Summer is almost here

Final grades should be posted this week. Summer plans are coming together and as I continue on my photo a day quest, I captured something very elusive... My son's full smile...

Playing around with more squares....

Color experiment progress

I was very inspired by another design by Woolly Thoughts called Double Vision. The object is to take 10 different colored yarn and using two strands see how many color combinations you can create. The original design has black borders around each square and I eliminated that. I made strips instead of squares. Also, I only made about ten rows of each "color" because I was afraid I was going to run out of yarn. I am intriqued by some of their other designs regarding mathematical knitting. My hubby told me this is his favorite thing I have ever made with yarn. I said "Ever?" He said "EVER".

I think this still needs a border... Any suggestions?

Granny squares continued

More stash busting...

Happy Mother's Day!

Handmade gifts are the best!

Contest entry

I couldn't resist the chance to possibly win a gift certificate to Alamitos Bay Yarn Co. They are having a contest for items to take to the LA Dodger Stitch N Pitch Night. I used the Baby Boy 5 hour Sweater pattern and eliminated the garter ridge row. I added the logo with duplicate stitch. Baseball buttons come from Joann Fabrics.

I am crossing my fingers! :)

Not much crafting getting done...

I should change the name of my blog to something else, since I have not been knitting very much. When I have time, I have been crocheting, though. Finished a baby blanket for the girl who cuts my hair.... Looking forward to summer....

Amigurumi

I think this is Japanese for "small stuffed toy". Not sure...

They are fun to make though.


This one is going to Operation Kids.

GoodSearch

I have been using this for a while and it works great.

There's a new easy way to raise money for your favorite cause. Just start using GoodSearch.com as your search engine and online shopping mall. Every time you search the Internet or make an online purchase at one of their partner merchants, GoodSearch makes a donation to your favorite nonprofit or school and it's powered by Yahoo! so you get great search results!

I chose Stitches from the Heart as my charity...

100 degrees in April

The small heat wave we are having is not making me feel much better from the dreaded sinus problems. Luckily we bought the last kiddie pool from my local Mart store and it cooled everybody's feet at least.

Another completed afghan

I have too many scraps. I didn't think that was possible but I thought this blanket would use up much more of my stash. Still like the way it came out though. It will belong to Tiger. Should name it the "2008 Spring Break Afghan" since that's when I finished all the squares.

Legwarmers

These took me much longer to complete than I thought they would. Sarah had asked for some legwarmers for Ballet class back in January. I think they were just a little boring to knit. Added some string elastic to the top rib so that they would stop falling down her thin legs. Hopefully, she will be able to continue using them as she grows.

My pack

Spring Break is over. The kids have gone back to school. Now the work really begins.

Art field trip: Palos Verdes

Journeyed to the Wearable Art exhibition at the Palos Verdes Art Center. Amazing work! There were no photos allowed inside but the exhibit was stunning! So I took a picture of the brochure.

Rio

The Easter Bunny brought more than jelly beans and chocolate eggs this year....

I (heart) granny squares

A work in progress... Something to distract me when my mind needs a break from studying...

Tonight I have an Exam on the Nervous System. The ENTIRE Nervous system. How do nerves fire messages to each other? What does your hypothalamus do? What is the chemical structure of dopamine/norepinephrine/epinephrine and what diseases are associated with them? Does your parasympathic nervous system release digestive enzymes when stimulated? Define flacid paralysis. What nerve plexus does your pudendal nerve run through and what does it control? How does your brain register pain?

Let me tell you, my brain registers pain.. lots of it...

Happy St Patty's Day!

Pattern can be found here.

Yarn Store field trip - Liscat

I have been awaiting the arrival of the newest yarn store in my area, Liscat over in Lakewood Village shopping area. Catrina is the owner and she is very nice and down to earth. Her new space is amazing! So colorful and energizing! It was kind of torture to only be able to visit for 30 minutes. I can't wait to see what classes and meet-ups will happen there. I think my resolution to not buy any yarn this year is going to crumble... Here's some more pics in case you want to venture in.

Cleaning Day

Sunday is catch-up day for our family. Sarah has to clean the guinea pig hutch every week. Snowball enjoys the escape time.

Spring - my favorite season

I really love Spring!

Day 12/366

Trying to keep you resolutions is hard! Another finished baby blanket that seems to glow in the dark using Caron Simply Soft Brites. My hubby says its "whimsical". I think that's code for "Some baby is going to need sunglasses to look at this."

Cross My Heart

Finished another square for the 12 in crochet along on Ravelry.
Pattern is Cross My Heart

Happy Leap Day!

Day 10/366
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Dakota leaps for Leap Day

Haekelbeutel Purse

Day 8/366 haekelbeutel
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Another FO

Done for a crochet along on Ravelry. Needs to be blocked and lined. Used misc. Noro Kureyon with no labels so don't know the shades.

Day 7/366

Day 7/366
Originally uploaded by slichly.

I have an exam on this material TONIGHT!!! I cannot believe how complicated the human body is. Amazing! But so complicated that I think my head is going to explode.

Plus Paige keeps coming up to me and asking/saying various things, "Mommy, can I go outside and play? Mommy, can I have a cookie? Mommy, Dakota is throwing up on the grass. Mommy, will you please untie this knot? Mommy, I want paint my fingernails. Mommy, how does God make the clouds? Mommy, um, Mommy, umm, .... never mind, I forgot"

Getting Ready for Camp Hi Hill

Another FO:

Sarah's hat to keep her cute ears warm.

Race on the Base

Day 4/366
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Ok, I definitely am not good at self portraits but I was so happy about going on this walk that I had to record it. My buddies, Betty and Theresa were a great support team. The Race on the Base was cool because we walked all over the Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos flight runways. There were military vehicles along the course and of course, music to keep you motivated. There was also a 10K and 5K run, a 1K kid run, an in-line skate race and a wheelchair race. We raised money for the Cancer Foundation.

I walked the 5K with a new personal best: 15.4 min./mile!

Thinking of ideas

Day 3/366
Originally uploaded by slichly.

My mom gave me some yarn for a project idea I have lurking in the back of my mind. Technically, I did not buy it so I have not broken my resolution! I do need to give her something in trade though.. :)

Excitement/Inspiration

I have been wanting to visit my mom's knitting guild for some time, El Segundo Slipt Stitchers. Well, yesterday, I actually got to go to a meeting and I joined the Guild! It is filled with lots of different members and their projects and ideas are so inspiring! They were all very nice and welcoming! Hopefully, next month I will get to go the workshop by Joyce Renee Wyatt

After the meeting, we visited the South Bay Quilter's Guild Show. There were some amazing pieces of work.

Looking for color ideas, here are some of my favorites

Turning 5

It seems like we celebrated Paige's birthday over the entire weekend. Mom is pooped! :)

Some highlights:

Wacky Bear (like Build-a-Bear)


Legoland



American Girl Place

Ellis Island Shawl

ellisshawl 002
Originally uploaded by slichly.

You cannot beat crochet for quickness. Maybe because that is what I learned first (when I was little girl) Who knows?

Sarah needed a shawl for a school project. All the students dress up like they are immigrants coming through Ellis Island. Then teachers and parents set up stations for them to be "checked in". Of course, this shawl is probably not "steerage immigrant" enough but with a fabric draped over her head, it will work.

Used up more yarn from my stash! I have not bought any yarn yet this year! Yeah! I kept my New Year's resolution at least until February! :)

Warm and Cozy

3panel
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Finished a stash busting afghan for John. Used up a lot of my Lion brand Homespun. Since it is all in single crochet , this blanket will keep us very warm! :)

Pattern can be found on Lion Brand Website here: Three-Panel Afghan

Red Granny blanket

redgranny 001
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Posted this on Ravelry already but wanted to share it here. Squares are "joined as you go" by making one square and then joining all following squares during the last round. Part of my destashing effort.

Made with Red Heart Strata in Confetti and Caron Wintuk in Carmen.

Favorites for a gloomy,rainy day

1. Bingo Squares, 2. FANtastic Scarf - Crochet, 3. Picture 060, 4. granny sekskant, 5. Modern Quilt Wrap_01, 6. CrocChetQuilt, 7. IMG_2465, 8. Pinwheel back, 9. hexagon close, 10. Silk Garden Mitred Square, colour 228, 11. Lizard Ridge, 12. IMG_1980b, 13. felt necklace - finished!, 14. Original colors, 15. Christmas elves, 16. Easter 2007 variations on a theme

Warshrag

ballband
Originally uploaded by slichly.

I guess some of my southern heritage can shine thru a little bit..

Pattern: Ballband dishcloth, Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Aunt Lydia's Denim Quick Crochet in Oxford and Rose.

It states in the pattern that a dishcloth is not a dishcloth until it has actually washed a dish.

Do you think this will make me want to clean up more? :)

Square 1

So in order to keep my creative juices flowing, I joined a crochet-along that is on Crafster and on Ravelry. 12 inch squares. One per month. Shouldn't be too hard, right? Here' the one for January:

Pattern can be found here: Dreamcatcher

PS: Got into Physiology so I hope my brain does not turn to mush :)

Ravelry

Woo hoo! My membership into Ravelry went thru today! If you are a member, please look for me. My ID is: knitlich.

Camp Fire Candy

Although I haven't talked about it in this blog, Camp Fire USA has been a part of my family for quite some time. I was a Camp Fire girl for several years (a bluebird, too) and Sarah has been in Camp Fire for the last 4 years. Paige will start next year when she is in kindergarten. I am the Co-Leader for Sarah's group because I believe that Camp Fire is important for today's children. Without getting too mushy, I feel attached to this organization because of the values it represents. In the last 4 years, Sarah and I have camped together many times, gone hiking, made crafts, walked in numerous parades, sang songs, but the two major things I love about Camp Fire the most is the environmental education and community service. We have cleaned up beaches and parks and campsites. We studied the stars and went to a planetarium. We started a compost bin in our backyard and learned what will recycle and what will not. How often do kids get to make fires and use hachets and whittle with pocketknifes? Most kids today do not even know how to light a match... Why should they when they have a fancy lighter/candle starter thingie? We have crafted blankets and pillows for homeless children. We have collected hygiene products for the women's shelter. We have sung songs and played games with patients in a nursing home. We have made valentines and personally delivered them to the local VA hospital patients. Sarah is learning how to be a volunteer. When she is an adult, her community will need people like her.

I have seen Sarah mature and grow confident in her skills. Her progression towards adulthood and womanhood will include the belief that she is capable of taking care of herself. Maybe I am more of a feminist than I am willing to announce but girls need to know that they can do it themselves and should not rely on someone else to take care of them.

Now that I have gotten off my soapbox, I will announce that the ONLY fundraiser that she does for this organization is to sell candy. Lots and lots of candy. Now, you may be thinking, this is a horrible time of year to try and sell candy especially since most people resolve to lose weight and become more healthy. That is all in good and I would never want to sway someone to breach healthful living.

The candy is only $5 per box and makes a great gift. Friends, family, neighbors, clients, customers, and employees always like a little pick me up. Where else can you get a Valentine's Day gift so affordably? There are 4 choices: Almond Roca (the original), Mint Patties, Almond Caramel Clusters and P'nuttles (toffee peanuts).

For those who still do not want candy but wish to support the organization, you can buy a box of candy and our Council is arranging for donated boxes of candy to be delivered to Marines returning from Iraq at Camp Pendleton just South of here. So by donating just $5, you are helping two causes: lifting the spirits and showing appreciation to our troops and helping a young girl reach her goals as well as building confidence.

Even if you don't buy candy from Sarah, I hope that you will pause whenever you see a Camp Fire girl or boy or even a Girl Scout or Boy Scout selling in front of a store and help contribute to their goals by buying whatever they are selling.

Paige's cardigan

pinkcardi1108 006
Originally uploaded by slichly.

I was so ready to make something after my finals were up. I saw this sweater in my mom's KnitSimple magazine and knew I had to make it. It is worked side to side from cuff to cuff. That is how you get the vertical stripes. I love the colors that Red Heart comes up with, I just wish their yarn was softer. Of course, you can't beat it's durability for a kid's sweater. Click on picture for pattern and yarn details.

Happy New Years Graphics provided by MySpaceGraphicsandAnimations.com

Merry Christmas!

Sarah's school sweater

sbluecarcoat 004
Originally uploaded by slichly.

I finished her sweater for school a few weeks ago but I have been so consumed by finals this week that I didn't get around to taking a picture. Click on photo for pattern and yarn info.

The Mom Song

Beach Old Boys

A teammate of John's made a website for his men's soccer team.

Check them out at Beach Old Boys.

Halloween is in the air.....

We carved some pumpkins. I guess you could say this is my current creative endeavor.
John is such a good sport... He got into the spirit for the elementary school Halloween carnival. He's a "Red Devil" for Manchester United..

oct2707 001
Originally uploaded by slichly.

We were invited to join some friends at a special night of trick or treating at the Disney park, California Adventure. Surprise, surprise, we had Ariel, the Little Mermaid in our midst. The girls had a blast!

I am a Dove fan