Peanut & Purls and Christmas Knits

First off, I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR! While I haven't quite finished the Battlestar Galactica socks (sorry mom, I'm well into the second sock), I did manage to whip up this seed stitch cowl for my dear friend Lindsey!

Wishing You the Merriest!

We're taking a couple days off! Wishing you all happy holidays and safe travels!

Christmas Report: Last Minute Wrapping Inspiration

Today I'm ceding my "Book Report" post to offer some last minute Christmas wrapping inspiration. A couple weeks ago, I showed you how to make tassel gift toppers from ferns and fir trees, but the other ribbon and bow replacement I'm using this year is inspired by the leather laces from my cowboy hat band DIY...

Made and Found

Origami Diamond Ornaments by How About Orange

I've said before that I when it comes to Christmas decorations I prefer more natural wintery things, but I do also love when Christmas isn't all about red and green, and Santa's and such. So if you also take a liking to the more fanciful candy colored ornaments and decor this post is for you. 

Here are some great Christmas decorations that give you the ability to embrace all different colors and really mix it up...

Peanut & Purls: Last Minute Christmas Presents

Christmas is way too close now. I thought I was ready. I was even getting smug about it. That is, I was getting all smug about it until I decided to throw in another hand knit present. Now what the hell am I going to do?

Handmade Home: Merry Merry Banner

We have a really nice vaulted ceiling in our living room, and with my love for draping various decorations (you can see my hot air balloons hanging in the background), it's surprising that I haven't ventured to maximize the heights of the room. This year is different though, because I am making merry work of that empty space...

Book Report: Bookish Gift Guide 2

Image by Coffee Stains and Cigarettes on Flickr

Just in case you didn't find the perfect present in last week's post, here's the second round of bookish gifts for the book lover in your life...

Best of Rifle: Christmas edition

I love Rifle. Rifle Paper Co. that is, none of this firearm business--psshh. Rifle Paper Co. has the most amazing marketing and design people, it's not even funny. I could easily (and sometimes do) drop a ridiculous amount of money on paper-based products because they do what they do so damn well!

Made and Found: Foraged Tassels

I love bringing the outside in. The fact that December means we're allowed to put a six foot noble fir in our living rooms is pretty much my favorite thing ever...

Peanut & Purls: (Battlestar Galactitca) Sock update

It feels like the last week of my life has been solely dedicated to these socks. Well...I guess just singular, sock, since I haven't finished one, let alone started on the second. The first sock always takes longer to knit. Right?

Handmade Home: mini wreaths

I have been working on a bunch of projects lately, however since most of them are for Christmas gifts I have to maintain the veil of secrecy and can't post about them.

But one thing that I am working on is some mini wreaths. I saw these on Design Sponge and loved them. Naturally, like many things in my life right now they remain unfinished, but I wanted to share them with you so if you'd like you can have time to make some too.

Book Report: Bookish Gift Guide 1

Image via Local Milk

As a total book nerd, I'm always keeping an eye out for excellent bookish items. All of my shopping is done for this year, but here are some gifts I'd happily give my favorite book lovers...

Top 5: Advent Calendars

Advent Mobile from Hampton SC*

Most everyone gets excited about Christmas, or the Holidays, and what better way to count down the days than a fun advent calendar. You can get super creative and make your calendar really shine with your Christmas decor. Here are five great idea for advent calendars, some of them are from foreign websites however they have great pictures if your not a polyglot...

Made and found: Christmas decorations!

As soon as December hit, I swapped out my fall decorations for a little indoor winter wonderland. We're experiencing some abnormally chilly weather in the Pacific Northwest. It's going to be in the 20's for a few days (believe me, that's cold for here). I've done enough crafting in past few winters, that I have a pretty solid base of decorations to start with. Take a peek!

Peanut & Purls & Battlestar Galactica Socks...?

Yeah you heard me right. Battlestar Galactica socks. I have never seen an episode of BG, but I think Monika and Ben have seen enough so that I don't have to. They even became friends with one of the actors from BG (it was a chance friendship, founded in a bar in Burbank), but not knowing anything about the show, I can't even tell you who they're friends with! For shame!

Handmade Home: Christmas chaos

House Silhouette Wrapping paper

So this weekend we got out our Christmas decorations and started to get things going. When I say this weekend, I mean late Sunday afternoon, so needless to say our house is still amidst the Christmas chaos of decorating. 

As soon as I have some well maintained, organized things to show I'll be back, but this week I need to leave you with this lovely hand made holiday wrapping paper that us sisters made last year for a BuzzFeed post.

Also, if you are feigning for some handmade holiday goodies check out our pin boards, they are chalked full of great ideas and pin-spiration.

Christine's Holly Jolly Christmas pin board

Monika's Merry Merry pin board

Catherine's Christmas

2012 in Review: Part 4

1. DIY Skeleton Garland 2. Fantastic Mr. & Mrs. Fox Costumes 3. DIY Skeletor Skin 4. DIY Spirit Animal Masks 

5. DIY Cat Toys 6. Make a $5 Dress 7. Black Beauty Bookends 8. DIY Holiday Garland 

9. Glitter Pinecone Garland 10. Knitted Coffee Cozy 11. DIY House Silhouette Wrapping Paper 12. DIY Rorschach Prints 

Thanks for the wonderful year, everyone!

Home and Away: Home for Christmas

I was able to make it home for Christmas, which was pretty exciting since that doesn't happen every year. Even though Catherine, Mom, and I were all together, we didn't have a real Christmas celebration because Monika couldn't be there. However, Catherine did send Monika several texts about how she ruined Christmas, so with the sisterly bickering it was almost like a real Christmas! Also, Bruno attacked the present I'd brought for Mom. Oh, Christmas...

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas! And for a Santa related post, here are some neat things you can do with deer. If you get some pipe cleaners, you can make a deer...

Home and Away: Christmas time in California

Although it doesn't snow or get all winter wonderland in California, people still get down with holiday cheer...