Package to Canada

I sent a small package to my friend Constance and her family. Since she is expecting, I included lots of chocolate and two packages of peppermint mug cake.

For her cross stitch gift, I included the mini Christmas pincushion that was decorated with a snowflake.

I hope you like your little package :)

Until next time ^____^

Anime Christmas Party 2015

 My friends and I met up last night for our annual anime Christmas party, not that we watched anything last night. We sat around and talked for the most part since a lot of us haven't seen one another in a while because of work schedules, etc.

I received a lot of lovely gifts from my friends: lots of books (yay!), a Krispy Kreme donut candle, candy, magnetic bookmarks, a HB gift card, a cute Christmas pot holder, and a framed Sherlock poster!!!

I can't wait to read the books, especially the Fearless Ghost manga. Shambhala Publications has published Lafcadio Hearn's Kwaidan book as a graphic novel adaptation called The Fearless Ghost.

Ever since my sister had gotten me one of Lafcadio Hearn's books by Tuttle, I have read several of his books on 19th century Japan. I love the fact that his stories have been adapted in a new form by Sean Wilson and Michiru Morikawa.

Thank you for the lovely gifts!!!

Until next time ^____^

Christmas Package to CA

Here is my package to Amanda this year for Christmas. I had a gingerbread theme with the amigurumi, pincushion jar, and the Emily Fortune Cookie in gingerbread flavor.

I got her some candy, reindeer socks, stamps, coffee/cocoa stencils, an octopus shaped tea infuser, a Hanabi card game, and a Spectrum Noir marker holder.

I hope you liked your gifts :)

Until next time ^____^

Super Mario Boo Amigurumi

Pattern: Boo by WolfDreamer
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft White
Notions: black, red, and white felt
Start/Finish: 12/12-13/2015

For one of my coworkers for Christmas this year, I made a Super Mario Boo ghost amigurumi as his gift.

The pattern is quite easy. I noticed in the comments on the post for this pattern that people complained of the shape they got after stitching. So if you do stitch this pattern, remember to stuff it firmly and shape the amigurumi with your hands to get the round shape that you need for the ghost.

Until next time ^____^

Gingerbread Amigurumi

Pattern: Gingerbread amigurumi by Frosty Sheep
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft limelight, maize, red, and white
Hook: size C
Notions: 6mm safety eyes and white yarn
Start/Finish: 11/26-27/2015

I made this little gingerbread man amigurumi for my friend Amanda as part of her Christmas package this year

I took strands of yarn and glued them to the arms and legs as white frosting. Green yarn for gum drop buttons and red for a tiny candy bow.

Until next time ^___^

Mini Cross Stitch Christmas Pincushion Jars

I stitched up these mini Christmas designs in October and finished them up at the end of November.

I found the containers at Michael's in their dollar section during October. I knew I could make them into something fun as Christmas gifts.

I used metallic cording and ribbon to embellish the edges of the lid and around the cross stitch design on each container.

I opened one of the containers (in lower right of picture). All of them have a shiny silver finish in the inside.

I filled each jar with Hershey kisses for my friends as part of their Christmas gifts.

Until next time ^____^

Christmas Cards for Cross Stitch Friends :)

I wanted to send Christmas cards to the ladies I've stitched for or received gifts from the Hooked on Exchanging blog. I found some adorable buttons at Joann's Fabrics and added those to each card.

I hope everyone in the HoE group is having a wonderful holiday season :)

Until next time ^___^

Yokai Watch Whisper Amigurumi

Whisper Amigurumi
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft White
Hook: size H
Notions: black, dark pink, purple, and white felt
Start/Finish: 12/5-6/2015

I had a customer on Etsy who bought the Yokai Watch Jibunyan amigurumi from my shop and asked if I had any other amigurumi characters from the anime/game. I didn't have any made, but she said she would love to purchase a Yokai Watch Whisper amigurumi for her daughter.

So after fiddling a bit, I was able to stitch up a Whisper amigurumi. I think he came out great for a first try.

I really hope my customer loved the amigurumis for her daughter :)

Until next time ^____^

Several Monthly Recaps

I've been neglectful about keeping up with my monthly recaps. Yikes!!!

June:
Read:
1. For All the Tea in China by Sarah Rose
2. Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
3. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
4. The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
5. Ladies of the Field by Amanda Adams
6. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna

Crafts:
1. Jibunyan amigurumi
2. Bunny sundae amigurumi

July:
1. Itazura No Kiss volume 3 by Kaoru Tada
2. Heart of the World by Henry Rider Haggard
3. The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
4. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper
5. Colorworld by Rachel Kelly
6. Peace of Evon by Dorothy Tinker

Crafts:
1. Neapolitan Ice Cream Girl by Soda Stitch

August:
Read:
1. The Dragon Men by Steven Harpet
2. The Good Shufu by Tracy Slater
3. The Obelisk and the Englishman by Dorothy U. Seyler
4. The Shadow Revolution by Clay and Susan Griffith
5. The Undying Legion by Clay and Susan Griffith
6. The Conquering Dark by Clay and Susan Griffith
7. Jess by Henry Rider Haggard
8. Teleworld by Rachel Kelly

Crafts:
1. Green Tea Ice Cream Girl by Soda Stitch
2. Halloween Ornaments by JBW Designs
3. Strawberry Ice Cream Girl by Soda Stitch
4. Fingerless Crochet Gloves

September:
Read:
1. His Precious Inheritance by Dorothy Clark
2. Lumaworld by Rachel Kelly

Crafts:
1. Halloween House by Les Grilles de Maryse and no sew cube finish
2. Halloween Sampler by Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery
3. French Country Witch by JBW Designs and pinkeep finish
4. Squirrel biscornu by Frimousse
5. Ghost Coasters crochet

October:
Read:
1. The Shadows by J.R. Ward
2. Imagined London by Anna Quindlen
3. Sisters of Blood and Sister by Kady Cross
4. Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge
6. Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George
7. Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor by Matthew Stover
8. Mycroft Holmes by Abdul-Jabbar and Anna Waterhouse

November:
Read:
1. Death Star by Michael Reeves and Steve Perry
2. Survivor's Quest by Timothy Zahn
3. Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn
4. Warheart by Terry Goodkind
5. Allegiance by Timothy Zahn
6. Japan by Burton Holmes
7. Choices of One by Timothy Zahn

Crafts:
1. Cross stitch mini jar pincushions

Terry's Orange Chocolate Cookies

Good evening! One of the goodies that I look forward to in the holiday season is Terry's orange chocolate balls. I first tried them when I was in England and have been hooked ever since. I am grateful that my local Target sells them.

While enjoying some orange chocolate last weekend, I decided to see what sorts of recipes you could make with the chocolate and someone had a recipe for orange chocolate cookies.

This morning with the aid of my trusty bunny timer, I made several batches of orange chocolate cookies. I used the standard Toll House recipe, but used the orange chocolate instead of the chocolate chip morsels.

They were received with mixed reviews. My mom and I love them because we like orange chocolate. My sister said they were good, but she was hoping for normal chocolate chip cookies. She's never been a fan of odd chocolate flavors, she's more of a caramel and chocolate person.

So if you love orange chocolate, you'll love using them as a substitute for morsels in your usual chocolate chip cookie recipe. I bought two balls of the chocolate, roughly chopped them up, and added it to the recipe.

If you make this recipe, let me know what you think of it!!

Until next time >___<