Rhythm Is Going To Get You

I'm trying to get my rhythm. It's hard. I've blogged about this before ... feeling like I just can't get my groove going. Too many left feet ...


I have no magic solution but I've decided to take advantage of our beautiful weather (before we hit humidity of 100% and temps in the 90's+).

I've been walking/jogging to help me clear some of the cobwebs out.

Ahhhhh.

I finally got out my iPod to give me some motivation and company. I love it when a song that you haven't heard in forever pops up. Here's a few of the ones I was hitting the pavement with:

Jumping Someone Else's Train

In God's Country

Candyman

Cluck Old Hen

Anyone got a play list they want to recommend? Anyone ... anyone ... Bueller?

This Is A Stick Up

Give me all your yarn and no hooks or needles will be harmed.

Remember this attempt at a market bag? Well, I was determined to try again ... and again.




I wasn't however going to keep trying to get a picture of the tote solo ... Goldilocks here was determined to help.


I'm so glad I didn't toss the pattern. I ((love)) this tote. The other day at the store I had 2 lbs of chicken, 1 lb of pork chops, 3 lbs of ground beef, and 2 packages of hot dogs ... and there was room for more. This back rocks.

I did make a few changes to the pattern: Round 18 I Ch 1, sc in join and next 22 sts but then I ch 1, sc 4, and repeated the Ch1, sc 4 until I had the desired length for the handles (about 7 inches). I then sewed the handle to the end of the 22 stitches (does that make sense?). I then did the same on the other side. Sorry to be so confusing, I'm not so great at explaining these things.

A little side note - a butcher shop just opened in town with local meats raised naturally. They have crazy hours but I hope to get there soon and fill my tote. Don't worry, I won't tell 'em it's a stick up; I'll just ask for them to fill 'er up and then I'll pay ;-)

Daddy-O

I'm so predictable. Here's what DH and the grandpa's got for fathers day:





Both DH and my father in law are big football fans; actually they are huge rivals too - DH went to Virginia and my father in law went to Virginia Tech. Never a dull moment during college football season ...

If I remember correctly the fabric is Alexander Henry.


I was in such a rush to get my dad's in the mail I forgot to take a picture. He loves trains so I used some green (his favorite color) linen from my stash and backed it with this train fabric.


I learned a lot from my first go round with the bookmarks - this time I used a chalk pencil and 'erased' all the missed marks. I also had Henry just write their name instead of draw a picture keeping it simple.

We had a nice day until DH got stung by a bee - two days later he was at the MD because he could barely walk. His ankle was so grossly swollen had become infected. Who knew a bee sting could do that! He's on an antibiotic now and is doing much better but I'll tell ya - I've never really seen anything like it. Poor guy. At least he got some time to prop his feet up and use his new bookmark!

Bulletins

• Turn the page ... Tuesday is coming up soon - July 7th. I'm working on a new linking feature. Stay tuned.


• Christmas in July. Yup. I'm doing it again. You sewing, crafting, gift planning along? I'm planning a few more shoe totes and maybe some lap quilts done the Some of a Kind way (in other words - with shortcuts and no binding). I also stumbled upon these cute soap savers. I'm thinking these would be nice with some local hand made soap.

• Craft Hope has announced the new opportunity to help. Baby blankets - must be received no later than July 25th - more details here.


• Stacey and Kris have announced their new sew along - details at either blog or the flickr page. I'm going to use this as my opportunity to help me make up for my flop of a May(d) for Me!
  
• Something big is happening here in Some of a Kind land. I can't share yet but you all will be some of the first to know (and no I'm not pregnant - seriously). I'm working as fast as I can considering Henry has semi-officially dropped his nap. He's adjusted quite well. I have not. Here's a little sneak peak of the WIP -

Go Local :: Baby Got Bok

I like bok choy and I can not lie

You other bloggers can't deny

That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty pan

And puts bok choy in your face

You get hungry, wanna pull out your garlic

Cause you notice that bok was sauteed

Deep in the pan she's carrying
I'm hooked and I can't stop eating ...

Tell 'em to saute it! (saute it!)

Saute it! (saute it!)

Saute that healthy bok!

Baby got bok!

Now that I've taken back to your early 90's dance club days ... here's what else was in the bag last week:

5 carrots

5 nectarines

3 cucumbers

swiss chard

4 ears of corn

1 recipe

How about you ...

I Should Work For NASCAR

Seriously.

I can rip out a crochet project that took hours in 18.262 seconds.

Just look at what I've accomplished this week:

Baby sweater that was supposed to be size 0-3 months.

It looked like it could fit John.

Rrrriiiiipppp.

Market tote.

I'm on my third go of it. I deliberately keep miscounting ... trying to improve my demolition time you see.

Now if I could only clear my cutting table as fast as I can rip a seam ...

maybe then NASCAR will hire me.

What's All The Buzz About

I recently participated in a Garden Swap hosted by Kerry of pennydog jewellery and I was partnered with Katharine of Wolly Wotnots. I really hit the big time. Katharine spoiled me beyond my wildest gardening dreams ... but first let's get to what I sent. I'll save the best for last.

I thrifted a pair of skorts to convert into a gardening apron. First things first, I cut out the shorts and then added bias tape so it wouldn't fray over time (so wish I had a serger ... sigh).



Then I cut out the zipper and added my own bias tape using this awesome Trefle Green Bee linen fabric.



What was the front of the original skorts have now become the back of the gardening apron.

Then I added a tie for the apron and looped it through the belt pocket to keep the apron from slipping.

Hopefully the only bees Katharine will tangle with in her garden will be the ones on her apron!

I also included wire bound journal, a dishcloth, and some gummy bears.

Now on to the mother load. Prepare yourself, I told you she spoiled me.

You still with me? I know, It's insane!!! Here's the skinny: hot pink flower bag, a paper potter, needlepoint pillow, gardening journal, cute tin (inside is gardening stakes), knitted flowers, napkins, puzzle, oregano, and bee's on a stick ...

It didn't take long to for my boys to make them fly! They are the cutest little things (I'm talking about the bees here ;-P)

Everything has found it's place in our home (and garden). I definitely got the better end of the deal this go round!

If you would like to see where Katharine got all my goods you can go here for the details.