One Down...

And too many to count. But I'm not counting! I decided to focus on just one project yesterday. Usually I'm all in a tissy trying to do too much at once and too little time. I finished the baby blanket (the second attempt - pic is before the wash - it's so soft and cuddly now) for our Pastor's baby girl. The turtle (aka tortoise) is for their 2 year old son.

Skippyjohn is for their almost 5 year old. It comes with a CD that has the author reading the story. I can only imagine how funny that is going to be to listen to.

I bought some cloth diapers to make a few matching burb cloths. I might even try to do something like this. For me though, this is going to take some thought and planning...not two of my strenghts - ha! We are going to smoke a turkey for them this weekend. We haven't used our smoker since New Years Day. Let's hope it's not windy again!

TodayI decided to become reaquainted with my tea pot.

And then finished these two aprons. For me.

Belated Christmas present to match these napkins.

Please ignore the green paint peeking through...if you are just stumbling upon Some of a Kind...you can read the paint story here & here.

Tonight I am meeting a bunch of girlfriends at a local ceramics studio for some food, wine, and oh ya...pottery painting.

PS - if the spelling is horrific...spell check wasn't working. I should have paid attention in school.

They Say Boys Love Their Mama's

And I'd have to say...I'm one lucky Mama.

Knit Pickin' Weekend

I have become obsessed with trying to knit. I have so many sewing projects / gifts to be made and just keep casting on and knitting. {Not to mention the iPod cover that I still have not made the tutorial for} I haven't tried to purl yet. It scares me quite honestly. I am still trying to get comfortable holding and controlling the yarn so to add a new trick is well...tricky! I did receive the pattern for The Seamstress Apron from Craft Apple. I'm having some commitment issues (ongoing theme in my life it seems) though. I don't know what fabric to use. I want to use something that I love b/c I know I will be using this a lot...my problem...I love too many! Here's what I'm considering:

Amy Butler's Royal Garden Clay (Belle)

Amy Butler's Kashmir (Belle)

I absolutely love these fabrics. I have a fat quarter of each but I'm thinking I need to round up some more. Decisions. Decisions. On a different note, I finally got a new camera! I have been practicing taking pictures. Here is a recent sunset from my back porch...just ignore the fact that it's slightly out of focus :)

There's that old tree again...I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

PS - I am having the hardest time finishing the book Wicked. It's just...weird. So I've started reading another All the Finest Girls. I hate to stop a book mid-read (am I the same blogger who was just writing about commitment issues earlier?) but Wicked might not get picked up again. I hate it when that happens.

Grafiti

It such a good feeling when you can cut into and write all over things with minimal consequences. Today has been a prep day - cuttin' up and tracing. Two aprons and a Bend the Rules baby blanket. I need to make 3 more tortoises but I am itching to finish something today. I'll save the softies for another day. One apron is for me and the other is a belated Christmas present to match these.

I received my order from Clotilde today.

Just a few goodies to make life a little easier. My mom wanted the seam guide and I thought it looked interesting enough to give it a try. I'm her guinea pig. If I like it, she'll get one. I'm hoping it will help me with the baby blanket scallops. The chalk cartridge set is wonderful. I'll never use a fabric marker again. I'm such a sucker for gadgets. Don't ask how much Pampered Chef and OXO stuff I have in my kitchen. It's embarrassing.

Speaking of the kitchen. I have to figure out what to make for dinner. This is what I was going to make (I hope you can enlarge it b/c it is good - disregard the overnight marinating - not necessary):

Was is the key word here. After I hit the customer service desk at the grocery store to return milk jugs to get my deposit back I went for my wallet...you know where this is going...26 degrees out, wind blowing, no wallet, dire need for groceries, hair appointment in an hour...sigh...we left the store for home - no groceries in tow. Thankfully the hair appointment went well. I have two de-shagged (is that a word?) little boys; still no dinner planned but who's keeping tabs.

I think I'll go sew now and worry about dinner later :-}

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

So I was feeling a little guilty that I've let my house decline into a FEMA zone. So,

I got to work. And man did I work. It's amazing what I actually accomplished but yet have soooo far to go. John was having a hard day today. Between teething and a head cold, he was a minor train wreck. In other words - short nap. He helped me fold laundry.

And yes, those are feminine hygiene products you see...They actually were from Henry's room. When overhauling the boys rooms today I found a stash of these. When Henry was still in diapers he would leak at night on a regular basis no matter what size or brand diaper I used. So I did what any desperate mom would do - I put a pad in his diaper. Worked like a charm. So, I figured I better save them in case little man here does the same thing. Ah, the joys of parenting.

Well, I'll just keep plugging away (mopping, dusting, doing laundry...). After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Butterfingers

I decided to dedicate Henry & John's nap time today to knitting...or trying to knit. I still am stumped after the cast on. I love KnittingHelp.com - the videos are great. I have watched how to knit over and over and over...I actually got a few knit stitches on but just seem to have butterfingers.I'm not giving up. I'll figure this knitting out if it kills me. If only I could put forth such an effort in cleaning.

Feeling A Bit Festive

I finished an apron today for Valentines Day. I thought this fabric was really cute - didn't' hurt that it was only $2 a yard either.

These Bend the Rules aprons are addictive. I can see a theme emerging...Erin Go Bragh!

The Tortoise & The Hare

We had a little bit of cabin fever left over from yesterday and thankfully we were able to get out and about...to the arcade in the mall specifically. Henry had a blast playing skeeball. Remember that game? Can you believe it was only 25 cents to play. Takes me back to the day...

I had a little different kind of fever...sewing fever. I have been busy fiddle faddeling with so many other things that I haven't made something in a little while. I gave another go at the Bend the Rules turtle. My first attempt turned out to be a flop. This time I decided to enlarge the pattern to make it a little easier to work with. I present you with the turtle who took growth hormones:

Master Tortoise

I still had a hard time with the tail. It still was such a little piece to work with. So, instead of turning it inside out I just used the zig zag stitch around the edges like I did with this bunny's (aka Hare) ears.

The Tortoise & The Hare

Back of the bunny

I made Master Hare for Henry for Christmas. The fabric matches the curtains I made for his room. I bought the fabric before Henry was born and before we knew he was a boy...I should clarify - we are not 'finder outers' - we did not know he was a boy (nor John) until they were born. DH and I were so certain that he was a boy that when we referred to him in utero we called him Jr. What's cracks me up about that is ... Henry is not named after DH. We were just being silly. Hormones.

Tortoise will be given to John to cuddle with and I have high hopes that the master will reproduce threefold. I have a few sweet little boys who need a turtle to love.

How Many Clowns...ahem...Kids...

Can fit in a cozy coop?! They were trying to find out. As you can see, it snowed today! Finally! Granted it is only January (in Virginia) but I can remember LOTS of snow when I was a kid. Sleigh riding, school cancelled and having to walk to a friends house to play b/c a car just wouldn't make it. Winters have turned more to ice and rain these past 15 years or so...Henry and John had a blast. Well, Henry did. We had our old neighbors over to play and they just ran around and had a big time. John was like the kid in A Christmas Story. He had a hard time getting around and trying to keep up ...

Hey guys! Wait for meeee!

Poor little fella.

I FINALLY figured out (with a little help from here) how to click and drag my pictures. It is so simple...I was trying to cut and paste vs click and drag. typical. I usually make things much more complicated than necessary. I also figured out how to ad another column to my blog. Wasn't to hard to do. I still can't get my banner to fit - C'est la vie.

Now that I've figured out the picture posting I am a little more motivated to finish the iPod cover. I know I can actually post the tutorial properly. And remember this blanket? I decided that it was not gift worthy. I am going (some day...) take it apart and use the fabric for something else. I bought some new fabric to make another blanket. I enlarged the scallops so make it a little easier (I hope).

Kinda retro but still sweet. Just as a little gal should be.

Tagged

I've been tagged by my blogging / Holiday Traditions friend Gill and I'm supposed to tell you 7 things you don't know about me...this could be dangerous ;-)



1) I get very anxious whenever I drive over a bridge that goes over water - hate it actually - I do better if I am driving but white knuckle it the whole way. If I'm the passenger, I've been known to close my eyes until we're over it

2) I am slightly hard of hearing in my left ear

3) I've never had to wear a cast but have broken several bones (collar bone, a few fingers and toes...I'm a klutz)

4) I used to never get motion sickness but now I can't even turn around in the car without getting woozy [I was known to ride the SOOPERDOOPERLOOPER over and over and over as a kid]

5) I have a graduate certificate in gerontology

6) I cannot stand the smell of Pine-Sol

7) I could eat pizza every day for every meal and not get sick of it



Sooo...who to pass this "award" onto? I think I'll tag Kris, who inspired me to get my sewing machine back out and to join the blogging world. I know she is on vacation so the tagging will be slightly delayed...

Random Acts of Kindness

John goes down for his nap half an hour earlier than Henry. That is when we whip out the 'choke-ables' and non-John toys. Henry got this cash register for Christmas from Magin Cabin and loves it! Today I was counting his money and trying to explain to him what each bill was. After I told him about the $1 he said "Let's take this and put it in the basket at church." He has been paying attention! Yippee! I had to explain it was play money but made sure I got him a real $1 to save to take to church.
On another note, John and I went to my favorite store (Wal-Mart - sad to say) on Sunday after church and he had had about all he could take. He was worn out. So, I did what most moms who had planned poorly and had not one toy in her purse or even a crumb for a snack. I gave him my cell phone. All went well until suddenly I realized that he didn't have it in his hands anymore...and it wasn't next to him....or in the pockets of the shopping cart cover...or in the back with the groceries...panic began to set in. I started to retrace the aisles I had been on...no phone. I stopped again to check the cart and realized that I was blocking the aisle. The couple I inadvertently cut off were very kind and when I apologized and told them what I was doing they offered to call me. Ha! They called my number and sure enough...we heard it ringing. John was sitting on it! Little stinker. Relief. I'll make sure that on my next outing I am well stocked with entertainment and food for the animals.

Take Two

Thanks for the many tips regarding knitting. I never knew it would be so challenging! I'm trying to work on two tasks while the boys (DH too) are napping. 1) Rework my iPod cover & create tutorial 2) Read this knitting book I scored at Wal-Mart. The pictures are so clear - we'll see if I actually figure it out! I printed a free pattern for dish cloths. Small, simple (we'll see) and sweet (they remind me of my Nana). Off to enjoy some hot cocoa and to try to use my brain...

Casting On...

Well, I got that part down...after too many re-do's to count. Between the kit my mom gave me and this web site, I finally figured it out. So what you see above is the result of furrowed eyebrows and a cramped thumb and fingers. I tried to get to the next row (a knit 1, pearl 1, knit 1 - repeat 3 times) but just got frustrated and decided to put it down for now. I really want to figure this out. I have dreams of scarfs, sweaters and socks. The real test will be if I can remember how to cast on the next time...I'm being optimistic that I'll finish this project (a little purse) and move on to the next one like I've been knitting since birth.

Buttons, Bathrooms & Books

That's my day today. Sewing on lots of buttons, cleaning my bathrooms, and trying to sort through all the books that we have. Not necessarily in that order. I've actually finished the bathrooms - thank goodness. There was a biology experiment happening in one of them. gross. I know. The buttons are for DH and Henry. Henry has been wearing a particular shirt with the button missing right in the middle all season! The picture is from our sitting room. We have a TON of books. I love books. Children's books too. I should use the library more often (my mom is a librarian) but there is something about the feel and smell of a new book - never (well almost never) opened. We have this great local bookstore here that buys used books. You can also just get a store credit...yes, so I can buy more books! Backwards I know. I have two whole shelves in the sitting room with books just waiting for me to read them. sigh. Not enough time in the day. I plan to purge the books that I don't want to read again one day and trade them in. We'll see how far I get. In the meantime, I've been thinking about the iPod cover. I think I've figured out some of the problems I encountered....I'll keep you posted (pun intended).

Work-in-Progress

The story of my life...work-in-progress ~ he he. This is the little project that I've had on my mind for months now. Kris - look familiar? She and I talked about this but I couldn't get my thoughts together for her to make it. As you can see my measurements were slightly off ... it was supposed to be able to velcro close on the back ... the tape gives it away doesn't it ?! And yes, I have the Wiggles on my iPod. DH and I know ALL the words to EVERY song - no exaggeration. We've even seen them in concert. The only way I get some peace in the car! sigh. I took lots of pictures as I was doing this so I could remember how to recreate it. I'm going to make another. If I can get this smoothed out would you like a tutorial? Which, by the way, I still have not figured out how to post pictures with text under it. I can only get them to post at the top of the text. I'm sure it's not that difficult but somehow I am just not getting the right answer from blogger help. Totally me - of course - I'm just not asking the right question I'm sure. If anyone has any tips on 'how to' I'll gladly accept. Isn't it crazy when it seems your almost 4 year old knows more about computers than you. I guess that's how our parents felt about VCR's back in the day ;-)

Wonky

Is that a word? Well, I wanted to know so I looked it up. Webster's says "unsteady, shaky". I'd say that certainly describes my scallops. This is the 3rd baby blanket I've made and still can't seem to get the flow right. I haven't washed the fabric so once it has been laundered and puckers some it won't look so...wonky. I made this scalloped baby blanket from the Bend the Rules for our Paster's wife. She delivered baby #3 (early) over the weekend (mom & baby are well). I've read a few tips on how to close it off on the flicker group...I'll have to try some of those ideas on my next few. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it. A few missed stitches...but made with lots of love!

Speaking of wonky - I like to wear an apron when I cook because I am so messy. [Isn't that a sign of a great cook?!] I just stumpled upon this great swap. Check it out.

Finished...Starting

I finished my book last night. It was amazing. As I was reading and trying to figure out what was going to happen next, I couldn't. I love books like that - you know - the ones you can't put down. The Island by Victoria Hislop is worth your time. The cover picture is from the UK so don't let that throw you - the American cover is different.

I also started a sewing project. Yippee! Yes that means we got the office tidied up enough and rearranged to accommodate my sewing machine. I'm so excited to finally have a place a little more permanent. Now I just need to paint the room, change out some pictures and make some curtains....no biggie -right? Ha! I'll post pics of both the finished project (fabric above) and the office/sewing room later.

Movin' Right Along

Well, today is the day we hope to get the office straight so I can set up my sewing area...and hopefully we will get done. I've recovered from the holiday craziness and I'm ready to get sewing again. I've got an idea running around in this little brain of mine and I hope I can put this sewing project together. It's going to be one of those use fabric you don't mind messing up b/c you will make mistakes until you figure it out and or like how it turns out project - more about that later. I am however reading this wonderful book that a good friend gave me for Christmas. When I am done (tomorrow? I can't seem to put it down!) I'll write my own Some of Kind book review - he he.

In the mean time enjoy this little preview that I can't get out of my head.

It Was a Blustery Day

Man. Was it windy here yesterday. Gusts up to 40 mph. And we just HAD to smoke our pork ribs. So, my DH became Mr. Improvise. We were worried that the wind would blow our smoker over...so a few chairs, bricks, and lots of logs later...he fired her up. The only thing we forgot to factor in was the temperature control. The ribs were supposed to cook in 3 to 3 1/2 hours. 5 hours later...we put them in the oven...15 minutes later we nuked 'em. The poor smoker never got over 200 degrees. I decided that was our warning to slow down and and chill out. We have been so busy and worrying about things that aren't important vs what actually are. In the end - our dinner, although an hour later than planned was delicious. We used this on our pork. A gift from my SIL at Christmas. (Every spice we have used thus far has been wonderful!) My mom made a black eyed pea salad that was yummy and some green onion biscuits that were supper moist. Oh yeah - and sauerkraut - gotta have that too.

We have so many projects to do around the house (it's never ending isn't it?) and of course I have a TON of sewing projects running through my cluttered brain and not to mention that I want to learn to knit. So, what is a gal to do? Well, this here missy ordered this. Kinda silly but I need something to help me get organized. When I worked (out side the home ;-} ) I was a Day-Timer / Franklin Planner kinda woman. I had to be. I was a social worker in a nursing home and then a senior living counselor for a retirement home. But those just don't seem to work very well for me know (4 yrs into being at home I'm still floundering). I just recently discovered the momAgenda and really like it but it's still not quite enough. Unfortunately because of the deal I made with DH (which was actually broken to finish Christmas presents) I promised that I would not start anything new until we got my 'work station' set up in our office. That will be our first project around here for 2008 because I have 5 baby gifts to make! One of our Paster's wife is having a little girl in 2 wks (c-sec) so I need to get busy...see, they have 2 boys - she needs some PINK! In the meantime...I'll just keep thinking of some resolutions that I can actually stick to for more than...a week. Ah ha! I've got one - make as many homemade gifts this year as possible. Now I like the sound of that.