Might have been

I had the yarn all picked out in case it was a girl like several people had predicted. But since we will never know, I made this and plan to give it to a friend who is due with a girl right around the same time I was due.
I think it needs booties to go with it. But first I have a tea cozy to finish.

Love in every stitch

I entered a contest. I'm not sure I should have...but it seemed "right" somehow.

I thought it would be something I could do during those long nervous months of the third trimester. My second and third pregnancies had resulted in stillborn baby boys, so I planned to stitch something beautiful, donate it to an appropriate pregnancy-loss charity after our Little Bug was safely in our arms, and enjoy the restoration of some mystical cosmic balance.

And then it happened again. The ultrasound showed no heartbeat. And I suddenly felt very cold.

So I bought all this beautiful deep blue yarn and just started to crochet. Single crochet. No complex pattern. Certainly nothing that would win me any prizes. I gave up the goal of winning a contest and just felt the familiar slide of the yarn through my fingers, the weight of the growing fabric on my lap, the rhythm of the movements used to create each little bit.

And as the inevitable tears fell with each stitch, I felt warmth again. Little by little, I felt the anger and the "why me?" change to something resembling gratitude...love...peace. My Little Bug was a part of me for 19 hopeful, love-filled weeks. And that is something I can hang onto to keep me warm.

Crafty people...help?

Add another thing to the list of things I just LOVE about second grade.

I need an easy pattern for Sam to make a stuffed groundhog by Friday.

Any ideas?

Crafter overload

I'm gettin' the itch again. I was at an outlet mall last weekend and there was a scrapbooking store and I found the BEST stuff for my boys' scrapbooks. Now I just have to GET TO IT!

I still get emails from Archiver's. And they have an ad out now for ScrapFest 2009! Oh, how I would love to go... (the wheels are turning in my brain now)

And today I run across the A Crop for All Seasons, Ohio Scrapbook Retreat and I think, "Why didn't I think of that?!?!" What a cool idea!!!

I have multiple sewing and crocheting projects going on right now. So I'm going to have to finish some of them before I break out the scrapping in earnest. I'm still bummed that the 'first year" digital book I did for Myles is on the old computer that won't boot up (must remember to get that looked at and see if stuff can be recovered).

Current crochet projects include:
~a Christmas gift for Mom that I'm not sure I'll have done for Christmas
~a baby blanket for my co-worker's baby due in September
~some snowflakes for the Christmas tree (supposed to be a snowflake a week and I'm WAY behind)

Current sewing projects include:
~the long awaited new medieval faire costume for mom (planned in 2006...FINALLY started in 2008...will be done within the next three weeks...I swear)
~a couple new shirts and dresses for myself

Dear crochet friends

Because I always like to share a good deal...

Interweave's Hurt Book Sale.

Everybody loves fashion

First, Myles "helped" me sew.
Then they both tried on shoes.
And finally, the dress that I can't wear for a zillion self-deprecating reasons. (Pay no mind to the hair...I've been sewing and have had no time to think about it.)

Official old age

-------------------------------------
You know you're old when...

...you are excited about buying an adult sized padded toilet seat.

...you do a happy dance because you can get a baby sized padded toilet seat on clearance for two dollars.
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Much stitching and sewing going on this weekend...must get back to it (after some ice cream, I think). I hope to have pictures of a couple finished projects tomorrow evening (I know you can hardly stand the suspense, right?).
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But it's for charity

The hat's too big for the sweater size.
The sweater is too simple and boring.
The color and style say neither "boy" or "girl."
But it's for charity.

The yarn was impossible to work with and I wanted to throw the whole thing out the window on more than one occasion.
But I didn't because it's for charity.

The yarn was purchased for Travis.
But now it's for charity.

I want to keep it and I can't wait to get it out of my house...all at the same time.

I still have some yarn left from the skein and I don't think I'll be able to do anything else with it...even if it's for charity.

Baby sweater

For my niece who is due to be born very soon...

A hat to match is in the works.

Thank you Catherine!

You are awesome! And I will gladly be your dysfunctional yarn codependent!

Seriously...thank you! I will let you know how I do with the hook.

Thank you Meg!

The lovely Meg revealed herself as my Secret Pal for the SP13 swap with this fabulous package! I can not wait to try my hand at some crocheted socks (I dare not even attempt knitted socks...can you just imagine?)!



Thank you so much Meg! You were an awesome pal and I can't thank you enough for all the delicious goodies!

All done

Two years, four months...but it's done!

And because Sam is always wanting to snuggle with me under my afghans, we decided it was a good idea to make this one really big so Jackson and Anderson could snuggle comfortably with mommy.

I will try to get it sent out this week, Steph. I hope you like it.

Thank you Secret Pal!

I received an "incoming" message from my Secret Pal yesterday...and then a package arrived on my doorstep! And I have to say that I loved loved loved it! A copy of the Amsterdam coat I've been eyeing...with enough yarn to actually make it! I laughed and laughed at the note included, explaining why two skeins of the yarn were wound into balls (overeager two year olds and yarn...I feel for ya). The candy is missing from this picture because...well...it didn't last long enough to take a picture of (I LOVE Cadbury).
And look! My very own birthday cupcake! I love it!

Shop local

Did you know that you can shop local on etsy.com?

Thank you Secret Pal!

A fabulous arrival on my doorstep today! Two GORGEOUS Rosewood crochet hooks, the latest issue of Interweave Crochet, a snowman mug with hot cocoa and candy canes, and a snowman tin filled with the YUMMIEST cookies (already three fewer)!Thank you so much! And Happy Holidays to you!

SP Question #2

Part A: Are you doing any holiday knitting?

Nope. Doing SOME crocheting, but only snowflakes. I don't do well with pressure and so I have decided to let myself off the hook for the holidays.

Part B: Have you finished?

Finished the snowflakes...yes.

Laughter is the best medicine

I was going to blog about being sick again (third time since Halloween), but found this gem and thought it a good bit more interesting than my whining. I just don't even know what to say...I'm laughing too much.

SP question #1

Since we've just had Thanksgiving here in the US, I'm wondering what everyone is most thankful for this year.

That's easy. My boys (the two kidlets and the big guy too). This year has been amazing and I am so so so thankful for their smiling faces...even if "boys are gross." (lol)

Secret Pal 13

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Allergic to wool, but love all other natural fibers. Don't mind acrylic if it's soft and squishy.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Have a couple fabric needle/hook rolls that work well for me.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Don't knit much. Crochet is my thing and I consider myself an advanced crocheter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Amazon, though there are a few things on there that are stitch related, it's not craft-oriented for the most part.

5. What's your favorite scent?

During the winter months I like baking scents...cinnamon/clove spices...vanilla/sugar...baked apple/orange.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

There's nothing better than good chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Scrapbooking...when I have time.
Gardening.
Cooking/baking.
I like cross-stitch, but haven't had time/space to do it for a couple of years now.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I listen mainly to country music because that's what's available on the radio out here. I also love Broadway musicals and classical music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Favorite color = purple

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married with two children and two angel babies.
Lots of pets: Six dogs, four cats, two horses

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes, yes, yes, no ponchos

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Anything wearable.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Still working on things for friends...a granny square afghan...a teapot cozy...baby blanket that has changed recipients because I didn't get it done for the person it was originally intended for (and now the baby is too old to give a baby gift). I'm also working on an afghan for my own son...it's my "mindless" stitching project.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I like my bamboo knitting needles but I don't do much knitting. I use my aluminum crochet hooks the most and I would love to have some nice rosewood crochet hooks.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No...but I don't really have a need for one.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

The granny square afghan for my friend is a couple years old. It's a repetitive pattern, so I tend to get bored with it.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

We observe Christmas, though we are not a particularly religious family.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Besides yarn and scrapbooking supplies? nothing really

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Rosewood crochet hooks.
Crochet! magazine or Interweave Crochet.
Enough bamboo yarn or soy yarn in one colorway to make the Doris Chan Amsterdam Coat.
***edited to add***
I have been browsing at The Loopy Ewe and Paradise Fibers and my head is spinning with the possibilities!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I have never crocheted socks, but would love to try.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

No.

23. When is your birthday?

February 8th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes...Kate94651

Thank you Secret Pal!

My Secret Pal has been revealed! Normally, this event would not yield much fanfare, but I clicked over to Kim's blog and was met with the 2008 Knitter's Hunk - Hugh Jackman. Seriously! Knitting and GORGEOUS MEN! Even before I knew who she was, I knew I liked this lady. And it has nothing to do with the fact that she sent me LOADS of really awesome stuff! Did you KNOW they make chocolate Skittles? I did not. I can't wait to break them open and (over)indulge!



Seriously, Kim, you outdid yourself this round of SP and I can't thank you enough. It was so much fun finding little treasures in my mailbox during the past few months. My mom and I already have plans to do the sock monkey baby set from the Happy Hooker book for my brother's baby. I'll post pics of my progress on Ravelry (and here, if I remember). Thanks again! (I have never seen that shape crochet hook, but I will definitely review them as soon as I get to use them...they feel good initially...we'll see if it lasts)