I have a problem

I just can't seem to make myself write a blog post! Finally, I got a kick in the pants from Kpiep since she referenced my blog in hers. I was too embarrassed to have anyone see how long it had been since I'd been here. So, a brief synopsis of the goings on here since I last posted...

L is completely potty trained and keeps telling me she's "growing up" and is getting "bigger". She's at a fun stage (unless you count the whining and fits... I'm trying to forget them and just focus on the fun.)

H is in kindergarten and (fingers crossed it continues) all is going well! He seems to like it. He's also lost 2 teeth and is such a sweet boy. I vary between missing him horribly and being glad to have the time alone with L.

I finished my tuscany. I was planning to wear it on our trip to Chicago, but the trip was cancelled when my husband's grandfather passed away. We drove to Alva, OK instead, but I'm glad it happened the way it did since we already had childcare lined up and were both able to attend.

I also finished a February Lady Sweater for myself in Charcoal Cotton-ease. I think it's going to be a great grab and go sweater this Fall. (and will be easy to wash up when one of the kids uses me as a napkin.)

I've ordered enough Dream In Color Classy in Happy Forest to make another February Lady Sweater, but I'm still waiting for it to come in. I'm unsure what to do until then. I am still working on socks for myself (first one completed), but they just aren't what I want to work on right now. I started a Dragon Skin Wrap for Lainey, but I'm a bit stalled out on it as well. I really want to knit sweaters for myself!! I ordered the Something Red pattern from Knit and Tonic and am waiting to receive it. I also like the Wisteria pattern from Twist Collective (if you haven't checked out that website, do so now!!) I'm also finding that I'm gravitating toward patterns I can used a machine washable yarn for. I don't mind hand washing at all (in fact I just bought some soak I'm excited to try!), but since I have little ones and am a "walking napkin/kleenex" I don't want to do it everyday. I'll post pictures of the finished projects soon (cross my heart!)

Fini

Pixie's sweater is finished! I'll gift it to them today when we meet up. Here are a couple of pictures with Lainey modeling...

I need to make another for her. They work so well with most of her outfits. I don't think there's any rush though. It's supposed to be in the 90's and humid for a while!

We thought about walking to the library today, but I think it's just going to be too hot. Now, back to the Tuscany!

My weekend

We had a garage sale (that wasn't as well attended as I had wished. There's still a bunch of stuff left.) this weekend and I was busy with that. I did get out for World-Wide Knit in Public day on Saturday afternoon. The little project I mentioned in my last posted was shown to the recipients mama. I can't wait to get it finished for her. I'm knitting another February sweater for my friend Kristin's little pixie. I'm using Cotton-ease in taupe (they show a new hazelnut color on the website, but they didn't have it here in town yet.) She's a little red head and I hope it looks cute on her. Lainey has gotten tons of use from hers. I really prefer natural fibers, but there comes a time that having something that's easy to wash and won't be ruined if it gets in the dryer comes in handy. I'll try to post a picture soon.

We got out on the trail today and walked 4 miles with some friends. It was gorgeous out and we had a great time!

My House Exploded

I keep reminding myself that it's all stuff for the garage sale, but it looks like my house exploded! Even my knitting room has garage sale items covering the futon. I can still make it to the computer though!

It's supposed to be sunny here again today, so I thought I'd get out and take a picture of my Tuscany. I'm using the SWTC Bamboo in the Tequila colorway. I love the way it's turning out, but it's going to have to share my time with a little something I'm making for a little friend. I'll show you after it's gifted. Let's just say it's a very late birthday present for a little girl we know (and love)! I had planned on making her something else, but hadn't run across what I needed. The new plan popped into my head this a.m. I think it will be good garage sale knitting as well.

Ravelry Strikes Again

I've been sticking to my yarn diet recently and the longer I go, the easier it seems to get. I did get some "free" yarn from a fellow Ravelry member. It's a beautiful cotton/linen boucle and I can't wait to knit up a swatch. I've also sold or traded some yarn. I've finished the Uptown Boot Socks for my mom (no picture yet, but mom loves them!). I was working on my Indigo Ripples skirt and found out there was errata and I had to rip back 15 rounds. BUT, it's now finished! I've worn it several times and here it is....

I'm now working on a Tuscany shawl from No Sheep for You out of SWTC Bamboo in the Tequila colorway. I like how it looks, but it's slow going. I'm trying to keep my projects to a minimum, but am tempted to start something a little faster too. Maybe I'll pick my sock back up.

Anyway, on other fronts... I've been trying to get out and walk 3-4 times a week. There's a circle around the neighborhood that is a little more than 2.5 miles. It has several big hills and enough other stuff that it doesn't get boring. Unfortunately, it's quite hot and humid here right now, so the best time to go is early. Today is spotting rain and I have to take the girl and stroller. I'm going to skip it today. I've been steamcleaning carpets, cleaning house/doing yard work and baking. It's all stuff that got pushed to the side when I was working on preschool graduation and finishing my Indigo Ripples. I'm also working on gathering stuff for a garage sale in a week and a half. I'm getting rid of tons of baby/kid stuff! It would be so nice to find something when I want it!

I think we're getting into our summer schedule, so HOPEFULLY I'll be posting here a little more often!

One of those moments...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you start knitting a new project and you have a bad feeling about yarn/pattern/color? Something just doesn't work for you, but you just don't want to admit it? I just finished my Juliet and it's horrible! I love the pattern, but my yarn choice stinks! I know that it's been done with Cotton Ease on Ravelry, but mine is way too bulky. I got that feeling once I got into the garter stitch, but poo-poo'd myself. I'd love to knit it again (at some point in the future) with a different yarn. Once I get over the trauma (sniff, sniff) I might post a picture.

As for other knitting, I'm still working on my mom's socks. I broke a dpn working on them the other night. I really torque on my sock projects (especially if we're watching an exciting movie. A friend loaned us I am Legend. Not the best movie in the world, but I'm sure I was burning a lot of calories the way my heart was racing!)

I also started the Indigo Ripples skirt out of Interweave Knits. So far, so good. I'm using Rowan Denim that I got on sale specifically for this pattern. I started the pattern a little lower (I have an issue with things close to my waist. I don't like them too low either. Hopefully, I got it right.) and am knitting further before starting the lace repeat. I'm also planning to make it right below the knees.

My husband has an annual meeting for work that is being held in Chicago in August. We're taking the train there (so excited!) and I'm hoping that I have several projects finished to take with me. I'm also hoping to get a little souvenir yarn to bring home. I may have to sell off some stash on Ravelry to justify it since the yarn diet is going quite well!

Sorry for the lack of pictures! I'll try to take some for the next post. It's supposed to be pretty here for a few days and I should be able to get some good light.

Baby Booties and Birthdays

We went to a baptism for twins recently. Doug is the godfather for the little boy (Baby W) and another friend is the godmother to the little girl (Baby E). We are the godparents to their other daugther. They've been friends of Doug's for years now, so I felt the need to make a little something special. I knit up little silk slippers for Baby E and added a few beads and organza ribbon. For Baby W I knit up little cream alpaca slip-ons, but added a button for decoration and ribbons to help keep them on his little feet.

We also had several birthday celebrations at our house during the month of March. Hayden turned 5. He had a pirate party with 15 preschoolers at our house. It went off without a hitch! Here's the cake I made for the party (6 cake mixes and a lot of frosting later...) and the pirate and his friends.

Lainey turned 2 and had a tea party with her little friends. They all played very well together.Then we had little finger sandwiches, juice, fruit salad and birthday cake. I borrowed a couple of little tables and chairs (we had enough seating for 4) and had them in the kitchen for easy clean up. There were 9 little kids (a few of them were bigger siblings) and she seemed to have a great time! (Hayden dressed up too!)

On the knitting front, I still have pictures to take and post of my fingerless mitts. I'm working on a hat for my husbands birthday (today!) that is almost finished. I'm also working on Uptown Boot Socks for my mom's birthday (which was Monday), but I only have the first sock finished. She's tried it on though and loves it!

We had another trip to the ER last week for our littlest monkey. She fell off a kitchen stool and hit her head. About 30 minutes later she threw up on me, so off to the ER for a CAT scan. Everything looked okay, but we got up every 2 hours through the night to make sure it was still that way.

We also registered for kindergarten! I shed no tears, but find myself thinking about his baby years a lot. He's excited, which makes it a lot easier for me. It's raining here again today, so pictures may have to wait a bit more.

Lost

Wow! Time flies by. We've been sick (off and on), to the ER, visited the Dr., contemplating food allergies, had a first haircut, had my birthday... It's been a bit crazy, but that's no excuse! We've got birthdays for both kids coming up this month as well. A pirate party for Hayden and a tea party for little miss. On the knitting front I've finished the first sock of the pair I'm making for myself. Doug's clogs are done and being used. I started, frogged and restarted Uptown Boot Socks for my mom. My Juliet is so close to being done, but has been put aside for everything else. Pictures of these things will follow soon. A photo shoot is in the works.

I do have pictures of a BSJ that I made and then gifted to a beautiful little girl! I used SWS and love it (even if a little splitty...)

I've been making tutus for Lainey. She's quite a girly girl sometimes and loves to dance!

And, here's the first haircut! A sucker at 9 a.m. really took her mind of everything!

If anyone is still reading, I hope you're very patient!

Jenn

Christmas Knitting is FINALLY Finished!

My SILs socks fit and were finished the day before they arrived for their visit! I have now officially started making a pair of socks for myself. They're just stockinette, but I'm using CTH mill ends in black/grey/plum colors. I think I'm going to love them! It is so soft.

I'm also getting ready to start felted clogs for my husband. He was so patient while I finished them up for his father and brother! I'm hoping to have them ready by the weekend. (I guess they're technically still Christmas knitting, but I feel better fooling myself.) I'm trying to decide what my next project will be. I'm planning on making something for myself. Here are a few in the running....

1. Tangled Yoke Cardigan - Eunny Jang
2. Indigo Ripple Skirt - Kat Coyle
3. Ariann - Chicknits
4. Shedir - Jenna Wilson (I've done this one before, but would love to make another.)

I have the yarn for all these (important when one is on a yarn diet!) If you want to help decide my first project for myself this year, offer up a vote! I'm feeling a bit indecisive! I also plan on knitting a lot of socks for myself. After the first pair is done I'm planning a pair of Cookie A. socks!