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Parisian Tote

We went to Kiawah Island for the weekend. We had such a wonderful time. We were there for 3 days and here's the knitting I took:

1. hubby's socks (I'm working on the foot of the second - yeay!)

2. Monkey socks

3. Sweet Georgia socks (hasn't been started)

4. Mom's hobo bag (hasn't been started)

5. my Harlequin Pill Box (hasn't been started)

Think I over-packed??



I did stay up until 2am the night before we left finishing my Parisian tote so that I could take it with me. Wow - this bag is SO pretty. I love it. I got tagged yesterday by Niki (KnitNik), but I am still working on that post. For now, you get a picture of my new purse.

I got tagged!!

So, 7 interesting tidbits about me. That will be the easy part, the harder part is going to be tagging people since I don't know people who blog (except Niki and the random knit blogs that I read). Well, here's me in a nutshell.

1. I met my husband skydiving. I have around 300 skydives and my husband has over 1000. We haven't made a jump since I got pregnant in '01, but we'll get back to it once the kids are a little older.


2. My husband and I eloped on a beach in Kaua'i. We were on vacation and he proposed spontaneously. He didn't even have a ring. We pulled our wedding together in less than 36 hrs. There was a minister, a witness, a photographer, a videographer and a musician. It was perfect - I wouldn't change it for the world.


3. I have an obsession with lizards. I think they're adorable. How far does my obsession go? There's one on my stomach permanently (yes, a tattoo).



4. I am a horrible procrastinator. It's quite terrible. I should be at the grocery store right now, but I just don't feel like leaving my house.


5. My husband and I have been married since August '01, Bugga was born in May '03 and Jammer was born January '05. We're happy with 2 kids (and a dog named Marley).


6. I love red wine, yankee candles and knitting. I've only begun knitting in the past few months, but I love it. I love to put the kids to bed, grab a glass of wine, my current project and sit on the couch with my husband.


7. I began knitting in January and already have enough sock yarn (and good stuff, too!) to make 21 pairs of socks (not including the partials for Bugga and Jammer socks). I also have plans to go to a new yarn shop while in Ohio!!

Since I know no bloggers, if you happen to read this, 'Tag you're it!', leave a comment where I can find the 7 things about you!

Summer tops for Bugga and Jammer

I have been a little busy since my last post. I finished my dear hubby's first sock and am 3/4 of the way done with the leg part of the second. I'm happy to have the second on the needles, then he won't be stuck with one sock for an eternity. I'll save that picture for when I have the pair. I also finished Jammer's halter top - similar to Bugga's but unique (kinda like sisters are). I haven't weaved in the ends on the ties yet because I'm deciding if they need cute little beads at the end. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and she seems to like it, too. I have also started a pair of Monkey socks on some of the yarn that Niki and I dyed over President's Day. I'm using the red/green and calling it 'Margarita' because it reminds me of regular and strawberry margaritas. I took a trip to Knit Picky today. I have a problem when I'm there. I spend WAY more money than I should. Today, I bought a Parisian Tote kit. The yarns and handles are SO fabulous that I couldn't resist. Happy Mother's Day to me! I also bought a new sock yarn and yarn to make a felted hobo bag for my mom.

Stash Rundown

Here's my current stash rundown (keep in mind I've only been knitting for 4 months or so)...

1.5 skeins of Laines du Nord Cleo - this is reserved for my Chip bag. I've already made 2 and given them away and I think it is such a cute little bag.

5x Malabrigo Worsted Weight - I bought this specifically for my hobo bag. I have ordered more rings or I might buy belts just to steal their rings.

2x Crystal Palace Fjord - I have an idea for this, just need to do a little R&D.

3x Lambs Pride Worsted (mustard color) and 2x Araucania Nature Wool (red-purple color) - this is for my Prism bag.

1.5x Magallenes - Orange and Black - Left from Mamie's bag...I have a couple ideas floating in my head.

1 skein orange and 2 skein green from the heathers collection of Cascade 220 - for my Harlequin Pillbox bag.

3x Classic Elite Bubbles - still dying to make a tank top for Bugga out of this stuff.

2x Cashmerino - 1 word - Fetching

Orange Ribbon Yarn and Green Ribbon Yarn - a tank top for each girl (Bugga & Jammer)

800 yds Purple and Brown Wool - I have a plan for this, but I better check to see how it felts.

Fleece Artist - Curlylocks - Loopy Kid Mohair...I'm happy just looking in my stash and seeing it. Someday it will be a wrap of some sort.

Country Silk - 100 yds - I have a plan for this too. We'll see if the plan comes to fruition. It is SO soft and yummy.

Oh - and enough sock yarn to make 11 pairs of adult socks, though I have yet to finish my first pair of adult socks.

On the lighter side of things, Bugga dressed herself this morning. She decided to wear a teal skirt, the tank top I finished yesterday and the socks that Niki knitted for her. I guess she likes hand knitted clothing. Yeay Bugga!

A tank for Bugga...and the sock continues

We had knit night last night. Since Niki is on her cruise, she wasn't there. It was odd not having her there, but we still had 5 people and a great time knitting. Today I finished Bugga's Boogie Kidlet tank top:

It is nice to have such a willing model. I also ripped out the heel of my hubby's sock and re-did it. This time, I did not magically lose 4 stitches. Everything worked out as it should. Now, I just get to do a whole lot of knitting (size 10.5 foot). Oh, and of course make the second one.

Yoda - please come back!

My yoda has left me for the Sea Sock cruise and I already need her. I have managed to complete my first short row heel. However, I counted the stitches and instead of the 88 that I started with, I have 84 - uh oh! I don't know what to do, so I'm not going to do anything yet. Maybe after a glass of wine, a martini or a visit to Knit Picky; I will know what to do. In the mean time, I have started Bugga's kidlet tank. This is a very easy pattern so far - a whole lot of st st, but I love the result. I think it will look very cute on her this summer.I have also noticed the reverse (the purl side) is very cute. Maybe Jammer's coordinating kidlet tank will be the reverse and it will be blue, green and purple.

I have also finished a Chip Bag for Yoda to take on her cruise. I think it came out very cute. This time I used an I-cord so that she can carry it on her shoulder. The lining is beautiful, but the pocket is not so beautiful. The pocket was my first attempt - I promise they'll get better.

My First Sweater

My first sweater is finally done. Jammer is the proud owner of a purple ballet sweater. After a lot of ripping, a little frustration and a ton of confusion, it's finished. The sleeves are a little long, but still cute and she'll get more wear out of it this way. I'm still working on hubby's socks which are progressing quite nicely now that I've learned how to do Continental knitting (thanks Cindy!) I think my next projects will be tank tops (the Boogie Kidlet tank to be exact) for the girls. I've already got the yarn and its the right season. I will start with Bugga's since I haven't made her anything since my first hat.

Sugar-free coffee...yuck

Oh where to begin. I guess the best place is last Thursday. I was going to a friend's house for dinner and decided to make dessert (Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie). It came out fantastic, but used every last drop of sugar in my house. Friday morning rolls around and Bugga has no preschool because Spring Break has already begun. I make a nice, hot pot of coffee and realize that I have no sugar. A lot of people I know tell me that you can't tell the difference between sugar and Splenda, so I try it in my coffee. LIES! It was horrible. I preferred black coffee. That night, we got a babysitter and went to see Perpetual Groove with some friends of ours. That was fun. We don't get out without the kids often, so we appreciate it when it happens. On Saturday morning, my hubby decided to run out and get bagels and coffee. I told him to get sugar for our coffee. Luckily, he did. That night, we decided to drive up to see one of my hubby's friend's band play. This time we took the kids. Bugga was dancing like crazy and Jammer slept on my shoulder the entire time. Luckily, it was one of those restaurants where they give you endless peanuts and you can throw the shells on the floor. Bugga loves her some peanuts. Sunday, we never left the house and used the extra sugar packets that my hubby had grabbed on Saturday morning. Monday morning rolls around and I still have no sugar, so I drank my coffee black. I went out shopping with Niki, but didn't get any sugar. So, here I am on Tuesday morning putting vanilla ice cream in my coffee. (Have I mentioned that I'm also cat-sitting for a friend and I could easily swipe some sugar from her house since I've been there every day that I haven't had sugar!?!) I have finished the left side of Jammer's ballet sweater. The pattern is not thorough. So if it comes together like it should, I will no longer consider myself a 'new knitter'. Oh - and a picture of my hubby's sock that has not been getting the attention it deserves.

It's been a while...

It's been a while since my last post. I've been happily knitting away. I gave Mamie her bag and she loved it. I finished a 'Chip' bag using Laines Du Nord Cleo for Ali's birthday. I made the flower with a silk i-cord.

I'm also working on a ballet sweater for Jammer and a pair of socks for my dear hubby. The back of Jammer's sweater is done. I've learned DK weight takes a while.

Last but not least, I decided it was time to put tags into all the stuff that I'm making. Here's a picture of the tag - isn't it cute?

from trash to treasure...

Yesterday, I got really frustrated with my Prism bag to the point of tears. I called my friend, who knits, and she said don't throw it away (which I threatened), we'll put it in my house until you're ready to see it again. Not getting the answer I wanted (throw it away), I called my friend who doesn't knit. She said, 'Don't you dare throw it away. I will take it and pay someone to finish it.' After drinking a couple glasses of wine, I came up with my new plan of attack. I wetted the bag down and shoved a piece of plastic covered cardboard in the bottom to make it flat. I then folded all the sides like I would do for a present. I put clothes pins on the corners that make the prism bag a prism and let it sit until today. Today, I was able to finish the bag...believe it or not... The proof is in the pictures...

2 bags from 1...

It's already Tuesday. A lot has happened since my blog on Friday. On Saturday, I finished the Noni Prism bag as a gift for my mother-in-law, Mamie. Well, I didn't finish the bag, I finished the knitting portion. I felted it with some interesting results. The bag was a little larger than I had hoped...22" long x 6" high. Triangular in shape? Yes. Want to know what this bag looked like? Put two french loaves under your arm and look in a mirror. It wasn't pretty. So I did what any new-ish knitter would do. I called Niki. She's talked to me on the phone while I cut a 5 inch wide piece out of the middle of the prism bag. Then I tried to whip stitch (thinking it might look funky) around the two edges and washing it again. It ended up looking more like a Frankenstein bag. I decided it is what it is and bought handles, lining and a closure for it. I looked at it today and couldn't handle the Frankenstein. I took out my whip stitching. What I did instead (and am pretty proud of) is basically a mattress stitch with needle and thread. Now, you can't see any stitches and unless you're looking really close, I don't think you'll even notice the seam. I am going to buy some patching tape to reinforce the seam before I put the plastic canvas in the bag. However, I am excited about my project again. Now, as for the 2nd bag. I decided the 5" piece from the middle of the bag was too much to toss. So I made it into a flat, CD-sized bag which would be cute as a hip bag on a long rope. HOWEVER, I think I might cut it again an make a little change purse for the prism bag. Oh, and in the mean time, I did finish Jammer's second sock (now Niki will wind my new Malabrigo wool) and have started on a pair for my dear husband. So here are the pictures of Vanna's socks and the giant bag. You'll see the new and improved version when it's done.

What a week...

Bugga caught something this week and was fevered on Tuesday, fine on Wednesday, then fevered on Thursday and today. Needless to say, I've spent a lot of time at home. I found myself thinking about knitting more than actually knitting. I decided to bid on yarn from Ebay and won, so I'm excited about that. I've also been looking for tank top patterns for a 4 yr old girl made from bulky yarn. I've completed approximately 10 projects so far, I think I'm ready to create my own pattern. MUAH! Other than that, I've been wandering around my house aimlessly and trying to get my sinuses to quit hurting so bad. (Side note: a damp washcloth in a sandwich baggie, microwave for 45 sec, throw it over your eyes is WAY better than any over the counter medication I found and it doesn't make you drowsy. Just don't burn yourself!) I have finished my first sock - it's for Jammer. Soon, she'll have a pair...I hope.

Kool-Aid - not just for kids anymore...

This post could have also been called, 'How many women does it take to un-knot 440 yds of yarn'. That is what we did for the first 4 hours of our adventure (seriously). However, after that part was done and we started dying, it had to easily be the funnest craft project I've ever done. Thanks for all the fun, Niki! We had both kids around (3.5 and 2) and still managed to get 4 skeins of yarn dyed with Kool-Aid. 8 hours with me and the girls and I didn't even have to tie her down to keep her here. Simply stated - the best President's Day that I've ever had.

More Projects...

Here are pictures of my first purse (which I gave

to the girls) and my hat...

I am currently working on my first pair of socks and a ballet sweater for my youngest (seen in previous blog) aka Jammer.

Trying the blog thing...

So I decided to try the blog thing...Mainly as a place to show off my knitting adventures. I've just begun knitting and am completely hooked. Here is a picture of my first project. Hats for my girls.