2025 Gift Baskets

 Good morning,

Each year Catherine makes gift baskets for business clients of her CPA firm.  She buys all the ingredients, puts them all together and my job is to make and add the bow.  This is the first test basket containing fruit, nuts, and chocolate.  She has another winner this year! 

Catherine set up a table in the middle of our entrance hall so we have more space to work.  Before we are finished, we will have baskets covering the dining room table and every other flat area on the first floor of the house.

Ah, yes, it's Christmas time again!  I hope your preparations are going well.

All the best,

Lois

Gift Basket Time of the Year

 Good morning,

It's that time of the year again.  Our dining room, entrance hall, and part of the living room are all covered with items to make gift baskets and finished baskets ready for delivery.  

Catherine prepares baskets for her business clients each year.  My part is making those bows and getting them attached.  

This year's theme is "Going to the Movies at Home."  There's a little pop corn maker, pop corn, and all the other things you need to watch movies in that basket.

Let the Christmas Movies begin!

Enjoy,

Lois

Client Gift Baskets

Good morning,

It's the time of the year that Catherine creates gift baskets for her business clients.  This year the theme is a smores kit.  

Included in the basket is a small burner, and all the ingredients to make smores.  

Very clever!

I am only responsible for the bows this year.  ;)

Merry Christmas!

Lois

Continuing Professional Education

 Good morning,

This week I'm completing a course to renew my Certified Public Accountant license in the State of Ohio.  Other professions (doctors,lawyers, etc.) have similar requirements.  Although I am not actively working, i.e., going to the office every day, I continue to keep my license current just because it's important to me. 

In Ohio, we need 120 hours of Continuing Education every three years;  this one is a fourteen hour course.  License requirements are similar in other states.  We can select the courses we want to take from an approved list of courses available. Catherine selects and buys courses for the number of CPAs in her practice to complete. The subject matter has to do with her client base.

I had to laugh when Catherine brought this course home from her office for me to complete.  Hmmm.  I wonder if it's a hint.  This is a fourteen hour course.  I've worked on it a couple of hours for two days this week.  The more I learn about the details of Long Term Care, the more I am determined to stay right here in my home until the hearse comes to take me away. 

I wonder what the subject of the next course will be.  ;) 

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Lois 

Needlework and Wood Working Update - September, 2023

 Good morning,

Welcome to this month's Needlework and Wood Working Update.  I snapped the image above while working on a heirloom Christening, Bris, Naming Ceremony Blanket for the shop.  An identical one had just been sold so I was making another.  The finished blanket is available in the shop now.  $65. Click here for more images and information.  Only one available.

 This sweater was a custom order and has been delivered.  I snapped the picture with flash late at night.  I can see now I could have done a better job of folding it before taking the picture! I designed and made this to fit and took a couple of stabs at it before it was finished.  I started out with crochet, but didn't like the drape, so ripped it out and designed a knit sweater.  The request was for a smooth knit, so I didn't do any of my signature cables, lace, or basket weave.  Of course, with the subtle color changes of the yarn, fancy pattern stitches aren't as necessary.  I like the result. 

There are many other sweaters in the shop ready to ship. 

 I've made more Toilet Tissue Toppers for the shop this month.  Above is perfect for Halloween Decor.  $8.  Check it out here.

 It's easy to dress your home for Christmas, too.  Here's a Tissue Topper in Red, Green, and White.  $8.  More images and information here. 

 This pretty blue Toilet Tissue Topper is also only $8 and available here.  This would make a lovely Baby Shower gift, too.

 I made this creamy white tissue topper, listed it in the shop, and it is already sold.  I'll make another for the shop soon.  

We have many Toilet Tissue Toppers available in a variety of colors.  $8 each. 

Kjell is still working on a variety of images with his laser.  The beauty above is a coaster that he made for us.

And, you may recognize Wendy from the blog header image.  She is quite pretty on a coaster, too.  He made this one for us.  

Kjell has quite a few more items in process in his workshop.  A little hint:  he's working on carving a beautiful Viking Goddess in wood right now.  Stay tuned....

Check out all of the items available in the shop and ready to ship now!

 We sincerely appreciate your encouragement, comments, clicks, likes, favorites, pins, and purchases, too!  When shopping for the holidays, other gifts, and for yourself, we hope you'll think of us.  Thank you for supporting our small business since 2011!     

All the very best,

Lois

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Hand Crafted in the USA
Original and Traditional Designs

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Work in Process - Warm Browns Afghan

 Good morning,

This week I'm working on a Warm Browns Large Afghan Blanket for the shop.  These color combinations are always popular and I can't seem to keep enough of them made to always have at least one available.  

I have a number of things on my "To Make" list right now.  We had quite a few appointments this Spring so I'm behind in keeping the shop stocked with most popular items.  

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

 All the best,

 Lois

 

Wendy at Work

 Good morning,

Our pups go to work with our daughter, Catherine, regularly.  Catherine owns her own building for her CPA practice, so is happy to do this, especially on days when clients who love dogs have appointments. Until clients say they would like to meet our pups, Catherine has out of sight/out of mind places where the pups quietly wait for the next client who wants to meet them.  

Clients know the office is pet friendly, too, for those who bring their own pups.  It's much better for them to be in the air conditioned office than waiting in a car outside.

Anyway, here you see Wendy doing her office job in the conference room.  She gets paid in cookies, pets, love, and lots and lots of friendly visitors.  

Now, if only she had opposable thumbs so she could use the computer and handle file folders....

;),

Lois

Elsa's Client Meeting

 Good morning,

Our Elsa (left) had a client meeting at the office this week with Miss Golden.  I love how they are both smiling for the camera. 

Catherine's CPA firm is paws-itively pup friendly!

;),

Lois

Hiring on Nepotism

 Good morning,

Today's image is courtesy of Catherine who took Wendy to work today.  Hiring on nepotism has always worked well in our family so it was Wendy's turn.

So cute!

:),

Lois

Client Gift Assembly

 Good morning,

Each year Catherine gets very creative with Christmas gifts for her CPA firm business clients.  It's always a different theme each year.

This year it is an insulated lunch bag.

 Inside the one in the image above are only a few of the items she includes.  In addition to the iced tea and healthy snacks, she includes a freezer cube to keep it all cold, an apple, and cheese and sausage snacks.  It's quite a beautiful gift!  She does all the shopping for this each year and then puts them together.

My job is the fancy bows on the top.  I have a few made ahead in the box in this image.  As soon as Catherine puts the gifts together, I "install" the bow.  ;)

What fun!  

Merry Christmas!

Lois

CPE

 Good morning,

This is one of the Continuing Professional Education courses I've completed this year.  Although I've been retired from active CPA practice for quite some time, I've kept my license current.  All Certified Public Accountants must complete Continuing Professional Education to renew their licenses - in my state, that's every three years.

So, this is what I've been doing all these years.  It's just the principle of the thing.  

Perhaps I'll officially retire when I'm 80....

;),

Lois 

Needlework and Wood Working Update - March, 2022

 Good morning,

Here we go with the monthly Needlework and Wood Working Update featuring the items we have finished during the past month since the last Update.

Above is a Burgundy Flowers on Pink and White Afghan Blanket.  It is a favorite in the shop so after selling a similar one last month, I made another one and listed it.  Nine days later, it was sold.  Sooooo, I guess I'll have to find those colors again and make another.  ;)  Come see all the other afghan blankets we have available to ship now here.

This beautiful medium weight lap blanket is crocheted in diagonal stripes.  The muted colors of the sea blend beautifully with almost every decor.  It can be folded corner to corner to use as a comfortable shawl.  This will be a beautiful Fathers Day or Mothers Day gift.  $50.  More images and information here.

The hat above is new to the shop.  It's in super soft washable acrylic yarn that is non-allergic so will be comfortable to wear and easy to wash.  It matches the scarf below despite the difference in the image colors.  The scarf image is true to the real color.  More hat images here.  $36.

This scarf matches the hat above.  $36.  Check out the Hats Scarves Headbands section of the shop to see them all. 

Cloche Hats have been very popular again this month so I am working hard to keep them stocked in the shop.

The first is a bright red, the one above is whisper pink, and...

...this one is royal blue.

The fourth hat is a medium blue.  $8 each.  See the entire section of Cloche Hats/Chemo Caps here.

These are double thick, extra large pot holders that fit a man's or woman's hands. 

I have made these for us, too, and they are wonderful.  They are 100% cotton and are great for indoor cooking our outdoor grilling. 

These are also terrific as hot pads for your table.  $20/pair.  They are listed in our Home Living Entertaining section. 

 From the Wood Working Workshop this month, Kjell made two personalized tags for a customer.   Since the tags he made are personalized, I'm using our Elsa's tag for the image here.  More images and ordering information here.  $12.

And, this is a preview of great things to come.  This is a wood carving of the Nordic god Thor.  It will be available in the shop soon after more layers of finish are applied. 

So ends another busy, creative month here on the South Coast of Ohio.  Thank you for your encouragement, likes, favorites, comments, and purchases, too!  We are truly enjoying our very creative retirement!

Come see what else we have made here!

All the very best,

Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - January, 2022

 Good morning,

This month has been the month of afghan blankets and hats for me.  I've been working hard to restock the shop for these items that have been selling out quickly.

Above is a Black and White Afghan Blanket.  $165.  Only one available.  More information and images are here.

This Flower Garden Afghan Blanket is another favorite that sells out quickly.  It's a good thing I enjoy making all the different colored flowers so much!  $165.  Only one available.  More here.

 This one is slightly different from others I have made before.   The Circles and Squares design is appropriate for a man (Kjell really likes this one!) or a woman.  $165.  Only one available.  See more about it here.

We have many more afghan blankets in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes available in the shop, too.  Here's the link to see them.

 It is getting cold outside here in the Northern Hemisphere so warm hats are a must.  This original design Nordic Knit Scandinavian Intarsia wool blend hat is white, navy. and tan.  $40.  It is available here.   

More similar hats in a variety of colors are also available here.

 More Cloche Hats and Chemo Caps were also added to the shop this month.

These make great sleeping, thinking, reading hats, too!

All of these cloche hats/chemo caps are grouped in a shop section here.  From $8.

More Toilet Tissue Toppers are available here.  $8. each.

And, another item to restock is this heavy wool hat.  This one is a small size.  A similar larger size is in process now and will be available in the shop soon.

Kjell has quite a number of wood items in process now, but I don't have any finished items to show you this month.  Watch this space!

Thanks, again, for your encouragement, likes, favorites, comments, and purchases, too!   Your support of our shop is truly appreciated!

All the very best,

Lois

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Original and Traditional

Hand Crafted Items

EvensensProductions.com

Made in the USA

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Office Gifts

 Good morning,

Catherine is so very clever with her gifts for business clients of her CPA practice.  This year she put together a cutting board, cheeses, meats, crackers, and fruit.  She puts it all together and I make and add the bows.  

We have made these nearly every day for a week and she delivers them as we finish them so that the items are fresh when received.  

This is another Christmas tradition here that is fun and so very special each year. 

 Merry Christmas!

Lois

Fond Memories

 Good morning,

It was fun seeing this mug again in Catherine's office.

Yesterday I spent a few hours in our daughter Catherine's office to help with the crazy last minutes before a tax deadline.  She and I were partners with our own CPA firm until many years ago when I was swept off my feet by a certain Norwegian and we went to sea for twenty years.

The Majesty mug brought back memories of the six years Kjell and I spent on Majesty of the Seas.  Before that we were on board Splendour of the Seas and after Majesty we were aboard Freedom of the Seas.  They are all beautiful ships and we have wonderful memories from those days.

But, retirement is good!

:),

Lois

Work in Process - Alpaca Wool Hat

 Good morning,

Oh, I love this Alpaca Wool yarn!  I'm working on an intarsia knit hat.  This color reminds me of root beer and the cream contrasting color I'll use reminds me of vanilla ice cream.  

This is just lovely yarn!

What are you making, baking, growing today?

Lois

Update:  I took this image a couple of days ago.  Since then, the hat is finished and listed in the shop. 

Coming Soon! Another Flower Garden Afghan Blanket

 Good morning,

I've been busy making flowers again for another afghan blanket.  The weather is cold and the afghan blankets are selling as fast as I can make them.

This current one will have a medium green border.  There's a similar one in the shop now in Tropical Flower colors here.  There are many other afghans available to ship now here, too.

I truly enjoy making these!

What are you making, baking, growing today?

All the very best,

Lois

Update:  This afghan blanket is finished and is in the shop here if you'd like to take a look.

 

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Come See What Else We've Made!
EvensensProductions.com
Original and Traditional
Hand Crafted Designs Made in Ohio, USA
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It Looks a Whole Lot Like Christmas!

Good mornng,

It's "that time" of the year!  Catherine and I are putting together the gifts for clients of her CPA firm.  The entire first floor of our home is taken over by this project each year.  Everything else is put on hold until the project is complete. 

The theme of the gifts this year is a survival kit in the age of Covid-19.  Yes, those are rolls of toilet tissue in a fancy hats.  Also included are face masks, wipes, hand sanitizer, a puzzle book and pen, and plenty of snacks.  Very clever of Catherine!

When she can get these delivered we can eat dinner on the dining room table again!  ;)

Merry Christmas!

Lois