My Brocken witch.

Halloween isn't a tradition here, but we do have the myths of women flying on broomsticks - off to meet their like and the devil. The mountain where they met is called Bloksberg in Norwegian - which is actually Mount Brocken in Germany.

On one of our holidays we made a visit (of course!) We took a steam train up the mountain, and though a summer's day - there was thick fog. A lot of the trees were damaged and dry and spooky in the fog. I don't know if there had been a fire or if the witches crashlanded in the trees, breaking off branches and scorching trunks.
My mother-in law bought me a witch to hang in my kitchen - still not sure which of us it is.... but she enjoys her little outing every autumn.
We also bought some witches brew - some fiery concoction made with herbs. The taste brings to mind some of the fairy tale ingredients, so it has lasted several years! Just a nip and a shudder on Halloween (hihi)

I also got this little witch brooch.
A peek at the baby quilt. Sorry about the quality of the photo - I had to hang it over the back of a chair. I ran out of the dark blue and the heart fabrics, but got to town yesterday to get some more. I see now that I should have fussy cut the sheep. Maybe I should have kept to just blues, but I'll see when the borders are on. The parents aren't really the baby blue type. It's the first time I've tried anything this big, and I'm looking forward to seeing it finished.

Ready, steady, go!

Each year I make an advent calender for the grandchildren.

(I always made one for my own boys and loved the way their faces lit up with pleasure every morning in December.)

Having 2 grandies means 48 parcels! I try to vary homemade and bought, sensible and fun things. And of course I try to keep the cost down! So I start hunting around early. (And end in a rush!)

Girlie things are easy - scrunchies and hairclips are great fillers. Boy things aren't so easy, so I have to be on the look-out. The fun part for me is in the hunting and making, and that no other kids have a calender like it.

Yesterday I finished girlie parcel no 1! Warm, alpaca wool socks to keep little J's feet snug on cold winter days.
The 2009 calender rush is officially opened

Today I skinned the dog...

Well, maybe not quite, but very close!

This is a before photo. Proper Beatle!

Her coat is very coarse and thick - meant to protect against the elements and rodent bites while hunting.

To keep her coat in good condition, it has to come off a couple of times a year. So when she's shedding, she needs a hand (and a tranquiliser)

to get it all off.

Poor little thing hates it. The hairball is nearly bigger than the dog! And it takes ages to do.

I have tried clippers, but the breeders say it's not good enough.

This is what she looks like under all that fur!

I usually leave most of the tail, tummy and legs.

Enough is enough!

Her undercoat is very soft and silky. She thinks it's fun to tickle her back with her tail!

And a nice chewie bone for being good.

She is such a sweetie - looks like a puppy again.

Don't be fooled though - this is a monster in disguise.....here she is quite miffed because I took photos of her.

At least now we can see each other again!

And she will have her new winter coat when it gets cold.

And I have done some sewing today as well! Well underway with the baby blanket - not completely happy with it, but we'll see. Photos coming soon...

At long last..

It is done! I had sworn I would not touch another stitchery, knitting-needles or blog until it was done.

And it has been making me cross, cross-eyed and nearly anti cross-stitch!

It has in truth been a wisp. My mother started it as a xmas present for my nephew (who apparently thought it was cute).

And I didn't have the heart to throw out mum's needlework, fabrics etc....etc. Got the picture?

Each autumn I have sewn a little and thought of the surprise it would be for my nephew when it was finished. Hihi. I never got it done in time for xmas, so I'd put it away for next autumn. But this year he will get his surprise!!! I have slaved day after day - each day thinking it was close to the last stitch - but no, just a little here and there.......

The dogs were slightly startled this afternoon when I finally let out a yell of triumph! It was done! I am free to blog and do all the other things piling up on my worktable.....

I only have to frame it - and while hunting for the frame (which mysteriously isn't around any longer), I rediscovered the rest of mum's stash of cross-stitch wisps. Oh well, I can pick one out for next xmas, can't I?