I'm so glad it's Friday! I'm looking forward to pizza for dinner tonight, and trips to Value Village, Mac Fabrics and Romni Wools tomorrow. What about you?

Hopefully I'll get some knitting in, too....

In case you need some ideas, here are a few links to take you into the weekend.

• Make just-the-right-size boxes with help from Sharilyn of lovelydesign.
• This candygram would make anyone (OK, maybe not a dentist) smile. (via inchmark)
• I need some coasters – I'm thinking giant hexes. This graph paper should help.
• Love these paper chandeliers at Wren Handmade.
• Design Your Own Clothes by Cal Patch – yes, please!
• These crocheted plant cozies are super cute. (via Design*Sponge)
• I know just who I'd make this mushroom hat for. (via The PurlBee)

There's still time to submit your favourite-handmade-gift stories and easy-Christmas-DIY tips. And tune in on Monday for a fabulous lineup of posts, including another great giveaway and an interview with one of my favourite Canadian craft bloggers.

Have a good weekend!

Have you seen the new quilt patterns and fabric line coming soon from Denyse Schmidt? I am particularly enamoured of the Proverbial Quilt, seen below. (Now I just need to pick a proverb...or maybe a good quotation. Suggestions?)See all four quilt patterns in an easy-to-read format over at Heather Ross's blog. And keep those favourite-handmade-gift stories and easy-Christmas-DIY tips coming!

Wow! I am so enjoying reading all of your comments on Monday's post. The tales you're sharing about the best handmade gift you've ever received are thoughtful, funny and poignant – sometimes all at once. Thank you all for sharing these little gems. (If you haven't commented yet, there's still time – you have until Sunday at 11:59 p.m.)

Now that Halloween is out of the way, I feel like I can finally hunker down and concentrate on my Christmas crafting. (Oh yes, the countdown is on!) I make many of my Christmas presents, and I know that many people are thinking about making some (or all) of their holiday gifts this year, and so I've been thinking about ways to make the process fun, festive, and affordable. Here's what I've come up with so far.

• Start early. Staying up all night knitting or sewing on Christmas Eve  = falling asleep in your turkey dinner.
• Make a list, check it twice. It's easy to get overwhelmed when you walk into a giant crafts or fabric store, and being overwhelmed can lead to overspending. Before you go supply-shopping, write down a list of the crafts you're going to make; then make your shopping list detailing exactly what (and how much) you'll need.
• Be realistic. Choose projects that match your skill level and the amount of time you have available. And don't waste time making something for someone who won't appreciate it. Some people just prefer purchased gifts. Save yourself the time and heartache; buy a gift card.
• Take advantage of sales. Use those 40% off coupons from the big box craft stores; make the most of your fabric store's discount club card. Watch the circulars for deals.
• Make multiples; set up an assembly line. Consider making similar-but-different gifts for the people on your list (for example, simple mitts or scarves; monogrammed books or mugs). Make one, so that you get the hang of it; then make all the rest, completing one step at a time in assembly-line fashion. This saves time (you only have to climb one learning curve) and money (you'll get best use out of each supply you buy).
• Order takeout. I hate having to clean off my kitchen table – which is where I do much of my crafting – in mid-flow, just so that I can make and serve dinner. And after a full day of Christmas crafting, who wants to cook?

What are your tips for fun, festive, affordable holiday crafting? Leave a comment telling me what you'd recommend and you could win!

The prizes for this surprise giveaway are two tickets to the upcoming Seasons Christmas Show at the International Centre in Mississauga OR a copy of Tree Top Decorations by Emma Hardy. In addition, I'll feature my favourite tips in a round-up next Thursday. (Comments accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11:59 p.m.; round-up will be published and winners announced on Thursday, Nov. 12.)

As promised in yesterday's giveaway post, here's the pattern for that adorable little baby sock monkey from Patons Yarns new book "Monkey Business." Surely there's someone on your gift list who'd go bananas for this simian softie! (Don't forget to enter for your chance to win that sock-monkey-tastic gift basket.)

BABY MONKEY

Measurement: Approx 14 ins [35.5 cm] tall.

Tension:
22 sts and 28 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.
To save time, take time to check your tension!

Materials:

Patons® Classic Wool (100 g/3.5 oz; 205 m/223 yds)

• Main Color (MC) (77010 Natural Marl)  –  1 ball
• Contrast A (00202 Aran) –   1 ball
• Contrast B (00230 Bright Red)  –  1 ball

Set of four size 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension.
Stitch holder.
Stuffing.
Black felt for eyes.
Glue gun.

Stitch glossary:
Alt = Alternate(ing).
Approx = Approximately.
Beg = Beginning.
Inc(s) = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together.
M1 = Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop.
Rem = Remaining.
Rep = Repeat.
Rnd(s) = Round(s).
RS = Right side.
Ssk = Slip next 2 stitches knitwise one
at a time, then knit through back loops together.
St(s) = Stitch(es).
Tog = Together.
WS = Wrong side.

Instructions:
Note: Stuff Legs and Body as you work.

Head
**With A, cast on 7 sts. Divide onto 3 double-pointed needles as (2, 2, 3) sts. Join in rnd, placing marker on first st.
1st rnd: Inc 1 st in each st around.
14 sts.
2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
3rd rnd: *K1. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 21 sts.
5th rnd: *K2. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 28 sts.**
7th rnd: *K3. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 35 sts.
9th rnd: *K4. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 42 sts.
11th rnd: *K5. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 49 sts.
13th rnd: *K6. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 56 sts.
15th rnd: *K7. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 63 sts. Break A.
With MC, knit 18 rnds even.

Shape bottom: 1st rnd: *K7. K2tog. Rep from * around. 56 sts.
2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
3rd rnd: *K6. K2tog. Rep from * around. 49 sts.
5th rnd: *K5. K2tog. Rep from * around. 42 sts.
7th rnd: *K4. K2tog. Rep from * around. 35 sts.
Stuff Head.
9th rnd: *K3. K2tog. Rep from * around. 28 sts.
11th rnd: *K2. K2tog. Rep from * around. 21 sts.
13th rnd: *K1. K2tog. Rep from * around. 14 sts.
Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through rem sts, draw up tightly and fasten securely.

Muzzle
With pair of double-pointed needles and B, cast on 16 sts.
1st row: Knit.
Turn work upside down. With RS facing and second needle, pick up and knit 16 sts along cast on edge.
Divide 32 sts as follows: 16 sts on first needle, 8 sts on second and third needles. Join in rnd, placing marker on first st.

1st rnd: 1st needle: K1. M1. Knit to last st. M1. K1. 2nd needle: K1. M1. Knit to end of needle. 3rd needle: Knit to last st. M1. K1.
2nd rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds 3 times more.  48 sts. Break B.
With A, knit 8 rnds even. Cast off.
Turn Muzzle inside out. Fold in half and sew through both thicknesses using back stitch 2 rows up from first rnd to form “mouth”.
Stuff Muzzle lightly. Sew Muzzle to Head.

Body
With pair of double-pointed needles and MC, cast on 10 sts.
1st row: Knit.
Turn work upside down. With RS facing and second needle, pick up and knit 10 sts along cast on edge. 20 sts.
Divide sts as follows: 5 sts on second and third needles, 10 sts on first needle. Join in rnd, placing marker on first st.

1st rnd: 1st needle: K1. M1. Knit to last st. M1. K1. 2nd needle: K1. M1. Knit to end of needle. 3rd needle: Knit to last st. M1. K1.
2nd rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds 5 times more.  44 sts. Place marker at end of last rnd.
Knit even in rnds until work from marked rnd measures 11/2 ins [4 cm].
Next rnd: 1st needle: K1. M1. Knit to last st. M1. K1. 2nd needle: K1. M1. Knit to end of needle. 3rd needle: Knit to last st. M1. K1.
Next 2 rnds: Knit.
Rep last 3 rnds twice more. 56 sts.
Knit even in rnds until work from marked rnd measures 4 ins [10 cm].

Shape bottom: Next rnd: 1st needle: K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 2nd needle: K1. ssk. Knit to end of needle. 3rd needle: Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.
Next 2 rnds: Knit.
Rep last 3 rnds 3 times more. 40 sts rem.

Divide for legs: Next rnd: K8. Cast off 4 sts. K16. Leave just worked 16 sts on a st holder. Cast off 4 sts. K8.
Break MC.
Stuff body. Sew cast on and cast off
4 sts tog.

First Leg: Divide 16 sts for First Leg onto 3 double-pointed needles as
(5, 5, 6) sts.
With A, knit 8 rnds.

***Shape Leg: 1st rnd: (K2. K2tog) 4 times. 12 sts rem.
2nd rnd: Knit.
3rd rnd: (K1. K2tog) 4 times. 8 sts rem. Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread yarn through rem sts.
Stuff Leg. Pull tightly. Fasten securely.***

Second Leg: Slip 16 sts from st holder onto 3 double-pointed needles as
(5, 5, 6) sts.
With A, knit 8 rnds.
Rep from *** to *** as given for First Leg.

Arms (make 2).
Work from ** to ** as given for Head.
With A, knit even in rnds until work from beg measures 31/2 ins [9 cm]. Break A.
With MC, knit 2 rnds.
Next rnd: (K5. K2tog) 4 times. 24 sts rem.
Next 8 rnds: Knit.
Next rnd: (K4. K2tog) 4 times. 20 sts rem.
Next 8 rnds: Knit.
Next rnd: (K3. K2tog) 4 times. 16 sts rem.
Next 8 rnds: Knit. Cast off.
Stuff Arms at A section firmly and at MC section lightly.
Sew Arms to either side of Body.

Ears (make 2).
With pair of double-pointed needles and MC, cast on 8 sts. Work back and forth across needles in rows as follows:
1st row: (WS). Knit.
2nd row: Inc 1 st in first st. Knit to last 2 sts. Inc 1 st in next st. K1.
Rep last 2 rows 3 times more. 16 sts.
Knit 5 rows.
Next row: ssk. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
Next row: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows 3 times more. 8 sts rem. Cast off.

Sew Ears to either side of Head.

Tail
With A, cast on 7 sts. Divide onto 3 double-pointed needles as (2, 2,
3) sts. Join in rnd, placing marker on first st.
1st rnd: Inc 1 st in each st to end of rnd. 14 sts.
2nd rnd: Knit.
3rd rnd: *K1. Inc 1 st in next st.
Rep from * around. 21 sts.
Knit in rnds until work from beg measures 4 ins [10 cm]. Break A.
With MC, knit in rnds until work from beg measures 8 ins [20.5 cm]. Cast off. Stuff Tail. Sew Tail in position.

Finishing:
Cut out eyes from black felt. Glue to Head.

If you're a regular Make+Do reader, you probably know that I'm a big fan of everything sock monkey. So imagine my delight when I opened a giant box full of sock monkey delights from Patons Yarns last week! The classic Canadian yarn company has put together a collection of sock monkey patterns to knit and crochet, and they decided to share the goodness with us.

This week, you could win the fabulous Patons Sock Monkey gift basket, which includes:

• A copy of "Monkey Business," with 13 patterns for monkeys, accessories and friends

• 6 balls (100g/205 m) of Patons Classic Wool in the colours you need to complete the projects in the pattern booklet

• AND a super-cute little friend to keep you (or someone special) company while you craft:
  

  (Banana not included.)

For your chance to win this basket of monkey business, leave a comment on this post by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 8th, telling me: What was the best handmade gift you ever received? I will post the winner here sometime on Monday, November 9th. Good luck!

OH! Wasn't it just minutes ago I was wishing I had something to give each of you? Well, Patons thought of that, too, and they sent me the pattern for the baby monkey (above) to share with you. Stop back here tomorrow for the pattern!

Hope you all had a suitably spooky weekend! I have to admit that my favourite part of Halloween is actually the day after Halloween – who doesn't love half-price mini chocolate bars? Anyway, you're not here for my musings on leftover candy, you're here to find out who won Weekly Giveaway #26, that copy of One More Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit, by Leigh Radford.

The random integer generator came up with a nice round number today. Congratulations to...

...entrant #50!

I hope you find some inspiration in this book, Deb. I'll be in touch with details shortly.

Thanks to each of you for entering – I really enjoyed hearing your perspective on taking the handmade pledge. I'll be back in this space later today with a whopper of a prize for Giveaway #27.

Just a quick note today – I think I have to go help carve a pumpkin in a minute – but I thought you might get a kick out of this "terror-ium" from DesignSponge. It's a collection of carnivorous plants, brought together for a special Halloween terrarium!

Hope your weekend is as spooky as you want it to be. See you back here on Monday for the results of Giveaway #26, and for Giveaway #27, which will surely have you monkeying around!!

Today I want to share an inspirational email (and photos) that we recently received from a reader in B.C. named Brenda Campbell. She writes:

"Dear Canadian Living,

I was surprised and happy to see your small article about the Knit Bits in your October issue.  A group of women (snowbirds) who spend their winters at La Penita RV Park, Nayarit, Mexico, have been busy all summer collecting prostheses and bras to take to Mexican breast cancer survivors who are unable to obtain these supplies due to  lack of funds and support. These brave and gentle women are so grateful to have an opportunity to regain their self esteem and femininity and it was our joy to provide more than 270 of them with these supplies at our 3 day clinic at La Penita last February.   Hopefully, we can help more women this winter.

We are convinced that Knit Bits are the answer for many Mexican women because they are lighter, cooler and more comfortable than regular prostheses in the hot weather.  We have been sharing the pattern with knitters and knitting groups all summer and hope to have many of these light and packable prostheses to take back with us in 2010. We are also taking needles and yarn so that some of the local women can make them for themselves and others.

Thank you for recognizing this wonderful little idea that will mean so much to so many women."

Brenda says that several knitting groups in the Kamloops area have taken up this cause as their winter knitting project. What a great way to make a difference in the world! If you're interested in getting involved, email me and I'll put you in touch with Brenda.

(Find the original knitting pattern here.)

Just a quick note for today: our 60-Day Holiday Countdown starts on Monday. It's just the ticket for holiday inspiration, chock-a-block full of recipes, craft ideas, baking tips, holiday decor hints – and don't forget the giveaways. I've seen some of the prizes we've got lined up for you – you don't want to miss out! Click here to sign up; the first e-newsletter will hit your inbox on Monday, November 2nd.

Have a great day!

In one of those weird office coincidences, just about everyone here is wearing a grey shirt and blue pants today. I think we're all channeling the weather! I did get to enjoy some sunshine and fall colours on the weekend, though, and I came home from my walk on Sunday with a handful of beautiful leaves – and, not coincidentally, with a roll of super-thin painter's tape. It was the work of a moment to add a bit of autumn inspiration to the wall above my desk.

Later, I decided to revisit a craft from my childhood – ironing the leaves between sheets of waxed paper – so the leaves would last a little while longer.

It's easiest to set this up right on your ironing board: a one or two pieces of kraft paper or newsprint; a sheet of waxed paper; your leaves; a second piece of waxed paper; a final layer of kraft paper or newsprint. Put the iron on low heat (no steam!) and press the leaves. You want to hold the iron over top until the wax is melted but not so long the paper starts to burn; start with short bursts and take it from there. Make sure to press both sides. When you're satisfied, let the pages cool, then peel apart the waxed paper and remove the leaves. Bob's your uncle! These look great taped to a wall or a window, or pressed in a scrapbook.

I know they won't last forever (even with the waxed paper treatment) but I do think they add a bit of pizzazz to my work area. Now, if only there was a way to keep snowflakes...

Have a great day!