomplishment...during such a busy time. Enjoy the days!

nice work mom!
i think it looks fun - with all the colors, but since you have been *living* them, well...i hear you on the all white. sweet project!

It's is so great! Have a wonderful holiday and happy new year with your family.

Oh, how great that you finished. I'm with you, though; I do not like busy! Red/white might be cute... I'm already getting antsy about all the decorations. I can't wait to take them all down. Minimal... Merry Christmas!

Love it! And I think I will make it all in white, maybe. Fighting??? Who fights around Christmas! Mine do!! A Lot!

YIPPEE! I had NO doubt you'd finish it. And to learn a thing or two, well, you're ahead in accomplishments for the new year!

I can't knit, yet, but I did sketch out a mitten in my journal to sew myself this little project next year, maybe to gift my sister's children. I'll take your advice in mind about the colors and maybe size, too.

Holiday Cheer to you and yours in the laughter and presence of children who always, all ways, show us the truth about human divinity!

Ana :D

P.S., And I've been meaning to say, you should definitely sew...or knit!...yourself an apron or two for 2009. How hip would you be rockin' it while baking your delicious cookies? Go for it!

i think they are adorable, but i get you on the busy. we don't do much decorating around here and one of the main reasons is i don't do busy either. sometimes even my bookshelves give me a nervous tic. i hung a garland from which to suspend the kid's handmade ornaments - and as much as i like the idea of it, i can't wait to take it down.

happy holidays! i bet you could auction off your garland for a pretty penny, then make all white gloves for next year.

oh, i do love it. i think that white mirror is a great place for it. of course i would love it in all white.
i think it looks perfect. i have to make an advent calender next year....have to!
merry christmas to you and your sweet family!

This is lovely! Now I'm inspired to knit this for next year with fewer colours as you suggested.
Have a very Merry and Happy Holiday!

-Your embroidery looks fine, really.
-I'm with you on the challenge thing.
-The white idea is very alluring, actually. Could be elegant!

All in all, it's pretty great! And what an accomplishment!

That turned out great! I can't imagine knitting little mittens like that!!! I, too, won't quit something until it's finished...even if I don't quite like the project.

yeah, it is pretty busy. but its cute. and i'm so proud of you for finishing it!

So cute! Beautiful.

Very cute idea! Maybe hats for next year and start a bit earlier? :) I (believe it or not) agree on the "busy" thing - my eyes were jumping all over the place looking at it....I love the finished product though - very creative and kudos for sticking with it!

I'm with you. I don't like piddly things, especially anything free-hand (embroidery, sewing or whatever). And if I did that project, I would want fewer colors and coordinated colors, which would mean buying yarn specifically for the project, which would be defying the point since you should be able to create such a thing from your stash odds and ends. Woe is me!

Tana
www.life.tanapageler.com

the final product is fantastic!!! nice job on finishing it.

I am with you...I would rather work on a big project (like make a quilt) than a bunch of smaller projects. and once I start something, I'm obsessive about finishing, too. but I happen to like busy. sometimes. when it comes to kids, though, that's a different story. I like calm there, too. (if there is such a thing as calm children...)

Happy Holidays from me too :)

Looks fantastic!!! What a dear keepsake - I bet Libby will want to take it to her home when she has kids!

Tanya

It looks great. Glad you'll be able to use it for years to come.

I am with you on fiddly little projects, but yours turned out so well! It's adorable!

It looks lovely! Happy holidays to your family!

you did complete it...busy...yes...but pretty,too.

It looks great and it's fun! Happy Holidays!

What a fabulous advent calendar!! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas.

Good for you for persevering!! Yes, both my boys have been home 2 days of break so far, and there's been plenty of fighting. :)

Wow, I'm very impressed! I DO NOT like small fidgety projects either so I know I will never make one but I love how yours turned out! It will be something to treasure and pass on to your kids.

It is a-m-a-z-i-n-g looks like a picture from a photo shoot set-up. Thanks for also sharing the lessons learned. Love the colors and it is so special. YOU DID IT, YAY! Merry Christmas. I would love to try to make it - given your feedback I'm thinking I will start January 2009 for December 2009.

It looks great - I made the same in felt and I know what you mean about it being busy - I was really surprised how busy it is!!! I have it on my mantle.

Also - I was glad to see you did #25 - the pattern does not show making 25 - that just didn't make sense to me.

Have a Merry Christmas and I just want to take this opportunity to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. You are an inspirational wonder woman but in a "normal" way!!

These are beautiful! I totally want to do this project sometime!

Happy holidays to you!

I am so glad you mentioned the "busy" element - I have started mine and they were going to be all different - only three into this, I can turn around:) All white or ecru would be lovely! In any case though - I love yours and I am sure the kids will talk of this when they have kids!

WhoooHooo!!!! You Rock! You made it and it looks fabulous!!! :D

Really love it! Great job :)

I think this is so cute! I just stumbled across your blog today and I'm really glad I did. I'm just starting out on blogger and I hope I like it :)

Oh oh oh!!! I love them. And I'm very proud of you for seeing it through. Yay!!

I'm impressed that you stuck with it.
I probably would have gotten one done....
I think it looks great and it's all about the kids anyway, right?:)

I loved it too.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

I think it looks cute! And well done for finishing! Happy Christmas :)

Merry Christmas, Les!

Busy or not, your kids love it and you have the sense of accomplishment (or is it exhaustion? :o)

By the way, love your white calendar idea. So fresh.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Leslie and family!

Leslie, it is wonderful! I can see what you mean about busy and I'm so glad to learn from your adventure before embarking on my own version. I like the white idea. One of my favorite phrases is "less is more" - I think I'll repeat that when I start my own version.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

it looks great! and busy is ok for just a couple weeks for me. beyond that, i don't think i could handle it either. still don't think i am going to attempt it though.

merry christmas to all the friends!

They look lovely! Have a great holiday! xx

It looks great and you have not discouraged me. I'm better knitting things than garments so I'm ahead there but after all the hats and fingerless gloves this may wait awhile. Enjoy the Holidays and thanks for all the blogging support!

Oh, it's adorable (and I love the description of the kids opening their days - too funny!) Merry merry to you and yours!

but they are so cute!

Wishing a very merry Christmas to all the Friend family!

I'm so glad you finished your advent. It'll be so nice to just get it out and fill it next year!

The calendar looks great! I really like it. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

It looks great. I think it would look nice too in just a couple of colours. We do bright for the kids right.

Happy holidays!

Way to go! I love it! I'll let you do the sweaters because they overwhelm me and I'll stick with the busy, small fiddly projects:)
I love how everyone finds their niche!

Fabulous:)

It's PERFECT!!!! I love it! Well done. Hopefully I'll get started on mine for next year!

It looks super sweet, but I do understand what you mean about it being busy. It's like coloured Christmas lights, right?

I know you don't want to knit this again, but all white (maybe with red embroidery) would be awesome, sort of a Scandinavian feel...

Hmmm.... maybe I'll make one.

Very lovely what a work.
Merry christmas from sweden

It's beautiful but I totally can understand the business of it.

Yes, busy, but I love it! It's lovely over the mirror! I am totally making one of those for next year - though I should probably start now, eh?

Bring on the fiddly. :D

It's so beautiful!

congratulations leslie! way to stick with it during the busiest time of the year! love it! have to attempt it.

It's really wonderful!

Happy New Year. :)

They really look so pretty - I'm glad you stuck with it and got it finished!

I thought of you when one of my sister's friends gave her a store bought version of this. The thought was that yours are far superior.

wow that is really neat! a great twist on the advent calendar!

I think it looks great! I'd say worth the effort.

What a great advent calendar. That pattern (after seeing it in Garnet Hill) inspired me to knit one for our family last year - but I changed it up and went with little socks/stockings (pics on my blog). Happy New Year to you!

Oh...your post sound so like me...and our home..especially eating the others chocolate and then fighting about it! lol.

cute though, I like the idea of all in one color...or maybe two shades of vanilla!

This is lovely! No wonder your kids over it.

Rima
www.yarnydays.com

Beautiful work! I may have to start working on this now for next year. :-)

i get the busy problem, but it's really such a treasure. one of those things that children remember and pass on, i think. (ps. make it again next year! in white! kidding. xo.)

That is fantastic! I don't know if I could do all those fiddly little things--at least not all at once--but the finished product is awesome.

What a beatiful calendar. Love all the colours.

ilove it. don't know if i'd have the patience. are they full size mittens or minis?
could be great for my kids we could hang it on the mantle. of course my youngest would be sneaking goodies ahead of time though.

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