baby shower presents

I didn't stitch but I helped make these!

Two of the other girls from Stitch'n Bitch and I chipped in and shopped like crazy for these little goodies. Each of the baskets (left and right sides) match the colors the mom-to-be (again) is going with for little A's things. The blue and green are so nice, :).

The middle, "diaper cake", we set on a cake stand for a little extra pizazz. The cake is three layers high, made from tightly wound diapers. Then little things like spoons, onesie shirts, toys and other dodads all little guys need tucked in all around the edges.

They came out pretty nice.

He should make is debut around July 1.

Grey, grey and more grey!

First Grey

We had two weeks of no rain, averaging 70F with loads of beautiful sunshine. It was great for walks and general outdoor enjoyment, but bad for the plants and trees just starting their active cycles.

I had ordered the two new unfinished bureaus (drawers to some) and nightstand during the glorious sunshiny time. The day they came off the delivery truck it was rolling thunderstorms. It was kind of funny watching the guys try to unload with the sky rumbling not far away with huge dark clouds coming. They deliverers were on a mission, no doubt.

Second Grey:

It hasn't stopped drizzling, raining, or the threat of rain since. Notice the timing? I need to get the two old bureaus out, get the new ones primed (it's a grey primer), and painted (they'll be black) and then loaded into our bedroom. You know, that room that's going to get a new bed too. :) Now if the weather would just cooperate and let me do my stuff!

See that weather snapshot? I may have to prime the bureaus in the house. (*Ugh, what a mess and smell!) I managed to prime the nightstand out on the deck just in the nick of time before the rain came in the other day. I was bummed not to have been able to do more.

Other news...

I haven't stitched a darn thing. But the S&B (Stitch'n Bitch) girls and I have been busy with a fellow S&Ber's upcoming baby shower. We managed to buy and wrap over the course of several days. S.'s baby shower is this Saturday. I can't wait. I hope she loves what we picked out. I have taken pictures, but since I am not sure if she reads here, I can't post them yet. Let's just say they look awesome.

As a flossmom I have been super busy. I am shopping for two people at the moment- one a flosskid, and the other well, it not my flosskid officially, but I am helping her "stock up". As it stands now I have bought well over 200 threads in the last few weeks with many more to get still.

Third Grey: Oh and I dyed my hair again. Though technically the first time was done by my neighbor B. because I am a chicken. This time I did it myself, and used a shade lighter- 6GLight Golden Brown-, though I should go down even lighter next time. It's fun to play and hide the grey. I have been using the "warmer" colors, and I think warmer really means red hues. I think I will try for the cooler next time as well.
Each time I dye my hair it makes it several shades darker than my natural color which is an "off mix" of mostly browns, with white, grey, blonde, and almost black strands. Aren't I a weird one?

Stitch'n... Eat?

We had our Stitch'n Bitch last night. I had planned on working on a project- with everything I needed in hand, those soft pretzels with cheddar cheese (*drooling, one of my all time bad-for-me-snack), a couple of "cool beverages" and off I went to the neighbor's. I walked up , it felt wonderful. The snow is melting quite well in most places. Still some areas in people's yards with two feet or so, but in my yard we just have a "lake".
Anyways- I was the second person to arrive at S.'s house and the other girls came along after. What a spread of food we had! I think we all over did it a bit, it's just been so long since we've had a stitch night. We had it covered: veggies with dip, chips with dip, mozzarella cheese sticks (YUM!), strawberries, grapes, potato skins.... I know I am missing a few things.
For me it was Stitch'n Eat. I never touched my project. The other girls noticed. But I was having a great time talking, catching up really. We haven't seen one of our "members" since just after Christmas. So many things can happen in such a short time!


Oh how my brain and body needed that.
We are set up for next Tuesday at B.'s house.
Can't wait.

not so productive

I stitched for many hours last night on the Bookmark Exchange for the Flossmom forum(during yeah Heroes!, and beyond) to come to a conclusion. I just don't like the design. So having found another "back up" design I am going to cut yet another piece of fabric and restart. Later, maybe during Craft Night, I will spend the 3 or so hours frogging the first two starts. Mustn't waste valuable fabric!
So back to the drawing board. Another floss toss... Then start stitching again. But I think I will stick with the grey Monaco I was using.

Quiet, huh?

Looks like I am officially a Sweetheart!

Tomorrow is big time cleaning day. Not really sure what to start with since I was supposed to do my job shadow then. But, in reality it works out because I can clear up things in preparation for our weekly Craft Night. I am making this one completely, 100% kid free! The kids have had to be around at different houses, on and off. This time I want it "stitchers only".
So job shadow Friday morning. As soon as the kids get on the bus I am hopping in the van and heading over to S's school. Wish me luck!

August, in a blur

I was here, I swear. Just not much in an online sense.
And I have no idea where to begin!
The Stich'n Bitch (aka Craft Night) has continued on. This week we are meeting on Thursday night as Knitty Kitty's house. I plan on working on the baby sweater that I started the gauge for last night. Starting the matching blanket would be even better then, meaning that the sweater was already done, but I won't hold my breath. Life always has a way of changing the plans we make. I am not making it for any particular person. I just wanted to make something besides the several dishcloths I have made so far. I thought that making a full sized sweater (*cough, my size) would take a long, long time. So, making a smaller one still gets the process down with making the pieces and then putting them together.
*update on the sweater- the gauge is "close enough" and I have begun the first piece, the back of the sweater. I am also going to learn how to do both sleeves at once I think. *grin.
Our little private road has turned into quite a crew! We have spent many an evening or afternoon with our many neighbors. Cooking out, horseshoes, pool(s), wiffle ball. This year has been the best of them all. The kids were riding their bikes to each others' houses and having games of "Manhunt", wiffleball, kickball, and many more. It was neat to have so much going on. My two would complain about the busyness of the week only to ask on the Saturday, "Can _____ come over? Or can I go see what they are doing?" One day Knitty Kitty and I took 9 kids to Dundee Park. You should have seen the faces on the beach as they saw out huge group walk up. It was great. Hubby and I have other couples to hang out with.
We had our first successful yard sale. By successful I mean we made more than $20 after sitting out all day. This time we set up with two other neighbors. Which draws more people and makes the time pass by so quickly. DH and I took in about $56. And it cleaned out the house a bit. Now we will continue on. Cleaning things out and possibly have another sale. If not, Goodwill and the Salvation Army will make out very well.

Knitting news:
I have knitted up two practice dishcloths.(pink and red)




Then I played with some soft yarn with the same pattern. (in blues)


Then I bought some pretty cotton yarn and made this one. I think I will keep it for myself. I don't use them as dishcloths. Instead I use them as potholders, like for bowls of soup, to protect the table.

I ordered two books for my collection:
Crochet for Dummies
Knitting for Dummies
The crochet one was recommended by a fellow Craft Nighter. Just couldn't beat the price so I got the both.
Another I think on my to-get-in-the-near-future is one called Knitting for Peace. I took it out from the library and think I may "need" it for my collection. Yeah, I usually get things through the library first, then decide from there what I want to keep on hand or not.


~Now for the Van Rant:
I blew a tire Saturday night while in the Subway parking lot. It was about 6:30PM and I had both of the kids with me so they could use their free meal certificates for participating in the Summer Reading Program. Anywho, it blew, and I didn't have the cell phone on me, which I almost always have on me so it was odd. Never changed a tire in my life and as I was starting to tackle it, a passerby stopped and helped me. It wasn't long though before we realized my spare had rusted on the underside of the van! So by about dark I was able to reach DH and have him come down to tackle it. Still stuck. So DH took us home and drove out with a pump to get the tire inflated enough to get home.
Lucky for me, VIP was open on Labor Day. I didn't bother Sunday since I have been fighting this cold for about a week now. So I have a spiffy new rear driver side tire just in time to get down to get the can inspected and have it fail. Why you ask? It needed new tire rod(s) and stuff in the front. Bad, bad van.
Then tomorrow a.m. I have an appointment for the two new tires in the front, now that the original problem is fixed. *Sheesh!
So what does that bring me to? Um, $567 spent at a quick count on the van in under a week.
*sigh
~End Rant~
OH and 5 appointments this week between the van (four) and my dentist appointment. Yeehah!


And for fun, this is the sunflower I started from seed indoors. It's over my head now (which isn't saying much ;) )

Yarn Over

Craft Night was at S's house. All four of us made it. And I learned a couple of new knitty things!

I am reading/using a knitting pattern.

Doing a "yarn over".

And increasing and decreasing stitches.

Go me!

I am using a simple online pattern for dishclothes, some odd, icky yarn to practice with and size 9 needles or so I think. Yep, size 9.

I'd like to make some as presents for Christmas. Keep your fingerscrossed for me!

Knitty Kitty was great deciphering the pattern for me and showing me the stitches I needed to do. She's a teacher (professor), it shows, such patience!

H. won't be able to make it next week, she goes on vacation with her family. But since DH is planning on attending the Red Sox game next Wednesday.... Wait should explain that- DH is taking the Downeaster train down with his cousin, her husband, and their son down to the game. They will be there most of the day. Well they won't be hopping back on the train home until 6pm, and where it's Craft Night, we usually start by about 5 or so. So I will have my two kids, and one of DH's cousin's daughter (she's not a baseball fan ;) ) and so I was thinking of hosting Craft Night here, at my house. With kids this time, since there's no other choice really. DH usually takes the kids out if I host, or keeps them busy while I am gone.

Sorry for the jibber posting. I am tired. Been a busy day!



And for all of the flossmom fans, there's a new exchange starting!!!! This time it's for a Bookmark.

Goodnight everybody!

A Mini Vacation

So, "Where did I go?"
Well the double eye infection cleared up with meds and I managed to finish the Webkinz blanket. It was in use right after completion. DD liked it I think *wink.
There have been two Stitch'n Bitch nights. The first Wednesday was at my house. The second at S.'s (must ask her if it's okay to link to her from here, or mention her name here) They have been wonderful. We were discussing it last time as a matter of fact. Seems the crafting isn't the main reason we are getting together! Hee hee. The humpday laugh until you cry has done wonders for me. I look forward to it, and by Monday start planning what food to bring. Yes, got's to have the good eats!
The kids and I went with my Mother-In-Law on a mini vacation too Boothbay Harbor. Headed out from Portland Friday, early afternoon. Met up in Gardiner, then traveled on to Boothbay from there. We stayed at the Smuggler's Cove Motel . What a blast! Hit some of our favorite shops, like the saltwater taffy shop. The weather was hot and humid Friday but had leveled off after a huge thunderstorm Friday night. What a site that was! Gorgeous! With the second story view we haad over the water and pool you could really see every flash. We returned home by about 4pm Sunday. Seems as though I needed an extra day in there to prepare for the regular old days to come! Hee hee.

I logged into EMS today and had only 1600 messages to catch up on! I am here guys. Just trying to catch up on all the stuff I missed during my eyes troubles, day-to-day busyness and then vacation. So I may not be posting, but I will get to what you wrote, hopefully soon!

And thank you all for the nice comments- the well wishes on my eyes troubles.