Handmade Gifts

This Christmas, I tried to do mostly handmade gifts. I did buy a few things, but all in all I think I got an A+ for craftiness this year.

Flowers, Etc.

Need a last minute Christmas gift? Well I have just the thing for you. That's right, I'm selling my crafts! Everything you see below is for sale, but I'm also open to taking specific orders and color schemes.

If you're interested, just send me an email at brittany.deniston@gmail.com [Price is open for negotiation].

One Flower Headbands: $10



Two Flower Headbands: $12





Flower Clip: $6



Flower Clip: $6



Flower Clip: $6





Knitted Flower Clip: $8





Knitted Flower Mini-Clips: $5/each pair





Knitted Hairband and Flower: $20

Decorating the Tree

Decorating the tree in the Deniston household can be a somewhat daunting experience. Usually there's laughter, cursing, tears, arguing, and general chaos and that's just picking up the tree from the lot and getting it inside the house.

So this is usually what about half of the family is doing [hard at work] . . .

. . . and this is the other half [spectating and offering 'helpful' suggestions] . . .

Nevertheless, it's tradition and I have lots of fun memories!

TA-DA!

My Worlds Collide

This past week, my good friend Keri came to visit me in Spokane! Keri was one of the first friends I made in South Africa. A Peace Corps volunteer at the time, I was secretly intimidated by her, but it didn't take us too long to become friends.

I loved having her in Spokane with me, but I have to admit that it was extremely strange at the same time! I felt my worlds collide in a beautiful, weird way. I had never seen Keri outside of Africa and here she was in my family's house!

I took her to get her hair done by my awesome friend Heather, which was also a little mind-bending, but so much fun!

Missing you already, Keri Dodge!

My Brand New Obsession

FLOWERS!!! I have been obsessed with creating the perfect fabric flower for the last few weeks. I've had so much fun attaching them to headbands and hair clips and shopping in the fabric section of Jo-Ann Fabrics [which I've never had reason to do before]. Oh and buttons! I adore buttons!

I've resolved that all of my Christmas gifts this year will be handmade so that's forced me to dig deep into my creative side. I love it!

A special thanks to my Mom who graciously let me use her as a model for these photos even though she whined through the whole thing . . .

Spiced Apple Cream Cheese Danish

[Did I just rush from eating this to blogging about it? Yes, I did. I am that proud!]

I found this recipe at Annie's Eats one day while blog surfing and had been looking for an excuse to make it ever since. She made it so simple with plenty of pictures and very clear instructions so for all of you non-bakers [and I am definitely a non-baker] this was very easy.

And man this was amazing and received lots of thumbs up from the family! I think we've found a new holiday tradition.

Giving Thanks

I love Thanksgiving! I love turkey, apple pie, stuffing, and pumpkins! I love the meaning behind the holiday and the family traditions. Below is a list of things I am thankful for and I hope that you get a chance this Holiday season to truly reflect on God's gifts in your life.

1) Family

2) Friends

3) Hobbies and Crafty Fun

4) Adventures

5) My New Job

6) Unconditional Love

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Remembering and Missing

I miss you guys . . .

New Knits

I haven't been knitting too much lately. That lack of inspiration I've talked about seems to have spread to my motivation to knit. But I did manage to finish this hat though it took me like two months which is very unusual for me.

I like it, but I think I made the brim a little too loose and I wish I'd used a more flexible yarn so it would hang down in the back.

Weekend Spontaneity

This past weekend, my friend Hayley and I decided to be spontaneous and meet up with each other in Portland, OR for a brief, but fantastic weekend. It was a long drive, but worth it just to spend some time with Hayley who I've missed dreadfully for months now.

We met up Saturday morning Hayley driving from Medford, OR and me from Spokane. We took the train into downtown Portland and walked around for hours enjoying the street market and eating yummy food.

We parted ways mid-afternoon Sunday and I already miss her so much I could cry! Hayley you will always be my favorite roommate. Please move to Spokane??