Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Work-in-Progress Wednesday


Almost done! The felt numbers arrived from Monika at Monkey Business by yesterday's post. Last night I spread out the 24 finished mittens and arranged the numbers sequentially. Several minutes of gluing, some drying time and then they're ready for hanging!

The pattern - Smitten (A Holiday Garland)- includes instructions for a garland for stringing the mittens along a mantel or railing, but I'm omitting that. My plan is to decorate the Christmas tree with the mittens.

Now I need to come up with ideas to fill them. Gavin thinks little chocolates for everyday is a good idea, although, he warns, make sure they're wrapped so that they don't melt inside the mittens. I checked, those credit-card style gift cards fit in the mittens just fine too. With a month and half to work on this, I'll just pick up cute little things here and there when I see them.

It's the darnedest thing. This set of 24 mini-mittens seems to have taken forever but now, seeing how darling they are, I have the urge to make another set for a friend. Crazy, huh?

There's some secret Christmas knitting going on that I can't show you. But there's woodworking too, and that I can show you. After seeing online plans to make these Treasure Chests I decided to have a go for the nephews and niece. Gavin has made the boxes from solid maple and now we're working on the domed lids. My next step is to sand the ends of the zebrawood lid slats flush with the maple end. At the same time I'm looking around for some leather straps. I struck out at the fabric store and now I'm checking thrift-shops for second-hand belts. If you have any idea where I could buy 3/4" wide leather straps, please let me know!

It's work-in-progress Wednesday so there's lots to see over at Tami's Amis! Why not take a few minutes to get some ideas for your Christmas lists?

15 comments:

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

The mittens look great! I didn't you know you and Gavin were into woodworking - the boxes will be great!

heather said...

This is such a cute idea! I love the idea of hanging them on a tree too! Very cute!!!

Anonymous said...

Busy, busy!!! The mittens are ADORBS!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

You might be able to get that sizer strap off of old purses, maybe?

Love the mittens. I haven't really decorated for Christmas (other than a small tree) here the last couple of years, but I'm getting the itch to go crazy this year!

Paula said...

Mittens!!! SO cute. I mean, mittens are cute in general, but mini mittens are off the charts. I'm terribly impressed with your woodworking project. Don't have any suggestions for bits of leather, but really looking forward to seeing the chests all finished up. Good luck!

Stefanie said...

Oh that mitten garland is going to be so fun and filled w/holiday spirit!
How awesome your husband is so talented w/wood. Treasure chests are awesome and so handy.

bookworm-Mary said...

I love love love the mittens!! Such an adorable project!

Spinster Beth said...

Oh, I would have so much fun filling those mittens with gifts!

Hazels Crochet said...

that is a lovely idea, and i agree on you needing chocolates that are wrapped up :)

Maria said...

So close!!! I love it, love it, love it :)

Unknown said...

You are crazy! But I bet they are great for those times when a large project is too much. As to handles, try http://www.homesteadheirlooms.com/ Love their stuff. And the boxes will be beautiful! Sure wish I had a hubster that did wood working.

katie metzroth said...

mittens look great, but I can't believe you're considering another set. you're a better person than I. :)

Elisabeth Andree said...

The mittens look very nice and I think it is a super idea to use them as Christmas decoration:)

WildflowerWool said...

What a fun project! You will have fun filling them (stitch markers, stitch holders, needles, yarn shop gift cards...)

Deb said...

Did you try Tandy Leather?

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Leather-Belts-Leather-Straps/Leather-Belts-Leather-Straps.aspx

Here's the link for leather straps. They even have fancy one.

Not affiliated, but I have friends that use them.