weekend update

We've all survived a wonderful weekend of houseguests, scroching temps and a birthday party for a soon to be 5 year old. (Five years old already. It seems impossible.)

Despite the crushing heat, Jess' birthday party was a success. We are now knee deep in Playmobil around here.

Now Jess' actual birthday is a little more than a week away, but she had the unfortunate fate of being born the week in between our two family reunions, so we always celebrate early.

Despite the weekend's festivities, there has been some knitting. (even a trip to the yarn shop.)

Behold my new sock yarn.

My LYS had just gotten Fibertrends FELTED SQUIRREL PATTERN. So I snatched that up, along with the new IK.

That red blob is a felted hedgehog; pre-wash.

Then there is also the Perfect Pie Shawl, and the Boobalicious tank.

My read a good book swap book came! It's a mystery set in Manhattan, and the partner even included a map for me. How very cool! Thanks, Liz!

Here we are now going to the south(west) side...

Yesterday, I dropped Jess off to spend some time with her Auntie, swung by Jennifer's to pick her up and then we made our way to My Sister's Knits.

I have to say that the shop does a lot with it's very limited space.

We got there early, perused the shop made a couple of purchases, and then headed up to Ridge Park to wait for the Harlot speech. We were less than enthused to be in 90 degree heat, with no beverage options in sight. (Well, the park did have vending machines, but they were all broken. What a tease.)

Stephanie was witty, and funny and wonderful, as she always is. Afterwards, Jennifer found Katy and we walked back to the yarn shop, where Stephanie signed books.

The wait in line was pleasant, although we were SO THIRSTY. As we waited, we heard rumors of a water cooler in the back of the shop, and spotted it, right after it broke. d'oh!

Anyway, I saw Stephanie, got our books signed, petted the fleece artist sock, and gave Steph a chicken. It was a lot of fun.






Hmm...seems I have no pictures of my purchases. I bought some sock yarn and some alpaca laceweight. (Made in good ole' Indiana.)

As you all may or may not have noticed, I collect laceweight. I haven't made but one item that has called for laceweight, but I keep buying it. This time I think I bought it in anticipation of Jess' return to school and my three hour break during the day.

my mess.

My guest room/craft room/etc. (I can't believe I'm actually showing you all this mess.) It needs some serious help.



Saturday I will be having guests stay here. (Yikes!) This week will be a "stuff and go" kind if clean up. But it seriously needs help.

Last night I couldn't sleep so I finished up some headbands for my SILS and made this little eyeglass case for my Ma.

I'm in a serious knitting slump. My WIPs right now are two blankets and 3 or 4 pairs of socks. I don't even want to look at them anymore.

Maybe I'll be reinspired when I see the Yarn Harlot on Monday.

Welcome to Texiloy

We hung out with Jennifer and Zander today. Jessica renamed the park "Texiloy". I have no idea, but the kid gets marks for originality.

Jennifer scored some Ravenclaw Yarn from Sunshine Yarns for me.

Jessica's honeybee socks.
See how far I am?

Last night I had both socks down to the heel turn and I though I would do another fitting before the gussets. They didn't fit. I couldn't even get them past her ankle. They fit two weeks ago. I was crest fallen. I frogged them both and started over.

I found a new way to use my vintage buttons.

On the sewing front, I have more chickens, and a couple of bigger projects in the works, along with a few more aprons to finish up.

My main concern right now is my inhereited Pfaff 360. I have no info or accessories for it. They are all probably still at Ida's somewhere, but I'm not about to drive 5 hours just to find out. So, I've been searching for these things via goggle. I have a couple leads, Pfaff is sending me a photocopy of the manual. The only other info I have is that my Pfaff was made in Germany sometime between 1960 and 1969, and parts are "limited".

I'm also once again considering where we should move our little blog to. I need something that allows multiple/guest bloggers. Typepad has my attention, but I'm not sure I want to fork over the $$. I'm just going to have to think on it.

I'm also thinking about what to do with our guest room/craft room/old computer graveyard. I've been inspired by Dan, and his room makeover, so expect some pictures soon.

weekend update

It has come to my attention that I have not posted a picture of Animal in a while, so here you go.

He currently is holding the ENTIRE contents of his food dish in his mouth.

Sunday, we spent the afternoon hanging out with Jennifer and her peeps. (She has some great pictures of the kids in the pool.)

Today we broke and turned on our AC. Jess and I attended a funeral today, and by the time we got home we were so hot and wiped out that we both agreed the AC was a good thing.

Before we came home though, we stopped by the toy store, and Jess spent some early birthday gift money to add to her playmobile collection.

Knitting? sewing? Yes, there has been a little of both, but no pictures as of yet.

Thursday

Jess was wonderful yesterday. We have had some behavior "issues" lately and it was so nice to have my sweet little girl back. I hope to see more of her.

Look what arrived in the mail yesterday!

A thank you from Alison, for helping with Sockapaloooza.

A "Just 'Cuz" package from Wendy. Boy, does she spoil me. Look at the cute little project bag, and matching mini wallet/cardholder. The squirrel iron ons, the squirrel and acorn buttons, the plastic sock holder, the CHOCOLATE soap and lotion.I haven't had a chance to check out the recipes. Missing from the picture is a CD she made for Jessica, who is very excited about getting a gift in the mail.

Last night I hung out with Jennifer at Starbucks, and had my new favorite drink. Tangerine Frappacino. (YUM!)

While Jennifer wrestled with her perfect pie mohair shawl, I finished part of Jess' birthday gift. (the top) and then came home and sewed up the rest. (the skirt) Now I'm just hoping it all fits.

Yesterday was a very good day, exact;y when I needed a very good day. Thank you to Jess, Alison, Wendy, Jennifer, and Zee who made it so.

By the way, Carma, Nate told me your news. I cannot even picture it.

Not for the faint of heart

Y'all remember my Rogue from the Knitting Olympics right? the Knitting Olympics that I stumbled right before the finish line when I ran out of yarn for the sleeve cap? The Rogue that I ordered more yarn, finished the sleeve cap and then put it aside because I was too mad to sew it up?

Well, today I decided to take it out and sew that last sleeve on. But, before I did, I tried it on, and decided it was too big.

The good news is, I've lost some girth since February. (Yay!) The bad news is, I decided to frog the whole thing.

I'll make another Rogue eventually. It was a joy to knit and something I would definitely wear. But now what to knit with the reclaimed Barlett yarn.

For those of you who are still with me, a picture of Jess in her new yellow dress.

aprons

Well, it's been too sticky to knit around here. Saturday I woke up feeling awful, and had to cancel my activities for the day. Sunday we headed over to my Ma's to celebrate her birthday, (Which is today. Happy Birthday, Mama! We love you!)

But I did knit a bit while enjoying Ma's air conditioning. I'm working on your basic raglan cardigan for Jessica. I had originally decided to make her the denim tunic from Weekend Knitting, but I was bored to death by the endless seed stitch.

I have also been sewing some. I've made my favorite Stalker a chicken, (No picture, I want her to be surprised.) been working on a dress for Jessica, (Also no picture, because right now it just looks like a pile of yellow fabric.) and some aprons.

They are made from some of the kitchen towels from Ida's.
Jess has picked one out for herself.

short post. no pic.

Just hanging with the roost.

Some chickens went on to new homes yesterday, so I'll have to make up some more. Jess has claimed three as her very own. She rounded them up in their "coop"(laundry basket) Then asked me what they ate. I told her they were pretend chickens, so I think maybe pretend chicken feed. She decided chicken feed sounded gross, and they would instead eat pretend chips. Jess then proceeded to pick up the very tiny fabric scraps from around the sewing machine, and threw them to her chickens, all they time saying,"Chick, chickchickchick..."

It was damn cute. It almost made up for her complete meltdown that morning.

I'll be your little chicken if you'll be my honey lamb.

Welcome to the flock.

It's the best picture I could take at 1am.

I'm having way too much fun. In a sea of blankets and socks, I think I needed to drag out the ole' sewing maching for a little instant gratification.

what the heck is erin up to?

How about a little bit of everything.

We had a wonderful holiday weekend. Saturday we went over to Jill's house for a cook out.

Sunday we were spen the day on Lake Michigan in a coworker's boat. Jess LOVED it.

Tuesday, we went to a cousin's cookout. The truly weird event of the day was when my friend, Andy showed up. Turns out he knows my cousin and actually does a little local radio show with him. We all just never realized we all knew each other. Weird stuff.

There has been knitting.

You are looking at the mish mash that are my WIPs.

There has been cleaning. I've been cleaning out our guest room, aka the junk drawer of our home. It's clean enough now to set up my sewing stuff again, hence...

Today is her birthday...*Na na na nanana..*

I know you are all busy today with your celebrations, cookouts, picnics, etc. (at least stateside.) But as your and yours are enjoying the day, make sure to tip back a beverage of choice in honor of Carma. Today is her __th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Sweets I hope you're having a bast.

Deja Vu

My magic yarn ball arrived Friday! It came from Emily (Who was a recipient of some of my stitch markers last summer in the Bead It swap.) in Idaho. The yarn you ask? Noro Iroha. This stuff is SOFT!! I think I'll be making some handwarmers out of it.

The magic yarn ball experience has been wonderful, but the funny part is, I have had some contact with both of these bloggers before. Pop over to Rebecca's site and see the beautiful Sophie bag she made with her magic yarn ball. (She was also the recipient of my sockapaltwoza socks.)

Also while I was out Thursday night, Jess and Nate snuck out to the hardware store to make me a surprise.

My very own PVC Niddy Noddy. But there are two there you say? Yes. Jessica got one too. She is extremely excited about it, even though she doesn't really get what it's used for.