Simple Gift

There has been an onslaught of children's birthdays in our lives and that means the need for something to bring to the birthday parties. I have really wanted to stay true to the idea that we need to give less and use what is on hand ... plus I am obsessed with chalk lately which led to a really great birthday gift idea.


This is really just a piece of plywood that Tim cut down to placemat size and rounded off the edges, then I primed it and coated it with three layers of chalkboard paint. The end product is a cute child-sized board ready for any little person's hands. They were a huge hit with the boys and the adults, people scribbling away on them daily. I made extra and was glad for it when the party rounds hit.


They are easy to give with a box of chalk taped to the board (super cute washi tape, I think it is called). There is no need for wrapping or a card as you can write the message directly on the present. The only thing I would change next time is to add a little block with felt for erasing. Otherwise, good to go.


I love that it is home made and holds to the ideas and ideals we are trying to keep present. It is impossible to show up to a party with nothing, that just seems too rude, but I hesitate to go out and contribute to the ever growing pile of discarded toys. This is such a nice way to say 'We love you, now go write something down'.

Speaking of chalkboards, I finally went and finished the wing wall in our kitchen, sanded it down smooth after my magnet paint debacle of over a year ago, then coated it with more chalkboard paint.

I love it and have been using it heavily for daily quote inspiration, list making and boy scribbling. Yay for finally completed projects. More to come.

My fave quote so far ""If I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend 6 sharpening my axe."
Abe Lincoln

On the pins and needles

I took some time last week to do two things. First, I tackled the travesty that was once an organized sewing table. The creep of bits and pieces that did not belong was taking it's toll on my little corner and I needed to do something. I pulled all the fabrics out that I own, pulled them out of closets and crates and stacks at the bedside table. I sorted and folded and decided one very important thing. I have enough fabric.


As a novice sewer, I tend to think I need every piece I see, that I need to try to emulate every perfect craft room featured on the number of very crafty blogs I frequent. But after exposing my own fabric stash, I realized I have more than I need, more than I can sew into items for house, home and body. It was a nice wake up call, to see it all. It is also a very nice inspiration. I like being able to eye the new stacks and think how a piece might be incorporated. And it has also put me in check as Tim can eyeball them too and give me the same look I get when I start to go into yarn ordering frenzy.

The organizing made me realize I have a lot of smallish scraps I am reluctant to toss. I am not sure I will every really dedicate myself to the patchwork/quilting area of sewing, but it is hard to part with my favorite little pieces.

A few months ago I won a giveaway on the STC blog and received a book I have been wanting for some time. It is the Last Minute Patchwork Gifts and has some really lovely projects.

The scraps I gathered from the boys' patchwork quilts can gain a new life as a pincushion, squat and cute as a button. Most of the projects seem very manageable and I hope to explore this book thoroughly over time.

I also found my order of FOE during the clean out which prompted a 'fix it' project. I have had a great skirt from Old Navy that I kept for years.
(The white makes it look a little too underwear but the waistband will be covered)

I love it but the waist elastic gave out and I had to resort to safety pins in not very strategic areas. I had heard about FOE (which stands for Fold Over Elastic) from Angry Chicken and needed to use it for my Alabama Skirt. Here is a picture of my hand sewn waistband for the 'Bama skirt.

A bit of a nightmare, but an accomplishment nonetheless.

The current skirt fix was a cinch, you just stretch the FOE and zigzag sew it to the waist.

With the machine which leaves a much cleaner stitch. Now I have my skirt back in rotation. Yay!(The white makes it look a little too underwear but the waistband will be covered)


The other thing I did last week was re-charge my knitting batteries with my great group of girls. We rarely talk knitting when we gather, but we do knit while we eat and gossip and share stories regarding our life experiences. I always seem to come away with a renewed desire to knit, to try a new thing or just get my projects going.

My Poppy doll (which I should rename Purpley due to her coloring) is coming along thanks to the knit night.

I am finding it a little weird to be knitting her up....very voodoo feeling, watching her head and body and legs emerge. I think it is the faceless-ness that bugs me. To be rectified soon.

The other knit is a new project for Mace. I am calling it the School Boy Vest. Just a little something for him to sport around in the cooling Fall weather when it does come. I envision this lovely tweed-ish blend as a vest with a few Owls across the chest.

It is fun to try out designing, vests are so simple but we will see how my math fares with this one. Owen will get one too. but I have very different ideas for his. And it totally trips me out that I am talking about school for them. I know they are excited and I am too. I think the best part is that Tim and I will be 'working' in the classroom as is it a co-op program. So, onward with the Fall knitting, just so I am not caught with not enough time.

Now, who knows where to get sawdust to stuff those little pincushions with? I have a feeling I might be making a bunch of them if this one turns out. And if you use it, how do you keep your embroidery thread straight? That is my next organization project.

Happy crafting, folks.

Friday Finishing : No way!

Friday is here again? Wait, what? Friday is here again? You mean we have just a few days before Christmas is here? I am not sure I am getting this right, that December is almost over, that 2008 is almost over. What do you mean 2009 is coming round the corner? I just got used to writing 2008, when I actually have to write anywhere else but here on this blog.

Yes, Friday is here and with a list of things to do and places to go, people to meet and entertain, bathrooms to clean and breathes to be taken. I am actually not terribly burdened by it all, just astonished by the stunning alacrity of time lately. It seems it will not cooperate and allow the 45 hours I would like in each day, just to cram a bit more in.

So, to show. I have the ballet flats, all finished and prettied up and ready to go.

I am so excited about giving these. We arranged a hand made exchange between a group of women in my life, some close and some new. All terribly excited (and a bit nervous) about the gifting and giving. There is something so intimate about sharing something made by hand, bits of self and soul go into it and stay with the person who takes it home. We drew names but left it all open from there, any craft or creation welcome, any expression. These are mine. They are fairly simple, lots of garter and big needles, etc. They obviously do not fit my foot, but they looked a little forlorn sitting for the photo shoot so I slipped them on.

The wool is lovely, not too scratchy, but warm and soft. I am loving the detail I added on a toe, just a little needle felted flower accent with a pearly button.

I am also really happy they came to fruition as it is a new pattern and I did not want a mess at the end seeing as it is going to one of my fave ladies. There will be more of these at some point. I posted the deets on Rav. I am getting so much better at doing that.


And in other news, since we are without an oven to do holiday baking in, which is usually furious and insane in this house, well, ornaments are the name of the game this year. And the table has been filled with bits and paper, felt and pins, shiny sequins and scalloped ribbon all week. I have to say, I cannot claim these finished creations. Get this, they come from my brothers, Alon and Jon. Both have really taken to the creating of keepsakes for the tree and I am in awe of their stamina and inspired by their results. The ornaments are Alon's doing, he wanted to emulate my Mama's original and came up with a few beauties. There is a foam ball, hollowed a bit and wrapped with ribbon and embellished here and there. The picture in the center is a close up of pine needles from a live Christmas tree from years past, once planted in the yard but now felled and gone. But remembered here.


And the cards are all Jon's. He is a master with paper and imagination. He created the little creatures in there, they were meant to become embroidery patterns but Time has not allowed that to happen. Maybe next year, I will start this embroidery stuff in August. That way it gets done and we can share it round the crafting world.


Now, onto the weekend. Whirlwind cleaning in order tonight, husband's work party tomorrow (where extremely fine food and drink always abound) then onto our home celebration. I am excited and a little daunted by it all. I still have a few items to try to finish so I am writing it here to give me my 'list':

::Maine Morning Mitts in Kureyon
::Garter Mitts in Malabrigo
::Robots to be stuffed and embellished
::Lumpia to be prepped and stored
::Maybe monkeys to be made, maybe not though.
::Photographs taken of all hand knits before wrapping, just so I know what I did.

Have a wonderful weekend filled with light and family, with your embrace of this holiday season and all things easy, good and full. Hugs, to all of you, my blog friends, wishing the best of the best as we plunge into the Season.

The Power of the List

The power of the list. There is a list over at Mighty Girl, one of my favorite click-to-get-through-quickly sites, (that girl does not mince words. Unlike me) It inspired me to start a few different practices.. I picked up a ridiculous package of paper products and it contained a pad for each month. I have taken to writing a weekly list on Sunday, just jotting a few things to accomplish each day, a few reminders re:work and play, and then on the back side a few recipe plans for dinner that week. People, it works like magic. I do everything on the list. Granted, I only write four to five things for each day, but they all happen. I am telling, you the Power of the List is extraordinary.

The satisfaction is pretty powerful too, the crossing out makes me feel like Superwoman.

I have always been a bit obsessed with paper and buttons and calenders. I use a chalk board at bedside to track the date (sometimes the month) and this new board to keep track of Christmas gifting.

My mom found the old cork board at a yard sale for 60 cents and I recovered it with a swatch of my cherished Heather Ross fabric, then whipped out a few of the cutest covered buttons, aesthetically pleasing and very helpful in keeping track of progress. Problem is I love the buttons so much I keep adding projects on to the the board. Just as an excuse to make more buttons Ack, stop.


And one last list. I wrote this up for the year 32 and I can say I have actually done a few of the things written there even though I only reviewed it a few weeks ago. I love that by writing it and putting it into the sphere of being, well, it just came to be. I think number 24 is a bit ambitious but it might actually happen before my next birthday. I really want to make it back to Holland soon to see my Opa, to let him see the boys, his first great grandchildren. He is too fragile to travel here, though there is a possibility he will make one more trip. I just think it would be really cool to bring the little ones to one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. Not cool, the ten hour plane ride. But we will conquer that when the time comes.

1. Make the Easy Lap Quilt from Angry Chicken's book using my Heather Ross fabric swatch.
2. Lose the 10 pounds I gained post-partum. Yep, gained. Starting WW on Monday with the sister, no time like the present
3. Do at least one headstand a day to receive the benefits of yogic inversions.
4. Travel with the boys to the place where we made them. Canada, that is, eh?
5. Snowboard on a fresh powder day on the slopes of Mammoth. So close I can taste it
6. Take very deep breathes when needing to renew my spirits.
7. Reinstate long daily walks with the boys.
8. Bring my reusable grocery bags to the store at least 95% of the time, and if I do not, insist on carrying items out without bags.
9. Help out another mama-of-multiples the way so many other mamas have helped me.
10. Use some yarn stash for unique and simple gifts for family/friends.
11. Stop thinking I can do it all, stop trying to justify not being able to.
12. Get a real haircut.
13. Eat more green food, try to get fresh juices into my daily regimen.
14. Assist Tim in making matching furniture for our bedroom.
15. Knit this sweater despite the fact that I live in a climate that will afford little wear.
16. Move to a climate where I can wear it (maybe). (The move, I mean).
17. Buy pants that fit correctly and get them tailored to the correct length if they do not.
18. Learn how to properly use my mother's my sewing machine.
19. Clean the floors of the house more often.
20. Write to my friends in NY and Ireland.
21. Start and finish reading a book.
22. Retain some information from said book after the completion of reading.
23. Go to Church to renew that feeling I once had as a child... that feeling of awe.
24. Visit my Opa in Holland with my husband and children.
25. Let go of wrecked nap times when they occur.
26. Send my parents on an all-expenses paid weekend away...or at least pay for their gas when they drive to see my other siblings. Well, I did let them go away, even though I did not pay for it.
27. Shoot the boys in a studio setting with black and white real film. Getting the SLR might strike this one.
29. Stop watching inane TV.
30. Maybe just stop watching TV altogether. Except Pushing Daisies and The Office.
31. Raise beautiful baby boys.
32. Kiss my love every single day and thank the Source for my life as it is and as it can be.

33 is to take the photo of the turkey like I said I would. Let's see the power of the list in action, huh?

And here is a gratuitous knitting shot because I love to knit. Even if it is crazy to start yet another fair isle (when it was supposed to be just a simple stripe) hat for Christmas gifting.

This is the Brooklyntweed's, I have started calling it the Green Light Special.

Want to join in the list fun? Go grab your paper (no Crackberries, folks, strike is not nearly as fun as crossing it out) and jot down a few things you need to do and one you want to do. And watch the magic happen.

Introducing : My first pattern

It is a little nerve wracking to jump into the world of pattern design after reading and befriending some of the most awesome knitter/designers out there. But here I go.

A little background on the pattern. A few months ago I went to Santa Barbara and found a lovely little yarn shop, they have an extensive supply of the Habu yarn line, including the Silk Wrapped stainless steel.

This threadlike yarn intrigued me and I bought a small cone, determined to find a use for it and not really sure what that use would be.

Well, a good sorting of my stash revealed a skein of lovely purple Calmer, almost an exact match in color. And from there I thought of combining the two, the Calmer’s softness and body with the structure the Habu would lend to the knitted fabric.

>

I found a stitch pattern in an old binder of knitting instructions and the result is what I have come to call the Swagged Cowl.

Yes, I have jumped on the cowl bandwagon, they are such useful and simple pieces to knit, a great way to show off a lovely stitch pattern and I think it an interesting yarn combination. I am not sure the Habu lends as much strength as I anticipated, but I do like the finished product.

The end result proved to be a useful and pretty cowl, quick to knit and great for a Christmas gift for those that actually need to wear the things due to inclement weather. The cowl is knit in the round, with a simple slip stitch pattern that I decided to stagger to create some visual interest. This is my first attempt at pattern writing and I would love any feedback, as long as it is nice, (be nice internets) and/or useful.

Without further ado I give you:

A Swagged Cowl

Materials:

= 1 Skein Rowan Calmer (493 Plum)
= 1 Cone Habu Silk wrapped stainless steel (Violet)
= 1 set Size 9 circular needles (16 or 20’)
= 1 Stitch Marker

Holding two yarns together throughout, cast on 100 stitches and join to knit in the round. Place marker to indicate beginning of round.

Beginning Border : Knit 4 rows Moss stitch

Row 1/3 : K1, P1 until last stitch
Row 2/4: P1, K1 until last stitch

Begin Pattern Rows: Pattern consists of six row repeat that is staggered.

Row 1-3: Knit all stitches
Row 4 : *Purl 2 stitches, Slip 3 stitches from left to right needle purlwise with yarn in
front*, repeat * to *until last stitch
Row 5 : Knit all stitches
Row 6 : Repeat Row 4

You will repeat these 6 rows to form the swagged part of the pattern. In order to create a staggered appearance to the swag, follow these directions:

= Once the first repeat is complete (i.e. first 6 rows of pattern):
-Knit Row 1 of next repeat. When you reach the stitch marker, remove it, knit 2 stitches and replace the marker. This is the new beginning of the round for the second repeat.

= Once second repeat is complete,
-Knit Row 1 of next repeat, when you are 2 stitches from marker, slip these 2 stitches off the left needle, remove marker, replace the 2 stitches to left needle, place marker, this is the new beginning of the round for the next repeat.

Alternate the above instructions until piece measures 6 inches from cast on edge.

End Border : Knit 4 rows in Moss stitch as for Beginning Border…or just proceed to next step if you want a rolled edge.

Cast off in purl (I just think this looks better). Wet block, then wear or gift.

I think it looks great with this accessory…a cute baby.

Many thanks to Jeanette, my sister in law/model…and you know the drill: copyright, yadda yadda, personal use, enjoy. Smiles. Now get back to your gift knitting.

ADD: Here is your Ravelry link if you want to queue it!

We have the Winners!

Wow! I want to say a huge thanks to all the readers who commented, both old and new ones. Let me tell you, one way to garner a whole bunch of comments is to do a giveaway. I loved reading your encouraging comments regarding the jewelry and felt bolstered to take a step forward, but I will get back to that.

So, we did it the old-fashioned way, with little paper bits rolled up tight and the winners are

Preeti

and

Pinku

It is awesome that I picked Kat because she is an Aussie living in Japan, and the necklaces were made in Oz, so, serendipity working in it's best form. And Preeti has a wonderful blog here, she is embarking on sock knitting, something we knitters all have to do at some point. I love that both of the winners are international and crafters and mamas. Once again, thanks for all the comments and interest.

Which brings me to the next point... I have gone and opened my own Etsy Shop.
You can find the remaining necklaces featured there, plus a few Box Bogs from an earlier post.


Apparently, things were a little slow at the craft fair this past weekend, which makes any of you out there winners if you would like to score a cute little bag.


I have been contemplating a shop for some time and I am glad it has come to be. I plan on stocking it with some of the different crafts I dabble in and will always let you know when there are "bits" to buy. Hope you enjoy items and buy, buy, buy. Smiles.

And if you have not had enough of the giveaways yet, go visit Jennifer at JCasa Handmade. She is a huge inspiration to me in the sewing category, really lovely patchwork items and quilts, lot of fun stuff for the little ones. Read about her giveaway and enter if you would like one of her precious handmades. This blogging/craft/mama thing has really opened my life in so many ways and just want to say thanks again.

Pinku and Preeti, I will contact you to get info as soon as I feed the yodeling twins and get another moment to sit at the comoputer. Smiles!

To Give is Divine :: The Giveaway

First I would like to say thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes and the encouraging comments regarding the crafts. I really appreciate all the folks who choose to visit and read, hence the following post.

There was a time in my life, in those dark age years before knitting, when I fancied myself a bit of a jewelry creator. I loved the art of taking wire and twisting and shaping to create links, of choosing precious stones and other bits, of making something. Creating via craft is a very obvious theme in my life, throughout my life. It helps me channel many different emotions and energies. This was one medium I loved for many years, but that fell to the side when fiber came into the picture.


A month ago or so, I was a bit surprised to find a tin of my old necklace creations during a clean out of the hole we call a master closet. Looking though them brought back the days when I made them. Most of the necklaces I found in that tin were made in Australia in 2004, during a long and lazy journey across half of that continent/country. I recall the places, the precision required, the joy in almost finishing one and starting the next. I am a believer that handmade items become imbued with the circumstances of their creation, so these are quite chock full of goodness.Long ago I put down the pliers, but the rediscovery of that time stamped in this way was nice.


I doubt I will pick up the tools anytime soon with my little banshees in the house so I want to give a few of these away as a thank you to my readers, all that stop by and see the latest craft or latest crazy thing that has happened round here. I would love to send out a special little package to two of my readers, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post before Tuesday, October 28, 9 p.m. PST.


A few things.
::All necklaces are made with genuine sterling silver wire and findings, semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls and one with a bit of wood bead I found in Australia.
::They are quite short (choker length) and a few might require a bit of lengthening using sterling silver chain not shown in the pictures.
::Thinking of posting the rest up to my Etsy shop after the giveaway. Any interest?


Again, this is a way to say thanks; for reading, commenting, supporting, befriending. It is such an adventure, to find a new pathway in life via a medium I never thought could connect us all like this. Now, leave a comment so I can put you in the drawing. I will report the winners on Wednesday.

The title of the post is not meant to imply that I am divine. Just that it feels so good to give. Last week saw a few brown packages into the US postal system, entrusted to make their way to two other countries. I felt all giddy when I sent them. Isn't giving fun?

KNits :: Onward Ho, Matey!

There has been scads of knitting and other crafting going on but I realized I have been a bit lax in reporting it here. I am so happy with the pace of my Christmas Knitting. I chose fairly small projects in order to make it a realistic goal to make something for each family member (and you know how many of those there are).

My latest FO is Skully, this great little beanie made for a great little boy.

The original pattern is this, very nice but I was worried it would be a little much for a young boy. I scoped through Ravelry and found this version and used the same idea. Basically, I kept the skull motif and the beginning border and then just went with a basic beanie recipe for the rest, using the decrease method from this hat. It turned out just as I had hoped. I love the fact that the skulls look a little evil, their grins just a tad bit manic, very appropriate to the season even if it will be stored until Christmas. The deets are on Rav, if you have not joined up yet, you must. It is such a valuable resource for any knitter, novice or expert. Oh, the other modification I did was a knitted in hem, the original pattern suggests I knit in the hem later, but I find it much simpler to do the hem as part of the pattern rather than go back.

And I loathe picking up stitches.

Have to give a few props to my baby brother.

He gamely modeled the hat this morning (a bit tight, he reported, which is good as this is for a smaller boy). He even liked it. Now that is a major accolade as he is a high school senior. Hmmm, might have to revise my Christmas gift for him and whip out another one of these.

(Close up of grinning Skull, very Nightmare Before Christmas, eh?)

And the Bandwagon is done and buttoned up and blocked and requiring a photo session, which will not happen this week as we are going to hit 95 degrees today (WTF?) It never fails, I finish a sweater and the thermometer skyrockets. maybe I should knit a bikini so we can see some snow. Hurump.

October Rocks

October is my favorite month of the year. It always has been. It holds my birthday, Halloween and the true turning of fall here in Southern California. Well not for the last few years. I recall Halloween with long sleeves on under my ballet costume. Now it is more like, "Just wear a bikini, it is so friggin' hot". I digress. Anyway, I love October and this year I am gearing up for it to be a great one. I am excited about the next few weeks for a variety of reasons. It has been crazy craft central round these parts, and though I feel a little bit scattered due to crafting in many different direction, I also feel really great about all the things I have my hands in right now.

Knitting wise there has been some interesting progress in the Christmas queue. This is where the brilliance of Ravelry comes in. I recalled Earthchick had posted about clogs once, and instead of having to sift through her archives, Rav allowed me to click through her projects and then see everyone else's. The pattern is interesting and quick.

I cast on and off in two days for the first clog. It is basically like a giant short row heel project and the directions, though a little confusing, are easily followed if you re-write them for whatever size you are knitting. I did the women's small. Can't you tell.

This is pre-felting, and it all looks a little bit wonky but I think the finished project will be cute and cozy.

I also found a purpose for my recent purchase of Habu stainless steel/silk.

I knew it would fit with something in the stash. This is one of the 'Exciting October' things. If it works out and the finish is as imagined, I might just have my first project to post to Ravelry and share around. So far I am loving the combination of yarns and the structure the Habu lends to the knitted fabric. The Habu blends into the thicker yarn to the point that it is almost indiscernible, but in the right light it catches and glimmers and looks lovely.

So, we will see. I am finding it a bit of slow going as I keep darting from one project to another, but it is a super simple concept and I hope to share it soon.

The February Lady sweater is still woefully short a sleeve. I cast off the first sleeve a few days ago and know I should just get to the second but I hat DPNs with a passion. I usually magic loop it, but have no size 8 needles long enough so DPNs it is.

I find it so fiddly and clicky and awkward. I will just shut up and cast on and get it done so I can move on, and maybe even wear it is the cool down comes that the inaccurate weathermen are predicting. This one is going to need a nice aggressive blocking to lengthen it a bit as I stopped a bit short in the body area. But I think it will bloom a bit due to the lace. Again, it is a we'll see.
Jeez, I need to limit my use of the words 'a bit' in my run on sentences. Yikes.

I am excited to say I will be participating in my first crafting fair. It is the Village Venture in Claremont (come out if you are near, it is October 25). Oddly enough, it will not be knitting, but sewing that I am going to be trying to push. Actually, I will not have to do much at all. My lovely friend Jess always has a booth and in the past made the coolest purses. For the last few years she has been pretty busy, so she sets up her booth with cool things she wants to sell, mostly stuff from around her place, a few purses, some knit scarves and whatever else she can get. And it sells. Wanna' know why? Because she is absolutely stunningly gorgeous with an unerring eye for presentation and people cannot resist going in and buying stuff. I think they are hoping some of her will rub off on them or something. And her purses also rock. So, we will see. If nothing sells, then I know I am a total bust. And if it does I just might have another little tutorial to share, of the needle and thread variety. Sorry, no photos yet.

And last but not least, I am putting together a little giveaway. Here is a peek.

I will have more information soon, but it is mainly just because. Because I love all you that read and I want to give you something. So stay tuned and come visit if you see a title that says, um, "giveaway" or something equally clever like that.

Now, off I go, this weekend is a huge one. BFFs getting married, Tim in it, I am her 'personal' photographer. It should all be very very nice.

Disqualified

So, I have disqualified myself from the Ravelympics. I am that one that they discovered doping before the Opening Ceremony.

I meant to swatch last night. Just to make sure I got gauge. I even put down the swatch and made a few stitch markers that the pattern called for. But I could not leave it. I am on Row 26 of a 68 row pattern. I just cannot stop. But I had to come here and confess.

I have a few excuses lined up to provide explanation. First, the yarn. Oh this yarn is a luxury, smooth and almost silky. Just about the nicest thing I have knit with in quite some time. Then there is the pattern' it is way too addictive. Little yarnover holes magically lining up, growing so quickly, pretty pretty pretty. Third, I have never been good with rules. Even ones I set arbitrarily on myself. I just cannot play along well.


The redeeming factor in this all is one I stated above. I am on Row 26 of 68 rows (minus an ending border). So I would have been through the piece before the Tuesday premiere of gymnastic competition. Not the best choice for a knit that was meant to challenge one to finish in 12 days...not if this one is going to take 3 or 4. I thought because it was lace and so very pretty in these pictures of Carrieoke on her wedding day, well, I just thought it would take a little bit more time.

Now, I gotta go. Finale of SYTYCD is on and my knitting is calling. There is a chance WEBS will deliver this by Monday and I could cast on for the most popular knit in the world. But, you know WEBS. If it does some I think that is the next project up. I think I will love the Cascade Venezia as much as the RCY.

Thanks for hearing my confession. Now, back to the knit.

Approach of the Olympics

So, I spoke of a fever of gifting giving/making. In said fever I forgot to take photographic evidence of one of the gifts. I am going to have to go mug the 8 year old sweetie that received a child sized version of the Charming Handbag in order to get a shot. Not really, but she is off to Hawaii this week, so pictures will wait.

What is up with my gifts jetting around the world (much more than I am)? Jealous. I do love the bag I assembled. It has a bit of sweet embroidery and is just the right size for a little bit of whatever an 8 year old would carry around. The best part was when she ran to her Mama and told her I had made her gift....from scratch. That is such a nice feeling.

The next gift for another little one, turning 2, is sitting in a state of almost finished-ness. An awesome sewing session while listening to Mason Jennings last night produced another kimono...this one for a girl. I love the sewing for girls. No pictures yet, but it will not escape the house without leaving an impression in my digital camera. Promise.

So what do I have some photos of, you might ask? Well, I have been gearing up to cast on for the Knitting Olympics. Yeah, I know, I am participating in an activity that can be seen as slightly crazy by any outside eye. But it is sooo exciting. To have the challenge and the possibility of Knitting Gold.

And it is the perfect way to justify all the hours of television I will be immersed in come 8-8-08. I actually am a little nervous as I have decided to try to accomplish completion in two events: one wedding shawl and one knitted cap (respectively for the bride and groom). This yarn is for Jared's Turn A Square hat.

Watch out, this girl thinks she can be all over the Games.

So, as practice for the non-stop knitting coming up, well, I had to cast on for a totally unrelated project. This bright little number is on its way to becoming another vest, heavily modified from the same Oz Vest pattern, using stash yarns. I am in love already.

The green yarn is from Sarah at Blue Garter, I won a prize from her last year and it languished in the stash, calling, but I could not find the right use. Debbie Bliss cotton cashmere, lovely stuff. The blue is leftover denim yarn. Methinks there may be some color bleeding with washing, so I just will not wash them. It is not like the boys are going to get them dirty or spill/wipe anything on them. Ever. I do have enough for two, so I plan on getting as far as possible and putting it down on Friday.

I am taking this opportunity to practice the jog-less jog that Jared recommends. It did not go so well initially. This may be in part because I am practicing the jog-less jog from memory, despite having the instructions on my laptop. I was knitting fiendishly during their nap today and felt I could not stop to look it up. Because who knows when one will wake and need me?

So, I tried this and that, left the wonky attempts and knit on, folks, power knit on. And, of course, they slept for three hours. I actually put down the knitting and went to eat. This never ever happens. So, I totally could have looked up the proper way. But at least I am getting practise. And no one really looks at seams except other knitters. So, I am not worried.

Anyway, back to the three hour nap. Yay for that. Except they woke up a bit happy for a spell, then not really very happy at all after a spell. My changeling children are going through something. With O I know it is his bottom molar. Macie...well, I think he is a bit wild. That is the best description I have for my brilliant and occasionally feral child. Who I think is teething again despite having all four molars in. (Gallic shoulder shrug). What are you gonna' do?

Knit. Knit, I say. And looks at some cute pictures of the boys at play with their awesome Humboldt Redwood Blocks.






And Macie in his waay too big Chuck Taylors that he would not take off.

I love these kids.


I almost forgot to mention. Tim and I are going to be away for a night this weekend. Off to Palm Desert with friends, sans babies. First time. Excited and a little nervous. And looking forward to knitting all Sunday morning.