SoulKnits

Moving to a new blog

2011-05-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

If there is anyone out there that reads my blog, I have decided to change things up and start fresh, this was my first blog, I learned a lot but it wasn't what I wanted and there for never blogged all that much, so I want a fresh start with a blog that fits me better and I am happy to post, so check me out at SewKnits.blogspot.com.
Thanks for sticking with me and hope to see you at my new blog

Random Awesomeness

2011-05-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

The other day I was watching a talk show, and the women were talking about awesomeness, but little awesomes, not big ones, cause we all know the little things are what counts

So it got me to thinking what awesome things have happened to me, and then I decided to blog about it, randomly cause that is life, random. So whenever I feel the urge I will post my little awesomeness. Here it goes.

1.New song playing on my fav online radio station is awesome

2.Woke up before the alarm, by 5 seconds, awesome

3. recieved a hug and kiss by my daughter that wasn't asked for but always accepted awesome

4.Favorite movie that I have seen a million times is now available at the library awesomeness

5.Clean room awesomeness

6.That feeling of creativity in the beginning of a project, that I can do and make anything awesomeness

7.First sip of coffee and its deliousness awesome

8.The sound of heavy rain, no where to go, a good movie to put in and a craft project to work on awesomeness

9.Making a yummy soup that my whole family loves and asks me to make for them again awesomeness

10. My smiling Bella Awesomeness

What is awesome in your life right now?

Look what found me

2011-05-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while searching local thrift stores looking for a dresser for my Bella and her ever growing mountain of clothes, I came across these guys, all alone in the very empty craft section, also included was another skein of the same, but in purple. For 9.99 I grabbed them and took them home, now all that is left is to decided what sweater to make Bella from them. I really hope I find a dresser soon otherwise there won't be room for anyone else.

Fasten your seat belts, this is going to be a bumpy night

2011-05-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Say Hello to Margo

She is my 28th birthday present from my mom, and I love her, unfortunatley she is already out of commission, shortly after this picture I biffed it hard on a curb and her set got bent pretty bad, but luckily only her seat. I haven't been on a bike since I was maybe 14 so I have some serious practicing to do, once I get her repaired
I amgonna see if my brother can fix her for me and then hopefully she will be up and running soon, summer is here and with that cute basket I need to find a field of wild flowers and start picking. I love you Margo it will be okay and we will be back on the trail again.

A little bit at a time

2011-05-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

To show all that my mojo has produced I am going to show off a few projects at a time. My first is a sweater that took me a year to make, a very small and simple sweater that should have only taken a few weeks but I set it aside and focused on many other things.

One of my favorite things to make are gifts for my daughter, for Christmas and Birthdays, well this past Christmas 2010 I made a knitted hat and a tye blanket and that was it, and it bugged me. I was so annoyed with myself. I had intended to make her this sweater for her as a gift but thought it would be to big for her, it was sized at 8 and she is only 4, so I said I would finish it later and set it aside. Well Christmas came and went and she loved her hat, but it wasn't a sweater, so I picked up the sweater

I began knitted, which was easy since it was all knitting in the round which is way more fun then knitting a row and purling the next, you can watch a movie without looking at your project. Luckily a documentary about Mark Twain came on PBS and I got hooked watching it and thus this sweater was a piece of cake to finish. So now I have learned my lesson, in order to make myself a happy knitter I must always have a sweater on or completed round christmas time to be given to my lovely Bella.

Next post my new addiction to Shawls.

Mojo has returned

2011-04-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

I am extremely late in posting this, however better late then never.
My mojo returned, and with gusto, and I have been so busy with present knitting that I could not post, and this will have to be a quickie one

I made this shawl for my sweet Aunt Deana who turned 60 this past week and for her new granddaughter a cute little outfit, that luckily the sweater fit better then the bonnet and booties

I have many other projects finished, socks and shawls and sweaters oh my but again I said this was a quickie. But Happily my Mojo is back, how I hope he never leaves me again, there is too much pretty yarn to play with

MISSING: My Knitting Mojo

2011-01-30T13:21:00.001-08:00

I don't know where I put my knitting Mojo. I had it just a month ago. I have looked every where for it. At the yarn shop, in my basket of projects, even under my bed, but I just can't seem to find it, and I am beginning to miss him (yes my knitting mojo is a him).

I don't know why he would leave me, I was very good last year and knitted all my christmas present projects ahead of time, however I didn't make my little Bella a new sweater or cardigan this year and that really bugged me in the back of my head. A new baby in the family is arriving in March and and another is arriving in July, the weather is cold enough that cardigans and sweaters sound just lovely to knit, and as always I am missing my dpn's and my fingering weight yarn so much that I am finding myself just staring at my sock yarn collection with wonderment. But where is my mojo in all of this?

It's not that I am not knitting, I am knitting, I am knitting the same thing for the last 2 months. A cardigan, a cardigan I have wanted to make for 2 years, and I finally bought the yarn last summer. I cast on gleefully and made really good progress and then POOF, my mojo just fanished. Is it because I haven't been working on anything but my cardigan? Could it be that I am just wanting to knit socks, baby bonnets, something for my sweet little Bella? Maybe I miss the addition of new yarns coming into the family? These questions do make me think, and that is probably why I didn't realize my mojo left when he did.

I have been to more fabric stores these past few months, and have started the growth of my fabric stash, made a few sewn projects for christmas and gifts for loving Aunt's who began my love with all things handmade. Has my sewing mojo did something with my knitting mojo, for you can not have 2 mojo's at the same time, I think I would go nuts.

If you see my knitting Mojo, please let me know. I am hoping that he just finally got sick of North Idaho winters and went to the Bahamas and should be returning soon. The cardigan that I am working on is almost finsihed, the last cuff and some side ribbing and it's pretty much a done deal.

To my Mojo, I miss you, please come home, my birthday is in a few months and I can not have you missing, otherwise no gift certificate to the yarn shop and that is just so very sad.

The stockings where hung by the chimney with care

2010-12-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

Well near the chimney, I couldn't get them all to fit, so I put them on the piano.

Two christmas' ago our old stockings fell apart and I promised everyone I would knit new stockings, well that didn't happen. Now this year I swore I would make new stockings no matter what, that would be my gift to everyone, not that anyone remembered I was suppose to have new stockings the year before. So I tried to figure out a way to make knitted stockings that wouldn't sag, and then I figured why not just sew some stockings, I am in love with my sewing machine now and would love to make everyone stockings so that is what I did. I am a Jo-Ann Fabric junkie now and I got really good deals on christmas fleece and after a few trial and errors came up with the perfect stocking for everyone

See the one that says Cat's that was one of my errors, but it all worked out, now there is one stocking missing and as you can guess when making things for everyone you always make yours last, that is the one that is missing mine, but I have a good excuse, I got side tracked with other sewing gifts that I need to just stop everything and make mine, but lets take a quick look at what else I have been busy making shall we,

This is a cardigan for my cousin who is expecting her third child, obviously a girl, in march. I love when family have baby's, I love making baby gifts I consider that to be every crafter's dream.

This is my first bag, I made a wee error when cutting it, it was suppose to be 15 x 17 and I did 15 x 15, but there are never mistakes in crafting, just adjustments. I can not wait to take it to the farmers market. If you can not see, the words on the bag say vegetables, fruit,flowers, etc... and it is reversible, so when I want a change I just flip and its the color of the pocket.

This is my favorite, I attempted this dress a few months back in a flowery yellow, I measured my daughters chest and the measurements came out for the size in the book. I began the top, however it did not fit. So with again a wee bit of adjusting came out with the size perfect for my daughter. Now she tells me I need to make her more dresses and to get busy, which is cute. I admit that was the reaction wanted

Now I have mentioned I am lucky to have crafty Aunt's who have shown me the way in my own crafting journey, whether it be just answering a question or showing me how to start. I found this project online and asked around for my Aunt's favorite colors and of course made myself one. I love it. I plan to make another but for my Dpn's I will need to add about 2 inches to the length. I also plan to make for another Aunt a sewing holder, but that will be another time.

I also made a purse, which I liked the process of making more then the actual purse, considering I am not posting a picture of it. I like the fact I used an old pair of jeans for most of it, but it was too small and not really sturdy for all my essentials so I gave it to my daughter who currently does not like it for she can not keep it on her shoulder.

Well that is what I have been up to this December month. I don't know if it is just me, but this time of year brings out the crafter in me like no other time. I can not wait to see what I will be making next year.
Wishing you a Wonderful and Happy Holiday season, from my family to yours.
See you next year.

Look What I made

2010-11-18T11:31:00.000-08:00

I am very proud of my new circular holder, even though my mom thinks it looks like a torcher chamber.

It's half a yard of really pretty pink flowers with another half a yard of pink vines. I like pink if you can't guess. And with the sale going on at Joann's Fabric, cost about $3.00 to make.

I got the general idea from the Stitch 'n Bitch book, but couldn't understand the instructions enough to follow so I pretty much used the measurements and went from there. It works great, and I gave myself 3 extra slots in case of over flow. I have yet to number them, mostly cause I don't want some big black numbers to distort the look of my pretty pink, and I kind of know what is where, as long as I count down, which ain't too much trouble.

This has given me the confidence to work on my simple patchwork quilt I started several months back and am almost finished with the top and will be making a sister quilt to go with it, but that is for another day.

Back to my circular needle holder, this was very simple to make, which is awesome cause these things are hard to find unless you shop online, which I do not do very often, and the ones you do find are simple, basic white canvas, which is just fine, but I like color. So here is to my mom's 1970 sewing machine, (which is now mine) who has never been used as much as it has been in the last year. To you I thank

What the hell was I thinking

2010-10-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Wow 2 months have almost flown bye with out a word. Well I have a reason, a valid reason, I was obsessively knitting gloves and hats and Crochet samples for various yarn stores.
Now many months back I mentioned that I got my first job in the crafting world teaching crochet at 1 of my local yarn shops, well about 2 months back I requested to no longer work at said yarn shop for many reasons as not to point out or burden anyone with, but I still had an afghan to finish crocheting, a afghan I dreaded and wanted so desperately to never see again, a project I would not ask of my worst enemy, a project I entitled so elegantly as "What the hell was I thinking".

I was asked to make an afghan from a Noro pattern book using Noro Kureyon, which is a fingering weight yarn, size E hook which in mm is 3.5 so like a size 4 knitting needle and 462 yrds and guess how many skeins the afghan called for, 9 that means 4158, which means going absolutley crazy. I think I was insane when I agreed to do the project. But I am done and the project has been given to its rightful owner, no word from them upon delivery of said afghan, but I am happy to be done with her.

Good Start to A Monday Morning

2010-08-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Coffee, Homemade Blueberry muffin that is scrum diddle umchess, and sock knitting.
Not a bad start to the week.

Birthday wishes and cupcake dreams

2010-08-18T14:48:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my baby Bella's 4th Birthday.

I tried really hard not to cry, and while holding back the tears we went on an
adventure.

Ssssh we are looking for fairies.

I see two, look there.

Fairies are usually very shy, but I was able to sneak a picture of them, this is a beautiful 4 year old fairy

and a older Cousin Kaylee fairy

After Fairy hunting, we went on to the Birthday girls party where there were cupcakes, banners and balloons all in a wait for her.

After some lengthy time spent on the playground, she opened up her presents and as a mothers dream she liked her knitted present very much

Was sung a Happy Birthday

"Don't mess with me, I am eating"

and after more lengthy time on the playground again. We all went home to play with new toys, or in my case fall asleep on the couch and then woke up to take pictures of the birthday girl modeling her birthday dress

A very splendid day indeed.

Dress Stats: Interweave summer knits 2010, Teacup pinafore
Yarn: Berroco Weekend
Only thing regarding this yarn is, when you weave in the ends it likes to poke through, so a little clear nail polish on the end helps with that.

Best wishes to all the fairies in the world.

Sole Mates

2010-08-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I have posted a finished knit, that it feels like I don't knit at all, when really that is all I do. So here is a finished knit I am very pleased to show off.

Say hello to my finally finished pair of Clandestine socks by Cookie A.
As mentioned several times I love Malabrigo yarn and that is what these's lovely pair are made with, in Caribeno

I never realized the difficulty of taking pictures of my feet until now, its a very hard angle to get. Finally I found the automatic button on my horrible camera and were able to take some decent pictures.

Now I just have 3 more pairs of socks without mates and I will be ready to start a new pair.

And soon I will be posting a finished project that was completed 2 months ago, but finally will be able to give to the recipent and my very first sewing project as well.

So off to the needles I go.

Button Button whose got the Button

2010-08-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Oh I do, lol.

I have to show everyone the awesome buttons I found while in Porltand. They are leather, I got 3 about the size of a silver dollar and 3 little ones about the size of a quarter, and I know it is not polite to talk about how much something costs, but I have to tell you for it was totally a steal.

A nickel for each, that is correct, for 3 large and 3 small leather buttons it totalled .30 cents. I got them at Dava beads store and they had 2 different containers with buttons with a sign that said 0.05 on them and I snatched them up.

Even the lady who rang up my purchase was shocked about how inexpensive they were
(I hate to say cheap).

So Now I am on the hunt for the perfect Cardigan sweater to make for my new lovely buttons.

See the leather backing, oh so cute. Love it.

I love love love buttons.

My home away from home

2010-08-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

We'll I went on my wonderful trip to Portland, Oregon. I got back last Monday, and as anyone who has traveled knows it, it takes a moment to get back into the routine of things.
I arrived by Greyhound, never took Greyhound before, and probably will not again. The drive down was nice, but when the A.C. stops working a 6 hour drive turns into a 20 hour drive. When I got there I was starving and went to my favorite restaurant, Chipotle, I love spicy food. Then went to my friends house ate. We spent the night celebrating a friends birthday, and then finally found sleep at 3a.m., I haven't stayed up that late since Bella was born.
As always you make plans, and your friends make plans, and your other friends make plans, and if your lucky maybe one thing ends up working right, well in my case that is. We had planned to have a weekend on the coast, but due to car problems and other mishaps didn't turn out as well but I still enjoyed my time, I was in Portland, the city I love.
Of all the things that were planned but not followed through, I was sure to at least go to one yarn shop, and in a city with several to choose from, I chose the closest to my friends house, it was only 2 blocks away.
That's right Twisted. It is a lovely store, they have an entire wall dedicated to sock yarn, and as a sock lover it is a dream come true. Having to be frugal is never fun, but I ended up with some wonderful treasures. This is Fly*Dyed Monarch, in what I like to call race car flames. It was very hard to choose, but this one wanted to come home with me and be made into a pair of socks, I just couldn't say no, and my favorite thing of all, something I have been wanting since I made Bella's first dress, labels, 4 in a pack for only $1.50 which I find since I have never seen these before a pretty nice deal.
I went with my friends mother, she wanted to show me the colors she likes so when I make her things, and this was her hinting to make her more things, I knew what colors to choose from. Have you ever had a friend or family member go with you to peruse yarn shops and constantly show you yarn they like in order for you to make them something, I can't help but giggle and want to make them things, for I know they will care for it as much as I do making it. So we took a few pictures of inside the shop of knitted things we liked.

My friends mom like this little knit sachet, it was quite pretty

I am going sweater crazy, and want to knit a sweater so bad, but not just any sweater, a big baggy comfy sweater

I liked this one for the penguin, I love penguins, and I know any child would dread getting this sweater, except mine of course, knitted gifts are going to be burned into her head, she'll love anything lol, at least I hope.

That is all for today. Hope everyone is having a save and happy summer.

My second sewing project

2010-07-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that a mother loves to make things for there child, whether it is a good meal, a nice day together, and us crafty mom's like to make our children whatever we can.
I found the book 'Weekend Sewing' at my local library. I took it home and found The Flower Girl dress, I bought some fabric, cut out the pattern pieces started sewing.
Once I was done with the bodice I noticed how tiny it looked, so I tried it on my Bella and at first the problem was getting it over her hair, then it came apparent that her hair wasn't the only problem I was gonna have.

You may not see it but her poor little armpits are poking out the sides, it was very tight on her.
I would be lying to say I wasn't disappointed, I was off to such a great start with minimal error, but I trudged on anyway, I have a large family and maybe I can finish the dress for one of my cousins or so. So I finished as much of the dress as I could and when I can find someone that can wear it, then I can finish with the hem and straps.
Here is what I was able to complete.

Since it is easily adaptable I'll attempt to inlarge the bodice and try again. Wish me luck.

I am going to PORTLAND!!!

2010-07-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

At the end of July/beginning of August I will be headed off to my most favorite place in the world, Portland Oregon to see one of my most wonderful and charished friends, also named Sarah, see we have so much in common.

My BFF and I plan to see the 3rd installment of the Twilight saga, we are Twifan's or whatever you call them but not to the point of insanity or anything. We wanted to see the opening night but with scheudules and classes could only fit it in at the end of July.

Now I ask for some information, I used to live in Portland, but not when I knit, I didn't learn to knit till I moved back home to Idaho and so I do not know the crafting world, be it yarn shop or fabric stores. I have been to Twisted on Broadway and CloseKnits on Alberta, it actually angers me that when I first moved to Portland I lived 2 blocks from the store and never knew it, but anywho. I am hoping to venture out further to some more stores and would like some help on planning my trip. I will be staying in the Hollywood District, but will travel for yarn.
Were should I go? What do they carry? Where do you like to go?

Ride 'em Cowboy and girl

2010-07-07T11:03:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of the Rodeo Pictures, this is my little cousin Taylor, she was Queen of the rodeo.

I love this picture because they look like there flying, proves my camera isn't as horrible as I complain it is.

This is where they try to sadle and ride a wild bronco, it is funny to watch, but the prize money was the funniest part of it all. All that work and they only win $25 split 3 ways

Here is Bella watching the rodeo with her Great Grandma Jean, I love this photo

And here is me and my Cowgirl, she had fun, but after the first hour was ready to go back to Great Grandma's house and play toys, can't blame her, she's just a little city girl at heart...

..even though we tried to countrifie her

212 pictures in 4 days

2010-07-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July, I sure know I did.
My family and I went to visit my Grandma and go to a rodeo. Now I am not a country girl, or as my daughter says "Crunchy" but it was sure fun seeing horses and cows. The ride down was fun just to see the beautiful scenery

There are no big buildings, no subdivisions, nothing but beautiful land as far as the eye can see.

We did stop in a little college town to do some thrift store shopping, my niece made out like a bandit with dress up clothes and high heels, I didn't do to bad with a few crafty pieces. But soon Lunch time beckoned and we stopped off at a little joint that was an old school bus turned diner were you eat outside.
We had hamburgers with Sweet potato fries, and yum they were good, but the one thing I wish I had tried but couldn't bring my self to order was this:
Now I am the grand-daughter to 3+ generations of farmers so I love my meat, but I think a bacon milkshake is a little to much.

We soon left, after attempting some other patrons of the diner to try the milkshake but declined as well and again were off to grandma's. Traveling with a 8 year old and soon 4 year old, remember the days when you said the age you were going to be, wasn't as bad as it sounds, especially when they fall asleep.
Soon we arrived at Grandma's were we unloaded the car, and enjoyed the car free day of being at grandma's. The girls went exploring around the farm were they found stray cats and looked at horses and then one early morning right after breakfast found a birds nest and guess what was inside?

Hope you weren't guessing eggs, little baby birdies. Now we couldn't figure if there were 3 or more, but there is defianlty one, and the poor little guy was very frightened with all the excitement, but sure enough we just took several pictures and left him alone. Momma bird came back that night, for my niece went to check on the babies and momma bird tried to attack her, but she is fine.

There is not much to do on the praire, especially being a city girl, except walk and take a lot of pictures of scenery, so that is what I did. This is my Grandparents house, my grandma has lived here for 60+ years, this is where my mom and all my aunts and uncles grew up and I have many childhood memories here.
I couldn't resist taking pictures of the, well there not really flowers and there not any kind of grain, so whatever they are, the color was so pretty and there were fields and fields of them, bright yellow with a touch of green, beautiful. The last picture is of an old school house, I just love the way buildings were made, they had character, they tell a story.

Well I will end this post here, do not worry I will not be showing all 212 pictures of my trip. Soon I will show pictures of what occured at the rodeo.
What did you do for the 4th?

Recycling

2010-06-25T15:44:00.001-07:00

This is what I love about recycling, this is an old refrigerator from 1929, obviously it is no longer able to be used as a refrigerator, however it still can be used for other functions

I love recycling

This just occurred to me

2010-06-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

The other day when I was cleaning my little craft corner, I was moving my big wine bottle holder that houses my many straight needles, and it occured to me, I haven't used a straight needle in months, maybe in over a year. I can not recall the last time I used a straight, other than checking my gauge of course. I use DPN's for socks, obviously, and circular's for everything else, even scarves. It's some what comical, the first thing we use to learn to knit is usually straights, and in every exaggerated show of knitting, it is straight needles going up and down up and down. It brought the question to mind, am I the only one who has unintentionally abandoned my straights? What is your needle of choice? and final question, when was the last time you used a straight needle?

Busy Bee

2010-06-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, 3 whole weeks and I haven't posted anything. I swear I have been crafting the entire time.

Now I have a few finished projects I am so excited to show, but I can't, it's not for fear the recipent would see, she already has and has not clue its for her, but like most of my projects I finish them a bit to early and don't want to spoil the surprise, for you and for myself really so in just a few short months I will post the projects I have finished.

Now on to what I am currently working on. Way back I mentioned that I had recieved my first ever job in the crafting world, well it seems that it's some what full time now. I have 3 monthly classes of Beginner Crochet, Crocheting in the round, and what I am very excited about Kid's Crochet Camp, where I will be teaching the youngin's the basic basics and showing them how to make a purse, and if I am lucky enough to get a young gentleman in my class a G.I. Joe blanket. Plus I will be crocheting samples for the shop, I have made a few baby hats and an amigurumi elephant. But I have been given the task of making a granny square afghan with finger weight yarn, eek, Wish me luck.

Here is a little something that I am just starting to work on and let me tell you I am in love. L-O-V-E

One is the lonliest number

2010-05-26T11:05:00.001-07:00

I am having some serious second sock syndrome. When I knit socks I usually knit 2 different ones at a time so that they do not get boring for me. Then I would knit the mate of one, while starting a new sock and so on, well, it's not working. I made

Clandestine by Cookie A. with Malabrigo Sock yarn, which I totally, utterly ,absolutely love

I was also making Sunday Swing Socks by Kristel Nyberg using some sock yarn I had purchased at a Spin in the following year.

Then I figured I would make Eunice with some Artyarns I had. And now I am in the postition of wanting to knit more socks, but not mates :(. Poor little one sock family, missing there mates.

The purple sock is the Bacchus socks by Alice Bell, I was so excited to make this sock. It was my first Toe up. I casted on smoothly, and was doing pretty good. I got to the heel, and it was also my first short row heel. I made a few goofs, I dropped my needle a few times, which caused the boo boo's but over all it was okay. Then I was on the leg, and I was going along. With it having so many details I was surprised on how fast it went. Then I got to the cuff, and when I finished I couldn't get it over my heel. I frogged the cuff, added 8 extra stitches and did a Russian Bind-off. It now fits, but the whole experience soured me, and now I look at toe up socks with more hesitation then I used to.

Wish these poor lonely socks some luck and maybe by Valentine's Day they will be all doubled up.

Yo Yo's and Floss

2010-05-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

I must have been a good mother this year, for on Mother's Day I received a gift card to Joann's Fabric. I couldn't wait to spend it, I had so many things I wanted to get, but where to start???
Should I buy fabric ?? should I buy Yarn ? Should I buy Buttons and ribbons and bows?? Its so overwhelming when you have so many things you love to do, so I decided instead of getting something I already love to do, why not get something I want to do, add to my crafting adventure.

So I did, and here is what I got

I am so excited, all I want to do now is embrodier dishtowels and pillowcases and hankerchiefs. I have a feeling that once I get started everything is gonna be monogramed with either mine or Bella's initials.

Also I have fallen for a fun little craft. I do like quilting but haven't found the time with everything else to get really involved. That and right now my sewing machine is on the dining room table and when I really get going it shakes, so my only other option is the kitchen table and well thats to easy for curious hands to fiddle with things. So I have found an alternative and a plus it is portable, which is great for outings to the park, meet my yo yo box.

They are the cutest little rosettes and in time, I hope to have enough to make a quilt out of. They are fun and I can make several in the time it takes me to watch Grey's Anatomy. I started making them with just regular all-purpose thread and needle, but after 3 breaking one right after the other, I decided to use Hand Quilting thread and needle and well, I was zipping on through with not a one to make a run for it. So hopefully in time, this box will be over flowing with enough yo yo's to start a quilt. I am picturing different shades of blues.

So to all happy crafting and Have a wonderful weekend. You know what I'll be doing. :)

BELLA!!!

2010-05-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Last November I was preparing for a trip to my favorite, wonderful city Portland, Oregon. My best friend (also named Sarah) bought my plane ticket for me and we were planning on seeing the 'New Moon' movie, the second installment of the saga. So since it was November and it would be utterly cold, and 99.9% raining in Portland I decided to make a few knitted projects souly for the trip.

I had already finished my Noro Striped Scarf by Jared Flood

and was excited to take that with me, and the Spring Beret by Natalie Larson,

but I needed some gloves for my hands, and since I became a knitter I can not wear store bought gloves, they do not stay warm and once they are wet, forget about it.

Since I was going to see 'New Moon' why not make the Bella Mittens ?? I had purchased the yarn already with expectations to make them, but other knits were in the way. So with just a week before my flight I hurriedly knitted the mittens, while terrible sick with one of the worst flu's I have ever had. But in 4 short days I was finished with the pair and still had 3 days to recoup from my near death experience, okay maybe not near death, but it was pretty bad let me tell ya.

As with all my knits I showed my mom, for I have been knitting going into my 4th year and she is still astounded by the fact I have the patience to do this. She tried on one mitten, and then put on the next, and then turned and started to walk away, I was like
"Um, Mom." She looked back with a very innocent smile and said
"What? aren't these my christmas present?" Oh no, she loved them and when I told her no no I made them for my trip to Portland, she started to whine, whine like I would when I was little and couldn't get a lollipop at the grocery store. Finally I said I would make her a pair once I came back in Gray, she said "no no no, I want these they are black."

.
Well long story short, I took them to Portland, I wore them, and was very happy I did, because Portland weather is very predictable in the winter, and it was cold, especially when you have to walk to and from the movie theater at 2a.m

this is my beautiful city Portland

I felt bad for not giving the mittens to my mom, she loves all my knits but this is the first one she tried to steal, lol. So I decided to make a pair in black for her, but then I thought, if we both have black then they will get mixed up. So I decided to gift the mittens I had already made to her for christmas.
Come christmas morning, she was very shocked that I gave them to her, and she immediately put them on. I am very glad I gave them to her, she keeps them save in her car, so she doesn't lose them and every time she see's me tells me how warm they are and how happy she has them for she works nights and even in summer wears them driving home and doesn't have to worry about her hands freezing while her car warms up.

Well, I missed having my own Bella mittens, and I too wanted a dark color. So I found some Cascade 220 (thats the yarn I use, doubled up) in Jet, my moms are just Black, so I cast on and found that since I had already made a pair once before I zipped on through, and now I am happy to say I have my very own Bella mittens. Yippee!!!

I am in love

2010-05-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

This is my Springtime Bandit, I made her out of Malabrigo worsted, and I just have to say I love Malabrigo Yarn, worsted, sock all of it. I colors, the ooey gooey softness. I just have to say this, if your going to make something, try with all your might to make it will Malabrigo. Yummy goodness

Stats: Springtime Bandit by Kate Gagnon Osborn
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted

Farmers Market

2010-05-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

I love going to the farmers market. There are beautiful flowers and vegetables for sale. There are wonderful handmade things to look at and buy. I love Handmade, it means that someone took the time to create and make something from there heart.

The Church Bird house is actually a church in our little town, he is a gorgeous church, I went there a few times when I was a kid

There was also yarn at the farmers market, with a sign that said "You may squish my yarn"

We had a blast listening to the live music, and I even bought a few things, something handmade for my friends in Portland, but mustn't say incase they read this and a little cermaic jar no bigger then a tylenyol bottle that say's Bella's Tooth fairy jar, for when she looses her baby teeth, it comes with a little note, asking the tooth fairy if she can keep the tooth and still get some money, its a cute little rhyme, very smart if you ask me. I love the Tin Man, it was so freaking cute, I hope he is there in the future I think he would make a great addition to my soon to be garden.

Well that is how I spent my weekend, Have a wonderful Summer and enjoy the bounty of creativity in your neighboorhood.

Say Hello to my neighboor

2010-05-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

Ain't they so cute?

My favorite recipient

2010-04-28T11:39:00.001-07:00

Everyone has a favorite person they love to knit for, even if its just themselves. For me, and well any mother I am sure, my favorite recipient is my daughter.

When I first began knitting I was emursed in it. I could not and would not be destracted for I wanted to learn everything, and make everything I saw. My daughter being 1.5yrs old did not like this. She hated every time I sat down to knit, glared at my knitting needles, and once or twice would pull my project off the needles, but luckily not pull the yarn.

Well, I couldn't get too upset for all she wanted was my attention, and one day that won't be so much, so I figured maybe if I knit something for her she will not be so upset. Well it worked, the crochet dress I made for her was a big hit, she would strip any and every time I asked for her to try it on. When I made the christmas caridgan, and her realization that it was for her, she again was willing to drop everything and try it on. So I had to continue, and with Easter coming up she would need another caridgan, so came to be the Eyelet Yoke Cardigan by Sarah Hoadley knit with Lion brand cotton-ease in Berry. I like the fact that in the end it all was knit up together, and my mattress stitch isn't as horrible as I was expecting.

Well, I finished well before Easter, like 3 months before Easter. So to add extra happiness to my daughters face, and because she loves the knitted bunny at my LYS, and because it was Easter I decided to knit her a bunny. I loved it so much, and so did she. We had a photo shoot, and Grandma had even bought her her very first pair of High heels for christmas. So to my favorite recipient who I love to knit for.

Just a reminder

Stats on the bunny:Honey Bunny by Yvonne Boucher
Yarn:Lion brand cotton-ease in berry and almond
Mods: Not really a mod but the nose is a bit bigger then a bunny's should be but I was winging it.

Meet Uncle Sam

2010-04-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

In my family we have the unfortunate family habit of associating animals with family members. My older brother Sam is a monkey, not just because he looks like a monkey, but because when he was little he had a toy monkey he called little brother, and it stuck with him. He gets monkey related gifts all the time, so when I saw the Pattern for Monkey Moo I had to make it and name him after my dear semisweet older brother Sam, and since everything I make is for my daughter,(well thats what she says anyway) it is now called Uncle Sam.

Everyone say hello to Uncle Sam

Stats: Monkey Moo by Raynor Gellatly
Yarn :Lion brand Vanna white's Choice in chocolate and caffe

the shirt is just something I made for I didn't like making the shirt mix with the body.

here is a side by side, my brother with my adorable niece Kaylee, and Uncle Sam, they look like twins, lol.

Now some people may think this is cruel or mean or what not, but it really is in all good fun. In fact I showed my brother the monkey one early morning when he dropped my niece off and I again was given more then one word and some infliction. To quote, "You made this? this is really cool," with a chuckle and a smile. So here is to my big brother, who doesn't even know I have a blog. I love you :)

My very first Job in the crafting world

2010-04-14T12:04:00.001-07:00

Well I should have posted this awhile ago, but due to complete and udder shock I have not for fear that I would jinx myself and not have what will happen, happen.

Let me start from the beginning.

I am fortuante to have in my little town, 2 Local yarn shops. Both I love for very different reasons, and my daughter loves for one, each has a dog to entertain her. On a late night visit to the yarn shop in question, the owner Melody was there, of course, helping a knitting friend with there work, and I strolled in with my daughter and niece, of course my daughter was dripping from head to toe in hand made knits, and a conversation was started on knitting and where I learned how to do so. As mentioned in a previous post I began my crafting endeavors with Crochet, way back when I was 14. So Melody asked if I would be willing to teach a beginner course to Crochet. Well would I, I of course agreed and provide her with my information, a week later I was telephoned and made arrangements how many sessions, what I would be teaching and of course how much to charge. I was so excited that I squealed for the rest of the day. I telephoned all my friends and family, for they know how much I love to play with yarn and be crafty. I had already made swatches, and started the pattern scarf for my students to do.
Then a realization occurred what if I don't have any students? :( I quickly emailed and found out I do have 1, which is perfect for this is my first time teaching someone who isn't family, or friend. So this poor soul will be showed the basics and be provided with the beginner tools of how to crochet, which I may not do as much as I should, but it is still a craft close to my heart. I logged onto the website and printed out of course, so it is left to say that Starting tomorrow the first of 2 sessions I will have my first class. Excitement doesn't even begin to describe it.

LEARN TO CROCHET Beginner Thurs. $30.00
Instructor: Sarah Swanson<- Thats me :)

In this session Sarah will walk you through the basics of crochet. It's fun and easy! During the second class she will have you reading a pattern and making a simple fun project.
Supplies:
H Hook
i skein wool or cotton worsted
notebook

April 15 & 22. . . Th. ..11am-1pm
May 13 & 20 . . . Th . .3:30- 5:30

Funky Junk Antique Show

2010-04-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my mother and I ventured out into the world to go in search for the Funky Junk Antique show and craft fair in Chattaroy, Washington. Expecting to get lost and never find the place, and yes we did get lost, but we also did find our way to the Funky Junk. The excitement was in the air, for you never know what you will find or what will find you.

It was located in the Irish Dance Hall, so of course they were playing beautiful Irish Music, it was very comforting, almost calming. I am kicking myself for not asking what the name of the artist was, and there were lots of Vendors with there beautiful pieces.

Many times did I lose my mother, or she lost me, but we ended up with many great finds, some we purchased, others we admired but left them to go with another families. The weather was perfect, we have been getting very odd weather, it will rain then hail then rain some more, my poor little Bella is begging for summer so she can play on the swings. But yesterday other then being a bit windy it was a great day for a Junk show.

My first purchase was a Button Ring made by Amy Elizabeth of Dahlia WWW.dahliasforme.etsy.com, there were many to choose from and she carried very different and eclectic pieces, let it be said I will be purchasing again.

Then I found some necklaces, and as horrible as my memory is I did not get a name of the designer, but they are very one of a kind necklaces made from old scrabble, or backgammon pieces. I found one with my initial on it and grabbed it right away, but then I found a bubble necklace with a silhouette of what appears to look like Jane Austen's and I am becoming a great fan of her novels, my first book ever read was Persusaion and it was fantastic, so again I pulled out my wallet and a few seconds later I was wearing my beatiful necklace.

But my favorite find of the day was that of this beautiful box, with a scenic picture on the cover and has that perfectly aged appearence. I looked at the tag to see the price and low and behold I find this is what it is being considered, a yarn box, I had to track down my mother and she and I were in the know of "Yes you must purchase this item." As I was in wait to purschase my new treasure my mother found antoher one that resembled more of a wine box then a yarn box, but I stuck with my first purchase and am just tickled pink about it

The rest of the day went on swimmingly, I purchased some cute very 1950ish flower earrings, I love pink, a jewelry box, a candle stick holder, and some quilting hoops

We had our fun and then realised that we were starving, and found this cute Mom and Pop resturant that served a delicious Jalapeno burger and yummy fries, I would have taken a picture just to show the yumminest of it, but it didn't last very long on my plate.

The day ended with a visit to our favorite thrift store on the way home, were I found a book my one of my favorite authors and to Joann's Fabric were I got some very cute Valentine's day fabric 60% off, oh yeah.

By then I was tired and wanted to retrieve my baby and go home, where I placed my greatest find of the day in its spot of praise and admired it while I knitted.

A very good day indeed.

Ripple Effect

2010-04-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Everyone starts crafting by one means or another, whether it be sewing, embroidery, crochet, knitting, or quilting, theres is always a start, but I have now learned that to every start there is never an end when it comes to crafting.

My start was when I was 14, my Aunt Vicki crochets and has always been a gifter crafter, so we would recieve Afghans for christmas, graduation, any reason really, and when we would visit, she was always working on a baby blanket, (for in our family someone is always having a baby) so I asked her to teach me on a visit, don't remember what the visit was for, or how long we were there really but she gave me a ball of used yarn and one of her hooks, showed me how to make a chain and how to do a single crochet. Well to be honest, I sucked, I sucked horribly. I was making a pot holder for my mom, which is a good place to start when you have no idea what to make and at age 14 don't want to make baby anything. My pot holder resembled a potato more then a square, but I finished, how else was I suppose to learn. Finally I figured out what I was doing wrong, I wasn't keeping up with my count on each row and so I started again and perfected my stitches (I still have my potato shaped potholder too) and from then on I would make afghans for anyone and everyone, and not just your ordinary afghan I made the largest afghans, so big they would probably fit a California King size bed.

Many years later a roommate of mine had knitting needles and I had always been envious of knitting and knitters so I asked her to show me how, well she only knew how to do one stitch which was the purl and didn't know how to bind off, so I just purled, and purled and purled and purled, finally I stopped but didn't know what to do with this long purled piece that was stuck to a needle, so I took it apart and forgot about it. 2 years after that I grabbed those same needles, which she gave me, turns out she was not more a knitter then I was, and some Red Heart Acrylic yarn and made a garter stitch scarf, not knowing it was garter that I was doing. I went online found a lot of helpful information and haven't stopped knitting since, I stumble from time to time, like realiseing last year I was twisting my stitches due to the way I was wrapping my yarn, and happily found out there are other yarns besides Acrylic. I still crochet from time to time, afghans are always better in crochet but I am a knitter, that is my craft of choice.

Recently however my eye has been looking at quilting, I love the colors of fabric like I love the colors of yarn, and the way that quilts, like knitting tell a story, whether that story is just to say "I was here and I made this with my hands and my heart for the people I love." So again I called upon another Aunt, my Aunt Judy who makes sometimes 4 or 8 quilts at a time and asked her for a crash course in quilting. Well did she ever provide, not only did she show my how to use my mom's ancient 1976 Singer sewing machine, and it is very '70s has the '70 orange and brown with flowers on the front, gave me a basket full of fabric, a quilters hoop, a
cutting mat, some needles and bobbins and some books to borrow. I love family. I was so gidding I was giggling the entire time, (that is what I do when I am happy, I know I am weird ;)) so I am in the process of making a dolly blanket for my daughter and even bought the fabric for my first ever quilt, granted it'll probably take me a year just to start it, I have a lot of projects going right now, but I am tickled about yet another craft adventure and can not wait for the next craft to tickle my fancy.

So now I have a stashes upon stashes of yarn, and knitting needles and crochet hooks, along with my newly growing stashes of fabric, so to all crafters be aware it may only start with one, but eventually it'll be like a small pebble in a pond, it will grow and grow, just like the ripples.

Cardigans, mittens, IGK oh my

2010-03-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

The holidays are wonderful times of the year, there is decorating and sweets and my favorite eggnog, however when you decide to knit a cardigan for your 3 year old 2 weeks before christmas you don't have anytime for those things.

Another issue is having said child model it and having to fib, (fibbing is okay as long as no one gets hurt ;)) to guarentee fit. I told her this was for a friends daughter, luckily she bought it, or at least she was the one pretending and I bought it.

So luckily come christmas morning, having wrapped cardigan the night before hoping that she would be as excited as I was about seeing it, the cardigan was ready for wear. Among the wrapping paper and previously opened gifts there I was on the edge of my seat with full anticipation of her opening her gift, it took all my will power to not rip the box and screech "SURPRISE" but shortly later there is was the gift I had put all my heart in for 2 weeks straight, imagining her excitement and how well it would fit her. She saw the cardigan she had modeled for me remembering how I had mentioned it was for another little girl and seeing the look on her face putting the 2 together and the best of all was what she said shortly after, said with complete astonishment "For me?" I told her yes that mommy had to fib, not a moment later she was modeling it for all to see. I even recieved a compliment from my brother that was more then one word.

Stats: Helena by Alison Green Will Size 4T

Yarn:Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solids & Heathers in Ranch Red I had for a long time and wanted to use for something

NO mod's, pretty straight forward, overall very wonderful knit, and my first time doing a picot edgeing

So after stressing and knitting non stop on a semi big project, did I mention size 2 knitting needles were involved, with worsted weight yarn. My fingers did not like that, and making a few other project for the next gifting holiday coming up(will post that later) I wanted to do projects that didn't require more then 3 days work. So here comes the fingerless mittens.

Mittens shown from left to right then center are Cold Turkey by Veronica O'Neil made with Berroco Vintage™, very soft yarn,

Susie's Reading Mitts by Janelle Masters, Yarn is Cascade Yarns 220 Wool , stiffer then I would have thought,

Fetching by Cheryl Niamathusing Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK I got on discount at LYS, there is 10% cashmere and it is fabulous. I am always reminded of the Seinfield episode with the Cashmere sweater with a red dot the size of a pin, the whole show they say "Cash-mere" so sensual and they are right.

Lastly and does not have a mate yet is Mericash Wristwarmers by Jean Gray using Cascade Yarns Heritage Solid, which I came across seeing at PDXKnitterati.

So with these IGK's I have been click click clicking away, however the ironic part is, being in the northern Idaho, we usually recieve, yet do not want, a large amount of snow, the last 2 previous winters where record snowfall, to give you an idea, I am 5'5 and the snow came up to my waist in some parts other parts a lot higher, well this year not even a blanket of snow to last more then a day, El Nino winter for sure, in fact the biggest issue this winter is all the flowers starting to bloom to soon. So here I am with more mittens then I have ever owned in my life and not snowballs to throw, but there is always next winter, and I doubt we could escape by with another absent winter.

I am really bad at this

2010-03-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

Considering that my last post was last summer, I can say that I am not all that good at this, but I will trudge on and hopefully become a better blogger. So with that said I have some things to share.

There are a lot of knits I am proud of, mostly anything I have knitted for my daughter, especially this dress I crocheted for her last year, and yes again bad blogger I did not share it.

And there is this my very first sweater I ever knit, My very own February Lady Sweater, don't ask me what is going on with my right leg looks totally crazy.

And I didn't even think to share an incredible and honestly somewhat embarrassing fact that, since I am a self taught knitter, I had been twisting my stitches for 2 years. (realized this oh about Sept. '09) but turned out quite fun, it was like learning to knit all over again. So this I hope will put me right.

Now I know we all have our favorite patterns and our favorite yarns and that is what I love about knitting, that there is always room for more, but I will share with you the dark side of knitting, the side that is in all of us, the projects or yarn, or quite commonly both that try after try never become nothing more then our nemesis, the one yarn or pattern that taunts us with never working out, that all our hopes and dreams for just lost in a sea of disappointment, and I am talking about such a yarn.

This is JoJoland Melody, I bought her with the intent of being a pair of socks, but it wasn't meant to be :(

She went into hiding, and then recently came out again to be my first shawl, but once again there were no sparks.

But I didn't want to push her into the dark, feeling cold and unloved for it wasn't her fault, the fault was clearly mine, I was young and naive, so I chose to make a scarf out of her, a scarf I have wanted to knit since I first became a knitter, the Lacy Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery. As you can see she is beautiful and looks to be happy and working out, but like all relationships, I was not ready to commit to such a long endeavor, so once again, we called it off.

Since I wanted to make her into something I would need and want I quickly grabbed my DPN's and started a basic 64 stitch stockinette sock with top ribbing, it would be quick and useful and hopefully was finished before I got to bored. Only a few days went by and we were blissful, I finally thought yes this is going to happen this is what I needed to do, this is what she was meant to become, but I was wrong oh was I wrong. In between my double points the stitches were stretching and causing a gap in the sock that well considering would be on my feet so I know nobody would care nor judge, and not that it matters, but I would know and I just couldn't live with myself.

It is easy to say that we have had some bad knitting karma with this yarn and I am not one to give up, so I did the only thing I could do, I did a yarn exorcism, where you pray to the yarn god's to give this poor innocent yarn a fighting chance and promise to be charitable to all other yarns who may not exactly be what you were hoping for, and then of course as a renewing factor I winded up my two poor little balls that were nothing but frogged balls and provided them with a fresh start.

So here's looking at you, kid.

If I could feel a cloud, it would feel like this.

2009-07-29T18:06:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was Hayden days out here, and to my wonderful surprise as we showed up this little guy popped out and was able to stretch his legs. I was so giddy, I have never seen an alpaca up close before. Here my niece attempted to pet him and well, both were so afraid of each other that all they were able to do was just stare at each other.

we also got to see this little guy and he wasn't so little his name is Rock. Poor thing all day long in 90' degree weather and little kids getting in his face. Oh now theres a job I would hate.

Now I haven't posted these hats that I made back in oh, I wanna say January this year. I unknowingly made a pair for me and my mini me, and look how cute she is. Mommy not so much. I really hate this hot summer.

The yarn is lovely and guess what its alpaca, not my friend up above. This is beautifuly Elsebeth Lavold chunky Al, and I love the name of the color, cognac. Cognac. Sounds so classic. I'll post better pictures when I am not sweating at 6:30 in the morning. I am not a fan of winter, but right now a small snow storm would make me so happy.

The pattern is Baroness Beret by http://www.knittherapy.ca/ loved to knit, love to wear.

So with the way the summer is going and the heat, oh my goodness the heat, I am a wimp its in the late 90's almost touching the 100's and I am just not digging it. Any Arizonians out there are probably thinking what a cool breeze, in fact I know you are, I have talked to a lot of my customers down there and when I complain, there like thats hot???? No deary 116 is hot. 116 and your not a puddle of mush on the floor. I tip my very hot head to you. But in this heat of all the things I am knitting is a cardigan, in Cascade 220, that is 100% peruvian wool in my hot little hands and I am already so hot I don't think I am going to be done anytime soon. I will post more on my hot little number when I have more to show.

I have become the "Grandma" at work. My boss says that when he thinks of "yarning" his word, he thinks of a little old lady, even with my probes to change his mind, I showed him ravelry, I just got that look of a male non knitter, you know the look the side glance with the questioning in the eyes, "why do you have pictures of yarn on your computer?" Unable to change his image of knitters to the cool, hip, unique persons we all are, I am the grandma. The 26 year old grandma with a 3 year old daughter, I say rock on.

With my knitting becoming more and more popular at work I now have a pupil under me, I am teaching a friend to knit. I was so proud the day she started using knitting lingo (She said cast on) and another co worker who uses me as a reference and it reminds me of the beginning of my knitting adventure and the distance I have come and I look back and smile. I remember those days fondly but would never want to return. And now I am in fear of daily request to knit co workers pieces. I have to put a sign on my desk "WILL TEACH TO KNIT BUT WILL NOT KNIT FOR OTHERS"

Well I am in search of a cold place and maybe my knitting will warm up.

Happy Crafting everybody.

Yippee a new baby is coming

2009-07-18T21:28:00.000-07:00

So I recently found out my cousin Kelly is due to have another blessed little girl coming this September, and oh visions of pinks and frills flashed through my mind and away I went. I so far have knitted the Berry hat, http://radomstitches/

3 petal bib's from One skein,

the http://fiddlesticknitting/ Boheme cardigan and one tulip bootie, will complete the other one later. And as luck would have it I was at Michaels during there summer clearance and found a very cute box 40% off that fits perfectly for all the knitted pieces.
Works great, now my cousin has a little girl, the soon to be big sister and to make her apart of the new baby experience will be knitting a dress for her in matching colors. So love when baby's are due, my knitting gets challenged. Now my best friend is

expecting a bundle in December, we are all crossing fingers for a girl, not that a boy wouldn't be just as wonderful but she already has a son, and well she needs a girl in the family to even things out. Will post when news arrives and of upcoming dress for cousin.

Along with all the baby patterns I have also knitted a very cute hat for a coworker, she asked me to make a hat for her 9 month old daughter and in my haste never took a picture, but loved the hat so much asked if I could make one for her son, and with that I came across the Kiddie Cadet,http://kathrynivy.com/ seen here modeled by my beautiful daughter, the pattern was so easy and fast that I plan on making one for my daughter and Jr. my best friends soon.

I am taking a break from the baby knitting and working on The Febuary Lady Sweater, in a nice Hunter green in Cascade 220, the top is a painfully slow, however just about finished and should be starting the lace pattern as soon as tomorrow.

Ta ta for now, and Happy knitting everyone

Bad blogger

2009-03-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have been a very bad blogger, it has been almost 2 months since I have blogged about anything, and I would love to say the reason is due to my busy life, however that is not the case.
I have however been a busy knitter, on some kind of knitter rampage, and have several FO's to showoff, however, I can not find my memory card for my camera, I would lose my head if it wasn't attached. So I really don't like posting without a picture, but I guess I will have to get over that.

I am excited to be starting a new job on Monday, but am afraid my knitting might suffer, but then again I'd rather find no time to knit and have a job, then have all the time to knit with no job.
My daughter is excited too, being 2 years old and stuck in the house day in and day out. Winter is not our favorite time of year, but luckily it is on its way out and I say "Hip hip hooray"

Once I get myself organized I will post pictures of my FO's, there is a dress I made for my little one and she loves it and it looks absolutely beautiful on her. I plan on making another one for my cousins baby, if ever I get around to it. I have a hard time keeping my knitting mind stable long enough to start and finish a project.

Happy Crafting everybody :)

It's A Girl

2009-01-18T17:30:00.000-08:00

My cousin had a girl Friday by C-section. I only found out she was pregnant a month and a half ago, and unfortunatley they didn't know the sex, but I had a feeling it was gonna be a girl, but didn't wanna start something to stop and start again. So I will be on the needles in pinks and purples making bonnets, and booties, and blankets oh my. They live in southern Idaho, so the shipping shouldn't be too much. This will be short, wanna start on those baby gifts. The joys of having a daughter are wonderful.

Lazy Saturday

2009-01-17T17:46:00.001-08:00

So I have joined Ravelry and now I can not tear myself away from the computer. Between updating my notebook and organizing my stash, which I love how that all works, and all the wonderful patterns, I can not bother myself with trivial things like food, water, fresh air.

I am begging anyone out there if they know or have ever used this yarn, DMC Cotolina, it is 85% cotton and 15% linen, the label is in french its in 50 g balls, 82 m approx. at standard cond. 10 x 10 cm 18 sts on 26 rows on size 4 needles, and I believe the size 4 needles are mm. I have gone online and the only thing I find is DMC floss. It is really soft and I started a garter scarf, double stranded, however it doesn't feel right, its such a pretty yarn that I should be doing something better with it, but what is the question??

I love all the new commercials that involve knitting, like the yoplait lite yougurt commercial, how cute is that. My family jokes with me, since I am always knitting, that I will have a knitted cozy covering everything in the house, and then knit a cozy for the house. I was at my BFF's house and she saw my new magazine of Vogue Knitting holiday 2008, and she gave me a quirky look that of a nonknitter, I have tried to teach her to crochet, but she's a lefty and I am a righty. Plus she is a new mommy, with a baby who just turned one and he is going through that I want my mommy every minute of the day. I miss those days. I have to wait till my 2 yr old falls asleep to snuggle her, she is always on the go.

So am currently working on my first sweater, I'll finish once I get off the computer, whenever thats gonna happen. I am still figuring all this blogger stuff out. Hopefully I can get a hang of it soon. If your on Ravelry you can check out my finished projects at Soulknits.

I found batteries

2009-01-16T20:35:00.000-08:00

Opps, I guess I do have batteries, so that is a portrait of my beautiful little girl I got for christmas from my mom, I was so shocked at the picture that I didnt know it was my daughter. Then there is her making a cute squished face. Oh so cute.

I made a knitting resolution, I don't make New Years Resolutions, there's to much hype on not completing them. My knitting resolution is to make a sweater, and a pair of socks this year. The sweater is a pattern on the yarn label. I went to Michael's one night a few months back and there was a bin in front with yarn for .99 cents I couldn't resist. I bought dark green, a really nice orange and a claret, which I don't like any more, and a tan of Bernat Berella "4". Since this will be my first sweater I am doing it in a child size, luckily I have a child to wear it when its completed. So in total it cost me $4 to make the sweater, that is not bad at all. I love good deals, I went to one of my LYS and there was a sock yarn called Tofutsies and it was 50% off, so I got 2 skeins less then one, love love love it.

The top yarn is the yarn I plan on using for a beret, its Elsebeth Lavold Chunky Al, and I love the name of the color, Cognac, my mom suggested that would be a great name for a dog. I so want a beautiful dark brown pit bull and will name him Cognac.

There is a mystery yarn I need to post, I was at goodwill and saw it all sitting in a bag for $1.99 and I grabbed without thinking, I did the usual tests on it and so far I know its got some kind of animal fiber, wool more or less, and something else. I know its worth something cause when I went to my LYS, Melody the owner didn't wanna give it back to me. I have knitted with it and its a fine yarn, and has a rough yet soft texture (figure that out) I just have no clue what to make with it, I am hoping that one day a pattern will form and I can make use of it. It saddens me to see it sit there, while other yarns are used and loved. But better in a yarn lovers home than goodwill all alone.

I love tea, and it took a year for me to get this teapot. The teapot I used to use was my moms, and it was a metal teapot with water stains all over it and hard water build up inside so bad that I washed it almost every week, and yet still I would get little gross flakes of something in my tea. I did the whole boil water in the microwave but it wasn't the same, it would get cold faster. So for a year my mother and I would look everywhere for a teapot that I liked. All I knew was I wanted it to be red, I loved the idea of a red teapot, and I didn't want a odd shape, I liked a round shape. So you think it would be easy to find, NO! NO! NO! NO!, I found a orange red, or a claret red, or a orange bottom and red top, then there was the triangle shapes and the square shapes, NO!! and my favorite, the metal handle, can you say "Burn". So on christmas as I was opening a present, hoping it was just a big box with a gift certificate to my LYS, it was my teapot, from my baby girl. :) I love it, and I have been drinking tea as if its gonna go out of style. I have a pic of it, however I didn't realize how dirty my stove is so I will post a pic later

My First Blog

2009-01-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

Well this is my first blog and my first blog entry. A few things about me, I love my baby, knitting, cooking, and reading, all in that order. My name is Sarah, I am 26 in April and I have a beautiful 2 year old daughter Izabella, but I call her Bella, who is the love of my life. My Aunt taught me to crochet when I was 14, and I had fun making blankets, but was always envious of knitters and knitted pieces, so I taught myself to knit going on 2 years ago, and I love it, I love the yarn, the patterns, and the people. Knowing how to crochet actually helped me with learning to knit, I find knitting to be easier, if you make a mistake you find it faster and can correct it a lot easier.
The first thing I ever knitted was a basic garter scarf, which I plan on frogging to make something else out of it, then I wanted a challenge, thats what I like about knitting it challenges you. So I knitted a baby shrug for my daughter for my cousins wedding we were going to in May of last year, it was all knit in one piece. Once I was done, I was hooked, I wanted to knit more, learn more, create more.
I would love to post pictures of some of my finished projects along with my beautiful baby however my camera sucks batteries dry that I have to wait till I go to the store, and since there is ice all over the place, I find it not a priority at the moment but will load them ASAP.