Rhinebeck Part 1

Rhinebeck was wonderful!!  I am sure you are shocked!!! :)

London and I posed with a very friendly sheep.  London was VERY brave and studied her carefully.

I bought a needle felting kit for my niece for Christmas.  I also bought two pumpkin kits for myself.

I bought these super cute sheep buttons for London's BSJ.

In another post, I'll reveal my Blue Moon stash enhancement.  I also have a BSJ updates for you!

Rhinebeck Here I Come

It is Rhinebeck Eve!  I can hardly wait!!

My husband, baby, mother and I will be taking the journey down the thruway to the fiber mecca.  I am soooo very excited!!!  It will be my mother and son's first time.  Unless you count last year when I was 7 months pregnant.

I hope to be there before 9am when the gates open.  Then, of course a straight b-line to The Fold and Socks that Rock.  I am contemplating purchasing yarn for Lindin from Green Mountain Spinnery.  I also am interested in a felted pumpkin kit and matching super soft yarn and fleece for thrummed mittens.  I can't wait to see those sheep herding dogs and London's reaction to all of the animals.  It will be a great day!!!!!

I seamed up and wove in the ends on London's Baby Surprise Jacket.  I didn't add the buttons yet.  It will probably be huge on him this year.  I think he will still wear it tomorrow---kind of like a blanket with sleeves.  So if you see a baby in a blue and green striped BSJ and an Itty Bitty football hat be sure to say hello!  I think I'll be sporting my Socks that Rock Chevron Scarf.

I'm off to dream of fiber---nighty night!

Busy Bee!

Or should I say busy beading?  I've made three sets of wine glass charms and I will also make some ribbon bookmarks that are embellished with beads.  This is the first time I have done either project and so far so good!  

I am going to promote my private practice at a human services professionals conference on Friday, so I thought I would bring some crafty items to sell as well.  I also wanted to get them into my mother's retail business before the holidays.

London had his first teething biscuit tonight.  We had a hard time finding a dairy-free kind and my parents discovered one over the weekend. 

He loved, loved, loved it!

Can you tell???

Seriously Cute!

London attracted much attention on Saturday at the Hildene Art and Craft Show in Manchester, Vermont!  He is holding his Christmas present from his Grandma (he'll forget and think it is brand new on Christmas morning!).  A very nice stranger took pictures of him loving his new book because the author thought he was so cute and wanted to put him on her new website.   Luckily, she emailed them to us because both Mommy and Grandma forgot their cameras.

I know I am biased, but I think he is a cutie.  All day people complimented him on his hat.  I made it for his coming home outfit from Susan B Anderson's Itty Bitty Hats.  The Yankees jacket got a lot of attention, too!

Stroke of Luck!

So, yesterday I came home to my Socks that Rock Club package.  Always a very exciting day!!  

I immediatly noticed that the postal bag/envelope that it is always mailed in was open.  Upon closer inspection I realized that it had been cut open.  Odd.  I asked my husband if he opened it and he hadn't--not that I can imagine why he would want to.  Then I suddenly realized that my yarn could have fallen out if it was mailed with the envelope open.  Luckily everything is accounted for.  

Talk about a serious stroke of luck!  It had been traveling across the US and literally open.  It was sealed by the BMFA people but I am guessing during the mailing process it must have been accidentally cut open.  My husband has dealt with the post office and large mailings and he said sometime they bundle mass mailings together with plastic wrap and it could have been sliced with a box cutter in the process or wrapping the palette.

Knowing how amazingly wonderful the Blue Moon Fiber Arts people are they probably have insurance on it or would have been able to replace it.  But, I am very glad we didn't have to go that route!

The pattern and colorway are amazing!  The pattern represents something in real life and the likeness is astounding.  How do they do it???

Lots of WIPs

Here is a pic from a recent weekend away for a wedding.  This is Chautaqua Lake, NY on a cloudy damp day.

What else is new?  I always have lots of WIPs! :)

Last night I took a class at Saratoga Needle Arts for Thrummed Mittens.  I did not enjoy the "thrumming" part at all.  I looked around the Internet a little bit this morning and will continue to look.  I'm hoping that someone will say something that will make it click for me, it will be easier, and I will suddenly love it.  We'll see!

My Baby Surprise Jacket has been on the needles since June.  It is pretty close to being finished so I have picked it up again.  Hopefully it will fit London this season, so I need to get a move on!

Also, my Christmas stocking is almost done.  I have finished all of the knitting.  I have one letter duplicate stitched and I have five more letters to do.  I have to weave in all the ends--which will take forever!--and darn where there were three color changes at the gusset.

The Clapotis is still getting some inconsistent attention.

I'm off to catch up on my DVRed Dancing with the Stars while knitting BSJ.  Have a great night!

Darn Teeth!

The poor thing is cutting a top tooth.  Not so good for the usually happy mood.  But, it doesn't interfere with the "raspberries".

Where did the summer go?

OK, so how did it get to be Labor Day weekend?

We have been spending a lot of time practicing our "raspberry" skills with and without tongue.

I spent a chunk of the day loading a bunch of my stash yarn into ravelry.  Most of it is for trade/sell.  If anything looks appealing, please let me know!

I've done some knitting on London's Christmas stocking and my Clapotis.  I am delusional and think I will have my Clapotis done in time to wear to a wedding on Saturday night.  Exactly one week away.  I am less than half way through part 2.  Yes, I know I am delusional.  But somehow I think it will be accomplished.  I feel like I am channeling the Yarn Harlot and her delusional deadline knitting.  :)

Happy and safe Labor Day!!

Pictures!

Hello!

Here are the promised pictures! :)

This is my son's EZ Baby Surprise Jacket.  I fibonachi striped some Cascade 220 Superwash.  He also has a crocheted stroller blanket that shares three of these colors.

This is the start of the Itty Bitty Hats Sailboat Hat.  Very cute.

Close up of my Clapotis.  I love, love, love this yarn.  Blue Moon Fiber Arts' Seduction in Puck's Mischeif.  YUM.

London's Christmas Stocking.  I have been working on this.

London's Log Cabin Blanket from Mason Dixon Knitting.  This isn't part of my WIP Wrestling, but I thought I would take a pic as long as I was updating my WIPs.
Alright, back to knitting Christmas Trees and watching all of those naked, wet bodies . . . I mean men's swimming.

Ravelympics: Day 2

So I'm sure you have heard about the Ravelympics.  The oh so wonderful Ravelry is featuring a fun knit-along.  Each participant chooses their project and their team and works on their project during the Olympics.  So, I have decided to attack my WIPs.  

My event: Wrestling with WIPs  

My Team: Hopelessly Overcommitted

I have chosen many projects.  Although I am not planning on finishing all of them, I would like to make some serious progress.

1. Everlasting Bagstopper

My first project is the Everlasting Bagstopper from Knitty.  This is a birthday present for my dad.  Two days late already.  Well, actually I wrapped it up for him while it was still on the needles and then took it back to finish it.  I decided to knit the handles, but I goofed.  They are all lopsided.  I have been looking around Ravelry to get some more ideas.  Why didn't I do that first???  Anyhow I have an idea of how to fix.  I am still going to consider it done.  Maybe it will just be done again when I add handles and finish it again.  heeheehee

Goal: Finish

Status: Done!

Medal: Gold!!

2. Fiber Trends Felted Clogs

I am finishing a pair for myself.  One is all done and the second is started.  

Goal: Finish

3. Moss and Cable Stitch Bag

I have to finish knitting one handle and then assemble it all.  

Goal: Finish

4.Clapotis

This is a very long shot.  I have a lot to do.  I have just started the dropping stitches section.

Goal: make some progress

5. Victorian Beaded Scarf

This is a long shot.  It is less than half done.

Goal: make some progress

6. Sailboat Hat

I am about half way done with the actual hat.  I have not started the sail boat yet.

Goal: Finish

7. London's Christmas Stocking

I am taking a class for this.  There are three classes all together.  I went to the first one, missed the second one because I was sick, and the third class is coming up.  My goal is to knit as far as I can.  If I get stuck then I will put it aside and wait for the class.  But, if I know what I am doing then I want to finish it.  Then, at the class I can learn how to duplicate stitch his name on the top of it.

Goal: knit until I get stuck or finish all but duplicate stitch

8.London's Baby Surprise Jacket

I have more than half of the sweater knitting done.  Also, it will need to be seamed up and buttons sewn on.  This will probably fit him for the fall so the pressure is on!

Goal: Finish

I intended to upload all of the photos of my WIPs that I took this morning.  Unfortunately, as usual I can't find the camera cord.  Where does this thing go?  It is always missing.  I swear.   So, I'm going to post this and hopefully I will be editing it later with pics.

I think I'm in LOVE!!!

Have you heard about Twist Collective?  It is an Internet magazine that is going about everything in a totally new way.  Revolutionary!  Go check it out.  You will not be disappointed!

I am completely and totally in love with Linden by Veronik Avery.  It is a beautifully swingy cardigan with a cabled edge.  GORGEOUS!!  Love it!  Love it!  Love it!  I have already queued it on Ravelry.

 

Rough Week

Hello.  

It has been a rough week.  

Last Wednesday night while I was making bottles, the dog wanted to go out.  So, I turned and ran right into the highchair.  Man, I saw stars!  My two smallest toes jammed into my foot.  Then, while limping around, I have come down with the colds of all colds.  It is awful.  So, I am going to go back to nursing my cold and my foot and hoping that the baby doesn't catch my cold.  

I'll be back soon with some exciting new stash acquisitions!

Itty Bitty Football Hat

Another Itty Bitty hat.  Oh, how I LOVE these hats!!  Susan B. Anderson is awesome, awesome, awesome.  This is London in his coming home outfit on the day he left the hospital.  I also made the Upside Down Daisy hat in case he was a she.  Once he was a little bit bigger and the hat was just a tiny bit big on him, he would turn his head and the hat would stay still but his head would move inside of the hat.  It was very funny to watch!  Then eventually the ear flap would end up over his face and he would whimper until we fixed it for him.  Too cute!  

London's first tooth made an appearance on Monday.  Where does the time go?

Home again, home again, ziggity zig!

I'm back!  

Man, California is VERY different from New York.  I loved it and brought back a little piece of California with me.  

I attended a MAGNIFICENT training and will be starting a private practice as a Life Coach!  I'm very excited!  I met many amazing people, learned in an honoring environment, and reconnected with a part of myself that I have not seen in a long time.  Perfection!  

With all that being said, it is also wonderful to be home.

A Very Long Six Days

Bright and early tomorrow morning I will be going to California to attend a training.  I will be gone for six whole days.  This is a very long time when you are the mother of a seven month old.  I am a little excited and very anxious.  My husband and my parents will be taking excellent care of London.  I know that.  It is still hard to leave him.

What is EZ's quote about knitting through everything?  That will be my plan!  I'll get through it, with lots of knitting to show for it!  

My Lucky Day

I won a contest on Irish Girlie Knits blog!!  I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!  She asked readers to comment on their favorite things.  Go check out her very beautiful February Lady made in Socks That Rock heavyweight.  I am loving this sweater!

Something else I love is Susan B Anderson's Itty Bitty Hats.  I made several for my baby while I was pregnant.  In fact, his hospital pic is in the red and white candy cane striped hat.  The nurses oohed and ahhed over London's fashion sense.  I highly recommend these patterns for easy, quick, gorgeous hats that get tons of compliments.

Happy Friday!

Remember me?

Well, it has been a year.  Exactly.  There has been a couple of changes in my life.  Just a couple.  But, those couple of changes have been completely life changing.

The most significant change is the birth of my son.

I can not begin to put into words what joy, purpose, meaning, gratitude, and contentment he brings to our lives every day.  London was born December 9th.  He is a wonderful blend of his father and I.  He has a tremendous sense of humor and is often entertaining us.  He is sweet and loves to snuggle.  And his parents are completely and totally in love with him!

Upon returning from maternity leave I accepted a promotion.  My OB/GYN literally asked me if I was crazy.  Yup.  I am.  Certifiable.  This particular position was exactly what I wanted and had been waiting for for several years.  Unfortunately, the timing was awful.  After four months or trying to juggle it all, I looked into some part time options and decided that 16-20 hours a week is manageable for my family at this time in our lives.  This week is my very first week working part-time and it is WONDERFUL!  I will also be going to a week long training next week in San Diego and starting my private practice.  My long term goal is to have my private practice and be able to work it around the needs of my family.  It is a huge leap of faith.  Exciting and frightening all at the same time.

My husband also started a new job in April.  His new job is everything he could possibly hope it would be.  He never gets called at home.  He has evenings, weekends, and holidays off.  He is in a virtually stress-free environment.  The company values its employees and makes sure that they know it.  The commute is a little longer and the pay is a little less.  But, the trade off is well worth it!  The change in my husband has been astronomical.

Everything has come together and we know how very, very fortunate we are.

Even though I haven't been blogging, I have been knitting.  I'll take some time over the next few blog posts to update you on my knitting.   That is, if anyone is still around! :)

Never at my Knit Knite!

Check this out!

This is just fabulous, but you would never find them at my Knit Knite unless you brought them!

Recent Stash Enhancement

I went to Saratoga Needle Arts on Thursday after work to find yarn for a baby blanket. I have been coveting the Ripple Crocheted Afghan and asked my niece if she would make one for the baby. In trade, I am making the flowers for her Noni bag that she has been dreading making. I think I made out ahead and she thinks she made out ahead!

I wanted the blanket to be gender neutral, not too light in color, and washable. I plan on using this blanket for the stroller, car seat, etc. I decided on Cascade 220 Superwash and I got two skeins of each color. I'm hoping there might even be enough left over to make a complimentary garment or accessory.


Sitting next to the Cascade 220 was some fabulous Art Yarns. I don't think I have ever seen it in person and just couldn't leave it there. I got a free modular scarf pattern to knit this up with.




On June 11th, MaryBeth, Jude, and I went to Ye Olde Yarn Shoppe and Gifts going out of business sale where everything was 50% off.

I picked up 5 skeins of Noro in each of these colors to make over sized Booga Bags. The purple, blue, and lime is for myself. The neutral beige and browns will be a Christmas present for my mother.

I have a shawl collared cardigan sweater that I started 2 Octobers ago. It is Debbie Bliss' Lara. I want to finish it and wear it this season. I saw the same pattern in infant and children sizes in a book that I bought at the sale and I bought this gender neutral color to go with it. If I have a girl and if I have enough left over, I will make another one in purple.




I also bought all of this cotton for a bunch of hats from Itty Bitty Baby Hats.





For all felting fanatics--Interweave magazine is putting out a special edition of their magazine which is all about felting. It will be out 7/17. I got a glimpse at it at my LYS but it was there only copy. Borders didn't have it yet. I am considering getting it through their website. I love Interweave and felting--how can it go wrong?

Garden

I have some more photos for you!!


I love how the daffodils are taking over one of our flower beds.











The raspberry plants are actually starting to produce. We were gifted them two years ago.











My husband has re-done our flowerbeds along our walkway. We bought pressure treated lumber which hasn't been installed yet because we need to borrow a saw that will cut all the way through them. He laid down this really cool recycled rubber mulch. It should last for years and years instead of having to be replaced every season. Plus it is good for the environment!





See the ceramic bunny? My mother-in-law gave me two that she made. Too cute!

Portia and Bentley want to remind you to take some time to sniff the flowers!

Lisa left a comment about my Chevron Scarf and picking colors. I looked at lots of scarves on blogs and flickr before making my choice. I found that light and dark combos seemed to work the best. The monsoon has a dark purple and dark green while the watermelon tourmaline has a light purple and a light green. Good luck!