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Ollie the Owl - Sold at Birds of a Feather Fair

Hi Friends! Hopefully there are still some of you out there! I know I've really been slacking with the blog posting lately. There are so many things to focus on right now that I keep forgetting some of them! We are deep in the midst of holiday custom order crafting, plus we have a lot more holiday festivities to attend this year. 

I'm excited by the latter, but also a little overwhelmed. Even though we're somewhat more settled this year from an infertility standpoint (as in we are not in the midst of surgeries and procedures and have moved out of that life phase) we're still not "over" it by any means. Last year we kind of skipped the entire season, keeping our heads down and busying ourselves with craft shows and travel, in an effort to insulate ourselves from the real world. This year we are dipping our toes back in.....cautiously. And we have no idea how we will fare emotionally. On one hand, we want to live life and have fun and enjoy our family and friends. On the other, we're afraid of looking too put together and not receiving the leeway we still need in these situations. The fact is, I'm still adjusting to the new dynamics in my extended family created by my sister becoming a mother. It is difficult for me to see my family members doting on her as a mother figure, even though I love having my nephew around. And Randy's extended family is big and ever expanding - many small children including a newborn, and at least one very pregnant person, for good measure.   While both of our families are supportive and understanding of our situation, we're all still learning. We are now in uncharted territory and there are no social norms for us to fall back on. 

I guess I need to make an open plea for patience from everyone I encounter this season. I may look more put together than last year, but I'm still recovering from something that nearly tore my heart in two, and that is a slow process. I'm going to give myself permission to take breaks from the action when I start to feel a little unglued and I'm going to try and remember the things about me that are worthwhile and good even when they are all covered up by my feelings of inadequacy that stem from my childless status. Hopefully, I will come out on the other side. :)

Working our knitting fingers to the bone to get ready for the Birds of a Feather Fair tomorrow! Check out this sweet daisy hat. Body knitted by Randy, flower crocheted by me (who knew I could crochet something more than a chain)!

I almost can't stand this guy, he's so cute. I've been wanting to make a snowman hat for a while now - but was kind of intimidated. But in the end it was really no big deal. I see many more in my future!

Green Bean

This is a Randy original creation that we call the Green Bean hat. He made about 4 of these several months ago, and now its finally time to debut them! We gave one with earflaps to Daniel - now that its getting cooler out we can get a few action shots to share soon!

Squirrel's Delight

I've been wanting to make an acorn hat for over a year now and finally got around to it!

Ollie the Owl Hat

Meet Ollie! I think he's super cute with a little smack of creepy. :) He will debut at the Birds of a Feather Fair on Sunday, but you can order another just like him in any color combo you'd like at Hitched and Stitched's Website!