I'm Published!

Today I received a package in the mail and I had no clue who it would be from. So I opened it and saw this! The Knitting Pattern a Day (2008) Calender!



I didn't order it so I must have got one of my patterns accepted!

I paged through to find my Baby Pixy Hat pattern staring right at me. How cool is that?!

My sister also got a pattern published but I'll let her tell you about that!

It is really cool to see a pattern you wrote (however simple it is) be printed up on a shiny page of a calendar. I even have a few other patterns that I'm going to submit for the 2009 calendar. If you have any patterns (knit or crochet) you can go here and submit your own patterns!

On to other things.

I finished the aqua baby set for the shop. I've started the yellow. These things just fly off the needles!

Last night was knitting night out at the shop. I decided to bring my Mable dress home.

I tried it on C, its a bit big, but all that time I spent on it makes me want to have her wear it all the time! I made booties to match, L's feet were too big for her to wear them and they just barely fit C. I think I might put some elastic in them to keep them on. I also want to get a ball of the yarn and make a diaper cover to match. I know that the dye lot wont be the same but I'm sure it wont be that big of a difference.



We picked our first cucumber and yellow squash form our garden! I love fresh veggies!

I hope you all (in the states) had a wonderful Fourth of July! Ours was pretty good. We did the parade thing, then tried to nap, that didn't work out. then we went to a picnic where they had a big swimming pool. The kids love the water. We put some water wings on them and they were fearless. I really need to get them in some swimming lessons, quick!

From there we went to the fire works! I took a few pics and thought this one turned out pretty.

I think that about sums up our weekend...

Knit happy!

Fusing Plastic Bags

Amy sent me this link yesterday. I thought it was so cool looking! I just had to try it. I even went out a bought a ironing board for it. I know what your thinking how so you not have an ironing board?! Well I just didn't. I'm not that fancy of a dresser and If we ever really needed something ironed I just put some towels down on the table and did it that way, it

worked. Anyways now I have one.

Go look at the tutorial! It's great!


So you start out with some plain old grocery bags and use a little scissor action and some ironing... and in the end you get this plastic material almost like a fabric... way cool. I just cut out a bunch of letters to make my blog name, it was a lot of fun. I want to make a knitting tote out of mine. I even made some straps. Everything is a bit wonky and definitely not completely flat, but I don't care:o) Now all I need to do is sew it all together. That requires me actually getting my sewing machine out and using it, something I've yet to do. I could see the possibilities being endless. One person even used the inside of a chip bag to make metallic designs on her purse...






In other news I tried my hand at Navajo plying. It went OK. I over spun it a lot. My feet just wouldn't slow down. (white, llama) No that isn't a birds nest. My second attempt was a lot better (brown, llama and mohair), but still over spun. Does any one have any suggestions?! I like the look of the 3ply and would like some pointers on how to correct myself.

Garden Update

As promised!



It was time today to pick G's broccoli! He was excited...I was too. I can't believe how quick thew grew. The cool thing about broccoli is that you pick the main shoot and it branches out in a bunch of little places, so you keep getting more and more. See they are already starting to come out! (click on pic for bigger)



This was the first pick of the year. I think usually we had cucumbers or maybe even a tomato first... We do have some little green tomatoes coming. I'm guessing in a week or two they will ripen up. I can't wait! It is so much easier to eat healthy when you can go in your back yard and pick fresh veggies. I love it!




I also love my hanging plant in the front of our house and I thought I'd share a pic of it. Isn't it pretty?! Its a fuchsia. I believe there are two different colors, pink and purple and pink and white. I've had both and I like this coloring the best.



Is was so stinking hot out and don't forget to add muggy to the equation. I pulled out the sprinkler. G ran through it a good amount but L was a bi afraid of it. Or maybe it was a little too cold for her liking. She kept wanting to take off her "shirt" otherwise known as a swimming suit. I tried to explain to her that it was ok to get it wet, that's what it was meant for. Poor girl is so use to baths where she strips down, that is the only way she knows how to get wet.

Speaking of swimming suits, I had to go buy one for her yesterday. Usually we have things handed down from her cousins... but the only ones we got were two pieces and I just don't think a little girl needs so dress like that. While in the store I was a bit upset that the more modest ones were the most expensive. Its like they are trying to make you buy the little skimpy two piece, less fabric, less money. Anyways I really like the one I picked, its super cute. In fact if they made it in my size I'd wear it, not that it would look as cute on me as it dose on her.

Yesterday we took a field trip out to the LYS. The kids wanted to go see the llamas. And I got to pick out some belated birthday roving! Its merino, and I love it! I can't wait to start spinning it! Its so yummy and soft! I also got some carpet warp just in case my drive band breaks, and for tying up skeins of my hand spun. I'm thinking I want to make socks out of it... but I'm not sure. Maybe something for my winter wardrobe, but that seems so far away. Any suggestions?!

Birthday goodness

So I have to give props to my hubby for taking my birthday off without me having to ask him too! Very sweet. I had a good birthday! I go up and Hubby and the kids made me breakfast. Then we all got ready and left to go strawberry picking. We went to Walvoords berry farm. It was a lot of fun. A good family tradition! The kids loved picking (and eating) the berries. L had it all over her and it was super cute. They had a good time. The farm provides wagon rides out to the field, you've go to love that!


After the picking we came home and dropped the kids off at grandma's and hubby and I went out to eat at my all time favorite restaurant. It just so happens to be the one we work at. What can I say its the best in town! An authentic Italian pizzeria. Mmmm I'm drooling just thinking about it! I never get sick of the food its soooo good!

After eating a feast we went and got the kids and took them on a nature walk. Lots of beautiful flowers around, it was fun, but the kids got tired and didn't want to walk... so we carried them;o) Later we stopped by my parents house for a little visit. All in all it was a good day!

The night before however was knitting. My friends(Heather and Amy) had gotten me a b-day cake, and also took me out to eat before hand! They are so sweet. Thanks guys!

I gave my samples(purple hat and booties) to Brigitte (shop owner), and she liked them. I took home a few more colors to make some more hats and booties. Aren't they fun summery colours?

From the purple set I had a good amount of yarn left over and wanted to make something with it to go with the set. So I racked my brain and came up with a simple little baby rattle! I made it up myself and wrote the pattern down so someday I can have a book. ( I also have a baby hat pattern and a felted purse pattern) I had to work at the shop on Sat, so I showed Brigitte the fun little toy, she liked it too! I couldn't wait to make more, so away I went. I tweaked the pattern a bit and I think I like the blue one more. What do you all think? Little C likes both. I put a little kitty toy in the middle so it rattles, and they are soft and squishy!

I absolutely love making knitted toys, its so much fun! I think I could write a book on that. I want to design little hanging car seat toys, you know so the baby has something to play with... What kind of toys would you like to see in a knitting book?!

Here is some baby goodness, what is a post without it?!

Next post: garden update, Its growing like crazy!

summer do's

A few more FO's!

Brigitte from my LYS asked if I'd like to make some hats and booties to sell at the shop, so this is what I came up with! Both are form Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I actually followed a hat pattern. Usually I just make them, but I thought since they were for the shop i should use a pattern that is able to be purchased there! I think they turned out pretty cute! I lost the ball band so I forgot what the brand of yarn is but I do know that its a super soft cotton.


L's favorite color is purple so she thought it was for her... when I told her it wasn't, it didn't go over too well.

On a side note L's bangs were getting too long and they were touching her eyes all the time so I thought I give bang trimming a try. Not too bad... maybe a bit short but now I wont have to cut them as often;-)

As tradition in summer all the boys in the family get buzz cuts. G was all excited. He loves getting his hair cut. Its a good thing too because it has been super hot and muggy lately. Sometimes I wish I could buzz all my hair off too.

Tonight is knitting at the shop! I think I will make some cupcakes to bring... my birthday is tomorrow so I have an excuse to eat naughty things. *grin* Chocolate is my weakness. Well that and most types of sugar.


*C woke up and I decided to do a little photo shoot!




Both items fit her pretty well, too bad they are for the shop... They went quick enough though, I can always make more!










Hope your all having a lovely week!

Baby booties!

I have to confess that Amy turned me on to these little gems. She was making them last week for her niece and told me where they were from, Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I was like hey I have that book! So last night I made these. They went really quick and the technique is really cool! You double knit the toe and it turns out like knitting in the round but you knit it flat. Very cool, if you have the book go and check it out, it ROCKS!

I'm not sure what yarn this is. I bought it at a craft store when it was going out of business a year or two ago. It worked nicely for these booties. The only bad thing is that they are a bit small on C, so I'll be making her another pair, a little longer and giving these to someone who will be having a little girl, with small feet.

I do know a couple of people who are going to be having girls, at least that's what the ultrasound tech said;-) But you never know, its only 99% accurate.

Anyways I thought I'd throw in a few pics of C modeling them.




HEY ALL YOU DADS~
Happy (early) Fathers Day!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

socks socks socks!

I finished them! (just in time for the hottest summer ever)

Yippee Skippie!




Start date: November
End date: June 14th
Yarn: Lana Grossa
Color: 503
Needles: US 0 & 1
Recipient: Me!
Pattern: toe up, 3x1 rib

I started them quite a while ago, last November I think. I had gotten the yarn on our anniversary last year... So its about time they are finished!

I decided to actually bake some bread at home. What a crazy idea right?! I do it at work but have never baked bread at home. Anyways I was asking my self why I don't bake at home and not have to buy it from the store, and I couldn't come up with an answer. So here is my result! looks pretty good eh?! I was happy with it, it did rip open a bit on the one side but there is always room for improvement! It tasted great, and its almost gone so i think I'll be making some tomorrow.



My MIL brought over a whole flat of fresh picked strawberries this afternoon. They are sooooo yummy! They almost melt in your mouth! This means it strawberry picking time. The last two years we've gone. Its so much fun. At the end of the picking the kids faces are completely red and so are their clothes. Its hot out there and it kind of hurts your back but man is it worth it!

Over the last few weeks I sort of got out of my running and exercising (mostly because of the shock of hubby's brother, i think), but I picked it back up this week! I didn't want to fall back into my laziness, so the past few days I got out of bed early and went running!(I think most people would call it jogging, I don't go that fast;) I think I've got myself down to a 11ish minute mile. Back in the day of my cross country days I think I could do a 7min mile. But that was in my bkb (before kids body). Either way I'm glad I'm doing it again!



Kids.

I think C and G look a lot a like.

Not exactly or anything, but quite similar!
I think G is older than C in this pic, but its the closest I could get. I can't believe how big C is getting, she is going to be crawling before I know it and then I'm really going to be in trouble! Ahhh.

If she is anything like L, she was walking with assistance at 10months. And she hasn't stopped! L is always getting into something, she is my climber. I think she thinks she is equal with G, she copies him to the t.

More FO's to come... something to do with tiny feet!

Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego?

You scored as Goofy, Your alter ego is Goofy! You are fun and great to be around, and you are always willing to help others. You arn't worried about embarrassing yourself, so you are one who is more willing to try new things. Goofy 81% Sleeping Beauty 75% The Beast 69% Peter Pan 56% Cinderella 50% Donald Duck 50% Pinocchio 44% Snow White 44% Cruella De Ville 38% Ariel 25% Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com

I saw this quiz over at Christy's blog. It looked like fun so I tried it.

*knitting update*
My socks are almost done... All I have to do is bind off and weave in ends... Pictures soon to come! Maybe during nap time I can squeeze it in!

I'm back!

So I guess I owe you all a camping update... We had a pretty good time considering that it was cold and wet most of the time. And then L got pink eye just a few days into it, and then C a few days after that. I'm just thankful that we were close to home so we could take her to the doctor. Friends of ours let us use their pop up camper. It was nice to be off the ground and in a non wet area while sleeping.

This is C and I the first day there. The sling sure came in handy on this camping trip. I just need to make a more light weight one for these hot summer months coming up. Here is a site for making cool baby things.... check it out!

The kids had a blast, being outside for a whole week was beyond them. They were a bit crazy and had to be corrected every now and then but if they didn't they wouldn't be kids right?!



(Click pictures for bigger)
It was quite the nature week we saw all types of birds and butterflies. The cutest little chipmunks and red squirrels or maybe they were fox squirrels, either way they were cute too! We even saw a turtle on one of our walks!



The kids loved all the animals! You would think they are deprived because they don't have any pets.... That's a topic for another day.



Then there was those rascally raccoons. Those things were all over the place, before it was even dark. unfortunately I only got a picture of one when it was dark out... I'm not sure if you'll be able to see it or not. One even got into our cooler when we were facing the other way! We were not even ten feet away from him. From then on we made sure to put the coolers in the van right after we were done with dinner, not right before we went to bed....


This is the kiddos in their rain gear. G has his dino rain coat while L only had a poncho form way back when we visited Allena and went to the zoo. Hmmm, why does it always rain when we go somewhere?!




We did have a few nice days too, they weren't all rainy. We even had a day that was warm enough to take a walk down to a vending machine and get some ice cream sandwiches! Yummy!




There was a nice boardwalk over the marsh. We didn't see many animals there though. G Liked all the pictures of the animals throughout the boardwalk... even if he didn't get to see them in real life.






I think one of my favorite parts of the days was breakfast time. We roasted breakfast sausages over the open fire (thanks to L not wanting to wait for the fire to cook down low enough for the grill to be put on:) Then we made pancakes on a griddle and had scrambled eggs too. Oh don't forget the coffee made over the fire too!




Camping was a bunch of fun! Looking back I'm kinda glad it was chilly out because it made sitting next to the fire that much more enjoyable! The kids even wanted to settle down once in a while and snuggle on our laps and just stare at the fire. How awesome it was to spend some time away from modern convenience's and just enjoy this wonderful world God made for us! I think next time we will be better prepared and have even more fun.







C always has her fist/thumb/fingers in her mouth. Like all the time. I think we might have a problem.... She will even rip out her nuk to put her hand in somehow. arhg. But it is oh-so-cute if i can say so myself:) I took her hand out for this picture and this is the look I got from her... Hey why'd you do that?! Two seconds later it was back in.





On the knitting front I made my nice Lilly a shrug and gave it to her, and forgot to bring the camera to take a pic of her in it... oh well. It was the same as L's pink one only a little bit bigger. While camping I didn't knit much,too busy! But I did work a bit on some socks that I had started a good while back. I only have to finish the cuff on the second one and then I'll actually have a finished pair(I'm doing them toe up)! I have a few other socks that are very lonely, the second one just doesn't' want to be knit.... Its that silly second sock syndrome. One of these days they'll have their second sock to the pair and finally be happy that they can fulfill their destiny of being worn and loved till the end of their days! Hopefully by the next post I'll have a beautiful new pair of socks to show you all. Until then, have a wonderful week!

Gone Camping....

We took a vacation week to go camping! Sunday to Friday at a local state park(about 15 minutes from our house)... Why am I posting on Monday, you ask?! Well it started yesterday, we were packing up and the second we got loaded up in the van it started to rain, really rain, like pouring. Anyways we were rather optimistic and thought it might go away soon. When we arrived at the campsite it was only drizzling and then eventually it stopped. Thank goodness! Then it rained last night and started again late this morning. We decided that if it was coming down hard, we'd come home for the kids naps and gather some things to help us through the bad weather(tarps, ponchos/rain coats). So here I am blogging:)

So I'll be back on Friday or Saturday to share our first camping adventures with you all. Hopefully the weather will clear up, but if not we'll be a little better prepared tonight!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Rhubarb Kuchen

So here it is the yummiest rhubarb thing ever! A must try!






Rhubarb Kuchen

Crust:
1 1/2 c. Flour
1/2 t. baking powder
pinch of salt
3/4 c. butter
2 T. milk
1 egg

Custard:
3 eggs beaten
2 T. flour
1t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. milk

Streusel:
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
2 T. melted butter

Mix dry ingredients like a pie crust, add egg and milk and pat dough (do not roll) into a 9x13 pan. Fill with about 4 c. of cut up rhubarb. Mix custard and pour over rhubarb. Then put streusel crumbs on top and bake @ 350 degrees for about 1 hour. (Then I put the oven on broil for about 5 minutes to get the top nice, brown and crispy!)

Serve it hot with ice cream or cold or even at room temp. Its yummy how ever you have it!