peekaboo, i see you

I just love this picture. :)  He was playing with my friend's sunglasses yesterday and I was lucky enough to catch this pic.

For the month of July I will be rocking the WIPs.  I am not taking any classes--which always distracts me from my WIPs.  I am not casting on for anything new aside from the Itty Bitty Hat KAL that I have already committed to.  I am going to focus on my WIPs and get some things off of my needles.  I am participating in the WIPS Wrestlemania on Ravelry.  The idea is to tackle some projects and train for the Winter Ravelympics which are fast approaching! :)

Do you see that WIPs list on the sidebar?  I'm at 20.  Yup.  That's a lot.  My current focus is the February Lady Sweater.  I am trying to do one lace repeat a night which takes me about an hour.  I am also going to throw in some almost done projects to mix it up a bit so I don't get bored.  My lack of attention span is part of my problem, so I am hoping the diversity of projects while also focusing mostly on one project will be the best of both worlds.  

I am also aiming for really regular blog posting to keep me motivated!! :)

Woah!

I can't believe how long it is has been since I last posted!  

Life got ridiculously busy for awhile there.  I have been making all sorts of great stuff though!

I have been working on my February Lady Sweater that I have wanted to make for forever.  

I am further along then the picture shows--about 5 repeats into the lace section.  And there is no shame in having markers every 7 stitches!!! :)

Here is my Baby Surprise Jacket with buttons, finally.  They are cute little sheep that I picked up from Rhinebeck.  I put basic plastic buttons on the back because the sheep are quite heavy.  I also single crocheted around the edge of the button holes because the sheep were getting caught.

I updated my WIPs and FOs on the side bar with Ravelry links in case you are so inclined.  I'll be back sooner then 2 months this time!! :)

FOs: Bunny and Chick

I simply love Susan B. Anderson.  Love, love, love.  So, as the mother of a toddler and lover of all things Susan B. Anderson does--I had absolutely no choice but to knit both the bunny and the chick for my son for Easter.

I really love my bunny.  It is pretty cute.  I would love to learn how to embroider for purposes just like this.  I totally winged it.

My chick looks a little . . . well . . . off.  I think it is the crooked beak.  And honestly, my son doesn't seem to really like it either.  I am always finding it behind a piece of furniture.  Oh well.  At least he likes the bunny.
These are easy, simple projects that could be done in a few uninterrupted hours.  The knitting skills needed are super basic.

For both projects my gauge is waaaaay too big for a stuffed animal.  If I ever do them again I would go down probably 3 or 4 needle sizes.  I did go down one needle size, but obviously it wasn't enough.   Also, my animals' heads are very small compared to the pictures on the pattern.  I followed the pattern for how many inches the head should be.  Of course since my gauge was so far off, the head is much smaller as compared to the body.

Why am I so opposed to gauge swatches?  I guess if I am going to make something that truly matters what my gauge is then I really need to do a gauge swatch.  Gauge isn't a four letter word!!! :)

FO: Bunny Tail Hat

Here is yet another finished object!  Seriously, this is totally a record for me!! :)

This is the Bunny Tail Hat from Itty Bitty Hats.  Except, I did short ears like a bear and sans tail.  I made the 1-2 year size and it is quite big on my little guy.  I went down a needle size, but it is still too big.  I am sensing a theme here.  Are you? :)

Ravelry link here.  My little guy turned 16 months.  It is going too quick!!

I have yet another finished object to blog and I'll be finishing another one tonight.  Seriously, this is unbelievable!!

FO: Quilt Medallion Scarf

He is 16 months today!  

Can you believe it?  Another finished object!

Quilt Medallion Scarf from Interweave Crochet Magazine.  I took a class at Saratoga Needle Arts with the wonderful Cookie.  I used several different colors of Mission Falls Cotton.
If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have used the white yarn.  It doesn't look as stark white in person.
It could use a steam blocking before I wear it.  I'm not sure I will though.  I'm a rebel like that! :)

FO: Wonderful Wallaby Willie

I loved this project!  This is the Wonderful Wallaby made in a size 4 which is the Willie size.  Started March 7, 2009 and completed April 2, 2009.  If you have been reading my blog for any length of time you know this is a lightening fast project for me!! :)  

I used Malabrigo merino worsted in the color Pimenton.  The color is kind of a rusty orange.  Gorgeous!!  I had the yarn in my stash for a few years from a 20% off sale waiting for the right project.  It used three full skeins with the tiniest bit left over.  I started getting nervous that I was going to run out of yarn towards the end. 

The Malabrigo is a slight think and thin and seems a little thicker then worsted weight to me.  The sweater seems larger than a size 4 which is fine.  Better too big than too small!  I planned on London wearing it next fall and winter, but it will probably still be too big on him.

I went down a needle size and used 5's for the ribbing, 7's for the body, and 6's for the sleeves.  I was afraid I would have hugely puffy sleeves so I went down two needle sizes.

I found on Ravelry an alternate method for putting on the pouch that uses yarn overs from a new skein of yarn.  I will be trying this the next time I make it because I had some difficulty with the pouch.

I took a class at Saratoga Needle Arts to make the sweater.  Besides paying for the class, I used everything that I already owned to make the sweater.  Yea!! :)

I may get three winters of wear out of this sweater! :)

Lots of Updates

We did great on our February limited spending goal.  All month we only charged 4 things.  2 were preset charges (i.e. Netflix) and 2 were Paypal charges for internet purchases (which were less than $10 for both).  That is really phenomenal!  Normally we charge absolutely everything so we can take advantage of the cash back.  But, it has also made us less thoughtful of our purchases because credit doesn't always feel like real money.  This was especially hard because we were paying for our purchases that were put on credit cards in January while also paying cash for purchases in February.  I'm not done tallying our receipts so I don't have an exact amount on what we spent.  We did get hit with a nearly $500 purchase on the last day of the month.  My husband's car needed some repairs.  But the good news is--we paid for all of it in cash!!  Seriously!!!  I am so, so, so proud of what we did!!!

We are continuing to be conscious of our spending in March.  We will still try to not use credit cards and to put as much money on debt as possible.  I do have a friend staying with us for a week so I'm sure we will be spending more than our usual while she is here.  We probably won't be as strict in spending as in February.  It is hard to keep up at the level and we have already bought 2 books and a cd, although I did use a $25 gift card towards the purchases.  

I am still working on my Quilt Medallion Scarf.  I really love doing it and actually have to limit myself on how much I work on it.  The crocheting and the cotton has really affected my wrists and the muscles going up my arms.  I hope I don't run into this with all crochet projects because I really love it.  In last Saturday's class we learned row 4 and joining the motifs.  Right now I have 13 motifs joined together and 9 ready for the 4th row and joining.  I am aiming for 36 motifs all together.  We'll see how it looks as it gets close to the 36.  The springy colors are great!  Maybe I will wear it for Easter! 

Quilt Medallion Scarf

I am crocheting again.  It really does seem to go faster and it really does seem to eat more yarn.  I am taking a class at Saratoga Needle Arts 

It is an Interweave Crochet pattern called Quilt Medallion Scarf.  I have 11 of the motifs done so far.  The pattern calls for 69, but with a much finer yarn and gauge.  The teacher's sample used 36 so that's what I am aiming for.

Here is the 11 I have done.

And the 9 in progress.

The one on the left shows one round done, the middle is two rounds done, and the one on the right is three rounds done.
Then, on Saturday I will be taking the second class and learning how to connect them all together.  I am using Mission Falls 1824 cotton.  My wrists are killing me.  I don't know if it is because I am using different movements with crochet or if it is the cotton.  I am trying to take a break and rest my wrists, but I soooo want to be crocheting!  It is addicting!!!!

FO: Sweetheart Washcloth

I made a Sweetheart Washcloth by Susan B Anderson for my son for Valentine's Day.  I am a HUGE fan of Susan and her Itty Bitty Hats.

I used Cotton Chenille yarn on size 5 needles.  I tried the picot crochet edging but I was struggling so I gave up and made up my own edging.  I am currently making another one in Sugar n Cream and I may give the picot edging another shot.

Photo shoots with a toddler are always an adventure!

FO: Lunasea Leticia Hat

I swear my nose isn't really that crooked.  :)  This hat is a Valentine's Day present for my husband and I was afraid he would find the pic if I used the digital camera, so I used the handy little camera on the computer.

I used less than a skein of Leticia from Blue Moon Fiber Arts in Lunasea.  I LOVE these colors.  The yarn is a slight thick and thin--but mostly thin.  I knit it on 10.5 dpns and it is my own design.  Quick, quick knit.  

I was thinking of making a cowl with the other skein of Lunasea in my stash.  Do men where cowls?  Nothing fancy-just a scarf substitute in stockinette.  Maybe I should ask him before taking a chance and making it.

FO: Crocheted Sampler Wave Scarf

This pattern was a great way to learn and practice various crochet stitches.  I used 4 colors of Cascade 220 Super Wash that I had in my stash.  It turned out a little shorter than I would like.  I used half the number of stitches called for in the adult-sized pattern.  Oh well, I'll chalk it up to learning.  London doesn't know the difference. :)

So, my model was not at all into modeling.

Can we say tempermental?
Does every model storm out of their photo shoots?  Or just my model?

Thank You!

I have finished a project!!  YEA!!  I will attempt a photo shoot tomorrow.  Hopefully my model cooperates! :)

On the money front . . . my husband still hasn't produced the receipt for the groceries yesterday so I'm not sure of the exact total.  He also bout $20 in gas today.  After he told me, he quickly said "but the light was on!"  Yea, I guess that would be a good reason to get gas. :)

Thank you for my congratulations on losing weight! :)  I am currently 9 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight.  That is very exciting!  I am starting to think about rewards for myself.  I want something to celebrate 50 pounds.  I have created my own system of what works for me.  I was thinking that I could share some things that are working for me in some blog posts.  

So, the first one is being really conscious about what I am eating and I what I am feeling.  This is sometimes easier said then done.  I have a toddler and anyone who has spent any time with toddlers knows that meal times can be interesting.  I also have two dogs and I can not tell you how much energy they consume while we are in the kitchen.  Whether it is needing to go out, needing to come in, begging London for food, eating the other dogs food, you get the idea.  Then of course, I'm trying to make food, clean up afterwards, do dishes, etc.  So, being really conscious of what I am eating and whether or not I should be eating isn't always easy.  It is easy to consume without even fully realizing what I am doing.  Also, I need to consciously think about if I am hungry.  Again, it is easier to pop a leftover graham cracker in my mouth then to put it away when my son has decided he doesn't want it.  I believe the first step is to be truly conscious and think about what I am doing.  Awareness.  It starts with awareness.

It's A Party!

There is a party going on!  There is the cool thing called Mr. Linky that lets us link to our posts.  The party topic is taming kid clutter.  Go check it out and borrow some great ideas from lots of creative, organized bloggers.

So, on the money front--my husband bought some groceries during his lunch break today.  He thinks it was under $30, but he isn't home yet so I don't know exactly how much.

And . . . I lost 32 pounds!  YEA!! :)

Free Photo Book

Inkubook is offering a free photo book for filling out a survey about their product and site.  You will need to pay shipping and tax, but the book is free.  Cool, huh?  I've been wanting to make a photo book of London's first year.  My coupon code expires the last day of this month.  So, despite my intention of spending as little money as possible this month I think it is worth paying for the shipping and tax to get the book for free.

By the way, we didn't spend anything today! :)

Ground Hog's Day

Is it Groundhog or Ground Hog?  Either way, six more weeks of winter!  I'm very ready for SPRING!

So, neither of us spent any money today.  Yea!!!

Feel free to share your financial triumphs in the comments! :)

Money Challenge

My husband and I are challenging ourselves to see how little we can spend during the month of February on our non-fixed expenses.  I aim for $125 a week on groceries (although I usually spend more) and we spend about $200 a month in gas.  Then of course there is a little bit here and a little bit there.  We do have Valentine's Day this month and a couple of all ready scheduled social engagements that we will be spending money on.  Also, I have been making an effort to buy more organic and hormone-free food.  So we will continue with these commitments.  I would like us to be more conscious of our spending and think about how to save ourselves money, but we won't be sacrificing other things that we value (eating healthy and spending time with family and friends).  I think blogging about it will help with accountability.  And who knows, maybe someone will join us in our challenge!

Today I spent $5.71 on lunch and $1.25 for tip for a total of $6.96 for the day.  My husband didn't spend anything today. 

Easy Money!

I found this laundry research study that pays $175 for 2 hours of your time.  Here is the link if you are interested.  I am happy to accept $175 for 2 hours of my time!!! :)

Handy Manny

I LOVE Handy Manny!!!  What?  You haven't met Manny?  If you have a toddler or preschooler or just need a dose of beautiful humanity you simply must check out Handy Manny on Playhouse Disney.  

Everyone in the town of Sheet Rock Hills is very helpful and loves to help solve each other's problems.  Everyone is accepted for who they are and both their faults and attributes are loved.  The acknowledgements flow and the support is always there.  At the same time, characters offer their assistance and are open to their assistance being declined.  All of this is done without being sickeningly sweet like some little ones shows can be.  This is exactly what I want my child's cartoons to look like.  My husband and I enjoy the antics of some of the good nature mischief that the tools find as well as trying to identify the voices of the characters.  We are so hooked that we now refer to some of our tools by their proper names.  "Honey, I bet Turner could help you with that."  Yea, we are hooked.

So I can cross it off of my list . . .

Before our lives were hijacked by yucky colds, I had been on an organizing and cleaning kick.  

I have a lot of WIPs.  I always have a lot of WIPs.  I've decided to keep track of my WIPs and 2009 FOs on the side of my blog.  I am hoping that with the visual reminder it will help to motivate me to finish.  I'm one of those people that writes something on a list just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it off my list.  

You'll notice that there aren't any finished objects listed yet.  They're coming.  Soon, I hope! :)  

Have a great Sunday!!

Crocheted Wave Scarf

This is my crocheting project.  Dog nose included for scale. :)  Not really, she just was super close to me all day that day.  The light blue in the middle is actually two different shades, but it is really hard to tell.  London's coat is navy and red.  I'm thinking of trying to find a crocheted hat pattern to make a set.
I had the second class today which is where we learned the "wave" part of the scarf.  It is probably too short for London.  Ah well.  It was a good learning project.  I can now do a chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, and something else that I can't remember the name of.  I signed up for a scarf class at the end of February.  It is an Interweave Crochet pattern.  I think I also conjured up some interest for the Larger Than Life Bag.  I'm hoping it will be a class in the spring.  It would be a cute spring/summer tote.

I think I now have London's cold.  Some moments I feel like death and then some moments I feel pretty good.  Hopefully it doesn't get too bad.  London is feeling and acting much better.  Still coughing and a runny nose, but I think the worst of it is behind him.