Startitis

Why am I feeling the need to start multiple projects? It must be the same reason that I feel like I need another cat. And spinning wheel. No, the spinning wheel need is the only rational craving. Like I don't have enough going on...

I innocently went to knitting night and Yarns with a Twist in Chaplin; and came home with yarn for Mom's Christmas project and the Circular Shrug. All for under $47! It was too great a temptation. I worked Friday evening and a double today and got a good 6" of Mom's gift done and 3" of the Circular Shrug done. I think that I am a bit knitted out and I wish I could be this productive at home. I also fell in love all over again with Knitting Nature http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Nature-Designs-Inspired-Patterns/dp/1584794844/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217120640&sr=8-1 and queued a few things on Ravelry.

I also made a new sewing machine cover out of Amy Butler's fabric (below, and see her link under craft blogs on the right) that coordinates with the Ikea wooden magazine holders and magnetic message board that I covered with the same fabric. I used the nylon cover that came with the machine as a template. Added a little white ric rac at the bottom for a bit more funk. I LOVE the fabric so much! The walls of my sewing room are the light aqua color. I feel so Martha matchy-matchy.

Spinning and more press for Delaney

I had my first spinning lesson today! How awesome! And yes, I think that I have found my new addiction. Peggy is a super teacher. So patient and knew exactly when I needed a break. She showed me all of the cool tools that spinners use to prepare the wool like viking combs and carders. She started me on a single treadle Ashford and then I got to graduate to a double treadle Lendrum. I was surprised to discover that thinner yarn is easier to spin that thicker, bulky yarn. My goal is to try as many different wheels as possible to figure out which to get. Mom and I may take a Monday morning someday soon to go up to the mecca Webs and try out all their wheels.

In other news, Delaney made the paper twice in one week!

The first is at a concert on the green in Glastonbury and the second is her enjoying some fruit at our hospital's ribbon cutting for our green energy system.

We also had her first gymnastics class. She had a great time. Both teachers were like, "Um, she has a lot of energy, doesn't she?" Yeah, why do you think I am here letting her run around your place?

Vacation and A Little Something

We went to Vermont to visit a very close friend for a few days. Em just graduated with her masters in enviornmental policy making in Seattle and will now be moving in with her fiance in Boulder, CO. It was great to just get away. We picked raspberries and made jam from scratch, went to a concert on the green in Burlington and also did a little dipping and kayaking in Lake Champlain. It was so nice to have family dinners with Em, her mom and her two brothers. Delaney just looooved her brothers! Joe was excited that he got to see the Red Sox win at Fenway. When he got home, she entertained him by pretending to be Scooter, the dog. But once Andrew got home, she ditched Joe and turned on the charm for him. Delaney didn't care that Andrew just won some kind of mountain biking race and his goal is to compete at nationals next year. She told him her favorite jokes from http://www.stevesongs.com/music.html

The vacation was not complete until we made a trip to a neighboring town to pick up steri-strips to repair Delaney's head.

Em picked out her wedding dress and wedding date for the middle of June next year. That is very exciting. I might make her the Swan Lake Stole http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swan-lake---mystery-stole-3 for the wedding.

Check out Em's talented aunt http://www.terriestudio.com/home.htm

We have been going to the concerts on the green in Glastonbury. We got to meet Deb in person http://www.livnletlrn.blogspot.com/ and her daughter and son there. We are sending good wishes her way so her daughter won't have headaches anymore. Check out her site and see an awesome picture of Delaney dancing to the music.

Made a baby kimono for my friend Beth. I make the 6 month size and it might already be too small for a baby that was born 10 pounds 12 ounces this May. I might have to just save this one and make a new one. The pattern can be found at http://www.habitual.wordpress.com/. I finished it in under one hour. Quick, satisfying and VERY cute.

I have also been working on a quilt for Delaney. I am winging it, but I think that it will combine a flower garden theme and the kittys I have been sewing. You can see the petals under the kimono.

I also finished A Little Something http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-something today. I just need to get beads for the ties.

This Saturday morning, I got a call at work from our neighbor. "Um, your daughter is welcoming the neighborhood all by herself on your porch swing." OOOOOOOOh boy. Our neighbor was great and she put Delaney back inside and made sure Am was awake. That could have turned out to be a dangerous situation, so thank you, Diane.

Finally, Yeah Summer!

Knitting Update

I had another check up on Wednesday and everything sounds great. Delaney and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat. Delaney is now in love with Dr. G. She insisted on wearing her pink cowgirl boots (aka shitkickers) to the appointment. Well, to her excitement, Dr. G also wears cowboy boots! She started singing a song about him and now I think that she is in love. Next time I know we will be seeing Dr. G, I will make sure to bring my camera to take a picture of them together.
I started "Little Something" by Christiane Burkhard. She is a very talented knitter. It is going great! The pattern is really easy. Ellyn Cooper's yarn is absolutely beautiful. (however it is bleeding a little)














I also went digging for the Aran Pullover from Knitting for Baby. I started it so long ago and now I might be able to use it for my bebe! The back is finished and the front is almost done. I will just have to crank out the sleeves and then find some cute buttons.





Having no computer is really putting a damper on my ravelry updates. I will have to go back and edit a lot of previous posts to include pictures.