Yarn Along 08/01/2012

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along :
~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

These last weeks I haven't found my knitting in my hands as much as I would like. Hardly a stitch, I am sad to say. Shortly after my post, two Wednesdays ago, I ripped out almost to my lifeline and spent the weekend playing catch up. Sadly with shaking hands and a ball of nerves in my belly, I set my knitting aside and took a break. But this week with a new resolve I picked it up again.  This time placing stitch markers every 20 stitches--to ensure my stitch count is accurate after each row! I feel like I am back on track.
My reading is quite sporadic--I am reading a bit of everything. I finished The Time It Takes To Fall by Margaret Lazarus Dean. I enjoyed it and could relate to the main character, Dolores. Being in middle school(like the main character) at the time of the Challenger launch. I, like Delores, followed Challenger launch and the explosion for months after. I found myself reading long after my Little Family was asleep. I haven't had the urge to pick up another fictional work since--has that ever happened to you? I think the term is called a Book Hangover.
Southern Plate by Christy Jordan is never far from my hands. I purchased it, feeling very guilty and selfish at the time. But I love it and am only sorry I haven't had it in my hands before now. SO many wonderful recipes that my family will love and wonderful stories that make my eyes well up with tears. Playful Learning is a book I have been sneaking a peek in when I can. It is packed full of ideas for purposeful play and learning. I wish I could get a chance to sew up some books for my boys!
There has been lots of reading with my boys over these last two weeks. Can anyone say Needle Procrastination or Distraction? Pete's a Pizza is a new favorite in our home. The only book my boys have EVER wanted to hear over and over! If you haven't read it with your Little One try and snag a copy from your library. I have no doubt that a giggle(or two) will escape from both of you!

We have had The Life and Times of the Honeybee for a couple of months and my oldest son has gone back and forth with this book. The drawings are amazing and the book is full of information. After this weekend, I have come upon him looking at this book quite a few times. I think being able relate the drawings to what he saw has made such a difference. The knowledge he was able to grasp in a brief conversation(with Ginny) have impressed his dad and myself greatly. He can repeat word for word the conversation and grasp the information she gave him!

Yarn Along 7/18/2012

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along
~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Hello All. Thanks for visiting. Nothing exciting or new this week, which for me, is comforting. Still knitting on my Hyla. Tinking back occasionally. I am reading the same book- True Sisters by Sandra Dallas . I believe I am finding solace with my needles and wool. Nothing earth shattering(thankfully everyone is health) just a dark period full of worry and misunderstandings and heartache.This, too, shall pass. 
 
“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either.”

― Elizabeth Zimmermann

Yarn Along July 11, 2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Taken from Ginny's blog

Hello all!  My post this week is short and sweet(I hope). I finished The Giant of Aberdeen County. The ending didn't satisfy me as much as I thought it would. But it was a happy ending and she got the guy in the end :)  It was a magical summer read.
With the ending of that book, I got to pick a new one off of my stack! This time I chose a historical fiction novel based on the trek the Mormons took to get to Salt Lake City. It is a very interesting read, True Sisters by Sandra Dallas.
I am still knitting on my shawl. I haven't even gotten to the end of my first ball of wool and the end is coming near. I added my first life line ever! Trickier than I thought it would be. I do think I have frogged more than I have knit. But I don't want to stare at  the Finished Shawl and always look for the imperfection. But maybe that is part of knitting--the inperfections are just like life. Knitting (and life) can be messy, contain imperfections and reflect the sometimes daunting amounts of personal work invested. 
I do think I will add another section of lace and garter stitches to make it longer. I am enjoy knitting it up- much more than I thought. I really am a loose knitter--especially when not knitting in the round....
I have, also, cast on a very quick test knit. An Icord Earflap Hat by Melody's Makings. I am such a big fan of her patterns--they are super quick and always make me feel like a rock star knitter. And I get to knit it in Yummy Malabrigo.  I do think it will go to the Project Stash KAL as soon as I complete it.
I can't wait to catch with everyone and thanks for stopping by. And Happy Wednesday!! I hope your day is full of finished pages and crafting.
I am leaving you with this blog post I stumbled on a couple of days ago....

When negative thoughts and worries creep in "give thanks", your brain will have no room for dark.

Yarn Along July 4th, 2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Taken from Ginny's blog

Happy 4th of July to my Fellow Americans! And Happy Wednesday to my fellow fiberists! I cast on a project this week. Okay truth be admitted...I cast on 2 but the one pictured is the one I am really excited about. I just fell in love it as as soon as I saw it and bought it as soon as the pattern was released. I cast on as soon as I had the pattern in my hands. What is it, you might ask? What is so gorgeous that I had to cast on as soon as humanly possible? Well is it a shawl!  A lovely shawl that I don't think I will keep for myself. I would love to gift it to someone and have them to be able to draw some comfort from it. It is such a fun little knit. Isn't that pattern delightful--all that lovely garter stitch. My reading is much the same. I only have a few pages left- maybe completed this evening. I am such a slow reader this summer. But each page is a wonderful summer read.  Do you see the chair my knitting is on? My husband built it from a pallet! The bag is from Julip Bags. It is called the Everything but the Knitting bag. And it really came with everything BUT the wool and needles- a cute little notions tin filled to the brim with scissors,  measuring tape, and stitch markers were all included. Even a crochet hook was inside-- kept cleverly secured inside the bag with a sewn in holder!

My favorite spot to watch my children play and to knit  a few rows or read a few pages from.

I hope you enjoy your Wednesday and Happy Reading!

Yarn Along June 27th, 2012

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Linking up with Ginny this week.

Hello all-Thanks for stopping by! Exciting news on the blog front--I managed to figure out using this link to respond to comments from reader. It always bothered me that I couldn't respond(I love reading comments  and never could figure out to respond)-- I have seen other bloggers have access to reponded right on the their blog (using the same blog format) and I have ALWAYS wanted to respond to anyone who has taken the time to read my blog and  posted a comment.

Which book to choose?

This week, Yarn Along finds me reading a whole new set of books. Most were chosen by what I have seen on Yarn Alongs lately. We went to the most amazing library on Saturday and found wonderful books and a new park! I wanted to stay longer at the park (for a change) and for once, my boys wanted to leave!

Aren't they great sports?!

I really had a hard time settling on which book to start on. But I managed to press on (wink, wink). The one I chose wasn't even one I had on my list! BUT it is a wonderful  and a surprisingly good read--especially since it wasn't on the list I bought with me.  The Little Giant of Aberdeen County is captivating and almost a bit of a fairy tale. There is a town witch and old money and a community full of secrets. I haven't even told you the best part of the story- the heroine is a bit of an Ugly Duckling. I am a sucker for Ugly Duckling stories.
My knitting is sporadic. But I do love what I am knitting and that is what is important. At least for now. A shawl for me, and, as always, some baby knitting.

I can't wait to catch up with everyone! Happy Wednesday!

Yarn Along June 20, 2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I think having the Yarn Along each Wednesday makes the week just fly by, don't you think?

This week's Yarn Along finds me in the same place reading wise. I really haven't felt the urge or had the time(truth be told and how is that possible?) I Gave My Heart To Know This is a nice summer read. Perfect for when I gather my boys and the sprinkler and head outside. The last few days have been quite cool and rainy but today it truly feels like summer is arriving. This year I have been quite impatient for it's arrival. Eager for my children to be out of school here at home with me. Days that we can play, play, play! I am sure they are growing tired of workbooks and Mom trying to craft with them but for now they are good sports.

Knitting has been something I have picked  up quite alot this week. So much that I now have quite a collection of WIP's. Not something I am terribly proud of or something I can seem to control. I have cast on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Moebius Ring for my oldest daughter and I have cast on a Schlüttli  for a wee one. I have just been casting on whatever I have in my queue that I have wool for in my stash. It seems I have a lot of one skein project. This way, I can just pick something little when the time comes to welcome a new life into our world. I do think that every baby should have something handmade- it helps to celebrate and welcome the new little life. Well, that is my opinion, anyway.

My oldest daughter actually completed her first knitting project on Monday! She just picked up the needles and cast on  as pretty as you please(she made it look simple!) and worked until it was finished! I am having a hard time putting it to use--it is such a treasure. I know it would please her to use it, I just never realized how much joy there was in being given a handknit.

A dishcloth! Isn't it the grandest cloth you have ever seen :)

Anyone have a favorite one skein project? I can't wait to catch with every one's projects and the wonderful books they have picked up. Until next week...

Yarn Along 6/13/2012

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along this week.
**Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
 New reads and new projects this week! My children's last week of school was full of tests, promotions, and fun! But so very busy. I barely had time to knit or read. I didn't manage to post about anything new but I did stop by your blogs when I could to see what you all were up too.
I have decided to put Gettysburg back on the shelves...at least for a bit. It is very good but the technical elements leave me dizzy. The human element of the story, though, I truly do soak up those words but those pages are few and far between. It is so difficult to imagine what the characters are viewing as far as the battles. I feel like every word I read I need to read twice. Maybe seeing a reenactment would make the the reading a little easier? Not sure I am brave enough for that--the suffering and death would be more than I could bear witness too. It makes you wonder how the members of both sides of each army and the ones left to clean up after each battle managed to do what they did....
My children and I traveled to our library this week... we stocked up on books to read for the next 2 weeks. Our stacks are large! Did I tell you we joined the Read Aloud Book Club  for the summer. I am so excited! We managed to snag the last copy of Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe . And we did grab a copy of Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. I have such fond memories of this book and I can't wait to share it with my boys.
The book I choose for me this week  is I Gave My Heart To Know This. It truly is multigenerational saga of the searing power of war, memory, friendship, and family.**words taken from Amazon-I couldn't have said it better, though.

Now for my knitting! I cast on a Baby Vertebrae. I really don't know why I did it. I have no one little to knit for but Ginny inspired me. So cast on I did....I do love how it is knitting up. But really with no one little to knit for I don't know why I just didn't ignore the urge to knit up something little-- I was quite happy knitting up a Simple Things for myself. BUT, Oh the horrors I have encountered with this shawl. If I didn't love the wool so much I would hide it under my bed and cast on some else! It is a great pattern. Fun to knit and easy and the wool is beautiful but I had a terrible time re-skeining the wool. Re-skeining you may ask....It arrived like this(isn't it beautiful!).

The problem..... was (notice I typed WAS) that when it arrived to me it was machine knit using 2 strands of fingering weight wool. It was sent that way so you could knit 2 socks as one- clever, huh?!! I would SO love to do that(one day)! But when I first saw this wool(online) I fell it love with it and impulsvely bought it without reading any of the fine print.  I just knew it would make a beautiful shawlette for me. I, also, didn't read on the site until later that the wonderful dyer would have wound the wool for me if I had let her know! Always the hard headed knitter---I tried to knit straight from that luscious scarf! Big mistake--I wasn't knitting 2 at once so you can imagine the trouble I ran into.... I decided to frog it from the wonderful scarf uaing a ball winder. Then, I truly realized that there was 2 strands of these glorious wool together! The re-skeining begin and boy was that a struggle! It would have been fine but with 2 strands wound into a beautiful yarn cake--it was a mess! My wonderful husband and my oldest daughter rallied to my side and we begin to reskein the wool into 2 hank using a 2 kitchen chairs and these directions . I am so happy we did it--I learned some new skills and in the end I had 2 lovely yarn cakes and and I am teaching myself how to knit with 2 balls of wool and alternate skeins. It sure does keep the knitting lively, doesn't it?

I also decided to cast on a Prayer Shawl. I have never knit anything as wonderful as this. My husband's Aunt--she is such a wonderful lady and is going through some with some health issues that are terribly frightening and I wanted to let her know I am thinking of her. I am only 2 rows into it... The problem I have run into is that I can't find time to find a quiet place to knit and pray for our beloved Aunt. I could knit it throughout the day and it would roll of my needles in no time but Prayer Shawls are different. Any thoughts, dear readers?

Can't wait to catch with you.

Yarn Along 5/30/2012

Hello all! Linking up with Ginny again :)
~Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Taken from Ginny's blog

Hello all--thanks for stopping by. As the weather starts to heat up and Memorial Day came and went quietly in my home it all brings with time for reflection- to think about the troops that are defending our country and those that paid the ultimate price for keeping us free.  This week I picked up Gettyburg by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen. Last year I dived into To Try Men's Souls and Valley Forge.  Both were wonderful Alternative History reads. Did you know that there was a term for such fiction..I didn't until a very nice gentleman mentioned it to me at Barnes and Noble this past week.  I will be honest with you. It is a tough read--I have to re-read and go to my shelf  heavy with Civil War books and Maps to understand who is fighting and what is going on. Seeing images of actual people listed in a fictional book tends to blur what is the truth about the Battle of Gettysburg. You can imagine as you turn the pages of this book, that these are the conversations or thoughts of some of the men the days before the Battle. Sorry, I do tend to go on sometimes, especially about the Civil War....

My knitting this week has been about finishing projects and casting on small ones. It feels so wonderful and so carefree to set some projects aside(for now) or finish up some or cast on small ones that bring me so much joy. With the end of the school year looming large on our horizon and some other major changes for our home in Maryland it sure is nice not to knit on my lace scarf--at least for right now. I am sure I will need the distraction in the coming weeks.

I was inspired to cast on a certain whale thanks in large part to seeing Ginny and Silas whale. I wasn't able to dye my own woolies but I did manage to use some wool from my stash and I am very pleased with how ours knit up.

After "he" was completed, I was mesmerized at the thought of using the Magic Loop method to knit up a seamless toy- it was instant gratification! Having all the wool left over from the whale, I cast on a dolphin. Since it wasn't the weight called for, I believe it turned out smaller than the pattern stated but I am okay with the outcome and so were my boys. Besides, it did make it easier for tiny hands to hold. The best part is that both were finished in less than 24 hours- which means that my boys each got to hold one in time for bed.

I finished up the Lyalya  hoodie and I am really happy with it.  I really thought I was knitting it wrong but thanks to many Ravelers I was able to use their projects and notes. I couldn't have knit it without all those wonderful notes! I did think the finished knit would be bigger than anticipated--gauge on tiny hats isn't something I normally check.I am happy to report it doesn't fit my 4 year old (which is a very good thing--as it was cast on for infant sizing). My thought is that since it wasn't knit for anyone in particular it would fit the right person someday....I do hope I am able to cast on another one soon. I have never "Kitchener Stitched" so many stitches off the needles at once!

I did cast on a LTK Pilot's Cap yesterday evening. It has been on my To Knit List for ages. Do you have a list? I would love to know what is on it.  I am using some Lions Brand wool I have in my stash for ages--yeah for stash busting! I love the shaping- LTK patterns are always so cleverly constructed! And can be knit quickly. I am making the tiniest size just to see how it knits up and hopefully I will have a darling baby gift I can pass on in the future.

What are you reading and what are working on? I can't wait to catch up with everyone!

Yarn Along 5/23/2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Taken from Ginny's blog


Can you believe Wednesday is here already? Sorry I missed last week I just didn't have any new reading or new knitting to add. BUT I did managed a couple of FO's!

In case anyone was wondering about our felted water bottle carrier.  I ended up throwing it back into the washing machine and I felted the heck out of it! Thanks for every one's advice and kind words!  A special thanks to Paula for giving my the courage to keep at it!  

I love the finished result!

Next I cast on waldorfmama's felted iphone purse for a young lady turning 14!  I really loved knitting up Waldorfmama's pattern. I do wish she had more. They are so easy and fun and now I feel more comfortable with the felting process.

I am happy with the purse but I would love to do a different flower(anyone have a knitted flower pattern they love) or maybe I could just sew the middle of it to the petals pop.
Next I finally finished my very own pair of Puddle Jumpers! Always the faithful pattern follower I knit for the 11.75 inches but I didn't read what the pattern added..."check you own boots against this length". Can you guess what happened next? I cast off added the strap--feeling fancy because I picked up the stitches requested for "said strap" and knit away on both! I sewed the strap on and tucked all cast on and cast off wools in and slide one into my boot and YUP you guessed...they were too long! I unravelled 3 heartbreaking inches and didn't add the strap this time around- I just don't think they need it. And this is the finished items.  

Last but certainly not least I cast on Naked.

I knit this in an afternoon! I love this pattern. I think it would lovely to have one on the needles all the time!

I managed to cast on another project for this week. A lyalya hoodie. Not for anyone I know, just to add to my stash. The construction intrigues me.

As for reading, it seems that there is more knitting going on. My older son is sick with some sinus issues so he is home from school--  I love when he sits still long enough to cuddle and read to. We ended up with a stack.

 We are only a few pages from the end of Help! I'm Prisoner The Library. It was nice to spend some quiet  uninterrupted(my youngest was still sleeping) time with some old friends--don't you love Jo-Beth and Mary Rose?
I can't wait to catch up with everyone!

Yarn Along May 9, 2012

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Joining Ginny again this week. I managed to finish some handknits this week! Can you believe it? Okay, it really wasn't anything I have been working on but a FO is a FO, right? I did finish Mason's Monster--I managed to stitch on the body and arms(they look just dreadful). And I went with no eyes or mouth. I would love to think I did it as part of the Waldorf inspired toys we are playing with more and more. BUT the reality is... you shouldn't seam up your project if you are going to add safety eyes? AHHHH, lesson learned. I see seamless handknits coming off my needles in my future--lots of seamless knits.... I also cast on for a Minion...not for anyone in particular. The patttern details are fabulous.


I did cast on for a Kleen Kanteen holder. It was a super fast knit. I managed to finish it in 2 days, right down to the felting! Can you spot the reason it will not be used much?? I believe the error lies in the gauge..... I am usually spot on with gauge or maybe the reason I have never noticed my gauge is off in the past is that the things I knit are things where gauge isn't really an issue? What if gauge is something I have had an issue with my whole knitting life?!!! Bears more scrunity....

My reading....sigh..... The truth is I have been reading anything that happens to be in my hand lately. A magazine, a  book, a bill.... Doesn't make for lasting reading.
Can't wait to catch up with everyone.

Yarn Along May 2, 2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

Joining up with Ginny again this week. My favorite part of the week! I love reading about what others are reading and knitting, don't you?
This week really hasn't changed reading wise. My stack by my bed is still the same size--maybe bigger as I bought a magazine about the Titanic 100 year "Anniversary"(Why is it named that. It really isn't a celebration, is it?-Remembrance would have been better, don't you think?) That is one of the reason I did buy the Life issue. It doesn't say that-- at least on the cover.
I am still knitting on my Puddle Jumpers and and I don't feel like I am getting anywhere. They have officially become my car knitting--they will fly off my needles as I wait for school to open or watching my daughter play soccer. I did cast on a monster for my youngest son. His patio monster has been cast off and all I have left is to stitch him up. I did a few stitches last night- using this video --and I truly do dislike seaming--I am terrible at it, can you tell?  This is the time when I wish I knew someone who could teach me more about the fiber art. I do hunger to learn crochet and would love to know more on handsewing--sorry a bit off track. Back to the monster: I bought some safety eyes for him this week. I am a little anxious about them. I haven't ever used them, have you? I am sure I will be "pinning" lots of instructions for them.I did have a minor knitting heartbreak this week. Remember Phoebe? My church decided to cancel the Silent Auction and Dinner so I won't be able to find Phoebe and her book a new home. I am not sure what to do with her... Hopefully I will be able to gift her to someone someday.
I can't wait to catch up on what is on every one's needles and reading list!

Yarn Along April 25, 2012

As always joining Ginny at Small Things.

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I feel terribly selfish this week--I think it started with casting on my pair of Puddle Jumpers. It was all down hill from there. My version of  Dancing in Puddles are knitting up great and I am magic looping them. The ribbing did take awhile--I forgot how long ribbing takes :) but there is something calming about Knit 2, Purl 2.  I tried them on my boots this weekend and the tops fit perfectly! I really did have my doubts--they looked a bit on the small side while I was knitting them up. I was a bit leery of trying them on and I thought I was headed for a knitting heartbreak. The relief I had was next to giddiness! Just 11.75 more inches to go!
There is a bounty of books sitting by my bedside this week. I think it will keep me busy for weeks(if not months). I started Heaven is Here on Monday and it is heart rendering Expecting Adam was an impulse buy but the blurb I read just drew me in and I couldn't put in down! I scored the last copy of A Knitters Home Companion at BN on Friday.(Mason,my youngest, and I did a test run of going out- he was a well mannered boy- in case you were wondering) After reading about TKHC from  so many knitters  and they were loving it, I made a decision to take The Boy and I out for some time at a real live bookstore! We had a delightful time! I listened to him and he listened to me-it was wonderful! We read books and giggled over the pages--it was a nice memory I will keep close for a very long time. This book, itself, seems like the perfect way to read more adventures in knitting and it has patterns as well! Another book in my pile is the ever present, never far from my hands, Positive Discipline. It has taught me so much and I find myself nodding as I read each page in total agreement and alot of her observations are very accurate in our home. It has been very eye opening and I hope to be able to apply the writer's techniques to our family. The last book is one that I read alot over the weekend and I am totally hooked and can not wait to cast on my very first monster! Rebecca Danger's The Big Book of Monsters is a fun read! I haven't cast on a monster yet, can you believe it? I know I will knit them all but the I just can't decide where to start! They are all so adorable and full of personality.
Can;t wait to catch with everyone--thanks for stopping and I treasure each comment so much!

Yarn Along 4/18/2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Hello All! Thanks for stopping by this week. I have cast on a new project--surprise, right? I did manage to sew on Phoebe's ears and I am happy to say they are sewn on tightly and look pretty even--at least to me. My new project is one I am very excited to knit up.  Dancing in puddles just for me! I cast on while my girls were visiting their grandparents-- I was feeling some(okay, alot!) melancholy. I am glad I did a little selfish knitting. Those needles in my hands sure did soothe my soul. The wool is wonderful to knit up and the colors are so cheerful. And the boots will look wonderful with the liner--don't you think?

My reading this week is also unexpected. I picked up some books on Amazon this past week (on a whim) and I am happy to say they arrived quickly. And really just in the nick of time for me and my children. I have been stressing over discipline lately. I really feel my children have been taking notice of my words only when I start to become "Yelling Momma" . Most of the time, I feel like I let a lot of behaviors go or I over-discipline. There is no middle ground. Nothing seems to be working --time outs or taking away things never seem to do the trick. Also, my youngest has been making "going out" very unpleasant and I have been making an effort NOT to go out during the day-- it really made spring break unpleasant and my boys and I felt trapped most of the time. Even going to the park is stressful. I just feel like we need some help or guidance. Hopefully these books will help.
Thansk for reading and for stopping by. I can't wait to catch up on what everyone is doing(and reading)~

Yarn Along 4/11/2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

 Hello all! I hope Easter was shared with family and peaceful for you. This week my knitting has changed. I started a scarf--a scarf full of lace! It is a lovely pattern and I have surprised myself with how much I love knitting it up. Lace and fingerweight wool is not something I would pick up normally but it just feels right this week. And did you notice that Phoebe has ears? I finally got up some nerve and sewed them on. Okay, I sewed one on and waited for my husband to get home to help me with placement of the other one. Today I will try adding on some eyes and a nose.
My reading is also different. My Mothers Daughter is an interesting read I picked up on a trip to the library and before I head back I thought I would give it a try. I can't wait to visit with blogs and catch up!

Yarn Along 04/04/2012

Hello All! I am here again joining Ginny from Small Things. I am still working Phoebe's wardrobe. This week I cast on for Phoebe's sweater.  I cast on Sunday but I had to "frog" --it was turning out way too big for one so tiny. I had to cast on using smaller needles--which meant I had to reorganize my needles and my UFO's. Which now, is thankfully a smaller pile, my UFO's, I mean. I still can't find my size 8's. So I am using 16 inch size 8's and my stitches keep falling off as I think my little sweater is too big for for the needles but at least I am getting gauge now- I am such a loose knitter!
I have knit a pair of Mary Janes of Phoebe!  Every girl should have a pair of shoes-right? I got the pattern by visiting here.  Kristy is so sweet and replied to my private message so quickly! These shoes only take a couple of rows and you will have a seamless pair of shoes in no time!
 Please be patient with me--I have yet to attach Little Phoebe's ears. The first time it didn't go so well. And I do not want to cut her ears off again. It wasn't pretty. I think am more worried about her ears than her sweet face(which is also not finished),
My reading this week is new--Mrs. Tim of the Regiment. This title kept coming up this week as I was reading some blogs and it sounds delightful!I will let you know more next week.
Are you ready for Easter? Sadly I am not. I haven't even started. And it will be here in a couple of days!There are no decorations, no baskets, nothing. Easter is always a sad holiday for me. I hate thinking of the suffering Jesus did for us.But I am enjoying welcoming in Spring! Have you ever seen so much purple?!
Can't wait to catch up with everyone.

Yarn Along 3/28/2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us.

*sorry for the drive-by photo

This week's yarn along finds me in the same place reading wise--I am enjoying The Snow Child immensely and I will be sorry when it comes to an end. Such a nice grown up fairytale. It brings me comfort to read about a couple who have been married for so long and the struggles they have had(even if they are fictional)-marriage is hard sometimes for everyone, isn't it?
I cast on yesterday for my second dress for Phoebe and I am really happy with it so far. I changed the M1 from a backwards loop to a M1left. Did you know that it the one most people use when the pattern calls for M1?
I have a FO! I did finish the cardigan I cast on in February. In was the In threes  . I wish I wouldn't have added sleeves. My hopes are that it will keep a little one warm and I hope brings another momma some comfort.
I have a little sewing to do this week--my boy is turning 8 tomorrow! And he requested a shirt with his birthday number on it.  He also requested STORE bought cupcakes--that is another story.
I can't wait to catch up on everyones projects and the books they have been reading! Thanks for all your comments and for stopping by!

Yarn Along 3/21/2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ *taken from Ginny's blog
Thank you all for stopping by-- your comments mean the world to me! Truly they do! They mean the world to me! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on what I reading and working on.
Yarn Along finds me not knitting a whole lot. I have been crafting and making some Spring goodies to be mailed out this week. More to come next week-- I don't want to reveal anything until I have had time to post them in the mail. But it has been a wonderful, exciting time for my family-- one way or another we have had a hand in making some swap goodies.

This weekend we were very blessed to watch the Eldest play some soccer! It was wonderful! One of my favorite things is watching my children do something they love and if they excel at it, so much the better. We had good weather and lots of laughs. What more could we ask for!

A first place medal!!!

I really am leading up to my knitting--truly, I am! On the drive up to the tournament I started a new book and I love it! I am sad as I turn each page--knowing it brings me closer to the end of the book. It will be a book I buy for my own bookshelf as soon as I can manage. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is wonderful and so magical. Read an excerpt here. I just know you will be hooked! Many years after the birth of their still-born child, Mabel and Jack move to Alaska in the 1920's to homestead. It is based on a Russian fairy tale.

about an elderly couple who long for a child. They build a snow child  who comes to life until the coming of spring when the days become too warm for her to stay.

 It is a beautiful story full of loss and sorrow yet full of happiness and love. If you can snag a copy, please read it. My knitting this week is a dress for Phoebe Mouse. I am not altogether happy with it. The pattern is perfect and clever! I am not sure I like my increase method and I do think I should have gone up a needle size. But when you are trapped in a car and only brought 2 needle sizes you knit with what you got- especially when watching your husband drive makes you nervous! So I will just re knit another one using the right needle size and different increases. After all, Phoebe(my Ravelry link)  should have multiple dresses, don't you think?

I can't wait to catch up with everyone.

Yarn Along 3/14/12

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~From Ginny

Hello fellow readers and crafters. I am back again! I am still working on Phoebe! I have knit 3 sets of ears-that is 6 ears total! At one point my husband said "You are making another ear!" I just can't help it, I said, I am addicted.... I need this Little Friend to be as perfect as I can make her! She is going to a good cause. And  I still playing catch up fpr my daughter and on the side reading  Amazing Women of the Civil War (I am a Civil War enthusiast can you tell?  But can you blame me-- I live in Virginia, after all. ). when I can but I am involved in a Spring Swap from my friend Julie. I am have some ideas in the works BUT I am trying to keep them under wraps for now. Here is a hint.

I am not close to being done but it sure is a delightful way to welcome Spring with other moms and their sweet babes!

I have been on a shirt making frenzy lately. I made one to welcome her to turning 2.  It was a joy to make some delightful gifts... hair clips, a magic wand and a shirt or 2 to celebrate her big day . Yes I went overboard (as usual) but I just couldn't help myself. I should have though....my gift wasn't received the way I expected, which I am sure is my own fault. I expected behavior(from the momma--not the child) for what I would have done in the situation not what I should expected. Lesson learned.

Yarn Along 3/07/2012

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Hello All! I am back(I missed Yarn along and all of you so much!)-- last week I was reading and knitting but so busy I couldn't find time to get online. We were submerged in Dr. Suess! Lots of reading and crafting.

sorry for the "saucy" smiles and lack of clothing.... And I was knitting (and finishing--woohoo) this:

This week my big ball of wool is back and I am re-reading a book I read many years ago.

My daughter picked up 19 Minutes a few weeks back for a school project and after reading it she was very unhappy(having such a hard time) with the ending and had a couple of detailed questions that I couldn't answer so we are having a mother/daughter book discussion.  I feel a little late to the party and I hope she can wait for me to finish reading before she moves on and doesn't "need" my opinion--teens do that alot, I am learning. I am still working on our Phoebe. But I have decided she won't be ours to keep. Now she be knitted up for our Youth Group Silent Auction. I am almost finished(with her body) and I will be knitting up some clothing to accompany Phoebe to her new home in April. Wish me luck!

I can't wait to see what everyone is working and reading!

Yarn Along 2/22/12

Joining the Yarn Along this week. Really just a quick drive by post. I am still reading Home Front and liking it very much. I did cast on another project-- what is with me lately! I have casting on-itis. Lots of UFO's hanging around. I am cringing even typing that- I am admitting something that I don't even admit to my family. I have this thing about starting and finishing one project at a time and it seems in the last months I have ignored my own rule!
In any case, the newest project is In Threes.

I am modifying the pattern (which is something I never do!)  If this was for someone I knew, I would buy a long sleeve top and follow the pattern specifically but since I don't know the recipient I wanted it to have long sleeves. Lately, I am always trying to keep people warm and fill their bellies. And I wasn't happy with what was coming off my needle (the sweater was too thin) using one strand of this yarn so I am holding it double. It is a denser fabric but really soft. I am getting 5 stitches per inch instead of the 4.5 the pattern is written for. The "OCD" in me is getting a bit frantic as I don't have gauge but overall I am happy with the outcome and not having a specific sized person in mind helps with the finished outcome, I think. My fellower blogger Kelly has a charity she knits for through her church and I have been wanting to knit for those in need for a long while and to knit for Little Ones is just an added bonus. Don't you love knitting Little Things. Sorry for the rambling....I can't wait to catch up with everyone. And Thank you so much for all the comments- I love each one!

Yarn Along 2/15/2012

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

How was your Valentine's Day? We are recovering from our chocolate hangover.

BOY, was it fun!

 Yarn Along this week for me is the same book I was reading last week. I am sorry to say I haven't picked it up at all. Not because it isn't great-- it is! But because I feel like I haven't sat down long enough to read a single word. My knitting is different, though. I finally managed to cast on for our own Little Phoebe from the book Phoebe's Sweater. I was intimidated knitting up a toy but I really didn't need to be- this pattern is wonderful!  Isn't that the biggest ball of yarn! I bought it years ago from overseas-mainly because the price was great and it was the largest amount of yarn (in a single skein!)I could find!

Can't wait to find out was everyone is up too!

Yarn Along 2/08/2012

From Ginny's Blog "Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us!"
Don't you love Yarn Along days? I love that it happens each week without fail. I love sharing about books and wool. I just love it.

This week I managed to to snag a copy of Kristin Hannah's Home Front.  I just love her books- they are on my autobuy or when money is tight my library holds list. I love sharing K.H. with others, as well. I have been reading her for at least 10 years! Winter Garden still stays with me- so haunting and beautifully written. If you haven't read her before, please check her out!
Also an author of a book that I have on my TBR(To Be Read) pile has offered to send readers a FREE copy of her book via PDF. Mindset for Moms, Please check it out- I know I will be! And it's free! Wouldn't it be nice to have a discussion on it-maybe meet up on Ravelry?

Anyway... sorry to go on and on off topic! HomeFront-- it is not what I expected. When I saw it was coming out I chose to stay away from all blurbs and what not concerning this book. I wanted the element of surprise- I wanted to open the cover and just enjoy it. Boy, was I surprised! I did know it was about a soldier- I didn't realize the soldier would be a woman! I am only a couple of chapters into it- It is about marriage and children and the cost of serving our country. I am enthralled!

My knitting is short and sweet this week-- last weeks hand sewn doll did not turn out as planned-- Mason(my littlest) used it as a dart--EEK! So I knit up

These little friends. If you haven't knitted up this pattern please check it out- Flower fairy and witch peg peg pattern. So cleverly knitted and you can really do so much with the basic elements of this pattern! See I made an Root Baby! As well,a Snowdrop!  AND so can you! You can get those pegs at your local Hobby Lobby if you don't have one close by- let know and I will send you some!

My knitting this week is a pair of Dollveralls for a dolly who refuses to leave his clothes on- well I think it is Mason, my son, who leaves our doll naked most of the time. I have knit this guy a pair of shorties in hopes of keeping some clothing ON him but I will walk into a room and there he will be--minus his pants! I like how they are turning out- such a well written clever pattern. I do wish I could stitch up a pair of pants or a shirt but sewing is not where I excel. It would be wonderful to look at a piece of fabric and have it become a pair of pants for my little guys. But sewing, as I am learning is not where my talents lie
I can't wait to catch up with what my fellow fiberists are doing!