Winter is rearing it's ugly head... (non knitters beware)

and I have been feverishly knitting away trying to get hats and scarves made for my family before that first big snowstorm hits. I have compiled quite a list of things I'd like to knit for Christmas gifts, thank you gifts, new baby gifts, birthday gifts, and of course a thing or two for myself!

I suppose this knitting frenzy contributes to what's keeping me from this blog, as well as from my camera.  I really haven't picked the thing up other than to take pictures of the things I've made.  I suppose I've also been spending some time scouring estate sales and garage sales in search of furniture and winter clothing for our girls.

So, with the long winter just around the corner and the quick realization that the girls didn't have something warm for their wee heads, I immediately got to work.  I finished this adorable pixie hat for Ginger in about two days.  Such a quick knit and the result is absolutely adorable!  I added ties and pom poms to add to the vintage charm. :)

The Malabrigo yarn is INcredibly soft and it makes it hard to believe it's 100% wool.  I couldn't be more in love with the color either.  It's a perfect raspberry red and little Ginger will look so sweet this winter with some rosy red cheeks to match.

I had also heard that my nephew was in need of a warm hat too... pronto!  There was a request for black yarn and luckily I had some stashed away.  I used this easy Rugby hat pattern and whipped this hat up in a day.  Unfortunately it was too short, but nothing I couldn't fix.  I added another inch or so to the top and reattached the pom pom (which by the way, totally makes the hat!). The picture below is of Maria modeling it for me before I fixed it.  See, it doesn't quite cover her ears.

Then, there's my mother.  While we were on the road traveling, she sent us so many crocheted things... a vest for Maria, a sweater for Ginger, a necklace and basket for myself.  I owed her in the worst way and was thrilled to knit her up this shawl that had been in my ravelry queue forever.  I loved the pattern and it knit up incredibly fast.  Do you see the butterflies??

She's planning to wear it this winter while down in Tucson, AZ.  As far as I know, she loves it. :)

Before any knitting for my own family could be done though, I had a special request by a friend.  She needed some items made for Christmas gifts and I told her I'd help her out.

I made the honey cowl which, for me, was a pretty slow knit.  I think it took me a couple weeks to finish, but I really like the result.

and I also made the Eternity Scarf.  LOVED this pattern so much!  It's fast and it keeps your interest throughout.  My friend liked it so much that she's keeping it for herself.

I am SO going to make myself one!

Sorry for all you non-knitters out there for this 'boring' post.  Honestly though, it felt incredibly good to share some things with you that didn't involve two adults and two children riding for hours and hours in a big, honkin' truck.

Speaking of which, we have one last leg of our trip to share with you all.  It will cover Maine, Vermont, and Niagara Falls, but I'm finding it hard to go through the pictures and type it all up.  It feels so good to be settled (partially) that reliving it all again makes me tired.  And I'm really NOT trying to sound like a party pooper. :)

We have so much other good news to share that I can hardly contain myself!  But, before I do, I need to get that last post out of the way so that we can move forward.

I'll try to be back sooner than later.

I finally finished!

Yes!  I am done knitting Maria's birthday dress that was intended to be done over a month ago.  But as with any long project, one gets distracted... and bored.  Nonetheless, it's done, I love it, and I couldn't be more proud of myself for taking on and completing my biggest project yet.  I used the elvira pattern from my new favorite website, ravelry, but found myself stumped a few times in the beginning.  Fortunately the ladies from the local yarn store are smart enough to know what the heck was going on and kind enough to help.

I blocked it out on the patio table early this morning so that it would be dry by late afternoon.  That's one great thing about Arizona... things dry super fast!!  While it was drying, I went to Jo Anne fabrics and picked out some buttons.  You can't tell from the picture, but they're glass, lavender balls.

I modified the bottom just a tad to give it a more finished look than what the pattern called for.  I really like how it turned out too.

I've got roughly 400 yards of yarn left (I know!) so now I'm on the lookout for an easy shorts or bloomers pattern to wear underneath.

It did end up being a bit big around the neck and arms, but that only means she'll be able to wear it longer... possibly through next winter with a shirt and pants.

Just like any knitter, I've already got my next project planned... a sweater for little Ginny. :)

Maria may not appreciate all the hard work and love that went into making this special gift for her, but one day when she's older she will, and she'll be able to pass it on to her children.  Well, a mother can only hope, right?

My big news!!

Maybe some of you remember me stating in a past post that I was homesick and wanted to quickly 'hop on the next flight' to visit friends and family.  Well, the feeling eventually passed and I went on living our unconventional life.

Well, recently some good friends back home brought to my attention of a little shindig going on at the Clyde in Duluth that they knew I'd be interested in.  It was time for a much needed break and I was NOT going to miss the perfect opportunity to see all my girlfriends at the same event.  So, after a lot of planning, and waiting, and more waiting, I was finally able to book my flight.  I'm coming home!!  I'll only be gone for 4 days, but I have a feeling it's going to be jam packed with fun, cold beverages, visiting, laughing, and a couple other surprises. ;) 

In preparation for my trip, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to knit myself something special since the only thing I've knitted myself is a pair of slippers, in which I wear all the time.  I wanted something simple, easy, and mindless... all of which this kerchief was.

I did have a rough start and made a mistake at the end, but overall, I love it... especially the color.  From what I've heard though, spring hasn't yet sprung, but luckily most of my time will be spent indoors.

I also knit up a set of fingerless gloves. Yes, I know they don't match.  They'll be perfect for in the car when I'm driving my first ever rented vehicle.  I have to admit, I am a bit nervous about the whole trip... there is A LOT to be nervous about ;)

I've never had the experience of going home, so it's very exciting to me.  I suppose I feel 'special' in a way.  I bought myself a vintage, navy blue Samsonite suitcase for $5.99 at the Goodwill and I'm still trying to figure out what to pack.  I leave early Tuesday morning, so I guess I better get crackin'... er, I mean packin'.  I'll be bringing some knitting projects for on the plane and Scott's ipod so I don't have to get suckered into talking to the guy next to me.  Unfortunately though, my digital camera decided to stop working a few days ago and it's currently getting examined at a local camera shop.  They say it could take 2 to 3 weeks before I get it back... and it's not going to be cheap!  Thankfully I have 2 film cameras and our pocket sized Sony that we got for our wedding.

I'm hoping the girls will be good while I'm gone and that Scott will be able to handle everything without me here.  Because, well... I'm ALWAYS here and I haven't left little Ginger for more than one night.  I hope she doesn't cry too much.

It's likely that the week around this here blog is going to be pretty quiet... and quite possibly into next week too.  I hope you all have a great week and I'll be anticipating my return to tell you all about my trip.

Au revoir!!

Bittersweet

These past few weeks Maria has been waking up at the buttcrack of dawn, which then leads to Ginger getting up as well.  This has been a bittersweet change for me.  While I would love for them to sleep in till at least 7:00, this early rising has blessed me with all sorts of changes around this here trailer.  I am graced each morning with the sun rising over the neighbors bushes, I get an earlier start on my day, and the girls both end up napping by 10:30, which gives me time to sit outside before the sun gets too hot and enjoy some quiet knitting.  

The girls also get more time to play, color, swim, explore, and of course fight like all sisters do.  It also gives them more time to drive me nuts, but I'm trying to forget that part :)

Tomorrow is a special little 3 year old's 4th birthday.  We've been a bit perplexed about how to celebrate considering Scott works all day and won't be here to enjoy the festivities.  Instead, and perhaps this is the wrong approach, we're pretending it's on Thursday.  Maria won't know the difference, but there is that bit of quilt that's eating away at me.

We're planning to spend Thursday doing things that she enjoys... naturally, right?  A trip to the park and maybe the zoo.  An afternoon swim and a dinner feast, requested by her, of barbeque'd chicken, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.  Oh, and don't forget the chocolate cake with cool whip, caramel sauce, and a cherry on top.

We can't believe she'll be four!  She's becoming her own little person pushing her limits and developing her own interests and attitude.  I am beginning to realize that there are some things I can no longer control and I'm finding the need to let go and let her embrace her 'Maria-ness'.  I can't even begin to fathom that this girl would start school next year!

I had high hopes and perhaps too high of expectations to finish knitting a dress for her by her birthday.  With all that goes on around here, I found that the only time I could knit (and count stitches) was after they were in bed.  By that time I'm always too tired (from waking up at the buttcrack of dawn) and can only do four rows before I go cross eyed.

However, I am happy to say that it's about 50% finished and I will continue trudging along row by row, stitch by stitch until it's completed.  After all, it WILL be the cutest garment she owns. :)

I'll be back later this week with MORE exciting news.