Slowly Realizing

I’m slowly realizing that life can be a fast moving thing… I look at these three from Halloween and it amazes me how grown up they are getting.. What happend to the baby pumpkins and chile pepper?We also don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy some yummy turkey. This was our pre-thanksgiving feast since we were all craving it. However they’re will be many more items on the plate and of course real mashed potatoes but tweeny hates them so we humored her with tater tots.Sometimes a “bad” kitty is just what is needed to help lighten the stress, even if he made a huge mess. I have yet to catch him pulling the sweaters off the shelf.Slowly realizing that this beautiful girl is growing up and not only do I love watching her conquer the volleyball court but I love the fact that she is letting me take pics of her and our nightly girl sessions, her with hot cocoa and me with tea or coffee are something I really look forward too. When hubby is traveling and the little one’s are in bed I slowly realize just how much this girl is growing but still in need of her Mama.It’s also ok to splurge on that coffee maker I have been drooling over for a year… I am loving this new toy…back is done but a sweater that knits up slowly will be worth it in the end, I mean check all those cables out, they are sooo worth the slow process.It’s ok to drool over the Garnet Hill catalog and than go throught my closet to copy the outfit. I’ve also realized that those Frye boots I have wanted but are out of price range can still be had by finding the very close knock off at Target. Aren’t they great. It’s also fun to take a minute from the stress full crazyness we are calling life right now and have a fun “photo shoot” with your six year old.. Sometimes life can get away from us but  if we can stop and slowly realize that it’s ok to take a break and have a hard look at what we really want than that can make the biggest difference and sometimes that finacial gain we thought we really wanted might not be what’s best for our family in the long run.So it’s ok to stop and realize what is most important for you and try to make it happen even if there’s a alot of stress and tears along the way.. This is also one reason I love blogging and reading all those other inspriational blogs out there so that when I’m feeling really stressed or down than I can  see that I’m not alone…

 

Another Year

Well another Birthday Year has come and gone. Monday the 26 I turned 34 yikes.. Well so far this year hasn’t been that great. Truck boy woke up Monday morning with a 103 fever so no special Birthday was to be had. Hubby and I are rescheduling for this coming Monday. Sooo Princess woke up Tuesday morning with a 102 fever, well today is now Friday and both have been home ALL week with fevers that just won’t go away. The Mommy Patience is long gone and the stress levels have reached some all time new levels. Thankfully tweeney hasn’t caught the sick germs. I think being out of the house for volleyball games and practices have kept her healthy. I can’t believe the two little one’s have missed a whole week of school. We have gotten there work daily and they are very good about doing it but wow my hat goes off to all you homeschoolers. I just don’t have the patience to do it. Of course with being sick we have been tied to the house and indoors since the weather hasn’t been great.. I hope they can still go trick or treating tomorrow. Truck boy hasn’t had a fever all day but princess is still having close to 100. To keep things productive we have watched many good movies, played games, built with legos, set up a tent, and of course knitting and quilting have been done to help Mama stay sane. Thank goodness my sewing room is in the family room and of course knitting is very portable. I leave you with some pics of my pair of socks finished for Socktoberfest, and a half a sock finished from my Rhinebeck purchases. I’m loving both types and can’t wait to finish the second tube sock.These socks remind me of the show Punky Brewster. Yes I just dated myself but they look like something she would wear. They are made with the mini mochi yarn by crystal palace color 107. I first didn’t really like working with this yarn becuase the spinning of it was not consistent BUT I do love how they feel when on. The true test will be how they wash.These remind me of Confetti The pattern is the spiral tube sock by a steam valley fiber farm. Yarn is from them too and the color way is rainbow. I wasnt’ sure how I was going to like not having a heel but the first sock seems to feel nice. I will be able to tell better once the second one is done.I can’t wait to see this top all done I’m loving it so far..Everyone joined into the daily naps.Stella is defiently enjoying being pampered.

 

Playing

Ok  I couldn’t wait I had to get somthing new out and  play.. The Urban Aran is coming together nicely. It looks like I’m following the directions correctly and this is only the third sweater I’ve done and the directions are harder so all is good. I did spend three hours getting the yarn out of a knot yesterday which just about killed me since I kept thinking of how many more rows I could have had done but a certain puppy got a hold of it and that was all it took.  I also finished this hatFelicity done up in a lion brand yarn I think it’s a wool-ease.. pattern is a free download over at Ravelry. I also wore this to Rav party at night so if anyone thinks it looks familiar it was probably moi.Truck boy wanted to do a photo shoot. Maybe he won’t be a “landscoper”  (landscaper) when he grows up. I finished this dishclothNot sure if you can really see it but there’s is a moose worked into it, yarn is a sugar and creme. Hubby brought home a moose from hunting last week so while he was away I made this. Off to do some more rows on my aran and than log in some quilting time since poor “Jan” has been very neglecated.

 

Rhinebeck 2009

Well I wanted to show some pics of our fall so far but my pics have disappeared. I downloaded them in a hurry and now there gone. Bummer since I had some great pics of the kids apple picking, all of our yummy applesauce, apple bread, and apple pies, we have made. Damn that makes me so mad. On the bright side my Rhinebeck pics are thankfully still there.I was so busy shopping that I didn’t take many pics but here’s  my stash from day one.I also drooled a little over this awesome sweater I kept seeing. I saw four different ones and finally at the rav party at night I got the guts to ask if I could take a pic of one.Click on pic to see the detail. I have already downloaded the pattern which is Syliva by twist collective. I love her hat to but didn’t think to ask what pattern that was since I was in such awe of her sweater. I also bought a pattern to make a zip up sweater I fell in love with at the Briar Rose booth and have decided to do that up in blue yarn that I bought from them as well. I love the Briar Rose yarns and next year will get to there booth right after the str booth.Here’s the pic.Next is day two’s findings..I am still on such a high. I did finish something I bought over the weekend…Isn’t it cute? I’m thinking of changing the sock for differnt times of year.. Next up maybe a candy cane look. After all one of the str yarns that came home in my basket are going to have to be Christmas socks maybe anklet length..I also cast on thisYes those are my new needles too. I feel like a kid at Christmas who doesn’t know what to play with first. I think after I finish the sock maybe even before I start the second one I have to cast on for a sweater to wear on Thanksgiving. I’m between the vest pattern I picked up from str, the zippered cardi from briar rose, or the pea coat not pic that I downloaded from twist collective.. Anyone want to vote I would love to have some help in making this decision. We will be going to VT this year to Aunt and Uncles house which is the pic perfect place to have a holiday, I also see a driveby of the house we want not far from there. I was hoping we would be living there by Thanksgiving but not looking promising at this point maybe by Christmas. I hope next year to take more pics.. No blog Deb and I had a FANTASTIC time even though we had the rude waitress at the diner across from our hotel at 10:30pm after the rav party, and no she hadn’t been working that long her shift had just started. Oh and one of us had maybe a teensy weensy little bit to much wine which will not be allowed next year unless water is consumer right after..Enjoy all your craftiness and if you went to Rhinebeck let me know what you are working on.. Until next time, knit/quilt on….

 

New Member

So I think I’m pleading temporary insanity but I finally broke down and got the kids this little monkey face…I surprised the kids with her and little man was the first to see her.Priceless. Princess was excited too.Tweeny couldn’t wait to go grab her camera..She loves to give kisses..We have some how managed to have no accidents in the house yet but I’m figuring it’s first day luck. Hubby gets to see her Sat night and kids want him to come up with a name. So far Rosie is the only one they can think of but her nickname is monkey face since she has a little monkey face. Xena and Skyler are doing well with her considering we just brought her home today so I think everyone will be fine in another few days. I pray she doesn’t keep me up all night since before when I put her in her crate she wasn’t happy. I think a knitted sweater for her is in the near future..Um Yea the kids aren’t spoiling her much. Until next time and I promise I will try not to overload with the puppy pics…

 

Feels like Fall

Ahhh the colors are changing the nights are cooler and fall is finally here. I think this is my favorite time of year. Of course it does help that Rhinebeck is coming up, my birthday too, and with cooler weather here I’m wanting to knit some sweaters. I did finish my felted bag and it looks great with the sweater I want to wear to Rhinebeck..Oh it’s so hard not to use this right now but I’m really trying to wait till Rhinebeck same for the scarf and sweater. I have some of this yarn left and am thinking I may be able to make some fingerless gloves. The color is just soo great.  The pattern is The Fling Bag and it’s a  Carol Bristol Designs. I did the larger size.The yarn is Ultra Alpaca by Berroco color is 6292(sand). I added the silver buckle for more of a finished look and it has a snap closeur. Next on the needles isa blue v neck sweater for truck boy. Of course he doesn’t know it’s for him and keeps asking if I will make him one like it. I’m trying to get it done before Friday for school pics but not sure if  I can pull it off. I also had some bag orders to fill over the weekend and only took a pic of one.The recipent was very pleased. I’m still working on the quilt from last week but with the sweater deadline approaching not sure how much quilting will be done this week. We are still trying to sell our house and of course the stress of moving has everyone on edge. Not to mention the kids are begging for a puppy. I’m on the fence but am wearing down. I think it may be a good happy thing for them now with all of the changes going on. Plus maybe it would be better to housebreak a puppy in our house now rather than in a new house. Off to do some more rounds on the sweater keep your fingers crossed it will be done in time.

 

A Little of This and That

Finally I am able to get into the sewing room on a daily basis. I made some napkins today but of course already packaged them up and didn’t take  a pic but I did make some progress on some other things too.Yesterdays strips are now cut into those 220 3 1/2 segments.This is now drying but you still have to wait to see the “full” view. So far I love how it is turning out.A second sock was cast on.. Oh yea and I also made a choc cream pie which thanks to my gang only has one little sliver left. I think all in all today was a pretty productive day. I guess tomorrow I should probably put some of that growing pile of laundry away before I go to social knitting.. Well I did say probably but if not it will be there later.

 

Back In The Swing Of It

The first day of school…has come and gone.. Everyone is enjoying the routine again and loving there classes. Tweeny is even doing volleyball which consits of two hours worth of practice 5 days a week. Of course the 8am on Sat is one I could do without but it gets me up and out early and if I’m lucky I may return to a house of two still sleepy children. I’m slowly getting back into my routine and of course am enjoying my weekly social knitting, and have already gone to lunch with a friend. The bummer part is I had a nasty sinus infection which still has me feeling a little crappy and of course on top of that I had to put brakes on my car.ugh. So  hopefully this week we won’t have any unexpected things pop up.  I have many sewing plans for this week. I have managed to finish one sock.. but put the second one aside so I could work on this..hmm wonder what it could be? Something for Rhinebeck maybe? Another one of our neighbors had a little girl so she will be getting this..She has had a little bit of a rough start so hopefully the “Watchful Fairies” will look over her. My Summer Swap Quilt arrived the other day which was  a perfect pick me up when I was feeling poorly..Check out the quilting this is so much nicer in person and I already found a spot for it. The very talented Jessica made this and she also included these fantastic cards…My next quilt is already started and is using these..I’m so glad to be back in the swing of things how about you anyone else up to anything exciting now that school has started again?

 

The Scoop

First here’s another hint to follow the green scarf..Yup our house is for sale and we are moving to the Green state.. That’s Vermont for those of you who aren’t familiar with the area. Hubby has taken on a partnership in a business there so as soon as we find a house and sell ours we will be joining him. He will commute for the time being. Things are very crazy here and this weekend I’m going back up to look at more houses. By the time the weekend is up I will have looked at about 30 homes. I’m praying I find something this time around. So to help deal with the stress I find myself picking up my needles quite frequently. The other day I made this.It is made out of the Noro silk blend. I really enjoyed working with it and can’t wait to wear it. If I remember correctly I used a 15 needle with I think 17 stitches and a k1p1 repeat. I love this hat and the pattern is from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book, I did a few of these hats last Christmas so this one was done with the left over yarn. It is going to one of the tween boys in the neighborhood whose Mom just had a baby. He is always playing with truck boy and is in Tweeny’s class, not to mention whenever he sees me knitting he always comes and sits and chats. I’m working on a quilt for the baby so once that is done I will deliver the hat. Hopefully truck boy hasn’t spilled the beans. Remember this book Well I finally got to try one the bags out of it. I LOVE this bag and of course had to add some goodies to put in it. I used home dec weight for the outside and laminated cotton for the inside. This is  a Thank You gift for someone so hopefully she will like it. I’m not sure of what colors she likes but figured this was pretty neutral and I only added a few crystals for the bling affect.Now on the needles are another pair of socks for moi and at the machine are some blocks for the baby quilt. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend I have some special things planned for the kids when were done house hunting.. Did someone mention Ben and Jerry’s?

 

Summer Swap & Sewing

What does sun, blue sky, flowers, and some greenery make you think of? If you guessed Summer you’re right and even better if you guessed Summer Swap. I went out of my comfort zone a little on this swap and for once am glad I did. I didn’t use any type of pattern, and I even tried photo transfer.I really hope my swapee likes this. It is staying in the U.S but that’s the only hint your getting.The Hydrangeas where a picture I took while in Maine this year and they were what I tried to work the quilt around. I hope I was successful and it is welcomed into it’s soon to be new home.  I had a mini shopping fix last week…These three books are fantastic.The Jelly Roll book came home from Maine but the other two I picked up locally. The fabric also came home with me from Maine. Plus I even managed to find something that no blog Deb hadn’t seen. She sees or has just about all the newest stuff so when I can find something she doesn’t have or hasn’t seen it is pretty exciting. Here’s another one of my visions that sort of worked out.I got the idea from the Weekend Sewing book and I do love how it turned out. I had never worked with the elastic thread and I must say it is soooo easy to work with and I can’t believe I was afraid to try it for so long. I even managed to fine the lace with the ribbon in it at my local Jo-Anns. I wore it out for Coffee at Starbucks and I don’t know about you but when you wear something for the first time out in public that you made I tend to be a little self concious. Well I didn’t have to because the barista loved it and was dying to know where she could get one. I laughed and said thanks I just made it. Than my coffee date liked it too and thought I bought it so I take that as the highest compliment.  The fabric wasn’t even anything special it was just some muslin I had laying around. My only complaint is I wished I had made it a alittle bit bigger but for a first attempt and with no pattern just following a picture I’m very pleased. I see another one of these in the future and I plan on making it bigger so I can layer a t under if for fall. I finally got around to counting these.There are 83 of them and if you look really close you may see the worlds smallest sand dollar. Hubby said that was one thing fingernails were good for otherwise I don’t think I would have been able to pick it up. There so neat to look at. I finished my Ocean Waves I loved this yarn and they’re so soft. On another note we are going thru some major changes here so the stress levels are running on max. I will give you a little hint and be back later in the week to tell you what’s up.Yes this is another new scarf I made in a day but the hint has to do with the color of the scarf.. Happy September…