Coming Un-Plied

Time Flies....when you're having fun

2008-05-19T07:20:00.007-04:00

Well, a lot can happen in 6 months.

Twas the night before Christmas....and I finally finished all my knitting. What a race to the finish line that was! I will try to round up some photos of the finished products.

Sewing....well, we didn't quite make that deadline. The Thursday before Christmas, I emerged from the basement to inform the hubbie that we had a death in the family. MY SEWING MACHINE!!!!!!!!! I was able to finish all the fleece outfits, pj pants for the boys, and one quilt. When I got to quilt #2, well 'ol sewie gave out and gave up the good fight. There was not a whole lot I could do at that point, so I was forced to give D an unfinished quilt.

The good thing out of it was my b-day and anniversary was right around the corner, so the hubbie bought me this:

Mine is pink, and it has everything to last my sewing needs for a very long time. I couldn't be happier.

Other things that you can do in 6 months:
1) Buy a house. (In which I have my very own CRAFT ROOM!!!!!!!)
2) Sell a house (FINALLY!!!).
3) Totally repaint new house 2X in 4 days.
4) Move into new house.
5) Celebrate 6 years of marriage.
6) Turn 27......uh, for the 3rd time.

I've done more, but those were the high points.

Spring Break, I finished the boys' new "super" room. Picts can be found here:

room

Knitting wise, I have been on a washcloth kick. The boys are both in tap and ice skating, so I find washcloths easy to knit. Currently I am working on a sweater for my mom. Wish me luck, she is REALLY picky and I may be froggin' and reworking parts to get one that she is happy with. But I am determined to get a fit that she will be happy with.

I have many other projects on the needles and in the que, but have been trying to get mom's sweater done first.

I have also been acquiring lots of sock yarn for the summer. (picts later today).

Must be moving along. The boys will have their end of year picnic this morning followed by pre-school graduation on Wed *sniff*. (I am not looking forward to their HS graduation. I am already facing "empty nest" syndrome and a total wreck just thinking about them going off to school 5 days a week in the Fall.)

YEAH!!!

2008-05-18T21:47:00.001-04:00

SUCCESS!

Perhaps I will have time tomorrow to start a little updating. For now, I am going to revel in my new found computer awesomeness (HA!).

Back again?

2008-05-18T21:29:00.003-04:00

So after much swearing and cursing Google, Gmail, and Blogger, I think I have finally transferred my blog over to my new email address allowing me easier access to my blog and hopefully more blogging will ensue. We'll see if this works!

Kitten at Heart

2007-12-19T09:14:00.000-05:00

So I am a real dork. Yup it's final. I have joined the Hello Kitty KAL, and I CAN'T WAIT!

I finished a hat not too long ago, LOVE IT!

I found the pattern on Ravelry. I changed the ears and I did all the embroidery with floss instead of yarn.

I can't wait to see what other patterns they will have. Check it out.... http://hellokittykal3.blogspot.com/

Update: A month in pictures

2007-11-19T09:01:00.000-05:00

It's been about a month since my last post....so here goes the last month's knitting in a pictures.....

Here are the boys' finished sweaters...

My needles are here....I am totally smitten!

Here is a cute little hat for the inner child in myself...........

A scarf for my husband's G-ma for Christmas. This stitch is so cool. It's called the "broom stick" stitch (crochet).

Ballet warm-ups for my sister-in-law.......for Christmas.

My goodie haul from a LYS.

I L.O.V.E. this sock yarn! The three skeins in the front will become these.......for Christmas. The one in the back will eventually become more socks.

Socks for my mom for Christmas.

And the boys will each be getting one of these...

I have also been sewing like mad. I have finished PJ pants for the boys. Ten pairs of flannel pants are all ready to be wrapped. I have all the fabric for the front of D's quilt cut and ready to sew up. I am waiting for the after Turkey day sales to get the fabric for C's quilt. I will also be buying up some fleece for more PJ pants and some fleece outfits for the hunters and fishermen in my life.

The boys have missed the last 2 days of school because we all have a nasty cold. This puts a damper on my productivity. Then, to top all the crafty, sickly madness off, we made an offer on a house and are waiting to hear if we got it. I think we will hear sometime today. It will really put a wrinkle in my holiday knitting and sewing if we have to move before the new year. I anticipate many late nights in my future. But it will totally be worth it because the house has a room that I have claimed for my crafts!

Is this for me?!?!?

2007-10-25T11:07:00.000-04:00

So the boys have been asking me every time I put a sweater on them if I made this for them. They've seen me making all the baby sweaters for friends and family and have yet to get a sweater from mommy. So I have finally finished one and have the arms and finishing left on the other. They are so excited. They keep rubbing them and saying, "So soft, thank you mommy!" They are still a little big, but by Christmas they should fit fine and last us through the winter.

........Here is D in his sweater.

And here are the pieces of C's

unfinished sweater....

In other knitting news,I have been cranking out the FO's, but haven't gotten many picts I am looking forward to all the upcoming Christmas knitting. I am also eagerly awaiting the arrival of my KnitPicks order. As an early Christmas gift I purchased the new Harmony interchangeable circular needle set. I am so geeked, I can't wait for them to arrive.

Tonight is my SNB gathering at the local book store, so I am hoping to get C's sweater finished. Then once it's pieced together I just have to find 4 big wooden buttons to sew on for the tires of the cars. I am really happy with how these are turning out.

I will post more picts when they are all finished.

Pay It Forwad: Knitting Style

2007-10-14T08:07:00.000-04:00

So I have joined my first knitting exchange/KAL, the Pay It Forward Exchange. I got it from Gothknits. I am not sure where it originated

Here's how it works:
It's roughly based on the movie Pay It Forward. A Middle School boy (played by Haley Joel Osment) has to do a social studies assignment that can change the world and put it into action. Here is what he comes up with: #1 It has to be something that really helps people. #2 Something they can't do by themselves. #3 I do it for them, they do it for three other people. These are the rules when you pay it forward. If everyone followed this the world would be a nicer place. His idea quickly spreads across the country and really tests the thinking of those around him.

So the KAL twist on this is that I will make a nice little knittsy gift for the first three people to comment on this post. They will in turn write a post on their blog and gift their first three commenters....so and and so forth. This a great idea for those who don't have a lot of time, you have six months to get your gifts out.

So without further ado.....bring on the comments!

Goals

2007-09-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

So, my goal is to get better at actually posting and not just reading blogs.....How am I doing so far?

WE have been hella busy this summer. Things are settling down, so once I get thing figured out. I'll get some thing up.

I have been cranking out the projects this week. Between sewing, knitting, baking, and this new craft that I picked up. Which honestly I don't even know what it's called.....I walked into a new knitting store a few weeks ago and they had these stitched bracelets that rocked , so I though...I used to cross-stitch, I can do that. So I picked on up and am giving it a go. (Only it's not cross-starching, it's called "basket-weave stitch", but it has nothing to do with a basket.). If I have time later I will post some picts.

Well, the boys are wanting breakfast, so we had better start our day. We are going to a apple orchard today...TTFN!

Is there anybody home???

2007-07-04T08:07:00.000-04:00

As of late...no. We have been wicked busy around here. Lot's of camping, traveling, and summer fun. But no fear...I have been knitting. I finished the pair of tulip socks...am about 1/2 way done with convertible...can't remember if there was anything else that I was working on being that it's been about 2 months since I last posted.

So far this summer I have knit 3 pairs of socks, am working on pair # 4 and 5. Pair four are my camping sock, I am only working on them when camping...ah knitting memories. As for pair 5...well I am a little frustrated with them. I had to rip out the pair and I was almost to the heel flap...grrrr.

I have knit a baby blanket and dress for my cousin who just had a baby girl. Will post pics later. and am working on a tank from 'Interweave Knits".

Well the monkeys are calling for breakfast, so I had better get my butt moving.

Happy Fourth!

FO's

2007-04-06T11:45:00.000-04:00

So the socks are finished...gave them to my mom a week ago. I didn't get a picture, I'll try getting an action shot this weekend. I have the baby jumper done as well, all I need to do is find some buttons and snaps. I have started the blanket and am hoping to get it finished this weekend. I don't have any picts, we still have a housefull of boys. So next week, when I have more time, I will try posting some picts.

Everyone have a Happy Easter...and safe travels!!

Soundtrack of my life...

2007-04-05T15:23:00.000-04:00

Cruising some of my other blog reads, I came across this at darksideofknitting and thought that with my husband's and my taste in music, plus the fact that I am a former elementary music teacher with 3 year old twins, the musical shuffle would be quite interesting. So here goes...

Directions: If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?
1. Open your mp3 library
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press Play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the Next button.
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool.
7. Don’t skip songs.

My Movie:
1. Opening credits: Places I've Never Been- Mark Wills
2. Waking up: Year of the Parrot- Primus
3. First day of school: We as Americans- Eminem
4. Fight song: It's all in the Game- Van Morrison
5. Breaking up: Turn Your Lights Down- Bob Marley and Lauren Hill
6. Happiness: Big Time- Big & Rich
7. Life’s okay: The Body Boogie (Plank Road Publishing...hey I told you I was a music teacher!)
8. Mental breakdown: Baby Come Home- Kid Rock
9. Driving: No Need to Come Back- Elsa Hill/ Leon Bolier
10. Flashback: Amazing Grace
11. Getting back together: Philadelphia Chickens- Sandra Boynton's Imaginary Musical Review
12. Wedding song: Under the Influence- D 12; Eminem
13. Birth of first child: The Friendly Beasts- Cedarmont Kids
14. Final battle scene: Help!- Howie Day
15. Death scene: Surely Justice- Daryll-Ann
16. Funeral song: Rapture-Iio
17. End credits: Stop the Rock- Apollo 440

I have to say that I find this little exercise quite amusing and pretty much right on to how life has been going these past few days. Next week, more knitting picts and fun activities...this week, 4 boys all under 14 in my tiny little house for one whole week= not much time on the computer, so I am done for now. TTFN

Progress

2007-03-26T08:01:00.000-04:00

Last night I was able to make some serious progress on the second sock. I am about 1/3 of the way done with the tulips on the back. Unfortunatly I am not able to work on charts with the boys around, so I will have to wait until they go to bed tonight to finish. I am hoping to finish the sock by tomorrow. Today, while they are awake, I will work on the layette. Easier pattern to pick up and put down as needed.

I have also made some progress with the blog. I have figured out how to add some things on the side bar. But I am still at a loss for those cute little "widgets", "pixies", and buttons. I am hoping to figure out how to add those.

For now, that is all I have. It takes me quite a while just to make a simple post. Until I get the hang of this blogging thing, I supose it will be that way.

Time, Time, Time, is on our side

2007-03-25T14:39:00.000-04:00

Yeah right, well about 3 weeks have passed since my last post, and I am not much further along than I was. I have one sock done and am about 1/2 way through the second. I am pretty sure that my mom will just love these. I will be seeing her this coming Saturday, so they WILL be done by then (especially since her B-Day was on the 5th of this month).

Here is the finished sock and her mate. The pattern is "Tiptoe through the tulips" by Stepahine Pearl-McPhee (http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTtiptoe.html)

The yarn is "Palette" 100% Peruvian Wool from Knit Picks. I love working with this yarn, and it comes in so many colors! For the price ($1.99/ skein) I can see me ordering a lot more of this. ;)

My lace pattern has made little progress, but I am still hanging onto the hope that I can get if finished in time for Easter. The pattern is "Convertible" by Rebecca Hatcher (http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTconvertible.html)

The yarn is a "Lace Cake" from Cabin Cove Mercantile (http://www.cabincovemercantile.com/). We are talking about hand dyed, hand painted 100% Merino Wool. I am totally smitten with this yarn. This is my first big lace project and am so happy that I got this yarn. It also came with a little satchel of fresh Lavender that I am keeping in my bag. It feels so soft and smells so beautiful. This is my relax and knit project.....just wish I had more time to work on it and relax.

The last project is for a baby due in mid April. I am using a little summer jumper pattern from coats and Clark (h ttp://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Knitting/Projects/BabyChild/LW1397+Summer+Fun.htm).

I have got the legs done, but have a long way to go. I am hoping to add a blanket, booties, and hat to the ensemble before I have to head down for a visit in May. I am hopeful.

Well, the kiddo invasion has begun, so that is all the time I have for today. I am hoping to have some major progress pictures to post this week, but the hubby is out of town this week for work (poor sap had to go for a week of training in Hawaii.), so we will see.

Some Progress

2007-03-05T13:27:00.000-05:00

So, I haven't gotten a whole lot of knitting done, but I have gotten a lot of stuff done. I finished a quilt that I was working on for my boys' pre-school auction this weekend, so I will hav some more time on my hands. I also finished a pair of fingerless gloves w/ a skull motif on them for a friends B-Day. The house is finally clean after us all being sick and then going out of town for a week, and I have the laundry pretty much caught up. This leaves me with some time to get the good stuff done...Kniting! I have 3 projects on the needles, and I am hoping to make some progress this week. (Maybe I will figure out how to post some pictures of them). I am working on a pair of socks for my mom's b-day, a layette for a friend of mine who is expecting, and a lace shawl for myself. This last one has been on the needles since before x-mas but I keep putting it aside to get gifts done. My goal is to finish it before Easter so I can wear it then....we'll see, wish me luck with that.

Ah-choo & Grrr

2007-02-22T07:38:00.000-05:00

Not much knitting going on lately. We have all been sick. Why is it that mom's always get it last? I would much rather get sick first, that way I have the energy to take care of two active Bubba's. When you get sick last you feel like poo and you have the kids on the mend w/ even more energy than normal b/c they have been sick. Grrr.

I am equally frustrated on the knitting front. I am working on a pair of over the elbow fingerless gloves, and I think the pattern is cursed. EVEN though I have swatched it (twice). Even though I have customized it to the gift receiver's measurements (and checked the math 3 X). It just doesn't seem to be turning out. I am about half way done (the second time) and if this one doesn't turn out, I think I will have to give up. Which really saddens me b/c the receiver's B-Day is next Tuesday and I really don't want to be empty handed.

So this dilemma brings me to a question. Other than weight and gauge.....what other considerations should me made when substituting yarns?

Weekend fun

2007-02-17T16:35:00.000-05:00

So I was looking forward to a weekend of knitting and painting. Instead I find myself with two little sickies, who want nothing but to sit on mama's lap. Has anyone discovered a way to knit with two clingy 3 year olds? Plus, the hubby is off Ice Fishing (a much needed/deserved outing, just bad timing).

Better luck next time....right?

Out of the shadows...

2007-02-14T09:23:00.000-05:00

So, I am a former lurker, who hasn't "come out" because I am a little technology chalenged as far as blogs go, but figure what better way to learn but to jump on in. So here I am big big world of knitting blogs.

If anyone has any tips on starting your blog, adding all the bells and wistles on the side, or even pictures, let me know...like I said, I have no clue. It's sink or swim, here goes....