Crocheted What Update...

Popping back in to show you how the sweater I posted earlier turned out...so far...I am pleased and in honor of Valentine's Day to come...I added a vintage heart button which will also be on the hat to coordinate. I am also going to add mittens to this set.

So there we are two posts in one day...I am happy hope you are today too! 

Once completed pattern will be added for you to enjoy.

Knitting Book Giveaway....Lullaby Knits by Designer Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard

Knitting Book GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away this lovely book Lullaby Knits it's new has not been used. All pages are crisp and clean. Originally released and printed in the UK in 2013. It has gorgeous cardigan, vests, accessories, baby blankets, sweaters and jackets. The book alone is beautifully done. Sizes are from 3 to 6 months up to 18 to 24 months. The giveaway will be up on my blog until November 13th at midnight Eastern Standard time. A number will be chosen by a random generator and posted on the 14th. Simply leave a comment telling what you are grateful for in your life. Please leave your email so I know how to contact the winner. Inside the United States book will be shipped flat rate priority. International will be shipped the most affordable and safest way. Good Luck.

Knitted Baby/Toddler Free Sweater Pattern

Popping in on a Sunday night to give you a Baby/Toddler FREE Sweater pattern I found years ago and in fact is my next project, after I finish my blanket. Hop on over to f.pea where you will find the directions and size changes for this adorable sweater. I love the way a new color is added to give the sweater a bit of a rustic feel. So adorable...Enjoy!

Hand Sewing a Quilt...

I've been working on the quilt for little Emma Ann and must add it's going really well, in fact I decided to do it all by hand. Yes, I am hand stitching the entire quilt, no sewing machine at all. Although I have one I get so annoyed at changing everything moving the fabric around and such...and as you know I love the Amish way of life. I do a lot of things around my home just as they do, like washing my clothes, gardening to fill my cabinets to lower cost of groceries. 

I have done extensive research on Amish quilting by hand and have to say I am so much more pleased with the out come of this quilt compared to machine stitching. According to the Amish a machine quilt looses value with time where as a hand stitched gains with time. By hand stitching a quilt also tends to last longer, they should not be washed or stored in plastic only a sheet. Washing a hand stitched quilt is not recommended merely taking it outside after a snow and whipping it up and down against the snow will freshen the quilt.

I can not express how easy and rewarding hand stitching a quilt really is when working on it, not only is it relaxing but also seems quicker. I am really enjoying this quilt and plan on making more the same way. I have the top just about completed, once I get the quilt ready to sew the batting and back together I will show a photograph before the tah-dah moment.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, it's spring and that alone is nice, isn't it?

Making the Baby Quilt

TGIF it's Friday!! Hello dear readers,

Since my post yesterday, and the mentioning of the quilt. I thought I'd give you a peek at what I'm doing the colors and how I plan to put it together.

The colors in this photograph aren't really showing them as they are one gets a better view in the top photograph. Here I am working on setting up the squares for a nice quilt pattern.

This quilt is for Emma Ann the new little one in the first photograph in the last post below. I am planning on doing most of it by hand, finishing off the gray squares with some pink detail so far, not sure. I really do love the colors and the fact they will match her nursery perfectly. I will have to photograph her nursery its so beautiful, the gray's, whites, and pinks. I just love it and this will be a good addition.

So there you have it for Friday, have a wonderful weekend. It's a bit cool here kind of dreary, cloudy and rainy. It's been that way for days. Doesn't help the mood, so I'm doing what I can to stay occupied and not let these days get to me. Enjoy where ever you are, thanks again for visiting.

He's Growing...

And he keeps growing...I tell you baby William is nearly 4 months already and has a contagious smile! It's gorgeous! He loves the bunny grandma made, and I am so happy he does!

My delay in posting has been due to so many things I am creating at the moment.

And the work in the green house has begun. Spring is coming and very soon two grand daughters.

I am so very blessed.

Beautiful and Free Baby Pattern

My grandson "William" keeps getting more beautiful. The truth...

I believe every new life is beautiful. After sending me this photograph my daughter said, "I just hope he's happy. I know he's so love by us, I just hope he's happy." Does he look happy to you? To me he does. As a mom myself, I have to say I've never seen a mother as involved in how a child feels, as the mother of this child. Once a first time mom myself, I don't ever remember saying, I just hope he's happy. I am incredibly proud of my daughter, she's so much more engaged in how her son feels, and that to me is it's truly amazing.

So I added this Free Pattern for all today. I think these are just adorable. Enjoy the pattern and have a wonderful day.

Sizes - Newborn to 3 months (3 to 6 months)

MATERIALS

1- 1 3/4 oz/50gm ball

(approx. 131 yards/120mm)

of Rowan/Westminster Fibers Organic Cotton

naturally dyed DK in 986 Natural

weight (3)

Small amount of blue cotton yarn for embroidery

Size 4 (3.5mm) needles

Size B/1 (2.25mm) crochet hook

STITCHES

garter stitch

stockinette stitch

SK2P

K2 tog, k3 tog

crochet chain stitch

straight stitch

GAUGE

24 sts to 4"/10cm over St

st using size 4 (3.5mm) needles

SOLE

Using the size 4 needles, cast on 35 (39) sts and knit 1 row.

Continuing in garter st, inc every 2 rows as follows:

Next Row - k1, inc1, k 16, (18), inc 1, k1, inc 1, k 16 (18), inc 1, k1.

Next Row - k2, inc 1, k16 (18), inc 1, k3, inc 1, k16, (18), inc 1, k2.

Next Row - k3, inc 1, k16 (18), inc 1, k5, inc 1, k16 (18), inc 1, k3

Next Row - k4, inc 1, k16 (18), inc 1, k7, inc 1, k16 (18), inc 1, k4. 

you will have 55 stitiches.

Continue in garter stitch for 10 rows, Bind off.

UPPER

Cast on 12 (14) sts and work in garter st for 4 rows. 

Next Row - switch to stockinette st and work straight for 5, (3) rows.

Nest Row - With RS facing, sl 1, k1, psso, knit until 2 sts remain, k2tog.

Work 1 straight row.

Larger size only - Repeat the last 2 rows once.

Next Row (row 6 (12)) Sl 1, k2tog, k2, k3tog,-6 sts remain.

Work one row straight.

FINISHING

Sew up the sole and back of the shoe, followed by the upper. Using

the crochet hook, work 100 chain sts for a tie and fasten off. Fold

the tie in half and attach the fold at the top of the heel. Follow the design 

below to embroider the flower in straight stitch. Complete a second, 

identical.

Baby Will in his Owl Sack....has arrived!!

     When love comes into your life you don't question it you embrace it.....

When in comes in the form of a grand child you open your heart even wider and let love in...

There is nothing more beautiful that nature can provide us than the birth of a new human life....

There is nothing more innocent nothing stronger than the bond between a grand mother and her grand children.  Say hello again to baby "Will" in the little Owl Sack and Hat that grandma knitted. Welcome little one to a life that will surround you with tons of love...

And say hello to the entire family in the most beautiful Christmas Card a grandmother could ever receive. When I opened the card I sat on the floor and cried tears of enormous love. My daughter, Dannon Mae, her hubby, Aaron Joseph and there new addition William Carter...life just doesn't get any better than this...family it's what it's all about, embrace it, cherish it, hold on to it, live for it...it's all we have in this world. Family...He truly is a Christmas Miracle. Merry Christmas little one and many blessings for a beautiful life.

And Now We Know.... Exactly What!

We know that this little guy was born Nov. 12, 2013

And his mother is so incredibly in love with him...she stares at him constantly...Well, she tries, literally! 

I've never seen a mother so engaged with a child as my daughter, and that's not being bias, it's so true, if only you could see her with him. Well let's just say... What a lucky little boy! Two miscarriages, and an ovarian disease, it was a struggle to have this little guy, bring this little guy full term and into the world. Rightly so, she can stare as much as she likes!

What we didn't know, when he left the Hospital he would go back the first two weeks of his life. Loosing weight beyond what was normal, mom and babies blood mixed in womb, which is bad when it's incompatible, along with becoming extremely jaundice. I had noticed he was a bit off color during my visit (me holding him) and mentioned it to my daughter, who said, mom they said he was fine. But indeed he wasn't...what a struggle this little guy had right after his birth. With tears she said, I feel so bad mom, I should have known but I trusted the Hospital and I won't make that mistake again. Will (the little guy) is doing fine now and while speaking with my daughter on the phone last night, who loves him so much, was afraid to give him his first in water bath. Afraid she would drown him or break his tiny neck. So...daddy gave Will his first bath. 

I pray every night, this little guy, stays healthy.

Then there is the Season of all Seasons 'Christmas" one I did not enjoy for many years nor did I decorate. I did my best to just hide and sleep through that week. 

It takes time to heal from a devastating situation...but it doesn't feel it will change when you're going through it, does it?

Yet it does...if you speak of it out loud, if you take it day to day and know that every day you get through is one more day closer....because when you hit bottom the only way to go is up! Whether it's a year or ten years up is the only way you can go and that life will lead you to.....

Brighter days! Yes it does...I know from first hand experience what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And even if the days are dark the light finds it's way to you...God loves us all... you truly are never alone. You just have to trust him and pray, believe he has more for you to accomplish...because he does in times of troubles. You can't give up and you can't let go! This is a tough time of year for a lot of people, we must keep that in mind, think of others, and ask, how are you...really.

One candle light is all it takes to find your way home... and today was "Giving Tuesday" I hugged my cat, and am sending many Blessings your way.  To all of you reading or passing through, I will put you in my prayers tonight by mentioning my post. 

And what else did I know...after many prayers there it was right in front of me...I know what I am going to do this overly creative gal. On Cyber Monday I bought a Cannon ESO T3I with two lenses, a bag, an 8gb SD card and many other features. I re-evaluated my life since my son and I talked about what I wanted to do in this empty nester life. I realized every time I go to the store I interact with children especially from birth to 5, I just love everything about how pure there souls are...how honest, how incredibly real they are in everything they do. Remember when you were little you did everything, you played, walked through stores, went anywhere with family, etc.....and did what you felt without caring what anyone thought. I think we all need to go back there let the inner child dance, play, run, twirl in circles without caring what anyone thinks. I know I do and it feels awesome. Rejuvenating! Exactly what do I know.... I was a photographer for many years when I was in my twenties for a local studio. I know when I go outside I am always taking photographs. I know that my current camera has done it's job...my Kodak Easy Share Z712 IS held up and did it's best even though I always wanted a real professional camera, and didn't give it the interest I should have...I am grateful for having it. I won't part with it..unless one of my children needs a better camera.

Happy Holidays to all! Thank you again for visiting!

Knitting and Everything Else!!

Today was a bit nice, not terribly sunny, but in all we were in the 40ties, a very nice day for a walk to the store. I take advantage of days like these because we all know the snow is coming.

Target is close and that's were I usually travel for just a few grocery things. Although Target is a nice store, it's a bit pricey, for the things they offer, yet it does get me out of the apartment, walking is important as is socializing. Talking to a cat all day is truly a one sided conversation.

After arriving home, I decided to do something I wanted to do months ago. Let's just say it was bought months ago...now everyone thinks you have to buy the same color of paint in a high gloss, to get a tone on tone texture. Not true...here is a a soft white wall with a flat finish done in a simple stencil. For a mere 1.89 the price of a Pearl gloss small bottle of acrylic paint from the craft store. You can achieve the same look, so much cheaper. I've also done this with a bottle of clear gloss. There...one more thing I wanted to do is out of the way...

And so is this little sweater... patterned after the owl sweater, only this time done in Dk weight yarn instead of worsted. I really meant to do the owl sweater in Dk but I was so excited to get started, I just picked up the yarn and knitted away. 

I haven't added the button yet, out of all the buttons this girl has there was not one set of navy blue or white. Currently I'm knitting the hat and will add mitts...with a little bit of either navy blue or white intertwined. I am leaning toward navy blue.

I didn't add the owl's this time I wanted it to be a more traditional button down sweater, especially in colors that are hard to find for a new baby. 

I'm really pleased with this sweater compared to the original again done in worsted weight yarn and the Bernat Softee was so much better to knit. I just ordered Bernat Comfort Dk in two colors for the new baby due in April. The plan for the new yarn a sweater with a bit of design at the bottom and maybe around the bottom of the sleeves, with a matching hat and newborn blankie. A bit more girly, after all the baby is a girl. 

So in the end I'm still deciding on whether to leave blogger and move to Typepad after all it's not free. I've done a lot of research this weekend and learned that Typepad does drive more traffic to a blog, then all the others. To pay for a blog one must have very good content from what they say...I guess it's all in what one is looking to do, right.

Thanks for visiting...have a wonderful rest of this Sunday. Blessings to all!

A Bit of What's Up....

A bit of what's up in my week so far.....

Hello all...how's your day? It's nearly Thanksgiving and I know a lot of you are running around not only shopping for Thanksgiving, but Christmas too. I have mixed feelings this time of year, although I delight in the Season, love the decor, I can't help but think of all those in need. So today I called the Fire Department to see what I could do, anything is better than nothing. I ended up speaking to an employee who's wife had left him this time last year. Within minutes we were talking about how bad this year has been for him. It's amazing how just picking up the phone to help and you meet someone who needs help themselves. I look at people that I pass this time of year and can't help but wonder if they are really okay. This is the time of year to help and offer hope to those who have lost it. Hope is the key, without it nothing matters, we all have to have hope to survive. Without hope, there are no dreams for tomorrow, and faith that things will change is gone. Hope is the thing that gives you wings to believe you can do anything, it tells a person that there is a tomorrow, it puts a light on dreams that have been put out. I know from my own experience of being homeless myself. You may look at these people and say, "oh come on, why aren't they helping themselves. A four little word HOPE when gone keeps a person frozen in time. When frozen by the a devastating situation, we tend to do nothing, we don't know where to go, or for that what to do, that is when hope is gone. There has to be a reason for life, there has to be dreams, people need to know they matter, and that's so important especially this time of year. It's partly why I blog...it's nice to know people visit, read, and by them helping me just by visiting, I hope in return I am helping someone myself.

For me it use to be tough during the Holidays, as I have mentioned I am a germaphobic and now an empty nester, it's not always roses living alone. It takes work to motivate and thank goodness being creative does that for me. Being a germaphobic the less people I can be around in the winter months with all the germs the better I am. My children understand this they call me on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and they chuckle now as they have grown, because they know I am okay. They know they can visit as long as everyone is healthy, they understand that's me. I am grateful that they do. We do get together, they come to my home, if they are ill they call and say they can't make it, but they call, and that's important to me.Just speaking to them means a lot to me. So on my Thanksgiving I will open a box of Stove Top Stuffing, cook a small chicken breast, cranberries, and enjoy my day. I do see the grand babies, of course if they are healthy, and I am grateful as they too understand grandma. We all have problems, no one is without there own issues in this life and that's okay. It's okay to have them, it's okay to talk about them, it's okay even if it makes you different. It's what we do with it... when we know of someones troubles.

There was a day when my son and I (last year) were leaving Walmart, a man was standing holding a sign, please help, my family needs to eat. My son immediately knew what I was going to do, so he stopped. There was a time when he questioned me, he said mom, "how do you know they are really in need?" I replied, " I don't, but this is a test of my humility, my faith, if I pass them by, it says, I don't care. If I stop and give what I can it says I believe, even thought it's a chance I am taking as it could be a scammer. It says, I believe in people and that's all that matters to me. I hope I am a part of the Hope that gives people less fortunate the wings to begin to fly, its part of who I have become through my own life lessons, and I am so very grateful and blessed by those trials in my life. The best feeling in the world is helping others and I wouldn't change that feeling for anything.

So I am currently blocking the blanket to the owl sweater, and have started another sweater working it my own way as I go. This time I am using sport weight yarn by Bernat, it's baby softee. Not a bad yarn and much better than Caron Simply Soft. My cat, Bella, entertains me on top of the chair I bought from Goodwill in the summer, by chasing her tail. If you remember I striped the chair down a bit, said I would leave it sit until it hits me as to how I wanted to finish it. I have ordered what I need and will transform it soon. I have so many blasted ideas rolling around in this gal's head for knitting, recycling and so much more it's hard to keep up. And I am thankful I do. I am going to try this winter to get more of them completed and post them. I am soon to be adding to my shop page, linen pillow covers with quotes, phrases. I will post when they are available. In the meantime....

Have a wonderful week, be safe as you make your way shopping. Blessings to all. Again thank you for visiting, it means a lot.

Knitted Sweater with A Bizarre Story

Well it seems as though winter is arriving and coming in harder than last year. Despite the fact that I think we are all in for a bizarre winter, knitting is on my agenda.

Which calls for sweaters, right! My baby owl sweater is still on the block, although I am pleased that it's finished, and indeed was fun and easy to knit, there are a few things I would change. First of all if the pattern calls for sport weight don't use worsted. I knew the darn thing call for sport weight yet my brain kept saying worsted. Needless to say, its more of a 3 to 6 month sweater instead of a newborn. I'm not thrilled with the neckline, but, the rest is fine. As with most things the first one is the one were I learn everything and make many mistakes. Happily in this one there is only one very small mistake. I used Carson Simply Soft and love the way it makes blankets, but, am not pleased with the way this yarn is with this particular pattern. I have used quality yarns and it truly does make a difference especially in stitch quality. Oh, and I love The Crochet Dude blocks...they are like puzzles can be made large or small depending on your blocking project. I purchased mine on EBay. They are so easy to store especially when you live in a small space.

I tried to zoom in a bit closer, actually this girl needs to treat herself to a really nice camera. Currently I've been working with a Kodak Easy Share Z712 1S it's done the job since purchased 5 years ago, but, I think it's time to treat myself after all I do love photography. Although one would never know by looking at my photographs..it's really not me it's the camera..yeah right, okay, who you  kidding. Indeed a quality camera does help. Oh and back to the zoom in part...I wanted to show you the little owl's on each side of the sweater. Again the quality of the yarn makes a huge difference. I'm going to make another which will go much quicker, of course, in a Sport Weight. Now for the story....

Bizarre and Very True

 I think my mind is still a bit off track, especially after this bizarre thing that happened to me which had me stunned and laughing at the same time.

Okay so in spring girl walks to food store, while crossing street after girl looks both ways, car quite a distance away decides to speed up nearly hitting girl. So girl knows the driver long story, involves care of handicap children, so girl decides to follow her for the last time and finally confront her. Let's just say don't try running this girl off road. So girl goes into Menard's to find dreaded woman to which girl does, needless to say words were minced, and 5'7" girl looking down at 5'3" her, finally settled the whole thing. Now girl is really running on adrenalin, so she decides to calm down by browsing around. In her purse was a bag with a diet Pepsi that spilled over and through a hole in bag all inside purse. So she ask cashier for a Menard's bag and was told, you can only have one, if you purchasing something. Okay brain derailed and girl said, you've got to be kidding. So girl decides to go to garden center just to browse around nature, is very calming. What to her wondering eyes should appear, a checkout counter and many Menard's bags appear. So she looks up at the camera in her adrenalin rush, a bird flies up, and she says, I"m taking a Menard's bag.

Well weeks later police show up at girl's door. Believe it or not with a warrant for theft of a Menard's bag. The officer finding it so funny, let's girl just sign warrant, and leaves. Sorry I am still LOL! Needless to say very true story...girl ends up in court. Now girl is well educated in law and knows plea bargaining is what the court counts on, it's how they make there money. Girl leaves the store, 3 employees corner her and ask, where did you get the Menard's Bag. Well of course the answer was inside in the garden department. They ask to view inside bag, girl opens bag, inside is another bag with the spilled pop to which she opens, along with wet wipes girl carries every where.  Finally, today was the pretrial before court trial with jury, and girl telling attorney listen no deals, no plea bargaining, it was a Menard's bag to which they clearly viewed inside. So girl request video footage of employees looking through bag in parking lot.
So video was viewed, showed employees with girl letting them search bag and purse, and  showing girl placing other bag with pop leaking, dripping and placing it inside the Menard's bag. That was my day, 4 hours of waiting in court today, talking to tons of people, more waiting, and hearing many stories. In the 4 hours girl was there, she was the last to be addressed, with the Judge apologizing for girls long wait saying you've been here quite awhile. Girl responds, yes, I should have packed lunch. Okay, right, whatever! Needless to say the obvious happened....girl gets told charges are dropped, go ahead, you can go, run home....enjoy your holiday. Girl walks out totally stunned by it all and laughing all the way home. And that's what our tax dollars pay for, a 2 cent Menard's bag taken from a store. Oh help please... as girl is still LOL! What has this world come too!

Knitting and a Found Fox...

 Hey all, hope you're having a good weekend!

 

 

The last couple days I've been knitting away. I started a little sweater for the new grand baby the one with the little owls from here. It's rather easy and I really enjoy working with the small needles. I prefer 2 to 5 in knitting needles, they seem to be the best fit for me. I find larger ones to be a bit annoying, even though the project goes quicker, they just seem to me, like walking in extra large shoes on my feet. Kinda clumsy!

 

 

The weather is really warm today more so than it should be, in fact, you can see in the upper right corner of the photograph the sun is shining. And although it's warm, I have no desire to be outside. It just feels like autumn with winter around the corner..not to mention the wind is wiping away nearly 50 miles an hour. The windows are rattling which is rather soothing...especially at night... I have to say I love it! The little receiving blanket from here is finished waiting to be blocked. I used some yarn I had in my stash Caron Simply Soft in cream, although it looks more like a very light pale yellow. I really like the softness of the yarn, but not the way it knits. Yarn that splits a lot doesn't appeal to me and says it's really not the best quality, it's the softness that makes baby projects nice. And no matter what yarn I work with there is one problem I just can't seem to quit...nearly every project I knit contains a little mistake somewhere. As hard as I try it just happens...are you the same way? I mean, it's okay for me. Those who don't knit really wouldn't notice, besides if I had to rip it apart it would be so sad, as I put so much time into the darn thing. Kinda like the guy below...

 

 

If he spent his entire time trying to get into a chicken coup only to find the chickens gone. Believe me it would be nice that it's empty, because I love all animals, and hate to see them hurt. I found this little guy at Target in the Christmas section. He was the last one although plastic he looks like a rock and appears as though someone took a black sharpie and drew away. Isn't he just toooo cute! I have this thing with anything fox lately. I don't know why, nor can I explain it. Oh here we go again, the TV is on and this darn commercial makes me shake my head in aw....it's a neutrogena commerical, the girl says, are you growing old waiting for your wrinkle cream to work. LOL! I always respond heck no I'm just growing old...it's just sounds so redundit. I can't stop LMAO! help. I don't use the stuff wouldn't anyway I've earned all my wrinkles.

 

Okay, since I'm already laughing I end with this...

A very rich man decided to throw a party, inviting everyone in town. The morning before the party the man filled his pool with sharks and alligators. When the quest arrived he told them if anyone could swim across the pool and come out alive, he would grant them anything they wanted, anything...out of no where they all heard a splash... swimming across the pool a young man is dodging sharks, darts quickly under the alligators weaving and swimming as fast as he could to get to the end...he climbs out of the pool bends to take a deep breathe. The millionaire walks over says, "wow dude that was awesome, I didn't think anyone would actually try, now what would you like...anything is yours." The young man stands up looks at the millionaire and says, "all I want... is for you to find out who pushed me into the pool."

 

Thanks again for stopping by... it truly means a lot that you take to out of your day to visit.



New Grand Baby Has Arrived...

 

Meet William Carter C. " Baby Will"

 

 

 

My third grand baby made his way into the world. Birthday 11/12/13 weird isn't it...Weighing in at 7 lbs. 14 oz. - 21" long. And what a cutie! I had forgotten how small a newborn really is...especially with the last grand baby born, who is now 6 years old. And now this little one, so tiny, so new, so much ahead of him, I just couldn't stop watching as my daughter hovered over him. Not missing a sound, a movement, a facial expression, she was completely mesmerized, and so in love you could see, by her new baby boy. She looked at me and said, Mom, I don't want to miss a moment with him, I want to watch him every single second.

 

 

She swaddles him so tightly in his little blankets, wrapped tight like a little burrito. A technique Will's daddy has down pat. I watched has she spoke to him in such a soft voice...telling me...I wonder what he will look like a year from now...when he's all grown up, she said, I keep trying to imagine what he will look like all grown up. A very familiar question I too had ask and wondered the day she was born. There she is sitting in the hospital rocker looking beautiful, despite the fact she had just given birth, and all natural too. No medications after many unsuccessful attempts to administer an epidural. She did it!

 

 

 I look at her and think my baby just had a baby. So incredible different from a daughter in law, such a amazingly close feeling and one awesomely new experience. I always tell people don't have a girl, they are so demanding, whinny, and verbal, yet as I watched her with her own, I now understand the connection. It's also amazing how much the camera likes her....both her hubby and I agreed. She knows how to express herself to a camera lens, so proud, and in love, she is, with that little guy!

 

 

And this guy...her hubby...was so amazingly patient, and attentive to them both. I don't believe I have ever seen a father so involved in all ways, so soon. I was in aw and impressed at his ability to know exactly what to do in every moment she held him, he knew just by her sounds, when she was becoming frustrated with the new nursing method. He just got up and guided her patiently.  I could see it in so many ways, how much he had grown, matured and took noticed of his wife and son. I was always worried, he did 3 tours in Iraq in the early years of the war as a Marine sniper. His third tour he was commander of his brigade and on his second tour loosing his best friend to an IED. He came back a very quite, yet angry and cocky young man. But there has been a change with age and now as a father he is humbled. What a team they make...as I watched the rhythm, the understanding of each other in the simple ways they communicated. Waiting 7 years for this little guy, building there careers, him a police officer for the Veterns Hospital and her a radiographer. They managed to put together funds to let daddy stay home with his new son for a month. Good job I say to them both...I see this union lasting a lifetime.

 

And now on to more big news....I am to be a grand mother again in April to the first baby girl of the clan. And with that said...

 

Happy Birth Day, little Will, there is much love around you, and I am sure, more to come.

 

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have Peace"

Thomas Paine

 

 

Baby Cocoon and Hat finished...Adorable Owl Sweater Pattern

Blocking is done and I've added the Hat! Plus a Found Owl Pattern.

 

 

Last night while watching Criminal Minds, (another of my favorite shows) I knitted up a little hat to coordinate with the cocoon pattern I found on Raverly. I love browsing Raverly they're are so many talented people it's just amazing.

 

 

If you remember I discussed in my last post, how blocking didn't seem to make much sense to me when knitting or crocheting with acrylic yarn, however, much to my surprise this particular yarn really made a different in the cocoon, after the blocking was completed. Isn't that little hat just adorable?

 

 

The yarn I used was some I bought on sale at JoAnn Fabrics, we are limited on yarn shops in our area. The yarn was Bernat Softie which is great if you're knitting up thing for babies, or for someone who is looking for really inexpensive yarn which is comfy soft to the skin. My daughter is not one who likes anything with wool or a wool blend, which made this yarn, even more appealing for this project. I have to say it doesn't compare to the yarn the pattern originally called for...as this yarn was a lighter weight. It has a lot of stretch which is good and I'm glad because it knitted up a bit narrower than expected. Every brand of yarn I work with tends to knit up differently which is expected, yet for me, it doesn't matter. I have learned even when I work the gauge, I end up knitting looser as I dive into the project. So I am really learning to focus on my needle sizes more than the yarns. It's an easy pattern to knit, the only stitch you really have to know is w&t (wrap and turn) and then neating it in your work. This is an excellent tutorial for leaning w&t.

Currently I am working on a this owl baby sweater set pattern... I found while web surfing. My daughter requested a sweater done in ivory, another cashmere project is in the making.

 

Thank You for popping in have a spectacular day.

 

A Knitted Project and My Baby...

 

It's hard to believe that any day now, my baby, is having her first baby. Out of all boy's, she is my only girl. There are so many memories running through my mind this week. So much so, everything I seem to create, has been ripped out and redone over and over...

As I look at this silhouette I see so much more than one could find in a color image. It's what I adore about black and white, your eyes just focus on expression. In just this image, I see a mother's love for a baby, waiting to arrive, someone she's carried for 9 months, who she hasn't even meant, she is head over heels in love with...amazing isn't it!

 

 

Despite the fact my baby is having a baby, I am head over heals, it's so different then when it's your daughter in law. It's a connection like none I've had with my son's, and one I am so very grateful to be experiencing. I literally feel the blood line of the women in my family history carrying on...and yet at the same time, can with all my heart, relate to those who can not carry one of there own. Bless you, for choosing to adopt, for those children, whom for whatever reason, there parents have to let go, are just as blessed to have you, love them with all your heart...love any child with everything you have, for they make the most sense in this life, out of so many things that don't. They are the true beauty of any innocence in human form. Soak in that innocence, nurture it, watch it change, grow and guide it with every ounce of love you have within you. For they are the closest thing, the purest thing to an angel on this earth, that you will ever find.

 And....

although it's been a long two year struggle for my daughter, she never gave up. She has an ovarian condition that causes the eggs to turn into cyst which makes it very hard to have a baby and often impossible. Many as she did, use fertility drugs to encourage a proper ovulation if they are lucky. But, through a lot of tears and determination (Okay if any men are reading pay attention...or just hang in there I hear ya, this is women talk) two miscarriages later, a little boy named William, is about to arrive. It's doesn't get anymore beautiful then that....or does it?

 

 

Well maybe, okay let's face it, I think not! I started this project Sunday night and just finished it last night. I am learning to knit continental ( is that what they call it) which I love, and learning from a terrific lady named, Cat Bordhi. I have learned so many wonderful tips and tricks from this lovely lady, who shares everything. I am currently knitting by holding my yarn in my left hand and pulling underneath through the loops, instead of in my right hand, taking it around the needle. I can't tell you how fast knitting goes with this method. Here is one of her video's that helped me with this pattern by Sean Riley on Raverly. I just loved it!

 

 

For me, the hardest thing about knitting is working with stripes, all those different colors, yet what I hate the most, is weaving in those dreaded ends. Do You? Even crochet projects, weaving in ends seems to be something I have read, nearly everyone who works yarn hates. Despite the ends, I really enjoyed knitting this Cocoon project.  I searched and searched for anyone to teach me a way to weave in those darn ends, and came up with the same thing...there is no right or wrong way. From the Purl Bee to Susan b. Anderson, to so many other sites, there weren't many answers.

Yet... I still knitted stripes, gave it my best... and that's all we can do.

 

 

And now it's in the blocking stage, and although it's mostly acrylic, for me, blocking really doesn't make sense with this type of yarn. But, I do it anyway on my little table top ironing board. I have yet to buy a blocking board, only because this year I seemed to be knitting more and liking it a whole heck of a lot! The learning is so accelerating, so challenging, and although the end result isn't always what I hope for...I still carry on..because I am in love with those needles and so adore working with yarn. I look forward to this years winter weather and say bring it on...because this gal is going to be doing a lot of knitting!

 

 

And before I close this post...here they are...my babies...who are now 27 to 33 and I can hardly believe it! All married with families of there own, enjoying there own journey's and reminding me everyday of my own with them.

Say hello to....Aaron William (left) a computer tech for a large corporation, Dannon Mae (middle) my yogurt girl, Lol, yup, named after the yogurt, is a radiographer, and my oldest, Adam Michael (right) who too, is a computer tech for another large corporation. I am a proud mother, more so because I am so very grateful, and so very blessed that they have been in my life.

 

Every doctor told me not to have anymore children, after having kidney failure while 6 months pregnant with my oldest, Adam. Every doctor on my case said, abort him, and my every response was no....I challenged them, and they figured out a way to get him to full term. Another story...I defied all odds and had more. Even despite major kidney surgery when Adam was just 5 months old.

I am still standing in so many ways, and that's what life is about, we keep standing when life hits us the hardest, we get up, we take it, learn from it, and move on...because nothing will hit you harder than life and nothing can hit back harder than you. Its how we learn, it's how we grow, life teaches us everything about who we are.... and when you realize your journey, all those trials no matter how tough, are meant just for you, they build character, they teach us exactly who we are meant to be...you will keep standing through it all... you will become a much happier person for it!

Just listen when those trials come, they will teach you everything, you need to know, about yourself.

 

And with all that said....have a wonderful day...and as always... keep those hands creating...and keep listening to your life trials!

Thank you so very much for popping in and reading my blog.