Post Christmas Post

Merry Christmas! Late. But still I hope your's was very merry and everyone got exactly what they wanted. I know I did! As did Little A, who got things she didn't even know she wanted, and E! Though Christmas still isn't quite finished in a matter of crafted/crochet presents. Who's surprised? Not me! Though this time I have an excellent reason as to why they're not finished. My mom and step-dad's presents are the ones left 90% done. Well, and Little A's quilt which I'll just save for birthday time and E's present which was only going to happen if the others were finished first. But the Wednesday before Christmas I got the flu. E had it first and it lasted about five days, just a weird stomach but nothing major. Little A had it next, she only threw up three times in a matter of 3-4 days and had some weird diapers. I got it last and hardest. I was laid up late Wednesday night feeling like I had ate too much and couldn't comfortable no matter what I did. Then Thursday morning when Little A came to lay down with me I had to rush to the bathroom and it was all over from there. Luckily E works evenings so I made him get up with her when she woke up and then after he left for work I had another episode that really upset Little A because I locked her out and she got scared. So Nana and Papa S came to get her. It sure is nice to sleep without a diaper butt to worry about, especially while sick. But by the next day I was feeling better. Still ate little and nothing heavy, but by the next day and Christmas I was feeling much better! Thankfully, I'm really glad it didn't ruin anyone's Christmas.

Christmas eve was quiet. Little A opened her jammies before daddy went to work (I washed them before I wrapped them! Go me!). And after E got home he gave me something very sweet. Get ready for a tear or two...

Through a long chain of really rather unfortunate events, my baby ornaments and Christmas ornaments of years passed were thrown away. So when E and I moved in together all of our decorations belonged to him (well now us, but still his). It never really bothered me until after Little A was born and there tons of first Christmas ornaments for 2 of the 3 people in the house all over our tree. I felt left out and sad, yes, a pity party. But E always said it wasn't a big deal. Which it really wasn't. We've received, bought, given enough ornaments over the years. But Christmas eve, E handed me a box with another small box inside. It was a baby's first Christmas ornament. I thought how nice to get the new baby one already. But then I saw the year. It's a 1987, Precious Moments baby's first Christmas ornament. Brand new from a shop in Pennsylvania. E said he had been searching for two months to find something new rather than used. But he did it! Being all big and pregnant and already an emotional person, I cried. It means a lot to me that he went through all that just to get me my own baby ornament. What a great guy I married.

And check this out! It is my new massive craft storage system that E designed and built for me! Six medium wire baskets, three large wire baskets, two open shelves, and an open top. Every piece of fabric and yarn skein I have (minus two current projects) fit in it. I cannot tell you how happy I am for this. My little sewing table was covered with boxes of yarn and projects so everytime I wanted to sew I had to clear it all off, and when I was done, put it all back. I'm so proud of E for making this for me. And I'm so proud of it! Sometimes I just like to look at it and admire it. Too bad it won't look this organized in a month or so. But all of the yarn is in one place and baby's room is clear of craft stuff so come the beginning of February we can start decorating! Yay!

Because with Christmas over, E needs something to work on! He's been busy playing with Little A's toys and putting them all together, and luckily they're all together now! So bring on the new year! We're ready for it!

I even got new socks for it, and who can resist new socks to ring in the new year with? Not this girl! I really hope you have a safe new years eve, and enjoy a drink for me will you? This preggo will be struggling just to stay awake passed 10:30. Be safe and merry!

Until next time!

Catch Up

Boo! Did I scare you? I know you probably thought I was missing for good, sorry I've left you hanging. Three weeks ago I hurt my back and hips pretty bad and didn't have the energy to post. Two weeks ago I was getting ready for Thanksgiving, though better women bloggers than I posted AND got their turkeys cooked, I applaud you! This passed week Little A has decided after all this time, that she thought it was a good idea to get out of bed after I left her to see how many times she could get away with it. I admit, it was cute the first two nights, but it quickly became taxing and physically draining. By which time, once she stopped, I zombie out in front of the tv.
Then Monday night, as I was finishing a baby hat, my smoke detectors went off. I was in the basement and immediately ran up the stairs, checked all the rooms, especially Little A's because she has a little heater in there to keep her room warmer, it's right over the garage. But I didn't see any smoke or smell anything. I called E at work and couldn't get a hold of him, then called my mom an got the alarms to stop. The poor corgis running every which way to hide from the noise. My mom said it could be a fluke but if it happens again get everyone out. Right as I was saying, "I will," the alarms went off again. I hung up, called 911, put my shoes and jacket on while I was on the phone with them. Hung up, grabbed the sleeping Little A (she slept through the whole thing until that point), threw her in her carseat and got the corgis in the car and got out. As I was backing up there was already a cop outside. He came out to see how I was and said to just wait the fire department was on it's way. My friend two doors down texted me asking if I was ok. The fire department was inside checking things out so I texted her back and told her we were fine. My mom called E for me so I could just focus on what was going on. It all turned out to be an expired detector and a dead battery. I didn't know they expired, but it makes sense. But everything was good and it's always comforting to know the emergency system works.

Poor Tonka, he wouldn't come in the house for awhile, but once he did he hid in the shower. Little A went right back to sleep and E finally got home. It was a pretty weird situation. Phew, so glad all of that is over.

I've been pretty busy crochet-wise. These are the fingerless gloves I made for my mom for her birthday. I'll have to get a better picture of them on her hands later. Yeah, I made them while watching TV in be one night.

I've been working in some hats too. Virginia was my model for a few of them.

She's pretty good at it.


Little A... Not so much. She likes to see the picture as it's happening, so right as you get her to hold still and snap the picture, she moves!


Virginia holds still long enough, but doesn't sit well.


But then the knee always works too. I'm almost done with my step-dad's blanket, all the squares are sewn together but I need to finish weaving in like 8 ends and do the border. You know, stuff that doesn't take long but you put it off because you know it doesn't take long and then you end up doing it the night before yore giving it away. I'm going to try not to let that happen. Then there's still my mom's Christmas present that's like 1/8 done but won't take long if I just do it!


This is a present for some Little in my life that's half finished too. I found the free pattern at
http://aprildraven.blogspot.com/2009/11/star-stuffie-twinkle-star-free-crochet.html
It's really fast and simple! If you need a star fix, this will help. I plan to attach a little blanket on one side to dazzle it up!


Here's a picture of the granny shrug I made! I used lion brand's USA yarn, which is super chunky, with a Boye's P hook. It was really bulky until after I washed it and I like it more, but I think it would look better post pregnancy. So no pictures of it on yet!


I am in love with making pillowcases! I made Little A one and plan on making some as Christmas presents too. I'll have to find the pattern and post it for you. It's so easy and fun!


And this is Little A's scrappy Christmas quilt. It was intended for someone else but I don't feel it's give away worthy, but Little A loves it so why not let her have it?


Ok! So I think I've got you caught up with all my crafty stuff, but I do have a few funny stories to tell you. (this is what I get for waiting so long to post) Little A loved her Thanksgiving day hot cocoa. She asked for it the next few mornings too. We had a nice quiet, three person turkey dinner. I made a full sized (smallish) turkey, my first because last year we just did a breast, mashed potatoes and turkey gravy, fresh green beans with bacon, and crescent rolls. Just a regular Thanksgiving really.

Then one day a few days before Thanksgiving, E and I took a nap while Little A did an she woke up before we did and decided she was hungry. Every cabinet in the house is child-proof withthose little latches, but someone left the cereal cabinet open. Little A helped herself and when I found it she picked up a piece of Chex and ate it and said, "mmm, good snack." All I could do was laugh. The damage was done and it wasn't bad so no big deal! E told me the person who finds it the funniest has to clean it up. Whatever, I had a good laugh!

Then E put one of Little A's jackets on Tonka who hated it with a passion. He refused to move or look at me.

Can't you tell by the look in his eyes he's probably thinking death treats. It was worth it for the laugh too!

Besides all that, life has been pretty uneventful, thankfully. We did find out the sex of the baby, but E talked me into keeping it secret. For now anyway. And if you think those hats give it away, you'd be wrong, those are going to other people. :-) Sorry to disappoint! Well anyway, now that we're all caught up, I guess this is bye or now! Have a great week!

Until next time!

Goal!

Hello! Hello! What a wonderfully lazy day I've had. I did some hooking earlier today but haven't done much of anything else really. But that's ok! It's actually extra ok because...

It's done! Completely, 100% done! Washed and everything, and cuddled with by everyone, including Mabel, who is the ultimate blanket tester. There has honestly only been one or two blankets that corgi has refused to lay on, not sure why though.

So last Wednesday after I had posted I thought to myself, why can't I get it done by next week? What is stopping me? Well, me, but I decided I wouldn't stop myself and got to it that day while Little A was napping. I set it all up and quilted each row vertically. One row at a time thinking it would be more random that way. I was right. And when Little A got up from her nap she saw it all laid out on the floor and said. "wow!" That little girl has never said wow before.

I got a little daring and did some hearts in the few solid pink squares I had. They're wonky but lovely I think.

I had way less ends to weave in with this quilt versus my nephew's quilt. My nephew's quilt was my first free motion experience but smaller than this quilt. This one is approx. 56x71 inches. But still not big enough for E. Sigh. He always tells me, when it's for me make it bigger than you think it needs to be, and then bigger.

It's perfect for me though! And he can still curl up under it in the chair.

I finished it yesterday morning and threw it in the wash before he saw it. It's actually a great learning tool too! Little A would run over and dance on it every time I spread it out on the floor and I would ask her to find the dogs, bugs, stars, flowers, etc. She would grin when she found what I asked for.

So happy anniversary (which was in July) to my wonderful husband. This is a little token fro me to you to say thank you for all of your hard work, thank you for going to work for Little A, Baby #2, and myself. This is a little piece of hard work from me to you. I sure do love you more than any quilt could really express.

Anyway... The other thing I was hoping to accomplish happened too. With a small set back.

It's the pattern "Contemporary Pinwheel" from the 50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws. A Christmas present for my step-dad, I think I might try to do a version for my dad in Irish flag colors. Yeah, we're Irish. Or maybe like the German flag... We're German too. I have other stuff I need to make first though. Back on track; I got half of the pattern done and assembled when E suggested it was going to be too small. So do I add another two rows to make it longer or just leave it as the pattern says? What do you think? My goal is to have it completed by Thanksgiving. This should leave me plenty of time to complete my other holiday items. I've also started another crochet baby blanket. I'm not sure which baby it's going to go to. I have two cousins expecting, one in May the other in June, and my step-brother's girlfriend is due in May.

Besides all that, Daddy and Little A have been spending much more quality time together lately and it makes me happy. I love watching those two together.

Little A also ran off with a box of cereal the other morning. I caught her while watching Cars with her snack and when she was done she stood up on the blanket chest and threw chex squares to Mabel and Tonka. Oh that girl.

Well any hoot, that's all I've got for today. I hope you all have a fabulous rest of the week and have a great weekend!

Until next time!

Halloween

Good day! It's so nice that it's finally November. October was a good month but for some reason I'm glad it's over. Halloween was amazing! I hope you all had a great one too. We didn't go trick or treating on Halloween but I have a short little picture show to explain our Halloween events, yes there were many. The week before Halloween I finally started on her costume. I made a Yoshi hat and Yoshi body with a tail. I traced a pair of her pajamas on the green fleece and then sewed a white belly on one of the pieces and a zipper on the other piece and sewed the two pieces together. I made the tail detachable with velcro, and the same with the saddle.

Friday, the 28th, Daddy, Little A, and I went to the play group that our Parents as Teachers throws twice a month. She loved it! She loved all the kids and the toys, she really loved her costume too. All the kids were dressed up too. It was a blast!

Her tail cracked me up. E was the one that suggested I should probably make it detachable and it was a good thing he recommended it. It really helped with the whole car seat situation.

Friday night my mom and I took her to the Spooktacular downtown. The city blocked off the whole street and all the businesses passed out candy. Little A learned really fast that if she held up her bucket and said "treat" someone would put some candy in there.

My sister told me it looked like I was holding a real Yoshi's hand. If Yoshis were real.

All the kids knew she was supposed to be Yoshi and all the adults commented on how cute of a dinosaur she was. BUT! Most people did know she was a girl, as she's gotten older she rarely gets mistaken for a boy anymore.

Saturday, E took us to the Trick or Treat at the Barn at the Ag Hall of Fame. They have this little set up with old farm houses, school house, blacksmith shop, hatchery, and train depot complete with a mini train that circles the town. I didn't get any pictures except the one where she's hugging the Chick-fil-a cow. She hugged him like eight different times. She loved that cow.

Sunday, we had a bonfire at my in-laws'. Little A got dressed up again an we got this picture with her new baby cousin, older cousin, and nana. This was also the only picture I took there. Papa took the girls on a tractor ride in the small trailer and Daddy took Little A on a big tractor ride. I had to stand behind E on the hitch and hold her hand while she sat on his lap. She wouldn't go otherwise.

Monday was nice and relaxing really. Until 5 o'clock. Little A took a two hour nap and instead of getting the rest of our costumes put together, I took it easy. It was a double edges sword. I relaxed because I needed it but that time could have been spent finishing the costumes so come 5 pm I wouldn't have to rush arous getting things done.

It ended up working just fine though. The costumes were a hit with all the trick or treaters and Little A had fun running down to greet all the treaters with "hey guys!" and showing them the direction to the candy. She did really well when we would chase her as she wondered away with some other family and drug her back to the driveway. Our front door is hard to get to because of the stairs and we would have to sit by the door to avoid stairways inside. It's always easier to just sit in the garage.

The mustaches were my favorite part of our costumes. They were just cut out black fleece secured to our faces with double sided tape. E's was the best though.

It was a great Halloween! Little A got a bath and we threw her in bed, popped some popcorn and watched Day of the Dead. Love zombie movies! But I'm glad it's over. I never knew having a kid would make holidays so much more busy. I wonder what it'll be like with two in tow...

Well, the big granny (king size) has come out of storage. How does something get so stinky in storage? It's washed and on our bed now. So snuggly. I made this for E for Christmas '09, he had no idea it was coming!

But all other crafty has come to a trickle. Almost a stand still really. It's so cold outside today that it makes me want to hurry and finish our anniversary quilt so we have a new blankie to snuggle under. That'll probably be next in my list to complete. How cool would it be to have done by next week so I can show you?! One can dream...

20 days until we find out the Great Secret this little baby is keeping.

Until next time!

Disappointed, But Not

Good day! Well today was our big ultrasound day. Little A tried to be as good as she could be while the tech wiggled the scope around on my belly. I can't remember what she called it but the placenta is in a position that makes it hard to feel kicks and punches from the outside just yet. She said by next week I should be able to feel them more. E got kicked yesterday though. Peanut's feet were just under my ribs and pushing on something weird (it didn't feel good) so I put E's fingers there and pushed back and Peanut kicked!

Well anyway, this little baby is measuring right in track for March 14 and is beautiful just like Little A in that stage. Then it came time to find out the gender. Ankles crossed and butt turned away! Argh! Not a chance to see what was between the legs. The tech said she has a guess and she was right last time, but I'm not telling! Not until November 23 or 24 when we go back and get to sneak in to see the tech again and hopefully get our picture of proof.
I'm disappointed that the baby was hiding but I'm not because the baby is healthy and is, after all, MY baby. :-)

Besides all that, I'm working on Little A's costume today and must get it done before Friday. Friday is the town's little trick or treat through the downtown. I also have to get E's and my costumes done, they're just hats though. Sunday is E's family's bonfire and Monday is the best holiday! I'm really excited for it all! I hope you're having a great day!

Until next time!

All in a Day's Work

I know this is late but you'll appreciate why in just a moment...

Hello! Good weekend to you. I hope you're having a fabulous one! Well, so far. I've been very busy craftwise, and the house hasn't suffered too bad because of it! Little A has been very sweet the last week or so. We went to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday and of course the few pictures I snapped are still on my camera. This morning, Little A was entertaining herself while E and I made breakfast and this is what I found.

She drug her quilt pillow (my first ever project on my sewing machine), her blanket, and Denny up there to lay down. She stayed there until breakfast too. She even yelled at me when I asked her if she was done.

Her obsession with hats is back too! I'm glad, it'll make Halloween easier. I'm going a different way with her costume but it'll still give the same desired effect... I need to do that before Friday. Wednesday my friend Meg, her little girl, Little A, an I went shopping. I bought Little A some much needed bigger jammies, something for the new baby, and she bought something for the baby too.

This is what I bought the baby. Right now we call the baby Peanut so there was no way I could pass this up. First piece of clothing I've bought the baby.

And she bought this! She loves Cars and I joked with E that she wanted to name the baby Lightning. In reality, it's probably not far from the truth.

Remember this? It's been abandoned for the time being. The lady down the street had her baby last week, or was it the week before?, anyway they're KU fans. KU's colors are blue and red. The colors of this blanket, though not intended, resemble that of KSU, purple and white, who is KU's bitter rival. You can imagine the enormous facepalm that happened one afternoon on our walk as we passed their house and the KU flag flapped loudly on the front of their house. You cannot give KSU colors to a KU fan, even if unintentional. The blanket might have even been thrown out had I given it to them. No joke. But anyway, instead of forming a new plan I drug my feet and played with other projects. Then the day came when the were home from the hospital, pink balloons on porch banister. That's when the the idea for a new blanket hit me.

I played with colors and idea, but I had a direction. I think it always had to be granny squares though.

Had to have blue and red in it after my realization of the fan bases.

And of course, had to be pink.

The squares alone were almost obnoxious, but together!, they are wonderful. It took me three days for this little blankie, but it's just now downstairs drying in a blocked formation. We saw the new family drive by yesterday on our walk and I kicked myself for not having it "done". I wanted to run back to the house, stuff it in a bag and give it to them right away. But tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll force E (my shy man) to go over with me a make friendly with our neighbors we have never met but always wave to. Plus, the pumpkin hat I made as my sample is going to them as well. I love gifting my goodies! It makes so happy! But here comes the reason for my tardy post...

Ta-da! My nephew's quilt all finishes. 100%! It was looking grim for awhile because this is my first project I used my Big Foot free motion foot on and still not having it figured out all the way, there were many thread, machine, quilt, etc., battles. I had given up three different times because my frustration broke into angry sobs that clouded my vision and made me sick to my stomach. I'm an "all in" emotional person, I can't have any emotion without crying and anger normally makes my stomach hurt.

At one point I told my sister-in-law she wasn't getting the quilt because it was "the worst thing I've ever done." Just the quilting part, the piecing was great! She encouraged me and I carried on. It didn't turn out as bad as I thought. After all, it was my first really real quilt.

I love the binding and how it matches the boats. I love using unrelated binding most of the time because to me it creates a frame around the quilt. But this binding is so crisp with the rest of the blanket. LOVE it!

Little A did too! She thought it was very spin-worthy...

And lay-worthy. She's a big fan of blankets. I'd say she fits in with the rest of the family.

I love folding up finished projects. It just feels more complete that way.

On another note, I have been crocheting pumpkins like crazy! Sara, at tangledhappy.com, featured the pattern for this little guy on her blog. (The pattern is found at http://happyinred.blogspot.com/2011/09/patroon-gehaakte-pompoen.html?m=1)
Funny story about this. The woman who owns the blog is from another country and she is kind enough to write in her native tongue and in English. I was not aware of this as I was geared up to started the pumpkin and missed the sign saying the English version was down below. I was disappointed at first. But I read the foreign pattern anyway, and you know what? I could actually understand most of the pattern and was going to try it that way! But thankfully I scrolled down further and saw the English version before I got started. I need to make 5 more of these little guys to give out and finish one more pumpkin hat. I've made two child sized hats in the last two days. By the way, if you're using my pattern I'd love to see your progress or finished project!

Well, anyhow, that's about all I've got for today. Once the little pumpkins are done I'm starting on some hats and my Christmas present projects, plus I still have to finish my anniversary projects. Haha, poor E, before Christmas I promise sweetie!

Three more days until we find out what the Peanut is! Guesses anyone? I'll post just to tell you the results, come Tuesday. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Until next time!