Christmas

Christmas eve there was a huge crash and rumbling outside. Laney shot up and screamed for me - Ah the perfect opportunity....
"It's ok Laney. It was just the reindeer on the roof."
The gutter couldn't have fallen off the house on a more perfect day. :o)

Made a few sets of mini mitts and felted snowmen for everyone in the family.

Mom loved her shell tank. The vest fit Mike (sigh - of relief. Now I don't have to make another one unless I want to.)

Finished the Leaf Lace sweater, so now the baby can come any day now... Unless I have to finish the 3 piece set to beat the supersitition.

Adulthood (alternative name "Merry Christmas to me")

Yet another thing that has made me a grown-up this year...

Good bye.
May you serve another lucky Subaru owner and live another 160,000 miles.
You lived through my mother commuting to graduate school.
You lived through my learning how to drive a standard.
My first accident.
You lived through living on Nantucket - salt air, dirt roads, wet bathing suit butts, sand sand sand, doghair doghair doghair.
You lived though a 11,000 3 month cross country drive.

Our last ride in it:

Welcome the new...
Subaru Outback Impreza Sport. 2005.


We pulled out of the dealership and Delaney says, "Wow, this car is smooooooth." :o)

NYC

There is something about the city at Christmas.

We got to see the tree.

Walk around.

The boys went to Caroline's Comedy club.

And Delaney got to enjoy this....

Leaf Lace Baby Set

Being a grownup.

Parenting:

I got some really great advice about parenting a couple of weeks ago:

"Let the universe teach your daughter the lessons."

As soon as this advice sunk in, I cannot believe the weight of stress that was relieved.

No more fighting to get a jacket on before we leave. If she doesn't want to wear a coat, let her be cold. She will eventually ask for one. Who cares what the other parents think.

ahh. It is really working. Delaney and I are getting along really well and having fun! I am also really enjoying her last few days as an only child. She is so amazing and fun and optimistic and caring.

Other grown-up stuff:

I will write about it in generalities because it is hard to write about this part on a public blog because it is very private, but it is about forgiveness and letting go, caring and compassion.

I came to a realization the other night about an incident that happened this spring and I think that I am finally starting to cope and move on. It gave me the strength to confront (in a good way) one of the players involved. I feel a relieving sense of closure and peace. What a perfect time of year for this growth and new beginnings.

In other knitting news:

Vest for FIL is finished, and has an alternate giftee incase it is too small = Ameran.

This flew off the needles in under a week.

Crochet fan scarf # 3 for a co-worker's wife is finished. I don't think that I will ever tire of crocheting this design.

Delaney's Christmas list

When questioned what she would like for Christmas from Santa she replied:

A new blue Cinderella watch
and
a real snake.


Yup.


She boggles my mind. She is a princess and a biker chick wrapped into one. She will pick the gaudiest, Vegas-style glittery light up shiny things and then act so tough you wonder how a 3 year old can be so brave.


Wonder what the baby will be like....

Advent 8

Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer - the 1964 version. It is nice continuing on with tradition and watching the same Christmas movies over every year. I enjoy the routine and can't wait to watch "It's a Wonderful Life."
On a side note: it is interesting to observe how politically correct or gender conscious or socially conscious we have become since 1964. Rudolph's mother was expected to stay at home while all of the MEN went to go look for him. There were other comments in the movie hinting that women were weak and subordinate.

I swatched and c/o for a present for my father-in-law. My MIL suggested he might like a vest, so I did a little research to make a very plain one (per her request), and here I go. I am going to make it out of the wool we brought back from Ireland. I am expecting it to go fast because I will be knitting it in the round.
I wish my own father would like to wear sweaters or vests, but it is just not his thing. He would rather be wearing a stinky NY Giants shirt. Oh well.

Baby is moving around a lot. I wonder when she will decide to be born. I hope before Christmas, I would love to just be home for the holidays and not have to work. I don't think that I am that lucky though. I am leaning towards one of the names, based on its meaning and uniqueness. Anyone have any ideas?
I can't wait to meet her!

Advent day 3, 4 + 5

3: Delaney and I set up some snowman Christmas lights up outside.

And I worked on Christmas presents on the same theme...

What are these? Santa and Father Christmas/Elf Needle felting kits for the class on Friday!

4: Decorated the tree.

5: Letter to Santa. We will also be sending our Holiday cards out to friends and family. :o)

Advent day 2: Tree

Got our tree from the Willimantic Midget Football League. Am and Delaney put it up. When I left for work they were letting the branches fan out from being tied. Hopefully all of the lights will be on by the time I get home. :o)
I also got a wreath for our front porch. The seasons are so much more enjoyable when you decorate for them!

December 1: Advent Day 1

Delaney pulled out the stocking from her advent calendar, so we hung up the stockings I made last month.
An elf also snuck in while we were sleeping the other night and left Delaney a Christmas tree for the kitchen table. I suggested that we make a tree-skirt for it. She wasn't too thrilled about it; but when I asked her how the elf was supposed to leave surprises if there was no tree-skirt, she quickly changed her tune.
(I'll update with pictures later)

Also, check this out!
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/delaneysduds/roley-poley-santa-ball-ornament

Class for it will be on Friday, December 5th at 5 pm. Yarns with a Twist, Chaplin, CT. You just pay for materials. It will be roughly $10-$15. Bring your needle felting accouterments.

Also, made him too...

A landmark event in a little girl's life

We were at the mall on Friday doing our holiday photos, and we decided to ask Delaney if she wanted to get her ears pierced. She enthusiastically answered, "Yes!" and we walked to Claire's Boutique. She sat right in the chair and started to ask the girl a bunch of questions. She chose the studs for December, a nice teal blue. The girl asked her if Delaney wanted her to count to 3 or to just do it. Delaney replied, "Just do it." She recoiled a little and said, "That hurt." We told her that she still had one to go. The girl asked Delaney if she wanted to count to three or if she wanted to just do it. Again, Delaney bravely said, "Just do it." She shed 2 maybe 3 tears and then was showing those sparkly earrings off. "I got my ears paired."

ARRR!

I couldn't help but sing The Pirate Song by Steve http://stevesongs.com/index.php the whole time I was knitting this http://www.ravelry.com/projects/delaneysduds/we-call-them-pirates hat.

(I couldn't link to the song for some reason...)

Baby Surprise! and the imagination of a 3 year old

Done in 48 hours. And I can tell you that every baby I know will be getting one of these. I loved knitting it and I couldn't put it down. Ellyn Cooper's yarn in this colorway(almond blush) was perfect. Girly, but it has the blues and greens to round it out. The yarn was nice and springy too.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/delaneysduds/baby-surprise-jacket

I started the bonnet to match today too. I hope I have enough of the yarn left over... If not, I will rip it out and make booties or another hat of some sort. :o)
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/delaneysduds/bonnet


Today we got to take our man, Baxter out to the field to run. Delaney brought a panda named "Lasky" with us. She had her on a leash and kept growing tall, but then shrinking when it was convienient for D. She told me that she puts makeup on Lasky all of the time. She has another panda named BoBo that is still at the castle (aka home). I need to write all of these things down in her journal for her to look back on. She comes up with the funniest names.

Baby Bubble Finished!

I LOOOOOVE it!!!!

The pattern was easy to follow and well-written. Absolutely adorable.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/delaneysduds/baby-bubble-smock-in-panda-silk

Rock the Vote!

No, Delaney, not "Rock the boat". :o)

We walked to our voting center as a family - Baxter too. The polls close soon, can't wait to start monitoring the results.

As a side note, Delaney was conceived 4 years ago today. :o)

I did my first crocheted snowflake the other day. It was hard to figure out the directions, but I cheated and looked at the pictures first.

We carved a pumpkin last night as a family and lit it up for our dinner centerpiece. We got a white pumpkin for the first time.

How many P's?

Follow up to a partial placenta previa, now perfect!
Had an ultrasound yesterday and Dr. confirmed everything was fine now. So... Yay!

Thank you to all of the ladies at work for the surprise shower on Tuesday. It was so nice to be surprised and to know that all of you care very much.

While we were sitting by the Halloween fire (Dan just finished building an outdoor fireplace), we got some naming advice from our family's Irish friend last night. He suggested Ashaleigh (I don't know how to spell it).
The ladies at work complied a list of their favorite names. The favorites included Mollie and Gillian.
I have to admit, I am still in love with the name Finley. But Ameran and I both agree with Eineen (pronounced Ay-neen). It means "little bird" in Gaelic. Our Irish friend said that he has heard of a few people with this name, but it is pretty rare. Super! Just what we want. We thought that Delaney would be a rare name, but it turns out that there are 3 Delaney-ies in gymnastics school.

Advent Update, first crochet, Halloween projects

I have been working on the advent calendar with some regularity. It is so exciting thinking of all of the little activities we will be doing.

hot cocoa - make marshmallows and cocoa

cookie - bake cookies

plain tree - go pick out tree

sequins tree - decorate tree

stockings- hang 'em up

pinecone/cardinal - make pinecone birdfeeders - thanks for the idea Deb!

Christmas tree light- Constitution plaza? or look at neighborhood decorations.

I also made these Halloween wall hangings based on one hanging in my mom's house. I made a couple of variations of the smaller one.

Baby Bubble sweater... This pattern looks so intricate, but is so easy. I am loving it so much it is hard to put down. I finished the front or back (however you look at it) last Monday.

1st Crochet project!!! found here on ravelry.com http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fan-bookmark

Bakerwoods, a sugar shack and Hurst Farm

Yesterday Delaney and I went to Bakerwoods. What a wonderful time we had. Chickens, geese, ducks, roosters, bunnies, horses, goats, pigeons. Most of them just roaming free. As you know, if you've been following, she wants nothing more than to hold a baby bird. You are not allowed to pick up the birds, but she got to pet them. She was very excited.
They also have a gnome trail. There is a scavenger/I spy to spot all of the gnomes things. We had such a lovely time looking for signs of gnomes as we walked around the pond. The leaves were beautiful. I can't wait to go back.
http://www.visitbakerwoodsfarm.com/index.html
On the way to Bakerwoods, we stopped at a sugar shack/honey house. We visited for a bit and got to sample some delicious hot maple syrup. The owner, Bill, was a great host. :o)
http://www.riversedgesugarhouse.com/
Today we had a school field trip to Hurst Farm in Hebron.
http://www.hurstfarms.com/index.php?main_page=index
We took a hay ride to pick turnips and then continued along to feed them to the bulls and goats. Next off to the pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin! The kids had a snack of apple cider and cookies and then ran around a corn/haystack maze. The cutest part about the whole thing was that Delaney and her friend, Ella, held hands the whole time. They were adorable. It was so cute to see this budding friendship.

I didn't bring my camera along for any of this because I really just wanted to sit back and enjoy. I am feeling so crazy ( I hope that it is just related to being pregnant and not certifiably crazy. Sometimes I wonder.)

baby bubble

I just started the Baby Bubble sweater! I am going to love it. The pattern looks very complicated, but is very easy to memorize.

Project Runway

I liked Korto the best, but congrats to Leanne.

ghastly ghostly ghoulies

Made with Flynn fleece from my in-laws. I washed, sorted and drum carded by hand.

Steve Songs, Christmas bulbs, my walk to work

Surprise Delaney!


We went to his concert yesterday. The best moment was when Steve started singing "Fast Monkey" and the whole crowd of kids screeched. It was so adorable that he has such a loyal following.
http://stevesongs.com/
Steve is Delaney's favorite. When I asked her what she would like to bring into school to share with her classmates, she wanted to bring in Steve. So we brought his Marvelous Day cd. His songs are great! Entertaining for adults too. Every time we listen to the songs, I hear one more funny thing. He lives in the same hometown as my parents and lives down the street. My parents invited him to their "Deck-warming party" and Delaney was out of this world.

I have been making more goodies for the advent calendar... I will teach this Christmas Tree Light at Yarns with a Twist in Chaplin someday (maybe end of November/beginning of December).

I started Abby's cowl from http://www.knitty.com/.

Here's a picture from our first time with a raw fleece. After I washed and dried it, Delaney helped me run it through the drum carder. I made an attempt at dyeing the wool today, but did not get the results I wanted. I was trying for yellow, but got more of an apricot/orangey color.

Took this on my way to work today. God, I love fall.

Project Runway Finale!

I can't wait to see who wins.
I really love Kenley's designs - classic, clean cut and funky at the same time. I sometimes agree with criticizms of her attitude and that she might be a one-trick pony. But after seeing her wedding dress, I can't wait to see her line - definitely leaves me curious. I think that I want her to win.
I also love Korto's designs. She has consistenly done a beautiful job and produced clothes that we have never seen before.
Leann did a beautiful wedding gown and bride's maid dress. I love the colors she picked.

I am glad that Jerell is gone. When Tim visited him, it looked like his line was WAY over the top with junk.

http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/season/5/index.php

I wonder who it will be!

Fun with Fleece

Round one of Fleecefest at my house has ended (photoless - I will take pictures next time). I thought that it was only one fleece, but after opening the bag, I think I got all 4. I got no enthusiastic volunteers to help me pick out all of the vegetable matter. Am said that I would love it more if I did all of the work myself. Gee, thanks, honey. I was thinking I would love it more if the whole family helped.

I followed Peggy's directions and am amazed that the fleece is a cream color! I never would have thought that caked on mud/dirt/poop and gross would have come off!


Know anyone with a drum carder? I am NOT doing all of this by hand. Thank you to Peggy for letting me borrow hers!

Pictures soon!

Finished (and updated) Objects

Sunflower Tam - quick knit - great results! The Manos color is 115 with red, rust and hot pink!



















Ameran's Durrow - I made this for him last Christmas and he still hasn't worn it. His excuse was that the neckline was too droopy. (ok, guys shouldn't wear scoopnecks.) So I did the Yarn Harlot's Crocheted neckline to fix the problem. http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2008/02/24/hooking_because_i_have_to.html Well, after reading the post, I did it my way, but similar. I was pleasantly surprised with how well this technique fixed the problem. I was hoping for a slight improvement, but it really fixed it! Yay! Am put it right on.

Also finished the cable and rib sweater from Debbie Bliss. I like how it came out. Now, who gets it?

New Fleece! My inlaws gave me a fleece. Um what do I do with it? I need to wash it first, but I plan to dye it and use it for needle felting projects. :o) Talked with the local fleece/spinning expert and she gave me instructions. Looking forward to doing something I have never done before!

Can't find that damn yarn to finish Notre Dame Pullover. Where the heck did I put it? Good news, I found it - I am not going crazy.

Advent Calendar

I know that it seems funny to be talking about Christmas already, but it will be here before we know it. Plus, with Baby due on 12/30, who knows what I will be able to get done as it gets closer. The good thing is I have some presents done already. :o)

Here is the start to our family's advent calendar. I have been meaning to make one of these for over a year now. The inspiration for this project came from a blog I saw a loooong time ago. I wish I could remember the name of it. She had a picture of a Japanese craft magazine on her blog and it had something like this on it, but in drab colored linen.

later: found the link! http://linaloo.typepad.com/linaloo/2007/12/better-late-tha.html

The calendar itself is about 33" square and the pockets are about 4" square. I used the fusable adhesive for the numbers and ironed them right on.

I am planning to hide a different surprise in each pocket to represent a holiday activity for each day.

I made the decorated Christmas tree and the Polar Express jingle bells. I have a whole list of brainstorming ideas for other little objects to go inside the pockets. Food for bringing donations to the local soup kitchen and food shelter, the Grinch for when we watch it on TV and a bunch of others....

Do you have any ideas out there?

If I can do about 2 a week, it will be finished by Christmas.
Also did a little stocking for our man, Baxter. Now to make them for the rest of the family. I wanted to do knitted ones, but sewing does go a heck of a lot faster.
Fabric purchased at Quilter's Dream http://www.quiltersdream.com/. I just fell in love with those cute little trees.

Pumpkin Patch

Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves, the smell, the breeze, the colors. The sweater weather. Ahhh. (and a smiling daughter)

Look who hatched

One of Delaney's eggs hatched! She was so happy! (now to make the sisters) :o)

Did I mention its a.....

GIRL!
Now to pick the names....

In knitting news, I have been on a finishing rampage. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to have a "clean slate" and have no WIPs... That probably and realistically won't happen. So, I cast on for another Yvette poncho. he he.
I also had a brainstorm for some fingerless gloves that will be named, "Cold Hands, Warm Heart." I can't wait to swatch. I have the design all planned out. The best part of it is I will be making them out of beautiful alpaca that a friend got for me in Vermont (just because she was driving by an alpaca farm and thought of me) - nice friend huh? I may submit the pattern to knitty or something, so I am not going to post anything else on it... Isn't the mystery intriguing?

Upcoming Classes at Yarn's With a Twist

I will be teaching the following classes are at Yarn's with a Twist in Chaplin, CT.







Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 3:30-5:30pm. Robin's Eggs to go with the nest.







Saturday, Baby Robins ( have to check this date..)







Friday, October 17, 2008 - 11am-1pm. Needle felted pumpkin(s).







Friday, October 24, 2008 - 5:30-7:30pm. Needle felted pumpkin(s).








Loppem Sweater Class







Saturday, November 1, 8, 15, 2008. 3:30-5:30pm.







Extra help with me by arranged appointment through the shop.

Yvette Mini-Me Pattern

Yvette Mini-Me for Delaney

Yarn: Super Bulky
Needles: size 17 US/12mm straight and circular about 30”
Gauge: 7 st and 11 rows = 4” x 4”

Finished length (approximate)= 14”
Finished width at neck (approximate) =14”
Finished width at shoulder (approximate) =22”
Finished width at bottom(approximate) = 32”
Notes:
The cable band uses 1 stitch at the L side of RS work as a border. The body of the poncho will be picked up around this stitch and not interrupt the cable design.

Key:
K – knit
P - purl
C3R – sl 3 st off needle hold at back, K3 st, K3 st off cable needle
C3L – sl 3 st off needle hold at front, K 3 st, K3 st off cable needle
K2tog tbl – Knit 2 together, through the back loop
Rnd- round
Pm – place marker
Beg – beginning
Sl – slip
St – stitch
Yo – yarn over

Instructions:
Cast on 10 st using longtail cast on.
Purl one row.
Begin Cable Braid Pattern.

Cable Braid Pattern:
Row 1: C3R, K3, K1
Row 2: Purl row
Row 3: K row
Row 4: P row
Row 5: K row
Row 6: P row
Row 7: K 3, C3L, K 1
Row 8: P row
Row 9: K row
Row 10: P row
Row 11: K row
Row 12: P row

Repeat Cable Braid pattern for about 23” giving the band a slight tug to stretch. End with a P row. This is about 5 repeats of the pattern. You can add/subtract/adjust the K and P rows if you need more length, or would like the cabling to be closer together.
Graft edges together with working yarn using Kitchner St.

Pick up 48 st around cable band using the one K st as guide. PM for beg of rnd. K one rnd.
Note: There will be 8 shoulder st, 16 st for front, 8 shoulder st, 16 st for back.
Increase Row: K 8 pm, yo, K 16 pm, yo, K8 pm, yo, K16 pm, yo. (4 st increased, 52 st total).
Next row: K rnd.
Inc rnd: *(K to marker, sl m, yo), repeat from *. (4 st inc, 56 st total)
Next row: K rnd. You may remove all markers except for beg of rnd.
K until piece measures 11” from top edge, or about 7.5” from where picked up under cable band. You may adjust length as needed.

Begin Broken Ribbing:

Broken Ribbing:
Odd rows: K1, P1, repeat until end of rnd
Even rows: K rnd

Repeat Broken Ribbing odd/even pair a total of 3 times.

Cast off using following method:
*(K2tog tbl, sl st on rt needle back to left needle.) repeat from * until all st are cast off.

Weave in ends and block.

Stash

I cleaned out my stash this morning! Ahhh. I separated into 3 piles:

• Donate - will be going to the local senior center


• Swap - will be going to the swap at the Knitting Nook in Coventry - January I think?


• Trash - little scraps of yarn... What was I keeping this for? I puzzle myself sometimes.

I also ripped apart 2 projects from the Rowan Big Wool book - "Suzie" and another one that made me look like I was wearing a life preserver. So, the life preserver will turn into a poncho for Delaney modeled after "Yvette" by French Girl. "Suzie" will become another "Yvette" for me, but this time in purple and a bit longer to cover baby. :o) It feels so good to be making things into something Delaney and I will actually wear.

ps. finished Desiree last night! Just needs to block and model. :o) This will probably be my winter jacket because I will be able to adjust the closures over baby.

Knitting Date, Class and SURPRISE!

Knitted the Vine Lace Baby Hat on Saturday from Knitting Daily.

I had a knitting date with my friend Deb http://www.livnletlrn.blogspot.com/ last night. She and her family spent the day vending Glastonbury Glassworks at the Coventry Farmer's Market. Got this cutie stitch marker! The sheepie has a bow in her hair!

I taught the Robin's Nest class on Saturday afternoon. Everyone did great. We will do the eggs next week.

I also had the pleasure of attending a suprise birthday party for Sam! Sam was suposed to come to my class Saturday and emailed that she couldn't attend. She said that she could tell that something was up - her husband was cleaning! I thought that was so funny. Then she decided that her family wasn't surprising her and came to my class. We all met at the local church and had a balloon happy birthday parade to walk down to her house. She was so surprised because she had just given up on thinking she was even having a surprise party. Her sister Lauren made the most beautiful cake. I wish I had a picture (Lauren, if you read this, you better send me one so I can post your beautiful work!!) Lauren made it a beach scene with seagulls, towels, pail, seashells, waves and sand out of fondant. It was amazing! Entitled, "Life's a beach!"