Cleaning up, Shoveling out & Sewing up

Its one of those days....

nothings wrong, just cant get myself motivated.

It may have a bit to do with my house looking like.....

it was ransacked...

a nuclear explosion would be neater......

I'm not joking.

Wish I were

The pathways through fabric & yarn in my living room

are blocked.

The laundry has been breeding

and has created its own Country in my basement

no, not a village or town...

an entire Country.

I told myself....no knitting for a few hours

until I at least make a dent in it.

So I'm sewing up a few wips.....It's not knitting

2 pair of booties needing sewn since Jan....

yes, of this year.

I'm telling myself its a step in cleaning out the wip pile

to the completed bins

Off to start a load of laundry downstairs,

but first

I need to find a rope...

in case it sucks me in.

If there are no posts for a few days......

send help.

But tell them

to tie on a rope first.

I'm not joking

Projects in the Works

A "Manly Man" Charcoal Scarf for Jackie. Just waiting on a Button decision.

And Baby Set 1 For Monie, A over due Shower Gift

Baby Set Number 2. Again for Monie

Looks like I have a busy evening ahead of me. And a messy kitchen. Larry is redoing the shelves in my pantry to give me more space. I'm scared..................I know whats in there! It will be so nice to have the space but, I have to put it all back!

Baby Knits with Free Pattern

Baby on the Brain
With the new baby coming I’ve been looking at all kinds of patterns. I was searching for a pattern that would be handy with the upcoming seasonal change. The FREE PATTERN "Confection" by Tonya Wagner was my inspiration. And as with all my projects I had to tink the pattern, I added longer sleeves & made the back a bit deeper. The first is a Pink Ombre of I Love this Yarn, purchased at my local Hobby Lobby.



I love variegated yarns of any kind. Its interesting to see how the colors will pool












The second is Plymouth Encore from my LYS "Grinny Possum." These will see a lot of use as they can be worn as a extra “something” around the house or, with little dresses for a date with Daddy.






Wooohoo! Yarny goodness from Purewool! I received my co-op order from Purewool started
to get twitchy finger Cant wait to get started.

Just the incentive to complete some projects. Yes I still have all those buttons & seams to sew. Need to complete at least 3 (well, maybe 1) to start something new......






Mr Scarecrow
Another dish/washcloth with Digknitty designs.
Lisa has a great collection of pumpkins, pilgrims, spiders & goblins for fall, be sure and check them out!

What's on Your Needles?

What’s your knitting style?


I was recently in a conversation with a group of other knitters discussing various “working projects” we each had. I was amazed at the various styles & disciplines used.
Some prefer to actually start and complete 1 project at a time, others may have a few with various “finishing“ needed i.e.; seams sewn, buttons, ends woven in or blocked.

Others have up to 10-15 projects on the needles At any given time, gifts, long term projects, instant gratification project, those your not sure your going to like and are thinking of changing, projects for the long school practices or car pool lane, bus ride or car knitting (here’s hoping you’re the passenger but I have known a few……………)
I always have quite a few working. I get bored working on one and switch to another, I flip around and then have quite a few completed at once. I start on one hat and think of another color pattern and off I go hunting fiber and needles! Kind of a knitting Bright Shinny Object!

It got me to wondering how many I actually had so, here’s my list:
Lost in Music Shrug 1/3 completed
Chunky Beret 95% completed
Poppel Hat needs threads woven in
Baby Jumper- needs decorative needlework
Burgundy mitts- needs seamed and decorative needlework
Burgundy Beret, ½ completed just sitting there, as I’m not sure if I like the color work
Hood scarf combo- my design not sure I like it
3 Woodland Sprite hats- each ½ to ¾ competed, 1 week
Kimono Baby Jacket-waiting seamed 4 months
Baby Sweater, waiting button sewn on 2 months
5 Cowls need threads woven in 1-2 months
5pr Booties need sewn 1-2 months
Case in point needle case, ½ done
3 wash/spa cloths in various stages
2 pr Diaper Soakers just need draw string threaded 2 weeks
2 Gigunda Market bags 1/3 & ½ completed
That’s what I can see from where I sit. Wow! At least I can say its all knit from stash!
I’m not even opening my actual “project” tub!
What an eye opener, I do believe this is what they call Knitters A.D.D.
So, thats my almost list. what does yours look like? Are you a 1 & 2'r or do you have 5-15?
Let me hear from you!

And, the knitting language we have? Well! That’s a post all in itself!

Mini Vacation & WIP's

We took a quick, 3 day work related trip to Orlando Fl. last week. Turned into a mini vacation for me. We stayed at the Peabody Hotel, which I highly recommend. It’s a beautiful Hotel, spacious rooms with a welcoming atmosphere

There were nearly 500 gathered at this hotel and still had plenty of room!
Orchids, real ones topping the fountain and everywhere else in the hotel.


Part of the Peabody charm and history is the daily duck appearance in the main area.
Its obvious they are famous (and know it) as they ignored everyone in the hotel

I spent 2 wonderful quiet mornings at the pool goal setting. Redefining prioritizing & putting in writing my personal and business goals. Just me and my notebook making a plan. What a relief to have it done! I'm sure it will be tweeked and adjusted as time goes on
Its funny, we go through life, completing our daily tasks, doing what needs to be done. Be it going to work, providing a roof & food, raising children, some floating,some just managing to survive. I've gotten to the point where I had to ask myself, where do you want to go in this life, what do you want to accomplish. Most importantly why? When was the last time you put in writing your personal goals. Real or, silly to others, they are yours. Start jotting things down for a week or 2, your thoughts, ideas & dreams. What steps will you need to take to attain them? It's made a major difference for me. I cant say things have been perfect, I have a LOT of organizing to do first but, that's part of the plan. I have better direction. I know what I'm reaching for. What are your goals or dreams, DO YOU HAVE A PLAN TO REACH THEM?



On a lighter note.. More WIP's...I did accomplish some knitting on the flights and presentations. Soakers with a wonderful pattern from Sheepy Time Knits. These are knit with Patons Merino & LLB Designs (an Etsy Purchase).

Test Knitting

Part of last week was spent test knitting for Lisa Milan of Digknittydesigns The patterns are available on her website.
Here is her new "Days of the Week" series;

Were is Monday? Well, If you know me very well.........you know I don't DO Mondays!

Have a good tomorrow.

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY, Something to Think About

Found this on babylonglegs blog and thought i would share.

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY& Having Fun going GREEN with a Free Pattern

I don’t like doing things that don’t stay done. Like dusting, vacuming, dishes (at one time I had 4 dishwashers, but they all grew up!) Nor do I like to constantly replace things we use daily. Have you ever noticed that when purchasing towels, you pay only $1.00 less for the hand towel? Really, who pays $3.00 for a wash/face cloth? I don’t mind paying for good towels, but $3.00-$4.00 for a washcloth that you get dirty? Make-up kid dirt...so, what’s the alternative?

How about making your own?

There are literally hundreds of patterns for knit and crochet wash/dish cloths. Simple patterns to intricate designs, and anything in between. The cotton is wonderful to bathe with, as the stitch patterns become an exfoliant or, more of a spa cloth. Soft enough for a baby but durable enough to scrub away the remnants of a child’s summer fun! They soften with age and just last forever! Converting my husband to these was not a concern but I thought, why not have fun with it. I was seeing lots of cutesy patterns, but not many “guy-ish”.
That is until I found the designer Lisa Milan.

Think of a sport or activity, racing to soccer she has a design. How about a Dump truck, school bus or airplane for the little guys? Gardening, to flip-flops, rubber ducky to teddy bears. Want to give the moon and the stars? Lisa has a pattern.
Handmade dishcloths last forever. The cotton believe it or not rarely stains. For extra scrub ability (is that a word?) you can use your acrylic scraps. There are nearly 350 patterns to choose from. All are accessible on her website digknittydesigns.blogspot.com. or Ravelry. Some are even free so, you have the chance to try them. Try it you’ll like it! Lisa sells her patterns for a mere $2.00 each. Purchase 5 and you get a free one!

Once or twice a month she runs specials where you buy 3 get 1 free. Every month she hosts a KAL with a new pattern in her Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digknittydesignsdishcloths/join.
I’ve only “known” Lisa for a few months but she has been wonderful concerning special requests for pattern designs. We belong to a camping group called “the Pampered Campers” & I wanted to give some dish cloths as gifts. Not a problem. Rocking horse had it within a day. The same cost, $2.00. She is always open to suggestions for new designs.
O.K., if you have over 300 fun design options and, it runs about .75 cents to make a face/dish cloth…why would I pay the extra for a dinky wash cloth everyone else has? Oh, Be sure and check out her holiday patterns! These make wonderful gifts and great stash busters.

Lisa has offered this Recycle pattern for FREE

Finish-itus No More!

I’m still learning how to place photos so, bear with me if they are out of order.

I seem to be recovering from my finish-itus. I finally got the buttons sewn on the Mini, so she’s done! I decided after much debate not to add the buttons on the bottom. It was just a bit too much. It was fun to make, have to think of more color combos!


I also frogged the Pure and Simple Jumper. I found 3 or 4 other patterns and adapted a bit of each. Using Cascade 22o, I tweaked it a bit under the arms and I like the look better. It’s just such a versatile garment, jumper for winter and sundress for summer. I was trying to decide what to trim this with and decided on Dragonflies. They are all over our pond, and back yard. They remind me of children zipping around out side after being inside to long!

I know I will be making more of this one, possibly gray next time.
I have a few sweaters to post, just need to re charge the camera batteries.




I had to add Dragonfly to the back, after all, with little ones that's what we see the most!

I think I need a Wife!

I think I need a wife! Someone to keep me organized. My Dust Bunnies & laundry are taking over. Plants and flower’s need planted and re potted. I’ve been ignoring my house to knit, I don’t think its ever been this messy, even when all my kids were still at home.

I have been digging thru my stash and its now spread all over the house.

My goal this month has been to have all working projects completed. I’m making progress but running out of time.

There are 4 sweaters waiting for buttons, 2 jumper or sundresses still waiting on embroidery or buttons. I hate sewing on buttons, they have been sitting there for over a week . Today I will bite the bullet and get them done…..maybe.

Friends don’t let friends knit Drunk

I was cruising right along the other night on a baby jumper. Fun simple knit, using Cascade 220. I had just joined the bodice and started the skirt. On the home stretch…just finish the a-line skirt add a bit of embroidery and done right?
My good friend Johanna popped in for a bit. You know the kind of friend your closer to than family. You can say any thing to and she’ll throw your words back at you when necessary? Well, she’d been out for sushi and brought some Japanese Plum wine for me to try. I’m not a big drinker, one glass of (insert beverage) and I get a bit loopy. We each poured a glass, and it was WONDERFUL! Chatting, knitting, sipping. I was on a roll, that skirt went up so fast! After a bit Jo left, I threw the (empty) bottle away and decided to cast off in the morning.

It was the most wonky thing ever! My A-line skirt was straight on one side with a large bubble hump on the other! I frogged the evidence. This is what’s left after a great bottle of wine and fun evening knitting. I laughed so hard, and was thankful no one was home to see it. The next time Johanna brings Plum wine I'll put training wheels on her Motorcycle.

Think I’ll pour a cup of COFFEE and finish it today.

Devils in the details & the Finishing

I hate finishing things. I’ll do the big project, sew the gown, knit the sweater…..I just don’t want to hem or sew the buttons on! It’s a bit of a joke in my family. One year I bought my husband 2-3 pair of nice slacks for Christmas, for his birthday in August I hemmed them. Get the idea? My May goal is to complete any and all working projects.
My husband is still laughing. So far going thru baskets and bins I have found, (read to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas) 4 pairs of Booties , 2 block baby sweaters, 4 pair of mitts & a kimono jacket waiting to be seamed. 3 hats waiting pom poms or trim, Mossy Jacket needing front bands, 5 cell phone cozies (made last fall) & my Mini pini needing buttons (just set there for the photo). What do you think, should I add the buttons on the bottom? That’s it so far but, I have 3 more bins to go.

The Considerate Wife

The mini is almost complete. Camping this weekend delayed the progress some, I was only able to knit about an inch. Simple mindless knitting but great for group setting where your attention is pulled in many directions. The knitting is done, I just need to add the buttons. Guess I HAVE to visit Grinny Possum this morning!…Photo coming soon!

I had a wonderful find at Meijer yesterday. My oldest daughter Danielle & I were at the check-out after finding a few plants for our back deck and her yard. The lady in front of us had this wonderful plant hanger! It’s a Mothers Day Special they have running, the plant and stand (your choice of 2 stands) for $20.00! Being the wonderful considerate wife that I am, (ok quit laughing and don’t spew your coffee on the keyboard) I saved him the time and trouble of bringing it home!

You've got Mail!

Don't ya just love those men in brown? They bring the best packages! This is my great buy on e-bay......no more than $7.50 each! Debbie Bliss: Simply Baby, & Baby Knits: Erika knight simple knits for cherished babies; Jil Eaton, Simple Chic & Minnies!!!! YES!!! (Stomping my feet and doing the dance, you know the one)
I was looking for "Minnies" By Jil Eaton to make "mini pini". The others....well you know its like potato chips, you can't have just one! So, course to celebrate I HAD to go to Grinny Possum & visit Anne. I picked up Cascade 220 in Flamingo for the main body, and Highland Green for the bodice and bottom. Daisy shaped buttons in the same Flamingo. It’s on the needles now so if you know of any pattern issues please let me know. Yes once it came in my home it became STASH!

Score at the Local Yarn Store!

Drooling at Grinny Possum
See what I came home with? I’m working on f.peas “Mossy Jacket”, made with Classic Elite’s Renaissance in wine. It’s an easy pattern and knitting up quickly, the borders are left, I hate the finishing work! I hadn't used the Renaissance before but I sure will again. I had chosen the blue to be borders but changed my mind. (Once you bring your purchase home it becomes stash),,,,,Right?!?!?!?

Have I mentioned my local yarn store? Walking into Ann’s is like going home. Very welcoming and warm (only there is no dirty dishes and you don’t have to dust!) Ann is just super, never pushy and great about showing all options of fibers and price range. I won’t mention the countless times she’s helped explain a project, or teach new stitches. She’s always encouraging and supportive of the craft be it, knitting, spinning or weaving. Pull up a chair, pour a cup of coffee, pull out your knitting and get to it. She’ll even provide a tissue for your drool when fondling her yarn! I haven’t had the chance to take any of her many classes but……I love reading other knitters blogs and it really saddens me to I hear horror stories of their visits to local yarn stores. Call me, I’ll take you to Ann at the Grinny Possum!