home again

Hi all! We've returned from our trip to Orlando. It was fun, relaxing and warm. Just what I was hoping for.

We've returned to some very sad news however. My great aunt was in a horrible car accident and is in the hospital. Things will be quiet here as my family gathers. Please pray for a miracle that only God can bring. I'll be back soon.

Take care,

Roxanne

Vacation!

What is the #1 necessity on a trip?

A new bag, of course!

Trust me, this one looks a lot better when its full of stuff. And it will be very soon. Full of beach towels and sunscreen and knitting and books. And no toys or sippy cups or wipes. Hurray!

My husband and I are leaving tomorrow morning (very early!) for Orlando for the next 5 days. He has a conference to go to, I have an appointment by the pool. Sydney is very excited to be going to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

I'm taking my computer but I'm not promising consistent updates - I'm going on vacation!!!

my first sock

My first attempt at a real sock. Newborn size. Yikes, that is tiny! (Sorry, not spilling any secrets here today! No babies coming our way right now, just everyone else we know!!)

So, I'm not completely happy with it. I'm hoping some of you sock pros can help. I kind of changed the pattern I was using. It was supposed to be a 1x1 ribbing for the whole sock, but I preferred just a cuff of that and then straight stockinette stitch for the rest. But then I got to the heel and I think the pattern was written to stay with the 1x1 ribs, so that part looks goofy. I also have some holes where I turned the heel that I'm not too happy about. Should I have picked up more stitches than it said and just decreased right away? Ugh, so many questions!

My husband and I are leaving for a trip on Wednesday so I am trying to get my knitting projects in order. I didn't want to attempt my first sock on a plane, so this was my practice round! I guess at least it does resemble a sock!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you are enjoying a special day with the ones you love.




The winner of the Heart Warmer is Amber! Thanks for playing everyone!

Valentines

Lots of Valentine-making projects around here! It's been fun finding ways to use my Silhouette for these! It is definitely making my life easier.


These are Sydney's Valentines. She insisted on the store bought variety, I insisted we add something creative to them. Compromise - Mickey Mouse cards on decorated hearts. There are slits cut in the corners for the card and a set cut in the center for a pixy stick to go through. We were both pleased I think!


These are the cards I made. I'm slowly learning it's all about the layers in card making.

Sydney and I worked together on a Valentine gift for someone special. (Inspired by one Breanna sent me! Thanks again!!)

We made an extra Heart Warmer! Leave a comment before Saturday at noon (CST) to win it!

balls in a box

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to spend the day with my friend Rachel. (Thanks again Rach!!) I had made this gift for her son Reggie a while back but haven't been able to share it until now.

First off, I used Amanda Jean's tutorial for the storage cube. I've been wanting to try this for ages - oh my gosh, so easy! No idea why I waited so long. The box for Reggie was pretty big - 9 1/2" square so I ended up using plastic canvas on the inside for stability instead of cardboard as she suggests. (None of my cereal boxes were big enough!) Seriously, I'll be making many more of these. Cute organizing containers are so expensive these days, this is a great way to save some cash!

The balls are made from this pattern with a little variation. I skipped the circles on the ends and used the same fabric for all the pieces. These are a little trickier than the box, but still pretty simple. I stuffed them with poly-fill and some rice so they are the perfect throwing weight!

Reggie turned one a couple months ago. Sadly, my handmade boy gift ideas seem to run out at about that age. That is of course until he's ready for a skull scarf! :)

P.S. My e-mail is broken and it's driving me crazy!

Knitting Round Up

Last week I tried to spread out all my knitting projects, but then never actually posted the rest. And now I'm working on other stuff I want to share, so we are going to do the extra long round up post today and move on already!

First up, a cabled cowl from this pattern. Knit with Lion Brand Thick and Quick. And it is thick and quick. If I make this pattern again, and I think I will, I would add another row of cables to make it a little taller. This was knit flat so you just have to sew up the side seam when you are done. Super easy! A great first project for making cables.

Second are these slippers (also Thick and Quick.) My mom gave me the pattern. It was one of my great grandma's favorites. It is also super easy and quick. Again, knit flat and sewn up. It's really fun using a pattern with so much history! I'm going to try and figure out if the copyright is still valid on this pattern. Hopefully I can share it with you soon.

And lastly, a work in progress. This is another cowl made with this cable pattern only worked in the round. (You need to sign into Ravelry to view this one.) I had one ball of very special yarn and I'm hoping it will be just enough to finish this project. It's pretty slow going on this one though!

Alright, that's it. All caught up.

Mini Mitts

By special request, mini fingerless mitts. I practically squealed the entire time it took me to make these. They are so cute and tiny and the best part - they took only a little over an hour to make the set. Only problem - she thinks they are for ice fishing. I had trouble explaining that hand knit Malabrigo yarn should not come in contact with slimy fish.

Just in case you wanted to know...

Yarn: Malabrigo worsted weight yarn in Melilla (226)

Needles: DPN size US 10 1/2

Size: Ages 2-5, just adjust the length to fit.

Cast on 21 stitches. Knit in the round until they are 3 1/2 inches long (or measure your own little one for thumb placement.) Cast off three stitches. Continue the row. Next row cast on three stitches and continue knitting for 3 rows or until they are the desired length. Use a stretchy bind off (I use this method.) Done!

Return

We're back.

Happy to be home, but missing the simple life of vacation.

Lots of memories from our Winter getaway.


Tomorrow, the knitting.

Now, I must go see what you all have been up to!