It's a happy, cozy snow day here in the middle of the middle. The flakes started to fly last night and before bedtime we got the call that there would be no school today...YaY!!!! Is it wrong that I love a snowday at least as much as my kids? We woke to beautiful snowy streets and that special quiet that the snow always brings with it. I love it. Completely. Today was especially wonderful as my girl is home for her term break AND she made the most scrumptious brunch for our family. It was delicious in every way...so tasty and so wonderful~that feeling of stolen pleasure...I mean a family brunch on a school day...so decadent. I'm feeling very lucky and full right about now. And now I get to share today's silly Advent creation (you really are so nice to put up with this silliness).

Have you guessed what today's feltie is? I imagine that you have. Here's a hint. His name is Tigg, as in grand-nephew of the lovely Miss Tiggy Winkle (you know of Beatrix Potter's tale of Miss Winkle the washer woman-strike that, I mean washer hedgie). Yes, that's right - a hedgie...

A hedgie with a rolypoly belly and a heart full of love...

Here he is feeling prickly (he' not really angry but just wanted to show off his prickles for you) ...

True confessions...I have a fond spot in my heart for hedgehogs. When I was a girl my grandmother gave me a stuffie of Miss Tiggy Winkle, complete with apron, dress AND her very own pink shawl that matched the cardigan Grandma knitted for me that Christmas. I loved that stuffie so much and still wonder whatever happened to her and that sweater (they both disappeared after I left for college--victims of spring cleaning I'm guessing).

It's funny how the details of prized possessions can stay with you. I can remember everything about that sweater and doll shawl~~the lacey stitch of the shawl (picot edge and all), the crochet chain that tied it, the soft rosey pink color of that sweater, the squishy feel of it (that makes me sure it must have been 100% wool even though that would have been unusual for sweaters of that time on the Gulf coast), the grosgrain ribbon that faced the button bands, the slightly shiny pearly pink buttons, the 2 inches of knit 1/purl 1 ribbing at the cuffs, hem and rounded neckline~~all of it every last detail. These are the things that stay in my mind's eye, the feel of them in my fingers and against my skin. I know I'm not alone in this, but I also know that not everyone remembers details like this (at least not about clothing). It's one of those things that makes me realize that I was always heading toward this life of making, of working with sticks and string and fabric. I cherished that sweater and the little shawl that Miss Tiggy Winkle wore because they were lovely for sure, but more than that I cherished them because I knew that my grandmother made them for me. Just for me. I appreciated that even then, way back when, before I knew what it was to make something for someone, before I knew what it was to tuck love, hopes, dreams and wishes into each stitch. What a joy that is~another stolen pleasure~that quiet communion. It makes me feel so fortunate. So loved. And so full of love. That I get these moments to compose little love notes by way of hats and mittens, sweaters and even ridiculous felties for my nearest and dearest, makes me feel so happy, so blessed, so thankful. I know that is true for many of you too. I think of that in the wee hours when my needles are clicking away and everyone has gone to bed here. I think of you out there stitching your own love notes right at that very same moment and how some of those handmade gifts will go to someone who will cherish every detail and feel so loved and so special every time they see it. We are such a lucky lot, we makers.

Happy making and happy handmade to you and yours. May your weekend cozy and full of love!

~xox~

alison