Hopscotch T

I started working on this T-shirt for Sydney last Thursday, thinking it would be a quick project I could share with you all on Friday. Took a little longer than I thought! I just finished it up yesterday.

Embroidering all the numbers was the time consuming part. I considered fabric paint or appliqueing another layer with numbers, but embroidery won out. I am pretty happy with the end result and Sydney likes it, so I guess it was worth it!

Snow Day

We're having a snow day at our house today. We are in the middle of a full fledged blizzard that is only going to get worse this afternoon. They are expecting 6-10 inches of snow today (we also got 3 1/2 yesterday) with 25-35 mph winds. So, we're hunkering down here. I'm planning pj's til noon, lots of baking, lots of knitting, and maybe a couple movies. For those of you enjoying Spring already, please send warm melting thoughts our way!

And just so this isn't a completely boring post, here is a picture of a hat I made for Sydney. It was supposed to be for next year, but fits perfectly right now. Probably not a good sign!

Fingerless birthday gloves

My friend Sara's birthday was last week.

I made her this card:

And these fingerless gloves:
Details:

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton yarn in Expresso (#621)

Needles: US size 6 DPN

Cast on 36 stitches. Knit in a basic 2x2 rib, with a cable row thrown in every 4th row or so. (If you really want more detailed instruction let me know, I would be happy to write them out.)

Finger Knitting

Yesterday Sydney learned how to finger knit. So did I for that matter. Instead of me trying to learn and then explain it to her, we just watched a video on You Tube together (this one.) She had it figured out in no time. I wound the yarn around each finger, she pulled the loops over and off. She thinks maybe when she is 11 she will be able to wind her own yarn - according to her everything is going to happen when she is 11.

She lasted for about 15 minutes and then was ready to be done for the day. I wasn't sure how you can save a work in progress with finger knitting so we just called it done and did the bind off. The tails of yarn were luckily just long enough to turn it into a necklace. The beads were her idea.

I think we will definitely be doing this again soon. Her tiny hands won't be producing anything too big, but I think a headband would be super cute!

Thank you all for your sweet words of comfort. My great aunt Linda passed away last Wednesday. She was 61. Linda was a donor and on Thursday she gave of herself yet again and we pray that others may live on because of her very special gift.

Linda's donation was on par with the rest of her life. She was a wonderful giving person that preferred to be behind the scenes working rather than leading for all to see. She had amazing crochet, knitting and cross stitch skills and her love was spread far and wide through her gifts. The blanket in the picture was a gift from her. I have always treasured it, but will even more so now that she is gone. I remember watching her crochet when I was a kid. Her fingers moved so fast you could hardly see them. She was an extremely funny person, you couldn't help but laugh when you were around her. She will be greatly missed.

On Thursday a Donate Life flag was flown at the hospital as a tribute to Linda's donation. We all learned a lot about the donation process through this experience and I urge you all to be informed and make your wishes known to your family. Research the laws in your state regarding organ and tissue donation.

We just returned from her funeral service last night. Our world kind of stopped turning for about a week and we are trying to get back into a normal routine now. You all have been busy while I've been gone! I have over 300 unread posts in my Google Reader account. So, if your looking for me I'll be siting in front of the computer trying to catch up!

Take care and thanks again for thinking of me and my family.

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!!!