Happy Halloween and Merry Christmas, Wah?

Here is my first stab at Gocco printing. I think I was pretty successful, I'm happy with the results. I only wish it didn't cost so much... or I would do it all the time, I would imagine that each of these cards with postage cost about 2 bucks a piece, argh blerg. I can see how people get addicted to this stuff though. It's fun and pretty easy, and I didn't even make a mess.

Guess what? I just bought one of those awesome corner rounder thing dealies. Now everything in my house will have a nice rounded edge on it.

I think I'm gonna send this card out with a red envelope and a liner printed with vintagesque green christmas trees. I found both envelopes and liner atpaper source.

I wish that I could have my dining room table covered in this type of awesomness all the time.

A Vote for me is a Vote for Finn!

Our blog is turning into a competition, hope that's not too annoying for all of you. Just know we won't ever mention it ever again, if you can just help us win.

Finn and Elsa's nursery's are part of the ohdeedoh.com color contest, please help by voting for our kids bedrooms and help get us into the finals. You can place your "votes" aka "thumbs up" here.

Seriously I appreciate your help.

Every Vote Counts!

Elsa's room is up on Ohdeedoh's Small Kids, Big Color contest! Do us a solid and cast your vote! Thumbs up Friends!!!!!

We've only got the rest of the day tomorrow to get enough votes to make it to the finals so be sure to get to the polls ASAP!!!!!!!

Also keep your eyes peeled for Scoop's entry! Finn has a magical room that uses big time color!

My submission for the Ohdeedoh Color Contest

Alright, here it is, my submission for the 2009 Ohdeedoh Color Contest, I'll let you know if I actually make it to the voting rounds. I've got my fingers crossed. Nicole (Colzoz) also has submitted her photos of little Elsa's room, you can check those out at this link.

Sock Update Yo.

I just realized I never blogged my first pair of socks. Well here they are! Another goal to check off the old bucket list, I am officially now a knitter of socks.

Here's my feet enjoying my new socks.

In other sock news, I am currently working on two different pairs. See the truth is, knitting socks can get kind of boring, so I needed to do two different pairs at once in order to make my brain not go crazy.

I am working more patterns from the Knitting Vintage Socks book, just like I said I would do. This is the pattern for "Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock". In this instance this sock(s) will be worn by this gentlelady.

And lastly, the other sock I am working on is this awesome yellow one. I have heart eyes for this pattern. Again, this pattern is from Knitting Vintage Socks and is called "Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern"

FYI: this sock is hard and can only be worked on at home in peace and quiet. I am a newbie when it comes to knitting and I need all the mind concentration I can muster when it comes to working this this "difficult" pattern.

A Hat, Just in the Nick of Time

I finished this hat for Finn right as the flurries began to fall. This is just the perfect thing for him because A: This hat comes fully equipped with a button thus allowing it to stay on Finn's head, no matter how hard he tries this thing isn't coming off, and B: It looks awesome, it reminds me of our grey cat Whittier.

Again, if anyone is interested in making this sweet hat for your little dude or lady, the pattern is found here @ shescraftiness.blogspot.com

Please don't think I'm crazy

I'm convinced there is no good that comes from waking up early. As I was lying in bed this morning my brain decided to remind myself that it is October 9th and in 2 months it will be December, and between now and then there are about a million things I have to get done. Every year we host a holiday party we call "Friend Feast." Last year we sat 22 people in our house and served them all a full meal. Not only that there is decorations, invitation, trees, lights, tables, chairs etc etc. I need to start planning this ASAP.

Friend Feast wasn't the only thing clogging up my mind grapes this AM. The month of December alone has about a million to-do's. For one it's my birthday and for two it's CHRISTMAS. I need to knit at least 4 pairs of socks as Christmas gifts, I need to finish the project I started in March and make vintagesque felt Christmas stockings for Mom, Dad and Finn. Not only that but I have to be the first in line to pick up Bob Dylan's new Christmas record, 'Christmas in the Heart' coming this Tuesday the 13th.

AND on the side I would like to make some hats and mittens for Finn. The hat inspiration comes the above photo. Finn needs this warm stuff soon... there's supposed to be some snow flurries this weekend.

FYI, I found this pattern via www.goodknits.com

Lastly, for the good of my sanity I am going to redo my to-do list found on this blogs side bar, it will now include in detail all of things I must get done during the next two months.

Can't wait to Imaginate

Uncle Matt, aka 50's, aka Uncle Fives picked up some good finds at a garage sale last week. A green felt cowboy hat, and a plastic bear mask will soon lead to fun, fun, fun. Can't for my little guy to tell me he's some sort of scary faced bear cowboy. "Raarr!" Also in this photo, a hand made coonskin cap given to Finn for his 1st birthday by Crystal Quinn, aka Rhinosnacks.

A concerned cowboy in his PJ's

I'm Loco for Gocco

Our friend McTubbins aka Aaron Anderson aka Hollingsworth J McTubbins heard that I/WE was/were looking for a Gocco and graciously donated his to the Henhouse cause. Now nothing can stop us, invitations and "than you" cards, here we come!

Birthday Socks made with Love (and yarn)

I am so proud of these socks, they are 2nd pair I've made, and they are so awesome. This pattern is found in the Knitting Vintage Socks book by Nancy Bush. There are at least 5 other patterns I'd like to make in that book, so I will be busy making socks for awhile. Next on the docket, "Child's First Sock", in a really sweet Koigu mustard colored yarn.

Here are the specs:

Pattern:: Gentleman's Fancy sock rom Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn:Cascade Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn 2 skeins
Needle: Size 1

Happy 28th Birthday Jeff!

We celebrated Jeff's birthday yesterday, it was crammed right in between a busy school schedule and a busy work schedule. Finn and I try our best to make it special, starting with the best birthday cake to date.

Finn helps by decorating all of Jeff's gifts, not only do his drawing stylez look cool but decorating distracts him from helping untie all the ribbons.

You knew that crayons work good for drawing but did you know that they also make great afternoons snacks?

Things are looking good around the Allen household.

Inside the four layered cake. This is the first cake I've made all from scratch, I used this cake recipe and this frosting recipe. The cake was 100% de-lish, believe it!