More with less - or for heaven's sake I need to stop spending so much!

So it became official this week!

I am going to be a stay at home mommy.  For the next while anyways.  The hope is until the little ones start school, but we'll see how things go.  I'm both excited to be able to have the opportunity and a little bit petrified of giving up that security that having a job provides.  

I'm hoping to do some work on my degree while I'm off - I had started a few years back taking courses through Athabasca University, and may look at going back to it.  I am just not sure if the degree I was originally pursuing, (BA in Communications) is what I still want to do.  Time to think  on it, I suppose. 

With fall in the air and the realization that I need to tighten the belt when it comes to spending if I'm to be a SAHM, I've been thinking a lot about making more with less so to speak. I do alright with that already, but will be exploring more and more ways to make things stretch.

My Mom has always been good at that sort of thing.  And a fantastic cook.  She has a  knack for tossing a bit of this and a bit of that together and coming up with something fabulous!  I try to be like her in my own cooking and I think I'm measuring up pretty well, but every  now and again a call or visit to Mom is in order for a recipe.  Often times I'll get a basic outline of the ingredients (That little bit of this,  little bit of that I just mentioned? Lots of times recipes go like that) I've called on  Mom's expertise a couple of times recently.  Especially on those days between my bi-weekly grocery shop and the fridge is looking a little bare.  The first was a recipe for Beet Soup.  Mmmmm.  I do love me some beets.

Mmmmmmmm. Love beet soup!!

Here's my variation:

Place the following in the crockpot:

One onion, chopped

Four or five large beets, chopped

Two or three stocks of celery, chopped

Three or four carrots, chopped

Four large potatoes, chopped

(add in here whatever other veg you have in the crisper needing to be used up - the other day I threw in a handful of green beans)

Four cups of stock (I've used beef or chicken - all depends what's on hand)

Salt and pepper to taste

Turn on crock pot to high and  cook for  three to four hours.  About half an hour before serving, I pour in 2 Tablespoons of vinegar and give it a stir.  I like to serve it with sour cream to garnish and a fresh from the oven homemade beer rye bread. Nom. Nom.

Reminds me I'll have to be making a trip to the local farmer's market for some more beets.  I think I'll make up a couple of batches and freeze for winter for quick easy meals.

Yesterday I got a hankering for chocolate syrup to go in my coffee.  I don't live close enough to town to hop in the truck on a whim and drive to the grocery store for something like chocolate syrup, not to mention it would definitely fly in the face of my new more with less mind set to do that, so I called Mom.

She had a recipe for me in a jif, and shortly thereafter I had chocolate syrup and a very happy little toddler (Treats? In my milk?  Mmmmm!)

Who doesn't like chocolate??

Mom's Chocolate Syrup recipe from some old well used book in her collection. (She thinks it was her old Five Roses Cookbook - or I think that's what she said anyways!)

Mix 1/2 cup cocoa powder and a 1/2 cup cold water in a saucepan to make a paste.  Add 1/4 cup boiling water and a 1/2 cup sugar.  Boil on stove for three minutes, cool and add 1 tsp of vanilla.  Put in a jar.  I store mine in the fridge.  The cookbook said somewhere cool (written before refrigerators were around Mom figures!)

Easy peasy and a whole lot cheaper and tastier than Nestle Quik!!

Less spending in the kitchen is an awesome start I figure.  Hopefully it'll also help reduce the stress when I go through the check out at the grocery store.  It darn well near gives me heart palpitations these days!!

We've been busy around the house too!   LTM has moved from his crib to a "big boy bed".  We wanted to re-do the floor in his room before doing the switch over, so (BF)G took two vacation days off the other week and got it done!  He had lots of help in the process!

And in case you're wondering what happened to my sewing and knitting efforts, no need to  worry.  That obsession still stands firm.  I finished the baby outfit  gift that I mentioned needing to work on last time.

Inspired by the "Comfy Sleep Set" I'll dub my little puffed sleeve dress the "comfy dress".  It has an soft interlock bodice and a cotton skirt.  Bloomers are a hybrid between Simplicity pattern #4243 and Fishsticks designs "Newborn Bloomers".  The socks are of course from  my very favourite baby sock book, "Cute Knits for Baby Feet".

I also whipped up a taggy block for a friend's little one as well.  Why have I not made these before?  They are so unbelievably simple and cute!  I only wish I'd added more taggies, but I was working with what I had at home that went nicely with the fabric - remember that whole more with less thing?  It also means less fabric and notion shopping too. (which I think I may find considerably harder than other areas of thriftiness...)

I'm still plugging away at finishing my Jane with a Pop top (I have a weird thing going on with one side seam at the hip - not sure what I did there and I can't decide what I want to do for sleeves or how to finish the whole thing off... so many things to think about!) and have got absolutely no where on my Amy Cardigan.  Not so much as a pattern drafted even. Although that's high on my list.  I really want to have it done for the cooler weather!

So, as I embark on my  next projects I'll have a full belly, a warm cup of mocha to enjoy, and all the time in the world (well, that the boys allow me that is) without my having to think about going back to work!

Getting Creative

I can't believe here we are at the end of August already.  Where has the time gone?  Soon fall will be upon us here on the prairies.  I'm ok with that though.  I love everything about fall.  The leaves crunching under my feet as I walk. The cool, crisp air.  Cozy sweaters.  No bugs.  (not that we've had many this summer so I can't complain, but usually they're an annoyance!).  There's something too about seeing the farmer's fields with the combines working into the wee hours and their bales of hay all neatly placed in a row.  Yes.  I will not be disappointed when fall is here!

In between playing outside with the little guys and doing the usual household routine, I've had some time to get some sewing and knitting done!  

The round up of finished projects is as follows:

Baby Shell by Full of Fluff and denim skirt (my own design)

Hoodie and pants set (Fishsticks Designs: Charlie Hoodie and pants from the Lazy Days Lounge set)

Baby Boy Tethered In!!

Two harnesses for use with regular chairs or grocery carts that don't have safety straps! (modification of Piccoli Piselli's Handy Harness pattern)

I also knit a barbie outfit, made a barbie sleeping bag and pillow and tent for my niece's third birthday. (Outfit from a Swedish site, Sticka till Barbie, sleeping bag/pillow my own design and tent from Sew Mama Sew)  Sadly I forgot to take a picture of the clothes - but go take a look at the website.  It's got a huge selection of patterns! 

I also had to give a housewarming gift this month.  I hummed and hawed as to what to bring.  Wine?  The couple doesn't really drink wine too often.  Flowers?  I figured others would bring flowers.  What else to get as a little something? They've got everything they need for their home, it's their third one together after all.  Then a wee bit of inspiration hit a little late on a Saturday night.  I could make something for them.  But not just any something.  I wanted to do something a little bit out of the ordinary.  

One of my favourite Christmas movies is "It's a Wonderful Life", (can you believe I had never seen the movie until a few years ago???),  since first seeing the movie, I've liked the way the Bailey's welcome the Martini family into their home :

Bread - that this house may never know hunger.
Salt - that life may always have flavor.
Wine - that joy and prosperity may reign forever.

Inspiration in mind, I had to get moving on it!  Housewarming was the next afternoon.  I woke up early Sunday morning and set to work.  I got bread dough rising, called (BF)G and asked him to pick up a nice bottle of wine on his way from work to the party (I know I wasn't going to get wine, but hey!  It fit and they can cook with it if they don't want to drink it!), then made a little organza bag for salt.  Found a basket that I'd kept for just such a purpose, and made a little cotton cloth to line the bottom.  But what about a card?  Seemed to me it  needed an explanation of sorts, just in case they weren't as obsessed as I am with the movie and wondered why I was giving them such an assortment.  So I set to work on the card.  Now.  Let me say, making cards/scrapbooking type crafts are not my strong suit.  Paper, scissors, and glue? They are often not my friend!  But determination can get me pretty far.  (That and a huge stack of paper for the mistakes I did cutting the darned thing out.)  I was smart.  I did a practice template on scrap first.  Otherwise I am certain I would have run out of paper!  But the end result was well worth the frustration and time that it took!  I was really quite pleased.

All in all a pretty good round up!  I've got a few small things in the works right now - The Jane With A Pop Top from luvinthemommyhood for myself, a dress for yet another baby gift (should really be drafting that pattern right now...) and hopefully the Amy Cardigan (also from luvinthemommyhood) for myself as well if I have enough fabric in my stash.

Then of course there's the quilts... Oh the quilts.  My top priority should actually be the Summer Mommies Friendship Quilt, given fall and it's chilly nights is headed our way.

Time to get creative!

Look at me posting again so soon!

Huh.  Now what kind of freaky time/space thing have we entered into that here it is not more than a few days since my last post and I'm back to post again!

I've been busy.  Well, I think I'm always busy, but I've got some things done!  Practical, needed to get done kind of things!

I mentioned last time that I was going to make the Pea Pod Carrier from Picolli Piscelli.  It's done!  I love it and more importantly, baby boy seems to love it!  Even LTM had a turn in it.  Although I sure wouldn't want to lug his 3', 32 1/2lb toddler self very far or very long.  Whoo boy.  He's a big lad these days!  But the squiggle monster that is Baby Boy worked out quite nicely.  He can't squiggle out.  Which is big in my books, given the pouch sling and ring sling have become a nightmare to use with him.  I do love a hip carry for an older baby, and Baby Boy had perfected his houdini like technique of digging in his toes to whatever he could on my body, the stiffening his little legs, standing straight up and wiggling free.  Didn't matter how snug as a bug I put him in it he could get loose.  The last trip to the fabric store where I found myself suddenly juggling a handful of notions, a bolt of fabric, LTM and Baby Boy who had sprung himself free from his sling was what put me over the edge and furthered my resolve to make a new carrier.

We really like trains in this house these days!

Trapped!!!

Next on the list were some pjs for the little guys.  It's been hot here.  Crazy hot.  And we don't have a/c, so some comfy summer jammies were definitely a must.  I turned to Fishsticks Designs once again.  Have I mentioned how much I love these patterns.  They're fantastic.  So easy to sew and the fit is awesome.  They're designed by a mom.  To a lot of kids.  She knows what works.

This time I used the Lazy Days Lounge Set.  LTM was first.  He had tried to claim all three yards of fabric I'd ordered for himself, but I told him he could pick two.  Baby Boy had to get one.  So, he chose.  Cars for his first pair, tools for his second pair and grudgingly Baby Boy could have the giraffes.  But he really wanted giraffes too, so I made a compromise.  I told him he could have pjs out of cars and tools.  Baby Boy could have pjs out of giraffes but I'd make him some undies out of the left overs.  Happy with that deal he allowed me to start cutting out.  I still have to sew the tool ones - but I'm loving the ones I've done so far!  The boys like them too!   LTM wanted them on the second I snipped the last threads and then didn't want to take them off.  Even Baby Boy was happy as a clam when he tried on his.  The pattern is really a good one for comfort and having good quality knit fabric helps!

LTM lounges in his lounge set!

Baby Boy happy his new jammies

Unmentionables!

With a new pair of jammies for each boy I thought I'd take a wee break and do the one other quick project I've had in mind.  LTM has been potty trained since June, but we still go through lots of laundry each day.  He definitely is in need of extras!  Instead of paying upwards of $10 for a three pack of little boys undies, I figure I might as well make a few pairs with the left over fabric I have in my stash.  They take about a half hour to make, so not even worth factoring in the "how much is my time worth" aspect when deciding if it's worth it too make them instead of buy them.  Plus I had promised.

Today I sat down for a few minutes and made the first two pairs.  It's almost getting embarrassing to say it was Fishsticks Designs again.  (I'm starting to feel like an advertisement!)

Little Fishies with a couple of easy modifications (no inner layer on the tool ones, only a partial inner layer on the giraffes in the front panel, and FOE instead of waist and leg bands - I thought I'd see which style I prefer before I make more.)

Rockin' his rocket shirt and short set!

I'm excited to report that I received Baby Boy's swap parcel in the post the other day!  What a lovely parcel it was - chocolate, lemon sherbet candies and a tea towel for me, a stuffed toy for LTM and a super cute outfit for Baby Boy.  The picture's a tad blurry, but the little fellow Will. Not. Stand. Still.  He has to play chase the camera every single time I try and take a picture of him these days!  Since he learned to walk a few weeks ago... and then run a few days later I have hardly been able to get a decent picture of him!

I found it funny that both myself and the mom who was sewing for baby boy made a short and tee set, and not only that, but we both made similar style tees!  There's something to be said for ease of dressing with a lap neck tee!

So that's the round up for this week!  I should be off - it shaping up to be a long night!  Both little fellows have already been awake screaming with nightmares tonight.  Must be the heat, but if this is going to be the trend tonight I'd better catch some sleep while I can!

I must be in some sort of time warp...

One where time has sped up at an alarming rate!!!!  I have no idea where the month and a half since I last posted has gone.  It certainly flew by!

In that time I did some sewing, I did some knitting, I did a whole lot of housework (at least I'm sure I must have) and I did a whole lot of enjoying life with the little guys!  Oh and of course LTM turned two and I turned (gulp!) 40!  Now there's some sort of freaky space time continuum going on that made it possible for me to be 40 already!

No pictures of knitting yet, because quite frankly nothing has been finished and I just don't feel like taking pictures mid-project these days.  I did almost finish a little sweater for a friend's baby (hmmm.  Baby is due soon.  I should really think about finishing it!)  It's a fantastic little pattern, written by a friend of mine.  I highly recommend you checking out, Full of Fluff's Baby Shell.  Check out her other patterns while you're at it!  They're all kinds of awesome!!

I'm also working on a hobby horse for LTM because his current favourite song is "Yankee Doodle" and he likes to pretend he's riding on a pony all the time.  Except sometimes his "ponies" don't ride very well.  It's hard to make a ball co-operate really.  I should get cracking on that one too and finish it before the boys are graduating high school!

In sewing I've done a few things.  I signed up for a swap in one of my Mommies groups on Rav, and made an shorts and tee set and pair of training undies for my swap partner's little guy.  He's the same age as Baby Boy, but his mama is doing EC-ing with him, so hopefully the undies are helpful.  They'd be a bloomin' disaster here!  I used Fishsticks Designs Lap Tee Pattern and Little Fishies Undies as well as a shorts pattern of my own design.

Let's see... What else did I do?  I made a hat for LTM - ok.  Actually it was for the swap, but I made a slight calculation error and it turned out a hat for LTM to grow into.  He likes it, but it'll be better for fall or when his head grows... a lot.  No pictures yet.  I'm kind of too embarrassed.

 I did have some other successes though!  Using the Aquarius Swim Diaper tutorial I've made a couple swim diapers.  A couple for our little niece and so far one pair for Baby Boy.  I love the pattern and will make at least one more for Baby Boy, but I've been waiting on the fabric I ordered for it to arrive.

Last but not least on the finished sewing project list... What Little Toddler Man's birthday would be complete without a birthday crown?

I've cut out loads of other things (a couple pairs of Fishsticks Designs Lazy Days Lounge Set for the boys, a baby carrier, and a lap tee for Baby Boy.)  Sewing time has just been somewhat elusive lately!

Now if you'll excuse me... it's a beautiful sunny day and I've got two boys itching to get outside to play.  See you later!

Some New Projects and Yet Another Snag

I've been at the machine a bit lately.  Last week I had a really long stint when both little boys decided Saturday afternoon was a good napping afternoon.  I managed about two hours time I think!  It's amazing what can be accomplished in a block of time like that!

My circle of friends are still in the midst of a baby boom, so I've a list of gifts to make a mile long.  Really.  Every time I figure out what I want to make for one babe to be, another Mommy announces a new arrival on the way.  Luckily I enjoy making baby things and they go nice and quickly!

I actually really love the gift I made last weekend!  I hope the Mommy I'm giving it to (and of course her baby girl) will love it just as much!

I used made by Rae's pattern for the dress, Fishsticks Designs' pattern for the bloomers and the shrug is "Confection" from The ShizKnit.  All fantastic patterns that I'll definitely turn to again and again I'm sure!

I also made another pair of pjs for Baby Boy, again using Fishsticks Designs "Comfy Sleep Set" pattern.  I made this set a bit bigger because Baby Boy has already outgrown the first set I made him!

I think he's looking pretty comfy in them while he plays.  What do you think?

Anyone want to take a stab
at figuring out exactly what
I'm supposed to do next?

I started working on my Lopi sweater.  You know the previously doomed, but then saved, and now... once again doomed sweater.  I picked it up quite some time ago, determined to finish it.  I was so close.  Only the neckline, hood and finishing to be done.  Then one day I went out and foolishly, oh so foolishly, left my pattern where the dogs could reach it.  I came home to find, much to my dismay, that the dogs had eaten my pattern.  The very part I need in order to finish the sweater, GONE.  There were some tattered and torn pieces of paper scattered around the room, and I tried to salvage them.  Unfortunately they didn't belong to the sweater I am knitting.  I've finished the neckline, I'll eventually do the hood, but how to attach one to the other and finish the sweater is beyond me.  I tried it on too.  And it's too small.  Way too small for decency.  I'm greatly saddened, no make that frustrated, by this final snag in the Lopi from hell.

Spring, Glorious Spring!

Daddy and LTM on the "Motorbycle"

We have had some lovely weather this spring.  I know there will be those that argue with that statement.  Sure we a rather late snowstorm a couple weeks ago, and of course it rained on the Victoria Day long weekend (but it always rains on the long weekend, so really, just expect it, then you won't be disappointed!), but all in all, it's been a glorious spring!

After carefully inspecting the dandelion,
Baby Boy furthers his investigation by tasting it too!

I have been enjoying the time playing outside with my wee men folk.  It's amazing to watch them explore and discover.  To them it's a 3 1/2 acre playground at their disposal.  Little Toddler Man is fascinated by the barns and must investigate them at least once a day.  He loves the big "horsey barn" best of all - truth be told so do I.  It holds such promise.  Those big, well built stalls just waiting for the day we can put horses in them!  He's not quite as fond of the little barn, which is, well little, and old, and in need of repair.  But all in due time. We have plans for that too.  (BF)G and I picture a large greenhouse.  N pictures a place to build a chicken coop.  LTM pictures more "horsies" and who knows what Baby Boy pictures when he looks at it from the comfort of Mommy or Daddy's arms.  We also must inspect the garden shed on a daily basis, I suppose to make sure the dirt bike and the lawn mower are still there where they should be.  LTM thinks the dirt bike (or Motorbycle as he called it for several weeks) is one of the greatest things ever.  He also holds the garden tractor in similar high regard!

There are still days, despite encroaching neighbours, and increasing traffic down our quiet gravel road, that it really feels like I'm living in a big park.  Watching both little boys stand at the window to watch the bunnies, squirrels, blue jays and robins gives me a sense of peace.

LTM and Baby Boy playing together!

Ah how I love me some craftiness!

I've got a bit of a system going in order to get my crafty fix.  Of course I'd love more time, but I'll take what I can get.

It is much easier to get things accomplished if I break them up into little parcels of productivity.  For example with sewing I try to have everything cut out and ready to go so that if I get a moment of time to sit at the machine I actually can spend time doing the sewing.  Cutting out can be done with toddler afoot.  Sewing cannot.  It all comes down to time management.  And just you watch.  Now that I've developed my, in theory, fail proof method for accomplishment something or someone (aka Little Toddler Man or Baby Boy) will throw a wrench into it and I'll have to figure out a new system.  But such is life with two very busy little boys.

Other than the odd snowfall and some wet, rainy weather here and there it has been phenomenal here in my little corner of the prairies, so crafty time has taken a back seat to outside play time with my little guys.  It's amazing how much both little ones love to be outdoors.  Even the baby who just gets to pretty much sit in his stroller or on occasion have a go in the swing loves it.  He can be fussy as can be until he realizes we're on our way outside and suddenly he's all smiles and coos!  LTM would spend every waking hour (plus more) outside if I let him.  If we need to venture out in the car anywhere I've taken to warning him for at least half an hour before we are to leave, "We have to go in the car today. We're going to go [to the city, grocery store, whatever], and then when we come home we'll go outside to play.  Ok?  Say ok, Mommy."  (we find if we ask him to say "ok" to things he's much more agreeable, I think he's figured out there's some sort of connection to saying ok and following through on it!). I usually have to repeat this little conversation several times before leaving or it's get to the garage open the car door up and have a wailing toddler, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.  Outside to play."  or better yet, open up the garage door and the toddler bolts as I'm putting baby in his car seat all the while yelling, "I'm running away.  I'm running away."  Good thing we have 3 1/2 fenced in acres in which he can run away.  I'd be terrified if our garage opened up on to a busy lane or street!

Comfy PJs / Puppy Apron / Rag Quilt

I have still managed to get some good sewing and knitting time in too!  I took part in a SAL (sew along) with my fellow October Mommies on Ravelry and made a great new pair of pjs for Baby Boy.  I used Fishsticks Pattern's Comfy Sleep Set pattern and loved it.  I really hope to make another couple pairs and some for LTM too!  It's a fantastic little pattern!

I got LTM's apron done too.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out and I think he's pretty happy with it too.  It's already had lots of use in the kitchen!

Baby Boy needed a new quilt too, so using an online tutorial I made him a snuggly flannel rag quilt.  Rag quilts have to be the easiest thing going!  Well, except for the cutting of the seam allowances that is. My hand may actually never be the same again.  I didn't take the quilt to a laundromat to wash, but instead threw it in a zippered duvet cover and hoped for the best.  Thank goodness for the duvet cover, or I'd be probably in a lot of trouble with (BF)G and calling a repair shop.  What an amazing amount of flannel fluff comes off of one small baby quilt!  It's finished though, and I'm really pleased with how it all turned out!  Best part is Baby Boy seems quite pleased with it too.  Doesn't help him sleep any better unfortunately, but it does make him happy to snuggle down underneath it!

I'm about to get going again on my Summer Mommies Friendship quilt, and am just working up my nerve for it.  I've come to the part that scares me.  Putting it all together!  Eeek!

French Press Slippers /
Water to Sky Anklets

In knitting, I made yet another pair of French Press Felted Slippers.  This time for LTM to give his daycare provider on his last day there.  I also managed to finish the second sock for my "Pay it Forward 2011" project #5, and then came to the sickening realization that my pair of socks were not identical twins.  They weren't even fraternal twins.  They were complete strangers.  Same ball of yarn.  Two very different colours.  Both in the purple family, but that's about it. The picture doesn't really show how very different they are, but trust me.  They don't even come close in real life.  Guess I have a new pair of mismatched socks to call my own.  No progress has been made on any of my other WIPs yet (Lopi, Chiton, Clapotis... etc.).  I'll get to them sooner or later.  Maybe!

In the meantime, I plan to enjoy the great outdoors with my little men, craft when I get the chance and feel good about the accomplishments I do have and not worry about those projects that languish for ages untouched!

Sticking to a Plan... or not!

A few crafty weeks have gone by since my last post.

I've been trying to be good and stick to a plan. Really. I have. Apparently though I suffer from low stick-to-it-ness. But I do need some sort of plan. Or schedule. Or focus. Or something. It's just that there's so many lovely patterns, yarns and fabrics out there and sometimes the siren song of a new project is just too strong for me to ignore!

I did get my peacock stitch cotton bag finished for Pay It Forward 2011, made a pair of "Fetching" fingerless gloves as a thank you to one of the ladies that has cared for LTM over the past year at his daycare, and also started a pair of ankle socks for my 5th Pay It Forward project.

I've done a bit of knitting on my Lopi sweater, but not much. Disaster has struck again. This time in manner of itchiness. My word! I thought I'd go crazy. How is it I knit three quarters of a sweater no problem (well, with itching - there certainly were other problems!) and then bam. Get to the yoke and it's all I can do to keep knitting and not scratch my arms to ribbons with my needles. This problem does not bode well in the least for wearing of this sweater!!!

I switched over to Chiton for awhile. Only I've hit a snag on it too. I've got the bottom band done, and have suddenly fallen out of love with the colour. You see, I am a very fickle knitter and chooser of colours. I was enjoying the coral-y pink up until I remembered the gorgeous green bamboo I have sitting in my stash. Now I keep thinking Chiton would be so much better in green than pink. I don't even have a clue if the bamboo would be remotely suitable guage wise, but I'm obsessed. It's a problem. I do realize it. That's the first step right?

On the sewing front, I've been lacking machine time lately. Baby Boy and Little Toddler Man refuse to nap at the same time these days, so I'm limited by either sewing late at night (Not a good plan. Never mix tired with operating a machine. Or much stitch ripping will ensue!) or while LTM naps I get a few minutes if Baby Boy feels like co-operating and playing in his exersaucer (or applesaucer as LTM calls it!)



Kitty Cat for the Kitchen!





In the time I've had I've been slowly plugging away at things. I made an apron for (BF)G's great niece for her birthday that I absolutely love! It was good fun making it too! It's a McCall's pattern and super easy! I'm going to make either a puppy or a frog one for LTM and then later on as Baby Boy gets bigger he'll get which ever critter LTM didn't get. I think LTM has his heart set on a puppy one mind you!

 

I've been also working on the major project of making my queen sized quilt. I've got about half my blocks done. I'm dreading putting it all together. That's where I usually lose it on the perfection in seam allowances. Which in quilting turns out is a big (frustrating) deal!

I'm also obsessing about a rag quilt for Baby Boy. I have all the top flannel ready to go and the batting. Just need to find the perfect backing flannel and I'll be all set!

I'm looking forward to having some more finished projects to talk about in the coming weeks! And really. I'm going to figure out a plan and stick with it! Maybe...





Where does the time go???

Lopi in Progress

 The last time I posted I told you about the Lopi Sweater of Doom. Just to update, there have been no more disasters. Mostly because there has been very little knitting on in it since my last posting. I've managed to finish the main body without further incident and cast on for the sleeves. Progress came to a temporary halt when I realized I didn't have the correct needles to continue on with the sleeves. Needles have been bought. Progress has resumed!

It's a zoo out there!

I've been so caught up in "baby knitting" for that previously mentioned baby boom that seems to be going on in my circle of friends, that I've had little time to get  really back to the sweater. The weather is warming though and I'm hell bent on wearing it this spring... or next fall... so I hope to get back to it soon!

I finished the flannel pjs/elephant socks I mentioned last time. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. Instead of doing embroidery for the tusks and eyes, I chose to sew on felt. Embroidery being a major achiles heel in my crafting ability, and this being a gift for someone else, I really didn't want to make a mess of it!

Duckies!

I've also finished yet another pair of "Quack!" socks. To change things up from my usual with this pattern I used Sirdar Snowflake. Let me just say, that before you jump to use snowflake on anything, consider carefully what details might be important. Wrapping and turning stitches works fine. The knitting in the wraps afterwards as you go? Not so much. Can't see the darn things. And doing bar increases also is enough to send a gal over the edge on this stuff. But the end result is pretty good, so it all depends how much you enjoy the feeling of wanting to poke your own eyes out with your knitting needles versus how much you enjoy cute fuzzy baby socks will determine whether or not you'll want to venture down that particular path I guess.

Both the elephant socks and the ducky feet are from one of my very favourite (and now thanks to LTM who also enjoys looking at it) somewhat tattered books, "Cute Knits for Baby Feet". I've used the book more than any other pattern book I own I think. If you need cute and fast for baby, check it out. There's all sorts of great knitterly gifting opportunities that await, which is just the sort of thing a crafty kind of girl needs when faced with a baby boom!

I also whipped up a soaker to go with the duck feet. As a matter of fact I whipped it up 1 3/4 times. It would turn out that I do not posess magical abilities to have a ball of yarn that I started out knowing full well there was likely no way there'd be enough to actually finish grow in length to accomodate my needs. No the darn thing just kept right on getting smaller, yet I kept knitting. Finally 3/4 of the way in, common sense prevailed and I ripped it all out. A new, sufficient ball of yarn worked much better!! I used the WHW Plain Wrap as the basis and a chart from an old Paton's sweater pattern for the duck.

I've managed to get myself into a couple more projects too. One I can justify because it's a "Pay it Forward 2011" project. I've knit the pattern before and liked the finished result, so I thought it worthy of a repeat. It's a simple peacock stitch  bag pattern that's ridiculously easy to remember as you knit along and goes quite quickly. I just need to find the beaded handles that I know are in my craft supplies stash somewhere and then do some stash diving in my fabric bins for the perfect quilting cotton to line it with. (Of which I'm dead certain I must have as well!).

The second project is the Chiton Pullover from the latest issue of Knitscene. I've only got a mere 2" done on the bottom band so this is obviously going to be a long term relationship. I harbour no such dillusions that I could possibly finish it in time for this summer, but I think there may be hope for next year depending on how faithful I'm feeling towards it after endless miles of stocking stitch!

I finished the final pair of cowboy jammies, but (BF)G will not let me take photographic evidence of it. Or at least post photographic evidence of the cuteness that is the three of them in matching pjs!

Not too much else going on crafty wise for me, just lots of ideas floating around in my head. Mostly quilty type ideas. I'm trying to be good though... I have four quilts (two with the tops completed and two that are in the very beginning stages of sewing) to finish before I can let myself move onto something else in that department!

Chugging along...



"Pay It Forward 2011"
French Press Slippers/Star Crossed Slouchy/French Press Slippers



Well here we are almost mid-February. I can't believe how time flies. Little Toddler Man is 19 months old, and Baby Boy turned four months at the beginning of the week! As I said, time flies!


I've had some good crafty days lately. Well in terms of getting things done anyways. Not sure all of them could actually be considered "good" really!

Let's start out with the not-so-good. I decided to re-visit my Icelandic hooded pullover that I started last spring. Only a few rows in I decided I'd better rip it all out and start over due to a error in colour judgement. (Not quite sure how it happened, but I started out with the wrong colour and it was just not going to cut it!) So ribbit, ribbit, ribbit went the sweater. No problem. I wasn't going to be daunted. After all... I was only a few rows in.

So I cast on again, this time in the colour I'd originally intended as the first colour. Liking how it was going, I boldly started into the first colour change and chart. Ooops! Had an extra stitch. Oh well. Just knit 2 together. Who's going to be the wiser. If only that had been the only problem. Blithly knitting along I sailed through the first chart and started the second. Only to realize I'd a) done only four rows per basketweave section in chart one instead of five, as well as realize that for the better part of the back of the sweater I'd knit using one 5.5mm needle and one 6mm needle and b) I somehow managed to fail counting to two. Two white, two gray, two white etc. had somehow become two white, two gray, two white... ooops where'd that third gray stitch come from??? Fixed that and continued on. Someone shaken, but not willing to be deterred. Then I colour changed at the wrong point, started the cable row in chart three at the wrong time, forgot I was going to make up for the missing three rows in chart one by knitting a couple extra in chart three and ultimately ended up in a pattern of work four rounds, rip back one.

I've persevered if for no other reason than this bloody sweater is not going to beat me!! Things are going much better now - touch wood - the next color change and chart is upon me and its only a single colour moss stitch... hopefully I can rise to the challenge and make it through the next 19 rows of the Lopi Sweater of Doom without incident!

I did have some non-stressfull knitting as well! I made the little guys some playfood - a waffle, fried egg and bacon to be exact. LTM seemed pleased. It was easy. I had no disasters.

I also knit N a hat at his request - it was a super easy stash buster and actually managed to get rid of two partial balls of yarn completely. Made me happy to have an actual "bust of the stash" and made N happy to have a new hat! LTM modelled it for me since N wasn't home.

Along with the Sweater of Doom, I'm also working on a pair of elephant socks for a friend's baby to go along with the pjs I made for her little guy. I also have another baby gift in the wings waiting to be made. Actually looks like I have quite a few in the wings. What's with the baby boom these days??? I think for the next one up I'll knit a pair of "quack" the duck socks that seem to be well received. I've made them a couple times now, so should be to strenuous of a task!

I've managed to completely finish the second set of cowboy jammies for the boys too and they've been getting lots of use. (BF)G's are cut out and if a certain Baby Boy would conveniently nap while LTM did, I could maybe, just maybe get them done!







At least I can still be crafty...

Even if I can't often blog about it!

Ok - so I was doing sort of ok with updating the blog, but then technology woes hit full force.


I live in a rural area that does not have high speed internet. I rely on a wireless stick combined with a "booster" antenna system in order to be connected to the outside world via the Internet. Unfortunately the gods of wireless devices do not smile favourably on me either. My ability to connect is very much dependent on the time of day, the way the stars align with the moon, if I'm holding my head at the proper angle... you get the idea.

And blogger itself. Oh blogger you are a formidable foe. I can't decide if it's my computer or blogger or me, but I can't seem to often get blogger to even load. If it does load I get error message after error message, and post a picture? Well forget it. I think perhaps I am suppose to make some sort of sacrifice in order for a picture to post without issue. Trouble is I can't figure out what that sacrifice is meant to be. So probably no pictures for today. It'll depend on how much time and patience I have to fiddle around with things.

Anyways. Enough of my tale of woe. On to more interesting matters at hand. (Or at least more interesting to me and hopefully to you as well dear readers if in fact there are any still out here!). Crafting. Knitting. Sewing. Oh my!

I managed to get my Christmas knitting done. Mom was pleased with the Clementine Shawlette. So was I truth be told, if I may be so bold as to say I really liked it and was sorely tempted to keep it all for me! G seems to love her French Press Felted Slippers and wears them often when she's home. Little Toddler Man is tickled with his turtle.

I've had what feels like lots of progress in the crafty department lately. The key to my success in finishing things is to do small, quick to finish projects. It's not a perfect system, but it gets things done and gives me a sense of accomplishment.

I jumped on the "Pay It Forward 2011" bandwagon that was going around facebook at the beginning of the year and am happily going to pay it forward to nine people. I offered five, but what the heck. I have trouble saying no!

I'm pleased to report that three out of my projects are done. Two have been delivered already and one about to be put in the post to it's destination! I chose French Press Slippers for the first two projects. Can I say how much I absolutely love that pattern? Really. It's awesome! Easy, quick and great results! For project number three I chose to knit the Star crossed Slouchy beret using Manos del Uruguay Classica in the now discontinued, but fantastic colourway, "Eclipse". I really liked this pattern too - especially the second time I knit it after having completely read the pattern wrong the first time round! The next projects are up in the air. I have some ideas, but nothing nailed down yet. Good thing I have a year to complete them in!

I've also done some sewing lately. Not a whole lot, but enough to keep me happy. First up was a new Moby style wrap for (BF)G's neice, who had graciously lent me hers when I had LTM. Unfortunately, Bella, who was a mere pup at the time and going through her chewing on everything phase, thought the wrap a gift for her chewing pleasure, and chomped some nasty holes in it. It was still quite useable - I used it for both LTM and Baby Boy, but it was rather unsightly. I presented L with the new wrap the other day and she was pretty pleased with it! She put it on right away and popped her little one in it. Baby girl seems pretty pleased with it too. She snuggled down and went straight to sleep. I must admit to having wished I'd made a pretty wrap for myself when Baby Boy was still light enough to carry comfortably in one. At 3 1/2 months old, he's already over 17 lbs, so I find the ring sling much more practical for carting him around in!

I also made a new set of matching "cowboy jammies" for the boys, since both of them have long since outgrown the first pairs. Only Daddy still has his originals (not being likely to outgrow anything soon) - although if I ever get a chance to get to the fabric store, I do hope to get some more of the new fabric to make him another pair of pjs to match his little guys! I'm really happy with how they turned out - especially given that I dug out my long since used pattern making skills out of the deep dark recesses of my memory and made the pattern for Baby Boy's top so it would exactly match LTM's!

Back to knitting, I've done a couple of other small projects.  I knit myself a pair of French Press Slippers (told you I love that pattern!) as well as a tea cozy.  I've wanted a tea cozy for years.  It's beyond me why I didn't knit one long ago.  Took absolutely next to no time at all.  I'm now working on a hat for N as my latest little project.

I've been busy knitting some squares for yet another Schuyler Blanket Project too. It's so tragically sad how many of these blankets are needed. Makes one realize just how precious each baby's birth is. Not that I don't already know it, but sometimes it's easy to take for granted when looking at my five kids. How blessed I've been in my life.

I'm knitting for one that is very near to my heart right now, and wanted an extra special square, so I sat down and created one. It's the first time I've designed anything knit wise, and it turned out. Not much of a pattern, just a simple cable desing but it's something and it was somehow more meaningful in my mind to create for the little one that it was knit in remembrance of.

So I've been happily busy with all things crafty, and happily busy chasing after LTM and watching Baby Boy grow and change as the weeks go by (won't be long before I'm chasing him too!). I've been wishing I could see more of J, G and N, but they've got busy lives of their own now, so I take what I can get!

I'm back... and so soon!

Baking cookies
Originally uploaded by Highlanddancemom

Wow! Look at me go! Two blog posts in seven days! Amazing!

Things have been going well on the crafting front! (I should add some sort of disclaimer here that by crafting I mean knitting... sewing is still really not happening much to my dismay!)


I feel like I've accomplished much this week between baking up a storm - Little Toddler Man loves to "help" - and finishing up another knitting project, and deciding once and for all to tackle the pattern that has been my nemesis for two and a half years. This year it will get done in time for Christmas and the recipient shall actually receive it this year! It won't sit another season in my knitting basket. I, did even get a very brief chance to sew. Granted it required Baby Boy to chill out in his swing for a bit and Little Toddler Man to nap and me to sew like a fiend before all went to heck in a hand basket, but I did finish the long overdue baby gift for a friend. Yes. Accomplishment, sweet accomplishment is MINE!!!!

As I said, LTM has shown a great interest in baking these days. So much so that the first thing he does upon waking in the morning and being "released" from his crib is to drag a chair from the dining room into the kitchen and demand to "HELP". It matters not too him that I, bleary-eyed, and in my pjs have no intention of starting anything more than the kettle for a pot of tea. No siree. He is a demanding little tryrant. Cracking the whip as early as 6:00am.

No - I do not give in to his commands, but come afternoon we can be usually found in the kitchen making something, whether he's helping me make pastry for tarts or dough for cut out cookies, or even just throwing the ingredients into the bread machine for the day's loaf. He's even helped make puppy treats (be forwarned if you think you'd like to try your hand at it - apparently it's very tasty dough to a toddler, but does contain flax (well my recipe does anyways), which apparently works similar to bran. Just sayin'). He has a funny little thought process about baking however. Instead of making dough and rolling it out and then cutting it, then baking it, he has simplified the whole process. He figures you should just make then dough, then "EAT THE DOUGH!!!!!" I suppose to him the rest is just a waste of time. Cut out the middle man (or oven as the case may be) and all.

Anyways - it has been fun preparing for Christmas with him, even though a bit trying sometimes! (Also be forwarned - do not assume because the dogs are contained when tarts are cooling on the counter that they'll be safe. No. I learned that lesson the hard way as my 17 month old scarfed down two from the cooling racks in record time.)

On the crafting front, I have made a pair of slippers as a gift for G. I used the French Press Felted Slippers pattern and let me tell you, it's an awesome, quick (as in you wouldn't believe how quick) pattern to whip up. I had initially knit them using Winter White Paton's Classic because quite frankly I have a tonne of it. But that seem a) boring and b) unwise with our sometimes not so pristine floors - hey! I have three dogs, and three cats and a toddler. What do you expect???? Anyways given reasons "a" and "b" I decided on a whim after knitting up all the pieces to throw them in the crockpot with some water, vinegar, and about 1/2 tsp rose and 1/2 tsp royal blue Wilton dyes.

I am most pleased with the outcome! Felting them took no time at all either! Two rounds in the washer and they are happily drying out now. Once dry I'll sew some fabulous, yet to be found and purchased buttons on the tabs they'll be done and ready to wrap up! I hope she likes them - I know I sure do! So much so that I am definitely planning to knit a pair for myself sometime in the next few weeks.

The other gift in question is the Clementine Shawlette, and I'm a mere 8 inches from being done. I figure if I knit at least an inch a day, I can be wrapping it up in time for Christmas too! It's been a thorn in my side for far too long. How can counting to four be so darned difficult? I stopped and started this bloomin' thing so many times it's ridiculous, and then there was the daunting 15" of four row repeat that did me in. But I'm on a roll now!

As mentioned, the baby gift is done! I think it turned out really well. Better than Baby Boy's cowboy jammies. I like the thinner bias trim that I used this time! If I make them again I'll definitely go that route.

Highlanddancemom

It seems to me I've done other things too - but I can't really recall at this moment in time what they might have been. Oh yes - I repaired a mitten that apparently was chewed by one of the dogs, ahem, Bella, not too mention any names!

Next on my list of things to do is to finish LTM's Sheldon the Turtle (I do believe I am the ONLY one confused as all get out on the I-cord attachement part!), and I plan to knit an orange for Baby Boy's stocking. I figure he's too young for an actual orange, but I could easily (I hope - touch wood) get one knitted up and put a little bell in it and Bob's your uncle fits the bill as orange and ball. Dual purpose in the stocking... gotta love that!

So until next time, happy crafting or baking or whatever it is you're up to these days!

Busy days!

Quite some time has passed again since I last had the chance to blog at all. I so rarely get a chance to be on the computer now that I'm home with Baby Boy and Little Toddler Man. Our days are busy and interesting to say the least. Moments like the day I could not find Little Toddler Man's sippy cup of milk anywhere, yet I knew he'd just had it moments before. Upon asking him where his cup was, he scurried over to the fish tank and opened the lid of the canopy. On close inspection, sure enough I spotted the sippy cup in question, merrily bobbing along the surface of the water at the back of the tank, slowly pouring its contents down towards the fish. (The fish have also been the recipients of puppy food and a fur trimmed slipper as well). I don't think they appreciate the gifts as much as Little Toddler Man must assume they do. Thankfully the fascination with the tank seems to be dwindling, as is the fascination with letting our Newf/Pyrenese out of her kennel when she needs to be in it. He's also stopped trying to feed the dogs every waking moment of the day (ok - that one I was able to stop by putting a gate up across the closet doors where the food is kept!). His latest obsession that I hope ends before a trip to the emergency is necessary, is climbing on everything. The table being his favourite it would seem! Baby Boy keeps me hopping too - he's a content little fellow, just very, very hungry all the time it would seem! I can't believe early next week he'll be two months old. Life is good though! The boys have really bonded with each other and seem to enjoy each other's company already!

Needless to say, not much is getting done in the way of crafty persuits. Although, I've had some chance between knitting in the car en route to the city a few times, and getting a few rows done here and there through out the day when the boys sometimes co-ordinate their naps and in the evening when Baby Boy has a bottle and snuggle with Daddy. I've even managed to finish a few things. Knitting seems to work out alright. Sewing is a horse of a different colour! I can't seem to get the time to get down to the sewing room so in desperation I did try bringing my machines upstairs to the kitchen table to work on a very late baby gift for a friend. What an ordeal that was. I should have realized that given Little Toddler Man's obsession with climbing and his incredible curiousity it would be a futile attempt, but sometimes I don't think things through with the utmost clarity before hand. Let's just say it's going to take a while to figure out the tension on my serger again - those dials just proved to be way too much fun for the little man!

But, as I said, I have finished a few things!


First up was Baby Boy's stocking. His matches Little Toddler Man's, but is slightly different colours. I'm really happy with how it turned out! It's a great little pattern from "Cute Knits for Baby Feet". Knits up in a jif - especially this time I did it in the round so no seaming except about two inches or less on the bottom of the stocking.

Feeling quite bold about being able to finish a project, I decided a pair of mittens were in order for Baby Boy. He refused to keep a blanket tucked in around him and his little fingers were always poking out of his jacket. Also a quick knit, I was able to finish his "Baby Nordic Mitts" in no time.

Of course he needed a new hat too. In a couple of hours (probably not even a couple of hours) of knitting time, his new hat was done. It's a fun little pattern from Amanda Keyes called the "Zozo Pixie Cables". Unfortunately I misjudged the size of Baby Boy's noggin and it turned out quite large on him. The way the hat is knit though, it worked out well to turn it around and pop it on his head with the neckband becoming the front edge of the hat and the front becoming the bottom of the hat. It now fits (will for ages, because as he outgrows it this way, I can just turn it around the proper way!) and I think it's pretty darned cute.

Last but certainly not least is mittens for Little Toddler Man. We've had a devil of a time finding mittens that fit and are easy to put on his pudgy little hands. And what is with baby/toddler mitten thumbs? They make them so tiny, I'm not sure how anyone is expected to put an actual thumb in it!! Especially a somewhat unco-operative thumb. Anyways, just a basic pair of mittens, but hopefully they'll do the trick!

As for sewing? Well - dreams of sewing Christmas gifts are now clearly just that... dreams. If the kimono pajamas for the baby gift are any indication, there is no way that I'll ever get such a lofty goal of a quilt finished in time. Maybe for next Christmas (or ten years from now...), but not this year. No. Just not going to happen. Unless by some miracle I'm able to figure out a way to get both boys to simultaneously nap for great long chunks of time...