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.