I really wish I could send every commenter a set of place mats.  Really, I do.  Thank you SO much for all your positive and happy comments.
I decided to choose 2 winners of the chalkboard place mats.  #66, Christine and #52, Adina.  Please email me, asap, so that I can pop those in the mail and you can be using your imagination in no time!

You will have a gift for a friend or yourself, and a ball to make a pair!  Isn't it cool how the colors lined up?!
If interested, please leave a comment here before Wednesday, December 18, 9am and I'll have the random number generator choose a name.

xx,
leslie

Leave notes for your peeps, notes for yourself, decorate your table, keep kids busy during meal prep, play games,  practice spelling and math problems, doodle, draw, create, USE YOUR IMAGINATION.   There really are so many possibilities to the chalkboard place mats.


Elsie from the Lilly Brush told me that she likes to write questions on each place mat.  Then, during dinner, you get to answer the question on your place mat.  LOVE THAT!
I also like to pick a number and a direction. (To the left or to the right.) Then, count that number around.  Whoever you land on, write something nice about that person.  It's really great when they land on themselves.

If interested in receiving a set of the chalkboard place mats, please leave a comment here before Monday, December 16, 9am EST and I'll have the random number generator choose a winner.

xx,
leslie

The three winners of the Elementary Hat patterns are:
#39, Bethany
#1,  Jo
#18, Wahoomerryf

Please email me (address in side bar) and I will make sure you receive them!

Those are roasted, honey cinnamon chickpeas.  {Of course, I was instantly drawn to the felted ball pot holder!  And quickly thought about making one this winter!}

The generous peeps over at Weelicious lunches would like to give away a copy of this cookbook to one of my readers.  If interested, please leave a comment here before Saturday, December 11 9am EST and I'll have the random number generator choose a name.

Did I ever mention how I always knit the sweaters my children wore in our Christmas card photo?   I think that I did it until Charlie was about 13.  It was a fun tradition and I always looked forward to choosing the pattern.  This sweater was a Classic Elite pattern.  Made out of the yummiest cotton.

The winner of 50 knitted gifts for year-round giving is #71, Olivia.  Please e-mail me with your address.  (My address is in the sidebar.)

I had a fun thought.  I think someone should challenge themselves.  Knit every pattern in that book in the year 2014.  I'd probably want to start with the New Years Mitts and continue through every holiday and season ending with the champagne cozy and champagne!  AND you should start a blog about it!   You know, sort of like that Julia Childs movie, Julie and Julia.  Don't you think that sounds like fun!?

I'll be back with the weelicious giveaway.  Elementary hats giveaway is still open!

I just loved Leslie Gordon's concept behind this e-book of children's hats.  Pre-k through 5th grade.  Each hat fits the age perfectly for your growing child.
 
Pre-K:  Bobbles for your toddler.
Kindergarden:  ABC's and 123's using a duplicate stitch.
First Grade:  A bright brim with a fleck pattern.
Second Grade:  A thinking cap with a rolled brim, stripes and the cutest pom-poms.
Third Grade:  3 color fair isle pattern maybe even use their favorite team's colors.
Fourth Grade:  Chic stripes that are easily woven through the knitting.
Fifth Grade:  Time for cables!

The patterns are sold individually OR as a collection.

Leslie has generously offered to give away the entire collection to 3 of my readers! If interested, please leave a comment before Thursday December 12, 9am EST and I'll have the random number generator pick three names.

I have good intentions of sending out cards.  And sometimes I even take the photos.  But the cards haven't hit the mailbox in about 5 years.  Maybe next year.

The two numbers that the random generator chose to win the lace legwarmers are #26, LunarAle and #31,  Ms. Sadlier.

Please email me with your address and I will pass your information on to Irina at Purl Lamb.

And who wouldn't want to ring in the new year giving this champagne cozy to their favorite party host!

Celebrate.  Celebrate.  Celebrate.  LOVE the concept behind this book.

Sixth and Spring books would like to give a copy to one of my readers.  If interested in 50 knitted gifts for year-round knitting, please leave a comment here before Tuesday, December 10 9am EST and I'll have the random number generator choose a number.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

The winner of 60 quick knits from America's Yarn shops is number #113, DianneB.

Please email me with your address and I'll make sure the book lands in your mailbox.

Lace Legwarmers giveaway is still open!

These lace legwarmers from purl lamb are a favorite.  Libby and I both LOVE them.  This pair above has buttons all the way down.  They are 20" long so can be worn high or scrunched (one of my favorite words) to fit size and boot height.  Available in cream or black.
Irina from Purl lamb has generously offered to give away a pair to two of my readers. (YOUR choice!) Please leave a comment here before Sunday, December 8, 9am EST and I'll have the random number generator choose TWO numbers!

See you tomorrow with the winner of 60 quick knits from America's yarn shops.

I thought it would be fun to kick off December with some fun giveaways.  Items that you can either use for yourself or give away to someone who may really love it!
SO.... I have 7 different things to give away and am going to try to stick to a schedule so that the items can be shipped and received before Christmas.  That way, if you want to give it to a friend, you can!

December 3, 2013 :: 60 quick knits.
December 5, 2013 :: Lace Legwarmers. (Two pairs... Adult and child)
December 7, 2013 :: 50 knitted gifts.  Designs for every season and occasion.
December 9, 2013 :: Leslie Gordon's Elementary Hats.  Seven hat patterns for your Pre-K to Middle School Children!  (I have 3 Copies to giveaway!)
December 11, 2013 ::  Weelicious Lunches cookbook.
December 13, 2013 :: Chalkboard place mats.  (You know the one's I'm talkin' bout!)
December 15, 2013 ::  Toast. A pair for you or a friend and a ball of yarn to make your own!
I thought if I put up a schedule that would help with your busy lives.  And, that way you'll know if you want to stop back to enter each giveaway!  Feel free to enter all that you would like.  I'll probably leave the comments open for 2 days each.

See you tomorrow with 60 quick knits!

xx,
leslie

There are so many things that I am grateful for.  Obviously, the really big things like my children, our health, my parents, my sisters, our health, the rest of the family, the roof over our heads, our health, my friends, you, my jobs.   But then, there are those things that fill me with joy on a daily basis.  Things I get excited about and pass the thoughts on to my children.  HOW AWESOME IS THIS! I just made coffee!  And i get to DRINK it!
A few other things:
the amazing morning skies  the autumn leaves thrown around on the ground  borrowed socks  trying out new perfumes  charlie's hair the smell of pumpkin spice coffee  the way trouble lifts her head to see me walk by  my green tea  new yarn the november issue of family fun...the place mats! putting on my jammies early andrews obsession with shoes coconut oil as moisturizer pumpkin cheesecake for breakfast the chatter at the kitchen table  making waffles  libbys braids  the evening skies  flannel sheets 

How about you?  I'd love to hear what's making you happy right now.

 My girl, Libby, turned 16.  Sarah asked how that was possible.  I know!  Yes, I was just knitting her knee socks.  We had her bestie, Molly, over for dinner and ate Panera's Cream of Broccoli Soup.  Again.
It's Libby's all time favorite.  I bought it this year cause I was out of time.  I usually make it.
 Andrew turned 14 on the 12th.  I know!
 Chicken parmesan was requested along with a blue cake.  I aim to please.
This birthday really DID count.  How cool was that?!

Well, I wish I was talking about my crochet hook. That hat is giving me troubles. (Insert bug-eyed emoji here. -I use my emoji's so much that I miss them in this space!)
I think they would make a perfect Christmas gift, also.

Pattern:  Drop Stitch Cowl
Yarn:  Lion Brand Wool-Ease