Here we go!  I just received my designer copy of Hooks-Only Crochet From Start to Finish.  The premise behind this book is that you don't have to sew any seams.  None.  I sold two designs to DRG for this book.  But, after reading Kym's comment below, I checked and checked and checked and I just don't see my pillow in there.  I'm sure it will turn up later in some other publication.  Hide and watch.  

And, here is the Amethyst Shell that IS published in the book.  Isn't it pretty??!!  That's a tee-tiny bit of a novelty yarn in there called Moda Dea Kickx.  You probably know that I'm not really big on novelty yarns, but I thought it was just the perfect amount of it to give the top a little extra flair.  I'm thrilled to see that the interesting shape of the design actually fits wonderfully.  Yes, I had my daughter try it on before I mailed it in.  But, it was still a little big on Brianna.  This model looks great in it, though.


Nope.  Not a single seam.  Nothing to sew whatsoever. 

I wasn't able to decide on a movie from Netflix for Christmas.  So, I will just go for whatever is on television.  The Sci Fi Channel has a three-day line-up called a Sci Fi Christmas.  I refuse to believe that there are that many science fiction movies that have some kind of Christmas-y thing about them.  I think it's more likely that they are combining some heartwarming, cuddly science fiction movies.  Something like ET or maybe Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  Or, how about a Spielberg-fest?  They've been showing the Lord of the Rings trilogy on TNT.  I would love to see all the Star Wars movies, but, although they've been advertising them pretty blatantly, it would appear that they are only available to Cinemax subscribers.  Poo on them!

It took me a whopping 40 minutes to actually remember the full name of one of the best Christmas-y movies I've ever seen.  It's been shown on Lifetime for several years.  Always Remember I Love You.  Oh, what a great movie.  Be sure to catch it on Lifetime if you get the chance.

Crisis has been averted and I have received a zipper from ZipperStop.  So, it looks like I'll be sewing in a zipper shortly.  Then, I'll be writing a pattern.  Then, I'll be mailing out a finished _____.  Woops!  You thought I would tell you, didn't you?  Nope, can't do it.  But, I'll let you know as soon as possible.

Now, about the not-so-talkative Christian who soooooo isn't a baby anymore.  I can tell you that because I've looked at baby pictures for several days and he doesn't even resemble that cuddly baby anymore.  His legs are getting longer and leaner and gone are the chunky baby thighs that mom so loved to pinch.  Oh, well....I digress.  Christian is still trying his darndest to speak.  He says things...well, he TRIES to say things.  Brianna, hot, doggie, and the other day, he saw a pirate on television and literally went "arrrrrrr".  hahahahahaha  That was SO funny!  But, I've been reflecting.  And, although Christian seems to be right on target and actually ahead in some areas of his development (I mean, really, what 19 month old can almost walk a balance beam without assistance?).... but, yes, he is ahead in some areas.  But, other areas, like talking, he is a bit behind.  He was also behind in learning to hold his bottle on his own and in actual verbal laughter.  He would smile and grin and sometimes squeal.  But, actual laughter only started about four or five months' ago.  So, you see?  We're going to chalk this up to all kids developing at their own pace.  I'm not really having a major problem with the lack of speech thingy.  He's still communicating with me.  But, I don't feel comfortable with trying to potty-train him yet.  I feel that there has to be at least a little bit of real speech going on for that, ya know? 

Congratulations, Kim. That shell is gorgeous. Enjoy your sci-fi moviefest, and have a wonderful Christmas.:)

The shell is BEAUTIFUL.!! You always do such a wonderful job with all your designs. I'm not a doctor but I am a Mom and Grandmother of 7 and I know what one of them would do sooner in one area, the other would do sooner in another. They even had one of the twins tested because he doesn't talk much at all and he is 3. The doctor and therapist both said that he is right on track; that his brother just talks more. And the one that doesn't talk as much is ahead in other areas so I'm sure Christian is fine, just his own little person. I'll be waiting for the day that you will post and say that you didn't get anything done because Christian talked so much that you couldn't even crochet..LOL and I'm sure it will happen!! Okay, I have a question, is this the only place that we can get your shell pattern, if so, where can I find this book?

I love the shell, the colors are great together! No Sewing that's for me!!!! Christain will talk when he's ready :)Once he starts he'll never quit like my granddaughter did lol. I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays if you prefer:)God Bless us all.

Congrats for the top, it's gorgeous. I always loved no-sew garments.

And don't worry about the "Christian still don't talk" part. It's common in a house with a stay at home mom, with a sister much older, where everybody knows what the children wants without he needing to talk... LOL:)

Kim, that novelty yarn really kicked it up a notch. You did well! :) It's really the finished touch that the blouse needed. And your son, he will talk when ready. ;)

Such a beautiful top!! Wow...
I also wanted to tell you that you don't need to worry about your son not talking yet. As long as you know that he can hear, he will be fine. My sister and I are 19 months apart, and I was her "translater" because she did not speak well when she was little. I could understand her, and so she really did not need to try that hard to talk.
What I did with my students (who were deaf and hard of hearing), was if I knew that they could speak a little better than what they were doing (just lazy) then I would pretend that I didn't understand what they were saying. You walk a fine line with this though, because if they are offended, you stop, but if you can do it in a teasing way, then it is like a game, and fun. See what I mean? You could try that and see what happens. I don't know if it would work on a young one though, I worked with elementary kids.
Again, I just really love your design!!! :) It looks so warm and beautiful!
Victoria

Really, REALLY cute, Kim!