Out of the loop

Literally....

My digital camera bit the dust (well, I think a certain little someone dropped it or maybe that was me??) I have sent it to the camera hospital and hope the damage can be undone.

How wierd is it that I am addicted to my digital camera? I think I used it everyday. Now that it is sick at the camera hospital, you would think I have more time to knit.

I have taken some "old-fashioned" pictures with my other (very nice) camera but now must go get pictures developed...

Spring Break was hectic! I took the kidlings to Pasadena to enjoy Kidspace Museum. Very cool and contemporary. We got a little lost along the way and I got stuck on the 110. The 110 freeway in Pasadena is like the original LA freeway because the on and off ramps have stop signs. You can be going 70 mph on the freeway and then when you get off you have to slam on your brakes. Then when you turn around (because you are lost) the on ramp has a stop sign. While you are sitting watching cars wizz past you, you ponder whether your mini-van will be able to do this. The kidlings are oblivious to the danger because they are singing along to "Lady and the Tramp" and talking about puppies. When you see an opening in the traffic, you floor it and hope and pray... How do people do this everyday??? Are there tons of accidents??

We also went camping. Overnight camping. In a tent. No portable stove. With three children and a dog. Enough said. It actually was fun except that we should have brought lots more blankets and maybe an extra flashlight...

We ended the week on the extreme other "roughing it" end and stayed with some friends in their Laguna Beach house. It is built on a cliff overlooking the ocean. We looked at tidepools on the beach. We saw dolphins and seals swimming by. The sunset was gorgeous!

Of course, if I had my camera, you would be able to see what I was talking about...

Moral of the story: Don't give me anything mechanical and expensive because I will probably just break it.

Yellow means Spring

This is my first rose of the year!

I love the idea behind Project Spectrum because it is really forcing me to look for colors that I don't ordinarily like or are am drawn too. This month's colors are orange and yellow.



Daisy's special $1 collar.

P.S. I have been knitting and crocheting, just nothing finished so I don't have anything to show right now.

My first socks

Well, driving to Vegas can be a little boring. This is what you get to look at for about 4 and 1/2 hours.










Here's what you can make while talking to your hubby about his convention stuff. I stopped by Gail Knits in Vegas and they were kind enough to show me the Kitchener stitch. That was one that I could not figure out on my own. I also joined a new KAL called Project Spectrum where we get to play around with different colors each month.

Red socks
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Fuzzy hat

Another item from Kid's Knitted Hats. This one is too small for any of my kids so I will probably donate it. Made with Lion Brand Fun Fur and Cotton-ease. I especially like the tassel on top.

Redecorating

Just a note to let you know I am "redecorating" my blog and my links and ring codes will be up again shortly....

Bribery

LOLLIPOP
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Okay, I will admit, I use bribery too much. Maybe I'm teaching my children the ability to negotiate. Maybe I'm just fooling myself. Sometimes I am just not in control. The powers of motherhood are nothing compared to sugar.

This is my latest creation. I will name it after it's ability to coerce a wiggly child to sit still for half a second so that I can snap a picture.

I give you, The Lollipop sweater.

Stash busting at its finest. Lion Brand Jiffy yarn that is maybe at least ten years old. Isn't it nice that yarn does not expire?

Granny fun

I like to make granny squares. I think they get a bad rap. They are easy and quick.

I wanted to make some 12 inch squares for the Crochet Dude and his favorite charity,Heartmade Blessing. Going thru the "ol' scrap" bag, I decided to blend different variegated yarns to see what happened. I REALLY like the results. I think it gives inexpensive yarns like Red Heart, Caron etc a handpainted look... My best results came from yarns that looked totally different from each other. I recommend trying it..

Back from Camp

Just a quick note to let my family know Sarah and I returned home safe and sound. Maybe a little bit muddy and tired, but had a great time.



I am so glad I made this set for Sarah before we left. It was so cold! Especially to us thin-skinned Southern California people. We went to a family ranch camp called Lazy J with her Camp Fire girl group. I used leftover Wool-ease from the Knitting Olympics project #2 and it turned out okay. The mittens were too large, but that was my mistake not the pattern.

Patterns are located here and here.

Down to the wire

sweater2
Originally uploaded by slichly.

I did not think I was going to finish but I made it!

Knitting Olympic GOLD!!

Crochet Olympics Gold Medal

Yeah! I finished it (except for buttons but that will have to come later)

I learned a lot from this little sweater. Mainly that I had forgotten that I don't like to crochet garments. I like crochet for the textural interest and it just doesn't work for me in making sweaters. I will have to stick to knitting them.

Maybe it was just this pattern which you can get here: Bernat Pretty in Pink

B-day party

Just a few pics from the big party this weekend that almost got rained out...

Another Olympic update

More progress on

Crochet (finished back, front sides, sleeves, collar and trim):



Knitting (started sweater #2)

Cool site

Also, found this super cool site today

The Envelope Collective

Olympic progress

Just a quick update...

Finished Knit Sweater #1 (Just need to weave in ends)


Making progress on Crochet sweater. The stitch pattern is too tight for my liking and it tends to twist too much..

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day.. even if it just another reason to get flowers.

My hubby always comes through. (He did forget my birthday one year and I guess he'll just be making up for it the rest of his life .. just kidding .. )

Happy Birthday!

My beloved, you are three today! You have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible. You are no longer a baby but you will always be my baby. My baby girl.

The United States will always celebrate your birthday with you because you just happen to share Abraham Lincoln's birthday. He was an important leader from long ago. You are the future.

More news from afar

John's granddad is quite the world traveler. He has been sending us the coolest postcards. Between postcrossing and him, we are having the best geography lesson!

Thanks Gene, safe trip home!

Day 1 , KO and CO

Here's my progress during the Opening ceremonies. What was up with the disco music while the athletes were entering? Did anyone figure that out?

Knitting:


Crochet:


and a close-up


UGH! Now I know my biggest challenge is going to be weaving in all those ends...

Sarah makes the news!

Opened up our local paper's website today and saw my pumpkin on the front page of their website! Don't know how long this picture will be up there but if you would like to see please click the link below.

Press-Telegram

Crochet Olympics

Okay, I'm a sucker for being put under pressure, but I always seem to do better if I have a deadline. Soooo, I signed up for the Crochet Olympics too. I am going to make a baby jacket from a Bernat pattern book I have.

Crochet Olympics