Ice Days -- good time to crochet new tam hats

We have ICY DAYS...since yesterday I feel like a hermit hiding out in our warm home. The only time I left the house was when my companion drove me to the post office with his 4 wheel drive truck. My little car is worthless on days like this in the country.
Good thing that I always stock up on food and necessities, so we are are ready for any things to come. As long as we have power, it's all good.
Since there is always a bright side about everything I have had a lot of time to crochet...and have added this classic warm chunky dread lock beret tam to my website.
Available here

My crafty family -- Belvederos crochet shop = my sister

Today I would like to promote my lil sis' etsy shop : BELVEDEROS (named after one of her favorite vacation spots).
This is my favorite girl sweater in her shop...and my favorite girl beanie hat...beautiful handcrocheted soft items.

You can buy the tunic here
You can buy the hat here
A while back I wrote a post about the crafting tradition dating back to grandma and grandpa...a seamstress and a professional men tailor. My mother picked up the craftiness by handknitting awesome sweaters and hand embroidery. My father was a skilled shoe-maker and now it's my sister and I living the crafting life. We both have found our passion in crocheting.
My new creation:
a tam with added chain stitching on the crown
available here

It's getting cold outside

and it's time to list the warm chunky wool blend tams. This walnut brown unisex dread-lock beanie tam is available at Purple Sage Designz
We stocked up on rock salt today because ice, snow and sleet have been announced in our weather forecast. After last year's unusual cold and severe winter I had hoped it would be easy this year...o well.
On a lighter note, I found a few pine cones from our own pine tree in the front yard and decorated my Christmas candle basket. So pretty and natural, I just don't like store bought decorations anymore. Pictures will come soon.

Last round of classic warm beret tams before Christmas and Sankt Nikolaus

Available on Etsy
It's been a super busy week and I plan to take it a bit slower during the remaining weeks in December. I have listed my classics again, most likely it will be the last time in December. My popular colors such as black, brown, red and camel sell very well and it gets a bit boring remaking a design so often. So, I will refocus on One Of A Kind tams pretty soon, using some nice yarns that I didn't have time to crochet with.
It was a grey day here in Oklahoma with rain and sleet. I thought about Dec 6th being the traditional St. Nikolaus Day in Germany. Children, co-workers and friends usually are being surprised with candy, small presents or nuts. St. Nikolaus is similar to a Santa Claus, but actually he was a historical figure and became a patron saint of children.

You can read more about German Christmas traditions here...Adventskalender

and here is a pretty informative article about Sankt Nikolaus...see what I am missing:)

Wuthering Heights -- Kate Bush video to relax

In search for inspiration and a retreat from the pre-christmas heck I searched for some 70s videos with an unusual flair. I think Kate Bush in her red dress has created a wonderful classic song... I'll go light a candle on a dark December evening:)

Pure Wool Hippie Tam and struggle at the post office

For sale at Purplesagedesignz
I guess everyone is busy these days. I am no exception. I set a bit of time aside to give some love to my website. I am low on wares these days due to high sales, so please bare with me if you don't find the "right" hat in my stores prior to the holidays. For 2008 I have developed a lot of ideas for new designs. I just need time to realize them in yarn, wool, hemp and cotton:)
I listed this smaller pure wool tam today on my website, a classic cream color and a moderate size for those who don't have super-sized locks.
Ah, the post-offices....
Yesterday I had to take my yarn packages back home again with me because I hadn't paid attention to the print on the boxes. I had recycled some boxes which had contained chemicals in their former lives, like cleaners, clorox eg. A big no-no:)
So, I markered every print out, taped them in a very creative way just to take them back today. And they passed the inspection, oh my.
Anyway, I donated some afghan and baby yarns to members of my charity group. I don't seem to find time enough to contribute with crocheted items, so I decided to give away some yarn to those who have more time.

Update of my website and a lil' different Christmas Shopping at a great charity site

Available here
It's a grey and stormy Saturday afternoon, the ideal weather to take care of website matters and update my blog.
As promised I keep adding to my own website and have listed this sweet tam again, a pretty greyish green warm and chunky longer tam. I will try to bring this design in different unisex colors since it really goes well with earthy colored clothes.
And I did a little Christmas shopping at this charity site, all proceeds go to the propane gas fund for the Pine Ridge Reservation. Nice handmade items, embroidery, crochet, inexpensive jewelry and beadwork, personalized tote bags. Check them out, buy gifts and help those in need. All prices include shipping, awesome.
Carfting for A Cause Shop