December 23 and 24th.

Made it! Tomorrow's the big day - everyone's settled in, the presents are wrapped, and I'm baking my third batch of gingerbread cookies. Apologies for the lateness of yesterday's giveaway...I was busy mediating between all of the family. It's kinda hard when there's only one grandchild between both families and EVERYONE wants some face time with him. I've been bugging my siblings and Mr. Ninja's siblings - telling them that I want some nieces and nephews for Christmas next year.

Since I missed yesterday's giveaway, I'm going to post the giveaway for the 23 and the 24th together, and since I'm not anticipating having much Internet time for the next couple of days, I'm going to draw two winners from all those who comment on this post - likely on the 27th/28th or so.

So the giveaway for the 23rd - the winner of the knitpicks is Lesley. Congrats! The yarn up for grabs is this:

Some very pretty Opal sock yarn.

And for the final giveaway of this little Advent Calendar...

Told you it was a big one. Heh. Someone lucky out there in blogland is getting an awesome Christmas present - this is 8 skeins of Malabrigo in the Velvet Grapes colourway PLUS one of Nicky Epstein's books. Eight skeins = 1720 yards of yarn. Good luck, and good tidings to all for Christmas...and have a happy New Year.

December 22nd

Dashing through the snow...and through the mall. Quickie post:

Yesterday's winner - Geekzilla. Congrats, Lynne!

Today's giveaway:

It's some more Knitpicks Memories - but in the Red Hat colourway this time.

Good luck all!

December 21st!

Time is flying! Unfortunately for my sis-in-law, much the same cannot be said for her plane from New Zealand. So, she's been delayed until late today - which means that I'm going to be making 4 trips to the airport today. (Mom, Dad, brother & GF, and sis-in-law). Ungh. Anyone know a good recipe for apple pie? I have a feeling that I'm going to need some pie-like fortification soon.

In yarn-like news, I'm currently simmering up a batch of DK weight yarn...experimenting with some kool-aid, a skein wound into a centre-pull ball and a crockpot. I'll let you know how it goes.

Yesterday's winner was Tara. Congratulations!

Today's giveaway is a faboo ball of Malabrigo - not the merino, this is wool - in what I think is the Oceanos colourway. I could be wrong, as this has been in my stash ever since Malabrigo started selling in North America...so what, something like 4 years now?

Good luck all...

December 20th

Only 5 more days to go...

So the deluge begins today - both my brother-in-law and sister-in-law arrive today. I forsee much less knitting time in my near future, alas. But Eleanor is almost done! I just need to finish one pattern repeat and then the toe. I really wish that socktopia was up (I have a sneaking suspicion that it's a dead site now.) so I could link you the pattern...but it's a smashing design. I'll be knitting it again for sure.

Yesterday's winner was Linda. Congrats again!

Today's giveaway is some Knitpicks Memories sock yarn in Rocky Mountain Dusk. It's superwash merino and it knits up very prettily. Good luck everyone!

December 19th (Holy CRAP!)

Only a week to go, ladies and gentlemen!

So, I'm thinking that I can totally do 3 sets of mittens. Easy peasy and I'll be done like dinner. As mentioned last night at KOL, if things should get too hairy around here with all the relatives...I'm putting myself on bedrest and letting them all sort themselves out by their grown-up selves. Mr. Munchkin can hide out with me if he so chooses.

ETA: Screw it. I'm making my BIL a pair of machine washable socks and the parents-in-laws are getting slippers from Old Navy or somesuch. Neither I nor the babe need the extra and rather unnecessary stress engendered by this weird holiday guilt. So there. And onto a more pleasant topic...

Yesterday's winner is Carrice. Congratulations!

Today's giveaway is:

Good luck everyone. Just as a heads up - since we're headed into the final stretch, I'm letting you know that the giveaway on the 24th is going to be MASSIVE...keep an eye out for it.

December 18th

Had an OB appointment today - all's well with me and the babe. So to celebrate, Mr. Munchkin and I went and did something crazy. We cut his hair. I don't know about you, but wrestling a nearly 5 year old while simultaneously wielding a sharp pair of scissors almost never ends well for me. So, two bald spots later, he's more or less presentable for decent company.

So, I'm thinking about my Christmas list. My family is done, apart from a trip to Best Buy. (They're all getting something knit from me and something techy from Mr. Ninja.) My in-laws are sort of done...and the guilt of having knit just my sister-in-law a pair of socks (and no knits for any other the rest of them) is starting to weigh on me. So, I'm thinking of alternatives.

*Brother-in-law: I can totally knock off a pair of basic men's socks in worsted weight wool by Christmas. Right?
*Mother-in-law: This one's a little harder...maybe a scarf? From Old Navy?
*Father-in-law: Is this too mean? I'm thinking of a pair of pants and a new set of underwear. Click here if you want to understand where this idea is coming from...

On to the free stuff!

Yesterday's winners were Dorothy and Mom_of_Faith! MoF, please email me.

Today's giveaway is some beautiful Corriedale roving. I started to spin it on my drop spindle (please excuse the temporary bobbin), but stopped when I needed the spindle for something else...which has slipped my mind as to exactly what it was. Good luck all!

December 17th (and 13th)

Wow...after a whole day of baking (and I'm still waiting for my gingerbread to chill in the fridge), I'm wiped out. But the house is starting to feel...ready. Our tree is up, trimmed and filling the house with the wonderful smell of pine. The mantle has stockings and garlands, Christmas music is sounding throughout and the house is blissfully clean for the first time in months.

You'd almost think I was on top of things...and so did I, until I noticed that I had missed the giveaway for December 13th. Doh. Righty-o, here we go with the updated giveaways!

Yesterday's winners were Barbara from Nova Scotia, Linda, and Jamie (please email me Jamie, as I don't have a way of getting in touch with you.)

Today's (and the 13th) giveaways are:

A ball of Lana Grossa sock yarn (Meilenweit Inca)...with extra strapazierfahig! (I think that means that it stretches.)

Another ball of Lana Grossa sock yarn (Meilenweit Magico). Both of these balls come directly from Germany, as they were part of my World Cup feeding frenzy. Good luck, everyone!

Also, thank you everyone who's responded to my notifications - I haven't responded to many of them yet, but it's on my list of things to do. Will get to them as soon as I've finished my gingerbread cookies...