I'm alive and well

I did have a cold last week but we all get better just in time for Halloween. We didn't do much decorating like we have done in past years. I totally forgot to take picks of the kids. Jade was a with and Corbin was well something kind of scary. He was going to be a a cowboy but changes his mind at the last minute.

The week before that we went camping south of Wichita It was a bit cold at night but kind of nice to get warm by a fire with s'mores and a hot cup of cocoa. We did lots of cooking over the fire and baking potatoes in the coals. The night sky was brilliant where we camped and we some shooting stars.

I've been busy getting all my wips wipped. I finally finished dear hubby's Gryfindor scarf. It make him look courageous don't you think ?



Specs:
free pattern on atypically.knit
Plymouth Encore Yarn
16" size 8 needles

This never ending scarf was not enough for me as I plan to cast on a Ravenclaw one for my son. I will cast on 70 sts instead of 90sts. So hopefully it won't take so long. I need to get a bit more yarn so I can make hubby a matching hat.

I finished sweater for me:



This is an adapted Suzanne Sweater from Cool Crochet by Melissa Leapman. It called for a hood and I made it a scooped neck cardigan instead by shaping the neck while I shaped the arm holes. I need to get some better pics and a close up if the buttons which are silvery look with a celtic design.

I used double crochet post stitch for edging around the neck and the bottom of the sweater. Then I did a crab stitch to finish it off and on the sleeves. I used about 8 skeins of Cascade Heathers and an H hook.

I ordered some yarn because dear daughter wants a cardigan like it. I got some yarn for me make another cardigan too. I don't have hardly any sweaters. So I am spoiling myself this winter.

I'd like to make a promise that I will post more often this month but I'm also trying not to spend so much time online. So we shall see.

I've been swallowed up by Ravelry

What is Ravelry you ask? It's yarn smack! I happily click, click through projects and forums and people. The more I do it the more I want to do. The simple answer Ravelry is an online community where you can organize your yarn stash, finished projects, works in progress and queue up projects you want to do someday. And more, much much more.

Right now you have to get on a waiting list to get it in. It's worth the wait, I'm just sayin.' Come on check it out you know you want to. Ravelry is here

In other news I've got some work done on my Susanne sweater I am working on from Cool Crochet. I'm at a loss with the Autumn Romance Pullover from the Fall 2007 Interweave crochet. I'm either very confused or the pattern is just wrong.

We splurged on costumes for the kids so I don't have anything to sew or make. Jade will be a Witch and Corbin will be a Cowboy, very traditional this year:)

I'm not sure what I will be but I will be wearing my Hallowi, a free patten on Knitty.


I think this looks better on my son.


Remeber that freeform doll blanket that I have been working on since forever? It's done!


I'm really pleased with how it turned out.


I'm on day 10 without coffee and doing well. The first day I had a headache but was totally able to get through it with some painkiller. The next day I had a light headache and took a little for that. I'm sleeping better at night. I don't miss the coffee in the morning per say but occasionally I'm hit with a craving for a cuppa. I think that's what I miss the most, the taste.

That's all for now. Thanks for coming by.

I'm thinking about...

Giving up coffee, again!

Yes, I have done this at least twice. I didn't drink coffee while pregnant with the first babe but I did with the second babe. He likes coffee just a little bit by the way. I quit for a short time after having babe #2 to see if that help with his gas problem. It didn't make a wit of difference so why deprive myself, right?

I quit just before we moved back to Kansas. I didn't drink any for about 2-3 months then started my daily habit again.

Lately, when I get up in the morning coffee doesn't always sound good. I've been having trouble sleeping too. I've been having light headaches more often but I haven't increased my coffee habit at all. If anything I'm not drinking my usual amount which is probably why I am having the headaches.

So here goes. When the half-n-half is gone this week so is my morning coffee habit. I'm going cold turkey. I'll think I'll go get some of that pain killer with the cafeine in it.

I'm going to focus on the pluses with this new goal of mine. I will more likely exercise. I will lose weight since I won't be using close to a quart of half-n-half a week. (I know shocking!) I will save money. Maybe to reward myself I can buy yarn with the money I save buying coffee. I can do that right? I mean I do need more fiber in my diet. No more morning coffee fits better in my local diet eating. It's not like coffee grows in Kansas.

Wish me luck and I'd love ideas how to make kicking the habit easier. I figure I will have caffeine withdrawal but I also think some withdrawal from not having the half-n-half too.

Bags!

My altered version of the Reduction Tote Bag by Anne Frost. You can find the pattern here on Crochet Me.

All the thread came from my stash and lots was picked up at the thrift store months ago.



I used the Willow square from 200 Crocheted Blocks but added a few xtra rows. I did about 10 less rows for the mesh because I find this stitch plenty stretchy so I didn't think I needed as much height as the pattern called for.



I still need to sew on some buttons. I am sure I have some stashed somewhere.

You can see the the flap is showing on the outside of the square. I might put the flap on the inside so when it's all folded up it doesn't cover up the pretty square.

It's a Skull Bag!



I made it for my son for his birthday. It's my own Tapestry Crochet design. I used Red Heart Super Saver in Black and White from my stash and an H hook. I bought the fabric and 9" zipper new.



The zipper is finally put in. It was a pain in the pattuty! There has got to be a better way.

I really like the border stitch I added to the top and bottom of the bag. I think it adds some interest and frames the skull nicely. I used a crossed double crochet post on a set up row of half double crochets. Then a row of sc on top of that.



I finished the edge of the bag with a crab stitch.

Another Birthday

My little one is not so little any more. he is now 9 years old. He is so many things.

Always my baby (not the baby there's a difference)


an Indian at Thanks Giving


a crocheter


the punk skate boarder


a goofball


always my sweet son


Happy Birthday Corbin!

We had a nice day together as a family. Corbin went shopping with Dad and got some lego kits and an Havoc Heli, a remote control helicopter. We went bowling and got take out Chinese. What I found interesting about the day is this is what he wanted. At first we were going to do a party then he decided he want just us and one friend if he could make it. He didn't even need a party with the grand parents.

Some of my favorite authors

The question will come up, Who are your favorite authors?, then I'm stumped. So decided to look though my library of reads and found several authors I really like.

I've recently listened to two Anita Shreve's books, Light on Snow and The Pilot's Wife. Both books are on the sad side dealing with the death of the loved one. I look forward to reading and listening to more of her novels.

Jodi Picoult is a prolific author who deals with difficult life dramas. The last two books I listened to, 19 minutes and The Tenth Circle, were like a train wrecks. They were ahrd to listen to but you had to keep going to see what would happen in the end. All I can say is that I am very happy that my kids are safe at home. A few of my favorites by Picoult and not so hard to read but still sad are Keeping the Faith and My Sisters Keeper.

On the lighter side of reading I like Jenifer Weiner author of Good in Bed and In Her Shoes also a movie.

I also enjoy Anita Diamant probably best known for her novel, The Red Tent. I also enjoyed The Last Days of Dog Town a historical fiction of the life of women in the late 18oo's.

It's rare that I find a male author I consistently enjoy. I really like William Kowlaki. My first and favorite read is The Adventures of Flash Jackson. He has written other books connected to many of the same characters in Flash Jackson.

I also like David Guttersen. I could be partial to him because he homeschools his kids too. I really like Snow Falling on Cedars and I read this book when I live in in Washington state. I have not read Our Lady of the Forest, it seems to have mixed reviews from readers. It's on my to read list.

Some of my favorite mind candy for reading or audiobooks are Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series, Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia Series, and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series.

Happy Reading

In the beginning I had some yarn

I cast it on and did a little k2p2 rib.

Then I knit and knit and knit. Around, around I went.



Then I decided to change the colors a bit.



Then I decreased, doing some K2tog magic, in a spiral to finish it off.


So now I have a hat. You like?


Specs:
Elizebeth Zimmerman Inspired Hat from Knitting Workshop info and others.
Paton's SWS - raisin, berry, and geranium
#9 needles knit picks options needles doing a modified magic loop
k2tog decrease to make a right slanting spiral