50!!!

50!

That is the number of baby hats I sent off to New York last week for the Infant Hats for India Project. Actually there were 48 turned in by the deadline, but I just had to make it an even 50 before I dropped them in the mail and, because it's faster, I FINALLY figured out how to crochet! Gasp! Yes, it took a project like this, and several youtube tutorials for lefties to teach myself.

The interest was so high (some even learned to knit for the very first time just for this project!!!) I think I'll do another mailing sometime in March, but before you send them my way, I need to ask Jes if it would be better to have people send the hats directly to her in India or to just keep sending them to me...I'll keep you posted.

Thanks everyone for helping out! Knitters and crocheters truly have giving hearts.

secret knitting revealed

I've started several posts this month and have not posted any. Why, you ask? I guess they were just not deemed worthy enough. I dunno. I am at a loss for words lately. Literally. Anyway, here's a picture of that secret project I was working on. I can finally reveal it because the baby shower was yesterday.

(The colors in the picture are sort of muted due to overcast skies.) It's for baby Cole. I think mom liked it. I can't wait to meet him and see him in it. It's 9-12 month size and I hope it fits by the time it's cold again.

That's it for now. I've gotta get back outside in that sun! My james is working on the garden sight as I type.

seeds and green observations

I've got Spring in my bones! Seriously I've never pined for Spring like this before. Which was odd because I think the Winter last year was quite a bit harder. Anyway, my wonderful james and I spent some time this morning planning out our garden. We are going to try the square foot gardening method this year. I saw the creator of this method on t.v. when we first moved to our house and have been wanting to try it ever since. You can read more about it here. I've done some research on what to plant when and bought some seeds for the first cold crop. Now let's see how my seeding skills are. I'll be starting peas, spinach, onions and asparagus indoors within the next couple of weeks.

Here's the current knitting project! I'm super excited about it because it's a gift for a dear friend. Can't show too much or give too much info because I want it to be a surprise but here's a little peek.

If you are truly a fan, you'll notice that it is green and that I for some reason favor green yarn. If you didn't notice don't worry you're still a fan because I didn't really notice either. Verla at the Unraveled Sheep pointed out that I seem to favor the greens. She's right. I do love green. I wouldn't say it's my favorite color, but I really can't stay away from it.

And here's my current delight. Along with some other fun goodies, L n L brought this back from London for me.

The mug is handmade. Lance picked it out at a cute, little pottery shop in London. Nice eh? My new fave for tea. They brought James a beer, a beer glass and some neat beer coasters. They just know us all too well.

on the needles

It's been forever since I've been bloggy about fiber. If you've been wondering, yes indeed I have been knitting. Current projects:


1. A pencil case for HELPSudan. (still need to add the drawstring closure)




Which inspired the following conversation, last night...


James: Whatcha knitting now?

Me: A pencil case.

James: For?

Me: Sudan.

(Insert brief pause.)


James: Like Africa Sudan?

Me: Yup.

James: Oh.

(Insert brief pause.)


James: What's for dinner?

As you can see, he's curiosity only goes so far when it comes to my knitting.


Anyway, I've decided to use a different pattern than the one I originally thought I was going to use. The original one calls for 2 circular needles and I didn't want to have to go buy them. So, I'm using Pencil Case for Darfur by Kieran Foley. I think it's only available via Ravelry. If you're a member click here for the pattern.


2. More monkeys!

I'm using Koigu superwash wool. Superwash is wonderful. It still holds the warmth of wool but you can actually wash it in the machine. (on the gentle setting of course). I believe they treat the wool with chemicals for it to have this great quality. Although I'm not entirely sure and don't want to do the research because I'm willing to bet I'll discover it's harmful for the environment and guilty knitting is just not something I want to deal with. Being an SUV owner and all.

SAVE HANDMADE!

I have been meaning to post something about this for days, but just have not done it. Thanks for the reminder Marnie. Some of you may know about this but for those who don't...

Congress has passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which means that small businesses, Etsy sellers, crafters and artisans, even large retailers, anyone making and selling products for children (including clothing, toys, games, furniture...etc.) will be required to invest tens of thousands of dollars to have their products tested and labeled by a third-party for any dangerous chemicals. This will put crafters and sellers out of business. Example: If I wanted to sell some knitted baby items on Etsy, I would have to send samples to a lab and pay to have them test it for harmful chemical. (Even if I used all natural products--like 100% cotton!) Which would mean I would have to sell my items for $1000's of dollars just to break even!! This is ridiculous and government should not have that much control. I'm all for safe products for children, but seriously this is just too much.

We can make a difference and there is proof that some people already have! Cool Mom Picks has put together an excellent overview of the issue and has created a list of links directing you specific sites where your voice can be heard. Click on the Save Handmade button to the right or click here for more information. SAVE HANDMADE!

a new hat for a new year II

Happy second week of the new year! We've been busy with planning out some financial and health goals around here so I've been trying to take a break from the computer to stay focus on that. But I'm back!


Last year I knit myself a new hat for the new year. I decided to continue the tradition and finished off this fashionable hat last week. I tried to give it away because I didn't like it on my noggin', but no takers. So I tried my head once more and I actually do like it now. (I apologize for such a crappy pict, but I wanted to get this posted. I'll try to get some better shots later.) The free pattern is here from knitandtonic.


I've also finished the hat to go with the mittens for Sophie. She pulled it right off her head when I originally gave it to her so I've added ear flaps and ties. This is actually my own pattern folks! Yep, I designed it myself--something quite rare around here. So here's what we've been busy with the last few weeks. Our hopes for the new year...

1. To pound out debt! We've set out to really work on this this year and can do it if we stay focused. We don't have much debt compared to the national average, but enough to prevent us from getting ahead. And with James starting school this month it's a must. After a recent generous gift, we've already paid off one MAJOR one. We've also taken some small steps to continue to help us get ahead. Like... cancelled the cable (yes sadly this means no more Martha, Catherine Tate or dvr-ing the beloved Office--I'm sure we'll survive), drained and unplugged the electricity eating hot tub, put a smaller heater in the pond, completely stopped using credit cards (we rarely use them, but totally committed to stop using them after our Chicago trip), hand made most of our Christmas and birthday gifts for friends (jam, aprons, soap, knitted items, framed pictures for family Lisa took of us...etc.) , been very, very frugal on our grocery, clothing, and entertainment without feeding into a spirit of poverty (hard to do!) and if I can find a second job worth the gas and time, I'll be doing that too. So hopefully by O-10 (I've decided to dub 2010 that), I'll be reporting some fantastic news.
   


2. James and I are also committing to really work on our health this year. We're both pretty healthy, but miserably overweight. We have a trip with L & L planned to Lake Powell in May and want to be able to keep up with them and of course for all the pictures that come along with vacationing, since you live in your swimming suit on the lake! (I'm so, so excited! Seriously Powell is my favorite vacation spot--ever! But more on that later...) The whole health thing came about after a year of just feeling, well... fat and outta shape and recent pictures have horribly proven the point. We've both struggled with weight all our lives and tried several times to get in shape, but never at the same time and with so much determination, so I'm hoping we'll be successful this time round. I'll keep you posted...hopefully this blog will also keep me accountable so be warned, I'll probably talking about it a lot.



3. As I said my James will be going back to school beginning this month studying Business Administration. Yea! I'm so proud of him. He loves to learn and I believe this will really be good for him. He's excited too.
   


4. I also hope to start a good garden in the spring. I'd like to do a ton of canning this Summer, but would like to can some of my own produce. Pickling cucks, tomatoes, and beans are at the top of the list. The jam was a hit this year for Christmas gifts and I'd like to be able to get a good storage of canned goods going.
   


5. I'd like to master the art of marshmallow making. Yes, marshmallows people. I set out to try around Christmas but didn't have a whisk attachment to my second-hand mixer. I'll have to either borrow one or maybe the coveted Kitchenaid will mysteriously arrive on my doorstep. Hey, it's possible. Stranger things have happened around here.
   


6. I'd like to do more charity knitting this year starting with HELPSudan. They are looking for knitted pencil cases. You can read more here on Wendyknits (a great blog if you are a knitter and a cat fan).
   
   
7. I hope to blog more and take better pictures. My little camera is limited so it's a good challenge. A used Nikon D70, 80 or 90 is on my wish list...right under the Kitchenaid of course. Oh and lessons on how to use wanted camera.
   
   
8. More creativity is on the list too. I'd like to make some pieces (embroidered, painted, collage, paper cuttings, etc.) for some of our bare walls. I'm really desiring art pieces that say "us". Which I think I can start on because we've been "us" for a few years now and I'm hoping to capture it.

That's it! Be prepared to hear more about my adventures. Oh and here's a fat little blackbird I saw at Costco yesterday. He begged for me to take his picture.

To all of you, may 2009 be your best year thus far and may God be big in all your lives!

FOs yea!

Finally! I was able to catch some much coveted sunlight on one of my days off this week. Thus it resulted in some knitting picts of my recent FOs (finished objects). I'm working on a birthday gift and a few other Christmas gifts today that I just may have picts for as well...as long as Mr. Sun decides to stay and play.

I look a little giddy because I have been working on this darn cowl since freaking FEBRUARY!! Seriously! It's 51 inches long. While knitting this behemoth cowl I heard quite a few comments like, "Um don't you think that's waaaay too long?" or "Maybe you should stop now Becca." I've learned in my knitting days to just go with my gut and plow through the pattern. I'd rather frog something too long than stop short only to have my hopes dashed of it being finished. I'm so glad I kept going. Because it's so airy and thin, the bulkiness of the length creates warmth and allows for you to pull it up over your head on those blustery days like so: (I'm trying hard to imagine a blustery day in this pict. It was quite hard to do so while inside looking out the window on a sunny day. Can you tell?)

I've also finished mitts for Sophie, who shall be visiting soon! Here parents are my good friends that are coming home from the UK for a Christmas visit. I'm soo very excited.

I found the pattern for the mitts free on Ravelry. If you are a knitter (ehh humm - Rebecca & RaeLynn) Ravelry is a MUST. I know I've said it before, but seriously I use it and check it more than my facebook or myspace pages. It's the clearing house of all things knitterly available on the web. The best resource I've ever found.

I will leave you with this sweet little bobble washcloth-- pattern also available for free, found via the beloved Ravelry.

knitting can be a threat to homeland security...who knew??

Here's a great bit of news on Nailed 'Em off of Colbert Nation.

lots of knitting but no picts for proof

Although my postings have been non-existent lately, I have indeed been knitting. However, I do not have photos to prove it because 1. I have already given the knitted items away for birthday gifts and such or b. I will be giving them for Christmas and don't want to ruin any surprises for those that read this. So, instead, I will post a lovely photo of the flowers we gave my mom for her birthday.

I also baked a Sunshine Cake for her that my dad absolutely loves. So much so that he called me up yesterday just to tell me not to change the recipe --ever (something my mom is notorious for - sorry mom but it's true). So I guess he'll be getting one for his birthday next month. Even though he doesn't seem to remember that my mom has made this cake many times in the past--where do you think I got the recipe...

In other news...my James turned 30 last Sunday. Welcome to "Club 30" babe! While he did total boy stuff (went to the desert to shot guns with Lance), I baked attempt #2 of his chocolate birthday cake. Yes #2. The first cake made from scratch the day before was a complete disaster. I've never in my life had such a problem with a simple chocolate cake! It had too much baking soda or something because it turned into a giant mess in my oven. Overflowed like a volcano. So a made-from-the-box cake it was. I did make the chocolate frosting though. Later that night we had a quite little gathering with our closest friend, L & L and Nick and his Jina. We did a potato bar and Guinness, played Totally 80's Trivia, which was a long laborious almost impossible game, and enjoyed the attempt #2 chocolate cake. Yes, a total low key 30th bash and no fluff, upon request. My James insists that I NEVER have a big shindig for his birthday--EVER. Don't ask why I don't understand either. But it's fine with me. I think I'm out of my big-party-for-every-occasion phase.

Thanksgiving was spent in Denver with James' family. It was a quite lovely visit. However, I was kicking myself the whole time because I did not bring nearly enough knitting. What the eff was I thinking??! James was even shocked! Next time I tell you all I'm leaving on a trip or vacation or whatever, please remind me of this lack of knitting of trip. I was finished with the project I brought along in mere hours--over half of which was done in the airport and on the plane.

OK now that we're all updated and whatnot (from most recent events backwards I just noticed)--how are those handmade Christmas gifts coming along everyone?

best tutorial ever!

This is for my knitting and crocheting friends. Recently the superwoman who taught me to knit and to whom I am forever indebted to for teaching me this wonderful skill, asked if I would sew a lining into a knitted bag she had made. I was like, "Sure! No problem!" --not remembering that I've never done this before. Gulp. (insert nervous laugh here)

When I'm at a lose for how to do something, which is frequent, I turn to the handy dandy internet for help. What a wonderful tool the information highway is! I found an amazing tutorial on not only how to make a lining, but also how to sew it in! (insert sigh of relief here) Futuregirl, the author of said tutorial, is brilliant and sure has a talent to teach and share her wisdom. Here's the link to the lining tutorial. (Check out her blog if you are into crafty things. It's quite inspiring!)

I'll be working on the lining sometime later today so hopefully I can post pictures of it early this week.

more knitting and some shrinking...oh, and GO VOTE!

I've started a new knitting project! Yes, because I can't have just one or even three projects going on at the same time. I'm working on a chevron scarf from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. The author also wrote Last Minuted Quilted and Patchwork Gifts as well. I really like both of these books and have done a few projects from each. I've been seeing the chevron scarf all over Ravelry and have been dying to make one myself.

I also started on a basic knit scarf with some yarn a friend brought back from Argentina for me. (OK that's two knitting projects, give me a break.) Though incredibly beautiful, it's sort of a hard yarn to work with and I can't really think of anything else to make with it. I'm pretty sure it's cotton.

Remember shrinky dinks? Those plastic figures that you color and then put in the oven and they shrink and get super hard? Well, I've been seeing all over Etsy and other crafting sights the use of shrinky dink material for jewelry and other fun stuff. So I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and actually found blank sheets of shrinky dink plastic! I whipped up a few necklace pendants and a zipper pull last night. I think I was more excited as an adult to see my creations wrinkle and shrink in the oven, than I was when I was a kid! It was quite fun. I think these shall be Christmas gifts for my gal friends.

I am so glad daylight saving is over! It will be wonderful to have the sun coming up an hour earlier. Maybe I won't despise my early bird-ness if the sun is up with me now.

Don't forget to vote today! How could you forget really though? If you live under a rock I suppose. I early voted and hopefully by tomorrow, no matter who wins, the bickering and candidate bashing will be over...hopefully...I'm just so sick of it. I'll leave it at that...

(Picts of scarves and shrinky dinks coming soon! I'm waiting for some good morning lighting, but it looks like it's going to be a rainy or even snowy day.)

awake at 5 a.m. ...on a Saturday

OK what is with my internal time clock? Seriously. I guess I have to come to terms with that fact that I am indeed a morning person. I've fought it for years. It's sooo much cooler to be a night owl. Especially when you are at parties or visiting friends. Because when 9 p.m. rolls around and you are fighting off the yawns and sleepy eyes while everyone else is just getting going for the night, it feels quite rude.


Anyway, in the wee hours of morn while waiting for the sun to come up so I can get a good picture of the monkeys, I came across this blog. Which suggests that we all have a Corporate Free Christmas by hand making Christmas gifts this year. I do like this idea. However I do want to state that I do not completely agree with banning Christmas shopping all together. I know that Christmas time for small businesses is a very profitable season. And I want to support the little guy. I say this because though spending beyond our means is ridiculously out of control, a lot of us little guys are supported by the general population's daily wants and needs.


I recently heard a podcast from Bethel Church about how there has been a growing negative attitude toward the upper class and the mega rich and their spending habits. Like spending ridiculous amounts on vacations, extravagant houses, gardening services, cars, dining,...etc., but think about it. They are actually providing an income for others, like servers, mechanics, gardeners, contractors, labors, etc. A good portion of my husband's income is provided by the upper class need for good dog trainers and we are so appreciative there is even a market for this.


So again, while I agree we as low and mid-income Americas must stop spending money we don't have, I don't fully support that we stop shopping altogether. I totally support the idea though that we get back to the basics of gift giving from the heart. Whether it's handmade or supporting the local, small businesses rather than the corporate giant big box stores (don't get me started on that whole issue -- I have a hard time shopping at Walmart anymore after I saw this documentary). I want to stop spending on thoughtless and obligatory gifts.


OK now that that rants is out there here's a picture of the monkeys! Together at last.

Second Sock Success!

Hurray! Monkey #2 is finished! It's blocking right now so as soon as it's dry I will post a picture with the fabulous Lisa shoes.

the cure for second sock syndrome

I have had second sock syndrome--for two long weeks, at least. My monkeys are not yet monkey"s". And I hate having WIPs looming over my head. "Beeeecaaaa...you said you would finish me. You spent money on this yarn. You spent hours and hours on Monkey number one. I'll just sit here and wait for you to pick me up again...sniff, sniff...I guess you don't really love Monkeys as much as you said you did. Might as well frog Monkey number one..." See??? Monkey number two is looming!

However, Lisa came over on Saturday with a bag full of goodies. SHOES! Oh for the love of shoes! See we wear about the same size shoe and she loves shoes, but has a tiny closet so when she gets new shoes she gives me her old shoes. Which are practically new shoes by my standards. This has been happening for years. In fact, I don't think I've bought a pair in years. Probably 75% of my shoes are from the lovely land of Lisa. When someone comments on my cute shoes I reply, "Thanks they're Lisa's." As if they are a brand name like Valentino or Louboutin.

Anyway, I pulled out the first pair and look what I saw...

Beautiful! And the best part is they are great for wearing with my new Monkeys. The longing for the Mary Janes in my last post is gone--thanks to the Lisa shoe love. I am so blessed!

By the way, the looming Monkey is not looming anymore. That's him in the picture. About 25% done. I should be wearing my monkeys by the weekend.

monkeyin' around

I have finally done it folks. Crossed the line into knitted items that seem silly because they are so tedious and take so much time and you have to hand wash them and you wear them on one of the most abused areas of your body -- your feet and you have to buy special shoes to actually show off all your hard work...I have finished my first adult sized sock. Meet monkey #1:
Quite a beauty I must say myself. Except I have lost the ball band and can't remember what kind of yarn it is. And I love it. And I want more. Blast!

Here's the yarn up close though:

What a gorgeous colorway huh?! Perfect for Fall. The pattern for the sock is here from Knitty. It's called Monkey.

Now I just need to buy these cute Mary Jane shoes to show them off. Oh what we knitters do for our craft.

Mourning Summer

September 1st. A sad day. Summer is officially over. It was around 97 degrees on Saturday. Today it is hovering around the mid 60's. Brrrrr! Although Fall is a great season, this Summer has been especially wonderful. We had a long, cold Winter and the Summer temperatures have been gloriously hot. It seems that Summer knew it was over because it is raining today--dark, cloudy, gloomy. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain and cozy, blanket, hot coffee, warm slipper days, but I'm just not ready for these cold temperatures!

I did make a fun little purchase off of Etsy today to easy the pain (oh the costly things we do to bring cheer...). I finally bought something from the Black Apple. No not the Mac kind of apple, but the top Etsy seller. I really love this girl's work. Though I didn't purchase a print, which is what she is known for, I did get some really cool little pins. I'll blog them when they arrive in the mail. Etsy is addictive! I could just spend hours looking at all the art and crafty items.

Amongst the mourning and the Etsy perusing, I've been knitting today. We've had a whirlwind weekend of BBQ's, late nights, family, and friends so to have the holiday day off to recover has been quite nice. I've been working on some Monkey Socks from Knitty. I really like them so far. I just hope they fit!

Pickled

My first try at canning was a success! I now have 10 quarts of picture perfect dill pickles! I'd like to do more but finding the time before cucumber season is over may be a challenge. We had a late harvest for most of the produce this year so I may just get lucky.

I also attempted to finish my market bag but the handles are giving me issues. After completing the handles I realized the opening was way too small to appropriately carry anything bigger than a grapefruit. So I'm in the process of frogging the handles and trying to knit them on larger needles. Here's a picture of it with one of the insufficient handles still intact.

Found. Done.

A sweet little nest for tiny baby birds. Found.

We had a bit of a wind storm here a few nights ago and I found this in our backyard while watering this morning. I'm surprised it survived the curiosity of our two dogs. I pray the little babies had already left the nest before the storm blew their house out of their tree.

Sweet little booties for a sweet little baby. Done.

Well I guess I don't know if the baby is sweet yet. She hasn't been born. The baby shower for said baby was last night. (And it was the biggest baby shower I've ever been to--50 people, spouses invited. That number doesn't include kids or dogs. Overwhelming really.) Thankfully I had these done the day before. The mom really liked them which always means it was worth the time and effort. And though I doubted the sex of the baby and had to confirm with a friend, I made them in the correct colors for a girl. Isn't it weird that we still have a tendency of going pink for girls and blue for boys? Why is that? Hmmmm....

Spring is springing with tiny things!

I have finished off more tiny knitted items.

More baby socks by request of a proud momma.

Sartjee's Booties that I'm not too sure I like. The ends are all weird to weave in and the little loop for the button is no too cute up close. The picture does not do the flaws justice.

I've also been doing some felting. I have a lot of wool odds and ends in my stash that I want to use up so I've been trying some patterns for some felted bowls.

So that's about it for recent projects. I've started a felted bag and toying with the idea of some bibs for gifts from the Mason Dixon book.

Other than all that knitty goodness I've been getting into soap making! "What in the world made you want to make soap Becca?" you ask? Well, I recently heard a podcast from craftsanity.com (I love that Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood) and I really wanted to try it. I just imagined myself surrounded by potions and fragrances and not to mention dangerous, caustic lye so with a mad scientist grin... I just had to try it! So my mom and I signed up for a class at soapcrafters.com downtown. It's a two part class. The first class was Wednesday where we learned all about the cold-process technique. It was quite interesting. Next week we will actually be making soap! Yea! I'm excited for soapy goodness now! I'll post pictures when the soap is ready.

It's a beautiful spring day so I'm off to sweep my porch off of all the winter filth.

I've been busy!

Yes, I've been busy knitting! It's been so freaking cold here that it's all I can do to keep warm. (Good excuse huh?) So here are two of my FO's:

Enterlac Hat that does not fit my ginormous head.

And here's the Rhythm Scarf. It's been felted a bit which really does make it nice and soft but it didn't shrink much at all. I love NORO!I've also casted on a sweater for my Yorkie, Sebastian. Like I said, it has been so cold here that when we go outside he play for 2 minutes and then sit and shiver begging to go back inside. So my manly husband, who does not approve of doggy attire, is letting me knit a fantastic cable sweater for him. Bless his big manly heart!

The other project I've completed is a charming hand bag from Amy Carol's book Bend the Rules Sewing. I'm hoping my dear friend Lisa will like it as much as I do. It's a birthday gift for her. I added a felt humming bird rather than the suggested ribbon because I just didn't have any that I liked with the fabric I had.

OK well, enough jabbering...off to the post office.

PS Count down till I'm 30 is down to 2 days people! 2 days! Ahhh!