Presenting...

...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

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

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

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!

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

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

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