Too Busy to Blog

When you go on vacation you have a list of all the things you will get done because you will have all this time on your hands. What happens to that time? Why do you still never seem to have enough?

I have been a busy little bee this week and a bit. When I got better I was talking to a friend that I don't see very often (sometimes only once a year) and we made plans to meet at her cottage. I was very excited and I wanted to take her a birthday present and also a present for her 10 month old baby.

I'm sure you can see where this is going. As a knitter I thought I would make something! Won't that be nice! So I had a week to start and finish 2 projects but hey....I'm on vacation so I have time.

Project #1 : ITV Digital Monkey. I found the pattern on Ravelry and thought how cute it was.

It is cute but.....there are many pieces.

I made changes to the mouth that were suggested by a few other people who made this monkey. I still wasn't completely happy with the shape of the mouth but overall the monkey is cute. But I don't think I will ever make one again.

I loved my Milkweed shawl so much and it was so fast I thought it would be perfect for my friend so....

Project #2 : Milkweed Shawl (x2)

I loved this one just as much as the one as I made for myself. Perhaps more because mine has not yet been blocked.

But wait there is still more.

Project #3 (yes I know): Leaves of Grass Scarf

When I was sick I didn't get the scarf finished in time for my friend's birthday. I hopefully will be seeing her tonight or this month sometime so no excuses. It is finished.

I have often thought I could use blocking wires but I never buy them for myself. I could have really used them for this project. I tried to keep the sides as straight as possible but it was a challenge and I think I put pins in, took them out and moved them at lease 3 times.

I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope my friend likes her gift because I was worried she might like a little brighter blue more but I think she will be happy.

I have a few things on my list now that are not knitting related and without a deadline I have no excuse to ignore my housework any longer.

Sick, Yuck

I haven't been blogging or doing much of anything lately because I have been sicker than I can remember being for a long time. I told my husband I almost wish it was the flu because at least you can tell when you are fixed because you stop being sick.

I have strep throat. YUCK! I haven't had this since I was going to school. It was so painful to talk and swallow a few days ago that I could cry. I had a fever of 100.9 F. I take my last antibiotic today and I'm still not completely better. I might have to go back to the doctor next week. But the last two days have been so much better than the days before. I think because I was trying so hard make it through my last few staff meetings for the year that I wasn't getting the rest I needed.

Friday I got home from work around 3 and slept on the couch until 5, then went to my bed for another hour. Then I had a bit of dinner (more than freezees and popcicles anyway) and fell asleep again on the couch. Then hubby suggested bed at 9:30 and I still slept all night until 6am and then napped on the couch until 7:30. I obviously wasn't getting the rest that I needed to heal.

But why is it that when the woman gets sick nothing gets done. No dishes get washed, nothing gets put away and the house might even fall apart. My Hubby might even starve because he has barely had more real food than I have.

Because I haven't got a lot of knitting done I didn't finish the scarf in time for my friend's birthday. I am getting close though. I can't wait to see it blocked.

But I needed something to work on during the end of the year staff meetings on Thursday and Friday and I couldn't work on her scarf in front of her so....I have a new project that I am in love with at the moment.

The Milkweed Shawl
I am using Dream in Color Starry. I fell in love with the colour (Punky Fuchsia) and had to make something with it and Milkweed is perfect. I am really enjoying it.

Baby baby!

I was cutting it close but the two baby surprise sweaters were finished just in time for the shower.

This one was very unisex because mommy and daddy are waiting for the worlds greatest surprise.

This one will be for a little girl with an incredible mom. I know she will be a lovely little girl because her mom is lovely.


And a quick pick of the two of them together.


The children in my class saw me wrapping them at lunch (I told you I was cutting it close) and the asked me about them. When I told them they were for two other teachers one of my kids asked "how are they going to fit them?" I guess I needed to be a little more clear. Some didn't notice that they were pregnant at all. They are so sweet.

The gifts were very well received and appreciated. Every baby needs at least one knit gift.

A time to rest

I am excited that the school year is winding down again. I always think I would like to keep my kids a little longer, like there is never enough time. But I am excited for rest.

I'm looking forward to Knit in Public day this Saturday (June 13th). Come by Pick Up Sticks!! I'm really looking forward to it. I will be able to work on my June deadline projects.

Monday is the baby shower for the two girls I work with. They are both due in September I believe so they will be off next school year so we are doing the shower before they go on leave.

So priority is finishing the second baby surprise jacket. One down, one to go!!

This is the progress on #2.

Of course Oscar has to get his nose in there to give his approval.

Then my next deadline is June 27th for my friends birthday. I need to have the Leaves of Grass scarf finished by then.

So...See ya Saturday???

Weekends

I love this time of year and the weekend! I look forward to weekends to just be out and chatting with the people in the neighbourhood.

The last few weekends we have all been out getting flower beds done, fixing lawnmowers, hanging screen doors. It is just such a friendly and relaxing place to be. We spontaneously BBQ, and help each other carry things, dig holes etc.

Sometimes it feels like our town is stuck in a time capsule (which I love). It reminds me of when I was growing up and you could ride your bike further than your parents could see you without having to worry. People smile and say hello as they walk their dogs ( everyone here has at least one dog it seems ).

This was last weekends gardening.





This weekend we found this cute little table and chairs.



Perfect for a cup of coffee, a glass of *insert beverage of choice here* and some chat with a friend or just some quiet knitting.

A little bit of knitting content. I have made the pattern designs that I have done for Pick Up Sticks available on the side bar. Please check them out if you are interested. Enjoy what's left of your weekend everyone.

Birthdays and Babies

I was making so much progress on the Brooke's Lace Shawl but had to put it aside to work on a few baby gifts and a birthday present.

This is the present for my friend at work. We both have June birthdays. She asked me to make her a blue scarf that was pretty open. So I thought the perfect pattern would be the Leaves of Grass Scarf by Sunflower Designs. And the yarn and the colour was a bit of a debate for me but in the end it was some more of that lovely Jojoland. Melody this time. Again from Pick Up Sticks.

When I finish this scarf then I will be starting another Baby Surprise Jacket (Jojoland Rhythm again--I loved the first one so much) for another girl at work.

Here is Oscar on the couch as part of our Sunday morning ritual. We cuddle on the couch, I knit, drink coffee and watch Coronation Street.

"Mommy come back to the couch, I don't have a lap to put my head on."

Spring In Socks

Size: woman's size 9 ( but the size can easily be changed by adding or removing stitches from the even sections between the pattern repeats)

Materials:

Indigo Moon (100% Merino Wool; 370 yrds/100g)

2.5 mm dpns

Stitch marker for the beginning of the round (optional)

Guage: 7 sts per inch in stockinette stitch



$5.00 USD