A List of Firsts

What I've been up to lately......

:: First family camping trip sporting a tent ::

:: First day of school ::

:: First time playing soccer (go #6!) ::

:: First year of piano ::

:: First day of preschool ::


:: First wedding photoshoot ::


:: First time training for a 10 mile race ::

Knitterella Inspiration

The opportunity arose to knit the Lacy Thong for a neighbor/friend who is getting married soon. The first I had heard of this idea was at Knitterella's blog and thought "how fun is that?" I had to knit these twice because the first go-round they would have probably insulted the tiny bride. I went down needles sizes and knitted the smallest size. They turned out much better. She did guess that they were from me but it took her a few seconds longer to realize that I had made them. Not a good picture of them as I was finishing them the second before I left for the shower! Nothing like a good ole last minute project. Seems to be the theme of my life right now. It's been a C R A Z Y August.

Here's one other project I had finished a while back but I had to thrift for awhile until I found the perfect pin to go with my cowl. Again inspired by Knitterella. I started making this cowl from the pattern of Last Minuted Knitted Gifts then began increases using the Dolores Park Cowl pattern. It ended up a little bit too big so I thought it would look nice pinned. I have one other cowl waiting for a button and then I'll post that one.

Did anyone do the Ravelympics? I thought "cool" I can finish a project in a few weeks. I picked an easy one too. Just knit and purl. It's a capelet. Did I finish? No... I was disqualified. I used the wrong size needle and forgot to switch needle sizes when stated in the pattern! DRATS! My hope for the gold will have to wait another four years.

That's all for now. I need to get to bed so that I can function tomorrow at school. Today was a struggle :(

Bear-y Buddy Bag

Just a quick post of a baby shower gift I've giving this weekend. It was created from this pattern. It turned out so cute that I think I might have to make a few more to have on hand for gifts. She is one talented knitter and designer!

This bag is perfect for that little toddler to tuck away a sippee cup and a book or some toys.

The two stripes are knitted from Vanna's Choice Baby for durability and machine-washability. I have to admit that I didn't enjoy working with this yarn but now I know. I'm going to try to find some nice cotton for the next go round.

Hopefully soon I'll be posting another project that I'm giving tomorrow at a bridal shower. It's currently in the blocking stage.

Have a great weekend.

Woolly Cardinal & some cheap thrills

I really thought that my knitting production would increase over the summer while I was off from school but that doesn't seem to be the case here. I've made a list and have well over 15+ projects that I've either started or have purchased to begin and that doesn't even include my notebook that's filled with ideas in which I want to create. I think I have discovered my passion. Wish it was financially sustainable but unfortunately it drains my pocketbook instead :) I'm thinking about an Etsy shop in the near future. If not knitted items I can at least sell my surplus of vintage buttons and wool sweaters. It's been fun thrifting for these items but how much is too much?? Anyone looking for some felted/unfelted wool?

Even though back to school for me isn't until the end of August I volunteered to be part of a grant-funded training class of digital video production. It will take me away from my summer break and kids for seven days but the dangled carrot is perhaps a new sewing machine or a camera upgrade as the result of my attendance. Yahoo!!

Finished up one Woolly Bird. I added an applique to his side and tried the blanket stitch. It would have been much easier to do if I hadn't already stuffed and sewn him shut. (Note to self for next one)

CHEAP THRILLS.... (even for adults) I was blog reading and you know how it goes, you click on one link which leads you to another and another and another (lost in blogosphere) but this was meant to be...somehow I found myself here and ten minutes later we were at Home Depot buying supplies for the marshmallow shooters and having a blast (sorry, no pun intended) It was less than $5 for everything.

I think we have a budding engineer. She worked on redesigning her shooter for over an hour and came up with all sorts of prototypes.

To work the shooter: simply drop in a mini marshmallow and blow real hard. When I tried they actually flew about 20 feet!

Go have some cheap fun!

Win some....Loosen some

I will be loosening this one. Not a winner. Loved the sample in the store, even tried it on but just don't love this one on me. It's cute on her but not so much on me. So there it sat on my closet shelf for the entire winter season. Unworn. Sad. Lonely. Did you hear that noise in the background (ribbit, ribbit) I will be frogging this to make a cabled scarf instead, I think. It's too expensive to just sit on a shelf. Love the yarn: Chunky Misti Alpaca. It's so soft and squishy. Maybe I'll have to buzz over to Ravelry to see what else I might be able to make with this yarn.
I've noticed a theme in bloggyland lately. So many projects and ideas but so little time. I, too, have a list of things to knit, crochet, sew, paint, craft etc. but not enough time to begin or finish. High on my priority list right now is making a reversible purse I saw in the last issue of Sew Simple magazine. Hopefully I find it simple to make. My sewing skills are a bit rusty. I've borrowed a sewing machine from a friend and it's time to make use of it. Here's the scrumptious fabric I'll be using:

I want to bathe in it it's so divine. In fact her whole line is yummy. LOVE pinks and oranges right now. And it has a cute name ;) ha As I said earlier, the pattern is in the magazine and they give you a pattern but say to enlarge it by 400%. So I just measure all sides of the pattern and multiply each by 4 right? to give me the actual dimensions???? TIA

Then there's more sewing to come...have you seen Heather Bailey's new store and more specifically her patterns? Even though I'm way in debt I had to have this and this.
Ok, the last thing I'll mention about projects is that I want to make a recycled sweater blanket. I've been pretty lucky to find lots of woolly goodness at thrift stores and garage sales but I've come across a few cashmere sweaters and so now I'm on the lookout for more. I want a big throw for cuddling so I need a few more. It's going to be so snugly.

Lastly, we returned Monday evening from a mini trip to Duluth. We brought the kids to see an airshow featuring the Blue Angels. But I think the highlight of the trip for them was swimming in the pool at the hotel, and the big inflatable airplane they climbed and slid down (which lasted all of 15 seconds). It's the little things, I guess.

Meet a little pumpkin

My nephew turns one today. Happy Birthday!! His celebration was last weekend so I whipped up an Itty Bitty hat for him that he can wear this fall. Love the look of this hat. This is the second one I've made, the first was for my son and he loves it so much he has even been known to wear it in the summer. Silly boy.

Yarn used: Berroco Comfort

Needle: Size 7

Size made: 6-12 month

Warm and fuzzies

Hip, hip, crochet!

I took a beginner class from my LYS and we created a basic scarf learning the single, double and triple crochet stitch. I had almost a whole skein leftover after the basic scarf was made so I added the scalloped edge by double crocheting 5x's into the same stitch (not sure what that's called) on both sides. I've really enjoyed learning this craft and have been seeing things that include both knit and crochet. But the real reason I wanted to learn how to crochet is to make flowers and embellish stuff. This book looks fun.

Warm and fuzzy scarf: Rowan Big Wool in Smooch (2 skeins)
Size P hook

Here's another warm and fuzzy. Muffin and my mom. You know how they say people choose pets that resemble themselves...Even though this is Muffin's Grandma don't they kind of look alike? Even the glasses!

What's cookin?

A knitted FO ready to serve up something good to eat. This is the oven mitt by Noni Designs. This will be a great gift giving item. I made the medium size and though you can't tell by the picture it really fits a child's hand. But then I did forget about it when it was in the washer doing its felting magic, oops. I will try again but instead I'll create the large size and see what I get.

Speaking of something good to eat here is a very refreshing, cold treat to have on a hot summer day. I made this the other day using the fresh picked strawberries I had leftover from making jam. The recipe is from a friends' family cookbook. (Hi Laura :)

7Up Strawberry Frozen Fruitcups

6 oz. can orange juice concentrate
6 oz. can lemonade concentrate
3 bananas, diced
2 C strawberries, sliced
1 C sugar
13 1/2 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained
16 oz. 7Up

Combine and pour into fruit cups or small paper cups. Freeze.

Enjoy!