Boxing Day Shopping

So here in the Great White North (otherwise known as Canada), we have a holiday called BOXING DAY.

According to Wikipedia, the history of Boxing Day is that wealthy families in the UK would give a box containing a gift to their servants on the day after Christmas.

Nowadays, it's the day after Christmas when we have GREAT sales, similar to Black Friday in the United States.

I tend to avoid the mall on this day, although last year DID brave the cold, standing in line outside at the Guess Outlet Store at midnight, waiting for half-priced jeans.

This year, the only store I braved was Michael's Craft Store. GREAT sales on yarn! Many were anywhere from 25-50% discount, PLUS there was a 25% coupon for entire purchase, PLUS teachers get a 10% discount any day.

Here's what I purchased:

I guess I'm settled for a little while! It was tempting not to spend more than the hour that I was in the store.

I heart Boxing Day Sales :)

Crochet Adult Sock Monkey Hat

Can be done in pink with a flower or red with a pom pom as shown here. Any other accent colour may be chosen as well. 


Adult size: $35

Basic Knitted Adult Hat

Any colour combination
PRICE: $25

Add a matching scarf for only $20 more!!!

Child's Hat and Mittens Combo

PRICE: $35
*Add a matching scarf for only $15



Combo can be made in any combinations of colours!

Grading vs. Knitting

As a teacher, my work is never left at work. There is a ton of grading and I often have to bring it home to stay caught up.

The trouble is, it starts to interfere with my knitting time...
Neither my knitting projects nor I are happy about this...

Busy For the Holidays!

With the holiday season approaching, I've had SOOOO many orders put in lately. I have a ton of orders for people in Canada, as well as tons of orders from friends and co-workers down here in Honduras.

I am SO excited for the opportunities to try out new special orders, and to make custom-made things. I'm delighted that so many people enjoy my hand-knit goods! There's only one problem...

... for the first time EVER, I am stressed about knitting!!!! :O

Don't get me wrong, I'm honored to have the business... I've just never felt such a time crunch before! Even with the blankets I've knit for wedding gifts, I never felt stressed. I just gave the gift a little late if it wasn't finished. Things are different now... people are depending on ME to provide them with THEIR Christmas gifts for OTHER PEOPLE! WOW!

I hadn't realized how stressed I was feeling until a friend asked me, "With all these orders, are you still enjoying knitting?" I smiled and said "Of course! I'd be doing it anyways!" (Note: this conversation happened while I was knitting at the restaurant table, during dinner, on our beach vacay)

I then thought about how I've been knitting or crocheting every night for the last couple weeks for at least 3 hours and realized I haven't picked up the novel I'm reading since my beach vacay over a week ago. I usually read every night before going to bed but I've just been too tired lately!

So, I've started saying "no" to new orders, and am now delighting in finishing each project on the "to do" list.

I'm so blessed to have so many people supporting my new business. I just sometimes wish that Grandma Swills had a workshop full of elves too! ;)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!