Fun Socks and Child's Sun Top

Most of my close friends and family are never surprised to see me knitting. I always bring my bag of knitting wherever I go just in case there are some spare moments when I can pull out my latest project and knit a few rows.

I have always wanted to learn how to knit socks. I know, I know, you can buy socks for two dollars a pair, but not like these socks. Knitting socks makes me happy. Socks are portable, and you can tuck the yarn, needles, and pattern into your purse and take them anywhere. What inspired me was finding the ultimate book called "The Big Book of Socks," by Kathleen Taylor.

Hand-knitted socks are long lasting and unique. This was my second pair of hand-knitted socks that I knitted last week during my unfortunate period of injuring my right knee. I love knitting socks because there are so many patterns, and with the latest self-striping yarn, you can't wait to see what designs will appear.

These orange, brown, and black socks will be given to my sweet grandson. I say that they are hugs for the feet. And, who needs more reason than that?

And, what else have I whipped up last week? This hot-pink 100% organic cotton yarn Child's Sun Top pattern was generously given to the public through Lion Brand Yarn. com. You just have to create an account, and every week or so you will receive an email with the latest free patterns. It is Pattern #: 70302AD. It is extremely easy and looks adorable! I will be giving it to my three-year old grand daughter. The very cool yellow butterfly tag, has laundry details on the the reverse side. These outstanding butterfly images are sold through Moonlight Journey in a 32 image digital pack.

So you knitters out there, start your needles!

A Chance to Win

Dyane is having a giveaway (her very first). How exciting to promote her sweet pastel pink blog featuring scrapbooking and crafts.

Drop on over to Boch's Creations for a chance to enter the CSN Store shopping site and a chance to win a $40.00 gift certificate. Thanks for your generous offer!

This photo is of me right after

I had my tonsils removed at the age of four.

My mom and dad gave me

this sun umbrella for being a "good girl."

Vintage Photo Image ATC Group Swap

I am very excited to say that I have the honor to be included in the Vintage Photo Image ATC Group. On May 1st, I sent in my first set of cards to be traded with six very talented ladies from across the country. The theme of these cards were from the Wizard of Oz "And ToTo Too."

Creating ATC's are an easy way to create a little something to satiate your hunger for creativity, yet not too time consuming. These cards are just way too cool. Now I can't wait to "sign up" for more swaps!!

From top left to right:

Artwork by Jan Larson,

April Dudko,

and my sweet friend Becky Loyall

Second row;

Lynn Stevens,

Gina Allen,

Julia Ziemann,

and lastly myself.

Thank you very much for devoting the time to make these little masterpieces. They are great!

Hugs, Nancy

Annie Oakley Album

I wanted to give my sister, Peg, something a little special for her birthday this year. Since I had taken the KC Willis Collage Camp more than a year ago, I thought this would make the perfect gift. Inside are pages for a guest register to use in my sister and mom's little store named The Crystal Pinecone Gift Shoppe in Grand Marais, Michigan. She lives in the upper peninsula less than a mile from Lake Superior.

Their shop has an array of softies, painted bottles, jars, knitted and crocheted garments, and painted rocks depicting scenes of the great "up north." Stop on over and view some of Peg's unique crocheted softies of bears, cats, and even a couple of Halloween souls. You can contact her blog for additional information. It is so much fun to stop in their shop and see what they create during the long winter months.

Black Bean Salsa Recipe Card

In an effort to improve on my digital collage skills, I mustered up this recipe card today. Ever since I attended KC Willis' Collage Camp, my mind sometimes waivers towards the old country West. You don't see all that much art with cowboys, American Indians, and pioneers. I sometimes get in the mood for an old John Wayne movie, and often feel the need to scavenge through photos and art of the old prairies.

I love many recipes from this neck of the woods, and found these beautiful images from Scrapbook Graphics, particularly "A Pioneer Story" Kit designed by Lorie Davison. You will love spending some time checking out her detailed artwork. It is amazing!

Whee Haaa!

Artful Recipe Cards

A couple of years ago I was a participant in a artistic recipe card swap. Every month we made 12 cards for the 12 participants. I have missed doing this simple project. That is what inspired me to create this ultra easy digital collage recipe card.

This recipe might have a very short ingredient list, but has a big wow factor! Coconut happens to be one of my favorite tastes. Enjoy!

Credits: FRAME, INSERT, TAG, CLOCK AND ELEPHANT designed by DEVIANT SCRAP. COM, WINGED DOG designed by LISA'S ALTERED ART.

My Fair Lady File Folders

My desk is usually cluttered with all sorts of papers. In between working my regular secretarial home-based real estate job, I squeeze in a little bit of time each day to work on my art between normal business hours.

Some days the shuffling of paperwork can be just plain monotonous, so I thought to myself: wouldn't it be wonderful to create a few file folders to help me do my job more efficiently AND make beautiful art. File cabinets contain some really boring topics, and rarely see the light of day when we slip a piece of paper into the inside. These pieces of art look great just setting on my desktop. I feel they are just too special to hide away. I am hoping to complete a set of file folders that read, "To Do," "Mail," "File," "Urgent," and "To Be Paid."

These sweet gorgeous lady images were designed by Moonlight Journey. They are a digital pack set of over 25 images called "My Fair Lady." Each women's image measures from 3 to 5 inches. There are 12 women, 6 vintage ads, postcards, labels and more. I used a free motion stitch surrounding the form of each woman that was attached to tulle. Then attached the fabric to book text. The letters for each tab are from magazine article titles. What a wonderful way to "dress up" your workspace!

I really like how these file folders sprung from just a plain manila folder!

Angels Among Us

Last Monday was no ordinary Monday.

Half asleep, I groggily crept towards my office computer. The first thing I do every morning is click on my email icon. Was I reading this right? I re-read the first sentence.

"Lynne and I would love

for you to be on our Design Team

for Moonlight Journey."

Am I awake or dreaming? Pinch myself.....I realize that I am awake NOW. Just conceptualizing that the idea of doing this is so unbelievable, I am sent straight to Heaven by pure excitement.

I am extremely grateful to Becky Loyall and Lynne Tears, partners in the web-site, Moonlight Journey for this opportunity to make objects of art using their colorful collage sheets and for the chance to reflect publicly on my personal life and share my work.

I hope some of you who see these pieces will be inspired to create and share treasures of your own. I am so humbled by the fact that the Design Team includes artists I have respected and admired for a long time. I would also like to thank my dearest friends, Deb Abel and Terri Gauthier, for all your inspiration and motivation, and obviously guiding me towards this fabulous opportunity. You are the best!

Thank you so much for your faith in me to become a Moonlight Journey family member! I think I have finally grasped the meaning of truly "living the dream!"

Handmade "Moo" Cards

Want a different and fabulous way to share or promote your blog? I discovered this wonderful way called Moo (www.moo.com). You can easily make a card using snippets of your artwork. The company has an easy interface that allows you to upload your art to their template. You can choose any portion of an image and have it printed.

I, on the other hand, am always looking for ways to be economical lately, and thought that I could do this within minutes by using this awesome collage sheet designed by Becky Loyall and the group Moonlight Journey, entitled "Beautiful Women Microscope Slides." Each handmade "Moo" card measures 1-1/8" by 2-3/4". I added some reflective holographic stickers to some of these.

Because of their small size, these cards can be used as business cards, invitations to special events, gift tags, and so on. I even thought I could make third generation art from them. By that I mean, what if you began with a piece of art and made a "Moo" card from it, and then go one step further and make art from your "Moo" cards. You can even use these tiny cards as embellishment.

You can even go in another direction by creating a "Moo" box, to hold a nice stack of "Moos," ready for sharing. I have been thinking it would even be cool to make little photo cards and then combine them in a unique photo collage. And how about a "Moo" card swap? There are a host of possibilities. Just let your imagination soar!

Wizard of Oz ACEO Swap

Ahhhh…..the beauty of the beloved movie, the Wizard of Oz!

This was the first time I ever went to the movies when I was a young girl. My mom said I clenched my teeth when the Wicked Witch of the West flew her bicycle down that graveled road in Dorothy's fantasy. I viewed that huge Cinemascope screen thinking back in awe and still remember that evil witch scaring me!

This movie has special thoughts for me, due to not only it’s glowing music, but I lost a favorite Scottie stuffed animal dog when we left the theater. Talk about a memory!That is why I have chosen the subject of using "ToTo" as my main focus in representing the Wizard of Oz "And ToTo Too....." in my very first online ACEO Challenge hosted by Kris Dickinson.

I guess, the movie is pretty obvious that the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion already had what they thought they were missing. Their respective problems were in misapprehending their own nature. That is a very powerful statement when you think about it! Makes me think about my own possible imaginary hangups.

I recall feeling emotional when the Scarecrow was showing wisdom, the Tin Man feeling deeply, and poor Cowardly Lion going far beyond his comfort zone when facing the flying monkeys at the Witches Castle in the Haunted Forest. His accomplishment was truly harder in his case. What “is” true courage really?

It is very touching to watch the Wizard of Oz at my age. It was wonderful to see Dorothy step from the black and white world of Kansas to the bright colors of Munchkin Land, almost like she was taking a voyage in self-discovery. The Wizard of Oz is learning about evil, friendship, and fallibility, and how we see this identical voyage repeated in our own lifetimes.

I often wonder if the screenwriters actually were tapping into our frustrations, our excitement, our dreams and needs, and our sense of wonderment. I wonder if they knew the impact this movie would have 60 years later!

I wonder if they knew that

their heart’s desires

were not that far from our own!

The main background and wing images are from Moonlight Journey. I Googled the "Haunted Forest" sign and "ToTo" dog. Then I added silver mini glitter stars and lastly embellished with a very light touch of iridescent Dazzle glue.

Gone With The Wind Art

GONE WITH THE WIND has always been one of my favorite movies. With my fascination with historical films and romantic aspects of the era depicting the saga of the War Between the States and the Old American South, I decided to make a fabric collage for my latest art group challenge.

Olivia de Havilland plays the character Melanie Hamilton. She is the epitome of an ideal southern feminine sweetheart. The film portrayed her personality with so gentle a voice, with never an inclination of rudeness or jealousy. It pained my heart to see a sister-in-law, quite selfish in nature, prey on Melanie's naiveness starring the famous character, Scarlett O'Hara. It is a film of both women in love with one man, but married to only one of them. And Scarlett, married to another, still longing for someone already taken. Then throw them into the sorrow of the Civil War.

I fall into this film every time I watch it again. So with that thought, here is my submission for a page in my latest art endeavor with the theme "Movie Stars of the Silver Screen."

I would also like to thank KC Willis, for presenting the opportunity to participate in her Collage Camp. The techniques I used for this collage were taught in her online class, and can also be viewed in her section of the book "Creating with Fabric," a Tweety Jill Publication by Jill Haglund. Both class and book can be purchased from the Lipstick Ranch, KC Willis, Proprietor.

Share a Little Sunshine

Wow! I was certainly honored and surprised to receive "A Sunshine Award." This adorable photo sure makes me imagine the warmth of spring, summer vacations, and the time change. This award is really very very flattering.

It is awarded to bloggers whose positiveness and creativity inspires others in the blogging world. I am so humbled to be considered in this way. For me, visiting blogs that make me happy is basically the reason why I started blogging.

I love escaping to some foreign land, viewing photos of places I will never be able to visit, becoming inspired from the talents of others, and sometimes just loving the music on a friend's blog. I adore finding exciting new recipes shown in breathtaking photos in hot summer places. It's all about attitude when it comes to being happy. Blogging can sure let you escape to something really fun when you need it.

My "Sunshine Award" was presented to me by Diana of "Adventuring Through Life"

The rules for accepting this award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.

3. Link to the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award.

Thank you, Diana, for such a loving award. I am so honored to be considered someone with a positive attitude plus having creativity to share.

My nominees are:

Over A Tuscan Stove

Cucina Cara Mia

Beach Vintage

Verona Daily Photo

Lost in Sicily

Sicilia Through Images

Bella Vita In Liguria

Two Crazy Crafters

Happy Loves Rosie

Panini Girl

Life in St. Maarten Blog

Join in the fun by visiting a new blog today. Take a look at these blogs with beauty and enjoy the ride! You may just find a place to bring YOU a little sunshine!

Nancy

Coffee Cup Sleeve Winners Are.....

In an effort to improve on my photography skills, I have been trying to take more photographs. I snapped this shot of my red button collection the other day. What is it about buttons that makes us love to collect them?

I am also announcing the winners of my coffee cup sleeve giveaway ......and here they are:

Terri Gauthier of Blooming Ideas

Nancy Stone of Nancy Matters

Jann Clark of FOREVER JANN

Kathy Riley

P. J. of Seens from the Backs of My Eyelids

Congratulations, ladies!!

Adorable Baby Booties

I honestly think most moms like to buy unique and interesting booties for their babies. Nothing looks more adorable than a beautiful pair of booties on a baby.

After a few hours of experimenting with my needles, I came up with these sweet little gems. Many babies don't have grandmothers, aunts, and other family members (or lucky enough) to make something a little different like a sweet pair of these Mary Jane booties.

If you would like me to knit you a pair, please email me, or leave a comment on this post. I can make just about any color you would choose for $12.00, in sizes 0-3 months to 12 mos. They are hand-knitted, 100% acrylic, machine washable and dry able.

Can you imagine your recipient opening a box with these absolutely precious booties as a gift at a baby shower? They may not be big-girl patent leather, but your sweet little girl will get a lot of attention with these cute socks on her tootsies.

Play it Forward Thank You and Giveaway

Last month, I offered three giveaways for the One World One Heart event. Not only did I give away, I also will be receiving two gorgeous gifts. There were an astounding number of artful blogs to visit this year, and it is pure luck to have won two of them.

A big bear hug goes out to my dear friend, Debra Abel, from "It's All Good." She did the random generator, and I was the No. 2 comment. What are the chances of this happening? She insists that it was legitimate, and I'm sticking to it! I have always admired the image of her sweetheart of a mermaid piece. I love the sea, the ocean, and what lies beneath. Please visit Deb's blog to get a glimpse of some of her beautiful pieces of art, plus a mixture of her thoughts on what is happening in her world. I am so excited to own this brilliant print and all it's fine detail!

And it won't be long before, I will be receiving another package from across the Atlantic Ocean. Linda Woolford, of "The Briar Rose Gate," painted a magical moonlit crow image in winter, "Nobel Gwynan, Raven of the Dark Woods Clan." She says it's on it's way. I think it is just stunning! Her site is wonderful with photo images of her town, family, and neighboring villages. You will even meet her lab, Poppy and his new pal Prince. I love the music she chose for her blog.

As a thank you to the above blogs, please leave a comment for them by clicking on these links. Then come back and leave a comment on this post with your email address. On Friday, March 5th, I will choose 5 lucky winners to receive one of my hand knit coffee cup cozies that are shown below.

Thank you so much Deb and Linda!

Nancy

Inspiration from Across the Country

When I first started seriously blogging, I began to receive sweet comments from my "imaginary" friend, Becky. I used to think quite a bit about her, where she lived, where she created her amazing pieces of art, and basically, I just loved her style. Her words were powerful, and they encouraged me.

As time passed, I would link to her very colorful blog, and think to myself "I wish I could do that!" I loved her little girl images, her mysterious backgrounds, her poetry, and the mood of her pieces. I would visit her blog practically every day, and dream about the art she posted. Sometimes we would coincidentally have the same background on our blogs. It was rather funny! Then I started commenting back, and we exchanged a few "Awards."

Today, I have turned some of my work towards the things I love about Becky's style. I couldn't believe it when she opened her own shop and started selling her own digital collage sheets. I was in heaven! It seems like I have known Becky for ages, but we have only known each other for a blip in time.

You can imagine my surprise, when I received this gorgeous bookmark in the mail this past weekend. She wrote on the package "Happy Valentine's Day.....sending sweet Valentine wishes your way." ~ Becky. I feel so honored to own this original piece of artwork from my friend who lives half across the country. I am so glad we met this way, but a little sad that I may never meet her in person during my lifetime. Thank heavens for artful blogging!

Please visit Becky's beautiful and inspiring blog, Whymsical Musings.

Winning is the Greatest!!

Because of the overwhelming response to my One Word One Heart Giveaway, I decided during the comment process to increase my prizes from two to three. I used the random generator and these numbers magically appeared.

Here are the winners:

Knitted Hat and Scarf Set

to

Nancy Lee Malay from Fairbault, Minnesota

"Victorian Whimsies"

Comment 303 and Booth #419

Coffee or Tea Cup Cozy

to

Twyla and Lindsey from Missouri

"Two Crazy Crafters"

Comment 143

Since there are two of you, I will be mailing two cozies!!

and

Marie Antoinette DVD

to

Kimberly Lynn from Florida

"Sea Gypsy Studio"

Comment 130 and Booth #555

I am truly honored that so many of you have stopped by my blog and left such lovely comments. I wish I could have sent a gift to all of you!!! I tried to visit as many blogs as I could, but it was really quite overwhelming. I am very happy that I joined in this annual giveaway, and will be looking forward to next year's magical caravan.

I have added so many new and amazing artists to my favorite links and added myself to countless blogs. Thank you for sharing all your brilliant artwork with the world. Thank you, Lisa, for hosting this fabulous event!

Hearts With Wisdom

"It is in loving, not in being loved,

the heart finds its quest;

It is in giving, not in getting,

our lives are blest."

Valentines With Hope

What can you say when you find out that your sister's best friend is diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer? It has been dwelling on my mind, causing me to worry, and there is nothing you can really do except offer your support. If only there was a cure when the cancer has grown too large.

Because I love Valentine's Day, and only wish for a complete recovery for my sister's friend, I have lovingly created a few little valentines with the thought of all those women who have suffered from this frightening disease. What could be more appropriate than to create art in memory of those women we have loved and lost?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vintage Wedding Cards

For most of my adult life, I have loved vintage graphics. I am especially fond of vintage wedding cards. Their pastel beauty is beyond compare from the cards of today!

In celebration of having achieved more than 100 precious followers last week, I have brought out a few of my dreamy wedding cards from my special drawer I label "Antiques." Thank you so much for your friendship and interest in my creative journey! I sometimes stroke the cards from this drawer, and think of those gals of long ago that treasured these aging paper goods and how they were definitely held close to their hearts. I am sure that some of these women have passed, but I still keep these cards as if they were really my own wedding cards! Here are a few of my favorites.

I have yet to use them in any of my personal art projects, but someday soon I hope to. You are welcome to use these digital images of my cards as you please. I have scanned them at a higher resolution, so they should be beautiful for all your altered art projects.

Enjoy these FREEBIES,

and come back again!

P. S. If you have any problems with the digital

quality of these images, please

email me at ncvanhoose@comcast.net.

Woodland Gnome Sweater

Now, after more than 60 years of observation, I feel that the time has come to put my experience and findings on paper. Having received permission of course, from the authorized council of gnomes, it is my belief that this post may fill somewhat of a deplorable gap.

In earlier times, the gnome was an accepted member in society. But that was a time when waters were clear and when the heavens were only filled with birds and stars. Now that we are so concerned with saving what is left of nature's treasures, there is some hope that gnomes will begin to move about more freely.

A "Woodland," or "Forest Gnome, " is probably the most common and one of my favorites. Folklorists insist that the cap they wear is not its principal function. Rather it is an indispensable head covering that has the power to render a gnome invisible.

So today, I am willing to show you this sweater for a two-year old little gnome. It will be a gift to my niece's little boy, a miniature person who speaks our language, yet mixed with strange words. I have spoken to this little man. I believe he is a descendant of a race called Kuwalden, known for their fondness to drink milk.

My belief that he may be a "Woodland," or "Forest Gnome" is probably difficult to really verify. He is still a little shy, and is very good-natured. However, he does have a tendency to tell melancholy tales.

Even though my nephew resembles a little gnome, I doubt it can be entirely true. Gnomes visit their birthday tree yearly on Midsummer's Eve and add a carving to the bark. He celebrates his birthday every January, where in Gnomeland, birthdays are not celebrated. Little Giovanni dwells on the fact that he is another year older. Upon request from faraway friends and family, he will extend these birthday weeks for an unlimited period.

Happy Birthday, little one!

Exerpts taken from the book GNOMES, by Axel Munthe, Copyright 1976, A Peacock Press, Bantam Book

One-World One Heart Giveaway

Make a Smilebox greeting

"The Fourth Annual "One World~One Heart Giveaway" is here! This event starts today, Monday, January 25 and ends February 15, 2010. I'd like to share just a few photos of my family and art. The precious baby is granddaughter Lauren as a newborn, and my grandson, Ethan, who holds a special place in my heart. The two sweet girls at the end of my slideshow are my nieces, Valentina and Claudia. Family is my most precious treasure.

Hopefully, you will meet new friends in the next few weeks...AND you might even win an amazing gift! There are countless numbers of generous people sharing their artistic blogs, and hundreds of wonderful items to be given away!

I participated last year, and it is just the best inspirational experience. I truly enjoyed riding the magic carpet all over the globe. You will, without a doubt, come across some of the best artistic blogs that you might never have happened to come across otherwise.

To learn more, and to see a list of the participating blogs with their links, just click here. You may even want to do a giveaway on your own blog too! Whether you want to do a giveaway or just enter to win as you pop from blog to blog entering drawings, the process of jumping on the caravan is rather addictive and just plain fun!

To enter my drawing you must be an active blogger. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. Please be sure to include your email address. The drawing will be February 15th at Noon and winners are selected through the random generator. I will contact you via e-mail and post the winner on my blog. If you want to know even more about this event, click here.

Bulky Hand-Knit Hat and Scarf

I used Wool-Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarns in the color "Linen."

Both items are machine washable and dryable.

These giveaway items have free patterns available through

Lion Brand Yarn company's online web-site,

http://www.lionbrand.com/

Coffee or Tea Cup Cozy

(Second Giveaway)

It is completely washable made with Plymouth Yarn, the "Encore Colors." It is 75% acrylic and 25% wool. Now, all you have to do is add a comment with your email address to this post.

Due to the overwhelming response I have received during this event, I have decided to have a third giveaway!!

"MARIE ANTOINETTE" DVD

starring Kirsten Dunst

Thanks for all your heartfelt comments!

I sincerely appreciate them.

The Things in Our Lives

Every January, if there was only one resolution I should really keep, it is invariably to clean out the clutter in my studio/office. Sometimes I can't bear to think of what's stashed in drawers and closets in my art room.

Sometimes I am able to throw things out without a qualm, but certain items hit me hard--like a mechanical stuffed monkey that was my son's (he's 38), and maybe those Valentine's that my daughter received in the 80's! Once I find a way to clear out what is no longer relevant to my life, I will open a path to look at all the parts of my life that matter to me now, not in the past or in the future.

Today I set aside a firm, two-hour period to declutter my studio for a starter. I am so proud of myself for finally trashing a two-year chunk of scrapbooking magazines. I organized all of my ribbon and even sent a care package to Becky Loyall. Best of all, I discovered a skein or two of some yarn, and made this sweet sweater for my grandaughter for her birthday in March. How about that? I even have it almost done a month a head of time!

I need to be tough! The process of purging is definitely liberating. I know when I can let go of those unneeded possessions, I will feel like I have cleared space not only in my house, but in my life. Just having my personal ecosystem changing, my choices will broaden, and maybe even life can be more manageable. My studio will become better suited to who I am now. Whoo! Hoo!

It's Almost Here

The One World One Heart Event is almost here again and I will be offering at least one giveaway, but most likely more than one. I have been busy creating just for this special once-a-year extravaganza!

On January 25th, I will post the giveaway. All that you have to do is leave a comment and your email address. This will be your chance to win my giveaway or giveaways! Please remember to leave your email address, as this is the only way I will be able to contact you later.

For more detailed information, please visit Lisa Swifka at A Whimsical Bohemian. Join me on the "Magic Carpet Ride" on January 25th. It is really quite an amazing adventure!

Coffee Cup Sleeves

Inspiration comes from everywhere! For instance, I received a Tassimo coffee maker from my family this year for Christmas. I have always wanted to brew up my own lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos. Experiencing that final burst of steam when the creme ends it's frothing cycle right in my own kitchen is divine! The aroma sends me to new heights!

Knitting these coffee cup cozies occupied my New Year's Eve and New Year's Day holiday. There are so many free patterns on the internet, that I couldn't decide what to make. First of all, here are some very simple slip-on designs by Diana Madill shown on a web-site entitled canadianliving.com. I altered a few of them by adding on a row or two of black on the tops and bottoms, embellishing with a vintage button. I tried knitting them on double pointed needles, tried working them flat and sewed up the side seam. Honestly, knitting them flat is quicker and you really can't tell the difference once placed on your cup.

And even best of all, maybe I can actually lessen my impact on the environment by saving a small tree by knitting these cute personalized coffee cup sleeves out of scraps of worsted weight yarn instead of the paper sleeves at our local coffee shop. Keep a couple in your car for that cup on the road!