Thoughts During Walks

A New Page

2010-06-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

After much consideration, I have decided to create a new blog. Thoughts During Walks has been a wonderful place for me to share my ideas and projects, what's going on with my family, keep up with friends, and make new ones.

Like me, Thoughts During Walks has evolved. It started as a crafting blog when Matthew was just a couple months old. Yes, I was busy with an infant, but I did have time to do quite a bit of crafting. Now, with two young children, I am busier than I thought I'd ever be! When I do have a couple moments to myself, I am often torn between reading, crafting, catching up on email, blogging, sleeping, and the list goes on. I have often felt pressure to create in order to have a subject for a post, which for me, is not a pressure that I like.

So, I started a new blog, one that I have been excited about and enjoy posting on. Contentedly Home will be in some ways much more personal, but in other ways not as personal as Thoughts During Walks has been. My focus will be on finding joys in the home, however small, and being at peace with this season of my life. There will be a spiritual aspect, and it will have more of a personal journaling feel. I will still blog about crafting, as it is something that is very important to me, but without the feeling of pressure. My children will still make their appearance at times, but far less often (mostly for security reasons).

Please join me in my new little space at www.contentedlyhome.blogspot.com! I cherish the friends I have made through this blog and hope to keep in touch. :)

Most sincerely,
Katie

I'm Back

2010-05-14T09:00:00.001-07:00

Sorry about that--I got a little freaked out by some weird comments and messages sent through my Barefoot Books account. My mind started racing about stalkers, etc., and all of the personal info that's on this site. So, I made it private.

Then I started thinking that what's done is done. My personal info has been up here for about three-and-a-half years now! I enjoy blogging and have made some good friends here in the virtual world. In the future, I'll probably be a little more careful about posting pictures of my kiddos, info about where I live, or my last name. I want to focus on my crafting, reading, gardening, and other hobbies that make me happy.

I hope that you all haven't given up on me and my little space here!

Again, sorry about the abrupt absence.

Warm regards,

Katie

Spring Crafting

2010-04-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that my crafting mojo is back! However, my usual antics of starting multiple projects at once and flitting from one project to another is also back. Ah well, that's just the way I am. As the summer approaches, and the thought of Pat being home full-time for three months comes with it, I am constantly adding on to my "to do" list. My greatest desire is to really make this house a home and add my personal "Katie" touch to each room with handmade items. There is also some dark paneling that really needs to be painted over! So, I see much painting, sewing of curtains, and quilting of wall hangings in my future!

There are also several birthdays coming up! Ben's is May 3rd (I can't believe how quickly this year has passed!), mine is May 7th, and Matthew's is June 4th. I purchased some "Very Hungry Caterpillar" material to make into wall hangings for Ben's room, plus have plans for birthday decorations and a birthday crown for each boy. My goal is to make a (simple!) quilt for Matthew for his birthday, but I don't want to get ahead of myself too much yet. :)

Several weeks ago I received boxes of back issues of quilting magazines, fabric, and miscellaneous patterns from my mother-in-laws collection. I have since spent the weekends going through and organizing it all. The following picture is what my corner of the office/hobby room looked like on Friday (I have since cleaned it up fearing my husband would divorce me):

In one of the boxes were many small fabric scraps. I couldn't bear to throw them out, so I started investigating Crazy Quilting. I am really enjoying the handwork involved, as well as the endless possibilities of patch placement and embroidery. Coincidentally, I went into our local quilt store on Friday and was told there is a Crazy Quilting class starting next Saturday. There was one more spot left, so I signed up right away--an early birthday present to myself! :)

(Aren't the little apples so sweet?)

I've also started an afghan that was meant to go to a very special person to celebrate his college graduation a year ago. Oops! Hopefully I'll finish it by Christmas...

Spring Break

2010-04-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

Last week we went on our first family-of-four trip to visit family in Tucson. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and it was great visiting with our loved ones. I'm also happy to report that we all survived twenty hours in the car together! We tried to time the longer drives during naps, stopped plenty of times, and enjoyed listening to sing-alongs and read-alouds (courtesy of Barefoot Books). It was fun to do something different and get out of town, but I always enjoy coming home.

Of course I took some projects along for the ride, but I honestly hardly did any handwork at all. I was afraid that I lost my crafting mojo until I started looking through some of my mother-in-law's back issues of quilting/crafting magazines (my husband rescued them from the house before my FIL threw them away). Even though the magazines are anywhere from ten to thirty years old, there are some things that are simply timeless. I've been especially inspired by the quilted wall hangings and table runners. Perhaps there is some sewing in my future...

Family pic in front of the Catalina's (Matt was having a bit of a rough time)

Ben had just stuck some wood chips in his mouth--the little stinker!

Matthew loved playing in his uncle's trailer. There were many tears when it was time to leave.

Spring?!

2010-03-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've been absent for a while! It seems like lately, after the boys have finally gone to bed, all I can do is stare at the computer and/or tv. Not much is going on upstairs. We have definitely been dealing with some sleep issues, and there have been a couple of personal issues I've been dealing with as well (nothing major, but my mind has just not been up for blogging).

The weather here has really been fluctuating. In one day it will snow several inches, melt a couple hours later, then the temperature will be in the 60s the next day. Ahh, spring in New Mexico! When it is nice, we've been trying to spend as much time as possible outside. Our daffodils are blooming, we pruned the fruit trees, and the grass is starting to slowly turn from brown to green. As I've mentioned before, this will be our first spring in this house. I'm excited to see what surprises will sprout in the coming months!

Today I sent out the package to my swap partner for the "Can't Wait 'til Spring!" exchange I hosted. I had a lot of fun putting the items together. The bag is a project I crocheted a while ago, but it went perfectly with the spring theme. I purchased the fabric charm pack at a local quilting store, and the book came from a local bookstore. I haven't read it, but it certainly looks interesting. I have already added it to my own reading list! I also included some all-natural diy spring cleaning recipes, as well as a couple of Burt's Bee's lip balms. I hope that my partner enjoys her package!

Let's see, I've also been bowling, experimenting with not wearing deodorant, planning our garden, reading Reading Lolita in Tehran for a book club, and trying to get organized for our first family-of-four vacation. We will be leaving for Tucson on Saturday for a five-day trip, so wish us luck! :)

I hope everyone is enjoying longer and warmer days!

Brotherly Love

2010-03-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

Having a new sibling can be difficult, and we've had our fair share of jealousy and issues associated with Ben's arrival. Looking back, at 23 months old, Matthew was still a baby himself when Ben was born. Recently I've really been enjoying watching Matthew and Ben come to terms with each other. I'm sure they'll always have their moments, but I can already see their relationship blossoming as they interact more and more.

Dress-up has been very popular around our house lately. Matthew likes to tell us that he's "getting pretty." The other evening my mother told him, "no, honey, you're handsome." Matthew's response: "no, I'm pretty." I have to say that my husband, as a very masculine, football coach, meat and potatoes kind of guy, is taking all of this rather well. :)

Ben is the third little boy to wear the hat in the following picture. This kind of hand-me-down truly warms my heart. It makes me smile to think of the heads it's been on.

Going Barefoot

2010-02-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

Three years ago (I can't believe how quickly time has passed!), when I was pregnant with Matthew, a parent of one of my students gifted me with the book, Welcome to the World. I have cherished it since, it is still on Matthew's bookshelf, and Matthew especially enjoyed discussing the pictures right around the time Ben was born. That was my first experience with Barefoot Books.

Several weeks ago we checked out some books at the county library, which is something the boys and I do just about every week. Because I have both boys with me and I don't want to drive the librarians too crazy, I often look up a subject in the card catalog, quickly find the call numbers and books, check them out, then read through them once we get home. Two weeks ago the subject we were interested in was "dinosaurs," and I ended up checking out I Dreamt I was a Dinosaur by Stella Blackstone. Matthew just loved it, and so did I. Being a crafty, fiber-loving person, I especially enjoyed the illustrations by Clare Beaton composed with felt, beads, ribbon and other embellishments. After reading it about ten times in a row to Matthew, I looked at the information at the back of the book and found that the publisher was Barefoot Books. The following information was also included:

"At Barefoot Books, we celebrate art and story with books that open the hearts and minds of children from all walks of life, inspiring them to read deeper, search further, and explore their own creative gifts. Taking our inspiration from many different cultures, we focus on themes that encourage independence of spirit, enthusiasm for learning, and acceptance of other traditions. Thoughtfully prepared by writers, artists and storytellers from all over the world, our products combine the best of the present with the best of the past to educate our children as the caretakers of tomorrow."

As a parent, former elementary-school teacher, and someone who just appreciates a high-quality book, I was intrigued. I started checking out more Barefoot Books from the public library and was met with literature and illustrations that met, if not exceeded, my expectations.

During this same time period Matthew and I discovered the you-tube video (the "watch our new video" button on the sidebar will take you there) for Driving My Tractor, another fun Barefoot Book ! You see, Matthew has an obsession (like many preschool-aged children) with trucks, trains, construction equipment and tractors. With our supervision, of course, we allow him to pick out you-tube videos of such transportation vehicles to watch. I ended up purchasing the book, with sing-along CD, for him and he just loves it!

After these numerous positive experiences with Barefoot Books, I decided to become a Barefoot Books Ambassador. I'm not one to jump into a business without looking at the details first, and after much scrutinizing, Barefoot Books looked like a perfect fit. I thought I'd post this here in blogland because, well, it's now a part of my life that I'd like to share. Plus, you never know who might be in the market for a great children's book!

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding Barefoot Books, whether it's about the products, my experiences, or becoming an Ambassador yourself. You may also check out My Marketplace, or click on any of the Barefoot Books buttons for more information on the books mentioned above, among many others. I am truly excited about this new journey in my life!

Thank you,
Katie

P.s. If you decide to become a member of the Barefoot Community (basically, providing your email address--but you can choose if you want to receive email from Barefoot Books or not), you will receive 20% off your first purchase.

Matches Made!

2010-02-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

I sent out emails to all exchange participants last night. Please let me know if you did not receive an email or if you have any questions. Participants names are in the sidebar with websites linked to their names. Have fun choosing items for your partner and participating in this exchange!

Warm regards,
Katie :)

"Can't Wait 'til Spring!" Exchange

2010-02-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

Edit: I'm going to add a two day extension to the sign-up! Please email me at katiebrousseau@yahoo.com by Tuesday, February 23 (midnight, mountain time). Thank you!

Yay! It looks like there's some interest in an exchange, so let's get it going!

1.) Please email me at with the following information by Sunday, February 21 (midnight, mountain time):
Name
Mailing Address

email address
website (if applicable)

interests/hobbies
favorite colors

2.) I will randomly assign recipients to each participant, and contact participants through email (hopefully by Monday evening). This is a SURPRISE exchange! You may check out the person's blog/website, etc. who you will be mailing a package to, but please don't reveal your identity until packages have reached their destinations!

3.) Please send your packages out by March 20 (the first day of Spring!). Prior to sending out your package, please take photos and share on your blog, if you have one. It will be be fun seeing what everyone is sending out!

This is a "Can't Wait 'til Spring!" exchange, so please include 3-5 cheerful, lift-your-spirit, Spring-themed items. I want this to be fun, not costly, so try to keep the TOTAL amount spent under $20 and get creative--handmade is always great!

Here are a few ideas:
bright-colored tote bag
fruity lip balm
light reading
journal
light-weight scarf
gardening accessories
found objects from nature
photographs/prints/stationary

If you have any other ideas, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. Also, feel free to contact me with any questions via my email or through comments.

Have fun,
Katie :)
P.s. I took the above picture yesterday while exploring our backyard with my boys. This will be our first spring in this house/yard, so I'm excited to see what bulbs have been planted. So many surprises await!

Exchange, anyone?

2010-02-16T11:13:00.000-08:00

Usually around this time of year I'm in need of a little pick-me-up. I know that spring is just around the corner, but realistically, we can still have snow through April here in northern New Mexico. Once, it even snowed on my birthday (May 7th)! So, I was wondering if anyone was up for an exchange? I was thinking that it could be a "Spring is Just Around the Corner" exchange with an emphasis on cheerful and spring-y items. Anyone game?

This and That

2010-02-11T18:41:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in my previous post, I have been working on a lot of different projects lately. I have been knitting and crocheting, of course, but I've also been enjoying sewing again. After much consideration I had decided to take my sewing machine in for a tune-up instead of purchasing a new one, and it was $70 very well spent! Now my thread isn't breaking every two inches, and my sewing machine and I are friends once again. It's not a fancy machine by any means, but it gets the job done, and it was my grandmother's so I like having it around for sentimental reasons as well.

First, I have a couple of birthday crowns I made for a first birthday (star crown) and second birthday (flower crown) birthday party we attended last weekend. Working with wool felt is so nice because fraying is not an issue and the fabric is nice and thick. I had purchased this felt many months ago from A Child's Dream Come True and have been very happy with it. I also enjoyed working on my embroidery and hand-sewing skills with these crowns. I see many more in my future!

I have several sketch books and journals I've been using lately and decided that they needed a special place of their own. I wanted a pencil holder/caddy that could house at least 24 colored pencils as well as my journals. I also wanted to use some of my Japanese fabric I purchased last year to add a little character. I am happy with the trifold design of this pencil/journal holder, but if I were to do it again I would make it a little bit smaller and add a top flap to ensure that none of the pencils fall out.

I've made it a goal of mine to focus on organizing our kitchen for the month of February. When we moved in last summer everything was put away very quickly, and now that we've been in this house for a good six months I'm starting to discover what works best for me in terms of organization. We have a little table for Matt next to the kitchen, but his art supplies have been constantly piling up on the kitchen counter. Thus, some wall pockets were in order to hold his supplies. He even picked out the fabric!

Finally, I wanted to draw attention to a great natural multi-purpose cleaner recipe found in the comments of the previous post. I'm excited to try it out! Thanks, BKD!

WIP Wednesday and One Small Change, February

2010-02-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

I've had a lot of this and that going on lately, and like my husband has pointed out several times, I often flit from one project to the another. Thus, Work-in-Progress Wednesdays! I've been working on this sweater (Ravelry link) from Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. I absolutely love the top-down, seamless construction, although I now have 270 stitches on my needles! It will all be work it in the end when I have minimal seaming. :) I've also been working on Valentine's Day presents, birthday presents, a pencil case, and wall pockets. Yes, flitting, from knitting to sewing to embroidery to crochet and back. Plus I bought an eight ounce bag of lavender from an Etsy seller the other day for no reason in particular. Hmm...any lavender ideas?

As discussed in this post, for the month of January my "one small change" was to routinely bake bread for my family instead of purchasing it at the store. This was a fairly successful endeavor, and I hope to bake more "from scratch" in the future. I also made some homemade yogurt and granola, which turned out well for the most part: the granola got burned but Matthew assured me that he still liked it. That's my boy.

For the month of February I've decided to take more steps towards green, diy, cleaning. I've dabbled in this, but the convenience of store-bought products typically gets the best of me. So, I've stocked up on baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, tea tree oil, and castile soap. I'm excited to feel like a scientist as I mix my concoctions. Hopefully I'll also be inspired to clean and tidy the house a bit more as well! :)

Craft Hope

2010-01-19T10:11:00.001-08:00

Like so many, I have been deeply saddened by the devastation in Haiti, and I have been searching for what I could do to help in my own, small way. The number of organizations and programs of outreach is truly amazing, whether it's a national or international organization, Facebook group, Ravelry charity group, or private organization. Last night while I was searching the internet for a worthy cause that felt "just right" for me, I came across the craftivist site, Craft Hope. There are several craftivist projects a year that the site focuses on, and right now the focus is Craft Hope for Haiti. Crafters/artists have donated their work to the Craft Hope Etsy Shop, and ALL proceeds will be going to Doctors Without Borders.

I wanted to get involved, so I have already made one purchase. I'm sure I'll make more, as there are so many beautiful pieces of work in the shop. What a great way to stock up on gifts, for yourself and others. One word of caution: if you see something you'd like, purchase it right away (I learned this the hard way); the listings are going fast! Another way I got involved was by donating the neck-warmer shown below. This is from a personal pattern I've been working on, and I used Rowan yarn's Lima. The yarn is absolutely beautiful with tons of depth and softness. It's actually corded instead of plied and is supposed to have memory (perfect for any project with texture) and resist pilling. The turn-around for project submissions is taking several days due to the generous amount of projects being donated, so this neck-warmer probably won't be in the shop until the weekend.

So, take a look around at the Craft Hope Etsy Shop, feel good about the purchases you make, and make a donation if you're so inclined (Craft Hope is receiving donations until tomorrow evening).

If there are any other great craftivist websites out there, I'd love to hear about them!

Monday

2010-01-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

After procrastinating for three weeks about switching over the email to our new computer, I finally did it today. It took about ten minutes. Why did I wait so long? Well, I was afraid of the hundreds of emails that were awaiting me there, and well, I'm a natural procrastinator. Lists, such as the one above, sometimes help since I like crossing out what I've accomplished. I guess I'm a visual learner.

My husband and I take turns sleeping in on the weekends. Typically, he gets to sleep in on Saturdays, and I get to on Sundays. Since today was a holiday and I got to sleep in yesterday, I got up with Ben at about 6:00am while Pat and Matthew were sound asleep in our bed. Although I love sleeping in, I also really cherish my early-morning time with Ben. He and I don't get to spend too much time together, "just the two of us." I enjoy watching him play, grow, and learn. And, of course, there's much cuddling going on as well! :) While holding Ben, coffee in hand (cream AND sugar, thank you!), I watched the changing of the sunrise. During the thirty seconds it took me to find my camera, it had already turned from pink to yellow. I thought it was definitely still worth a picture.

Christmas Knitting for Children

2010-01-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

My Christmas crafting has extended into January, but at least now I don't feel pressured by deadlines! :) Most of my gifts have been completed, but some still need to be delivered. Out of all the projects on today's post, only the robot was delivered by Christmas morning. This robot (from Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor) was Matthew's special Christmas gift from me. Several months ago he and Pat were looking through the book when Matt spotted the robot. From that day forward, just about every day, Matt informed me (and anyone who enquired) that Santa was bringing him a robot for Christmas. And, yes, Santa delivered. Actually, we told Matt that Mommy was going to make the robot, then give it to Santa to place in his stocking (after Mommy and Daddy let him in the front door since the whole chimney/fireplace thing was a little scary; also, I didn't want Santa to get all the credit!). The robot was knitted on size 2 needles, and I finished it at 11:00pm on Christmas Eve. It was all worth it when Matthew spotted it the next morning, let out a little gasp, and said, "thank you, Mommy!"

My first goal was to make two pairs of these cute little gator mitts. I actually have the green portion for two pairs completed, but only had the patience to actually finish one pair. Hey, at least I have a head-start for next year!

There are a couple special little girls in my life who were born at about the same time as Ben--one was born the next day and the other just five days later. Since there are many blues and greens in my house, I have to take advantage of knitting some girly-colored gifts. Both these hats were made using Bulky Cashmerino (Debbie Bliss), size 10 needles, and a personal pattern that I've been working on. I had fun working in some eyelets and picot edging, and further expanding the details of this pattern. I hope to have all the kinks out soon and share it here in my little space on the web.

Walking in Their Sleep

2010-01-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

This afternoon after lunch Matthew broke Ben's crib by jumping in it. This made nap-time a bit more difficult than usual, and I really didn't want Matt to watch any more TV (he's on a big Caillou kick right now). So, I got the stroller and the Ergo out, and we went for a walk. Both boys fell asleep after about ten minutes. Unfortunately, goat heads knocked the wind out of my sails, er, tires, before I could get too far. My arms got a workout, though, trying to balance the stroller with a flat on one side!
(Those of you from White Rock/Los Alamos, can you guess where the above picture was taken?)

Amazingly, I was able to get Ben in our bed without waking him up (thanks for the tip, Britton!) :)

Plenty of crafting has been going on here, but there are some finishing touches that need to be made before any pictures are posted...

One Small Change, January: Baking Bread

2010-01-08T17:48:00.000-08:00

I signed up for the One Small Change challenge over at Hip Mountain Mama to help me with my New Year's resolutions. Here is an excerpt from the site:
"We want to challenge each of you to make 1 change each month leading up to Earth Day (April 22, 2010). It can be small or it can be huge, but all we ask is that you decide on something you will do to make a positive green impact and follow through with it. If everyone makes 4 changes between January and April, this can have a huge effect."
The resolutions that have been on my mind the past weeks are all "green" and will hopefully help me express myself creatively, have a peaceful effect in my home, and improve my family's overall health. I also liked that the challenge involved focusing on one resolution per month, so as not to be overwhelming. Head on over and check it out--it's never too late to sign up!

My resolution for January is to bake bread on a weekly basis. My Aunt Nancy taught me how to make her fabulous high-altitude whole-wheat bread many years ago, and although I've made it many times, it's never been on a very consistent basis. I would really like for that to change. It's not a very difficult task; it just takes a little time. Plus, it's very therapeutic punching my fist into the dough when I knead it! :)

Of course, Matthew loves helping his mama bake. Right now I measure, and he pours. The teacher in me is looking forward to lessons on fractions and conversions in the future! Seriously, studies have shown that children entering grade-school today have less knowledge about fractions than previous generations due to the lack of hands-on learning in the home...Anyway, it's a quality activity for Matt and I to do together when Ben is taking his morning nap. Plus, the house smells wonderful as the dough rises and bakes!

It's a good thing this bread is just for our family, considering that Matthew licked it! I guess it serves me right for getting preoccupied behind the camera. Matt is such a boy; it cracks me up: he calls my kitchen utensils "Mama's tools," and when Pat gets any of them out of the drawer, Matt says, "no, Papa Bear, those Mama's tools!" When we were making the bread he pulled a cork screw out of Mama's tool drawer, told me it was a jackhammer, and began using it on the dough! Ah, life with little boys (and big boys!)...

(Matthew really does call his father "Papa Bear." I can't remember how it started, but it's so cute!)

Thoughts During Walks Revisited

2010-01-01T14:47:00.000-08:00

I created this blog nearly two-and-a-half years ago when Matthew was just a couple of months old. At the time we were going on VERY LONG walks, as it was just about the only way for him to get in a good nap. I would seriously walk around our neighborhood for one to two hours at a time! His napping got better, the weather got cooler, but we still got our walks in just about every day until I became pregnant with Ben. By then Matt was getting pretty big for the Ergo (plus it got difficult to carry him with my pregnant belly!), and he refused to sit for any length of time in his stroller. Also, I have to admit, I got a bit lazy.

So, I've been thinking about changing my blog's name. I've been going back and forth about this decision, and I'm glad I've decided to wait. The boys and I are getting out more now, and I'm enjoying my walks once again. This afternoon we went out for about an hour. Matt was in the stroller and Ben was in the Ergo. By the time I got home, both boys were asleep. Ben's now up and exploring our office while I type this, and Matt is still in the stroller (in the house). How I love not having twenty steps to climb before reaching our front door!

It's been cold here the past few weeks, and the snow from before Christmas is still on the ground. Typically, it melts soon after it has fallen due to our brights sunshine and fairly warm temps. I love the smell of fireplace smoke in the air, and there were tons of birds out looking for food (note to self: pick up a bird watching guide at the library!). My thoughts today were on my own past and how much I've come full circle: we walked passed a couple of ex-boyfriends' homes, the pool where I lifeguarded in the summers, a friend's house who passed away when we were eighteen. How things have changed: now I have two babes, a husband, a house, four pets, and a lot of history!

Now, I don't necessarily want to make "walking more" a resolution, but it is something that is being more and more incorporated into my life again. It makes me feel good, helps my boys rest, and helps me to gather my thoughts and have increased motivation. So...perhaps it is a New Year's resolution, then. I just don't want to jinx it!

On to crafting--
After seeing Ellie's great thermal cowl, I knew I wanted to make it. I even had the yarn the pattern called for in my stash. All the ribbing did take longer than I expected, so I was only able to make one before Christmas for a friend. I would like to make more, but I just need to remember to allow myself more time!

Several of my friends received these sweet crocheted caps. I found the pattern in the Winter 2007 Knit Simple magazine I had stashed away on my shelf. It was fun to do some crochet after weeks of working on the knitted Christmas stockings for the Advent calendar. I already have yarn picked out for a crocheted cap for myself!

I have many more resolutions, or perhaps I should call them "goals" or "ideas" for 2010, so there's much more to come! What are your New Year's goals? :)

Christmas

2009-12-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

A very merry, belated Christmas to all! I've been so busy taking care of things here at home that I thought that I'd be completely out of the loop in the blogging world. It looks, however, like everyone has been taking a little time out from blogging as I have (and as it should be during the holidays).

I have many projects to post about in the coming weeks, but right now I'm letting the dust settle a bit. We've had several weeks of illnesses and late nights crafting, so right now I'm just trying to take it easy. I just wanted to be sure to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Blessings,
Katie

Mini-stocking Advent Calendar

2009-12-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

Last night I finally finished my last Advent calendar stocking. This has sure been a labor of love, and I'm happy to finally have it up! We awoke to snow this morning, and since the high temp today was 27 degrees F, the boys and I spent a lot of time inside. Matthew enjoyed helping me hang the stockings up, but I did shoo him outside for a little while to enjoy the snow while it lasted.

Advent Calendar Notes:
I used this miniature stocking pattern for all of the stockings. It was a great way to use up yarn from my stash since the pattern called for worsted weight yarn. It was fun for me to remember back to the projects I used each skein for before it became a "leftover." It was also interesting for me to find patterns in my color tastes: lots of jewel tones, as well as Christmas colors from last year's projects. Since I'm just not that much of a random person, there was some order to my stocking knitting: I made six variegated, six two-toned, six striped, and six solid-colored stockings. I ended up attaching them to a wide ribbon using buttons and ribbon attached to each stocking.

I'm fairly happy with how it all turned out, but I already know the improvements I want to make for next year. No, I'm not going to re-knit all twenty-four stockings, but I do want to find a more substantial ribbon to attach the buttons to. The ribbon I bought turned out to be very flimsy. I think that a velvet ribbon would add a bit more weight, or I may even sew a long, lined piece of holiday fabric. Also, I accidentally sewed twenty-three buttons on instead of twenty-four. Oops!

Thanksgiving Bread Basket

2009-11-27T18:10:00.000-08:00

Two days ago I used my sewing machine for the first time since our move.

I started this little project about two years ago after seeing Keri's (from Knitty Gritty Thoughts) European-style bread basket. She even had a tutorial with a sew-along, but I eventually got side-tracked with my Christmas knitting. The night before Thanksgiving I pulled out my sewing machine from the garage and finally sewed on the binding. Actually, I didn't finish sewing on the binding until the next day because my thread kept getting tangled and breaking. This is a constant problem, so now I know what I'll be asking for for Christmas (or perhaps my birthday). :) I finished hand-sewing the binding about half an hour before going to my aunt's house. I had pretty simple dishes to bring (thanks, Aunt Nancy!), so I enjoyed making this little extra to go along with my rolls and salad.

My focus for the rest of the weekend is finishing my mini-stockings for an Advent calendar. Thirteen down, eleven to go...

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I certainly have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my family, my extended family, and the multiple generations that were able to gather today. Both my boys have been able to spend much time with my grandfather, and I know that is truly a gift and something to be cherished. Ben resembles Pat's side a lot more than mine, so I especially love that in the picture of him and his great-grandfather the similarity between the chin dimples is uncanny. :) Matthew spent much of the afternoon playing with my cousin's (who is now nineteen!) train set. We had made Thanksgiving cards a couple days ago, and he really enjoyed passing those out.

I am thankful we were able to make it to my aunt's house in the first place. We've been battling numerous illnesses here, and Ben still isn't quite himself. I can tell that I'm flirting with something but am doing my best to rest and relax. You definitely won't find me doing the "Black Friday" thing tomorrow. At four in the morning I'll (hopefully!) be nice and toasty in my bed (along with both kids and a couple of cats thrown in!)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Some Thoughts

2009-11-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I attended a memorial service for a former student of mine. I had attended services of parents of students, but never a student. My heart is heavy as I grieve for this sweet, charismatic, friendly, and always smiling seventh-grader. I often go back and forth in regards to my teaching career: do I want to go back to teaching? Do I want to stay in elementary or pursue a licensure in special education? Do I want to go down a completely different career path altogether? I still don't know the answers to these questions, but what I do know is that I was blessed by so many children in just three years of teaching. I hope that, in my own way, I added something positive to each one of their lives as well.

Right now I'm focusing on my boys and being the best mother I can be. When a tragedy occurs it is natural to hug your loved ones a little tighter, give more kisses and say more "I love yous." That is what I'm doing, and I'm extremely thankful for this time I have with my children.

I want to use this opportunity to discuss something deeply personal. On this little space, I often showcase my crafts, the positive aspects of my life, and the special moments I have with my family. I do not, however, want to paint the picture that my life is perfect. I was diagnosed with post-partum depression a couple of months ago. It was difficult for me to admit that I needed help, and I constantly felt like a terrible mother. When I ran into someone at the grocery store who said, "I bet you're a wonderful mother," I walked away feeling guilty and inadequate. I would read other crafting blogs and wonder how these other mothers seemed to have countless hours of crafting time, take beautiful pictures, homeschooled, etc. all while having more children than just my two. Something I once enjoyed doing (browsing crafting blogs) became a constant reminder of how I never seemed to measure up to my internal concept of the Perfect Mother.

After some urging from my own mother, I did end up seeking help and am on an antidepressant. My husband and I also both try to set time aside so that I can have time to create. Having a hobby like knitting has been very therapeutic for me. In her article in the summer issue of Living Crafts magazine Sonia Choquette wrote: "...a personal teacher of mine once suggested that the root of depression is that a person's creativity is blocked or shut down in some way so they are not doing what the soul needs most to do, which is to create."

I am not writing this for people to feel sorry for me. My hope is that someone may come across this post, read it, and understand that no one person, and no family, is perfect; it's healthy to seek professional help; it's important to find a creative outlet and somehow make time to create.

WIP: a Couple Days Late

2009-11-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

I've been plugging along on my Christmas knitting, or at least trying to anyway. We've had a bit of a rough week with crummy side-effects from vaccines, not much sleep, and a pretty full schedule. At the end of the day all I want to do is sleep, which is what I did last night. Usually, even if I'm tired, I try to spend some time crafting since it makes me feel good, but last night it was light's out at 8:30. Luckily, the boys were tired as well!

Back to the Christmas knitting: I found the pattern for the sweet little gnomes at the blog, Plain and Joyful Living (now added to my sidebar). They are knitted flat, but since the finishing is "sew as you go," it's really not that bad. They're addicting little guys. My first was the red gnome--can you tell? I made it to go in Ben's stocking along with the matching ball from my previous post. I'm definitely going to re-knit the hat, although it makes me smile looking at it (so maybe I won't re-knit it; I don't think Ben will mind).

After Matthew saw Ben's gnome he asked me to make one for him. He said he wanted it to be blue and was very insistent. We've been working on colors, so I pulled about five different colored skeins out and asked him to choose which one he wanted. He picked up the blue skein and said, "blue, Mama." Translated: "I said the blue one, Mom. Why do you keep asking me this?" I lovingly obliged and enjoyed giving it to him on a Saturday morning after he woke up.

Below is a pair of Later Gator Mitts I've been working on. They're from Stitch and Bitch Nation, a book I've had for years now yet have never made a project from (it's a bit too trendy for me). I think that Matthew will enjoy having a pair of these mitts and am even making a pair for one of his friends. Another good thing: I'm using yarn from my stash.

I've been learning some difficult lessons about taking care of my knitted projects. Last spring when I was VERY pregnant I didn't take the time to wash and store my garments/accessories properly. Now I'm paying for it. I'm finding evidence of moths everywhere and am having to wash and mend numerous pieces. My finished Wisp is another example of not taking care of my knitting. I finished it shortly after Ben was born and kept it in my knitting basket until a couple of days ago when I finally got around to blocking it. Sadly, I found a couple of huge holes right in the middle. I haven't found any evidence of moths, so I think that a pair of scissors got it. I took it to my LYS yesterday and got some good suggestions on how to fix it. So, here is another WIP: mending my knits and learning from my mistakes!

WIP Wednesday: Baby's First Ball

2009-11-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

Football season is now finished for the Hilltoppers, and although I always want them to do well, I'm happy to have my husband back. The team finished with a record of 4-6, so I guess that it was considered a "growing season."

We spent this Veteran's Day basically relaxing at home. I've been trying to organize all of the boys' clothes, and Pat tried to go through the huge wood pile that the previous owners left behind. Unfortunately about half of it is rotted, and there are plenty of spiders, mice, and other creatures making their homes in it. We hate to disturb them, but we also want that wood for the winter. Hopefully all the critters won't decide to move into our house!

This afternoon while Pat was tackling the wood pile, I pushed the boys in their swings while sneaking a couple stitches here and there. The yarn was stuffed into my vest pocket along with the project when I wasn't working on it. I'm just about done with Baby's First Ball except for the sewing and felting. This will be a stocking stuffer for Ben, and I may even make a few more. It's very satisfying starting and finishing the knitting for a project all in one day.

(After I took this picture I noticed that Benny lost a booty--oops!)

Another WIP for me right now is creating a pilot cap with bulky weight yarn. I've made one each for Ben and Matthew and hope to have a (free) pattern up soon. I just need to double-check my pattern notes first so that it's an easy pattern to follow. I know what I want to say and do, but I can't assume that others know that as well, you know what I mean? :)

Shawl Collared Jacket

2009-11-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in my previous post, this sweater has been a work-in-progress for about three years now. I am so relieved to finally have it finished! Seaming it up and sewing on the buttons really wasn't that difficult; I have no idea why I didn't do it earlier. Maybe a psychiatrist could figure that one out. Anyway, the pattern is the Shawl Collared Jacket from Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss. After looking at the Ravelry page, I noticed that there is errata available, but I can't remember having any difficulties with the pattern. I used Debbie Bliss Merino Aran for the yarn and really enjoyed working with it. It's so soft and doesn't seem to bother Ben at all. I used the Kiddie Cadet pattern for the matching hat and am really happy with the results.

Ben was very fascinated with the grass during this photo shoot, so it was difficult to get any good shots of him looking up. Of course, I also had to put down the camera a number of times to pull grass and leaves out of his mouth!

WIP III: The Three-Year Sweater

2009-11-04T18:26:00.000-08:00

Why is it that adding those last few finishing touches to a project can take the longest? I am ashamed to admit that I started this sweater when I was pregnant with MATTHEW. I even finished all of the knitting, including the collar. All I had to do was seam it up. Well, I finally finished seaming it yesterday! Now I still need to add the buttons and add a brim to the matching cap. Then Ben will be ready to go...for a few months anyway, until he outgrows it.

Halloween

2009-11-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

We had a day of family togetherness, pumpkin carving, eating sweet potatoes (some a little more pureed than others) watching geese migrate (don't you wonder where they're coming from and where they're going?), and of course, trick-or-treating. Although, someone only made it to Grandma and Grandpa's house...

WIP Wednesday II

2009-10-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

We've had a couple of cold, wet days this week. I took this picture at about 7:30 am on Monday morning. Matthew was so excited to play in the snow, but I found him outside crying after about ten minutes because his hands were so cold (he refused to wear his mittens). Poor little guy. It was, however, a good lesson about why it's important to wear warm clothing when it's cold out.

Due to the cloudy day, I wasn't able to get good lighting for today's work-in-progress photo. I am proud to say that I've been working on at least one of my Christmas goals: a mini-stocking Advent calendar. Unfortunately, I can't find two of the stockings. Hopefully they'll reappear as we continue unpacking.

Before I had kids I absolutely loved rainy, snowy, cloudy, and/or cold days. I would curl up with a blanket on the sofa, watch movies, knit or crochet, and drink tea or occasionally hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. Post-kids, however, it's a little more difficult to do any of the above (especially the peppermint schnapps bit!) I'm fine with Matt going out in the cold, even encourage it, but he's not always willing. He'd love to sit on the sofa and watch a movie as well, but there's only so much tv I'm going to let him watch. So, after a major tantrum because I turned off the tv, he finally settled for some play dough. I gave him the "man," he found the clothes pin in the laundry room, and behold: his very own forklift. He was very proud of his creation!

Some Wee Projects

2009-10-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

While I have a couple more involved projects going (okay, more than a couple), sometimes I like to change things up with a little instant gratification in between. It helps to keep my crafting mojo going, if you know what I mean. :) Sometimes I also like to make something "just because," such as these little gnomes. They're currently on our nature table (when Matthew isn't catapulting them across the room or trying to shove them into a vehicle of some kind), and I found the idea at Wee Folk Art. It was fun for me to do some crafting other than knitting, and each gnome took about half an hour to make. I have plans to make many more of these wee folk.

This is my first pair of Toasty mitts from the popular Toast/Toasty pattern. I used some Noro Silk Garden that was in my stash and just love the way the colors turned out. These are for a friend who is going to be spending a couple of years in Nepal. I made her a pair of fingerless mitts when she was in Mongolia for two years with the Peace Corps, and she requested a second pair since the first were "loved to death." Of course, I happily obliged. And since my life isn't nearly as exciting as hers, I'm happy that at least my knitting can accompany her on her journeys.

Finally, a hat for the wee one. This pattern is from the Fall 2008 issue of Living Crafts Magazine. I honestly couldn't understand the directions too well, so I ended up doing my own thing. I'm happy with how it turned out and love how Ben looks like a little elf in it.

I hope everyone has a lovely fall weekend!

Work-in-Progress Wednesdays

2009-10-21T18:39:00.000-07:00

One day a while back, on some blog I found that I can't remember the name of anymore, I saw a post titled, "Work-in-Progress Wednesday." In the hopes of trying to have posts up on a more regular basis, I'm going to adopt the idea of showing what I'm working on each Wednesday. I don't usually have a completed project, but I always have something in the works (usually multiple things!).

One of my current projects is the Simple but Effective Shawl. This one is for me with hand-dyed, hand-spun yarn I picked up at the Taos Wool and Yarn Festival. It is a bulky weight and is so soft and cozy. I can't wait to cuddle up in it!

Christmas Goals

2009-10-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I already have a whole list of Christmas crafts running through my head and thought I'd better try to organize them somehow. What better way than on my blog--where at least I can be held somewhat accountable? You all will keep me in line when I put aside my (unfinished) Christmas knitting on December 20th to cast on for a new shawl for myself, right? Right. So, here are my goals so far:

Mini-stocking Advent Calendar: I started this with the hope of finishing for Christmas 2007. Well, two years have passed, and I only have four stockings. They are really quick to knit up, and I have tons of worsted weight yarn in my stash. Matthew's now at an age where he'd really have fun with this. Four down, twenty to go!

Sweater for Matthew: When I saw this Digger Sweater (Ravelry link), I knew I had to make it for Matthew. I even bought the book just for this pattern. (I haven't made anything from it yet, but Lucinda Guy's Handknits for Kids has such adorable designs. I especially like that the number of boy vs girl knits are just about equal; so many books are much more geared towards little girls!)

Sweater for Ben: I still haven't quite decided but really like this cabled sweater (another Ravelry link) from Knitting for Baby.

Stocking for Ben: a must!

Cabled Wrap: This is a design idea I have and want to try out. The recipient shall remain nameless since I want it to be a surprise!

Simple but Effective Shawl (fingering weight) or Silk Kerchief: for another mystery recipient. This is actually for a birthday present, but I thought that I might as well include it in my goals while I'm at it.

This is enough knitting for now, but there are several other smaller projects I'm interested in: hats, toys, and fingerless knits to name a few. Wish me luck and good luck on all of your Christmas goals!

Colonnade

2009-10-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

I finished Colonnade about a week ago, but I was waiting to post pictures until I found the *perfect* button. And I found it on Sunday at the Taos Wool and Yarn Festival in Taos, New Mexico. Coincidentally, the booth was titled, "The Perfect Button." I am very excited about this shawl (and the button)! The minute I saw it up on Knitty I knew I had to make it--and right away! The grey yarn is Swish worsted from Knit Picks, and the blue is actually a merino/silk blend that I picked up at the Taos Wool Festival last year. Both yarns are worsted-weight, so they came out at a smaller gauge than the pattern called for, but I think that they worked out well. I wore my Colonnade to our local farmer's market today, and it kept me warm in the cloudy and misty weather. Ben enjoyed putting his fingers through the lace bit of it while I was carrying him in the Ergo.

(I wish I had better pictures, but by the time my husband gets home from work it is already dark out, and I didn't want to wait until the weekend to take pics).

The perfect button:

My only yarn purchase at the festival--a hand dyed, handspun wool/alpaca/mohair blend in bulky weight. I'm planning on using this for another cozy shawl.

What has been on your needles and hooks lately?

Chromium Star Blanket

2009-09-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

This Chromium Star Blanket has already been gifted to a friend, but I'm planning on making another for Ben for Christmas. It was fun to crochet, but my wrist sure got worn out from all of the double-crochet! I was also reminded of why I'm a yarn snob and don't like acrylic yarn: the Vanna's Choice came in great colors, but was super scratchy and squeaky. I'm planning on making Ben's in wool.

I hope everyone's having a great weekend (I'm furiously working on a knitting project that will hopefully be up soon)!

Autumn Exchange

2009-09-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have completed my knitting for the Season's Round Autumn Exchange and have had lots of fun putting it all together. The exchange is for a fall nature table, must contain at least one handmade item and all items must be made of all-natural materials. We haven't had a nature table in our home before, so I thought that this would be a great way to start.

I knitted the pumpkin using this free pattern from Knitty, and the leaves were knit using a pattern from the Fall 2008 issue of Living Crafts. Both the pumpkin and the leaves were fulled in the washing machine, and I needle-felted some extra details onto the leaves. I enjoyed both patterns, as well as the finished results, but the pumpkin did take A LOT of seaming. Next time (and there will be a next time since I want to make one for myself!) I'll try knitting it in the round.

The play silk and snail were both purchased from the etsy shop, Syrendell.

Fall is my favorite season, and I'm excited to create our first nature table, knit up some cozy hats and other accessories, enjoy hot cups of tea, and play in the leaves with my boys. Today we're getting a taste of cooler weather as it's been rainy, cloudy, and in the low-60's. I love it!

Unfinished Business

2009-08-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to knit a little each day, even if it's just for a couple minutes. I love my boys, but I often feel like I'm running ragged, and for me, crafting is a quick pick-me-up. Sometimes when both boys are entertaining themselves (especially if they're outside), some mindless garter stitch is in order. Late at night, after the boys have gone to sleep and I'm not too tired, I'm able to work on something that requires more concentration. It will probably be a while until I'm able to actually finish a project, so I thought I'd share what I'm working on in the meantime.

First, my mindless knitting project: the Moderne Log Cabin blanket from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I have tons of stashed yarn that I'm using for this project, and I'm planning on using all warm colors. It will eventually end up on the sofa in our more formal living room (now we have a living room AND a family room--I feel so spoiled!) This project contains miles and miles of garter stitch, so I know that it will take me quite a while. That's ok, though, we're planning on staying in this house for many years. :)

I'm currently a part of the Seasons Round Fall Nature Table Swap. I can't get too specific about the next project in case my partner is reading, but here are the pieces (can you guess what it will be?):

And finally, my little Sheldon. I've been wanting to make one for quite some time now, and started shortly after Ben was born. This was supposed to be my trial, and I have yarn for two more for the boys, but the way things are going who knows when I'll have the time to finish three! Right now I'm waiting on getting some safety eyes before I finish the body. It's a fun little knit; it takes some concentration but isn't too difficult.

I have MANY more projects in my queue, but that's for another post...

Have a great weekend!

Backyard Fun

2009-08-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

One of the things that really drew us to this house was the backyard. It's about twice the size of our previous yard, has fruit trees, pinon trees, a space for a garden, raspberries, a sandbox, and a nice grassy area. We have been spending a lot of time in the yard, especially now that Pat is back to teaching and coaching. Yesterday I filled the turtle (what we used for a sandbox at the old house) with water, and Matthew amused himself for close to an hour. He just loved it! Ben and I stayed in the shade having tummy time and knitting (guess who did what).

Now that we've settled in a bit, I decided to get out the cloth diapers. Right now I'm using a combination of pockets, prefolds and fitteds. I just love these fitteds that I ordered before Ben was born. They are soft and absorbent, and I highly recommend them! Matthew was in cloth diapers exclusively for about 6 months, then he started getting awful rashes. Now, looking back, I'm pretty sure that it was due to the polyester in the diapers trapping in the detergent. Needless to say, we're not using those diapers anymore, and so far, so good.
...

When it Rains, it Pours...or Hails!

2009-08-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the absence of late, but it has been an incredibly busy summer! We moved into our new home about three weeks ago and are still in the process of unpacking. Pat started back at school today (and football two-a-days started Monday), so now finishing the unpacking will be a very slow process. We've also been fixing up our previous home to get it ready for renters. Luckily we did find tenants already, which is a huge relief! Pat's father had minor surgery the day before we moved and is thankfully doing well.

We also had some major clean-up to take care of after a HUGE hailstorm about 6 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I was driving when it happened, which was very frightening. When I heard the first BAM! I seriously thought that a baseball had hit my car. But then they just kept on coming. Luckily I was the only one in the car, so after I parked I squeezed myself in between the carseats in the back. I really thought that my windshieds were going to break. They didn't, but others weren't so fortunate. It lasted a good 15 minutes and left a lot of damage all over Los Alamos.

This first pic was taken during the storm from the inside of my car (I don't usually have my camera in the car, but for some reason I did that day:

Here's an example of the type of hail I'm writing about. This wasn't even one of the largest:

Our backyard after the storm:
And the damage done to my poor Subaru Forester (the estimate came to $7000!) :(

Now that we're starting to get settled in and Pat's back at school, hopefully I'll start to get into some daily routine with the boys. Hopefully that will help facilitate more time here on Blogger (and more time knitting, crocheting, sewing, and pursuing other crafts!)

Are we crazy?!

2009-06-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well, we must be a little crazy. We have decided to move while still adjusting to life with a two-year old and a seven-week old. I am excited, and the house is perfect for us, but we do have our work cut out for us in the next month. The new house actually isn't too much bigger than our current home (a 1950s government-built duplex), but it's on one level, has two bathrooms and a garage. These were all "musts" for me while looking for a new house. Luckily, I did quite a bit of downsizing and reorganizing before Ben was born, but there is still tons more to do. Not to mention all the packing. I am very fortunate to have my parents in town, and they've already been a huge help. I know that the boys will spend more and more time with them as moving day approaches. Wish me luck!

Matthew has been obsessed with builders, construction, tools, and construction vehicles lately. We gave him a tool set for his birthday, which he plays with daily. Of course, none of the tools are as fun as Daddy's REAL tools. Matthew found one of Pat's old hard hats in the shed the other day, and now it goes everywhere with him. It's way too big, though, so he has to hold it up with one hand and "fix" with the other. He's been such a good big brother and even shares his tools with Benjamin!

Benjamin is a very big boy--at his one month check-up he weighed in at 11 pounds, 13 ounces! He's now in size 6 month clothes. We love our big boy, but we do joke about him looking a little like Humpty-Dumpty. :)

The other night I FINALLY finished a knitting project, but it still needs to be blocked (it's a lace project, so the blocking is absolutely necessary this time). I also started a new project, but this one will take a while. Hopefully I'll be able to get the details/pictures of the projects up soon!

Two

2009-06-04T20:24:00.001-07:00

Happy birthday, little buddy.

First Day of School

2009-06-02T13:31:00.001-07:00

As a month has gone by since our Benjamin was born, I am just now finding time to sit down (without nursing), relax a little, and catch up on some of my more selfish activities like blogging, knitting, and reading.

Most of my days (and nights!) the past month have been filled with nursing children and trying to get them to sleep. Yes, I am tandem nursing right now, but that is a whole other post entirely... Anyway, besides those two activities I've been trying to keep myself fed, showered and rested. It's a mighty feat! I am thankful that I now have the experience to know that this period of sleep deprivation and all-day nursing doesn't last forever. Matthew has grown into a toddler so quickly that I have a daily reminder of how time flies. Despite the difficulties of having a two-year old and a one-month old, I'm trying to cherish each moment.

Today (Tuesday) Matthew started preschool, and I tried my best not to get teary-eyed. He enjoyed himself so much that I know it was the right decision. It's important for me that he gets out of the house, which is often difficult to do with Ben in tow right now, and has some of his own activities. It's only two mornings a week and is a small group, so I think that it will work out well. When he was at preschool this morning, Pat and I went out for breakfast together while Ben slept next to us the whole time. It was really nice having a little date with my husband! :)

Of course, I have to have some bragging pics of my boys. The pictures of Matthew are from this morning at his "First Day of School." (I'm becoming a very cheesy Mama...)

Introducing

2009-05-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

Benjamin Daniel
Born Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 5:00 am
8 pounds, 1.5 ounces; 19 inches long

We are enjoying the newest member of our family and already can't imagine life without him.

Knitting the Time Away

2009-05-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

What do you do while waiting anxiously for a baby to come? Knit a ton of bibs, of course! Actually, most of these will be gifts, but it has been a fun and calming process.

I have been wanting to make the Petal Bibs from One Skein for quite some time now, but most of my friends/family have been having boys. Finally some little girls are on the way, so I ordered some Knit Picks Cotlin and got started. I ended up knitting three, but my first had so many mistakes that it won't be gifted. I learned quite a bit, though, about short rows, applying an i-cord, and being sure to check my gauge. I knit the first on size 6 needles, and it turned out WAY too big and floppy. The two pictured were knit on size 4 needles, and they're just perfect. The pattern is such a great design, and I will be sure to make more of these in the future.

A couple of weeks ago, when I was thinking that our little one was going to come any day, I started looking for patterns that would be very simple knits. I settled on the Baby Bib O' Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting, but made up my own pattern since I didn't have the book. I used Rowan Handknit Cotton DK, which is a lighter weight yarn than the yarn used in the pattern. The size of these bibs are more appropriate for an infant, and the original Bib O' Love is sized more for a toddler. I also wanted the strap to be adjustable, so here is what I did:
CO 33 stitches
Knit in garter until desired length was reached
WS: knit 7 sts, put on holder. Bind off 19 sts. Work the next 7 stitches in garter for about an inch. Bind off on wrong side.
Reconnect yarn to 7 sts that were on the holder and work for 23 garter RIDGES.
*Buttonhole row (RS): knit 2, knit 2 together, yarnover, knit 3
Work 3 Garter Ridges
Repeat from * 2 more times
Bind off on the WS
Weave in ends and add a button to the "short" strap side

This was also a learning experience for me, and I made improvements on each bib. Although the design is not my own, I enjoyed making adjustments to fit my needs.

So, what now? I've picked up my Wisp that's been hibernating since last summer, and I've also started a blanket for the Linus Project. I checked out some movies at the library today, and the newest issue of Mothering Magazine came in the mail. I am planning on relaxing this weekend and, most importantly, I am at peace with the fact that this little one will come on his own time, even if that means past his due date.

Update

2009-04-25T13:42:00.001-07:00

In a nutshell: I'm still pregnant. Both my ultrasound and OB appointments went well on Thursday, so there wasn't any need to induce or have a c-section. Our little guy is quite big (they think about nine pounds!), but he's healthy and the placenta is still supporting him well. We have much to be thankful for. Having said that, I am READY to have him! It's been pretty tough here at the end carrying around nine pounds of baby, plus "high" levels of amniotic fluid, and running after a toddler. Since this will probably be the last time I'm pregnant (but never say never, right?), I'm trying to enjoy and cherish it, but again, I am READY for my sweet boy to come.

In Preparation

2009-04-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

I feel as if I'm now as prepared as I'm going to be for the *big* day that will hopefully arrive soon. All of our bags are packed, the house is at least semi-clean (thanks, Mom!), there are some frozen meals in the freezer, and I've finished the last of my baby knitting.

This afternoon I finally sewed the buttons on to the Harvey Kimono that I made for our new arrival. This is actually the second Harvey Kimono I've made (I made one for Matthew shortly after he was born), and even though all of the seaming is a beast, I just think that it's such a sweet pattern. I also love the yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery's Cotton Comfort. It is such a treat to knit with and the perfect yarn for baby garments. I highly recommend it! Underneath the sweater in the photo is a stroller quilt that my very talented friend made. I am very fortunate to have her in my life and be the recipient of such a sweet handmade quilt (thank you!).

A week and a half ago, during one of my ultrasounds, our little guy measured to weigh a little over eight pounds! I am thankful that he's a healthy size, but I have to admit that it scared me just a bit. I thought that for sure I would have had him by now, but here we are, still waiting. I have another ultrasound on Thursday and, based on that, my OB said that we'll "revisit our options." I am afraid that he'll push for either an induction or a c-section, neither of which we would like to do. Of course, we'll do what's best for the health of the baby and my own health, but we really have our hearts set on a natural birth. Please send prayers and thoughts our way for our little guy to come soon, preferably before Thursday. :)

Spring Break

2009-04-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple of weeks I have taken a little bit of a break from knitting and have worked on crochet instead. I wanted to make a little something to add to Matthew's Easter basket, and when I found the Birds of a Feather pattern, I knew it would be perfect. Plus, it's free! ;) I decided to do embroidery for the beak and eyes instead of felt or buttons/beads for safety reasons, but other than that, followed the pattern. I used Peaches & Creme for the yellow bird and Knit Picks' Main Line for the purple. If Matthew doesn't like them, then I'll just have to keep them for myself!

I also decided to make a little something for myself. :) I used the Raspberry and Lime purse pattern from Interweave Crochet Spring 2008. It was my first time working with tapestry crochet, and I was pleased with how it turned out. The tapestry crochet also gave the bag some sturdiness. For a decorative touch (and to cover up a little flaw!) I added a crocheted flower with a button center. Doesn't this bag just remind you of spring (which I hope will SOMEDAY come!)?

And finally, a pregnant belly! I am not sure that I'll last three and a half more weeks...(hopefully I'll clean my mirror during my "nesting" stage!)

Dough!

2009-03-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

I survived my weekend on my own and perhaps even planned a bit too much. We had so much going on Saturday that we didn't have much time for outside play--something that is a must with an almost-two-year-old boy. Right now it is snowing (and actually sticking!), and we've been having high winds all week. Typical New Mexico spring weather. So, I've been trying to come up with more inside activities, especially because I'd like to have a little arsenal handy for when little brother comes.

Last week we made play-dough using my favorite recipe:

4 cups flour
2 cups salt
4 T cream of tartar
2 T vegetable oil
4 cups water (with food coloring added, if desired)
Mix together and stir over low heat until dough is stiff. Turn over on counter, let cool and knead. Store in an air-tight container.

This recipe keeps very well, although I have heard suggestions of keeping it in the fridge (we haven't, and it's been fine). I like the feel of it so much more than store-bought play-dough, plus I know the ingredients that went into it. Yup, I have a play-dough eater!

I have enjoyed searching the internet lately for activities to do with toddlers. Although I was an elementary teacher, I never took any early childhood classes. I am sure learning a lot now, though! Having a child is definitely the most hands-on, rewarding, practical, and difficult course I've ever had! Anyway, here are just a few of the websites/blogs I've come across:

The Toby Show (Click on the "Cheap and Easy" button)
Chasing Cheerios
The Crafty Crow

I'm sure there are many more out there--please let me know if you have any recommendations!

Update: The snow mentioned above brought about six inches and a snow day--yay! Spring break starts Monday, so this year it's extra long. :) (I care because my husband's a teacher).

Vintage Dish Towel

2009-03-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

My husband is leaving tomorrow for the weekend to visit his sister and her family, as well as his mother, in Tucson. I've never been on my own for that long with Matthew before, so I'm a little nervous. Being 34 weeks pregnant doesn't help, either! I have several activities planned including attending a friend's baby shower, dinner plans with my parents both Friday and Saturday, and I even stopped by Hobby Lobby today to pick up some craft supplies "just in case." Hopefully it will be Sunday before we know it!

I am sending this dish towel and dish cloth with my husband as a gift for my sister-in-law. The dish cloth is similar to others I've made, except that this time I did an edging of single crochet with a hanging loop. The dish towel is the Mitered Hanging Towel from Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines, but you can find it here for free. Both projects just took two balls of Peaches & Creme, total. You have to love that!

Ribbitt!

2009-03-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

Over a month ago I made these cute little bean bag frogs using the Purl Frog pattern. It's free, easy, and you can make four little guys with two contrasting fat quarters (or two from one fat quarter). I was going to put these in Matthew's Easter basket, but he found them before I could hide them. They have already been well-loved and are full of dirt and pet hair. But that's what they're made for, right? :)

The Purl Frogs even have their own Flickr group if you want to check out some more froggy cuteness.

A Fun Article

2009-03-03T18:39:00.001-08:00

When I received my new issue of Mothering Magazine (or, as my husband likes to call it, Smothering Magazine) on Friday, I was thrilled to see an article about crafting/blogging mamas. Five women were showcased, including Amanda Blake Soule from SouleMama and Amy Karol from Angry Chicken. It was fun and inspiring reading about these two crafting/blogging "celebrities" who I have been following for quite some time now (I also have both their books!).

If you're not familiar with Mothering, it's a natural parenting magazine that's a little off the beaten path. I look forward to every issue and read the magazine cover-to-cover. I even read all of the advertisements (and I can't say that about any other magazine)!

Baby Blues

2009-02-25T19:31:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, this post is about what's been on my needles lately, not post-partum depresson! I can't believe that it's already been a month since my last post, but I have been keeping pretty busy. I've had so many projects-in-progress and really wanted to finish all of them before blogging. Of course, life got in the way as well, as I've been tackling my "to-do before the baby is born list" and taking care of a sick kiddo.

First up I have my third pair of Stay-on Baby Booties from Knitting for Baby. I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, and although it is super soft, I do like the Koigu better. The gauge on this pair is a bit off, so they're probably be a little big for a newborn. Hopefully they'll still get plenty of use!

After seeing Soule Mama's beautiful kicking bag, I decided to make one of my own. I even had some sock yarn in my stash that worked out wonderfully. This did take a while since I was using size 2 needles, but it the was perfect project for car rides and watching tv. The wool/cotton blend will also be perfect for the summer: our days can reach the 90s, but our nights are still quite cool. (The kicking sack looks like a giant water-bottle cover just in case you're wondering; I just liked this close-up of the mock-cable ribbing the best of all the pics...)

Now this next project I finished months ago. For some reason I just wasn't very motivated to get out the camera. With Matthew we ended up doing part-time cloth diapering, but this time around I am determined to go full-time. I have learned a lot about the dos and don'ts, and hopefully this little one won't have Matthew's very sensitive skin. I purchased this pattern, the Hybrid Rib Soaker, more than a year-and-a-half ago from Little Turtle Knits, but this is the first time I'm actually knit it. It was super quick and a great stash buster (I used leftover Paton's Merino Wool from Pat's Cobblestone Pullover). The pattern comes in many sizes (perhaps 5?) and with the option of using either dk or worsted weight yarn. This cover is a size small and is just so adorable. I can't wait to meet its wearer!

Finally, everybody needs some good washcloths. A couple weeks ago, out of the blue, I had an itch to make some washcloths. I even had some Peaches and Creme cotton lying around (another stash-buster, yay!) and found this pattern after searching Ravelry (there is actually a VERY similar pattern in Knitting for Baby, but the Grandmother's Favorite is free). There's just something nostalgic about knitting washcloths for babies, don't you think? Anyway, I figured our new little one would appreciate his own washcloths instead of stained hand-me-downs from his brother. I plan on knitting many more in the future!

Finally, I'd like to thank you for all of your kind comments on my last post. I sometimes hesitate about sharing something so personal, but I do believe that those ups and downs of pregnancy, motherhood, and life in general, are all very real. I don't know of any "perfect" families, and although I often just enjoy highlighting the positive aspects of my life on this blog, I believe that it's more honest of me to also mention some of the trials. Life is good, but sometimes the road can get a bit bumpy.

Have a terrific weekend!

Just the Two of Us

2009-01-28T18:46:00.001-08:00

As many of you reading this have already experienced yourselves, or have observed others experiencing, pregnancy can often be a series of ups and downs. Yesterday was definitely a "down" day for me. I was feeling absolutely huge, my back was in constant pain, I was tired from having a toddler in my bed the night before, my dogs wouldn't stop barking then tracked mud through the house when I let them in, and I was cursing our two-level house every time I had to use the bathroom or take Matthew to the potty (we have one bathroom, and it's upstairs).

I was trying to rest when the dogs prematurely woke Matthew up from his nap. I brought him into our room and was lying down with him when my husband called. My patient husband heard an ear-full about my day, and while talking with him I was just about near tears. That's when Matthew sat up, leaned over, and gave me a great big kiss and hug. After I hung up with Pat, Matthew continued to shower me with hugs and kisses. Those five minutes abolished all of the negative emotions I had been feeling that day. My back still hurts as I am typing this, I still feel huge and tired, and I wish we had a downstairs bathroom, but I will always cherish this time with my son. I know that with two it will be double the work, but I'm already looking forward to double the love.

I am actively trying to slow down my days, as I know that Matthew and I will never have this "just the two of us" time together. This morning, while running errands, he and I treated ourselves to a decaf hazelnut latte and applejuice (I'll let you guess who got what), and shared a slice of blueberry coffeecake. Earlier in the morning we sat in our pajamas cutting and pasting pictures onto cardstock (more about this later). This afternoon he "helped" my wash the dishes and organize his room. I am finding that even though I can accomplish chores at a much faster pace by myself, it is more pleasant and meaningful to have Matthew by my side. He is becoming such a big boy! I really believe that him feeling "helpful" will help with the transition when his brother arrives.

These days are so special. I am trying my best not to just anticipate the BIG day coming this spring, but to appreciate and treasure all of the little moments right now.

A Little Different

2009-01-12T19:12:00.000-08:00

After all of my pre-Christmas knitting, I decided that I needed a little break. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, right? :) I hadn't crocheted in a while, and my brother had given me some yarn for Christmas (pretty good for a college student to think about his sister's domestic pursuits!), so I decided to make a baby blanket for our new little one. I think that it's important that he has some items that are his and not just hand-me-downs from his big brother (although there'll be plenty of those, too!). I also now have the hindsight of knowing how busy my life will be in the weeks and months following a birth, so I'm trying to plan ahead, at least a little. The pattern I used is Tiramisu, a free pattern, by Alicia Paulson. The body was a very simple single-crochet pattern, but the edging gives it that little something extra. I'm very happy with how it turned out!

I also made the fanciest and least-practical potholder ever. But it sure is cute! This pattern comes from the Japanese-translated crochet book, Kyuuto! Lacy Crochet. The patterns are mainly schematics with some written instruction. Crocheting this potholder has helped me branch out and learn how to follow a schematic better. I also had never completed a project using lace thread before. It took some getting used to, but I'll definitely do it again. This potholder is now being used for decoration-purposes only in the kitchen. I wouldn't dare try to take anything hot out of the oven with it!

Some Eye Candy

2009-01-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

On December 26, I ended up spending a good chunk of my Christmas money at the Etsy store, a little goodness. This adorable fabric was all shipped from Japan, and the customer service was great. Leslie even threw in an extra fat quarter (the striped fabric in the first pic), some paper Japanese Christmas bags, and a couple of lollipops. I can't wait to get started on a project for each fabric, but it has to be "perfect." I don't want to waste one bit of it!

2008-12-31T19:29:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I have wanted to posted sooner, but I've been enjoying time with my husband home from teaching, family and friends visiting from out of town, eating delicious goodies, relaxing a bit, and doing a bit of crafting here and there. I hope that you all have had a blessed holiday as well.

We certainly had a white Christmas this year! We woke up to snow on Christmas morning, and there was still the ten inches on the ground from two days before. A week before that it had snowed about 16 inches, so we had quite a bit piled up (and still do)! It made Christmas all the more magical. Matthew was a much bigger participant this year than his first Christmas, and I can definitely say that he liked Christmas. :) Of course he enjoyed opening gifts, but he also enjoyed being around all of the family and friends who showered him with love and attention. We are so thankful for all of our loved ones. We even spent a couple of days in the "big city" of Albuquerque going to the aquarium and biopark. It was fun just to do something different and get out of our small, isolated town. I do always enjoy coming home, though!

As you can see in the next picture, I FINALLY finished Pat's Cobblestone Pullover. I seriously finished it at 11:00pm Christmas Eve, and I think there are still a couple of ends that I haven't weaved in yet. It fits him well and he's happy with it, and I'm happy to finally have it finished! Yay! About a month ago we discovered a wadded up wool sweater in the bottom of his hamper full of holes and covered in moth eggs. I told him that it would be in his best interest not to ever let that happen to this sweater. :) (I'll eventually have all the specifics up on Ravelry).

After all of the stockinette and garter stitching on such a large scale, I have taken a little break from knitting since my marathon on Christmas Eve. I've been enjoying crocheting and sewing, and just looking through my books, magazines, and on the internet for inspiration for my next project. It's nice to just relax with the crafting and not feel rushed.

We found out that Matthew will be having a little brother, which we're really excited about. There are some adorable patterns and ideas out there for little boys, but they're really more difficult to find than those for little girls. A friend steered me toward the Flickr group, Handmade Crafts for Boys, which is great. Boys need our crafting love, too! There will be a lot more on this in the months to come. :)

This year for Christmas gifts for my girlfriends, I decided to make the Artsy Clutch from Amy Karol's book, Bend the Rules Sewing. It's a quick and easy project, and the little bag can have so many uses. I have used mine as a purse, wallet, and even small-project knitting bag. This Christmas I made six, and since we were pretty much snowed in, I made them all using materials from my stash. It felt good to be resourceful!

Christmas Crafting

2008-12-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that Christmas is less than two weeks away! I really try not to get stressed out about gifts, cards, etc., but sometimes it's hard not to. It's especially frustrating when I'm planning on finishing something in the evening and someone doesn't go to bed until 10:30pm! Again, I'm trying not to get stressed out. That's not what Christmas is about, right? And if some presents are a bit late, I'm sure the recipients will understand. Especially if he's 18 months old.

This year I decided to make a lot of my presents. At first I didn't think that I'd make too many, but then the ideas started piling up. I'm happy, however, that I do have something to show for the past week of Christmas crafting.

First up, a hat from the book Knitting for Baby. It was meant to be for a toddler, but well, my gauge was so off that it ended up for an adult! I used Blue Sky Alpacas' Organic Cotton, and it is super soft. (I think that the second hat pic looks a little bit like a squid).

Since the hat's first recipient was out of a present, I decided to knit some socks using the pattern Cozy Socks for Kids from Designer One Skein Wonders. I used one skein of Knit Picks Swish Superwash, and it was a pretty fast knit. When Matthew is a little older, I will definitely knit him a pair (or two, or three...).

Finally, I decided to join the bandwagon that started many years ago and make a tied fleece blanket. I've had this fleece for over a year now, and it has just been taking up space. (In my effort to declutter and make room for a new baby I've been trying to go into my stash for many of my Christmas presents materials. Charitable thrift stores in our area have also been receiving a lot from me lately, but this is another post entirely!). Matthew is obsessed with dogs right now, so I thought it would be a perfect little blanket for him to cozy up with.

Whew! It's actually a little bit refreshing (and therapeutic?) to document all that I've done. Sometimes I don't feel like anything is getting finished! Happy gift crafting (and buying)! :)

His First Gingerbread House

2008-12-05T20:03:00.000-08:00

The best part about making a gingerbread house is eating it!

Orange you Glad it's Wednesday?

2008-12-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

When I was teaching, I was always thankful when Wednesday rolled around. In our school district, the students leave on Wednesdays at noon giving the teachers and staff planning time. It was also a fun time to get together with my colleagues and go out to lunch. I do miss the comaraderie of being with my fellow teachers... I also looked forward to Wednesdays because it meant that the work week was more than half over! (Even though I enjoyed teaching, I always appreciated a good weekend break).

Last Wednesday when my husband, Matthew and I were wandering around our little main street, I stepped into the local library and picked up the book, Victorian Christmas Crafts by Barbara Bruno. I have to say that I thought it looked a little cheesy at first, but it's loaded with fun, hands-on activities for both adults and children. One craft idea that I decided to try was that of making a Pomander ball. If you google it, there are tons of how-to sites, but here's what I did:
1. Press whole cloves all over an orange, no less than 1/4 inch apart.
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon to help fight off decay (and add an additional pleasant scent!)
3. Leave in a dry, warm place for 2-3 weeks.
Mine have only been drying for about one week, and the house smells great. I may have to keep one for myself. :)

I've also finished one of many gift knits/craft projects for Christmas. I actually started this scarf a couple of months ago and just needed to work a couple more inches and then block. I'm thankful I had a head-start for this one!

Pattern: Noemi by Norah Gaughan
Source: Norah Gaughan: Vol 1 (Berrocco)
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas' Alpaca & Silk; I used just over one skein

I'll eventually have more details up on Ravelry, but this was a fun little lace project to do. As my husband pointed out, it's not a very warm scarf, but as I pointed out to him, it's more of a decorative accessory!

P.s. I meant to post this last night, but I'm been having a lot of problems with Blogger lately. Anyone else having difficulties???

Mashed Potatoes

2008-11-26T19:16:00.000-08:00

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Ordinary, comforting, and more than a little predictable

You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

I thought this was a fun, little Thanksgiving quiz to share. It really does describe me even if I'm not crazy about the "more than a little predictable" part. I do love mashed potatoes, though! Yum!

Close to two months ago I agreed to knit a Lucy Bag for a friend. I have made three before, and they all took me about two weeks NOT two months. Well, life happens, especially with a toddler and the ups and downs of first trimester pregnancy. I am happy that it's now complete and I can move on to Christmas knitting without any feelings of guilt. :)

A Few Little Pick-Me-Ups

2008-11-19T19:19:00.000-08:00

Not that I have been necessarily "down" in spirit, but I did need something to change the pace a bit in my knitting world. I had picked up Knitting for Baby and couldn't wait to start on these adorable little booties. I just didn't have any yarn in my stash that I wanted to use for the project. On Saturday one of my friends and I had a "girls only" day in Santa Fe, and I discovered a new yarn shop right off the plaza. It's called Tutto, and I found the employees helpful and friendly. I highly recommend the shop if you're ever in Santa Fe (it's by the Blue Corn Cafe). The pattern for these booties is in the book, but a very similar pattern can also be found here for free. I used Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (one skein will make two pairs), and I can't wait to use it again for a Baby Surprise Jacket. :)
The past week I've started reading the Little House series again. I haven't read these books since probably middle school, and I just love them! I enjoy the simplicity, adventure, and love of family as depicted through Laura's eyes. It's also interesting reading them from an adult perspective. There are definitely terms and that are not politically correct, as well as prejudices and stereotypes. I wonder if the most current editions have been edited? From a teaching perspective, I hope not, as I believe it could be a powerful conversational tool between parents/teachers and children. Anyway, I'm enjoying reading these books again, and they take me back to my own childhood (I've always wanted to try pouring hot molasses or maple syrup into a pan of snow to make candy. I wonder if it really works?)

So, what's on your reading lists?

Another Way to Use Wool

2008-11-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

This Sunday has been particularly relaxing, especially in comparison with this past week. My husband's side of the family has been going through some difficult transitions, Halloween was hectic as usual, and Matthew's sleep habits have been less than ideal. But right now I have a pot roast cooking, Matthew's sleeping, and I have some time to write about what I've been up to in the crafting world--a subject that always makes me smile. :)

Lately I've been really interested in needle-felting, a craft that I had never tried before. After looking at all the beautiful and adorable examples on Etsy, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a kit. I ended up purchasing the Waldorf Wool Maiden Kit from Sage Dream Design (Amy was delightful to do business with, had VERY fast shipping, and was quite generous with the amount of roving included in the kit). I received the kit last Saturday and spent every spare minute I had over the weekend working on the doll. I had SO much fun, and it took me back to my corn-husk doll making days in early elementary school. I learned a lot from the instructions, but my favorite part was embellishing the dress and making her my own. I also made a little pumpkin from the leftovers.

During my search for needle-felting ideas, I came across the magazine, Living Crafts. I highly recommend this magazine to any craft-lover, but it especially seemed to be focused on making crafts for and with children. I found it at Borders, but the magazine's website has a list of retailers. The fall issue that I picked up had a number of needle-felting projects including a family of hedgehogs (complete with a story to tell your children) and a pumpkin house. I didn't have enough orange roving for a pumpkin house, but did manage to make a little hedgehog.

I am excited to purchase more roving and experiment with new projects!

Halloween was basically a bust with Pat coaching a game, me working, and Matthew only making it to one house before throwing himself on the sidewalk in tears. I have not been able to snap a pic of him in his bear costume yet, but in keeping with the political climate I thought I'd share with you this picture I took at the local pumpkin glow.

By the way, we made it a famiy event and voted yesterday. I am happy to say that I exercised one of my rights and duties to this country (plus I don't have to deal with the crowds on Tuesday!). Have a terrific rest of your weekends!

Surprise!

2008-10-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

There's going to be a new little addition in our family come spring, and I'm excited to finally be able to share the news! I'm now fourteen weeks pregnant, and we have been blessed with how smoothly this pregnancy has gone so far. Yes, there has been plenty of nausea and exhaustion, but many fewer complication than my previous pregnancy.

I'm starting to have an appetite again, and my energy is returning, so hopefully I'll start to be a bit more productive. Matthew has been such a trooper when Mommy just wants to lie on the sofa most of the day...

Speaking of Matthew, he's still nursing and still sleeps in our bed at night. We'd like him to be weaned and in his crib by the time the baby comes (he starts out in his crib; he just comes in our bed in the middle of the night). Any suggestions are welcome!

Bonjour!

2008-10-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Last week I finished knitting a new hat for Matthew. The weather is cooler now, and he has outgrown all of his hats from last year. I wanted to make something a little different, so I thought a beret was in order. My husband's side of the family is French-Canadian, so the beret (kind of) fits with Matthew's heritage and definitely our last name. When we went to the park he was so busy playing and having fun with Mommy, Daddy and the dogs that he didn't even think to take it off...or maybe he just liked it that much. :)

Pattern: Pompon Beret

Source: Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Cashmerino Aran in Navy and Stone

Notes: this hat was knit flat, then sewn using a mattress stitch. It was a quick knit, and the yarn, though pricey, was very soft.

While I was in Santa Fe last week picking up yarn for this hat, I also picked up the premiere issue of Debbie Bliss's knitting magazine. I've always been a fan of her patterns, but her yarn is just so darn expensive! I still do use it for small, or very special, projects, but I'm interested in checking out Ravelry to find what others are doing for yarn substitutions. Just one more reason I love Ravelry!

Tonight they're calling for a bit of snow here in northern New Mexico, but I don't want to get my hopes up--I can't wait to see the white stuff!

2008-10-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

There is only one oak tree that I know of in our neighborhood, and everytime I pass it, I just have to pick up a couple of acorns. To me, they are a symbol of fall. As a child, almost every fall-themed book, poster, commercial, or magazine I saw almost always depicted a picture of a squirrel with an acorn surrounded by fallen leaves. I lived in the Phoenix area until I was eight, then the high desert of New Mexico until I was eleven, so even today an acorn is something special. (By the way, the tree is on public property, so I'm only stealing from the wildlife...which is why I only pick up a few). :)
I decided that our dining table needed a little fall facial, so I made a very simple table runner out of some fat quarters I bought on sale a while back. It is lined with flannel instead of interfacing, a tip I find very useful from Bend the Rules Sewing. The mums were a gift from my very thoughtful aunt, and they compliment the runner perfectly.Last weekend my husband humored me by agreeing to go to the annual Taos Wool Festival in beautiful Taos, New Mexico. The sun was shining, but it was cool enough for Matthew to wear the sweater I made him over the summer. When you're among fiber lovers, you have to show off just a little! While I oohed and aahed over the yarn, DH and son watched a sheep shearing, observed the sheep, goats, and alpacas, and literally ran all over Kit Carson park. It was a good day for all of us. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of batteries just after we arrived at the festival, so this is the best I've got. P.s. Matthew didn't drink all of the soda!

Homecoming

2008-09-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

Homecoming is pretty big deal in this one-high school town. I've definitely come to appreciate it more as I've gotten older. When I was in middle and high school I mostly appreciated getting out of school early. Yes, the dances were fun, and usually filled with drama, but I don't think I really thought about what it means for a town to come together. While watching the parade today I started thinking about how it is something that young and old, parents and children, sports players and spectators, and just regular towns-people can participate in. The scout troops provided a little bit of chaos to the parade while the Shriners (like always) brought up the rear in their mini go-carts.

Since my husband is a football coach, we stood with the team. It always pulls at my heart strings to watch teenage boys, who are usually trying to one-up their friends and show off in front of each other, display moments of tenderness and thoughtfullness around our son. They smiled, offered up high fives, and even popcorn, to Matthew. Matthew had fun getting as close to them as possible before they turned around and noticed he was there. He would then squeal and go running to Daddy. It was a fun afternoon. We tried to go to the first half of the game but unfortunately it was delayed because of lightning. I do miss going to the games...I have been working on a couple of counted-cross stitch projects for over a couple years now. On Monday something came over me, call it "motivation" perhaps, and I decided to finally finish them. It only took me a couple of hours, and the satisfaction was great. I just think that having framed cross-stitch pictures in a home gives it a cozy feel. The fly-fishing project was supposed to be a birthday present for DH two years ago, and I can't even remember when I started the bird project. Well, now they're done!

I have big plans for Christmas presents...more info to come. :) Have a terrific weekend!

One Busy Boy (and Mama!)

2008-09-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

Matthew is one busy boy and has sure been keeping me on my toes lately! Now instead of doing separate activities in the same area, my activities have become his activities and vice versa. He is especially fascinated by what goes on surrounding my crafting. He loves turning my swift around and around, but loves taking it apart even more. This evening I was looking at some fabric, he crawled up on my bed with me, and helped me spread it out. What a little helper!

There are some things that I know I'll just have to put off until Daddy gets home, though. One is being on the computer. When I try to be on it when he's in the room, he likes to turn it off and/or play with the mouse. I can't be on it during nap-time either because he somehow "knows" I'm upstairs (even with his door and the office door shut!). By the time evening rolls around, I am usually so tired all I want to do is watch a little tv and knit a little or go to bed early, thus the lapse in blogging.

I have been busy, however. I received Berrocco's Norah Gaughan Book 1 about a month ago and just love the projects in it. I didn't want to take on a big project like a sweater just yet, so I decided on a scarf. Below is the beginning of Noemi. I'm using Blue Sky Alpaca's Alpaca and Silk. It is so soft and in a gorgeous fall color. I haven't decided if it's a gift yet or to keep it for myself...

I've also been plugging away at Pat's Cobblestone Pullover. I am now affectionately calling it "my Everest." Why is it taking me so long? Why can't I just get it over with!? I think I know why, but that would involve a long psychological discussion that I'll spare you from. :) Anyway, the body and one sleeve are done. Yay!
I did manage to finish a fall hat for myself. It's the same pattern and yarn mentioned in my last post. I can't wait to wear it!
Finally, just a sweet picture. Matthew has been wanting to sleep on the sofa lately. It extends his naps a bit, so hey, I'm not going to fight it!

Why Mama Never Became a Hair Stylist

2008-08-30T18:57:00.001-07:00

Even though I loved Matthew's ringlets, it was time for him to have a hair cut. He was starting to have a little mullet, and he had been mistaken for a girl on more than a few occasions. So, the other night while he was in the bath, I got out some scissors and did some cutting. It actually didn't look too bad until his hair dried. Now I really will have to take him to the salon (and start knitting up some hats!). The good thing about hair is that it grows back, right? My school kindergarten picture shows some VERY crooked bangs (you know, the thick bangs that were popular in the '80s and started at the middle of the top of the head...) that my mom cut the night before school pictures. I have always given her a hard time about that picture, but now I guess that most everything comes full circle.

Matthew also wasn't very impressed with the hat I made.
But I liked it! The pattern is the Between-Seasons Cap from Designer One Skein Wonders. I used O-Wool Balance (50 % Organic cotton, 50% wool), and it really did take up one skein except about half a yard. This hat is actually for a friend, but I bought a skein for myself as well. It will be perfect this fall!

I want to be selfish...

2008-08-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

...and keep this little sweater for any little girls in my future, but of course, I won't (I also have a funny feeling that I am destined to be the mother of boys--which is great!). I have enjoyed knitting this Jasmine Cardigan that has been on my needles longer than planned. Life can take some unexpected turns, and this small garment has brought me much comfort during the past few weeks that have been quite stressful. Things are quieting down now, and it's time for Jasmine to meet her new owner.I will eventually post the details of this project on Ravelry, but here's the scoop:

Pattern: Jasmine Lace Edge Cardigan from Natural Knits by Louisa Harding

Yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery--Cotton Comfort (pink lilac, but you really can't tell from the picture). This yarn is AWESOME! It is soft, yet didn't break at all, and is supposed to get softer with each washing. I will definitely use it again.

Needles: Sizes 5 & 6 straight

Note: Like most of Louisa Harding's patterns, there is A LOT of seaming. I've noticed on Ravelry that some knitters convert to in-the-round to avoid seaming. Although seaming is not my favorite part of the whole process, I feel like I've come a long way in making a more professional-looking garment. This is thanks to Louisa Harding forcing me to do so! :)

Additions to my Queue

2008-08-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

After quite a long absence, I still don't have any finished projects. I'm almost finished with Louisa Harding's Jasmine Lace-Edged Cardigan. It has been keeping me company during the Olympics, although I did have to put it down to watch Michael Phelps win his 8th gold...

Well, no finished projects, but there is now plenty in my Ravelry queue. I checked out Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan at the library a couple weeks ago and just LOVE her designs. My favorites from the book are the Phyllo Yoked Pullover and Bubble Pullover. While in Durango at the beginning of the summer I picked up 8 skeins of Berrocco Alpaca Light. After searching Ravelry for some projects using the yarn, I found this. Another Norah Gaughan. Berrocco's Norah Gaughan Vol. 1 will have to be purchased soon!

So, what's in your queue?

(all links above are Ravelry links)

Attracting the Flutterbys

2008-07-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we went on a little hike at our local ski hill (Pajarito). There were plenty of wildflowers in bloom, attracting many butterflies.
Matthew's hat attracted the butterflies as well! This one stayed with him for quite a few minutes, then kept coming back for more. There was also a curious hummingbird, but unfortunately I wasn't able to capture a pic before it flew away.
Next time we'll have to have a little bit of a shorter hike. All Matthew wanted to do was play in the dirt and rocks, but of course all good things must come to an end. There were many tears on the way back.
The next day I got a bit of a treat in the mail: I gave in and ordered several knitting books. My favorite is Knitting Little Luxuries by Louisa Harding. I just love her sense of style--so unique, yet also so simple that the projects don't feel overwhelming. I can't wait to cast on!
While looking through the British knitwear designer's book, I just had to have a cuppa. My father is Scottish, and when I was sixteen I visited his mother in Scotland (my grandfather had passed away just a few months prior to my visit). Oh, how I loved the English tea-time ritual. I have been trying to take tea at about 4:00pm each day, but some days are harder than others.

Have a wonderful weekend, and hopefully there will be some finished projects up soon!

Natural Knits

2008-07-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening I finished the Kai Cable Sweater from my favorite baby knitting book, Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding. I used Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton yarn for this project. It is very soft, but it broke four times during the finishing process! So, beware: you have to be very gentle with this yarn!

Matthew already enjoyed wearing this sweater before I was even finished. Yesterday prior to the arms being sewn on, he wore it around like a cape. He ran in circles around the house and wouldn't let me take it off. He's such a funny little guy. I was able to get a pic of him modeling the finished product.

I am going to continue my baby knitting/Natural Knits spree, and this time I get to make some little girl sweaters--yay! Don't jump to conclusions--they're not for me--but I will enjoy the change of pace. I ordered some very soft and sweet yarn from Green Mountain Spinnery. The Cotton Comfort yarn even smells good--a little minty! I am very excited for my next projects!

(Un)rainy Days

2008-06-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

The skies threatened rain today but did not deliver. I was all set: Matthew was napping, my tea was ready, the sofa was beckoning, and I needed to catch up on some reading. There's nothing like a rainy afternoon to prompt you to open a good book and relax a bit...so I just had to pretend. I'm currently half-way through Barbara Kinglsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I believe that I'm fairly educated about what I eat and feed my family, but this book has really opened my eyes even further. I highly recommend it. It's very eduational, but also humorous (like why you shouldn't name your livestock), and it's point is not to make the reader feel guilty. Some of the statistics are rather gloomy, but there's also optimism. The great thing about what you eat is that the more you eat of it, the more popular it becomes!

While being in the midst of two big projects that I fear will never get finished, I felt like I needed a little pick-me-up. I hadn't done any felting (really, fulling) for a while, had some bulky yarn lying around, and had been dreaming up this project for a while. I used the "Squashy Bag" pattern from One Skein Wonders for the base, but did my own thing in terms of decreases, the top of the bag, and the straps. I'm really happy with the outcome, except that next time I'd like to make a 3-stitch i-cord instead of 4-stitch.

Hmmm, what else have I been up to? I've been watching Sex and the City episodes rented from Netflix, this morning I made some homemade bread, yesterday I made granola, I started knitting a new sweater for Matthew, and I'm continuing to work on my garden. Oh, yes, I also started a little part-time job as a tour guide at the local science museum. It's only 4-8 hours a week, pays well, and is pretty interesting. Another bonus: I don't have to feel guilty about adding to my yarn stash. Yay! In closing, here is a great family picture taken by a good friend a couple of weeks ago. It definitely captures the mischievious stage Matthew's in...

Choices

2008-06-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

We have been home for a week now after another trip to Colorado. This time we went to the beautiful town of Loveland for a wedding. I enjoyed seeing my college friends and roomies, if only for one day. I have to admit, however, that I'm looking forward to spending the rest of the summer at home.

Starting about a month ago I started getting the urge to clean out my house and try to simplify. "Simple living" is a common theme among many of the blogs I read, especially of the crafting category. A part of me feels a bit like I'm joining a bandwagon, but the other part feels like saying, "so what?! This is a worth-while bandwagon to join!" So, I'm hopping on.

For me, this all started when I'd walk into a room in my home, or have some time to do something, but I had so many choices I didn't know where to begin: I'd walk into the kitchen and be so overwhelmed by cluttered counters and dishes piling up that I wouldn't bother cleaning; when I tried to pack for our trip to Durango I felt like I had "nothing to wear," yet brought ten outfits for a five-day trip (and six pairs of shoes!); I wouldn't know what I should work on for my crafting time--Pat's sweater, Pat's cross-stitch, finish Matt's cloth diapers, perhaps start a new project that wouldn't get finished and would end up hanging over my head? Choices are good, don't get me wrong, but sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming and make life unproductive and stressful.

I logged onto Ravelry, went to the Simple Living group, and perused their references. I checked out Plain and Simple by Sue Bender and Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin at the library, and read them both before and during my Durango trip. Plain and Simple is a short read about one woman's journey to the Amish. I've studied the Amish before, and as with any society, I understand that no one group lives an ideal and perfect life. I found much value in the author's comments regarding choice. To summarize, sometimes having fewer choices brings clearer answers and more confidence in the choices that are made. This made me think, "what in my life can I decrease or eliminate so that I may be free to make valuable choices of careful choosing instead of in the midst of being overwhelmed and flustered?"

Voluntary Simplicity was first written in the mid-1980s with a second edition published about ten years later. I liked how Elgin highlighted the theme of simplicity in every major (and many minor) religions/philosophies in the world. I also liked the stress placed on voluntary: if simplicity isn't voluntary, it can often be viewed as poverty. Again, choice is so important. Would you rather ride a bicycle to work because you like the exercise and not adding to the pollution in the environment, or would you rather ride a bicycle because your car was reposessed and you have no other choice?

This discussion will most likely be ongoing for me. I have already had setbacks, like frivolously adding to my son's toy pile that is almost always passed up for a ball of yarn lying on the floor, but that happens. I also hope to have a few finished projects up shortly!

By the way, for you knitters/crocheters out there, Knit Picks is having a 40% off sale on ALL of their in-stock books. Trying...to...resist...

You've Come a Long Way, Baby

2008-06-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Matthew's first birthday with family, a picnic, and strawberry shortcake. We are blessed to have both sets of grandparents in town, as well as a great aunt and uncle and second cousin, and a great-grandfather 45 minutes away. This year has gone by so quickly. Everyone told me it would, but I think it's one of those things that you're not ever really prepared for. As I think about the challenges and blessings of the past year, I really believe that they are one and the same. The challenges have been the blessings--they've made me stronger, more patient, and more appreciative. My husband gave me a wonderful compliment when he said, "I think that a child's birthday should be a celebration of the mother--after all, she did all the work on the birth day." Pat's definitely not in the dog house tonight! :)

Durango was wonderful. It is so beautiful and peaceful there. We were about a mile from a lake (really a dammed-up river), and our cabin was surrounded by pine trees and mountain views. I especially enjoyed watching Matthew interact with my parents and brother. When we came back home he was really upset--he kept walking around the house looking for everyone and crying. Poor little guy. Sometimes it's hard to come home from vacation.

I was able to make it to Yarn-Durango, and didn't walk away empty-handed. The store is moving, so there were great sales. I added some kidsilk haze, Berroco alpaca, Blue Sky Alpacas organic cotton and alpaca silk to my stash. Now, I just need to find some projects...just one more reason why I love Ravelry--I can search a particular yarn and see the projects others have made with it. I already have some good ideas!

Update: I am almost done with Pat's cross-stitch, but there is no way Cobblestone will be done before Father's Day. Hey, at least I'm trying. :)

Off to the Woods

2008-05-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

I don't have too much time, but I thought I'd give a little update: we're leaving tomorrow for a five-day vacation to Durango, Colorado. I can't wait! My parents rented a cabin for all of us, plus my brother who is flying in from Boston. I have projects packed, books on loan from the library, and the best babysitter for the whole trip (thanks, mom)! :) I hope to come back rejuvinated, in high spirits, and a little further on Pat's sweater and cross-stitch. Of course, there'll be pictures...

Take care!

ABCs

2008-05-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Paula of Splitted Yarns! Here are the rules:

Tag the ABCs about you. Each player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: I don't have one "best" friend, but there are many people I love and care about from different times in my life
C-Cake or Pie: Pie
D-Day: Thursday--the weekend is just around the corner, plus Grey's Anatomy is on! :)
E- Essential Item: a Boppy (all you nursing moms out there will understand)
F- Favorite Color: blue
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: worms--I like to bite them where the colors change and eat them a little at a time (one of my OCD traits) :)
H-Home town: Los Alamos, New Mexico
I- Indulgences: wine--I like both white and red
J- January or July?: January. We tend to get a lot of snow in January, which I really enjoy
K-Kids: one son, two cats, and two dogs
L-Life is incomplete without: hope
M- Marriage Date: July 8, 2005
N- Number of Siblings: one younger brother
O- Oranges or Apples: apples (especially with peanut butter), but I also enjoy a good orange
P- Phobias or Fears: clowns and old dolls (especially the one at my grandparents' house with little teeth and human hair--yikes!). I am also afraid of flying.
Q- Quote: "All of the darkness in the world can't put out the light of one small flame"--anonymous
R- Reason To Smile: My son
S- Season: Fall--the leaves changing, more inside time for crafting, wearing sweaters again...
T- Tag Three: Ellie of EllieBelle, Britton of One Sew Sweet, and Julia of First Years
U- Unknown fact about me: I have had three piercings in my nose. Not all at once, though! I kept taking them out for one reason or another, then would get another piercing.
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Oppressor of animals, but I do try to be informed about the meat I buy. I just love a good steak or burger (will green chili of course!)
W- Worst Habit: This is a weird one--when I'm nervous or stressed I pull on my eyebrow hair!Y-Your favorite food: Chips and salsa
Z: Zodiac Sign: Taurus, which does fit me pretty well.

Have a super weekend, everyone!

2008-05-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

My first Mother's Day was quiet and relaxing (similar to my birthday), but again, it's just what I wanted: sleeping in, going to church, finishing up my mom's present, having a small BBQ with my parents, having a movie night with my husband. We watched Juno, which I think was an appropriate Mother's Day film. Now I know why the movie received such high praise--I had much sympathy for all of the characters, and I liked how the issue of adoption was explored. I could relate to Vanessa, the adoptive mom, and her longing for a child. The director did a great job presenting a delicate issue.

Last night I finished my first crocheted garment: "Ring a Round the Posie" from Interweave Crochet, Spring 2008. It was a pretty fast project, and I enjoyed working on something different. About half-way through I didn't think I would like it, let alone actually wear it, but after I finished, my opinion changed. It actually doesn't look half-bad on! (I did take some pics of it being worn, but they were horrible--consider yourselves "spared").

Now I have finished two larger projects for myself while Pat has been waiting for a sweater for about a year and a half. I also owe him a completed counted cross stitch piece that I started over a year ago. So, next up: the Cobblestone Pullover. My goal is to complete it, as well as the cross stitch, by Father's Day. Hopefully I won't get side-tracked! :)

Swap Bag Received!

2008-05-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

Today I received my swap bag in the mail, and I absolutely love it! Joanna did a fabulous job, and I can't wait to use it and show it off! It has a double pocket inside plus a magnetic closure (a very good idea for this bag). Joanna also generously included extra fabric and trims, Japanese incense, a coin purse, and a recipe for strawberry shortcake. I am one lucky gal! Also, I wanted to maintain the element of surprise so I couldn't mention this before, but my swap partner, Ellie, received her bag on Monday. Coincidentally, she lives near some relatives I have in Wisconsin. It is such a small world... Definitely check out both swappers' blogs--there are sure some talented and artistic women out there!

Receiving my swap bag was perfect timing today as it is my birthday. I had a very peaceful and quiet day. We had dinner with my parents last night at one of my favorite New Mexican restaurants, I talked to some special relatives today, and of course there were a few presents. :) My favorite was a necklace from my husband. He bought it at the local craft fair over the weekend, and it's just perfect. I love handmade gifts--they're so unique and special. This is NOT the best angle of me, but I wanted to get a shot in of the necklace:

Thank you for all of your comments on my "mother guilt" post. Even my "little" brother left a sweet and helpful comment! I am feeling much better about it all. I think that happens sometimes--the highs and lows of motherhood. I know that I love my son, I'm not perfect, and I'm doing the best I can. I don't believe there's much more I can do than that. I'm also trying not to obsess over the news, but I'm trying to make small changes in my life for the better. That helps me as well becuase then I don't feel so helpless.

Now I'm off to share some cake and wine with my husband and watch The Milagro Beanfield War (and excellent movie!).

Show and Tell!

2008-05-02T16:17:00.001-07:00

On my last post I promised some finished projects, and here they are! I've been quite busy! First, I have the "Pleated Beauty" bag I made for my swap partner. I hope that she likes it. Even though I made a test Pleated Beauty bag, I still made some pretty stupid mistakes this time around. I know that I should view each mistake as a learning experience, but really, I don't think I'll ever make this "Pleated Beast" (as another swap member called it) again! It is a cute design, but the instructions are a little difficult to follow, especially for a beginner like me (no offense, Amy Karol!). I wanted to throw in a little something extra for my swap partner, so I decided on this knitted washcloth along with a bar of juniper-scented soap I picked up at a craft fair a while back. The washcloth pattern is from Weekend Knitting (a book I highly recommend as much for the commentary and pictures as the patterns), and I used Knit Picks Crayon. I really enjoyed the yarn--a very economical, yet soft and natural, alternative to the suggested yarn.

I also used some stash yarn to quickly knit up a flower to felt and pin on the swap bag. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite the right shade of red. I'll save it to embellish something else down the road...

A couple of weeks ago I picked up Simple Crochet from the library. The projects are all, well, very simple, so I probably wouldn't buy the book. The fibers suggested, however, are unusual and surprising. I love Ericka Knight's ideas of using cloth strips, kitchen string from the hardware store, raffia, and leather. I made the following remote-control holder (now being used for keys instead) using one ball of kitchen string. Pretty good for 5 bucks!

Finally, my obsession with cloth diapers continues. It's been a long journey, so I won't go through it all again, but basically Matthew does best in pocket diapers as they wick the moisture away from his skin. Unfortunately, most pocket diapers cost at least $18 each! I would really like to cloth diaper him full time again, but our budget just doesn't allow for the upfront purchase right now. So, for the past week I've been searching the internet for pocket diaper patterns and doing some research about fabric. I ended up placing an order of PUL, microfiber and Aplix from Very Baby, which I received today. The PUL feels just like that of my name-brand diaper, and the microfiber is very soft. I decided to do a test run first on some fleece I had lying around. The pattern I used is for Rita's Rump Cover, but I did my own thing for the elastic casing. I'm glad I did a test run on some less-expensive fabric first, as there are definitely some things I'll do differently next time! Hopefully this will all work out with the PUL and microfleece. I'm just so excited about cloth diapers, especially the prospect of making my own, that I think my husband thinks I'm nuts. Hey, he won't think so when I save us hundreds of dollars, right? Riiiiight.

Some HAPPY Thoughts

2008-04-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

My biggest happy thought right now: Matthew is walking! He took his first steps a couple of weeks ago, but this weekend walking became his prefered mode of transportation. He loves to grab a toy (especially my yarn) and walk from one end of the downstairs to another. He is so proud of himself! He also loves to terrorize the cats and dogs and shrieks while doing so. The little stinker. Of course, with this new-found freedom comes more bumps and bruises, as well as more work for mommy, but it has been so amazing watching the process of coordination, strength and confidence grow. (The pic is a little blurry due to the "action" quality).

Another happy thought: the Summer issue of Interweave Knits. I looked at the preview yesterday and loved what I saw. SO much better than the spring issue, which I didn't even bother buying. My favorite patterns so far: Tidewater Wrap, Drawstring Raglan, Wallis Cardigan, and the Eyelet Surplice Dress.

We had a simple dinner this evening of tuna chowder with bread and baby carrots. The recipe is so quick, easy, economical and yummy (and I am not usually a tuna fan) that I thought I'd share it. It came to me via my favorite aunt. :)

Tuna Chowder
Ingredients
2 carrots, shredded
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/4 c butter
1/4 c unbleached flour
2 c chicken broth
2 c milk
6 oz tuna
1/2 t celery seed (it's ok to omit this if you don't like celery)
1/2 t Worcestershire sauce
1/4 t salt (or to taste)
1 1/4 c cheddar chees, grated

In a large pot, saute carrots and onion in butter until onion is transparent. Remove ffrom heat and stir in flour. Return to heat and stir in broth and milk a little at a time. Stir constantly until thick and bubbling (don't let reach a full boil). Add tuna, celery seed, Worcestershire sauce, and salt, and heat through. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until it melts. Serves four.

I hope that everyone had a terrific weekend, and I promise some finished projects for next time!

Some Thoughts

2008-04-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

I am currently in the middle of several projects, so I don't have much crafting to share. I do have some personal thoughts to share on a couple of subjects, though, and I hope that no one takes offense.

First, where does mother-guilt come from? Has it always occured or is it especially prevalent in our society? Is it a feeling that is timeless and universal? I know that I need to "trust my instincts," but sometimes that is difficult when so much contradicting information is out there, especially in the news. My son always nurses to sleep, so I feel good about not letting him "cry it out," but then I feel guilty that he doesn't know how to put himself to sleep. We have chosen to have him vaccinated, but then I read reports urging caution about doing so. I am thankful to be at home, yet sometimes long for "something more." Do I feel guilty about having such feelings? Yes. Should I? I'm not sure. Many other mothers I know have similar feelings. The thing that's odd to me, however, is that it seems like the working mothers I know don't have as much guilt as the stay-at-home mothers I know. What a contradiction! Could it be that the working mothers just aren't sharing their feelings? Or maybe the stay-at-home moms are so entrenched in their children's lives that they have difficulty separating?

I believe that it's so important to have your own passions, hopes and dreams, which brings me to crafting. I love to knit, crochet and sew. It helps me be creative in ways that i haven't in the past. Sometimes I even feel like I'm neglecting my son because I want to knit just one more row or sew just a couple more stitches. My housework definitely takes the back seat. Then I feel guilty that Matthew's precious nap time was spent sewing instead of cleaning the bathroom or puting the dishes away (I also feel guilty about being excited for Matthew's naptime).

Then there are blogs such as Angry Chicken and Soule Mama...how do those two women do it all?! Plus, they both have three children each. I know that I shouldn't compare myselves to either of them and their accomplishments, but really, how do they do it?

I have many more concerns with what I've read about/watched on TV lately, such as products made in China, toxin levels and greed, but I will save all that for later. I don't like to get political, but I think that these concerns cross party lines.

One last question today: is it more important to watch the news and read current event articles to stay informed, or should I just turn it all off so as not to be frightened and paranoid?

April Showers Bring...

2008-04-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

More inside crafting time! Since I hadn't made the Pleated Beauty bag for my swap before, and my swap partner in quite the seamstress, I was a little intimidated. So, I dedided to make a test bag for myself. It took me a day to cut out the pieces, and then two days to complete the bag. The designs from Bend the Rules Sewing are adorable, but I have to be honest: I find the patterns a little hard to follow. In the end, I am VERY glad I made a test bag. There are many changes I'll make for the second one that will hopefully make the process and the finished product a little better. I do, however, really like the fabric I chose for the test bag--very springy!

The showers yesterday were actually SNOW showers! Sadly, I think my newly-planted raspberry plants are not going to survive the multiple freezes they've endured. I have not had good luck with raspberries: the summer before last the dogs dug them up, and last summer they weren't watered when Matthew was in the hospital so they died. Anyway, the cold weather led me to crave tomato soup and grilled cheese. A little known fact about me: I am absolutely hopeless as making grilled cheese sandwiches. I burn them every time! Any suggestions are most welcome!

Presenting...

2008-04-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

...The elegant, yet earthy, Lady Eleanor! All the stats will be up on Ravelry (eventually), but I'll give you a little summary: I used Noro Silk Garden for this beautiful Lady Eleanor Stole designed by Kathleen Power Johnson. The pattern can be found in Scarf Style by Pam Allen. It was a very satisfying knitting project. I did take some time off during February, so in all it took me about four months to knit--off and on. It is cozy, soft, rustic and sophisticated all at the same time--I just love it! BTW: the fringe took me longer than I projected--about four hours of very tedious work. It was, however, very meditative.

I was feeling a little under-the-weather yesterday, so she kept me nice and warm and cozy.

An Old Flame

2008-04-11T09:01:00.001-07:00

In the crafting world, that is. I was at the grocery store the other day looking at the magazines and picked up the Spring edition of Interweave Crochet. I fell in love with some of the projects, so decided to pick up the mag. My favorite project is the Marianne Mobius Wrap, and the Kathryn in Beauly Dress and Hat made me long for a little girl to make it for. Unfortunately, the yarn for the mobius wrap would put me back $180! So...I'm on the search for a good alternative. I also picked up Sensual Crochet from our local book store and Simple Crochet from the library. Sensual Crochet has some beautiful patterns, such as the Butterfly Cardigan, but many of the halter-top variety patterns I will just never be able to wear. In my opinion you have to be very careful with crochet--pick out modern patterns and beautiful yarn--or else the project will look too kitschy. It can be a tricky business...

Yesterday I spent the day in Santa Fe with my good friend, Britton, and her twenty-month old son. It felt so good to get out, even if it was a little hectic chasing after the boys. We went to JoAnn Fabrics, where I found the awesomely retro fabric in the picture. I'm planning to make a table runner out of it and perhaps a test-Pleated Beauty bag for the swap. But, first things first: my goal is to finish Lady Eleanor by this weekend. I have completed 33 out of 35 tiers, so I'm almost there. Woo-hoo! I hope to finish the tiers tonight, block it tomorrow, and work on the macrame fringe Sunday. Be looking for a finished object Sunday night...

Have a terrific weekend!

March Summary, Goals for April

2008-04-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

Well, DH went back to work today after a week off for spring break. I feel like I always have grand plans during any kind of break, but nothing much usually materializes. It's also so much different now with a baby: even though Pat's on break, I'm never on break! I tried to squeeze in an hour here and there during nap times, but I honestly think I may be even more lazy when Pat's home! Having him home gives me an excuse to relax, sit around, and just hang out. I even saved my homework until the very last minute! We did get some yard work done, though. We built a planter for a vegetable garden, and I planted some raspberry plants and vinca minor.

After realizing how little I accomplished this past week, I decided to post a "to do" here for the month of April. This way maybe I will be better at holding myself accountable. Plus, I usually need that list and competition, even with just myself. I also thought that I could sum up the previous month's accomplishments, or lack thereof. So, without further ado...

March
Knitting/Crochet Projects Completed: none :(

Sewing Projects Completed: three mini-bags

Books Read: I am currently in the middle of Middlesex (no pun intended)

My Stormcloud: issues with our dogs--they have become more aggressive since Matthew has been born, mostly due to us not spending as much time with them. Our neighbors even put up a fence! We're trying to get them out more and help them feel like they're "part of the pack," but they're really driving me crazy and I don't trust them.

My Rainbow: Spending time outside again, especially going on walks.
(When I was in college one of my roommates asked us what our stormclouds and rainbows were each day. So, here's to you, Lins.)

For April:
Knitting/Crochet Goals: finish Lady Eleanor! Also, complete two small gifts to put towards my gift stash.

Sewing Goals: Complete quilted table-runner, mini diaper bag, and swap bag (more on this shortly)

Ok, so you're all going to hold me to these goals, right? ;)

Now, one item of news: I joined a sewing swap based on the book, Bend the Rules Sewing. I am going to make the "Pleated Beauty" bag from the book, and I need to send it to my swap partner, along with a spring dessert recipe, by the beginning of May. This particular swap is now closed, but there will be two more to come based on projects from the book. I know who my partner is, but I need to keep it secret until she receives her bag...I am really excited about this swap!

Strike Three...but I'm Still In

2008-03-31T19:42:00.001-07:00

For the past couple of days I've been focusing my attention on creating the "perfect" mini-diaper bag. I've made improvements, but I haven't hit a homerun yet. Since I have to take up the dining room table for my sewing projects, I decided to put the sewing machine away for a couple of days and see what my mind comes up with after some distance from the project. I need to focus my attention back to Lady Eleanor, anyway.

My second bag was similar to my first except that I got the lining in the right place (inside of instead out!), and I added a loop strap and velcro to fasten the front. I was very pleased with the result.

I decided to make the third bag about two times larger, hoping it would be my final attempt. It would actually work perfectly if it was meant for disposable diapers and one of those mini wipes cases. Unfortunately, I could barely fit one Bumgenius cloth diaper in it! So, back to the drawing board...The velcro also doesn't work well at all, so I'm thinking of making a drawstring on the next attempt. I'm actually enjoying the "designing" process, as well as the creating. I do, however, like the double pockets and elastic (on the inside) in my third design. The first two bags are going into my gift stash, which Heidi is helping me work on through her giftKAL--check it out and join the fun! You'll be happy you did come December! :)

Oh, and one more pic of my sewing helper:

OK, last one: the obligatory spaghetti picture!

Score!

2008-03-29T19:21:00.001-07:00

I bought these on Friday at the local fabric/quilting store--it had a terrific sale! Now, too bad there isn't a local yarn store...

Back to Walking

2008-03-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus due to weather, a broken stroller, and wild dogs in the neighborhood, Matt and I are back to our daily afternoon walks. The weather has been beautiful here. When I walk I'm really able to notice all of the little changes of the season that show it's spring. Tiny buds are sprouting, I saw the first daffodils in our neighborhood yesterday, I've noticed birds picking up string and twigs for their nests, and I've even had a couple of insects land on me. I'm excited for spring and all the new life it brings. Matthew is also big enough now to be in the Ergo backpack-style. He enjoys it, and it's very comfortable for me. I actually like it more than the stroller (which still has a flat tire)! I also feel better prepared: DH bought me some pepper spray to carry on our walks because there have been loose dogs in our neighborhood, including a pitbull! Here we are ready to go (ignore our messy bedroom!):As mentioned in my previous post, I've been brainstorming designs for a mini-diaper bag. I want it to be small enough to be more portable than Matt's current diaper bag, but big enough to accomodate cloth diapers. First, I needed to practice making the bag with a lining, front flap, etc. I'm pleased with the results, but I'm sure I'll need a few more practice runs.Pros: I was able to plan the general shape and come out with an ok-looking bag. It has flannel inside instead of interfacing, so it's nice and soft, yet also sturdy. It's also pretty cute!

Cons: I accidently switched the fabric, so the outside fabric was really supposed to be the lining. Oops! The sides stuck out from underneath the flap, so I had to make some tucks.

Modifications for next time: learn from my lining mistake, make the tucks first before turning the bag rightside out, make a loop for carrying.

I'll be sure to let you know how the next turns out! Happy spring!

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! Although we pushed Matthew's nap time a little, we were able to go to the Easter service at our church and enjoy brunch with my extended family. It was a beautiful New Mexico spring day, and I feel fortunate to have shared it with those I love.

I am also happy to finally be back in the blogging world! I am pretty proud of my will power these past six weeks. No blogging for me, and I stuck to it. Ok, I checked my comments and one of my friend's blogs since it's the only way I've been able to keep track of what's going on in her life (she's a very busy mama to two children under two). Other than that, I stuck to my Lent commitment. I used the time I normally blog for Bible study and prayer. I have really enjoyed that quiet time and will continue even though Lent is now over. It has helped me prepare for my day, count my blessings, and have a deeper relationship with God.

Unfortunately, I do not have any finished knitting projects to report. I feel like I've been plenty busy, but obviously not with knitting. I've actually been brainstorming some designs for a mini diaper bag and a nursing necklace--both inspired by Matthew. He is now so squirmy when nursing and thinks it's funny to pull on my hair, poke my eyes, put his fingers in my mouth...you get the picture! I've looked at some nursing necklaces on various websites, then I thought, "I cold make one of those myself!" Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to go to a bead store in Santa Fe on Thursday. I'll be sure to keep you posted...

Onto diapers: my faith in cloth diapers has been restored! Matthew has been out of cloth for about five months now due to a rash he would get each time I put him in his Mother-ease cloth diapers. At first I thought it was due to a detergent build-up. I stripped the dipes *many* times, but the rash kept coming back. Well, lately I noticed that when I left a disposable on him for too long, he would get the same rash. My conclusion: the rash is due to his skin being wet too long, not a detergent build-up. My heavy-wetter also started leaking through his disposable EVERY night. Since we co-sleep that meant that our bed was wet every morning. I was tired of washing our sheets every day, not to mention poor Matthew having his jammies drenched, so I decided to investigate getting a good night-time cloth diaper. I bought one BumGenius from Nicki's Diapers and the first night it worked great--no leaks and Matthew was nice and dry in the mornig. Plus, no rash! Yay! Needless to say, I bought three more. I am very impressed. I am now excited about cloth again! I know many people like Mother-ease, and for a baby without sensitive skin I'm sure they work great (Matt never had a leak in them). Unfortunately, they didn't work for us. I'm going to put a lot up on ebay if anyone is interested...

I have so much to say, but I better spread it out over a couple of days. I hope everyone is enjoying the early signs of spring! I leave you with one adorable picture taken at a park last week.

Blessings,

Katie

'Tis the Season

2008-02-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

The season of Lent. Lent starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday, and I've decided to give up blogging this year. It is something that I enjoy doing, and even though I don't post everyday, I spend much time reading other bloggers' posts. I am going to use the time I normally devote to blogging towards more prayer, Bible study, and perhaps some other religious reading. I have to admit that I will be tempted to check up on my favorite blogs...especially since I'll still need to get online for my class. I'll need to remember that Jesus faced much greater temptation than checking out the lastest blogs!

So, I'll be checking back in with all of you come Easter (don't forget about me!). Hopefully by then I'll have some FOs to report! BTW, I'm frogging Pat's sweater. I realized this evening that the front is a good four inches wider than the back, and I was so proud of myself for working on it. I'm not thrilled about the project anyway, so I think I'm going to try the Cobblestone Pullover...

Have a very blessed Lent season and Easter,
Katie

Crunchy Christians

2008-01-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago I was scanning the groups on Ravelry when I came across the group, "Crunchy Christian Crafters." Under the heading it read, "Are you too crunchy for your Christian friends and too Christian for your crunchy friends?" or something like that. I was very intrigued. After reading some descriptions and threads in the group, I decided to become a member--being a Crunchy Christian perfectly describes me!

I am a Christian, and my relationship with God is very important to me, as is raising Matthew in a home with Christian values. I know that God entrusted us as humans with the Earth and its resources, and I truly feel that by wasting and devastating the Earth as we have been we are not being good stewards. I do not believe that having "dominion" gives us free reign to do whatever we like. I try my best to live simply, recycle, not waste, etc. I'm also a breastfeeding, babywearing, co-sleeping, homemade babyfood making mama!

I did some additional research regarding Crunchy Christians and found an interesting article here as well as a thread from the motheringdotcommune forum.

I deeply value my relationships with others who have different lifestyles and beliefs from me, but it is nice to know that there are some people out there making similar choices...

A Whole Lot of Nothing

2008-01-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a little while. I feel like I've been busy and had a lot going on, but at the same time I've been busy doing a whole lot of nothing. Does that make sense? DH had a stomach bug, DS has been on the go, and I've been jumping from (unfinished) project to project. So, it seems that there is so much to blog about, but at the same time not much exciting. Does all of that make sense?

Matthewhas sure been going and going. I thought that once he started crawling he would wear himself out and sleep more, but that isn't necessarily true. When he sees something he's not supposed to get into (like the dog beds), he says, "ooh," then crawls really quickly towards it. It's actually pretty funny. He's also pulling himself to a standing position with the coffee table and sofa. He falls a lot, though, so I am constantly watching and catching him. He is a busy little boy!

I'm still working on Lady Eleanor and am now about half-way done. I'm still enjoying the project and the yarn. It's getting pretty large, though, so it's not the best car project.

I needed a little project for the road, so I decided to start on some Citrine Socklets (but mine are taupe). I haven't made socks for a while, so I am enjoying the feel of delicate yarn and needles again.

Of course, Pat's sweater isn't finished yet. I just can't bring myself to finish it. I don't know why. It's just not a very exciting project. I'm a horrible wife!

Heidi's gift blog is up and running for anyone who's interested in joining. It's motivation for us all to complete a couple knitted gifts (or crocheted or sewn) a month in order to have a stash when December rolls around again. However, I'm not sure if I'll meet this month's goal!

A New Obsession

2008-01-15T12:02:00.001-08:00

Over the weekend I put aside my knitting projects and worked on some sewing. Since hauling out my sewing machine to make some bags for Christmas, I've been just a little obsessed. I bought a couple of books and fabric, asked my aunt for a some quiliting lessons (still to come...), and actually did some sewing! Both of these patterns are from Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol. They were easy, fun, and I'm pleased with the results. I've actually used both of the items already. So, without further ado, first I have a vintage apron. It was my first time gathering fabric, and it probably took me about four hours in all. I'm sure that if you were more experienced than me, it would take about half that time. I'm happy with four hours, though, since I'm used to knitting projects that often take days, weeks, months, even years to complete!

Next I have the "artsy clutch." Amy Karol recommends the use of flannel instead of interfacing. I've never used interfacing before, so I can't really make a comparison, but I do love the way the clutch feels--so soft, yet also sturdy.

Now, Keri is having a bread-basket sew along. I'm excited to learn some more new sewing techniques. Thanks, Keri!

"Trouble" in Action

2008-01-11T19:04:00.000-08:00

A couple days ago when I was taking these out of the oven,Matthew got into this!
(I washed him up right after I took the picture).

I'll have some sewing (that's right, sewing) news next time. :)

Here Comes Trouble...

2008-01-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

It has been snowing all morning, and Matthew and I have been enjoying our time inside. He is crawling now, which puts life in a whole new perspective for him (and us)! It's been amazing watching him go from rolling over to sitting up to rocking to lunging to crawling. Pat and I were just talking about how excited we were when he first reached out and grabbed a toy. Now he wants to reach out and grab everything in sight! We spent the weekend "babyproofing" the house, but there are still many more things we need to do.

I've been somewhat frustrated with Matthew's sleeping situation lately (ok, for a while now). Basically, he'll only fall asleep when he's nursing or in his car seat. He usually sleeps for half an hour at a time, and lately we've had trouble getting him to sleep at night when we haven't before. When he wakes up in the middle of the night we bring him into our bed, so now he's in that habit and wakes up at 11:00pm on-the-dot. I'm having a hard time letting him "cry it out," but we're also not sleeping very well. I'm also concerned that he's not getting enough sleep during the day. I don't want to do anything drastic, but I think that something needs to change. Any suggestions are welcome!

I've been making progress on Lady Eleanor, but I've also been working on some other projects. I started the bobble bag (rectangular geometric bag) from One Skein, and probably would have finished had I not ran out of yarn. I even have some fabric for the lining! The bobbles and color of the bag remind me of (slightly out of focus) blueberries--yum!

Ihave a goal for next Christmas. Actually, I have a number of goals. I would really like to have an Advent calendar next year, and I found this pattern for mini stockings. For some reason I had a really difficult time with the first stocking! There were some abbreviations that I wasn't sure about, so I decided to make up my own meanings. Well, that didn't work. So, I had to stop being lazy for a moment, turn the computer back on, and look them up. It definitely helped the next time around! Anyway, I'd like to have enough stockings for the Advent calendar ready by next December, which means 2-3 a month. I have a good start with two!

Another goal is to work on some knitted gifts throughout the year instead of saving them up for December. Heidi is working on setting up a gift knitting KAL, so I'll keep you posted on when that's up and running. I always need extra motivation for long-term goals!

Oh, I forgot to mention in my previous post that I'm making Matthew's baby food. I feel that it's something positive to help keep our garbage waste down. It's also kinda fun!

A New Year, but the Same Me

2008-01-01T09:26:00.000-08:00

Last night my husband and I celebrated the New Year at about 8:30 pm with a bottle of champagne saved from our wedding (two and a half years ago!). We discussed our New Year's resolutions as well as what we've been thankful for in 2007. I had to admit to him that although I have grand plans for 2008, there are some things that are just in my personality that I don't think will ever change completely. For instance, I never do my own laundry until I have an avalanche of clothes--both the dirty and the clean ones that I decided not to wear but threw in there instead of hanging them back up--cascading from my laundry basket and closet. This has always been the case, whether I'm being reminded by my mother, college roommate, or husband about "when are you going to do your laundry?" So... I'd love to be more organized, but I honestly don't know if it will ever be fully attainable.

I also believe that if there's something you want to change in your life, you should start right then and there instead of waiting for a given day to do it. One thing I've been working on for several months now is cutting down on the amount of trash I throw away. Here's what I've been doing so far:
1.) Eating more leftovers before they go bad and we have to throw them away.
2.) Buying what I can in bulk so that there is less packaging.
3.) Trying to make more dishes "from scratch" so that there is less packaging.
4.) Buying less items packaged in plastic, even if it's recyclable plastic.
5.) Recycling--this can sometimes be frustrating, though, because there are many restictions in our county for what you can recycle (for instance #1, 2 plastic BOTTLES only).

Now, here are some goals that I have not yet been able to get to and would really like to do soon:
1.) Create a compost pile.
2.) Do more baking, especially of bread so that I don't have to buy it packaged in numerous layers of plastic bags.
3.) Apply the "reuse" and "reduce" categories of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle more frequently.

I know I'm on my way to leaving less of a mark on this Earth, but there is always more I feel that I can do.

I'd also like to apply the phrase "quality, not quantity" to all areas of my life, including what I eat, how I spend my time, the knitting projects I undertake, what I read, etc. For instance, since my "free time" is limited, I want to make sure that I work on knitting/craft projects that I REALLY ENJOY. That way I won't feel guilty about spending my time or money on something that I'm doing half-heartedly.

Which brings me to an update on Lady Eleanor--I am loving this project! I am on tier 7 of 33, and each row takes me about an hour, but I really don't mind since I'm enjoying it so much. I like having the small goal of finishing one little rectangle at a time, and before I know it I have another row completed. I highly recommend this project!

I hope that the New Year brings all of you much happiness, joy and peace. :)

A Real Beauty

2007-12-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

I don't think that I have ever found a vegetable " beautiful." That is, until now. I have never seen Romanesco broccoli before, and when it arrived in our harvest box from Los Poblanos Organics I seriously had no idea what it was. It looks too good to eat! I will be preparing it tomorrow with some shrimp and olive oil--nothing too strong, I want to be able to savor the taste of this beauty!

Yesterday I met a good friend in Santa Fe. We were planning on walking around the plaza, but it was frigid outside with a bitter cold breeze. So, we ended up staying in Borders for an hour and a half time looking at books and drinking coffee. While we were there, i was able to pick up these:I have been really interested in sewing lately--ever since I made those cloth Christmas bags. There is so much I don't know how to do, but I'm very interested in learning. I'll keep you posted on this new fiber adventure!

I Couldn't Stop Myself

2007-12-27T18:51:00.001-08:00

I just had to start the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole from Scarf Style (if you're a Ravelry user, there are tons of beautiful examples of this project). The beautiful Noro Silk yarn had been burning a hole in my closet for close to a month now, and I have been a good girl with finishing my Christmas gifts (except for one that I won't talk about just in case I start to feel a bit guilty). This is my first time knitting entrelac-style, and so far I am really enjoying myself. It doesn't need my attention like colorwork, but it's much more interesting than stockinette. I love the way the colors fit into nice little triangles and rectangles. I also love the feel of the yarn--so silky smooth, yet natural and earthy. The colors are beautiful as well--purples, teals, creams, and greys.

I forgot to include a picture earlier of Matthew's stocking, so here it is. It matches his daddy's stocking, except for the name and color. Someday I'll have to make myself one (the dogs, cats and I have store-bought). :)

Matthew's First Christmas

2007-12-26T07:58:00.000-08:00

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve my parents, Pat's parents, and my brother came over for a soup supper. We then went to the children's service at our church (there was no way Matthew could handle the midnight service), then my parents and brother came back over and we opened family presents. Of course, Matthew wasn't spoiled at all. :) Santa came on Christmas morning, we visited with Pat's parents, and we went to my parents' house in the afternoon for dinner. Matthew's first Christmas was a time of laughter, family, and of course celebrating the birth of our Savior. It couldn't have been more perfect.

My favorite gift was the camera these pictures were taken with! Yay! Here is another great gift from Santa:

Pat didn't seem to mind too much that his sweater didn't get finished. I'm still working on it, though, and I'm trying not to start anything else before I finish it. I have new projects, complete with yarn, in sight, and I'm trying not to be too tempted. It's so hard!

I hope that everyone had a terrific Christmas!

Check, Check, um...

2007-12-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

Cloth bags: check
Finished scarf: check
Finished mittens: check
Finished Pat's sweater: um...