Benny Turns 2

I like birthday crafts.  The cheesy matchy matchy stuff is just so cute, but only acceptable for birthdays.  I made everything the day of his party (because I NEVER wait till the last minute). 

 The cake was yummy marshmallow fondant.  There is a little squirrel on the top and Benny would not leave it alone.  He must have tried to snatch it three or four times.

I didn't have enough time to put his name on his shirt, but the shirt is a very easy project.  There is this double sided iron on fusible stuff that is amazing.  You iron it onto the back of your fabric, cut out your shirt, then iron it onto whatever you want.  I do a zigzag stitch around the shape/letter/number.   The cape is a soft velour and stays on with velcro.

Austin

Not much time for craftiness the last two months.  I have some longies that have been on the needles for what seems like forever.  I need to finish them up and make the boys each a couple of pairs of shorties. 

I haven't taken any pictures, but I've been juicing.  I'm not hard core or doing it for weight loss.  I just really don't like my vegetables and I need to sneak them into my drink. I've made some pretty colored yummy juices, however, I've also made some sewage looking stuff that I have to chug and not think about how bad it tastes.  I don't think anyone should be fooled and you should know green juice is somewhat disgusting.  I put apples and/or pears in, but there is no hiding the taste of spinach, lettuce, parsley, tomato, carrot, beat, ginger, and anything else that isn't sweet.  So, I just chug it down and think about all the energy I'm going to have.

I've also been baking bread.  It's slightly amazing for two reasons.  First, I actually baked something and it didn't burn or was under baked. Secondly, it's so GOOD.  I can't believe I baked something that tasted that good.  Seriously.  It's like something in the Austin water has made me capable of baking.  If you don't own the book Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day you need to really consider getting it if you want delicious and fresh bread as a part of your diet. I think Brandon likes it.  He is hard to impress and wasn't really excited.

Speaking of Brandon...

In the 4 years that I've known Brandon I have seen him through failing at teaching, quitting teaching, finding a new job, having a car break down on the GW on a Friday during rush hour on a three day weekend, sleep deprivation, swine flu, stomach bugs, more sleep deprivation, quitting coffee, and driving across the country.   The man handles stress well and totally balances me out.  He is so calm about it all and just does what needs to be done without complaining or being grumpy.  Between all we have been through there are on two times where I have seen Brandon totally not be himself.  The first time was dealing with CT's DMV and then this morning when there was no milk.  Seriously, make sure the man always has breakfast.  I mean we have dealt with way worse than no milk, we all got quick kisses and "I love yous" and he grumpily went to work.  Benny acts the same way when we run out of milk - at least I know where he gets it from.  For the record, there was a huge box of oatmeal... (Brandon... love you)

And my newest project is seeing how cheap I can get organic food.  I'm pretty pleased with Austin's grocery stores and their competition to have lowest prices.  We are blessed that we don't HAVE to have a tight food budget, but it's still not an excuse to get the best possible deal.  So, I'm going to look at my fliers, figure out the deals, and menu plan around what is on sale. 

We went to Newflower Farmer's Market this morning (which was perfect because it's raining and we needed to go do something) and I got $0.99 pineapples, chicken breast for $1.67 lb, milk for $2.49 a gallon, and some other things on my list.   I forgot to get ground beef.  We may go back after naptime... it's $1.88lb.

I also have things to get from Sprout's, Randall's, and HEB.  For the longest time I thought WHY would I go to 4 different stores just to save a few bucks.  Well, today I saved almost $24.  It's also significantly easier to go into one store and grab just a few items with the boys.  I only have a few things on my list so we are in and out and that keeps everyone happy.

I'll be back to making awesome things soon. Stay posted.  

Crafts for me!

You get the idea.  I get to cover my head and don't have to deal with hat hair or my hat thief son. I just kind of put those pictures together super fast and I'm only now noticing my super nursing boobs in that first picture.  Goodness -  motherhood has changed my body.

I don't know if it's too old lady or not. Not that I really care.  I'm married and a mom - so who do I have to impress.  I should just gets points for showering and not having sweat pants on. Brandon said it's okay if I wear it with my sweaterboots... which I wear constantly.  I've made several really awesome purchases in the last few months and those were one of them.

Anyways, I used a size N crochet hook. Chain 115 (I think). I just worked in the round alternating between a double crochet stitch and a single crochet stitch.  When I would start another row I would work the DC into the SC of the previous row. It's about 2 feet tall. It took maybe 4 hours, but I have plenty of distractions so that can be a totally bogus guess.

I'm working on an infinity scarf, but with tunisian crochet.

Daddy Crafts Too

That would be the sewing machine and the serger.  Benny was content sitting in the high chair and watching. 

.

He spent the weekend tailoring his shirts.  My mom asked why I didn't do it for him.  If you know Brandon at all you know HIS way is the best possible most correct way to do anything.  He fixed like 10 shirts.  I think he is going to go on a crazy Goodwill shopping spree now that he knows he can make any dress shirt fit him how he wants. 

The last of 2009

Tunisian longies.  That had to be some of the softest yarn I have ever worked with.

It's like 4,000 different colors. I want to use up what I had and I certainly did.

I'm working on longies for Benny now with this yarn.  Blackberry Ridge is so soft.  I hope I have enough to make him a hat.

"Failed Dusk"  there is a colorway I just love and I tried to do my version of it... didn't quite happen. I still love what we have.  My in-laws got the yarn in Australia.  It is a nice light weight and matches a ton of Benny's clothes.  He seriously wears them like 3 times a week.

 

Hudson Hat. I bought the pattern because I'm so new to knitting that I don't know how to write my own patterns yet.  I have enough scraps to make another... I think.  

I know... I know...

It's been awhile since I've updated.

Well, I taught myself to knit. Honestly, if I can knit anyone can. I learned to crochet when I was 6 and just couldn't imagine using two needles. I'm using the continental method and having the yarn in my left hand just feels right.

The hat kind of sucks, but so do the pants.  They are my first knitted projects so I have sloppy stitches.  I made and infant sized hat and should have made the toddler size.  At least I know better for next time.  I also hope I don't stab myself with double pointed needles.  I HATE those things.  Oh, I need to add a pom pom or a tassel to the top and the ends. 

You can search back, but I dyed the yarn.  The awesome lady of Pengy Pants did a trade with me.  She knitted some longies and I traded some pretty dyed yarn! 

I started these the other day with some yarn I didn't sell.  I only had enough to make shorts.  I REALLY hope Everett will fit in these by summer.  I'm sure I can find a good home if they don't fit though! I'm not done yet.  I need to sew up the crotch, make an icord, and deal with my ends.

Next up... dyeing yarn for a hat and longies set for Benny!

Coming Soon...

Videos on how do tunisian crochet in the round AND my longies pattern.  Brandon is done with his test so he will be able to hold the camera for me. 

I'm selling stuff next month and then that's it.  You know where to find me for trades :)

I've taught myself how to knit.  I'm not an all-star at short rows, but I will figure it out (or find help).

Yeah Yarn!

 

 

 

Colorways to happen...

Sweetheart -cestari - 1.5 skein of colorway + .5 skein of trim (collab with Bellini Britches)
Mint Chocolate Zoo - blackberry ridge - 1.5 skein of colorway + .5 skein of trim (collab with Mac-A-Doodles)
Rusty Hearts - blackberry ridge - 2 skeins of colorway + 1 skein of trim (half for trade/half for congo)
Rainbow Noir -cestari - 1 skein of colorway + .5 skein of trim (trade)
????? - cestari -1 skein of colorway + .5 skein of trim (congo)
Something Boyish - cestari -3 skeins of colorway + 1 skein of trim (trade)

I have ALOT of dyeing to do this next week and half.  I'll post pictures when I can. 

I will have to wait to reveal all my trades.  My favorite online cloth diapering group is doing a secret mom thing where we send each other goodies.  I get to do some trades - which is definitely fun!  I had to buy 5 extra skeins of yarn this month.  I wish these would sell so I can have some paypal to play with. I know they are spendy, but they are totally worth it.  The yarn is so soft.

I have knitting needles on the way.  Brandon might kill me if I pick up another hobby.  Not really - he totally supports me in whatever crazy thing I want to do.  I bet he wishes I would pick up cooking, cleaning, and not making messes with dyes in the kitchen as a hobbies.

Collaboration with Mac-A-Doodles

Check it out

You can "spot" the item.  I'll feel cool.

Alright...

Who is from Detroit that keeps looking at my blog like a bajillion times?

It's pretty easy to put a tracker on your blog.

I use blog tracker - very easy to use.  I like that I can use the geolocation option and see where people are from that are viewing my blog.

So, do I know you Detroit person? 

Any my friends that do wonder over from facebook or maybe even have me on their RSS feeds.  Thank you for caring enough to look at my craft stuff.

Whimsical Fluff Congo

All items can be found at the Whimsical Fluff Congo.  I'm on board for September, October, ,and November - and then I'll re-evaluate to see if I want to keep doing it.

For this month, I tunisian crocheted "Rustic Rainbow" from last months stocking.  It didn't sell - so I got to play with it! I just love how it turned out... and the ruffle cuffs - so cute.  These longies are made of almost 9oz of yarn.  Nothing is impossible, but a baby leaking through tunisian crochet is one of those almost impossible things.

I also dyed some yarn.  First up, "Scarecrow" on Marr Haven. 

I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  It's going to work up beautifully - there is no doubt in my mind.

How about some camo ooga booga on cestari?  In the cloth diapering community - those little ooga booga monsters are a hit.  I'm not even going to pretend that I don't love them too! Gretch, from Mac-A-Doodles paired up with me and she made a diaper to match!

Finally, I can show off "Flashy Sparkles or Something Like That".  I tried to live on the wild side and do the skeins separate from each other.  It didn't work out.  The other skein is sitting here... I will make a soaker out of it at some point.  I'd also like to mention the runner up name of this yarn was "Continental Shelf" because Brandon said I should call it something related to the ocean.  He doesn't think people buying yarn would enjoy my lame sense of humor... you know because naming yarn after a line a Muppet sings is just a bajillion times cooler. 

I still have some Marr Haven to dye this week, but it's going to rain tomorrow and I just love being able to dry my wool outside. Maybe tomorrow night if Wednesday looks decent. 

I don't know where I'm going to dye when it gets cold.  My husband supports me in everything I want to do, but I have a feeling he isn't going to be down with me dyeing yarn on the kitchen floor with garbage bags taped down so I don't ruin it.  I can tell you from experience that bleach does clean dye up.

Back.

We have had a busy two weeks with my father in law visiting and Everett's christening, but I'm back in business.

I made a soaker - I also made longies, but they have already been sent to a fellow wool lover.

 

Who knew soakers could also be worn as a hat.  He won't wear a hat, but he will sure walk around with a soaker on ALL day.

I have yarn dyed too, but need to drag the lightbox down to take some pictures... or drag myself upstairs when Everett isn't sleeping and take some pictures.  It's so pretty and I can't wait to show it off!

Big Brother

The cestari was really nice to work with.  It required more dye than other yarns, but it took the dye well. 

 

I had an issue when I went to reskein so I had to ball some of it up.

 

Blue: Turquoise, Sky Blue, Ecru
Green: Kelly Green, Turquoise, Ecru
Black
Silver

This one has random splotches of color.  I forced myself to not be so OCD about patterns and just went with it.

Do you love it?  Buy it here. 

Faux-Knit

Tunisian knit stitch in the round.


I'm pretty impressed that it fit.



Everett sure did like it :)

... but not as much as he loves sucking on his hand.

Melted Crayons

Two people told me the colors remind me of them of crayons. That wins. FYI, I know there are plenty of you viewing this blog. You can comment - it will make you less stalkerish ;)

I'm really happy with this yarn. It might be my favorite colorway to date! I'm in love with the baby blue and the green I created.

Here is how I got my colors:
Pink - fire red and aztec orange
Orange - Pumpkin orange and bright yellow (and maybe some ecru)
Green - Kelly Green and Turquoise
Blue - Turquoise, Sky Blue, and Ecru
Purple - Navy Blue and Crimison
Grey - black, red, green, and blue

I can't get a true black. Someone help me!

This was almost a disaster. I had it all saran wrapped when I realized I didn't spritz with vinegar. I don't know how I almost forgot. I seriously say over and over in my head "don't forget to spritz, don't forget to spritz..."

Do you love it? You can buy it here.

Name my yarn!

It needs a name and better pictures before I can officially blog about it!

Rustic Rainbow

I pretty much used every color of dye I own and the BFL was wonderful to dye. (This is the colorway from the tutorial.)

Here is how I got the colors.

Red - Fire Red and Crimson
Orange - Aztec Gold, Pumpkin Orange, Ecru
Yellow - Bright Yellow, Ecru
Green - Emerald, Chartreuse, Kelly Green (and I think a little Ecru)
Blue - Sky Blue, Turquoise, Navy Blue (mostly the navy blue)
Charcoal - Black and Silver

Do you love it? You can buy it here. I dyed some matching trim that you get for FREE!

Serger in the shop...

And these are never going to get done... I NEED diapers. I put Everett in diapers that leak just so I don't have to do laundry twice a day. Ugh. I'm tired of getting peed on when he has any PUL diaper on.
Hopefully, it really will be done in 7-10 days and not cost more than the $110 total tune up (totally out of control, but I'm not giving up my 1988 Baby Lock).

In the meantime I'm tunisianing this up:
Blackberry Ridge Merino sure is soft and I'm in LOVE with these colors.

You too can dye (part 4)

You need to wake up super excited because you have a present waiting for you! You should probably also feed the babies.
Rinse, rinse, and rinse some more. Your water needs to run clear. Then, I like to wash and lanolize the wool so it smells good, soft to work with, and ready to use!


Squeeze your yarn and roll it up in towel... you know get it as dry as you can. Hang your pretty yarn to dry. If it's nice put it outside if it's not nice the shower head works.


Once it's dry you can re-skein/ball it up. Enjoy your yarn. Admire your work.

AND finally, take pretty pictures. I'll be selling this yarn here as a guest vendor for August/September.