Lotsa Links

I was talking to my Mom yesterday, about my blog. I was asking her if she ever posted "non-crafty" things on hers, and she was telling me how she started out with two blogs, but has merged them into one. Not a bad idea honestly. Most everyone's blogs I read have some form of non-crafty information once and a while. I sometimes feel like I shouldn't blog when I don't have anything to brag about, or any new pictures to post, etc. But today I'm going to give it a whirl.

I have been working so hard on a few different projects. Every minute of spare time I have has been devoted to knitting lately. This has been really interesting to me as well, because before the past few months, knitting was just something that I "knew how to do" but didn't really DO anything with. I've learned a few new stitches, and techniques, and because of that I have totally "re-discovered" my excitement and passion for crafts.

My friend's baby blanket is coming along slowly but surely, I think of the tortoise and the hare story when thinking about my progress on this blanket. "Slow but steady, wins the race!" I have been extremely slow, and sometimes not so steady, but it WILL be finished by January 17th. I have a ton of other things on the needles as well. I conquered the yarn over technique with this baby bib the day before yesterday, which I was very proud of. I know looking at these patterns, to an expierenced knitter, they look so blah and easy, but there are little things about these that I hadn't ever done before, since this was barely a "hobby" beforehand.

Another thing I can't wait to learn is to knit in the round. Both my mom and my friend have told me that once I figure it out, I will say to myself "that's it? that's so easy!" And I can't wait to get that figured out. My dear husband wants a hat, and on Ravelry I found a pattern for a "manly hat" that is knit in the round, and on this guy (minus all that scruff that isn't so hot) I think this pattern would suit my man just perfectly. Another reason for me to learn to knit in the round is because I want a pair of fingerless mittens so bad! I found this pattern via Ravelry also, called "Hand like a Hole" and it's not knit in the round, it just has alot of yarn overs (which I can do now!!!) but I want to make those first, and then would LOVE to make something like this after I've gotten better.

Anyway. If anyone has any good ideas for websites where I can learn a few things, let me know, I'd love the input. Happy Hump Day!

Cupcakes. Version 2.0 ...

My lovely daughter's birthday was this past Tuesday. The big 6. Since school started down here almost a month prior, poor thing had to go to school on her birthday. This is something I don't know much about, being a summer baby myself, I always had the luxury of spending my birthday at home, during summer vacation. So, I decided that I was going to make cupcakes for her class, and bring them in. Now... don't these bad boys look lovely?! Chocolate, her favorite, and pink and purple, her two favorite colors. (Even though my husband claims this picture makes them look gray and not purple, but he always has to have something to say, lol)

Anyway, I take her to class and ask the teacher if it's okay that we bring in cupcakes. I was in such a rush the day before that I forgot to ask her. Even though I was up til 1am the night before making them anyway, I figured if it wasn't okay I'd still be able to use them here at home. So I asked her and she said it was fine, and I go get them from the car. She looks at them "Oh they look great" she says, followed by an "Oh, no....." Uh oh. "[Insert Child's Name Here] is allergic to chocolate." AY YI YI..... I imagine Homer Simpson in my head, saying "D'OH!" and I tell her that I'm going to the store, and I'll get more and make them. She says that its not necessary and we can find something for the other student, but I told her nope, I am going to get something everyone can eat. It's only fair, and it's my fault for not asking first.

So to make an insanely long story shorter, I had to run to the store, get more mix, come home and start to bake, realizing I'm out of paper liners. Back to the store I go, I come home and finish, practically icing them straight out of the oven, and off to school I go. Good news? They loved them. The kids loved my daughter for bringing cupcakes, and I got a ton of hugs and smiles.

What a great way to celebrate her birthday!

My Renovated Cabinet

Over the Labor Day weekend, my family came over for a cookout. And they came bearing gifts. It was funny, because we were jam-packed on the way home from the honeymoon, with all of our suitcases, wedding gifts, 2 kids and a chihuahua in tow, that we couldn't get everything in one trip. So alot was left behind, like my bouquets, our toasting flutes, pictures, etc. All the stuff they brought practically filled up my living room and I left it there for the better part of the day trying to figure out what to do with it.

I had this china type cabinet that fits in the corner of my living room, that was just kinda hanging around. There were a few odd and end pictures from over the years, and half empty bottles of liquor that were just sitting there. I tried to make it look nice, but I had nothing to put in it that I felt would make it look "elegant" cause that's what I felt this cabinet deserves.

So this is what I did with it. The bouquets from the wedding I had leftover and our reception flutes are in the top along with two beautiful teacups I received as a gift from my Aunt. In the bottom half is the bottle of wine we got from the lady who performed the ceremony, and a few of the candles from the centerpieces of the reception tables. I also have the portraits from the table where the guest book was. I think it looks nice, makes this old cabinet have some new life to it, filled with something very special, a cabinet full of memories.

A Sentimental Project

So as I posted earlier, a very dear friend of mine is having a baby. About 5 months ago I found this really cute pattern called The Sunny Baby Blanket and I couldn't wait to get started.

I got to work on it right away. The yellow of this blanket is just too adorable and I couldn't wait to get it going, looking at patterns and stuff was alot of fun for me. At the time, my husband and I were expecting our first child together. So it was going to be my first project. In April though, I put it away. We lost the baby and I couldn't bear to look at it. I knew it was there, and I knew that I was going to finish it. I couldn't figure out when, or who I'd make it for. I wasn't sure if I was going to pull it out again for myself, or if I was going to finish it, and maybe donate it to a hospital NICU.... I knew I was going to do something with it. When I found out that my friend was pregnant, and got to thinking about what I wanted to make for her, the blanket came into my mind again. And after alot of thought I decided that I wanted to make it for her. She was very supportive for me during my time of need, and not only that, but she and her husband have tried for a very long time to get pregnant, and I knew she understood the pain it can bring. I feel like there's no one more special for me to give this blanket to. Even though the bit of work I've done on it in the past week or so has been somewhat saddening, it's been a real cathardic process for me, and I can't wait to get it done. I know she will love it. Just as much as I love her. She already knows the meaning of it and I can't think of a better reason to finish something that means so much to me.


Here's what I've got done so far. It's not much, but I've really just gotten started on it. But here is the beginnings of my gift for little miss Eliza Ann Marie.