Christmas Savings

I've still be knitting and crocheting like crazy, preparing Christmas gifts.  I can't wait to share the pictures with you!  I've also been trying to figure out the best way to handle Christmas on a budget.  One of my many cousins just shared some fabulous deals she's gotten in her most recent blog post.

I've heard of Swagbucks before, but haven't really taken it seriously.  I should have!  You earn 'bucks' easily - just by using their search engine when searching the web.  I am quite partial to Google, so the thoughts of giving it up, ,even once in a while made me sad.  Then I saw that the Swagbucks search results are partially powered by Google.  Awesome!  So now, I can search and earn!  Earn what, you may ask?  You can trade your Swagbucks in for a variety of things - Amazon.com gift cards, books, magazines, and all kinds of things!  Unfortunately, I haven't found yarn on their 'gift' list yet! Haha!  I would love to earn enough bucks to do some Christmas shopping on Amazon, but I'm not getting my hopes up that they'll accumulate that fast.

Anyway, if you (yes, you) sign up (It's totally free) for Swagbucks using one of the links in this post, I'll get 1 free Swagbuck (which would just be awesome!)  If you don't sign up, it's not going to hurt my feelings, but definitely check it out!  Free stuff is always cool, especially to a mostly-stay-at-home mom. 

I'm off to do my homework for the parenting class YammaDaddy and I take, and I've got to get it done while Sweet E sleeps! 

I hope you and your families had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We did, but more (photos) on that later.

Crafty Madness!

Has it seriously been three weeks since I last posted?  I've been working away on my Christmas crafting, and have lost track of time.  Again.  However, I've been forced to put things for me away, and work on things for others.  Not that I mind, but at the end of the day, I'd like to eventually have something to keep.  When the new year arrives, I will be making things for me and my family to enjoy, and hopefully be able to get some charity items made.

I've finally got my Etsy shop up and running!  Currently, the only items listed are coffee cozies, but it's a start.  I have several scarves and afghans I will list for sale soon - I just need to take picutes of them! 

Speaking of taking pictures, YammaDaddy bought me my birthday and Christmas present this past weekend - a Nikon D3000!  Woohoo!  I'm loving it!  Yes, my birthday is in December.  Yes, I've already opened my gift.  No, I don't feel guilty. :) 

A friend of mine is having a baby, and is due Jan 1.  She likes small afghans for her kids, and I usually make her 2 - one for her child to hang on to, and one for the laundry.  She swaps them out, and her youngest son never knows his 'night night' is being washed.  Sneaky, and a great idea!  I have afghan #1 made for the new baby, and as soon as I finish a chemo cap for my friend who just started treatments, I'll get busy with baby afghan #2.  I will also be making her youngest (well, he's currently the youngest!) 2 replacement afghans since he loved his other two to death.  Quite literally.  I love it that he loves his blankies so much!

I'm still baffled by the lack of spell check on this new Blogger composer, so if you find it, let me know!  Even though posting photos is SO much better now, I may have to switch back to the old style, just to have spell check. 

Knitting up a Storm

I've been knitting up a storm lately, and can't wait to show you, but you'll have to wait!  I'm working on a LOT of Christmas gifts, and don't want to give away all the surprise.  I also don't want to bore you with a bazillion pictures of dishcloths.  I'll take a group shot when I make more progress.  I've knit 4 dishcloths this week alone. 

I will also be crocheting baby afghans for a friend of mine.  One is for her new baby, expected in late December/early January, and another is a replacement for her 4 year old son.  He has absolutely worn his afghans to the points they're threadbare, and it warmed my heart to know he has enjoyed them so.  However, it broke my heart thinking he may be afghan-less soon.  We can't have that now can we?!? 

I took picture of my Etsy items last night, and hope to post them this week.  I'm starting off with a few scarves and coffee cozies. 

On an unrelated note, does anyone know where the spell check button is on this new Blogger editor?  I am usually quite computer-savvy, but I'm at a loss...

Beginnings and Ends

Interested in what's been going on? Here it is.

• I'm in the process of setting up an Etsy shop. I've stopped pondering it, and am going to jump in and do it. All that's left to do is post my shop policies, and photograph and list my items. You can be sure that I'll post links and more info as it's available.
• I finished a purple afghan and hat set


• I've gotten another order for a candy corn Trick-or-Treat bag
• I've been frantically knitting and crocheting Christmas gifts, praying I get them done
• I've been organizing my knitting needles (more on that later)
• I've been making apple butter from fresh apples we got this weekend while traveling

When I list it all out, it doesn't seem like much, but in all reality, I'm just not sure where the time has gone. I need to also get on the ball making these felt Christmas stockings. So far, I'm only 1/2 way through the first one, and I have that to finish, and 2 more to make, or else Santa won't fill them with goodies. Uh oh! I'd better get busy!

Projects Galore

I've been so busy working on projects!

I finally took the few minutes required and ran the ribbon though Sweet E's pink dress. I tacked it to the dress with hidden stitches, so the ribbon will stay in place. She wore her bloomers with it, but they were a little big, so I had to run a string through the waist and tie them. It worked out, and she was able to wear them, but I'd like to make her a smaller pair. I have a lot of projects now, so I'm not sure when/if the bloomers will be completed. Here's her finished dress.

I'm very happy with the dress, and love it on her. It fits very nicely.

I also took a few minutes and sewed the buttons on the white baby poncho, so now it is ready to wear.

I have also started working on Sweet E's 3-D Teddy Bear afghan again, and realizing how much work I have ahead of me, actually considered for a day or two just throwing away what I've done (or just making a tiny afghan of just the flower motifs) and being down with it all, so I can move on to projects that interest me more. However, I really want to finish this afghan, and hate to get rid of the work I've done thus far. I've pretty much decided to make it smaller than the pattern calls for, but that's still a lot of work.

I added several projects to my queue today - a knit dress for Sweet E, a crochet cardigan for me, and a baby afghan that has been commissioned. All of these on top of all the projects I'm making for Christmas. I'm to the point I'm so overwhelmed I don't know where to start, and I'm losing valuable time just thinking of all the work I have to do.

Real vs Fake

Since we went on vacation Labor Day weekend, I've been knitting and crocheting a lot! Yay for progress! I'll share my projects in a little while, but for now, I must share two funnies.

I've been trying to knit a preemie hat in the round (seamless). I've started, and frogged, the project approximately 10 times. No joke. I've tried Magic Loop using circular needles, and I've tried double pointed needles. I got so frustrated with the dpns at first, I wanted to use their bamboo loveliness as kindling for a campfire. I then planned to roast marshmallows and have smores to drown out my failure. Then, my toddler, Sweet E finds the dpns, and yarn, and decides she'll take a shot. Please excuse the after-nap hair, but we all know you must be well-rested in order to concentrate.

Now seriously, why does it seem she get them, and I don't?! I had to laugh and take a picture. It's priceless. Since then, I have cast on yet another preemie hat, and am actually halfway done with it. Seems I learned a thing or two from my daughter.

Second funny of the day. I saw this on a Ravelry discussion board last night, so this is not an original 'me' thought. However, I'm still laughing about it, so I thought I'd share it.

This picture was in a craft magazine, advertising the handy-dandy yarn holder for those projects that require multiple colors. The holder helps you keep up with your yarn, and helps it not to tangle. Nifty, right? Take a look at the picture.

At first glance, you may not think anything of it. However, look again, and ponder the following points.

-This is a crocheted, granny squares, afghan. If it's crocheted, then why is she holding knitting needles? You can't crochet with knitting needles, and you can't knit with crochet hooks (unless you're quite MacGyver-ish). Hmm.

-Why is she holding her knitting needles in the same hand, chopstick fashion? That doesn't work either.

-Why does she have her knitting needles stabbed randomly into the afghan? That's not how you knit either. With knitting, you carry individual stitches on your needles.

-Have you noticed yet that the afghan is completed, and not in progress?

-There are only 4 colors or yarn used in the afghan. There are 6 colors of yarn coming of of the yarn holder. Yellow is the mystery color I'm really caught up on. Where is she putting the yellow strand? Is she eating it, or using it to knit more blonde hair?

-Very rarely do you either knit, or crochet, with 6 strands of yarn at one time.

Anyway, please, if you work for a publication, and want readers to take your advertisements seriously, know your audience, and at least a little about the crafts your product pertains to. Maybe the blonde model explains it all! :) Ok, ok, just kidding about the blonde thing. Kinda.

I think Sweet E is doing much better with the dpns than the model is doing knitting her crocheted afghan. Just a thought.

Peaches & Creme

Back in August, we traveled through Old Fort, NC and I begged (ahead of time) to stop. Why stop in a tiny town nestled near the base of a mountain? To visit Pisgah Yarn and Dyeing Company, home of Peaches & Creme yarn! P&C, for short, is 100% cotton yarn that is spun and dyed in NC, and is made of all USA manufactured materials. Talk about stimulating the economy - I tried to do my share!




P&C can be confused with Sugar 'n Cream, which is also 100% cotton yarn. Sugar 'n Cream is manufactured in and imported from Canada. SnC seems to be in the big chain craft stores, while P&C is a little more challenging to find. A few limited colors can be found at Wal-Mart, but for their most delicious colors, you have to search a little. When I found this out, and learned that we'd be driving right past the mill and outlet store, the begging, pleading, and good behavior began :)

YammaDaddy didn't really make me beg, and we stopped by the mill. I only had 30 minutes to decide what I wanted to 'adopt', make my list, ask the guys to go pull my order, and pay. Whew! I wasn't prepared for this, and now know what to expect next time. Oh yes, and there will be a next time! Here are my treasures from this expedition, and believe it or not, I got home, and realized I'd forgotten a few things. Along with first quality yarns, I also picked up some seconds, which is why some cones don't have ballbands, and why some is just wadded up looking. I can't wait to get into this, which I plan to do this afternoon!

Yes, this will take me a while to work up, but all the pretty colors make me so happy!

Trick or Treat!

For Halloween 2008 I made Sweet E a candy corn Trick-or-Treat bag. My niece and nephew saw it, and loved it, so of course, I made them one. This year, I've already received, and filled, on order for two of the bags! The requester saw the bags I made last year, remembered them, and specifically requested them! Wow! Here are the two I made on special request:

Want one? Email me!

I dyed today.

I dyed yarn for the first time today.

After the desire to dye (very different than to die) was stumbled upon, I scoured the web (mostly Ravelry) looking for information. I opted for Kool-Aid dyeing, but then found out you have to Kool-Aid dye animal fibers (like wool), which I didn't have. A feature I don't particularly care with wool is that it felts when it is washed. While felting is neat, the texture of felt kinda weirds me out. So, you can imagine the pleasant surprise when I dropped by AC Moore (to pick up the stuff to dye cotton yarn with), and found Superwash wool in the clearance bin! Woohoo - it was my lucky day!

Here is how today went:

1)Wrap ball of yarn around Niddy-Noddy to create a hank. It is not necessary to us a Niddy-Noddy; you can use the back of a chair for example. But why would I do that, if I can build, and have another little gadget to use?

2) Tie yarn in several places. I tied near each 'leg' of N-N (you can see the little colored strings). Slip yarn off Niddy Noddy, and soak thoroughly in lukewarm/coolish water. I added a tad of baby shampoo, because I read that helps the yarn absorb the water.

3) Mix yarn and Kool-Aid. I didn't want a uniform dye, so here was my approach. Put 2 packs of Kool-Aid in bowl. Add warm water. Mix. Dip partial skein of yarn into dye. Hold for a few seconds, put the rest in. Submerge yarn. Sprinkle packs 3 and 4 of Kool-Aid onto yarn. Wearing a glove, squish and swish yarn around in Kool-Aid dye. The yarn will begin absorbing the color, and therefore the dye. My assistant in this photo is my neice.

4) Cook mixture in microwave until water is totally clear. I cooked it for 2 minutes, stirred, then 3 more minutes. This is our finished product, which I'm very happy with.

It is exactly how I pictured it, and I love the variation in color - some is lighter, some is darker.

5)Hang in shower to dry.

6)Wind into ball.

7)Crochet or knit with your yummy smelling yarn! This is the most challenging part of it all - deciding what to make!

8) Beg family members and passer-byers for more Kool-Aid and Superwash wool, so you can dye again!

An added bonus? My house now smells like Berry Blue Kool-Aid!

Not meant to be

I really don't think my Waffle stitch knit dishcloth is meant to be. I've frogged more on this cloth, and considering it's a dishcloth, that's absurd. I'm persisting though.

Anyway, I began a knit preemie hat, but that didn't work out (it was big enough to fit me, thanks to a stretchy cast on), so it got frogged. I really will make one, one of these days. I'm going to attempt the double pointed needles next, but it's a bit intimidating to me to think I'm going to have to keep up with 4 needles at a time. Ahh!

I will also be crocheting 2 candy corn trick or treat bags that have been requested. I'll post pictures as I can - probably when I complete them both.

I'll may also attempt yarn dyeing tomorrow, as my dad helped (ok he did most of the work, but I did a little) me build a Niddy Noddy today. What is that, you may ask? Details to follow in a yarn dyeing post. Dad also helped me make a drop spindle today, as I'd like to see how I like spinning my own yarn. I'm quickly understanding why handspun and hand dyed yarns are so expensive.

Coffee anyone?

I've been quite busy the last couple week working on coffee cozies, and my knitting.

My Knit Nuts knit and crochet group was asked by the owner (of the coffee shop we meet at) if the group would make coffee cozies for her to sell on consignment there in the shop. Between everyone in the group, we had a large number of cozies up for sale, so I only left 6 of the 14 I crocheted. Here is a picture of all 14.

Some are very basic, and some are more unique. If you see one you want, or want to to custom make you one, email me!

I've completed my first Ballband dishcloth. I made it of Peaches and Creme cotton, and have fallen in love with it. My husband and I are planning to stop by the Peaches and Creme outlet store this Friday while we travel, and I'm trying to figure out how to limit my spending!

I enjoyed making it so much, that I've cast on a Waffle Stitch dishcloth. Another member of Knit Nuts showed of a precious blanket she made in Waffle Stitch, and I just had to make a cloth.

A group I belong to on Ravelry is doing a preemie project, and we're seeing how many objects we can knit for preemies between now and October. So far, I've only cast on one hat, and am determined to complete it, even though I'm frustrated with it already.

I've fallen in love with my Knit Picks interchangeable knitting needles, and now, I want to complete set, and additional cables. Considering the set is almost $70, I'll save my pennies... I'd also like to try some of their yarn I've heard nice things about.

I've also gotten the itch to try spinning and dyeing my own yarn. I purchased the items I need to make a drop spindle and a niddy noddy (which created skeins of yarn). I can't wait to see the results of my dyeing attempts!

Sweet E's Toddler bloomers are almost completed, but I have decided I don't like them. I'm so close to completing them though, so I hate to completely frog them. But, when she grows big enough to wear them, she won't actually need bloomers. So, what to do. Hmm...

All kinds of creations

I've been up to all kinds of stuff the last two weeks.

July 20 we left for vacation. Upon arrival, we unloaded the car in the pouring down rain. After the torrential downpour let up though, we had beautiful weather the rest of the week! We spent the first several days stringing, breaking, and canning beans. My grandmother also gave my sister and I a pickle recipe, so I've made some, and we're waiting to see what they taste like.

I also worked on quite a few projects.

I made a couple coffee cozies which will soon be for sale in a local coffee shop,

a little bag for Sweet E to carry small toys in (coffee cup there for size reference),

and a cloth for her to chew on to soothe sore gums, and busted lips (that's why it is black, and not a cute girly color.)

I also began some Bloomers for Sweet E to wear with her Pink dress I just completed, and completed a poncho/shawl for her too, except for adding buttons (the same one my grandma started.)

I've also started a Ballband knit Dishcloth, and will be starting to knit a dress for Sweet E - yes, another dress.

Another project was a cosmetic bag I crocheted for my best friend for her birthday.

I received my Knit Picks needle order, and love them! They have great customer service too, and I'll definitely order from them in the future.

When I arrived home from vacation, not only had my Knit Picks order arrived, but so had my swap package! This is what my swap partner sent me. What an awesome package! There were 2 balls of Peaches and Creme yarn, two, yes, two, sets of bamboo sock needles, two dishcloths and one pot holder.

First Knit Project

Finally! Here is a picture of my first knit project - Bubbles the Fish.

He's a tiny fella, but I didn't want to get bored and discouraged, so he's only 4 inches from top to bottom. My daughter likes to chew on him for molar teething relief. Hey, at least he's useful! I also learned a yarn over stitch with him.

Meet Ups and other stuffs

I attended my first ever crochet/knit meet up at a local coffee house. It was so much fun meeting others who share my love for yarn, needles, and hooks. I was afraid I'd be intimidated and be the only one who didn't know how to knit well, but that was not at all the case! The Knit Nuts were so welcoming, and I can't wait until the August meet up. While there, I shared the pink dress I recently completed for my daughter. Someone took a pic, and since I didn't have a camera, allowed me to share it :) I'll be adding ribbon to the two eyelet rows, but haven't taken the time to do so yet.

My awesome mom and dad got a new camera, and are letting us use their old one until we save up for a new one - how great is that?!? We actually are going to have a camera to take with us on vacation next week! No worries though, there will be no salt water waves for me to dunk the camera in.

Speaking of vacation, while we're away, I'm hoping to get several smaller projects started and completed. I'm really wanting to work on things for the hospital babies since I haven't donated in a while. I always take WAY to much yarn on vacation with me, and never even get 1/4 of it worked up. I also want to work on my daughter's Teddy Bear afghan. I'm letting it get the best of me, and continue to put it off thinking the yarn fairies will visit my house and complete it for me.

I'm also awaiting the arrival of a Knit Picks order which includes a set of circular knitting needles I'll be using to make a dress next month, and a smaller, but longer set of needles for me to attempt Magic Loop on. That way, I'll be able to knit tiny things in the round, which avoids both seams and knitting with 4 double pointed needles at the same time. 2 needles is enough for me, thankyouverymuch.

I hope to have lots of exciting progress and projects to share with you when I return from vacation. We'll be gone an entire week (Monday-Sunday), and I can't wait!

Completed!

I finished the pink dress for my daughter! Yay, another finished project! I'll post a picture as soon as we get our new camera (which hopefully will be soon!)

We went to visit my grandmother for her birthday this past weekend (happy belated birthday grandma!), and she gave me a baby poncho that she'd started. I worked on it last night, and it is working up quite quickly. That is, if I can just keep working on it. I don't want to put it aside, because if I do, there's no telling when I'll finish it.

I only have one major crochet work in progress, but am actually overwhelmed when I think of what I want to start next. There are so many things I want to work on. I really need to continue working on Sweet E's teddy bear afghan. I don't know why I keep putting that off. I think it may be because it's so overwhelming to me since there are so many pieces to it.

I'll be starting on quite a knitting project Aug 1. I'm going to try and knit Sweet E a dress for next summer. What? You ask...Didn't you just learn to cast on? My answer would be, "Why yes, I did in fact. But, I'm up for a challenge." Or am I? We'll see. I'll be accompanied by another new knitter from Ravelry, and we're doing this dress as a knit-along, so we can ask each other questions.

Swap

I just mailed my first ever swap package! I joined a summer swap on Ravelry. You knit or crochet (I crocheted) a dishcloth, and mail it, and a ball of yarn, along with any other goodies, to a person assigned to you. Someone else is assigned your name, so you get a package too. How fun!

A month?

No way has it almost been one month since I last posted. When I saw that this morning, I was shocked. I was sure that I've posted since then, but apparently I've written the posts in my head, and have not actually put them on the blog. Sorry about that!

I finished my fist doily. Since I washed it and blocked it, I'm very happy with it. Lace is not my favorite thing to crochet, at least not right now. The thread is so tiny, and keeps falling out of my hands. I try to hold on to it, but then my hands cramp. Somehow, I made it through it, and it now adorns my dining room table (because I didn't know where else to put it.) I have 5 spools of thread now, and Have no idea what to do with them, since I am not that crazy about working with it. The finished product is beautiful though.

The FlyLady has continued to help me around my house with organization, and de-cluttering. Cleaning my house is a becoming a breeze, and I thought my husband would faint the other day when I said I wanted to wash the windows. And I genuinely meant that I wanted to. She is helping me mentally get control of things, including my projects. In order to not be so overwhelmed, I'm attempting to use self discipline to actually finish things. Sweet E's Banana Split dress is coming along, slowly but surely. If I'd stop finding new patterns and project online that I'd like to do, and would actually work on her dress, it would probably be done by now. I've got to finish it soon though, or else she'll outgrow it.

I knit a little tiny Bubbles the fish rag, and Sweet E uses it as a teething cloth. I wet it with cold water, and she chews on it. She doesn't care if my stitches aren't perfect, and it was a good little confidence booster project. We still don't have a camera, but I'll post a picture when I can.

After I finish the dress, I think I'll make myself work on her Teddy Bear afghan. It too would be done if I'd just crochet it, and not procrastinate because of all the little pieces. I'd really like to make the projects in my head come to be, and the only way to do that so others can enjoy the finished object, is for me to actually work on them and get them done.

So that's where I've been the past almost month. I've also noticed that there is a baby boom at church, so I'll probably be making some afghans. I have a few new patterns I'd like to try, but because of the difficulty, we'll have to wait and see.

I learned...

...to knit! Yes, knit.

At the suggestion of friendly folks on Ravelry, I went out and bought some circular needles. I found a size 8, bought some cotton yarn, and went to town on a stockinette stitch swatch. Since I can't stand to make a swatch with no purpose, I decided it would end up being a washcloth for either myself, or my daughter. It is vareigated pinks and white, so I'm thinking my husband won't take it to bathe with!

I'm excited to have finally figured it out. Now, on to a more complicated pattern. I'm trying to finish up my doily, and the Banana Split dress for my daughter before diving into a whole slew of new projects, but we'll see how that works out...

Did you notice the new gadget in the right sidebar? These are my 'in progress' knit and crochet projects, and it updates automatically as I update Ravelry (which I actually keep very current). I think it's a really cool feature, especially if someone orders something - they can watch the progress of their item(s)! As items are completed, they will come off my sidebar, and move into the flickr box below the in progress projects.

I'm bummed I can't post pictures right now, but will get one up of my washcloth as soon as I can.

Happy almost June!

Mom's Mother's Day

For my mom for Mother's Day, my sister and I, and our kids made a hand print quilt/wall-hanging for our mom. Here it is!

Thank You

Thank you so much for your prayers regarding Sweet E's second DOC Band. God has heard our prayers, and the insurance company has approved it. They will pay 100%. God is so good!

We went to the beach last week, and I found out that our camera doesn't appreciate being dunked into the ocean - even if it was to save a toddler from the waves. So for now, pictures are a thing of the past, unless my camera is re-vivable, or until I buy another. On a stay at home mom's income, I'm not sure when that will be.

I completed a scarf, and started Sweet E's pink dress (and got about halfway done). I also began crocheting a doily. Hopefully, I'll find time soon to continue these projects.

Thank you again for your prayers!

DOC Band Update

Just a quick update - the insurance company still hasn't made their decision on whether to cover Sweet E's second DOC Band. We're supposed to get an answer by Wednesday of this week, so please continue to pray.

We'll be on vacation for the next week, so I'll update as soon as I can.

While on vacation, I plan to get quite a bit of crocheting done, and hope to have lots to share when we return.

Thank you for your prayers.

Shameless

There are several blogs that I read where families, especially babies and children, need prayer due to illness. So, I've been led to pray for these children and families I don't even know. Why, I though, should I not ask for prayer too, for my daughter. I'm shameless, but please know this post is written with a humble heart.

Our 14 month old was fitted for a DOC Band back in December to help with the flat spot on her head (plagiocephaly) she was born with. Due to the flat spot, the opposite side of her face (the left) is slightly sunken in. Her eye is set a little back from her right, and her left ear is further back than the right. The band helps direct growth into those areas, to help her face/head shape correctly. Please note that these 'imperfections' aren't that noticeable to people who aren't trained to look for it. I can see it, only because the therapist points it out to me. If her flat spot and face aren't corrected, it can eventually lead to TMJ (jaw misalignment), and could cause problems if she ever need glasses. These aren't super serious problems, mind you, but we want to give Sweet E every chance we can.

We went through 4 months of treatment, and in April, she outgrew the band. It had helped, but not to the extent we'd hoped, due to slowed growth rates. So, for this reason, she needs band #2. Here is where you come in. Our insurance company has been dragging its feet making the decision whether to cover the cost of her second band or not. They keep requesting additional information, and at this point, I really don't know what they could be lacking. They now say they'll make a decision by this coming Friday, May 8. Please pray that they'll cover the cost of the band. They are literally reviewing her case as I write this.

If it's not meant to be that they cover the cost, God has a reason. However, I know if they do cover it, it is literally an act of God. Insurance companies commonly don't even pay for band #1, but ours told us a month ago that they should pay, even for band 2. They only told us though - they didn't confirm they would. In the world of insurance telling and doing are two different things.

I'll continue to keep you updated, but would appreciate any prayers on Sweet E's behalf.

Thought of the day

Just a thought for the day - you know what makes me crazy? When people refer to a complete change as a 360 degree turnaround. That's not a turnaround. That's a circle, and you end up right where you begin.

A turnaround, as in the opposite, is 180 degrees.

So, is there something people say that you just shake you head at? Leave a comment and share your thoughts :)

Completion

Ah, the satisfaction of completing a few things! What a great feeling!

I love the Spring time, the warm weather, and the flowers (but not the allergies that go with them!) Spring is rejuvenating, and brings lots of project ideas to mind. I've been practicing self control with beginning new things, and instead have been trying to wrap some projects up.

In the last two weeks, I've been quite busy. I've been working on my quilt. I can't wait for it to be done, just to keep it from hanging over my head any longer. I'm tired of it being around 'to-do'. I'm tired of breaking sewing machine needles on it too. That's another story.

I finished up a commissioned afghan for a baby girl. It's a pattern I've never done before, and think it turned out nicely.

I also finished up cropping the aquarium trip. It's now in an album awaiting the arrival of other 2007 happenings.

I also began, and completed a project in one weekend! YammaDaddy and I doubled the size of my veggie garden, and lined it with stone. We have 10 plants - 3 tomatoes, 3 okra, 2 squash, cucumber and cantaloupe. We'll see how they do when the summer heat hits.

I've also planted a hibiscus, a calla lily, and 36 petunias. Hope they all live! Here it the hibiscus. I love the colors! I'll post a pic of the calla lily when I can get a good one. The shots I took don't do them justice!

Funny Sign(s)

These signs are placed in the parking lot of a yummy chicken fast food restaurant I love. Check out the sign right behind it. It is in the edge of the parking lot of the neighboring burger place (who's symbol is a big M.) They imply here "If you ate there, you can't come through our parking lot! Find another way!" Haha.

Christmas in April

I love getting things in the mail. Well, except bills. Anyway, I especially love online shopping for this reason. I find something I like, and click! It's mine. Then, it shows up in my mailbox. How much better can it get?!? Except for the shipping charges...

After the purple dress turned out too big (from me using yarn that was too bulky), I started searching the yarn that Ravelry users suggested for these dresses - I'm going to make Sweet E another one. This one will hopefully be the right size, and will be worn this summer. In order to achieve the correct size, I swallowed my pride, and went to Hobby Lobby in search of Bernat Baby Solid yarn, abondoning hope that I could pick whatever yarn I wanted. No such luck. Then, I headed to A.C. Moore. It got even better there. They're discontinuing the yarn and only had blue left in stock. What a bummer - we can't have a cute girly dress in blue now can we? Tired of the yarn search (usually I'm much more persistent than 2 stores), I hit Ebay. Because whatever IT is you're looking for, they have it, right? Bingo! There it was. Smiling at me, and calling my name. Ahh, the sacred yarn, and on top of that, it was a Buy it Now item - I didn't even have to compete for it!

It arrived today. I opened my mailbox and was thrilled to see it stuffed in there! Yay! Now, I just have to start the dress. I really need to finished the commissioned afghan I started this weekend first though - I must use self control!

What's the fuss about? Here it is.

It's Empty!

Easter's isn't just about the Easter Bunny, candy and eggs, thank goodness!

God sent his only son to die on a cross for us. It was the most painful, and humiliating death, after he was beaten, spat on, and ridiculed. However, Jesus Christ's body is not found in any tomb here on Earth. He's risen! He's in Heaven! Preparing a place for me, and for you too, if you'll accept His forgiveness for your sins.

It's quite humbling to me when I think of the sinner I am, and to know that Christ hung on a cross. For me.

Thank you God, for sending us your son. I'm so sorry for the death He died on my behalf, but I'm incredibly thankful He did so, so that I may live eternally.

Scarf

Just a quick update - I started, and finished a scarf this weekend, for my best friend.

This was no where near as difficult as the Purple dress in the previous post, but all my crafts don't need to be huge undertakings, I figure. I got a new request for an afghan, and it's a pattern I've never done before, so it will be an adventure.

Pretty in Purple

One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art. - Oscar Wilde

I'm not trying to be conceited and claim that this dress is a work of art, but in all honesty is a work of a mommy's love. I got most of this dress done as we traveled last weekend, and finished it up today. Well, almost. I need to go buy buttons to put on the back of it, then it will officially be done. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and with the fact that I began, and finished, a project in about 2 weeks. Yay!

Snuggle up!

I made this afghan to match my new niece's nursery. Her mommy chose the pattern and the yarn, and I think it turned out nicely. The afghan is so soft and the pattern is appropriately named Snuggle Up. Without further ado...

This is the tag I made for it. I cut it on the Cricut, and the body of the butterfly is raised on pop-dots to make it 3-D. Washing instructions are on the back of the butterfly's wing.

I also made a matching card, kinds inspired by one I saw at Target. It is kinda hard to see in the picture, because I had already put the card in a transparent purple envelope (which accounts for the line down the right side of the card). This one is also 3-D. It's very simple, but I didn't have a lot of time.

I love the Cricut, and the fact that I can make many cute 'themed' tags. I look forward to playing around with the back of the tag, is order to stamp my name on it.

I've also been working on my daughter's crocheted dress, and it's quite cute. I should have it finished shortly, if I can just make myself sit down and do it.

Quilt

The quilt is basted, and I began to quilt it. Then, my brand new walking foot broke in the middle of the second seam. The short version of the story is the sewing machine shop is going to replace it (after some run-around), and I go to pick up the new and improved foot tomorrow. Yay!

I'll be posting pics this weekend of my new niece's afghan - I love it!

I've also begun a crochet dress for my daughter, and I'm hoping it's not about 4 sizes too big when I'm done :)

After frogging the two projects I did, I've tried to be really selective about what I work on, and am really trying to make progress. The new pattern book and knitting needles I bought last week don't help the avoidance of new projects much. Need I remind you that I don't know how to knit? I guess I think really cute patterns and new needles will suddenly give me some mad knitting skill. Or not. Maybe I just like to collect cute patterns.

Frogger

The FlyLady has been teaching me to de-clutter my house, and my life. I've been trying to apply some of her basic principles to my projects as well. I'm tired of having the 'clutter' of so many UFOs, so I've begun to tackle them. Sounds good, right? I completed a baby afghan for my brand new niece, but can't post pictures yet, because I haven't given it to them yet. :)

As soon as I completed the afghan, I tackled a pattern that I'm helping proof for Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains - I got to round two of the hotpad, and got stuck. What?! I honestly think I've lost my mind. She's written a great pattern, and I can't wait to finish it - it's super cute! Anyway, that became another UFO.

I then grabbed the doily I began in January. I just knew I could finish it in one day - WRONG! I found my place in the pattern, and got to work. A round and a half later, I ripped it all out. When I joined Ravelry, I found out that a project that you rip out is considered "frogged." Why? you may ask. When you rip-it, rip-it, it sounds quite a bit like a frog's ribbit. :) So, the doily has been frogged, and I restarted it today. My stitches are to loose though, and I need to figure out how to tighten them up, so my doily is pretty, and not scraggly looking. I got frustrated with that, and moved to the next project.

I picked up my braided looking afghan, determined to work on it a little each day until it is completed. Well, after I thought about it, I frogged that one too. It's about 2 feet too long, and I have been mentally blocking it for about 2 years now, hoping it will just vanish. It hasn't disappeared, and I laid it out on our bed today, and determined that I'd be much happier with it if it were the correct size. So, out the yarn comes, and I'll start over.

I'm really bummed that I'm not finishing much these days, but I did vow to not start another project until I finished the one for the new baby, and I did keep that promise to myself. Until things start looking up, just call me Frogger.

Just to Share

I was telling my aunt C about this scrapbook page, and thought I'd share it with you.

It's an interesting page, and is from my trip to Spain. It is a tri-fold page, and the first picture shows the page closed. The second shows it open. Hope this makes sense!

Cropping the Aquarium

Here are my most recent pages from my trip to the aquarium:

I finished the following pages this morning:

I cut these letters on my Cricut. It took me a couple tries to get them right, but I'm learning.

I've also been working on an afghan for my new niece.

Progress Report

Here is the previously promised picture of my newly 'organized' craft area. Since these photos were taken, there has been even more progress, which makes me happy. I've completed 3 more pages in my aquarium album. This progress is making me want to crop even more. The little cart in the lower right corner is the one I referred to in my last post.

Below are the pages I completed last weekend. I'll post the other 3 once I actually take the picture. I'm happy with how this album is coming together. I don't have really cute ideas for the pages, and I waste way too much time on the internet, so I don't need to waste more looking for ideas. Just being honest.

Back at it

I've been working on organizing my craft area/room...again. I've attempted this several times before, but haven't ever found a 'system' that has worked for me. I decided I'd try again this weekend. Partially due to the FlyLady, and partially because it's cluttered nature was hindering any attempt of progress. Each day I don't crop means I'm one more day behind. However, when I get things done, I can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, I found a craft cart online, and then made a trip to Target to pick it up. I really haven't wanted to spend any more money on the organization, but figured out that my 'free' way of organizing wasn't working at all. I was very excited to get started with the organization. So much so that I've labeled each drawer, and certain 'topics' are ready to crop - paper and all! How exciting for me! The drawers hold 12x12 paper perfectly. I'll post a pic soon, to show you want I'm talking about, because I know this is about as clear as mud.

Since organizing, I've been able to find my table top once again, which has inspired me to get moving! I've completed two pages since Saturday. If you know anything about my cropping, this is a record pace! The pages aren't anything fancy at all, but you know what? They're done, and that's what matters to me at this point.

My cropping style has changed drastically since making my first scrapbook, and I actually prefer the old better. It's more elaborate, while at this point I feel like I'm just slapping pictures on colored paper. Oh wait, maybe it feels that way, because that's what I'm actually doing! I'm ashamed to admit that though. Maybe I can tap into the inner craftiness some day...but for now, a little progress is better than none at all.

My latest projects

Just a quick update so you can see what I've been up to...

Baby E with her Santa hat on. I made it big enough to fit over the band she's now wearing for the flat spot on her head. I hope that this will still fit next year - and it very well may, since she won't be wearing the band anymore.

Baby E's dress

My stocking for next year. E's and YammaDaddy's will come later...

The pieces to E's Teddy Bear afghan

,

It's been a while...

Ah, so many things have happened in the past month or so, I don't even know where to begin. First we had our car accident (which we are still dealing with, and we still don't have a second car to call ours), then my computer crashed - with over 2,500 pictures on it. Mostly of Baby E. I was so upset. My sister's friend revived the computer, and saved all the pictures though! I can never thank him enough! Here are some other things I've been up to.

I made the Santa hat for Baby E to wear with her Christmas dress. I just realized that I don't have pictures of her actually wearing the hat, so I'll have to get one.

This is the bedspread that belongs to my neighbor. Her great-grandmother made it. Isn't it beautiful? From wear and tear, the delicate yarn (thread) had torn in a couple places, and I told her I'd be happy to repair it. Most were very small repairs - just joining stitched that had come loose, but there was one place that needed some pretty significant help. I had bought the smallest crochet hook I could find at the time, and I wasn't really happy with the repairs in that one area. Since then, I have found even smaller steel hooks, and have added them to my tool pouch. Next time I see the neighbor, I'll let her know I'll be happy to attempt that area again. It was such an honor to work on this. I can't imagine the hours, and the love put into the spread by her great-grandmother.

I've also finished an afghan for a friend, who's expecting a little boy. I'm so excited that it's completed, and ready to ship so far from the March due date! Usually, I'm pushing it to get them done.

I've also been working on Baby E's dress, and am making felt Christmas stockings for our little family, for next year. I'll post pics of those projects next time.

YammaDaddy and his parents got me a Cricut for my birthday, and man, am I excited! I'll be making my afghan tags with it, and cannot wait to learn all the cool features!

I'm so sorry I didn't get to post a special Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year post, so here's to a happy January!