Shhhh.....

Don't tell anybody about what you are about to see!











I've been diligently working on my nephew's blanket and well, I messed up in a few places. The border is supposed to be all garter stitch and it looks as if my mind was in automatic and not really paying attention to what I was doing. So, I have a couple of places where the border is not right. I didn't notice until I had already knit about three or four rows passed the mistakes and I just didn't feel like frogging the knitting I had already done. I slept on the problem of how to fix this and realized that the "purls" look an awful lot like smocking. Hey, I can smock! So, I used some leftover thread and made my own "purls." While they aren't perfect, I think that most people would be hard pressed to know where I fixed my mistakes at.

What do y'all think?

Here's the completed blanket. Pattern here. I really like this blanket, but I'm not thrilled with the yarn that I used (Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton). I noticed that when I went to weave in the ends, the beginning edge had already started to pill! Ugh!!!

Here's a close-up of the cables. Just because I'm proud of those suckers!

Baby Stuff

Modern Cabled Baby Bib by gibsongirl (free Ravelry download)
I am so proud of this baby bib. I love sweaters and I've always looked at those intricately detailed cables on sweaters and envied the people who knit them. After all, don't they look soooo complicated? I'm sure that some patterns have really difficult cables but this bib is very simple and a perfect beginner cable project. The original size of the bib is 6"x 6", not including the cable around the neck, making this a drool bib. To make mine a little bigger and actual bib while feeding food size I cast on 40 stitches, making this bib about 8"x8". Made with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a pale yellow.

This is the Wrap Top from Claire Montgomerie's book Easy Baby Knits. 6-12 month size. Very simple and it really is an easy knit. This is made from Debbie Bliss's Cashmerino Aran in Denim. I finished it off with a dark red organza ribbon for the tie in the back. Underneath the sweater are two fabrics that I picked up at my LQS this week after my Dr. appt. Both are intended for dresses. Don't you think they'll go wonderfully? I just wish I could sew them up now!



This is my current WIP. A baby blanket intended for my new nephew. My SIL told me that she's thinking of doing the baby's room in browns, tans, and off-whites. Neutrals. So, I'm making this out of Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton in an ivory. I went with cotton for a couple of reasons:

• Reagan is due at the end of June! Hot, hot, hot.
• I would never give a gift to a new mom that required extra-special care. i.e. hand washing, laying flat to dry. She needs something that can be thrown in the washer and dryer.

The pattern? Luca - Cabled Baby Blanket by Arianna.

What do y'all think?

March Dishcloths and a WIP

Just to let y'all know: I'm not really feeling in the mood for trying to think of catchy titles. My brain is feeling a little over-taxed lately. Way too much drama going on around the neighborhood.

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First up, Gift of Time by Sue Schaefer for Harvest Moon Designs. Made up in a white, wonderfully soft cotton from Hobby Lobby. This yarn is part of Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Cotton" collection.

Princess Crown Dishcloth by Lindy. I used Sinfonia sport weight in pink - of course.

And finally, Daisy by Lindy. Reynolds Saucy in a bold yellow. The picture doesn't show the accurate color.

This is a pretty neat design. Hearts in a dark red wool. They are supposed to be felted and then sewn together and stuffed. I saw on Ravelry that someone had the great idea to stuff them with lavender and flax. I'm going to stuff mine with just lavender. They are really small and I think would make really nice sachets for dresser drawers.

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Isn't it funny how when you take a picture of yourself, you really get a good look at yourself? When I had Hannah take that picture of me the other day, I was so surprised! I mean, I feel big and Cody and the girls say I'm getting big, but when I look in the mirror, I don't look big to myself. I'm still on bed rest. The picture was taken on the way to this week's Dr. appt. After each appt., I usually get my MIL to take me to Hobby Lobby (for more yarn) or the quilt store ( like I need more fabric).

As for the little trick I played on y'all yesterday? I couldn't resist! I have had the same type of thing done to me before. When I was in labor with Hannah, the delivery nurse came in and was visiting and getting to know us a little. She asked what we were expecting - a girl. So, when Hannah was actually born, the nurse said, "Congratulations! It's a boy!" My mom said, "Oh No." Nurse, "I'm just kidding, April Fool's." Yes, Hannah was born on April 1St. In less than two weeks my baby will be 12. I loved her like crazy then, and I love her even more today.

It's A Boy!*

Hannah's horse, Mamma, had a colt Sat. evening. Hannah told me, "I'm a grannie!"

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*How many of y'all thought I'd gone into labor and had a little boy?

30 Weeks

I feel huge!

What Have I Been Doing?

First up, Colorwave Dishcloth by Sara Baldwin. I used Lily's Sugar and Cream (worsted weight) in Rainbow Bright. This makes a double layered cloth, I think it would be better used as a hot pad.

This is Lacey 4 Leaf Clover Dishcloth by Rachel van Schie. For this one and the next two, I used Reynold's Saucy in an evergreen color.

Shamrock Bobble Dishcloth by Kathleen Brundige

Knitted Shamrock Cloth by Rhonda K. White

Lacy Diamonds by Love 2 Knit Dishcloths. I used Reynold's Saucy in a sunny yellow.

Matinee Jacket by Claire Montgomerie from Easy Baby Knits. Technically, it's not really finished since I haven't added buttons. I'm counting it done. I used NaturallyCaron.com Spa (made from bamboo) in natural.

So, you may be wondering, what's up with the dishcloths? I don't know, there kind of like the equivalent of a fast, knit t-shirt. Easily done. Truthfully, they won't be used as dishcloths but rather, as washrags. They're going into the travel trailer with Cody (he's the only one that actually uses washrags, the girls and I use those scrubby thingy-ma-jigs).

I thing that I've learned that I don't like about knitting? Once you're finished with the knitting, you still have to sew the pieces together! Weave in the ends! Block! Oh well, it's something to do and I do enjoy it.

That it for finished projects during the month of February.

Some Days You Just Have To Laugh....

Thank you to Mary from SewFast, she nominated me for the Sisterhood Award and then said such a very nice thing about me, I've felt so good ever since I read it.

As always, here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

Life Happens Be Positive - now if that doesn't show the right attitude about life, I don't know what does.

Two On Two Off - a great (and prolific seamstress), I love what she's been sewing lately and eventually, she's going to talk herself into that embroidery machine

Jen's Sewing Blog - a (sort of) new blog that I enjoy. She made the cutest dress for her DD from a recycled men's dress shirt.

SEW MUCH TO SEW.....& CROCHET - like me, she's branching out into new territory with yarn

Sew Little Time... - she's starting a new chapter in her life and I wish her all the happiness in the world

Sew Random - a wonderful woman, I'd like to be like her when I grow up

Art of a Joyful Home - she always seems to be upbeat and cheerful

The Hem Line - a great lady with a great sense of humor

Creativity by Knitgirlll06 - she left a comment on a post to encourage me and well, isn't that what Sisterhood is all about?

Because I Said Sew - that's attitude for you and I like it

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I'm still here and I'm still in bed. My blood pressure goes up and down and I can't make heads or tails of why it does. I have been to the perinatologist twice now, and he seems to think that my high blood pressure is not related to my pregnancy but rather, that I've just developed it while pregnant (make sense?). Anyway, he said that I'd find out for sure at my 6 week post-partum checkup. I've been knitting like crazy, and spending way too much money on yarn (this is what happens when I'm bored). As for that fabric diet I committed to? Let's all pretend that I never mentioned it, okay? Let's just say that I've done more than my fair share of stimulating the economy.

The girls are doing good and they're finally through the withdrawal symptoms of not getting up and going somewhere everyday. Schoolwork is going fairly well, it's all been moved to my bedroom (I'm soooo thankful for WI-FI). The only problem we had, was that the girls would disappear and I couldn't get up and chase them down to finish their work. That was easily solved though. Every Monday, I print out a list of what they are supposed to do for that week. The new rule is that if it isn't done by Friday, they get to stay inside on Saturday (when all of their cousins are out of school) until they have done it all. Mean mommy!

My MIL has moved in with the girls and I to help and Cody has gone back to work. So, life continues.

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I want to thank each of you that has left kind words for me. They truly lifted my spirits and I can never tell y'all how very thankful that I am for my "sisters." God is Good, All the Time!