Goodbye 2011

2011 has been a year of change in our household. Blogging has taken a back seat. Hopefully, we will settle in a better routine and have a bit of time for crafting.
Have a safe New Year's Celebration!

A bit of knitting

I did it! I got some knitting done. Weaved in the ends on Christmas morning in time for pictures - a Santa hat for Casey.

Merry Christmas

Casey's first Christmas was bit overwhelming. He was not quite sure what all the fuss was about. It didn't help that no one got much sleep on the Eve. Casey was up every hour - "waiting for Santa to arrive".

Lots of "Sophie"s under the tree... He even got a new play mat and a Monkey that is bigger than he is.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtfulness. Wishing you all a peaceful night...

A new vacuum

We needed a vacuum. The old one works, but the canister handle is broken. It has been broken for a long time. I have been trying to justify the price of a Dyson, but just couldn't do it. We decided to get a cheaper vacuum and couldn't be happier! The sticker on the front even compares itself to a Dyson, too funny!

Why didn't we do this sooner, instead of struggling with a broken vacuum?!

Where has the year gone?

Oh how time flies... the last three months have passed in a blur... Casey is a bundle of joy. He loves to smile and keeps us on our toes.

This new mom has put knitting/crafting on hold for a bit. For the last three months sleep sounded better than picking up my knitting needles. I miss it! Hopefully I can squeeze some time in after the holidays.

Introducing...

The posts here have been few and far between. Not much knitting or crafting being done here this year. The main reason is the "WIP" that we have been working on. Introducing Casey...

Casey joined our family at the beginning of October. We have been adjusting slowly adjusting to this new addition to the family. He was 5 lbs and 5.52 oz and 19 inches at birth. At his first doctors appointment he had gained most of his weight back. He is such a tiny bundle of joy. We are blessed to have him in our family.

Little Birdies

Of course, we don't want to declutter... so in addition to the Cachoeira socks, I also started making these little birds. I was looking for something that I could make for small thank you gifts.

And here's some of them. I added little tabs at the top of the head for split rings. It also gives me a place to tie on my little thank you note. I started with an assortment pack of felt. The Mr. helped me cut out the pieces, then mixed and matched the wings and tail. Don't you just love how colorful they are? I just finished a second batch of birds. Stitching the eyes and beak takes the longest, but overall these little cuties are quick to make, assembly line style. Off to make more to be sure that I have enough... More felt please!

Baby Cacoon and hat

 Baby Cacoon - do we need one? Of course, so after a quick check on Ravelry, I found some chunky yarn in the stash and cast on the Laurel Love Cocoon. Yes, I know that it is not really baby colors, but I'm trying to use up what I have. The yarn,

Loops & Threads Charisma Basic Bulky,  was originally bought for hospice hats. It is 100% acrylic. I wasn't sure if one skein would be enough to complete the project, so I started with the solid Charcoal colorway and completed it with Ashes.

I used the small amount of Ashes leftover, to cast on this Trendy Baby Hat and finished it off in in Charcoal.

Yay for bulky yarn, these projects were quick and easy.

Cachoeira - DONE!

Hello World! - It's been awhile, but here I am with my finished socks. Cachoeira is DONE! Yes, it took just about a month. I had trouble with the second side, and think I ripped out more than I knit, but they are beautiful, don't you think? I adore the way the ribbing flows down the sides, bordering the lace panel in the center.

This pair will go into the gift box because, as much as I love them, they are a teensy bit too big for me. I knew this would happen when I casted on 64 stitches. I usually start with 54 or 56 on US0 needles. But it's okay, soon someone else's toes will be warm and cozy.

I think I need to do the math and cast on another pair for myself!

Cachoeira socks - WIP

I should be decluttering, but what did I do over the holiday weekend? I cast on a pair of socks, of course. I started Cachoeira from the Spring 2009 issue of Knitty with Knit Picks Essential in Pine.

The actual color is just a bit darker green than this pictures shows.

Gansey booties - DONE!

Using the leftovers from the mystery yarn on my Greenbriar hat, I managed to knit these gansey booties. I extended the cuffs a bit longer than the pattern called.

A quick knit and great way to use those random bits that sitting around.

Another Greenbriar hat... in tan DONE!

I finished this hat awhile back, but just got a photo of it. Wouldn't you know that there are no notes on the yarn?! I know that the brown swirls are Cascade 220, but not quite sure what the main color is, some kind of acrylic in an oatmeal tweed.

Finally something to add to the hospice package!

River Rapids Socks - DONE!

I didn't have to wait long for the yarn to finish my socks. A day after I said that I would wait by my mailbox, the package arrived (Thank you, Vicki!). I love ravelry! So after finishing up the market bag, it's back to work on the socks. Luckily it is a simple pattern, easy to pick up again. It's been finished for nearly a week now, but I finally got some photos.

Now what should I do with the 1/2 skein that I have left?

Needlepoint - Hibicus - DONE!

Here's a pic of the needlepoint coin case that I was working on. I has been done for awhile, but I've been looking for some fabric to line the inside. Still haven't found the fabric, but I will keep looking.

In the mail...

Earlier this year, I answered a survery for a local craft store. And won a box of scrapbook supplies. It's a wonderful assortment, including a scissors set. I'm looking forward to trying some new (to me) embellishments in my projects. Thanks Ben Franklin Crafts Hawaii!

Daisy Market Bag

While waiting for the yarn to finish my socks, I cast on a Daisy Market Bag. I found a cone of Peaches and Creme cotton yarn in my stash and thought the bright yellow would be perfect for a market bag. I decided to use the modifications posted by Woolwinder on Ravelry and love the way it turned out. It is a quick knit - I think I'm going to cast on another one as written.

Leonard's Bakery - Kapahulu

It's been awhile, but I've been craving some Leonard's malasadas. You know from the bakery in Kapahulu...

As usual the parking lot was full, but I was able to sqeeze into a parking space not too far away. And as usual there is a line. Apparently it is a stop for tour buses, so there are benches outside where you can sit and enjoy your malasadas and coffee (if you can a find a seat).

 In addition to the usual assortment of bakery goods, there are all sorts of wearable items with the Leonard's logo on them for sale. But really, I was there for the malasadas! Fresh from the fryer - yummy!

River Rapid Socks update

I couldn't find a coordinating color to finish the toes for my Rapid River Socks. Ravelry to the rescue! I found someone with one skein of the same dye lot who was willing to part with it. It's on the way to Honolulu!

Meanwhile I'm well on my way of the second sock. Turned the heel and just about finished the gusset decreases. Now to wait patiently by the mailbox until the yarn arrives.

River Rapids Socks

 I had yarn left over from my 2010 TTL Mystery socks. It is Knit Picks Essential in Duchess Heather. I decided to use it to cast on some River Rapids Socks. It was a free pattern, but the blog no longer exists, so I'm not sure how much longer the pattern will be available.

Anyway, I cast on knit happily along, but realized I will not have enough yarn to complete the foot. I think I will be able to make just past the gusset decreases. I'm not ripping it out. Yes, I knew there was only two partial balls when I cast on. No, I'm not ripping it out. I'll just use the second ball to cast on the second sock. Hmmm, what color should I use for the rest of the foot?

Feather and Fan Scarf

 Someone asked for knitting lessons, so I taught her how to do a garter stitch washcloth. She called and was ready to move on to something else with some practice on how to read a pattern. We decided on a feather and fan scarf. After quick search of ravelry, I found this pattern. 

I decided to cast on to work along side her. So with a big ball of Vanna's choice I ended up with this. I worked the pattern as instructed until I ran out of yarn.

Yay! I'm moving out of my crafting slump.

Hoping to get back on track...

Hello world! Another month has gone by and I have not much crafting to show for it. I did make time to work on a scrapbook of our last trip to Vegas. Just a bit of journaling and it will be done. I worked on a Greenbriar hat in tan/brown (I'll post after I get a photo)... and surprise, surprise, the urge to pick up my needle for cross stitch has returned.

I'm working on a Dimensions kit, What Lies Within Us, designed by Jodi Bergsma. Birds, of course. Haven't got very far, yet, but it is a start...

I'm still here...

has it really been almost a month since I last posted? Well, there really isn't crafting much to report on this end. But I did want to tell you about a project that I am supporting.

Have you heard about Socks for Japan? It is a wonderful grass roots project to deliver socks to the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami survivors. We are sending a small box each package with short note. I was looking for wool socks, but it's hard to find here, so we're sending some cotton works socks. Here's a picture of them packaged with their notes tucked in.

If you are looking for another way to support the people of Japan, check out the website. You can learn why Mr. Kelly is collecting socks, how to send them and how they are being delivered. I am impressed at how organized this effort seems. There have been donations from all over the world.

Go ahead, click the link and read about this amazing effort. And if you have time, stop and read the blog posts about the deliveries to Kitaibaraki, Iwaki and Miyagi.

Mitss - DONE!

I don't know why it took me so long to knit the thumbs on these mitts! Once I started, it took less than 30 minutes. May I present the Celtic Moonrise Mitts...

These really were a quick knit, when I actually worked on them. I got to practice knitting without a cable needle. I think I'm getting the hang of it.

I did three pattern repeats, leaving the space for the thumb in the second repeat. I think I would follow the modifications for a gusset thumb, if I were to knit this again.

Anyway, they will be sent on their way to the Pacific Northwest soon!

Mitts

These mitts are almost done. I cast off the main part of the mitts last night and have just the thumbs left. See the blue yarn? I need to pick up those live stitches and knit the thumbs. Gee, by the time these are done, Spring will be here!

Needlepoint - hibiscus

Remember my trift store find? I've made some progress on it. Just a little, see...one flower and two leaves done. These preprinted canvases require some judgement calls on color placement. It's taking longer than I thought because I work on it only about 10 minutes at sitting.

Cables, again!?!

I used the leftover Patons Classic Wool to make another hat. A Cabled Hat, except that I did the second twist the wrong way and the cable has a different look than the pattern. Oh well, still functional.

A warm, quick knit! Three down...

Celtic Moonrise Mittens - YOSS February

It's time to cast on February's Year of Stash Sock KAL. I chose Celtic Moonrise Mittens by Rhiannon Donn. It is a free pattern on Ravelry. Since there are cables, I'm using Cascade 220 in Straw to match the St. Brigid's Carnamoyle Stockings.

I decided to use 2 circs (US5) and knit both mittens at the same time. It's a bit fiddly, but at least they will be same size.

Turn A Square - DONE!

Yay! I cast off my Turn A Square Hat this week and weaved in the ends last night. Here's a photo of it folded in fourths. My gauge was off, so it's a bit roomier that I expected, but it is 100% wool, so will be very cozy for the wearer. The orange is Cascade 220 leftover from my giraffe, the gray is Patons Classic wool, my impulse sale puchase on our last trip.

I think there will more of this hat to use up leftovers.

Into the the hat pile it goes... That's two knit for this quarter... 8 more to go!

Turn a Square

I'm trying to keep up with my hat knitting goal... And failing miserably, right now. Only one hat in the hospice pile...So here is my start to the Turn a Square cap designed by Jared Flood. It's a free Ravelry download or you can get it at Knitting Daily.

Have you seen this cap around? This pattern is really popular on Ravelry and it's been on my list for awhile. I don't have any worsted scraps of variegated yarn for the striping, but I do have some leftover orange from my giraffe.
What do you think - does it look too much like Halloween?

Trift store find - Needlepoint.

I popped into a thrift store and found this bag hidded among some crochet thread. Haven't done needlepoint in awhile,couldn't resist taking it home with me. Did you see the price sticker? Of course it is coming home with me!

The previous owner started on section orange (see it on the bottom?). All the threads were in the package and it didn't seem too tangled. It should be a fairly easy stitch project to complete.

Mystery Dishcloth

While browsing Ravelry (you did join, right?), I found a Mystery Dishcloth SAL. Each day, a few lines of the pattern is posted and at the end of 5 days, you'll have a completed dishcloth. If you keep up, that is. Of course, I found it after the Mystery was revealed. So I found a ball of Peaches and Creme and cast on.

Here's the finished product. A lovely pattern, full of waves (that I only had to rip out once for not paying attention). Ready for use.

cross stitch SAL

I'm trying to find my stitching mojo... it seems to be hiding in all of my yarn projects. Since this seems to be year to join SALs (stitch-a-longs), I joined the one at the San-Man Original board. It started on January 15th, so I'm a little behind. Just pulled out the supplies last night. I'm using some 18 ct. Rustico. Ready, set, go...

St. Brigid's Carnamoyle Stockings - DONE

St. Brigid's Carnamoyle Stockings are done and ready to be mailed.

They count towards my Sock Stash knitdown, to which I have pledged to knit at least 6 pairs of socks from my stash in 2011. A quick knit since it is done in worsted weight.

I managed to squeeze out the pair from one skein of Cascade 220. There are only 3 cable repeats and 15 seed stitch repeats on the foot. It is just tad big for a US6.5 sized foot. Any larger and you will need the second skein. "Cozy toe-sies" coming right up.

What shall I cast on next?

Year of Stash Socks

As part of my resolutions, I plan to use stash yarn, so I joined the Year of Stash Sock group on Ravelry. Trust the wonderful Ravelry users to find great patterns. One of the January selections is St. Brigid's Carnamoyle Stockings. It is a worsted weight sock. I'm using up some Cascade 220 Heathers in Straw. Knitting on size 4 dpns with worsted weight makes these go quickly.

One side done and a short way down the second sock. I hope to get this done quickly and mailed out to some cold feet in the Pacific Northwest.

Hey momma are you reading this? Is it long enough?

One hat done!

 Off to a slow start on my resolutions. One hat done. This is Halley's Comet. My third time knitting this pattern. Usually it is a quick knit, done top down. Once again, I used one skein of Ella Rae Latte, but this time the skein seemed a little short. I ripped the last few rows out a couple of times to get the most use out of the yardage. I'm loving the color...

Congratulations to AmyJo, the brave soul who posted her resolutions. Watch for my email, so I can get your package mailed out. Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with me!

More food in Vegas

Would you believe that we didn't stop at In-n-Out Burger on this trip!?! But no worries, we ate out share of burgers at other places.
 Hash House a go go at the M Hotel. Actually this was not a planned stop, we were going to eat at Studio B buffet, but the line was incredibly long. So long, it looked like a line for Disneyland and the wait was over an hour.

It's a good thing that Hash House a go go opened recently.  In the front is the Mushroom and Swiss burger and behind it is the Kokomo (meatloaf sandwich), with a salad.

 We also had burgers at the newly opened Holsteins in the Cosmopolitan. A classic burger on the left and the bbq burger with brisket on the right. (They both had fancy names, but I can't remember what they were). Delicious!

There were a few other dining adventures, like Metro Pizza, the Cupcakery and  The Cafe at Monte Carlo. But for this trip, that's all folks!