Julia Turns 17

Julia turned 17 last weekend! We had a nice birthday celebration with a few friends, and Kate made her a Nutella chocolate cake. I love this photo that her friend Melika had taken and had given me permission to post. The past few months have been good for Julia, with a lot of changes: a new school and with it, a new routine and new friends (not to mention a few changes in hair colour). She still has a year-and-a-half to go in high-school but is starting to think about options for university, which is very exciting and a bit scary, for all of us!

Sunday Craft Update -- February 5

I recently finished these fingerless mittens, from the Jody McKinley's Merletto Mittens pattern, available for free on Ravelry. I used fingering weight yarn from one of my favourite yarn companies, Montreal-based Tanis Fiber Arts.

I also received a few weeks ago my 2011 cross-stitch exchange ornament from my sister-in-law Jill, who is turning 40 tomorrow (actually today, if you're going by Singapore time). It's lovely and I'm looking forward to putting it on my Christmas tree in December. You can see it here.